10 Ways to Cut Your Fuel Costs

U.S.News & World Report
Thursday October 18, 12:01 pm ET
By Emily Brandon

With crude oil futures threatening to hit $90 a barrel, gas prices jumped again this week, to a national average of $2.78 a gallon for regular unleaded, according to AAA. So, fuel economy is paramount. Here are tactics to help you get the most miles per gallon from your vehicle this winter and save money, too.

Get checkups. Regular oil changes and tuneups cost money and can take a big chunk out of your Saturday. But repairing a car that has failed an emissions test will improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. And fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40 percent. Even a simple change like replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

Inflate tires. Properly inflate your tires according to instructions in your vehicle owner's manual. Underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every pound's drop in pressure of all four tires.

Discover oil. "Get oil changes every three to four months," recommends Ronnie Kweller, spokesperson for the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy. You can improve your gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using your manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. But using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30, or 5W-30 in an engine made for 5W-20, can decrease gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Also, motor oil that says "energy conserving" on the API performance symbol contains friction-reducing additives.

Avoid idling. Sitting in your car with the engine running wastes gas without getting you anywhere. Telecommute, stagger work hours, carpool, or otherwise try to avoid sitting in rush-hour traffic.

Drive smoothly. Speeding up and then braking can lower gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and 5 percent around town. Using cruise control on the highway can help your vehicle consume gas more efficiently.

Don't race. It's safer and less expensive to obey the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph, typically costing you an extra 20 cents per gallon of gas for each 5 mph over 60 mph.

Lose weight. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent, with smaller vehicles being affected more than larger ones. Also, avoid carrying items on the car's roof, which can increase drag and further reduce fuel efficiency by 5 percent.

Choose carefully. Try to purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicle in your price range. If you clock 15,000 miles a year, driving a car that gets 30 mpg rather than 20 mpg will save you $695 per year at $2.78 per gallon. Check out http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ and http://www.consumerreports.org/ for information about fuel efficiency.

Get tax breaks. Take advantage of 2007 federal income tax credits that reduce what you owe Uncle Sam by $250 to $4,000 for purchases of hybrid-electric or diesel vehicles. Amounts are based on the vehicle's efficiency and fuel savings.

Shop around. Gasoline prices change often and may vary by as much as 20 percent within only a few blocks, according to the gas price comparison website gasbuddy.com. So, compare prices online before paying at the pump. Just don't drive several miles out of your way simply to save a few cents filling up your 12-gallon tank.

source: Yahoo!Biz

Planning Ahead For Your Family’s Financial Security

No one likes to imagine that illness or death could compromise their family's financial security. But, tragically and all too often, these things devastate families and leave them in a vulnerable financial position just when they need the most security. Spending only a few hours preparing for such a scenario might save your family needless trouble. Once, only fathers needed to worry about this, but today with two-earner families comprising the majority of American families, both partners should actively participate in planning to ensure financial security for themselves and their children.

At the very least, each partner should have a simple will specifying who will receive assets and who will take guardianship of the children. Financial professionals advise naming one person to control the financial assets and another person to take physical custody of the children. You can prepare your own wills by purchasing a kit online or at an office supply store. Although this is a good short-term solution, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible, particularly if you have a lot of assets or there is disagreement in your extended family about who should serve as guardians for your children.

Adequate life insurance is also essential to protecting your family. The majority of Americans do not carry enough life insurance to ensure that their family will enjoy the same quality of life after their death. Simple term insurance is adequate for most people's needs. Whole life policies rarely provide the same level of returns as other investments, such as stocks. Many insurance companies have life insurance calculators on their websites which will help you determine exactly how much insurance you need. Be sure to take into account any insurance provided by your employer. If one spouse stays home with the children, they should also be insured since the surviving partner will need to pay for child care and household services.

Most Americans are unaware that it is not death, but disability that most frequently causes financial problems for a family. Check with your employer to see if they offer short and long-term disability insurance. If not, have your insurance agent quote you for this essential coverage that will protect you and your family if you can no longer work.

Finally, long-term care insurance will cover nursing home or other types of ongoing residential care. Young people often overlook this coverage, thinking that it's only for older people. However, head injuries, paralysis and other traumatic injuries often result in the need for long-term residential care.

About The Author
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://ifinancecentral.com/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://thebusinessbuzz.net/ and http://4educationinformation.com/.

Financial Planning For Credit Card Users

Credit cards can be an excellent tool to help you manage your finances. But sometimes we make poor choices, or sometimes the events in life take us beyond our expectations and we are left to foot the bill. Perhaps you have had a few months of extra, unexpected expenses that you are now paying for. What can you do?

If you are faced with several large credit card bills, a UK personal loan is one choice for you to consider. Many people are selecting a UK personal loan to add to their financial portfolio and you might want to consider using one to deal with those credit card bills. Here's how.

Gather together all of your credit card bills and add up the amount that you owe. Factor in the extra expenses you haven't heard on your credit cards since you receive those bills. Add to that about ten or twenty per cent, which is the "whoops, I forgot about that" factor. Then, with that figure, start shopping around. There are many UK personal loan institutions that want to do business with you.

Get the loan and pay off your credit card bills. If you think that you may still use your credit cards or, you may want to hide them away so that you reduce the temptation to use them.

Now, instead of having several credit card bills at a high interest rate due by the end of the month, you now have one bill that is due once a month at a lower rate. This is called consolidation. At first glance it may not seem obvious why you'd want to do this but there are two reasons:

The first reason is that you will save a lot of money on interest rates. In fact, some UK personal loan interest rates might be as much as half of regular credit card interest rates.

The second reason is that you will get one bill with a fixed amount due every month rather than several bills with several amounts due throughout the month. This will help you budget.

Credit cards can be an excellent tool to help you manage your finances and by the things you want or need. But when things go a ride and your bills get out of hand, which happens to be even the best of us, choosing a UK personal loan as a way to consolidate those bills will help you reduce your interest rates and set up a fixed amount of payment. Reduced interest rates will ultimately increase the amount of money you keep and a fixed amount due every month will help you plan your budget.

About The Author

Mark Lambie is the founder of http://www.loan-source.co.uk a website providing free secured loan quotes. Apply today to find out how much we can save you.

Financial Planning: What’s your Designation?

If you’re shopping for financial planning services, it may seem like a jungle out there. There are advertisements everywhere, and everybody seems “nice,” but nice won’t cut it when it comes to your money. How can you cut to the chase and find a financial planning expert that you can trust.

Start by learning what the different designations mean. You may have noticed that there are three popular financial designations that most financial planners hold. You’ll want to choose one with one of the following designations.

Like many CPA‘s, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) must attend about two years of training and pass a rigorous test. This designation is given by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, a national organization. After two years of preparatory courses, a Certified Financial Planner must earn a passing grade on a ten-hour test given over the course of two days. The Financial Planning Association can provide you with a listing of Certified Financial Planners.

You may have also encountered some Chartered Financial Consultants. These graduates of American College in Pennsylvania have completed a series of exams and obtained real life experience before earning their designation. However, the program is geared more toward the insurance profession than broad based financial planning. The Society of Financial Professionals can provide you with a listing of these consultants.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers its own designation, a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS). Certified Public Accountants can earn this additional designation by completing a series of comprehensive tests and demonstrate experience in financial planning. Most of these designates are members of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and they can refer you to a PFS in your area.

All of the above certifying agencies require at least three years of experience prior to certification. Other designations do exist, but these three are the most reliable. Since many unscrupulous individuals decide to call themselves “financial planners,” you’d be wise to look for one with a certification from a nationally recognized organization.

Since the Securities and Exchange Commission doesn’t regulate smaller financial advisors (those with under $25 Million under advisement), it is up to you to screen your financial planner carefully.

You can begin by checking on the website of the National Association of Securities Dealers website. They list financial planners who have been disciplined on their website. Information is also available by telephone from this association’s toll free number (800-289-9999). Also check with your state’s securities division for disciplinary actions and complaints.

Ask your planner for a copy of Form ADV, Part II. If you aren’t familiar with the form, they will be. This form is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission from every financial planner and should spell out how and what the planner will be paid and any incentives they may earn. Sometimes they will provide this information in brochure or pamphlet form, but you’ll know up front what your fees will be.

Finally, check references. A reputable planner won’t mind giving you a few references to call. Find out if they handle portfolios similar to yours and if the client is satisfied with their services. Ask about fees.

It’s your future, so doing a little homework up front and making sure that you‘re getting what you pay for is well worth it in the long run. Make sure that your financial planner holds a nationally recognized designation and check him out before you hand over your hard earned money. Your time and effort is a wise investment when shopping for a financial planner.

About The Author

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.prime-financial.net a website specialized on Finance, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Finance. For more info on Finance visit: http://www.prime-financial.net.

How To Get Started In Investment Properties

One of the best investments that you can be involved in today is that which deals in real estate. Right now, real estate is moving very good and it is a good time to be dealing with it. Much money can be made in real estate transactions and the good news is that you can make a lot of money quickly - if your investments and selling techniques are made wisely. Here are a few things you need to know about getting started in this potentially lucrative field.

Learn About It

Investments of any kind require that you learn about what you are investing your money in. Any other way of investing is only foolish, unless you have some really good financial counselors. But generally, the more you know the better off you will be. This is especially true in real estate, because the investments are large and the losses can be high. You should want to read all you can about it before you make any moves. Not only should you learn about how to choose a property that people will want, you also need to know how to research the local market to know what a property should sell for.

Types Of Property

There are a number of ways that you can get started in real estate. Largely this will be determined by how much money you have to get started with. If you do not have much money, you may want to start with foreclosures, or pre-foreclosures. These properties will be the cheapest, and, because of their value as opposed to their cost to you, could bring some excellent returns. You can buy them at less than market value, fix them up a little, and turn around and sell them at market value - for a good-sized profit.

Other properties involve residential or commercial, large and small. Once again, you need to make sure you know what you are doing before you invest. Learn the secrets to investing that will make it worthwhile, and be able to recognize a bad deal when you see one.

For Sale Or Rent?

When you want to buy property is it so that you can turn around and sell it - or do you intend to rent it out? Residential renters have a great many needs and may disturb your sleep if they need to have something done right away. On the other hand, commercial renters have a tendency to take of small things for themselves just to be able to get back to their business. Renting property out is one way to ensure an income over a long period of time, but will require a percentage of outlay to keep the property up. Commercial property, if in a prime location, however, is always sure to remain in demand.

While the real estate market is hot, there is a possible downside that you need to be aware of. Money that is tied up in real estate, while able to keep its overall value, could be tied up in that property for some time - not all property sells quickly. So you need to be able to figure in things like taxes, interest and other things that will eat at your profits over a period of time.

The market is good and much money can be made in it. It is just waiting for the right investor.

About The Author
Joseph Kenny writes for the UK Loan Store, visit them here, UK Loans Store and more information on bad credit loans available on site.

Visit Today: http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/

Tips for Financial Planning

Financial planning, something we all know we need to do, but always put off to the future. Financial planning is hard simply because it requires financial discipline, which is difficult to have in this consumer society. However, financial planning is very important because you want to retire one day, be financially stable in the event of an accident, or unexpected loss of a job. Financial planning will help you rest easy as you age.

The following tips will help get you in gear to start your financial planning. Once you have made financial planning part of your routine, it won’t seem so difficult. But getting your financial planning started can be the most difficult thing. These tips will help motivate you to make financial planning one of your main goals.

Financial Planning Tip #1 Pay off Debt

One of the biggest factors fighting against financial planning is debt, especially credit card debt. If something starts off as a small debt it turns into a big one simply because you were not paying off the debt. Financial planning means you have a plan and paying off debt should be the first goal of your plan.

Financial Planning Tip #2 Invest

Another financial planning tip is to invest. Financial planning means you are saving for the future in many cases, so you will want to take money you earn today and invest in the stock market, in bonds, IRAs, 4019k) or a mixture of all of the above. Saving your money with the help of financial planning will help money grow all on its own.

Financial Planning Tip #3 Spend Less than You Earn

This is tough for people to understand and often times what they resist most when they begin financial planning. This is because Americans always want what is bigger and better. Regardless, financial planning is more important than consumerism. Make spending less than you earn part of your financial planning.

Financial Planning Tip #4 Budget

A great financial planning tip is budgeting. You won’t be able to save unless you know what you spend. Make budgeting part of your financial planning and you will realize saving is not so hard.

About The Author

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.mileniumfinancial.com a blog focusing on the Financial, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Financial. For more info on Banking visit: http://www.mileniumfinancial.com.

Variable Life Insurance & Annuities: Investment Scandals in Waiting

We humans are as creative on the "Dark Side" of commercial activity as we are in developing beneficial new products and services. In the face of huge financial benefits, however, some corporate executives can't resist taking an extra dessert even before their shareholders have finished dinner. Some scandals have more of an impact on investors than others, and most produce unwarranted layers of government regulation and control that stifle honest creativity.

Plain vanilla fraud and theft are less worrisome to me than situations where the general acceptance of misinformation or "business as usual" practices allows inherently bad product ideas and blatant mismanagement to become accepted by regulatory authorities, financial professionals, and myopically gullible consumers. Here are some candidates for future "Blockbuster Scandal Awards" (B S Awards, if you will): Variable Life Insurance & Annuities, Wrap Fee Managed Investment Accounts, Portfolio Window Dressing, Asset Allocation Mutual Funds, and Obscene Executive Compensation.

1) Variable Insurance and Annuities: Variable products are a relatively new thing in the insurance industry, circa 1980 or so. Before that, the conventional wisdom labeled the Shock Market much too risky for Life Insurance Policy and Annuity Contract guaranteed benefits. In fact, these benefits had been "guaranteed" for so long that it became a generic expectation of anyone in the market for either. So why did the State Insurance departments cave in to the Variable Product lobby? And what is not emphasized as these products are marketed to potential insureds and annuitants?

As if the 8% sales commission on Straight Life Annuities wasn't enough, the addition of Mutual Fund bonuses made the Variable Annuity irresistible... to financial professionals. Similarly, this product is so lucrative for the companies that they manipulate their rates to become more competitive. Since the introduction of variable benefits, there have been more insurance company failures and scandals, and not just a few disappointed recipients of reduced annuity payments. What's in your retirement plan?

2)Wrap Fee Investment Accounts: From the very beginnings of wealth, the very wealthy employed Investment Managers to protect and to grow their portfolios. Most Investment Managers had just a few huge clients that they tended to while the rest of the fledging financial industry focused on property protection and estate creation through life insurance. Most of today's (salaried) Investment Managers are employed by Financial Institutions to supervise thousands of Mutual Funds for millions of investors of all financial shapes and sizes. There are more Equity Mutual Funds than there are individual Equities on the New York Stock Exchange. Most investors today will employ many Investment Managers and never actually speak to any of them.

Enter the personally managed investment portfolio product offered by most major Financial Institutions. For a single fee, you receive the personal services of a professional Investment Manager, and a portfolio specifically designed for you. Except, of course, that you get neither. You get precisely the same portfolio as everybody else, and all at once regardless of price... a Mutual Fund with individual statements. But of course, you can speak to the manager any time you like, change your asset allocation, set aside a reserve for an upcoming expenditure, etc. Yeah, sure you can!

Note that "Flat Fee" managed accounts are quite different and may actually be separately and personally managed.

3)Portfolio Window Dressing: Every quarter, every year, we hear about the adjustments that portfolio managers are making as they attempt to look smart to their largest clients. Now in a discipline (Investing) that they all officially recognize as a long-term commitment to some specific strategy or plan, why do the Masters of the Universe spend so much time manipulating their short-term performance numbers? And why is this considered business as usual instead of common fraud?

4)Asset Allocation Mutual Funds: I look at Asset Allocation a bit differently than most professionals seem to and I regulate and monitor a portfolio's structure using the cost basis of securities rather than their Market Value. But how, logically, can a one-size-fits-all Mutual Fund be the right mix for all investors? Here's a definition found on the Internet: "A mutual fund that rotates among stocks, bonds, and money market securities to maximize return on investment and minimize risk". And a definition of Asset Allocation from a similar source: "The practice of distributing a certain percentage of a portfolio between different types of investment assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cash, real estate, options, etc. By diversifying an individual's asset base, one hopes to create a favorable risk/reward ratio for a portfolio".

In reality, Asset Allocation is a structure-planning tool that determines what percentage of an Investment Portfolio is to be invested for Growth in Equity securities and what percentage is to be invested for income production. The proper allocation is a function of the investor's age, marital status, financial position, employment status, retirement plans, expenditure needs, risk tolerance, family responsibilities, etc. Diversification occurs within the two (just two) asset classes. One size fits all... who's kidding whom?

5) Corporate Executive Compensation: I strongly believe that everyone has the right to become filthy rich, legally of course. I respect anyone who gets there honestly because their success creates jobs, opportunities, wealth, and a higher standard of living for everyone. But, once they sell shares of their successful enterprises to the public, they have a responsibility to share future profits and growth. Obscene executive suite compensation (right down to the chauffeured limousines) is simply stealing from shareholders.

With every new Scandal, a voracious Media and a hypocritical Congress exacerbate the fear of shocked investors and call for more regulation of the very entities whose success, freedom, viability, and competitiveness they should be nurturing. Ironically, politicians are always the most outspoken critics... probably because of their familiarity with cover-ups and improprieties. But no one ever questions the integrity of the Financial Institutions that invent, produce, price, and promote products and services that do far more long-term harm than the few (albeit serious and sensational) incidents of corporate wrong doing.

Four of the five candidates for this year's Blockbuster Scandal (B S) Award were created on Wall Street. The fifth is ignored by it. Which one bothers you most?

About The Author
Steve Selengut
http://www.sancoservices.com
http://www.valuestockbuylistprogram.com
Professional Portfolio Management since 1979
Author of: "The Brainwashing of the American Investor: The Book that Wall Street Does Not Want YOU to Read", and "A Millionaire's Secret Investment Strategy"

Real Estate Investment - Still a Great Option for the Long Term Investor

Investing in Real Estate is a great Addition to any portfolio, but what is the best way to do it? There are a number of different options, and we will go through some of them here.

The first one, and the one that seems to get the most attention these days is the "Flip". With the emergence of shows like "The Big Flip", and "Flip This House", this Buy, Renovate and Resell strategy is the 'sexy' option for most real estate investors right now. However, there are a few things to consider before you go about this. The first thing to think about, of course, is where are you going to find the property that is priced well for the flip. There are a few options for investors - the first of which is to contact a good Real Estate Agent and have them scan all listings for you for any that are undervalued, priced as is, owned by the bank or foreclosure company, or any other good opportunities that might be on the market. Your Real Estate Agent is your best friend in this respect, as they will be very motivated to find you the best property, and will be very vigilant, if for no other reason than they know you will be reselling the property at some point pretty soon! When looking for Properties to Flip in your area, remember that the same rules apply as to your own home - the first three things you should look for is Location, Location, Location! Properties that are in Downtown Areas are often the easiest to resell, however, they are often more expensive than more suburban properties, so that will eat into profit margins. Look for houses on popular streets, in good neighbourhoods. If you are buying into a worse neighbourhood, make sure you are factoring that into your price of purchase, and projected resale. The other Key factor to the Flip, is that you must ensure that you don't price yourself out of the neighbourhood. For Example, no matter how nice you make your small bungalow in an area of starter homes, Don't expect to resell it for 50% more than anything else in the area! Ensure that your renovations don't bring the price too high. Finally, Understand that the higher price bracket you try to flip, the longer it is going to take to resell, and the higher your materials costs will be. You need to consider all of this and much more before considering the flip.

The other main strategy that you can use to add to your investment portfolio in the real estate world is the rental property. Rental Properties offer two different qualities to your portfolio - income and capital gain. Your rental property can offer you a monthly income over and above your monthly outlay of expenses (mortgage, utilities and taxes). Even if your rental property doesn't offer you a huge (or any) monthly income, remember, you are also earning a capital gain on the property, as it is very likely to increase in value... just like your personal home is. All of this should be taken into consideration when deciding on a property. However, with Rental property, the most important consideration is always the Tenants that you have. A great looking, well maintained and located property can still be a nightmare if you get a bad set of tenants in their. It is important to do stringent interviews, check references and draft a strong lease agreement. You should also familiarize yourself with the Nova Scotia Tenancy Act. Finally, you need to decide what kind of rental property you are going to run. Do you want to rent to students? Young Professionals? High or Low Income? Students offer payment by room, which is often higher than you could command for entire flats, but you have to consider that they will likely not care for the building very well, and might not have the rent each month. Additionally, you have the concern of them bailing out on you once school ends for the year. Young Professionals will often be very easy to deal with, will pay their rent on time, but will also be very astute about how much they will pay, and are likely to be there for only a short period of time. Your Rental portfolio must always account for at least a 5% vacancy rate (in the good times), and must still generate money for you with that in the equation.

Like I say, in both of these cases, your real estate agent can be your best friend, and you should seek out one that you feel can be an informative and trusted advisor. They will work in conjuction with your financial planner as well, to determine what the best course of action for you is. As always, you should feel comfortable with whatever investment you make!

About The Author
Matt Honsberger is a Licensed Real Estate Agent in the heart of maritime Canada - Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the designer of http://www.homesinhrm.com.

Buying Life Insurance: A Checklist

Life insurance can be an effective tool to make certain and protect your family’s financial future. It has been acknowledged universally as a method by which the breadwinner can substitute risk and uncertainty with timely aid for the family in case of their unfortunate death.

Since a life insurance policy will replace your lost income after your death, it is important to choose the right kind of policy. Hence, it is essential to find a company that will cover your insurance with the right amount, and at a reasonable price.

Need for a life insurance policy:

There are several reasons for an individual, specifically a breadwinner, to make out a life insurance policy. To assuage your concern for your family in case of your death, most life insurance policies offer various death benefits that take care of your family after your death:

1. For example, a member of your family may have some special needs. You can buy a life insurance policy that will act as an emergency fund in the event of your untimely death.

2. If you want to make sure that your child gets quality education even after your death, a life insurance can also work as a fund for your child’s education.

3. An insurance policy will ensure the maintenance of your family’s standard of living.

4. Your family can also use it to clear personal and business debts, after your death.

Duration of insurance coverage:

Before buying a policy it is advisable to ensure the duration for which you want life insurance coverage. You can take online help to decide the coverage duration.

Need for a checklist

After you decide on your specific need, and the duration of your life insurance policy, you can begin looking for a suitable policy. It is prudent to prepare a checklist before buying, as this will ensure that you end up purchasing the right policy.

The checklist must include various factors on which you can assess insurance companies, which includes various criteria set by insurance companies too. Here are a few pointers:

1. Before buying a life insurance policy, it is advisable to ensure that you have all medical information regarding your health, because most companies expect that, depending on your age and the duration of insurance coverage.

2. It’s a good idea to compare various life insurance companies on the basis of quotes that they have to offer. You can take the help of the Internet to compare the quotes based on your choice of insurance product and your age.

3. You can also take help from a broker through the telephone or the Internet and clear all your queries.

4. Once you decide on a particular insurance company, it is important to ascertain the company’s financial strength and stability.

5. It is also advisable to gather information about the options for renewal that various insurance companies offer, because some companies charge high premiums if you renew your policy.

6. Some insurance companies charge a penalty if you cancel your policy, so make sure that the company you choose does not demand a penalty on cancellation of policy.

7. You may also want to make some changes in your policy in due time, as your insurance needs can change with time. So, when you purchase your insurance policy find out if there is an age limitation for any kind of conversion of your policy, and whether the option of moving into a better policy is there.

About The Author
Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk.

Planning for Your Financial Future

Two heads are better than one, so sit down with your spouse and plan out your financial future together.

Prioritize your bills.

By determining which bills to pay in which order, you'll get in the habit of making sure your essentials are always paid first.

Be careful using credit. Sometimes a financial crisis will come not because of a layoff, but because you're overextended. Most people can afford to devote 10 percent of their net income (after taxes) to installment debt, not including mortgage or rent payments. If you pay out more than 15 percent, you need to cut back.

Establish an emergency fund. Open a savings account and start "paying yourself" 10 percent of each paycheck.

What happens if we run into an emergency and our emergency fund isn’t enough?

Don't panic. When facing a financial crisis, stay calm. This will help you think logically and you'll avoid unnecessary arguments with your spouse.

Quit spending money. When faced with a financial challenge, it's easy to use your credit cards. But you may run up your balance to the credit limit and not be able to afford the payments, which will result in a poor credit rating—something you won't want during a crisis time.

Prioritize your bills. Pay essential, or survival, bills first: food, mortgage or rent, utilities. Next, pay car insurance, medical needs, child support, and any loans such as automobiles and furniture that are secured as collateral.

Then pay the nonessential bills—those debts in which no immediate consequences occur if paid late: credit and charge cards, attorney, medical, and accounting bills, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, life insurance, childcare, gyms, or clothing.

Communicate with your creditors. If you can't pay your bills or can only pay a partial amount, your creditors may be able to help you to establish a repayment plan.

Some lenders will allow you to defer one payment a year, meaning the payment for that particular month doesn't have to be made. The deferred payment is added to the end of the contract.

Take notes of any conversations with creditors, listing the date and person with whom you spoke. Whatever arrangement you make, get it in writing from the creditor before you send in money.

Know your rights. Many collection agencies are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. To get a copy of this legislation, visit www.ftc.gov. If you feel you've been violated, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at their website.

Find outside help. Many churches and Para church organizations run programs to help you navigate through financial troubles.

A debt management company may also be able to help you reduce your payments, lower your interest rates, and pay off your debt faster than trying to do it yourself.

Such companies can also negotiate with your creditors to bring your accounts current if they're past due.

Avoid bankruptcy. Bankruptcies should be your last resort. A bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for up to 10 years.

About The Author

Nathan Dawson writes for http://www.marriedfinances.com and http://www.successfulmarriageresource.com, great online sources for marriage and finance information.

What are Gold Credit Cards?

Gold credit cards are special privilege cards that are traditionally offered by credit card companies either to high earners or to their loyal customers who have a good credit history. Traditionally they are considered to be status symbol because they are associated with high annual income, which offer added services and benefits.

Gold credit cards are beneficial if you are a high spender seeking associated benefits such as free air miles, cash back, reward points etc. These credit cards give you the added advantage of high or no credit limit. Though generally the credit limit is quite high still it depends on your annual income and your credit rating. Companies will certainly not offer a gold card to people with a bad credit history or to those who have low income.

The credit card companies will generally offer a better service and many more benefits to these privileged customers. Additionally, they have lower interest rates as compared to that of standard credit cards. Generally, there are low or no annual fees on Gold credit cards. View your statements, pay your card balance and transfer balances. There is an online fraud guarantee, so you're not responsible for any unauthorized purchases.

Gold credit cards main features:

Payment protection plan protects in case of involuntary unemployment, accidental injury or sickness.

Card protection Plan protects your account in case of loss or theft of your card.

You can share it with family and friends. Thus avail a greater flexibility and convenience.

It provides complete travel insurance up to £250,000

A number of travel benefits.

A word of caution is necessary here. You will have to spend a lot to make it work for you. As with all credit, you will reap the benefits when you are able to afford the repayments, however, the moment you fail you may land yourself in a financial trouble. Missing your monthly payments would mean penalty fee and costs plus a dwindling credit rating, creating problems in future.

About the author:
Joseph Kenny writes for the credit card comparison sites http://www.credit-cards-info.com/ and http://www.creditcards121.com/, here you can compare credit cards and find the latest offers available.


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Health Insurance and health care

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a financial risk.


Even if you're on a tight, limited budget, it's very important that you pick up some kind of affordable health insurance. Even if you only have a plan that covers unexpected hospitalization, your peace of mind will be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind that a catastrophic health insurance policy can come with a high deductible before their coverage kicks in. They don't pick up the cost of preventive physician visits or emergency room visits to get a few stitches.


Some questions to ask when considering affordable health insurance.

1) Can your and/or your family afford to pay ALL your medical expenses if you're sick or injured?

2) How much is the deductible?

3) How much are the premiums?


With a little searching and comparison shopping you find the best rate for your personal affordable health insurance.



About the author:
Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-healthinsurance-4u.com/


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Do I Need That Credit Card?

Nowadays almost everyone has one, almost everyone has used one and many more are looking to change theirs. What are they? The answer would be a credit card.

You might ask yourself do I really need a credit card?

Credit cards have many advantages, the first one being that they give you the luxury of buy now, pay later. Avid shoppers can even get a number of incentives due to redeemable reward points, free air miles, cash back on purchases and more, all through a reward credit card.

Online

The internet has changed the way retailers sell, add to it the luxury of credit card use and what you get is the complete convenience of shopping directly from the comfort of home. The credit card company should cover you and you will not be held liable for fraudulent use of your credit card online. You should check the terms and conditions of your credit card agreement for these details.

Abroad

Moreover, you can make purchases using your credit card when you go abroad without having to care about the hassles of currency exchange because that is for your credit card to think about. Plus many credit cards offer payment protection. A major drawback of this would be that it will cost you extra every time that you use the card abroad, normally a flat rate of around 3% on the transaction cost will be added to your credit card balance.

Emergencies

Credit cards prove to be a boon when you think of emergency situations. God forbid, you meet with an accident. You do not have enough money at that moment. What will you do? Wait for an angel? Well, you do not need that. You can always rely on your credit card and pay for those expenses. Moreover, there are some credit cards that provide you insurance.

Affinity Cards

There are also credit cards through which you can forward money to your favorite charity or organization you are affiliated to and want to contribute monetarily. Thus, the more you will spend through your affinity card the more money will go to your affiliate.

People wrongly accuse credit cards of making spendthrifts out of them. However, this wonder can actually help you save a lot. Moreover, if you have bad credit history a credit builder product like unsecured credit card or bad credit- credit card can actually help you payback your debt and build back good credit rating.


About the author:
Joseph Kenny writes for the credit card comparison sites http://www.credit-cards-info.com/ and http://www.creditcards121.com/, here you can compare credit cards and find the latest offers available.


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Health Insurance - Are You Covered?

With the ever-increasing cost of health care, procedures and medicines, it's no wonder that the cost of health insurance has also dramatically risen over the past few years. But as that's happened, insurance companies and the government have seen the potential negative impact of families and individuals without insurance. There are some things you can do if you don't have health insurance.

A federal mandate requires that all 50 states have a health insurance program for children. Each state was allowed to create a plan tailored to the needs of children in that state, but there are some things that are the same from one state to the next. The first is eligibility.

Government funded health programs typically have very stringent income guidelines. These health insurance programs have income requirements, but the criteria allow higher income than most programs.

Another criteria for participation is that the child isn't covered by any other health insurance. That differs from most programs in a very important way. Most programs say that if the family has access to insurance, they aren't eligible. That means that parents who have employer-based insurance don't qualify. But many of the employer-based plans are too expensive, and workers sometimes simply can't afford the premiums. This program is designed to help fill that gap.

These programs don't cover families - only children. But there are some great benefits for those who qualify. Some states offer mental health benefits, transportation to and from appointments and dental/vision benefits.

If your children don't qualify for this program, or if you're in the market for individual health insurance for an adult or private insurance for a family, you have some options. Even though insurance is typically very expensive, you can take some steps to control costs.

You can eliminate extras such as vision and dental coverage, and increase deductibles to lower the cost of your insurance premiums. Look for policies that don't include maternity benefits and cancer plans as more affordable general health insurance plans. Basic coverage will likely be less expensive than an all-inclusive health insurance program.

Finally, shop before you make a decision. Even if you're offered employer-based insurance, you might find a better deal elsewhere (depending on the amount of employer participation). Look to professional groups for discounts and advice.


About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Insurance Resources a website providing information on Insurance


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Investing and Financial Planning

What exactly is financial planning, and why is it so important?

Financial planning is the process of determining how to manage money, investing, present and future financial goals, and the strategy that should be undertaken to obtain them.

Because our goals and desires change as we do, financial planning and investing is a task that is never finished. How we are financially able to reach these goals, and the risk we are willing to take to get there, necessarily means that any financial plan must be specifically tailored for an individual or family.

Financial planning begins by taking into account each individual's assets and liabilities at that particular point in time.

The asset category includes life insurance and monetary investments of all kinds, along with physical assets such as a home, automobiles and other items.

Liabilities may range from personal loans, credit card debt, and loans taken to obtain hard assets, such as mortgages.

Next is where sources of ongoing income and increases in hard asset wealth enter into the equation. Income most usually is earned by employment, but other sources, such as possible inheritances, must also be considered. Increases in hard asset wealth, such as rising home prices, will be affected by general economic conditions as well as owner enhancements.

From here, things get trickier, and this is where the true planning begins!

Our particular stage in life -- whether we are young, old, or somewhere in the middle -- will usually lead us to desire a particular set of goals. Financial planners often break down our life cycles into distinct phases. Which phase we are in is often determined by age but will also be dictated by how much risk we are willing to assume.

Younger people are most often described as being in an accumulation phase. Their earnings have not yet hit their peak, but at the same time they are striving to obtain both hard and soft assets.

Examples here include saving for a new home or a child's education. Risk assumed here will be tempered by the time constraints of these goals as well as individual risk tolerance. In general, the longer the time frame, the more investments in the aggressive category may be considered.

The other phases extend to middle age and beyond to retirement. Our middle age years often find us at the peak of our earning power, with many of our former goals satisfied. This will mean greater savings are possible, and as time progresses towards retirement, our tolerance for risk will necessarily diminish.

Financial planning takes all of this into account and more. Other factors, including planning for health care and other insurance needs, preparation for emergency expenditures, tax and estate planning and the like will all be part of the strategy.

Unexpected windfalls may also enter into the picture. Saving for retirement becomes increasingly important as the time earned income will end draws nearer.

All of these variables add to the importance of financially planning across all stages of one's life. It is a concept that encompasses your total financial picture -- both in the present and for the future.

About The Author

Copyright © I.E.C. Haramis
haramis@greekshares.com
http://www.greekshares.com
Ioannis - Evangelos (Akis) C. Haramis was born in Athens, Greece in 1951. Studied Business Administration, Marketing and Economics in Athens, Greece, in Chicago, ILL and in Boulder, CO (USA), as well as in Leuven, Belgium. He has been active in the stock markets since 1972 as an investor, stockbroker and consultant to individual investors and various funds. Since 2002 he is New Business Development Managing Director at a leading Investment Bank and always active in the stock markets.

What to look for in good Health Insurance

Health insurance is a kind of protection that provides payment of benefits for covered sickness or injury. Included in health insurance are various types of insurance such as accident insurance, disability income insurance, medical expense insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Before sign the health insurance policy make sure that you have read thoroughly the benefit’s section. Take note of any health care service that is not covered by your health insurance policy. Also, pay specific attention to how the health insurance policy is worded. Sometimes, health insurance companies hide the health insurance coverage exclusions within the definitions of words.

For instance, a health insurance company may define the term ‘emergency’ as anything that is life threatening condition that cannot be reasonably treated by a primary care physician. Whereas, your definition of ‘emergency’ may be anything that requires quick medical attention.

Clearly, there is conflict for the two definitions. If you find yourself in an emergency situation where you incur a broker arm, for instance, your insurance company may deny coverage for emergency room treatment of a broken arm for the reason that the broken arm does not fall under the life threatening category.

Therefore, you should read over carefully the health insurance policy definitions, paying close attention to the seven key words:

medical emergency
medically necessary
accidental injury
experimental or investigational
pre certification
pre-existing condition, and
reasonable and customary


These words and any words that are open to interpretation should be regarded with wariness. Find out how your health insurance company defines each of these.

Finally, find the section describing the procedures you must follow in order for your insurance company to reimburse you. These policy conditions or prerequisites are typically worded in a positive tone. Read through each condition carefully, make notes and call your health insurance company with any questions.

You should also compare health insurance contracts before you sign one. In order to compare exclusions, take two policy contracts and find the exclusions sections. If you want to compare a number of health insurance contracts then you could use an online service.

After you obtain your free quote for the health coverage you desire, apply for it online, and you'll obtain all the information that you'll need to compare exclusions of each health insurance policy (though sometimes this will require more research.)

About the author:
Mike Spencer recently became unemployed and moved into self employment. He was forced to find his own health insurance plan to protect his family. It wasn't as easy as he first thought. Here he shares the pitfalls of various plans and what you need to look out for when picking a good plan for you: http://www.1st-for-health-insurance.com/articles/what-is-health-insurance.html

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How to Find Affordable Health Insurance

Affordable health insurance - it seems, especially today, those words just don't belong together in the same sentence. Health insurance monthly premiums have become the biggest single expense in our lives - surpassing even mortgage payments. In fact, if you have any permanent health problems, such as diabetes, or have had cancer at one time in your family history, your monthly cost could easily be more than the house and car payment combined.

Shopping for affordable health insurance can certainly be an eye-opener. If you have always had a health insurance benefit where you work - especially a state or federal employee - and now have to buy your own, you may not be able to afford the level of health insurance coverage you have become used to.

Affordable health insurance, however, is definitely available -if you know how and where to look.

When you are looking for affordable health insurance, you want the lowest cost per year that will fit your budget, of course. But, even more importantly, you want a company that has a good record for paying without fighting with you on every detail. Just as there is a car for just about any budget, there is also affordable health insurance. You may not be able to afford a "Cadillac" policy - but then you probably don't need all the frills anyway.

Shopping for health insurance on the internet is the easiest and best way to find affordable health insurance. Here are five reasons why.

1. You don't need a local agent to help you submit the claims for health insurance. The medical provider does it for you. You save money because the health insurance company saves money by not paying the agent commission. This could amount to an 8% to 12% savings to you.

2. All the top health insurance companies are at your fingertips on the internet. Most local agents can only quote you from the few companies that they represent. They may not offer you what is best for you financially or health-wise but only what they happen to have available.

3. Health insurance companies have to be extremely competitive because it is so quick and easy to compare them with their competitors on the internet today. In the past you would have had to visit physically eight to ten agents to do a similar comparison. Most folks just didn't have the time or desire for that.

4. You can change your coverage, deductibles, and payment options with just a few clicks rather than going through the paperwork delay with a local agent (and then finding out he/she made a mistake - more delay).

5. Charging to a credit card means you aren't going to forget a payment and be without insurance. Also, it gives you another 30 days before you actually have to pay. Also, many companies today give an additional discount for "auto-pay".

The key, however, to finding affordable health insurance is realizing that the purpose of any health insurance is to protect you from a major financial loss - not to protect you from spending small money on clinic visits and sliver removal. These small expenses may be cumbersome but they generally will not hurt you. It's the $100,000 heart operation that will break you. That's the financial disaster health insurance was originally designed to prevent.

Also, keep this in mind. Health insurance, as with any insurance, is a gamble. You are gambling that you will draw out more than you pay in. Your health insurance company is gambling they will pay out less. The odds are in their favor for two reasons. They have all the facts for millions of families to average out, so they know the risk in advance. Also, they get to set the rules and the prices. The higher you set your deductible, the more risk you take. This is not a bad thing at all. You will most likely be the winner in the long run.

Yes, finding affordable health insurance is much easier than most people think.

Taking more of the risk with higher deductibles, spending a little time on the internet comparing eight to ten different companies, and deleting coverage that you will not likely need (such as maternity for many folks) will make it very possible to find your own affordable health insurance.

written by Dr. Deepak Dutt

How To Get The Best Credit Card?

Different people have different needs. Depending on who you are and your circumstances, the best credit card deal for you will vary. I will take you through the things you should be looking for, but for the best current deals I suggest you check Money Savings Expert regularly (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com).

Credit cards allow you to spend a certain amount of money at an interest rate that will be charged every month. The spending amount that is available to you can be seen differently. Some see it as an additional amount to spend, some see it as a ‘risk-free' borrowing opportunity. Credit card spending is not a ‘free' spending opportunity, as you will need to pay this money back. This money does not work like a loan, as the amount available to you is not all cash. However, it can be treated as a ‘loan' and this concept will be explained later.

Other very important concepts that have to be understood before getting a credit card, is 0% offers. There are two kinds of 0% offers: on purchases and on balance transfers. The first one allows you to spend the money provided to you by the credit card without paying any interest for a certain amount of time. So, for example, if the credit card gives you a limit of £500 for three months, then you can spend £500 against this credit card and not be charged interest for the first three months since the credit card was opened. However, once this period of time expires, you will be charged the credit card interest rate. This interest differs depending on the credit card, so if you intend to pay this interest, then you ought to look for the lowest interest rate available. Paying interest can be avoided, unless you have already overspent too much and are using credit cards to pay off other credit card interest. In this case you should call some of the debt consolidation companies and try to get some your credit card debt written off. Another reason why you might be in the position of paying interest is because you forgot when your ‘0% free time' ended. If this is the case, you will be informed about this with your first bank statement. Transfer your balance to a different bank or pay the debt off and avoid any further interest payments.

For those of you who don't have interest payments, you can take advantage of the 0% purchasing and make some money. You need a good credit history record to make this work and you also need to be disciplined. The easiest method is to do all of your normal spending against the credit card, while putting the money that is coming in into an interest-earning savings account. For example, if your credit card company lets you borrow £2,000, and you have £1,000 coming in as a salary every month, then put the £1,000 into a savings account and do all of your purchasing with a credit card. There are a few things to watch out for: credit card companies will charge you for cash withdrawals; your cash limit is much lower then the full available credit; and choose a savings account from which you can withdraw easily. At the end of the 0% purchase period, you will need to return all the money that you have spent against your credit card. You should have that amount available in the savings account by then, plus interest. The interest gained is your earnings for this transaction. You can earn even more if you chose a credit card with a cashback deal. This deal will pay you interest on all of your purchases made with the card. However, you should remember, that this is a money-making technique, rather then a ‘spend more' opportunity. There is a more complicated trick of making money from credit cards, details of which are outlined by Money Saving Expert (2006).

If you are making money from the credit cards, there is no need for you to get card protection insurance, as you should have enough money to pay off the credit card debt at any time. At the end of the 0% purchasing period, you can also transfer the balance to a different card provider. This is known as 0% balance transfer, but you will be charged a fee for these transactions, usually around 2%. However, these fees vary, so you need to check the conditions. There are a few things to watch out for: the credit limit offered by your bank also includes your purchases. For example, if the new credit card offers you a £2,000 limit, with 0% balance transfer for 12 months and 0% on purchases for three months, and you have transferred £1,500 from your old credit card, you only have £500 to spend on this credit card. The second thing to watch out for is your credit score. "Most lenders' scoring systems aren't sophisticated enough to detect that you're playing this free-cash game. Yet multiple applications, especially at the same time, coupled with high outstanding debts, even at 0%, will diminish your ability to get competitive credit, so the most important thing is to spread card applications out" (Money Savings Expert, 2006).

However, if you are in the position where you are already fighting the interest payments, as has been mentioned before, the best thing to do is to call debt consolidation experts. In any circumstances it is best to pay off the most expensive credit and store cards first (i.e the ones that charge the highest interest rates). Furthermore, avoid opening any new credit cards to pay off the debt. Instead transfer your high-interest debt to lower interest rate credit cards. For example, if your credit card interest rate is 16%, while your store card rate is 25% per month, transfer the store card balance over to the credit card.

Whatever your circumstances, when you do open a new credit card always look for the longest 0% balance transfer and 0% purchase period, lowest transfer fee and interest rate charged afterwards. The limit offered to you will not only depend on your salary and credit rating, but also on the company that you go with.

Finally, do not forget – don't play the credit card game if you cannot control it or have a high debt already.

References

Money Savings Experts 2006 "Card Trick" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1076883546,34894 (Accessed on: 10/11/06)

Money Savings Experts 2006 "Card Card Shuffle" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1102335753,51771 (Accessed on: 10/11/06)

Money Savings Experts 2006 "Credit Card Newbie MoneySavers Guide" [Available from]: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103212597,43859, (Accessed on: 10/11/06)

Copyright © 2006 Verena Veneeva

About The Author
This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for http://www.coursework4you.co.uk

You are free to reprint this article; however should you do so you must place a hyperlink to http://www.coursework4you.co.uk

Financial Planning Is Important In Family Vacation

The most popular way for families to reward themselves for months and months of hard work is a nice family vacation; it’s what we all dream about all year long. Escaping from your everyday world and your usual climate takes a lot of planning and financial resources, that’s why it is so important to create a budget all year long so you can reap your rewards.

Financial planning is a must for your vacation, not just simply setting aside an amount every payday but taking into consideration the timing of your vacation, do you have any idea how much you can save? In the travel industry peak vacation times are more expensive. What are they referring to as peak time? Usually it is in the summertime, March and December because that is the time that families have to spend together because the kids aren’t in school. So it is to your advantage to entertain the idea of vacationing during these non-peak periods of time and make your family budget stretch to maybe a better vacation destination then you thought you could afford.

Accommodations can be made for your children to take school assignments on the vacation with them. This can also help if you are taking a long car trip or airplane ride, your children will have something to focus on and keep them busy during these times. Surely if you asked your child if they would like to take a vacation in the middle of the school year they would definitely love the idea and you will love the savings. Make sure to speak with your children’s teachers and school and there should not be any problem.

Pre-Planning is important for any vacation and the internet is full of information to help you realize the cost. The internet can help you with finding great deals on all inclusive vacations that include airfare, lodging and even meal and beverage. Usually the savings with these types of vacation packages are considerable and are offered with a lot of travel agencies and hotels even at non-peak times of the year. This way you will have a very specific idea of how much to set aside for your family vacation fund and proper pre-planning will save you a lot of bother and expense in the long run.

Another idea to think about is a vacation destination to visit relatives. Most families these days that live far apart don’t get to spend much time together so there are many rewards when considering this option. Of course your accommodations costs would be considerably lower and most people look forward to opening their homes to relatives for a short period of time. This will give you extra money to take your relatives to a great restaurant and even buy them a special thank you gift.

Planning ahead for your vacation really does pay off, you will have a clear idea of how much to budget and can even allow you to consider a vacation that you never thought was possible for your family to afford.

About The Author
Abby Johnson is a staff writer at http://www.travel-gazette.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.lifestylegazette.com.

Mutual Funds - A Secure Investment

Mutual funds are a collection of stocks and/or bonds invested in different securities, which include fixed market securities and money market instrumentals. It facilitates investors to put their money under an efficient investment management. There are three types of mutual funds namely, income funds, growth funds, and balanced funds.

The basic principle underlying mutual funds is to pool in money with other people to convert it into funds. Mutual funds generally buy shares in stocks wherein an experienced fund manager performs the task of selecting, purchasing and selling off the stocks himself. Certificates are then issued to the shareholders as a testimony of proof of their partnership and participation in the emoluments of funds.

There are particularly three ways in which you can make money from a mutual fund. They are:

1. Benefits can be earned from the commission on stocks, and interests on bonds. All the income received all round the year is paid by the funds in the form of a distribution.

2. The fund will have an outstanding benefit provided the funds sell high priced securities. Most of the profits are given back to the investors in a distribution.

3. The value of the fund’s share automatically increases with an increase in the value of unsold high priced fund holdings. Accordingly, you can always sell shares of your mutual fund for profits.

Many people find investing in mutual funds an attractive option to that of dealing directly with the stock market because it is comparatively safe. In fact, these days, mutual funds have become the first preference of many investors. Mutual funds provide a balanced and better approach compared to conventional stock market alternatives. It has an added advantage of investing in several distinct sectors and firms, so, if one company suffers losses, the others may be rising. Investing in mutual funds, therefore, minimizes the loss-bearing risk of monetary assets.

In a nutshell, here are the salient points of the advantages of mutual funds:

1. Cost-effectiveness of investing in mutual funds: The main advantage of investing in mutual funds is the efficient management of your finances. Investors buy funds because they lack the competence and time to manage their own portfolio. It is a cost effective method, especially for a small investor because it is expensive to get a manager to manage individual investments.

2. Diversification: Compared to individual stocks or bonds, mutual funds diversify the risk of bearing loss. The basic intention being to invest in a diverse number of assets in order to overcome the negatives of loss making stocks or bonds by the profits reaped by others.

3. Economy of Scale: The transaction expenses are relatively low as a mutual fund is bought and sold in large amounts of credits.

4. Liquidity: Mutual funds provide the opportunity of converting shares into cash at any point of time.

5. Simplicity: It is easy to buy a mutual fund. Most companies have their own automatic purchase plans, and the minimum investment rates are very small.

Therefore, investing in mutual funds is certainly a secure investment as the chance of loss is spread out, and the opportunity for gains are numerous. At the same time, it is both cost-effective and an investment that gives great future returns.

The days of depending on government largesse in meeting old age financial requirements are growing dimmer by the day. Hence, investing in mutual funds can be a wise choice, especially for those who plan for an early retirement and hope to enjoy a secure senior citizenship.

About The Author
Joe Kenny writes for the UK Loans Store offering UK secured loans and offer more information on UK bad credit loans and other loan topics available on site. Visit Today: http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk

Your Life Insurance May Be Worth More Than You Think

Many seniors own life insurance policies that they no longer need or want, or that they can no longer afford. Often, they allow their policies to lapse or cash them into the insurance company for the surrender value. What many seniors don’t realize is that their unwanted life insurance may be worth much more if sold to an investor in a life settlement. A Life Settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy by the policyowner, before the policy matures. Such a sale, at a price discounted from the face amount of the policy, but in excess of the cash surrender value, provides the seller an immediate cash settlement.

Life Settlement History

Life Settlement industry evolved out of Viatical Settlements.

In the mid-80’s AIDS became an epidemic, A number of AIDS patients were told that they only had a limited time to live. Many of these patients owned life insurance policies. They knew that when they died, their family would receive the death benefit but they needed money today to pay medical bills or enjoy the rest of their lives. In stepped Viatical Settlement companies. These companies purchased policies on terminal patients and sold them as retail investments to individual investors. The AIDS patients got money they needed today and the investors got the promise that when the patient died they would get the death benefit.

The Life Settlement Market

In the 90’s the Life Settlement market was born as companies and investors turned towards buying unwanted life insurance policies from seniors. According to Sanford Bernstein, the industry grew from $0 in the mid 1990’s to approximately $13 billion in 2005. Bernstein estimates the life settlement market will reach $160 billion over the next several years. The penetration rate is expected to exceed 20% as awareness and the size of the market is increased over the next 20 years.

Life Settlement Case Studies

Below are some real life case studies that illustrate ways that others have used life settlements to increase their net worth:

Case 1:

Settlement Frees up $966,000 in Cash for Annuity purchase

 This case involved an 82 year old female who owned several policies totaling $4.6 million. She no longer wanted to pay premiums for the insurance and was going to accept the cash surrender value of $236,548. Her intent was to use the policies’ cash value to help fund the cost of an assisted living facility.

 Her advisor recommended a life settlement for each policy, and she agreed. Ultimately she received a settlement of $966,000 – more than 400% greater than the cash surrender value – and used those funds to purchase an annuity. The annuity payments now help cover the costs of the assisted living facility.

Case 2:

Settlement Proceeds Stabilizes Trust

 This case involved an 81 year old female, owner of a $5 million life insurance policy with a surrender value of $196,866. Since the insured had lost interest in maintaining the policy and no longer wished to make gifts to the trust for premium payments, the cash surrender value was rapidly depleting as premiums were being deducted from the cash value. Working with her financial advisor they conducted a review to determine whether the policy should be surrendered or whether a Life Settlement would be more advantageous. The advisor provided an offer of $556,000 – over three times the cash surrender value.

Case 3:

Settlement Allows Policyowner To Purchase Paid-Up Policy

 A 78 year old male decided to allow his $1,250,000 policy to lapse. He had significant medical expenses and could no longer justify the $39,536 annual premium. After reviewing the available options with his advisor they decided to pursue a Life Settlement. He was able to secure an offer of $490,000. The policyowner and advisor decided to use some of the proceeds to purchase a paid-up $500,000 policy and the remainder helped to ease the burden of the policyowner’s medical costs.

Case 4:

Policyowner Makes $797,000

• A 74 year old in good health purchased a $10mm Life Insurance Policy. He paid-$536k for two years of premiums. After the policy is two years old, he sold the policy for $1,333,333 in the secondary market representing a $797,000 profit on his investment.

If you are 70 and over, and have an insurance policy that you were going to get rid of anyway, you owe it to yourself to explore whether a life settlement might be a better option.

About The Author
Matthew Tuttle, CFP®, MBA, is President of Tuttle Wealth Management, LLC, in Stamford Connecticut. He is also the author of “Financial Secrets of my Wealthy Grandparents”. For more information, or to sign up for his free newsletter please visit http://www.matthewtuttle.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

More Than Just Life Insurances

Insurance, as we all know is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of potential financial loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a potential loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for a premium and duty of care.

When we think of taking insurance what immediately strikes our mind are the life insurances. Families often consider life insurance as necessary as a sound roof when it comes to protecting them from the harsh winds of fate, especially when children are small. Primary bread earners want assurance that even if worst things happen, the house will be paid for and the youngsters can continue to go to college. But there are many worst things which can happen within once life period like a disability that could knock the family provider out of the workplace. While industry studies show that workers are three to five times more likely to be disabled than die early, disability insurance is often neglected. What is the point of having a life insurance if you are disabled? While premature death tends to have a bigger emotional impact, disability can be equally, if not more, devastating to a family financial stability. Disability can be long term or short term and can be broken down into a number of broad sub categories.

Physical impairments affecting movement.

Lack of amputation of limbs or other body parts.

Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments

Neurological impairments.

Cognitive impairments.

Psychiatric conditions

The often heard "It won't happen to me" has become a joke as daily someone or the other living in this world is diagnosed with some kind of a disease or other.For example Diabetics is one such kind of a disease that is common among youngsters today.Shocking to hear!!! But true facts are sometimes difficult to accept.With such a situation in hand, there is a high demand not only for life insurances but also disability insurances.

Disability insurances are of two types;

Long Term Disability

Short Term Disability

Based on the type of disability, there are various different policies to suit you need and requirement.

Short-Term Disability policies

Have a waiting period of 0 to 14 days with a maximum benefit period of no longer than two years

Long-Term Disability policies

Have a waiting period of several weeks to several months with a maximum benefit period ranging from a few years to the rest of your life.

Disability policies have two different protection features that are important to understand.

1. No-cancelable means the policy cannot be canceled by the insurance company, except for nonpayment of premiums. This gives you the right to renew the policy every year without an increase in the premium or a reduction in benefits.

2. Guaranteed renewable gives you the right to renew the policy with the same benefits and not have the policy canceled by the company. However, your insurer has the right to increase your premiums as long as it does so for all other policyholders in the same rating class as you.

In addition to the traditional disability policies, there are several options you should consider when purchasing a policy:

Additional purchase options

Your insurance company gives you the right to buy additional insurance at a later time.

Coordination of benefits

The amount of benefits you receive from your insurance company is dependent on other benefits you receive because of your disability. Your policy specifies a target amount you will receive from all the policies combined, so this policy will make up the difference not paid by other policies.

Cost of living adjustment(COLA)

The COLA increases your disability benefits over time based on the increased cost of living measured by the Consumer Price Index. You will pay a higher premium if you select the COLA.

Residual or partial disability rider

This provision allows you to return to work part-time, collect part of your salary and receive a partial disability payment if you are still partially disabled.

Return of premium

This provision requires the insurance company to refund part of your premium if no claims are made for a specific period of time declared in the policy.

Waiver of premium provision

This clause means that you do not have to pay premiums on the policy after you're disabled for 90 days.

If you decide to buy a private disability insurance policy, remember that policies are legal contracts.

Read and compare the policies and understand the provisions before you sign.

In comparing policies, you might want to consider:

Is disability defined as your inability to perform your own job or any job?

Does the policy cover accidents and illness?

Are benefits paid for partial or recurring disabilities?

Are full benefits paid after loss of sight, speech, hearing or use of limbs?

Is the policy no cancelable, guaranteed renewable or conditionally renewable?

How long must the worker be disabled before premiums are waived?

Is there an option to buy additional coverage, without evidence of medical insurability, at a later date?

Does the policy offer an inflation adjustment?

There are many disability insurance companies and agents all around the world to offer their services.

Based on once necessities, he or she can choose the best disability insurance to suit their needs.

About The Author
Sam Rosy is an expert in analyzing the insurance types especially in California and has produced lot of articles regarding the insurance types and its application. Read Rosy articles, and for further more details regarding the Health insurance California and quotes views the site http://www.goodhealthquotes.com. To Contact Sam Rosy its samrosy@gmail.com

Making Low Rate Credit Cards Possible

While plenty of cardholders around the world suffer from unpaid debts due to unsurpassable high interest rates, there are also some who enjoy low rated credit cards plus other benefits. Are there secrets on how to acquire a low interest rate credit cards or owning one that offers rewards?

Several people claim that credit cards are no other than a heavy yoke to their pocket. They would express their heartfelt hate to the credit companies and banks that do not in any way lower their rates though they maintain a good standing and credibility with them. How could these things go possibly true and untrue?

All credit card companies, except otherwise for some that chooses not to, apply the APR or known as the Annual Percentage Rate. APR is the interest being charged by the credit company to the borrowers. This interest rate includes other fees and add-on costs that is part of the transaction. There are other companies that associate APR with the penalties due to late payments, transaction fees and other forms. The APR may serve as the ground rate in which a lender can compare with other companies. There are provisions that mandate credit card companies to show the APR to customers so that the latter may have enough reason to whether go for the said credit line or not depending on the rate. In general, 12 % per annum is the accepted APR that is being asked from the client. However this rate may be changed and made higher but then it will need the approval of the authority. There are banks that convert APR into monthly rates but when compounded, the rate is just equivalent to the APR.

There are still a lot of fees that a credit company may ask from the client. APR is just one of plenty yields that they ask one to pay. But then, these additive rates maybe prevented or are scraped out by you through your company.

There is one possible way to get a low interest rate credit card. That is to look for a card with low APR and offers constant rating as long as your account is active. Here are some pointers in which one may use in order to find a good rate or better yet low interest rate credit cards.

-Beginners must seek for banks or any lending companies that offers low APR and penalty rates. These will help you check on whether you can possibly pay your balances or not. You can also ask the company if the interest rates that they have are constant from the activation of the account. If not, ask if the fluctuations or inflations are small enough that you can bear. Old card holders may call their credit card companies and ask whether they can convert the rates into a lower one. If not, tell them to cancel the account and try to temporarily transfer the balance into your other accounts and then open another with low interest rates.

-Keep yourself updated with the press releases of the Federal Reserve Board. This will help you know the current average accepted rate as compared to your accumulated earnings.

-Maintain a good credibility with your bank. Payment must be done ahead or on time to prevent penalties and to further solicit trust from your credit card company. Many good payers are being cared for by the lending companies.

When all these things does not work for you, then try some other ways without compromising your money and without dumping yourself into a pile of debt.

About The Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout http://www.firstglobalcreditcard.com and http://edblogonline.info.

Where Should I Put My Savings? Different Types of Investment Accounts

In the big world of investing, it seems we hear a lot about what securities to invest in, but not as much about what types of accounts to invest in. There are so many different types of investment accounts, each covering a different purpose, and new types of accounts seem to be created weekly. What are some of the basic types of investment accounts and what can they do for you? This article covers some of the accounts that are available currently and why you would use each one.

Retirement Accounts

IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account. An IRA is meant for those who do not have access to employer sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k) plans or those who would like to contribute more than the maximum allowed by their employer plans. Why choose an IRA? Tax-deferred growth is the answer. With a standard savings account, you have to pay taxes on the interest or earnings that the account makes each year. An IRA, on the other hand, doesn't require you to pay taxes until the money is taken out in retirement, thus leaving more money in the account to grow each year. In many instances you can also deduct your IRA contributions on your taxes, giving you further tax savings. It seems like a small thing especially when the account balance is still small, but over time it makes a big difference. Investing $10,000 for 30 years in a regular savings account with a 28% tax bracket and a 6% average growth rate will give you $35,565 whereas that same amount put into a tax-deferred account will give you $57,435. Eventually, however, you do have to pay taxes on the earnings in your IRA, but you are still left with $44,153 after taxes are paid. Your net gain for tax-deferred growth is just over $8500.

Another individual plan is a Roth IRA. It is somewhat similar to a traditional IRA but the difference is that you cannot deduct the contributions and the earnings grow tax-free instead of tax-deferred. This type of plan is good for someone with a longer timeframe to invest or those whose tax bracket in retirement will be close to or higher than their current tax rate. Tax-free growth means that you don't have to pay taxes on any of the earnings in the account. If we start with $10,000 and invest it for 30 years at 6% growth like our example above, you would be left with $57,435. None of that money has to have taxes paid on it since the initial $10,000 already had taxes taken out and the earnings grew tax-free. Before you wonder why anyone would not automatically use a Roth IRA, consider the fact that the initial $10,000 investment wasn't tax deductible like it was for the traditional IRA above. With a 28% tax bracket, the Roth paid $2,800 on its initial $10,000 investment. If we look at the growth potential of $2,800 for 30 years in a tax-deferred account, it grows to $16,082. So, in this person's situation where their tax bracket is the same in retirement as it is while working with a 6% rate of growth, a Roth wouldn't be the best option. The Roth would only grow to $57,435 - $16,082 = $41,353 when all taxes are taken into consideration while the traditional IRA would grow to $44,153. There are several online calculators that can estimate which type of IRA would be to your advantage. Search under Roth vs. Traditional IRA for more information and calculators to determine the best account for you.

In addition to individual plans there are also employer-sponsored plans. SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA and Keogh plans are in between Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts and the standard employer sponsored plans such as 401(k)'s. SEP's, SIMPLE's and Keogh's are for self employed individuals or small companies that need to put aside more money than a standard IRA allows but aren't large enough to warrant the expense of a 401(k) plan. Each plan allows both employee and employer contributions. Each has set maximums between $6,000 and $30,000, depending on the plan and the contributor, and each has tax incentives for both the employer and the employee. These plans are great for small businesses to be able to set aside money for themselves and their employees and not have to go through the time and expense of larger employer sponsored plans.

The last type of retirement plans are employer sponsored plans. When it comes to retirement, it seems everyone knows the term 401(k). This is because a 401(k) is the retirement plan of choice for medium and large companies. In 2006, the maximum contribution to a 401(k) is $15,000. If you are over fifty and your employer offers the 401(k) "catch-up" contribution, you can contribute up to $5,000 more, so $20,000 total. Your employer may also contribute to your 401(k) plan which generally doesn't decrease your contribution allowance. Originally, 401(k) plans were only offered to for-profit companies. Those who worked for non-profit companies such as charities, schools, universities and hospitals weren't able to contribute to 401(k) plans but were able to open 403(b) plans which allowed most of the same contribution limits as a 401(k). Government or public employees often used 457(b) plans for their contributions and for highly compensated employees there are 457(f) plans. This eventually changed to where 401(k) plans are now available to non-profit companies so more and more of the non-profit sector are opening 401(k) plans for their employees. Taxes on these types of plan can vary from one plan to another, so it is best to consult your plan director or talk with the investment company that manages your employers plan.

Education Savings Plans

Education plans have become available in the past decade allowing parents to better save for their children's education. Instead of trying to set money aside in taxable savings accounts, parents can now setup an education savings account that has various tax advantages depending upon the type of account used. Choosing an education savings account depends upon what your long-term goals are for the money. There are three basic types of education savings accounts, IRC section 529 plans, the Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) and the Uniform Gift to Minors Account (UGMA). Each plan is tailored a little differently when it comes to its tax advantages and who gets the money from each plan, but each has the same general purpose, to save for your children or grandchildren's future.

Medical Savings Accounts

There are three different types of accounts to help you save for healthcare costs, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). The first of these, Flexible Spending Accounts are also called section 125 plans or "cafeteria plans." This plan allows participants to put pre-tax money into the account each year to cover health insurance deductibles, co-payments, dental care and other medical expenses. Cafeteria plan money cannot accumulate from year to year, however, so it needs to be used up in one year or it will be gone. The second type of medical savings account is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. It is similar to an FSA but the employer contributes to the account instead of the employee.

The employer can make contributions contingent on an employee participating in designated health and wellness programs. In June 2002 it was updated to allow funds to rollover from year to year, but it cannot be rolled over from employer to employer so if you change employers, you loose the accrued benefit. The last and most recently created plan is a Health Savings Account. This plan enables employees with high-deductible health insurance plans to set aside and invest money to use to pay the deductibles or other healthcare costs in the future.

These plans are designed to put healthcare decisions more into the hands of the employees. These plans are also portable so they move with you when you change employers and they can be rolled over from year to year.

Other Accounts

For those who are just looking to invest, a brokerage account is the medium to use. Brokerage accounts are setup through investment companies to allow you to purchase securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money markets, options, etc. Generally the money sits in a "core" account such as a money market until you are ready to invest it in other securities. There are fees for purchasing many securities which vary depending on the company that the account is setup with. Brokerage accounts can also offer check writing, debit and ATM cards for easier access to money in the account. Since there are no tax-advantages of a brokerage account, money can be withdrawn at any time from the core account. These accounts are perfect for additional savings that you want to invest in the stock market.

The standard savings account is probably what everyone is most familiar with. Offered by any bank, a savings account allows you to set money aside and receive a variable or fixed interest rate depending upon the account. Savings accounts are very liquid and can be withdrawn at any time, but they don't allow check writing capabilities. Most savings accounts now days do offer ATM cards. Certificates of Deposit or CD's are types of savings accounts that require money to be left in for a certain period of time in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate, these accounts are less liquid and there is generally a fee to take the money out before the predetermined period of time.

Whatever the reason or account used to set aside money, it is always a good thing. Savings in any form creates a more secure financial future and allows for problems or emergencies to be taken care of without having to obtain loans or dip into less liquid savings such as a home or other physical assets. Opening up any of the above types of accounts gets you started on the right track towards savings.

About The Author
Emma Snow is a writer who specializes in financial planning. She has worked in the financial industry for over eight years. Currently Emma works on a Finance and Investing site at http://www.finance-investing.com and Investing Partners http://www.investing-partners.com.

Stock Market Investments Or Gambling? What Is The Difference

The art of speculating in one form or another has been around forever.

When it comes to speculating, there are always three things that you can be sure of – there will be always people willing to speculate, there will always be people who will love to play the game with the first group. Lastly history can be counted on to repeat itself.

Sure the object of speculation may change, the rules may change and the technology may change. But in the end it is always the same.

However what has happened before is 100 %sure to happen again. You can count on it. Everyone thinks always that they are so original when it always the same story again and again. Whether it is tulip bulbs, precious metals, mutual funds, lottery tickets or penny stocks human nature is human nature.

Ignorance, greed, fear and hope determine how people react and thus how prices move and markets behave. People have speculated on everything at one time or another,

For the last hindered years and certainly into the foreseeable future speculating on stock prices offers liquidity combined with legitimacy and purpose. Stock speculation, trading and investing have become an essential and vital parts of both our economy and our lives.

Trading is just another word for speculating and investing is nothing more than speculating, except that it supposedly encompasses a longer time horizon and for some odd reason implies less risk. Speculators speculate, trader’s trade and investors invest to make money. Traders buy stock or any other object of speculation because they anticipate a price appreciation.

Speculation and gambling are similar, with a few important distinctions. One difference is the perception, sometimes true, that successful speculators profit due to their skill or an unseen advantage, while gamblers prosper due to chance or luck.

Remember though that it may not happen to you but in the end given enough time or chances the odds will always prevail. The casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas were not built with winner’s money.

Another distinction is that gambling in most forms has been illegal (at least until government got involved and changed the rules in their favor) while speculation plays an essential role in our markets and thus our economy.

These important distinctions make speculating which indeed is what our investment industry purveys as an accepted occupation – indeed one with one prestige and gamblers not being accepted in the same light.

Whether a gambler, a trader or a speculator, in all cases the attraction is the same – the chance to make a lot of money in a hurry. It is the immediate gratification of the win that makes these games irresistible - an opiate of sorts.

Indeed problem gamblers have been compared to alcoholics in needing that rush which gives them such pleasure and serves amazingly to release endorphins to relax their troubled minds.

On top of that the unpredictability of the wins serves to even reinforce this addictive behavior.

Not far off of the methods of B.F. Skinner and the rats of operant conditioning fame.

Indeed some people will tell you that “it will almost always end with crying!”

About The Author
Amy Goodmann Senior Investment Analyst Substantial Incomes http://www.substantialincomes.com http://www.forexforexforexforex.com.