Financial Mistakes To Learn From

In this day and age, there really shouldn't be any reason to make certain financial mistakes. Do a search of the internet and you will find that there are thousands of articles out there that warn you of the pitfalls of certain choices. Advice for living a financially stable life is everywhere. What are you waiting for?


In this day and age, there really shouldn't be any reason to make certain financial mistakes. Do a search of the internet and you will find that there are thousands of articles out there that warn you of the pitfalls of certain choices. Advice for living a financially stable life is everywhere. What are you waiting for?




Here are the most common mistakes that I've seen people make. I've even made a few of them myself. These are the financial mistakes that you can learn from. You've probably made a few of them yourself, they are very common.




Mistake #1: Using that little plastic card to get what you want.




We'll just start off with the number one mistake out there. This is probably the most common mistake in the country. Almost every person in the US today has a credit card. It is almost like a right of passage when you turn eighteen. There are even people out there that aren't eighteen yet that have them.




Credit card debt is the fastest way to ruin your finances. It is easy to acquire and difficult to pay off. The minimum balance doesn't pay off enough of your outstanding balance to help you very much. You will be paying on your balances for decades. Even a $500 balance can take you over a decade to pay off if you simply make the minimum payment.




Add in the interest rate, which rarely goes down. If you miss a payment, you will really be paying the bank. Thirty percent interest is common on a credit card once a payment has been missed. And you only have to miss that payment by a day -- which can happen in the mail or processing if you don't plan ahead well enough.




Mistake #2: Buying more home than you can afford.




With the real estate market in the state it is today, many people are regretting their housing decisions. Adjustable rate mortgages are acceptable loan products for some people. But only if they can afford the maximum rate that the loan can hit if interest rates go up. Too many people only consider that introductory rate. They stretch and purchase as much as they can afford. Then, when rates go up and their rate adjusts, they can't afford the payment. Add that to a slowing housing market, and you may have a foreclosure on your hands.




If you are going to buy a home, make sure that you purchase what you can afford. Take out a fixed-rate mortgage so that you know what your payments will be. If rates go drastically down in the next couple of years, you can always refinance. If rates go up, you are protected. Try to aim for a 15-year mortgage over a 30-year. It will save you hundreds of thousands in interest. But if you can't do it, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is an acceptable loan choice for the purchase of a home.




Mistake #3: Not controlling your money.




Too many people live paycheck to paycheck. They have no savings. They have no retirement plan. They have nothing to back them up in the case of an emergency. They have no control over their money.




You have to take control of your finances if you want to retire someday. You have to learn how to budget, save, invest and spend. All it takes is a little time. And once you get in the habit, you will notice that your life has more control. You should say where your money goes, not lenders or creditors or anyone else.




Mistake #4: Not saving for retirement.




There are more seniors in the work place now than there were twenty years ago. And even more than there were fifty years ago. If you want to retire with enough money to live comfortably, you have to start putting something back today. Start an IRA. Contribute to your employer's 401(k) plan. Figure out how much you need to invest and find a way to do it. This is your future. You don't want to reach sixty and realize that you can't afford to stop working. There is no guarantee that you will be able to draw social security or other forms of assistance then. What if you become ill and have to retire? What if you get hurt? Prepare for the future. Start saving for retirement today.

Saving Money Is The Slow Path To Financial Freedom

Getting a job and not spending all the money each month is the slowest, hardest, and least efficient way to build up a big pile of money. Saving money is a worthwhile net worth building activity, but it doesn’t offer much more than that unless your goal is only to have a little cash at the ever-increasing age of retirement.




This is because wages are the most heavily taxed source of income. Income taxes (federal, state, and social security) choke off about 35% of this earn...






Keywords:


savings,retirement,budgeting,personal finance,wealth building






Article Body:


Getting a job and not spending all the money each month is the slowest, hardest, and least efficient way to build up a big pile of money. Saving money is a worthwhile net worth building activity, but it doesn’t offer much more than that unless your goal is only to have a little cash at the ever-increasing age of retirement.




This is because wages are the most heavily taxed source of income. Income taxes (federal, state, and social security) choke off about 35% of this earned income before you ever see a dime. And second, your income is capped by the number of hours that you can physically work in a week; even if it pays well. Ownership is the financial goal that we all have; owning investments that will passively pay us interest and dividend checks. But there are two wildly different paths to get there. One path is very slow and slightly uncertain, and the other path is much quicker but more uncertain to accomplish.




The fastest and most efficient way to build a pile of money is through entrepreneurial activity. This way, you can get into a position of ownership without buying it, because you are creating it. You bypass the taxation tollbooth of wage-earners, and the limitations of your salary and time. The goal is to create your own piece of equity that gives you a source of income that you control. Now before you start rolling your eyes that this is too risky, too hard or you don’t know how to do it, let me give you some ideas to help reduce your hesitation.




Maybe it isn’t your money (borrowed), or your expertise (a partner’s), or skill (hired, outsourced); but if you lead the team you can create your own piece of the equity. You can start out on a tiny scale; I am acquainted with someone that earns over $100,000 with a dog walking service. She has other people walk the dogs, so that she can focus on marketing and managing her walkers. Don’t you think that you could think of a dozen similar services that might be needed in your area?




It is mentally challenging to start an entrepreneurial activity, but more importantly, it takes money, knowledge and persistence. It takes knowledge because there is always going to be trial and error in refining your business model; and it takes money because you need enough money to find a successful business formula that pays for itself before you run out of money. It takes persistence because obstacles are natural when creating or maintaining any business activity.




There are zillions of areas to become entrepreneurial and build up equity, but here is another idea that nearly all communities offer; I bet that there are at least three successful residential home rehabbers working your community. Find them and convince one of them to help teach you in exchange for being a free assistant. And when you strike out on your own and need additional help, offer to give him or her a percentage of your profit.




I want to show you an example of entrepreneurial persistence, even though it uses real estate again. There is a giant mall being built at a nearby city. I was dropping off a friend that lived there and he said that it was a great story about obstacles. The city didn’t want a new mall to take business from the downtown strip, so the developer moved the project outside of the city limits. Then the state government said they couldn’t allow it without a larger highway exit, and they didn’t have enough money to make a highway exit. So the developer raised the money and built the highway exit himself. The point is that no matter how insurmountable an issue first appeared, the developer was undeterred from reaching his goal.




Developing a side business to ramp up your income is the most financial rewarding activity you can undertake. Imagine if you took half the effort you put into studying for school and put that into business building over four years – I’d suspect your results would be far greater than setting aside some of your paycheck each month.

Lenders And Refinancing

Refinancing is a common practice adopted mostly for home loan facilities. Refinancing is nothing but to pay off the old debt and taking a new one. The major reason for refinancing is to reduce interest rate. Reduced interest rate is nothing but less to pay every month and thus increase in the monthly income at hand. Refinancing happens all over, the only point to be taken into consideration is the right time to take refinancing options.




There are many reasons for refinance, the major ones according to Fanniemae being a. To reduce the interest rate. b. To build equity faster c. Change the loan type to one that is more feasible and more attractive. e. Improved credit rating. F. To draw equity on home that is already built. The major reasons are only two and that is to reduce interest and to increase the equity. The interest rate again depends on the discount point, which you can produce at the time of refinancing. For example if the interest rate is 7% then with a discount point the interest rate reduced to 6.75%. . With the array of different types of lenders and brokers, the borrower is at an advantage to choose his lender according to the interest and various schemed offered to him.




The various eligibility for applying for refinance depends on various factors like, how much is the existing mortgaging amount. For how long is the refinancing facility. How many years is the mortgage left? What would be interest amount saved etc., While applying for refinancing facility the lender always checks various details of the borrower like e.g., the source of income for the borrower, his credit rating, if a mortgage exist then what is the amount of mortgage, the term of the mortgage.




Therefore the advantage of refinancing depends on the reduction of the interest or the lesser money he has to pay towards mortgage, the costs involved towards refinancing and how much the borrower is able to save money over the life of the loan. Costs plays an important part and the borrower has to see to it that the costs involved is not more that the mortgage left to pay. Thus refinancing is an boon to the borrowers particularly in the US where the array of lenders and brokers can give a borrower a good deal.

Reasons For Financial Problems

Most of us know when we hit a financial disaster, usually we can even trace the beginning of the process that led to the financial failure, but the problem seems to be the fact that some people keep repeating the mistakes, or adapting new problematic methods of trying and solving problems.




The wise financial planner would first consider his own strong and weak points before making financial decisions and would draw conclusions for the experiences he had in the past, the few points that ultimately lead to financial disasters that I will discuss here are very basic and natural, yet many people do not practice the least amount of caution when making plans.




The first and most prominent problem with bad financial planning is that the planner has no financial education, in this case I would strongly advise seeking professional help. Most of do not have formal financial education, and many of us do not understand the financial basics that rule the markets, other do not want to go into these calculations, but all these groups should start by admitting that they do not have the knowledge of dealing with financial planning and look for someone who does. The great benefit of listening to advise of experts is that it teaches you things, the approach to financial planning, the basics of a new financial plan and much more, it is very possible that in a few months you will be much more educated and better informed in a way that will allow you to start making your own calls.




The second problem is making decisions and planes letting other people manage you finance for you, and I don’t mean letting you professional financial planner but friends, neighbors and family. Even though these people have the best intentions, it is very clearly your own responsibility to take care of your personal finance, and as much as it is unpleasant to make financial plans and take care of your personal finance it is a fact of life you must practice.




The third, and last mistake we are going to discuss is choosing the wrong kind of financial advisor, some people are tempted to let the wrong kind of people manage their finance situation, this includes insurance experts, tax experts and other financial experts of all sorts. It is important that you find a person that you have good communication with , that understands you and what financial help you are seeking, and that this expert be an expert on the issues you need help the most, do not let personal relationships, family connections and business relation dictate the financial expert you use, it is of extreme importance that this person is as close to being perfect for you as possible. The best thing to do is to look for a person that works in a financial office and makes his money by advising and managing personal financial accounts, someone that has been around for long and that will have the experience to guide you through the processes.

Financial Options After One Has Declared Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a financial option for those individuals whose debt has run away from them. It is not that hard to experience debt issues and individuals have had to declare bankruptcy in order to dig themselves out of the surmounting debt. The term bankruptcy has negative connotations however this should not be the case. An individual who declares bankruptcy is taking that big step in order to get their finances under control and wipe the slate clean. Individuals may be hesitant to do so as they feel their life post-bankruptcy will be financially constrained. This is not so and the following paragraphs will highlight some financial options one has following the declaration of bankruptcy.




Mortgage after Bankruptcy




One issue that disturbs individuals considering filing for bankruptcy is that they may never be able to obtain a mortgage after bankruptcy declaration. The fact is that individuals who have declared bankruptcy have been able to obtain a mortgage after that proceeding has been completed. Most individuals looking to obtain a mortgage post-bankruptcy will have to wait until the bankruptcy is final and proceedings have been completed yet there are lenders who are more than willing to lend to an individual post-bankruptcy. Bankruptcy mortgage financing is available to many individuals who are in that predicament. Some lenders may deny loans to these individuals yet there will always be other ones who will finance home loans after a bankruptcy declaration.




Credit Cards after Bankruptcy




Another issue which individuals find themselves contemplating both prior to and after declaring bankruptcy is whether or not they will be able to obtain credit cards after bankruptcy. Credit cards are extremely important items for many individuals as they provide a way for people to make large or vital purchases and then pay back the debt on a monthly basis. It is important to note that credit card companies will and do provide credit cards to individuals who have declared bankruptcy. Although some credit card companies will be more selective than others, it is necessary to point out that there are options with regard to obtaining credit after bankruptcy.




Personal Loans after Bankruptcy




Individuals who have declared bankruptcy may also be able to obtain personal loans. Personal loans are used for a variety of reasons such as college, home improvements, or purchasing a car. A personal loan after bankruptcy is not a rare occurrence and a variety of lenders will make this option available to borrowers who may have fallen on hard times in the past




Summary




There are certain instances in individual’s lives when they need to declare bankruptcy. It is crucial for these individuals to keep in the back of their mind that declaring bankruptcy will not definitively thwart any future loans which they need to acquire in the future. One who seeks bankruptcy advice should also inquire about credit repair after bankruptcy and what the future may hold for individuals like themselves who need to declare bankruptcy.

The Importance Of A Financial Advisor

When it comes to managing your finances, you can certainly do it yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can use the services of a financial analyst or a financial advisor. Choosing one is easy once you know what they can do for you.




A financial analyst and a personal financial advisor help to provide both an analysis and also guidance to businesses and individuals who seek help with their financial decisions. Each type of financial specialist gathers financial information, analyzes it, and makes a recommendation to his/her client. However, they do differ when it comes to the type of investment information that they can provide, and also the clients that they work for.




A financial analyst assesses the economic performance of companies and industries, as well and for firms and institutions that have money to invest. A personal financial advisor assesses the financial needs of people, able to offer them a wide range of options.




Also called securities analysts and investment analysts, a financial analyst works for banks, insurance companies, mutual and pension funds, securities firms, and also other businesses. He or she helps these companies and/or their clients make important investment decisions. A financial analyst read a company’s financial statements and also analyzes commodity prices, sales, costs, expenses, and also tax rates in order to determine the company’s value, as well as to project its future earnings.




The financial analyst meets with company officials in order to gain a better insight into the firm’s prospects and also to determine its managerial effectiveness. They also usually study an entire industry, assessing its current trends in business practices, products, and industry competition in order to keep abreast of new regulations and policies that may affect the industry. Monitoring the economy to determine its effect on earnings is also a duty.




A personal financial advisor, also known as a financial planner or a financial consultant, uses his/her knowledge of investments, tax laws, and also insurance in order to recommend financial options to individuals that fit with the client’s short-term and long-term goals. Financial planners deal with such issues as retirement and estate planning, funding for college, and also general investment options. Some financial advisors are able to advice on a wide array of topics, while others are specialized in certain areas.




Working with a financial advisor begins with a consultation, where he/she is able to obtain information on the client’s finances and financial goals A comprehensive financial plan is then developed that identifies problem areas, offers recommendations for improvement, and also selects appropriate investments that are compatible with what the client wants.




Clients usually meet with their financial advisor at least once a year to update them on potential investments, as well as determine if any changes have been made.




In addition, some advisors buy and sell financial products, including mutual funds or insurance, or are able to refer their clients to establishments who do.




Perhaps a financial advisor’s most important job is building a customer base, since referrals from satisfied clients help to generate new business. Other than being contacted by the client, financial advisors contact potential clients by offering seminars or lectures, or even meeting them through business and social contact.

Retire Early With Financial Planning Dos And Donts

It is a well known fact that nothing is permanent in this world. Everything is ephemeral. That is why it is always best to have backups, especially financial ones, in case things go out of hand. Hence, a good financial planning for your retirement is the most feasible idea in order for you to save for the future.

It is a well known fact that nothing is permanent in this world. Everything is ephemeral. That is why it is always best to have backups, especially financial ones, in case things go out of hand. Hence, a good financial planning for your retirement is the most feasible idea in order for you to save for the future.




DO’s




1. Do know what you are getting into




When making financial planning retirement, it is best to make sure if the management team of the company where you will invest your money is capable of providing you the necessary services that you need. Know how they are going to make money for you. Research the industry. Is it growing? What are the competitors like?




2. Do have an exit strategy




If you make your financial planning retirement, try to create an exit strategy as well. This is to safeguards you from any imminent problems that may arise. Remember that the liquidity of your investment is very important. So, before you start with your financial planning retirement, ask yourself: Can you easily convert it to cash when you need to get out or if something happens and you or your beneficiaries need it?




3. Do invest only in what you are comfortable with




Shop around and be proactive - don't wait for an insurance company or retirement plan institution to appear at the last second. Even if a financial plan looks very attractive, if you do not understand it enough, or are not prepared to risk losing your money, do not put your money in it.




4. Do remember: nothing is sure in the world of investment




Until the matured money is actually in your pocket or is fully enjoyed by your beneficiaries, all projected returns are simply expectations. The important thing is to have a fallback and move forward. So, when making a financial planning retirement, keep in mind that it is not feasible to entirely depend on one financial institution. Look for more alternatives.




DON’Ts




1. Don’t buy into something just because everyone is




When making a financial planning retirement, do some independent research and analysis first; do not be swayed by what other people’s investment moves. Keep in mind that not all financial planning retirement packages are created equal; each plan has its own pros and cons. So, it is best that you know what will work on you when you make your very own financial planning retirement.




2. Don’t invest in the stock market




If you do not know your way around in the stock market, then do not put that on your list as you go along with your financial planning retirement. Stock markets can be a profitable retirement investment vehicle, but they tend to be a risky business. When you do your financial planning for retirement, keep in mind that it is not wise to gamble everything that you have, especially if the financial planning retirement scheme you are contemplating with is still unclear to you. At the very least, don't put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.




3. Do not borrow money just so you can head off immediately




When making a financial planning retirement, it is best that you focus more on your very own finances rather than deliberately borrowing money from others just so you can start right away.

Best 850 Finance PLR Articles: www.financeequityloans.com

Title:


Purchase Order Financing For Resellers and Trading Companies




Word Count:


383




Summary:


Are you drowning in purchase orders? Turning some away? Learn how to get purchase order financing and grow your business.






Keywords:


purchase order financing,po financing,purchase order funding,po funding






Article Body:


Are you a reseller, importer/exporter or own a trading company? Most resellers make their money by buying products from their suppliers at a favorable price, and then selling them to their customers for a markup. The business model is simple, clean, and above all, profitable. Many companies can easily pull margins of 15% to 30%. And I have even seen companies with margins that are close to 100%.




So the business model is good. But it’s also challenging. Why? Well, when you buy from a supplier, they always want immediate payment or payment by letter of credit. Coupled with this is the fact that your customers always want to pay in 30 to 60 days. Many times, this payment timing discrepancy creates major problems.




When this happens, most business owners will run to the bank and try to get a business loan. But business loans are very hard to obtain. Many businesses – especially small and mid sized businesses – will fall flat on their faces when they go to a bank for financing. But there is an alternative.




There is a financing product that will provide you with the funds (or letters of credit) to pay all your suppliers. This enables you to deliver the order and make the sale. And, as opposed to a business loan, it’s easy to obtain. This product is called purchase order financing.




Purchase order financing allows you to purchase products from your suppliers, using the financing company’s money, and then resell them to a third party. The biggest requirement is that you have non-cancelable purchase orders from solid commercial or government customers.




Purchase order funding can be very helpful if your company is turning away orders because it lacks the financial wherewithal to deliver on them. The transaction is usually very simple. Once you have a purchase order, you call the factoring financing company. They provide you with the letters of credit (or similar instruments) to pay your suppliers. With that in hand, you go ahead and deliver on the order and invoice your client. The transaction is settled once your client pays, usually 30 to 60 days later.




Many times, purchase order funding is combined with invoice factoring (also known as receivable factoring). This allows you to lower your overall cost of financing, making the transaction more profitable for you.

Immediate Approval for instant cash eases your financial tension!

The immediate Approval Personal Loan carry low rate of interest and due to fierce competition they fluctuate from one lender to another. If you are interested in cheap interest rates then the best way is to compare the loan quotes.

immediate Approval Personal Loan, approval immediate loan online personal, guaranteed approval quick loan, bad credit instant approval, immediate loan approval, guaranteed unsecured loan approval


Seeking extra cash in times of emergency has been daunting? Needs cropped up causing financial crunch. The immediate Approval Personal Loan carry low rate of interest and due to fierce competition they fluctuate from one lender to another. If you are interested in cheap interest rates then the best way is to compare the loan quotes. Loan calculator is another strong tool that helps you to find reasonable rates.


Applicants can apply for the cash regardless of their credit tags like defaults, arrears, late-payments and bankruptcy. The cash is transferred the same day if required details are enclosed accurately. Guaranteed approval quick loan borrower should ensure that an instant approval cash loan should be sort of measure of the last resort. The need for such kind of loans often arises if you have been given a pink slip and you are left with no money for rations and paying your rent. There could be other situations when one has to bear unavoidable extra expenses exceeding earnings.




The bad credit instant approval loan will improve your financial situation either directly or in a roundabout way, you need no doubt it. Otherwise, make sure that the loan is necessary or that you can afford it without sacrifices. A key to considering a loan application is to analyze whether you would be able to afford the monthly payments on your loan if you would see your income reduced by at least 20%. If you could still afford it, though you should take all the precautions possible, you probably have nothing to worry about either.




There is an undisputed evidence of justification when the loan is used to produce rather than to consume. If your loan is meant to reduce debt and thus free money that you spend on interests, if the loan is used to purchase machinery or appliances that will help you earn or save money, then the loan is being put to good use and there is no doubt that it is advisable to apply for one.




Cash advance loans with bad credit are a short-term answer to your unexpected financial problem. Whatever you call it, bad credit cash advance or cash advance loans with bad credit, and they need to be repaid by your next payday. Failing this, the penalties and the interest you pay are quite high, leading you into a further financial mess than you were in, to begin with. Seek help for all your financial queries online.

The ABCs Of Refinancing

Since the advent of information technology, more and more people are enticed to engage in some activities that will make their lives easier and better. This is especially true whenever people get into trouble such as debts.

What they know is that they should find some ways on how to alleviate their problems, even if it means changing from one aspect to another with the risk of getting into another trouble.




Take for example the concept of refinancing. Some people instan...






Keywords:


refinancing






Article Body:


Since the advent of information technology, more and more people are enticed to engage in some activities that will make their lives easier and better. This is especially true whenever people get into trouble such as debts.




What they know is that they should find some ways on how to alleviate their problems, even if it means changing from one aspect to another with the risk of getting into another trouble.




Take for example the concept of refinancing. Some people instantly opt for refinancing thinking that this is the best way to eliminate those debts. What they do not know is that refinancing could be a better alternative. However, in reality, changes may take place if the process is employed with the wrong directions.




The Concept




Refinancing, basically, refers to the way people are given the chance to request for a “secured loan” with the purpose of paying off the existing primary loan.




The main reason why many people are opting to refinance their debts is base on the fact that these people can no longer afford to pay more interests. They want to lessen, if not eliminate, the amount of interest charges.




In most cases, the most widely known kinds of refinancing are those that involve home mortgages. This is because home mortgages are usually the ones that are hard to pay off. Hence, what happens is that they continue to accumulate debts because of the growing interest charges.




So for those who have some problems on their debts and wish to reduce or eradicate interest charges, it is best to use refinancing. But you should be aware of the pitfalls behind it so as to avoid further trouble.




Here is a list of some tips that will help you construct good refinancing plans.




1. Be wary of the money involve




There are instances wherein the people are not fully aware of the amount and the classification of finances involved in refinancing.




It is extremely important to take note of this because if not, the refinancing of some amount is limited to what they can afford.




2. Do your homework




There are no better ways in learning than to learn through experience. Hence, in order to foretell the future, it would be best to conduct some researches or information regarding the interest rates to be given by the company to the people.




3. Compare charges




Before deciding on a particular refinancing scheme, it is best to analyze the situation first. And the best way to do this is to shop around and compare their features and offers.




The point here is that through comparison, the consumer can tell the edge of refinancing plan over the other.




4. Clear things out before walking out of the room.




If there is one thing that is not clear to you, try not to dismiss the fact by asking questions instantly. This is the primary step in breaking the ice and solving the problems.




5. Require pertinent documents




These documents are generally used to provide enough proof for the mortgage maker whenever they are trying to close a deal with a client. These documents are your key to success, without it, you can never access any endeavors for that matter.




The best thing about having these is that people may have the chance to live a life out of debts. As long as the proper measures are made, refinancing may be a good solution to life'sfinancial problems.

Refinancing Your Home Why You Should And Why You Would.

There are many people in today’s society that have, for one reason or another, found themselves in massive financial difficulty.




The reasons for this are widespread but typically include credit card debt, loan debt, Car Loans (believe it or not), or mortgage problems.




All of these things are debt of one type or another and during our study we have found that there is a typical pattern of events surrounding the persons problems. Read on and see if this sounds familiar:


...






Keywords:


refinance home equity, refinance, mortgage






Article Body:


There are many people in today’s society that have, for one reason or another, found themselves in massive financial difficulty.




The reasons for this are widespread but typically include credit card debt, loan debt, Car Loans (believe it or not), or mortgage problems.




All of these things are debt of one type or another and during our study we have found that there is a typical pattern of events surrounding the persons problems. Read on and see if this sounds familiar:




1. Person has a job, not brilliantly paid but a paying job


2. Person feels comfy so gets a loan to buy ‘x’ with (Car, kitchen, holiday, etc)


3. Person then either


a. Loses job


b. Acquires more loans (because they need more stuff)


4. The debt that they’ve acquired then starts eating away at what ever money was left at the end of the month


5. Person borrow more money to help prop up the existing debts, usually with credit card spending


6. Points 4 and 5 then get repeated until suddenly the monthly out goings are more than the incomings




And suddenly the person finds themselves in trouble because each month the debt gets bigger and bigger.




Sound familiar?




There are probably some of you reading this thinking ‘What is he talking about?’, rest assured there are those reading this right now having just experienced a cold chill.




One of the options that ‘Person’ usually overlooks is the value of the house that they are living in, a simple mistake (because realistically who wants to gamble the roof over their head?).




There are two clear ways out for Person, he can either sell the property (in which case a series of new problems come to light – like finding somewhere else to live) or more intelligently he could refinance the property (the technical name for this is ‘Refinance Home Equity’ / ’Refinance Home Mortgage’).




Most banks will do this for you (assuming you haven’t already upset them) or you can approach a private company for a ‘Home Equity Loan’.




The thing to remember about refinancing your home (whether ‘Refinance Home Equity’ via a bank or ‘Home Equity Loan’ via a loan company) you are essentially borrowing money against the value of your home, and so if you default on this loan (or remortgage) then you are going to be in real trouble.




To limit the potential for problems you should:




1. Find local refinance companies – they’ll be more sympathetic to your situation


2. Find the best refinance loan rate or Home Equity Refinance rate


3. Clear credit card debt first – this is typically the most expensive type of loan


4. Don’t refinance just to buy a car – if you’re not doing well don’t go OTT


5. Whether you’re looking at mortgage loans or equity loans be sure to shop around – the larger banks might make an offer to stop you using the smaller refinance provider




This may seem like very simple advice to many people but for some, who have worked themselves into a rut it’s handy to be reminded.




And don’t forget, by intelligent use of credit and refinance you can solve your debt problems.

Brining Financial Services Online

The variety of financial tools and services available today has multiplied dramatically from a generation ago. On both the personal front and in the business sector there has been a dramatic increase in the number of products available, the methods by which they are delivered and the services they require.

The internet is a perfect system for laying out preliminary information in the financial services industry, where product options can get complicated fairly quickly. Bus...

The variety of financial tools and services available today has multiplied dramatically from a generation ago. On both the personal front and in the business sector there has been a dramatic increase in the number of products available, the methods by which they are delivered and the services they require.




The internet is a perfect system for laying out preliminary information in the financial services industry, where product options can get complicated fairly quickly. Businesses of all sizes that are engaged in some portion of this industry are finding that a website makes good business sense.




An enormous amount of financially related business is still done at the local level. Mortgages, auto and home loans and insurance policies are still usually secured from a local agent. The small businessman engaged in providing such products need only think about the amount of time he or she spends on the phone explaining the basics of their services to realize how much time a website could save them.




When a customer calls about auto insurance, think about the ability to refer the caller to your website to learn about the required minimum coverage, about the relationship of the vehicle's value, about the relationship of personal injury coverage to health insurance.




Think about having a website that explains the four or five home mortgage options that are available, about how they are affected by down payment, credit history and loan amount. Consider the enormous number of variables available in health insurance for both individuals and families, and envision a chart on your own website that explains how those policies work.




That's only a start on the types of benefits a website can provide to a small businessman or regional company in the financial services business. Your website can provide explanations, charts, even video clips explaining:




* Retirement planning


* Medicare insurance options


* Home loans, including specialties such as tenants-in kind


* Real estate history and trends in your area


* Auto insurance, including the effects of driving records and assigned risk


* Investments - mutual funds or annuities? Stocks or CDs?


* Estate planning


* Health insurance - a new policy, or COBRA?




These are a few examples plucked from a vast array of financial services that are out there today. Your website can become your reference library, your consulting tool, and your business partner when it comes to educating your clients. Websites provide multidimensional explanations of material in a far more effective fashion than brochures. No matter how glossy, stacks of paper that use terms only half understood are intimidating to people.




Your website can have an entire dictionary section, so that potential customers can learn terminology at their leisure, rather than ask embarrassing questions. And of course, the fewer questions they have when they pay a call on you, the less time is consumed in moving towards a potential sale.




Use the graphics capability of a website to maximize the attractive nature of your particular company. Take advantage of a personalized business website to explain why your services are better, unique, priced more reasonably, performed more thoroughly. With any complex financial product, you'll need to explain how your selection of products can meet an entire range of consumer needs. Your website can do that for you.




Financial products can be presented online just as attractively as real estate is today. For every financial product, there is a personal benefit that can be reinforced with images. For products with multiple options and complex purchasing decisions, a website provides a consumer with an invaluable tool that is available 24/7. Your potential customer won't be sitting across from you, concerned that there's been a question missed or an issue not fully understood. A website is like an office staff to a financial services professional: there's no better business for harnessing the efficiency of the new technology.

Time to Make New Year's Financial Resolutions

Do you remember any of the New Year's resolutions you made for 2005? If you don't, it may not be such a tragedy. After all, you still may have had a good quality of life even if you didn't get to the gym three times a week, learn a new language or take that gourmet cooking class. On the other hand, you can make a big difference in your future if you make - and keep - financial resolutions for the coming year.

Of course, like all resolutions, the financial ones are easier to keep if they don't force you to radically change your lifestyle. So, with that in mind, here are a few achievable financial resolutions you may want to consider for 2006:


- Increase your 401(k) contributions. If your salary goes up this year, increase the percentage of your earnings that you defer into your 401(k). With tax-deferred growth, pre-tax contributions and a variety of investment choices, your 401(k) is one of the best retirement-savings vehicles around. Plus, since the money is taken out before it even reaches your check, you won't really "miss" your increased contribution.





- "Max out" on your IRA. In 2006, you can put in up to $4,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $5,000 if you are 50 or older. If you cannot come up with the maximum amount at once, try dividing your IRA contributions into 12 equal monthly payments - and have the money taken automatically from a checking or savings account.





- Pay down your credit card debt. As you may know, the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates 12 straight times from June 2004 through November 2005. Sooner or later - and probably sooner - these rate increases will affect interest rates charged by credit card providers. So, if you are paying a variable rate on your credit cards, be prepared to pay more in interest. These interest payments do you no good, as you can't deduct them from your taxes; consequently, you'll want to pay down this debt as quickly as you can.





Review your investment portfolio. It's a good idea to review your investment portfolio at least once a year. Over the course of 12 months, your life can change in many ways; e.g., new spouse, new house, new child, new job, etc. And if your life changes significantly, your investment goals may also change. But even if your circumstances haven't changed much in a year, you should review your holdings to make sure they are properly diversified in a way that reflects your individual risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term objectives. A financial professional can help you review your investments to make sure you are still on track.


Avoid last year's mistakes. Everyone makes investment mistakes - but the smartest investors only make them once. So, try to identify any errors you made in 2005. Did you chase after "hot stocks" only to find they had already cooled off by the time you purchased them? Did you incur a large tax bill by constantly buying and selling investments? These are the types of mistakes you should seek to avoid in 2006.




So, there you have them: some New Year's financial resolutions that, if followed carefully, can provide you with benefits long after 2006 is over.

Avoid Car Financing Pitfalls

If you are considering the purchase of your first car or even your next vehicle if you’re not a first time car buyer, you may be concerned about the prospect of financing your vehicle. This concern is not totally unfounded. There are numerous pitfalls that can occur when financing a new vehicle, especially if you plan to use dealership financing. In order to avoid running into these problems, and possibly stalling your purchase read the tips below.




First, understand exactly how important your credit score is to your auto loan application. Even when working with a dealership loan department, be aware that your credit history will be run and your credit score will have a major impact on your ability to obtain an auto loan as well as the terms you are offered. Ideally, it is best to stay on top of things and get an idea of the condition of your credit history yourself before you even step foot into the dealership. Look to make sure there are no errors on there that could be dragging down your score. If your credit score is not in great condition and it is not due to errors, consider delaying the purchase of a vehicle until you can clean it up by paying down some other debts and improving your bill payment schedule; both of which will help to raise your credit score. Remember, a low credit score can prevent you from getting a better interest rate as well as the loan itself.




Many people make a list before they go shopping to ensure they won’t spend more than they intended. A similar technique can help to ensure you won’t spend more than you can afford while car shopping. Make a list of what you’re looking for in a vehicle, the features that are important to you and set a price range you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that you should not plan to spend more than 20% of your monthly income.




Take the time to do your research and understand current interest rates as well as the price range for the features you have determined are important to you. This will help you to be better educated and less likely to be taken advantage of when it comes time to discuss terms of the loan.




Be aware of your options. Find out whether any rebates or special offers are available for the cars that interest you.




Never, ever sign anything unless you have gone over the purchase contract with a fine tooth comb. Far too often, extraneous charges will be tacked on that may not be really necessary. If you’re not sure of the reason for a charge, ask before you agree to pay it.




Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into anything. If you need more time to think, take it. Walk out of the dealership, think about it and make your decision on your own time. Salesmen are excellent at driving up the pressure and creating an inflated sense of ‘time is of the essence’ but that doesn’t mean you have to fall for it.




By doing your research ahead of time, knowing what you want and what you can afford to pay for it while maintaining a cool head you will be in a better position to purchase the car you want without running into any pitfalls that could cost you big in the long run.

Become a Financial Planner

Title:






Word Count:


327




Summary:


To become a financial planner, you first must know what their job profile is. Financial planners help in determining the financial resources required to meet the company’s operating program. They also help in forecasting the extent to which these requirements will be met by the internal generation of funds, and the extent to which they will be met from external sources. It’s the job of financial planners to develop the best plans to obtain the required external funds. They also help in establishing and maintaining a system of financial control governing the allocation and use of funds. Financial planners formulate programs to provide the most effective cost-volume-profit relationship. It’s the job of financial planners to analyze the financial results of operations, report the facts to the top management and make recommendations on future operations of the firm.






Keywords:


Financial Planners, Certified Financial Planners, Fee Only Financial Planners, Become A Financial Planner






Article Body:


To become a financial planner, you first must know what their job profile is. Financial planners help in determining the financial resources required to meet the company’s operating program. They also help in forecasting the extent to which these requirements will be met by the internal generation of funds, and the extent to which they will be met from external sources. It’s the job of financial planners to develop the best plans to obtain the required external funds. They also help in establishing and maintaining a system of financial control governing the allocation and use of funds. Financial planners formulate programs to provide the most effective cost-volume-profit relationship. It’s the job of financial planners to analyze the financial results of operations, report the facts to the top management and make recommendations on future operations of the firm.




To do all these functions efficiently, financial planners first need to establish the financial objectives of the enterprise. Both long-term and short-term objectives should be established for the effective utilization of the financial resources. Then comes the next step of formulating policies. Policies are broad guidelines. Financial policies relate to procurement, administration and distribution of business funds. The next step financial planners have to do is to formulate procedures. Procedures are the specific order of doing things. They are formed for ensuring consistency of actions. In financial procedures, the financial executives decide about the control system, develop standards of performance and evaluate the performance. Lastly, they have to forecast the future. In order to take proper action to achieve the objectives established, it is necessary to know the future positions. This is facilitated by forecasting the future.




While doing these activities, financial planners must take into perspective the cost of finance and nature of business. In any assessment of the financial needs of the firm, the cost of finance is the basic criterion. This is so because only projects with net positive cash flow can be selected.

Financial Planning For Retirement: For Worry-Free Retirement

be a tedious activity especially if you are planning for retirement. Many people realize how advantageous financial planning for retirement can be while others find it mysterious.

In fact, most experts say that for people who are only making enough money to make due payments in each month, then it means that they should start contemplating on how they can still make money even if they are already retired.




Surveys show that almost 75% of the American populat...






Keywords:


retirement, investment, 401k financial, stocks






Article Body:


Planning can be a tedious activity especially if you are planning for retirement. Many people realize how advantageous financial planning for retirement can be while others find it mysterious.




In fact, most experts say that for people who are only making enough money to make due payments in each month, then it means that they should start contemplating on how they can still make money even if they are already retired.




Surveys show that almost 75% of the American population is earning enough money to pay their monthly bills. This means that they do not have any extra money to put in a bank or in any financial institution that could provide them enough profit after their retirement.




What's more Social Security is not enough guaranteed income for retired people to live on. Actually, it is still a big question if one’s Social Security will still exist when the retirement day comes.




Hence, it is extremely important to generate some methods that will provide an individual a reasonable amount of money in the future. This should be done regardless of how much an individual earns, the important thing is to start saving today.




1. Visualize and calculate




It is important for a person to visualize his or her own situation after retirement. Then, you can calculate how much money is needed to live on after retirement. Furthermore, people need earnings that compensate 75% of the present amount that he or she is expected to take home.




2. It is important to seek the help of a financial planner or any person competent in financial planning.




By asking for advice from the experts, you will be able to gain more knowledge know how to proceed for you situation. These people are proficient and knowledgeable in all kinds of financial planning and they can provide the most feasible and workable approach for your individual needs.




3. Get rid of loans, debts, and other financial obligations in as little time as possible.




By simply paying off all debts, loans, and other financial obligations in a shorter period of time, you can realize a substantial amount to invest for that retirement. A good financial planner will know exactly how to direct you so you can meet your retirement goals.

Basic Financial Information Tips (Part I)

Savings. Pay yourself first. Start now stashing 10% of your income in an “Emergency” savings. Don’t use it for anything but real emergencies. Keep a “For Sure” savings account for yearly expenses you know are coming and you can estimate (e.g. Christmas, insurance, taxes, etc.). Also have a “Buy Stuff” account. If you do, you’ll be able to avoid many financial disasters which will face you, and you can avoid borrowing money from high-rate lenders.




Borrowing. Don’t borrow money unless you are willing and able to pay it back. Failure to pay debts – on time – causes severe financial, emotional, and family problems. Experts recommend you don’t borrow for wants, only for needs, or for things that increase in value. Many lenders will loan you money you can’t afford to pay back, especially high-rate lenders.




Co-signing. Don’t co-sign on a loan unless you are willing and able to pay it back. Often, co-signers end up paying off loans they are unprepared for, and financial hardships follow. Numerous co-signors now have negative credit ratings because a primary borrower paid late. Many lenders do not notify the co-signor before reporting delinquencies or repossessions to the credit bureau.




Compare. Before you decide who to borrow from, compare! Find out who is offering the best deal at that time – look for the loan with the lowest rate (APR).




APR. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR). It is the standard rate, so we may compare the cost of borrowing. It is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. When you borrow, always beat 13% APR (consider “13” to be unlucky when it comes to borrowing). Some have been illegally stating other rates such as weekly or monthly rates. Compare APR to APR. If you pay your bills on time, and you aren’t over-extended, you can nearly always find loans or financing arrangements at rates lower than 13%. Beware though, because beating 13% does not always mean you are getting a good deal. For instance: the difference in total interest paid on an 11% versus an 8% 30-year, $100,000 mortgage loan is $64,283 (assuming all payments are made as agreed).




Consolidation Loans. A consolidation loan can result in great savings to borrowers if the new interest rate is significantly lower, and if you don’t run-up debt similar to what was just consolidated. But beware, because consolidation loans usually result in substantially more money out of your pocket into the lenders’. For instance, mortgage loans usually involve closing costs. They increase the total debt. Many refinances involve reducing the monthly payment, but increasing the length of payback, which substantially increases the total interest paid. Borrowers, who refinance unsecured debt (e.g. credit cards) into a home mortgage, also increase their risk of losing their homes. Also, remember to keep all of your payments current until the old debt is paid off. Too many people have damaged credit ratings, and are in bad financial condition because they counted on money which didn’t come when they expected it. Expect delays when applying for loans, especially consolidation loans. Don’t spend money before you




Desperation. Don’t get desperate for money. The more desperate you are, the less likely you are to get a good loan.




Auto insurance. Keep your auto insurance current. If you fail to keep your insurance up-to-date, you could end up making loan payments for years after your car has been totaled.




Establish good credit. To avoid bad credit, don't borrow too much, and do pay your bills on time. Inexpensive ways to establish good credit: (1) Obtain a good credit card. When you charge things, pay off the balance each month – on time – and pay no interest. (2) Establish a revolving line of credit (an empty loan) as an overdraft protection against bounced checks, and don’t use it as a loan. (3) Get a loan to buy a car, or furniture, or etc.) and pay it off within a few months.




Late fees. To avoid late fees (which multiply the cost of borrowing), pay early, or at least on time.




Repossessions. To avoid repossessions and associated fees, pay early or on time, and keep your insurance current.




Extra principal ® less interest. To pay less interest on loans, pay more than the minimum required payment. Even small amounts of extra principal, can significantly reduce the total amount of interest you would otherwise pay over the life of the loan. Before doing this, however, make sure your lender accepts extra principal payments, and find out what particular procedure you need to follow to ensure your extra principal is properly applied.




Bi-weekly payments. If you get paid weekly, or every other week, paying bi-weekly is a very convenient (almost painless) way to reduce your loan term and interest. For instance, if you make ½ of your required monthly payment every 14 days (a bi-weekly period), you pay the equivalent of 13.052 payments in an average year. If you don’t get paid bi-weekly, or if your lender doesn’t like biweekly payments, you can pay the equivalent amount in monthly installments. If you pay 1/12 of the sum of 13.05 payments each month, you will match the bi-weekly advantage (minor rounding differences).




Contrary to popular belief, the frequency of paying ½ payments bi-weekly doesn’t accomplish much, the real advantage is paying the extra principal (13.05 payments, or more, each year) which reduces the term and the interest paid. If you are considering signing up for a bi-weekly program, pay close attention to the cost. Some servicers have large set-up fees and transaction fees. Also consider the credibility of any company handling your money, some have diverted payments into their own pockets, leaving borrowers to make payments twice (once to a corrupt servicer, and a second time directly to the lender).

Financial Terminology: Jargon Buster A - E

1. Account holder


The person who has a personal loan account.




2. Advance


The mortgage loan itself is called the advance.




3. APR (Annual Percentage Rate)


An interest rate designed to show you the total annual cost of getting credit. It should include all the interest and charges payable by you as a condition of taking the loan. Where taking Payment Protection Insurance is a condition of taking the loan, this should also be included in the APR. The typical APR is the APR that 66% of customers applying for the providers credit card can expect to get.




4. Applicant


You become an applicant when you complete and submit an application form for a personal loan.




5. Applied or nominal interest rate


The rate used to calculate the interest due on your mortgage.




6. Arrangement fee


The fee payable to the loan provider by you (the applicant) to open the account.




7. Arrears


Mortgage payments which have not been paid and are overdue.






B




1. Bank of England base rate


The Bank of England sets or reviews their interest rate on a monthly basis and this is the main factor influencing interest rates charged by mortgage and other lenders.




2. Buildings insurance


Covers your actual building(bricks and mortar) and is usually required as soon as you exchange contracts on your house.






C




1. Capital


The amount you owe excluding costs and any interest outstanding.




2. Capital and interest mortgage


This is when your monthly payments go to pay off the outstanding mortgage in addition to the interest on the mortgage. At the end of the term you will have no more to pay. Also called a repayment mortgage.




3. Capped rate


This is a mortgage where a maximum interest rate is agreed which the rate cannot go above. This deal lasts for a set period of months or years. Should the variable rate go below the maximum, the pay rate falls with it.




4. Cashback


An amount, either fixed or a percentage of a mortgage, which you can opt to receive when you complete your mortgage. The lender will likely claw back this money through a higher interest rate.




5. Charge-off


The removal of an account from a loan provider's books. When an account is charged off, the loan provider absorbs the outstanding balance as a loss. Charge-off is also referred to as Write-off.




6. Closing administration charge


A final charge made by the lender to cover their administration costs when a mortgage is fully repaid.




7. Completion


This is end of the mortgage process, when the contracts are signed, all questions have been answered and the keys are handed over and the funds transferred. Happy moving!




8. Consumer Credit Act (CCA)


The Act which defines how personal loans may be advertised, and what rules need to be followed by loan providers in the presentation of loan features such as the interest rate and typical APR that are applicable. The Act also covers the information that needs to be available to the consumer such as product terms and conditions.




9. Contents insurance


Insurance that covers your personal belongings




10. Contract


A contract is a binding agreement between two and more parties. In the context of house buying, a contract is signed by both the buyer and the seller and then 'exchanged' between the respective solicitors, at which point the house sale is binding on both sides.




11. Conveyancing


The legal work involved in the sale or purchase of land.




12. Credit Reference Agency (CRA)


An agency that gathers and maintains information on the debts and repayment records of individuals and businesses. CRAs prepare reports that are used by personal loan providers to view an applicant's credit history. There are two such agencies for consumer credit in the UK - Experian and Equifax.




13. Credit scoring


The process by which your credit worthiness is checked. Weights or 'scores' are associated with your personal attributes, such as your income and the time spent at your current address. These 'scores' are added to give a total credit score. Each total credit score is associated with a prediction of how likely a person with that score is to default. The loan provider then checks this score against the minimum required to be accepted for their loan, determining whether they accept you or not.






D




1. Debt consolidation


The process of combining all outstanding debts in one loan account. For example, you may have an existing loan with a balance of £2,500, a credit card balance of £1,000 and a store card balance of £500. These could all be consolidated into one loan of £4,000. The purpose is usually to lower monthly repayments, through either lower interest rates on the new loan, or lower repayments from an extended repayment term, or both.




2. Default


Non-payment of an account according to the terms of the loan agreement. If you are declared in default, your account may be subject to higher interest rate and other charges. Failure to keep up with repayments may result in the fact being registered at the two main consumer credit agencies in the UK- Experian and Equifax. This may reduce your chances of obtaining credit in the future. If the loan is secured against your home, your home may also be at risk.




3. Deferred payment


Delayed payment. Also referred to as a deferred start, this facility allows you to delay the date on which the first repayment is due. The deferred period could be from one to three months, meaning a loan opened on the 1st January may not require repayments to start until 1st April.




4. Deposit


The deposit paid towards the total price of the property, normally payable at exchange of contracts.




5. Direct debit


Apre-authorized debit on the payer's account initiated by the payee. Most loan providers would require you to set up a direct debit to make the monthly repayments on the loan.




6. Discounted rate


This is where the lender makes a guaranteed reduction off the standard variable rate for an agreed period of time. After the period ends, the borrower will go onto the Standard variable rate. often used by loan providers as an added incentive to apply for a loan.




7. Drawdown date


The date when the contracts have been completed and the mortgage starts.






E




1. Early repayment charge (ERC) / Early settlement penalty


The charge payable to some loan providers should the loan be repaid in full before the full term of the loan has expired. For example, an arranged loan over 36 months may incur an ERC if it is repaid after 24 months, or any point before the 36 months has been reached. The average ERC can amount to the equivalent of 2 months interest.




2. Early redemption charges


Redemption is when the borrower pays off the capital and the interest on the mortgage and thus has full rights to the property. Early redemption fees are the charges incurred for paying off the mortgage early, either to buy the house outright or when you re-mortgage. Always ask about these before you take out a mortgage.




3. Endowment


Endowments are life assurance policies with an investment element designed to pay off the outstanding capital on an interest-only mortgage. There are a few types of endowments, such as 'with profits', 'unitised with profits' and 'unit-linked'. in the 1980s, these were sold to customers by salesman who promised that they would be guaranteed to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term. This is not the case, and many endowment holders are having to bump up their premiums.




4. Equity


In housing terminology, equity is the difference between the value of the property and the money owed on the property. So if the property is valued at £200,000 and you owe £150,000 on the mortgage, you have equity of £50,000. If you sold at that moment, you would receive £50,000. Should the value of the home be less than the mortgage outstanding then you are in negative equity. Not to be confused with the stock market use of the word "equity", which is completely different.




5. Exchange of contracts


In England and Wales (not Scotland), the point when both buyer and seller are legally bound to the transaction.

How to Have Financial Peace

One of the biggest contributors toward personal peace is financial peace. Sometimes it is assumed that financial peace is only for those with endless amounts of money. In actuality, you can be financially secure at almost any income level. Avoiding common financial mistakes is the first step. This article discusses some mistakes that many of us make and how to avoid them.




I'm Too Young to Settle Down




Not investing in a home or buying one too late in life is a mistake that more and more people are making. The reason it is a financial mistake is illustrated in the following example. Let's say Brittany makes $60,000 a year, is single and rents a home for $2000 dollars a month. When tax time comes, she has little or nothing in the way of deductions. In 2005 she would have had to pay $11,665 in federal taxes alone. If she had put that same rent payment toward a mortgage payment instead and purchased a $315,000 home with a 30 year fixed rate of 6.5%, her mortgage interest deduction would have been $20,236, saving her $5,059 in taxes in 2005.




Tax savings isn't the only reason to buy a home. Another reason is the investment it represents. Let's say Brittany did buy a $315,000 home in January of 2005 and its value increased 5% in one year. The 5% increase in value would give her $15,750 in equity by 2006 and she would have paid $3,657 toward principle as well. Let's add it up. Rent money saved, $24,000 + taxes saved, $5,059 + equity earned, $15,750 + principle purchased, $3,657 - interest paid, $20,236 = $28,230, or $2,352 per month saved by purchasing a home. Even if she put $1,000 into that home each month in the way of maintenance, she still would have saved over $1,300 per month in 2005 by buying a home.




But It Was On Sale!




Accumulating debt instead of savings is the next financial error to avoid. Unless debt can almost guarantee you a future return, such as investing in a business, education or your home, it is best to avoid altogether. Even purchasing automobiles with cash is better financially in the long run. As an example, let's look at a household that has a credit card balance of $10,000. Assuming a 15% interest rate, if they pay $150.00 per month on the card and don't put anything else on it, their total interest and principle paid to that card is $21,635 before it gets paid off. It will take them over 12 years to pay it off at this rate. They are paying $80 in interest a month for the "privilege" of having credit card debt.




There is even more to the debt picture, however. Debt is not just one sided, there are opportunity costs associated with debt. If they weren't putting $150 a month toward their credit card, they could instead be putting it into a savings account. Putting $150 a month into a savings account with a 4% rate of return compounded monthly for 12 years would grow to almost $28,000, which is $21,600 in principle and $6,400 in interest earned. So now the real cost of a credit card is the interest paid, $11,635 + the foregone interest from the savings account, $6,400 = $18,035 in 12 years or $125 per month of lost money.




Do You Accept VISA for my Mortgage Payment?




Not having any liquid savings is another area that can end up hurting you financially. The minimum amount to be saved is 3-6 months of living expenses. This will help to cover loss of income or medical emergencies that may arise. This money should only be tapped for major emergencies and not for things like vacations or weddings, which should be saved for in other accounts once the liquid savings has been established. When no short-term savings is available, the risk of bankruptcy increases. With the new bankruptcy laws it is becoming increasingly difficult to erase debt.




Liquid savings is especially important when you have a large income that is not standard across the industry, or when there is not a high demand for the type of work you do. In these situations, finding a new job with the same income may be difficult. This can leave you vulnerable to rushed decisions that can damage you financially for years to come. As an example, I have a friend who had made good money at a software company for 20 years. His income was quite high because he had been with the company for a long time. The company was eventually purchased and he was laid off. He and his family had just finished building and furnishing their dream home when it happened. While they didn't have massive amounts of debt, they didn't have any liquid savings either. In order to get out from under their house payment, they sold their home for much less than it was worth, they also emptied their 401(k) and both had to take low paying jobs just to make ends meet. Now, eight years later, they are just starting to crawl o




Natural Disaster...Here?




Little or no insurance is a mistake that many people make hoping they won't be hit by a natural disaster. Insurance is your best defense against financial ruin in such a situation. Sitting down and talking with an insurance agent is the first step. Make sure that the policy covers those things you are worried about. Set aside the money needed for the deductible on the policy if a disaster does occur. Other things to prepare for in a disaster is the possibility of being out of work for several weeks or months, high medical bills or being left without an automobile if it is also destroyed in the disaster. Liquid savings is the answer to these problems. Remember, just because the home or vehicle no longer exist doesn't mean that their payments have gone away.




I Have Plenty of Time to Save




Not saving for retirement is a mistake that is made all too often. If you do save, there is a good possibility it is not enough to retire on. The findings of the 2006 Retirement Confidence Survey put out by the Employee Benefit Research Institute suggested that many American workers are not prepared for retirement and will have to work far longer than they expect. As an example let's look at Jane who is 55 years old and currently makes $60,000. She hopes to retire at age 65 and has already put away $250,000. By the time she retires, her home will be paid for and she assumes she can live off 70% of her current income or $42,000. If she lives to 90, she will need to have income for 25 years. Let's assume her $250,000 grows at a rate of 7% until retirement and 6% once she starts taking the money out. We need to also account for inflation which averages about 3% per year. In order to have $42,000 per year for 25 years she will need $1,151,243 in her retirement account by age 65. That means she will have to start




This is a start on the road to financial peace, steering clear of financial mistakes. Learning more about the different ways investment mistakes can hurt you in the long run is the first step in avoiding future problems. Next is to not make or stop making those mistakes. It may take some time to change your habits and actions, but it will pay well in the long run if you do.

Financial Success Isn't Difficult

Financial success isn't a hard task to master. It simply takes dedication, hard work and a little old fashioned commitment.




But it also takes a little knowledge. Too many consumers are ignoring what are financial truths. They run up large amounts of debt just to appear successful to those around them. They surround themselves with things that only make them feel better for a minute.




They ignore the fact that a debt-free and well managed financial life is a wonderful way to eliminate stress, which is all too common in today's world.




What do you need to do to become financially successful?




First, you need to spend less than you earn. Sounds easy, but it really isn't. It is easier to spend less than it is to earn more. You simply have to cut your costs. You have to stop charging on your credit cards and you have to stop shopping. Look closely at where your money is going. Look at what you already have around you. Get all those projects completed before you buy things for a new project.




You have to have a budget and stick with it. Budgets don't tell you how to spend your money, they tell you how to save your money. You can easily see where your money is going. You can identify areas that you can cut back on. Then, you can set spending goals. A budget is a great way to challenge yourself. There is nothing better than saving more money than you thought you could. Surprise yourself with a budget that works.




From your budget, you should be able to find the money to start paying off that credit card debt. If you are severely in debt, you may need to get a second job and sell some things to get a head start. Stop using those cards and start paying them off. They are draining the life out of your finances on a daily basis.




You should be contributing to a retirement plan. Research your options and take advantage of them. Don't wait until tomorrow, it will be too late. Start now. When you pay off your debt, put that money to your retirement as well. Who knows -- you may be able to retire early.




Once you have your debt paid off you should have a savings plan. There are goals that you can set for your savings. You may want new furniture or to go on a vacation. You should also save at least three to six months of money to cover your monthly expenses in the case of an emergency. This will cushion your budget from any repairs, emergencies, illnesses or job losses that may happen.




Financial success isn't difficult. It is simply a habit that you have to nurture and maintain. Take the time to sit down and get started. Work on it until it becomes second nature. The more you work on it, the better you will become at it.

Preferred Rewards Green Card From American Express - A True Financial Companion

Established in 1850, American express happens to be one of the oldest and most honored financial service organizations in the world. Also referred to as “Amex”, the concern excels in credit card, charge card and travelers’ cheque businesses. Credit cards from American express are known for providing unparalleled customer service and immediate purchasing power. Preferred Rewards Green Card from American Express is an exceptional Amex credit card.




The Target Group




Though Preferred Rewards Green Card from American Express is recommendable for everyone, yet it is ideal for those who can afford to pay the full balance every month to successfully skirt accumulation of credit card debt. This is because an accumulated debt leads to a very high rate of interest, which is inconvenient for an individual to pay later.




Key Characteristics




With no pre-set spending limit, the Preferred Rewards Green Card from American Express comes fee-free for the first year. It is not just the annual fee of the basic card, but fees for up to five additional cards are waived in the first year of card membership. After the expiry of the first year, an annual fee of $95 is charged for the basic card and $30 for each additional card.




Additional Benefits




Preferred Rewards Green Card from American Express is recognized in numerous places all over the world. This card provides several additional benefits like fraud protection, extended warranty for purchases, purchase protection, medical and legal referral services, roadside assistance, emergency cash replacement, auto rental as well as lost luggage insurance, emergency card replacement and a travel accident insurance up to a maximum of $100000.




Cardholders also get various Internet a/c related services and have easy access to the global assist plus hotline that proffers several assistances even when the holders are more than 100miles away from their home. At the year-end, all the cardholders receive a financial statement that carries all the minute details of the financial transactions.




The Reward Program




Merely signing in the card, inducts one into the reward program and the cardholder receives a warm welcome in the form of 5000 bonus membership rewards points (which can be redeemed right away). After this, one point accumulates for every dollar spent using the card and these points are redeemable towards fifty big names in entertainment and shopping, or for rewards from 21 airlines, over 50 cruise itineraries, hundreds of hotels worldwide, vacation packages and spa retreats.




This apart, the holder can transfer the points to eleven frequent flyer programmes at the rate of one point equated to one frequent flyer mile or frequent guest credit. It is mention worthy that there is no limit to the amount of points that can be earned and the points never expire on a Preferred Rewards Green Card from American Express.

Banks vs. Owner Financing

It can often be difficult to obtain a loan from banks, which is why owner financing is becoming very popular among home and real estate buyers. Among the many perks of owner financing, the seller often accepts a low down payment whereas banks often charge 20% or more. In addition, many owner financed properties can be obtained without a credit check. This is especially beneficial for anyone who has a few blemishes on his/her credit report, which may cause banks to charge a higher than normal interest rates. An individual, or real estate developer, who is in the business of providing owner financing will likely extend financing to anyone who agrees to keep the payments current.




In recent years, the internet has become a hub for owner financing properties while also providing plenty of lending opportunities for anyone who wishes to apply for a loan from banks. Currently, a lot of the major internet auction sites have a category that is specifically designed for buying and selling real estate. These categories are more often used for owner financing options related to land purchases, but buyers will find a few homes sprinkled in now and then. From a mountainous retreat to a tropical island paradise, there is owner financing for land in these and other areas.




Customers who wish to apply for loans from banks will find a variety of resources online, including eloan.com and lendingtree.com. These sites offer a customer the ability to have banks competing for their business. According to these sites, offers may begin arriving within hours. Not everyone will be approved, however, as there are a number of deciding factors that banks look at when deciding to extend credit. Among them, the customers credit history, debt to income ratio, ability to repay the loan and the presence of regular income.




Loans that are obtained through banks will require documentation, which may include previous 2-3 years of tax returns, current pay stubs and/or proof of employment. If they own land, individuals who are interested in buying or building a home will find that they have more success with banks. The reason is because the land will become partial collateral for the loan and, if the buyer defaults, banks will foreclose on both the house and the land. In addition, many land owners do not have to come up with the money for a down payment as the equity in their land will serve as the down payment.

Plan Your Retirement In As Easy As 1 – 2 – 3 Using Financial Planning Software

Rather than spend your hard earned money hiring a financial planner or consulting with one, there are actually countless software programs that would help you in managing your finances. These programs are efficient tools for planning and making all those important retirement calculations.


Rather than spend your hard earned money hiring a financial planner or consulting with one, there are actually countless software programs that would help you in managing your finances. These programs are efficient tools for planning and making all those important retirement calculations.




One software program is MFC, My Financial Coordinator. It literally serves this purpose. It merges all your income streams into a coherent report therefore making managing your assets so much easier to understand and manage.




This software also helps to determine which of your assets you should sell or hold based on performance. It also details all the financial activities you did for the year and helps you estimate your quarterly tax calculations. Doing so prevents you from incurring those annoying penalties from the IRS.




Other benefits the software program includes are the following:




Monitoring of stop/loss




This software helps in your decision-making on a specific asset prior to it losing its significant value because the stop/loss monitoring function works off the highest value recorded.




Quarterly Federal, State and Local Tax Estimates




The MFC software provides an easy one stop source for determining liability information and accurately reporting it thus ensuring on-time payment.




Confidentiality assured




MFC keeps you in the know as well as preventing others from knowing all your investment information. Details on your assets as well as your financial transactions are secure with you and never leave your sight. Any data transferred over the internet are mere stock symbols and never reveal any number of shares that you may have or any of your personal information.




Everything is served to you




Since assets come from various resources, the MFC software groups them all together on the system. All bonds, stocks, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, checking accounts, money market accounts, salary, income from social security, pension, annuities, proceeds from gambling, royalties, income from business and others.




Reporting of monthly income




This feature in the software enables you to see the level of your income on a monthly as well as an annual basis. This to assist you in managing all your financial as well as expense needs.




Calculations on your performing assets




Updates on your performing assets is provided to you by the MFC software program. This would help you in determining which are your non performing assets or under performers. Doing so would be of great assistance to you especially when the time comes to select which will go first when fund liquidation is called for.




You have the power and control




Absolute power in terms of your finances provides absolute control as well as flexibility as this software program enables you to indicate the Federal, State as well as any local adjustments or deductions in the computation of your gross income and liability in taxes.

Refinancing: Mistakes and Misconceptions

It is often the biggest mistake we make when attempting to refinance by overlooking and disregarding equity lines that are right around us and that can possibly be sourced with a little ingenuity. You never overlook any possible source of finance when building a property portfolio. This is a common mistake that can cost us a lot in the future as without the right financing we will be subject to things such as higher interest rates as well.




When we look at the equity available around us we also often limit it to our own belongings. This is not a bad practice however when looking to build out we have to think at a deeper level. In our list of equity lines we should in addition to our belongings have a potential list of persons that we can approach to sign with us as guarantors or even as joint owners. This is important to consider in tandem with refinancing.




There is no need to look too far when compiling this list and in fact this list should be close to home for the most part. Ask yourself this question, "Do you know anyone that owns their own home?" I am certain the answer will be an outstanding yes. What about someone that has their own business? These are all options when you are looking for someone to give you that last edge towards getting a loan or even in given you the additional boost so that refinancing is easier to accomplish.




You can use your own resources such as your own equity and any savings you may have and refinance as well but the importance of a guarantor is often overlooked. It is hard to get that loan if you have the requirement of a large amount or sum of money. Even with equity and savings there is no guarantee that the person that is approving the loan will be sufficiently convinced of your ability to repay and hence refinancing is easier with that additional guarantor. It also helps that this person is willing to go out on a limb for you so the provider of the loan is able to establish some level of trust that you are capable of repaying.




This is where building a trust relationship comes in handy. Institutions do not approve loans. We go to many places to source loans such as:




"Banks "Credit Unions "Private Lenders "Wealthy Investors




These are just a few of the institutions that we can approach. However it is the people in these institutions that we have to convince that we are capable to handle a refinancing of our loan and repay it efficiently. We also have to convince them that our plan is one that will be profitable. They are in essence putting there security at stake when they approve a loan for us and as such there must be a certain level of trust in your ability to fulfil the obligation of a loan.

Financial Budgeting, Income, Costs and Hints

So you are loaded down with bills to pay each month and are wondering how you can begin a savings account for emergencies and other high-expense endeavors. In other words, where can you find that extra cash to put away for later?




Firstly, when configuring your budge, plan for your savings first. You will grow richer each month if you begin to pay yourself first. Before paying any bills, decide on a set amount that you will pay yourself first - maybe five or ten percent - or whatever you decide - of your paycheck. Then, deposit the amount into a savings account before paying any bills.




When you do this at the beginning of the month, your entire paycheck will not suddenly slip through your fingers. If you wait until the end of the month, there may be nothing left to save. Paying yourself first will give you a systematic way to make your money grow. Regardless of your profession or your income, this system will work if you stick to it.




Anoter technique you may try for saving money is to empty your extra change into a coffee can or a jar each day. At the end of the month, roll the coins and put them into your savings account. You may be able to save 30 or 40 dollars each month just with your spare change.




Remember that good money management is more than just a mathematical formula. It’s too closely tied with the ups and downs of living to be just that. Your money management plan is always subject to change if your life situation changes. The object of a good budget is to make your money go the farthest in helping you reach your goals, it is not there to force to you to abide by rules.




Don’t get discouraged if the budget plan doesn’t work perfectly right away. It may involve some revising and editing until it fits your needs. Then, make sure to review it often, and be sure it is making the best use of every penny! Because we know how helpful those spare pennies can be!