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.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
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"
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"
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
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.
Circulated by Article Highway
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.
Circulated by Article Highway
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/
Circulated by Article Emporium
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/
Circulated by Article Emporium
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