tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55992517643604063882024-03-12T17:20:43.601-07:00Personal Finance - Helping yourselfThere can be no real individual freedom in the presence of economic insecurity.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-51768916737442749422015-06-29T11:00:00.000-07:002015-07-04T02:57:28.043-07:00A Blooming Gift To Mobility - The Asus Zenfone 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
Where the wealth of wisdom flourishes, there starts human’s form of mettle, satisfaction and curiosity.Under the boon of Science for twentieth century, people around us have been breathing in technology in sacred incarnations of the Personal Computer, the Mobile and the Internet. What indeed, could have been better, radical and innovative in this Age of Evolution, to the human race!<br /><br />One such boon here, for the psyche in the world of mobility is the new Asus Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML). A premium gaming brand for motherboards and other PC-s, Asus had made its mark dating back to almost two decades of glory and fame down the path of competition in computer peripherals and PC-s. In recent past, Asus mobiles are slowly becoming their hallmark.<br /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Asus is known for the quality in the build and performance of its devices and the all-time positive feedback and the word-of-mouth promotions successively added the seed to its popularity. With a minimal market share of 7.4% in Q42014 [EQ], Asus mobiles had seen a soaring growth of 402% which never failed to tell. Now in 2015, one of its flagship mobiles have been the Zenfone and ZE551ML has proven all quality standards exceeding consumer expectations, including those of color accuracy and color Gamut chart, AnTuTu, Vellamo, Quadrant and CPUMark, NenaMark 2 and GFXBench.<br /><br />With its powerfully sleek ergonomic body design, it has won a tremendous score over customer choice in the most economic or pocket-friendly mobile handset in the range of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. The Value-for-Money has a jaw-dropping ratio of 11.4% taking into account the project cost and shadow bid which surpassed every other budget smartphone in this price range, such as Xolo, Micromax, Oppo, RedMi, Karbonn and alike. <br /><br />The first thing a typical mobile-buyer would feel in hand, is the iconic concentric-circle textural design which had put the engineering team of Asus to test. With the tough and theoritically scratch proof Corning Gorilla 3 screen protection, The ZE551ML boasts of a 5.5” IPS density screen along a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The color density and reproduction which stretches to provide an enormous 403 ppi density, viewing angles and tough response ar beyond par excellence than any other competitor in its price range. The Zenfone in its uniquely modeled Zen UI provides for everything an Android user may ever crave for in customization and optimization of performance. To fuel it and yet keep it cool in the processors, Asus is using a 64-bit Quad Core (maxed to 2 by 2 cores) in Intel Atom Z3560 clocking the max at 1.8 Ghz. The processor temperature gets peaked to 45 degrees while playing graphically overdriven games like Modern Combat 4, C.O.D. Strike Team, Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8 etc. This temperature is normal as the Intel processor hyperthreads whenever multiple cores take the heave.<br /><br />It is no mighty a beast in performance if its not strong at the lens and the pixel density in the offering. The Zenfone 2 stacks in potentially inculpable 13 megapixel rear auto-focus with 4128 x 3096 p.d. with dual-LED flash and F/2.0 aperture lens and 5 megapixel front-facing lenses which is capable of providing 4k videos in full High definition at 30 FPS with zero shutter lag. Though initial launch premiere reviews of the handset didn’t bring appraised feedback about the picture qualities on paper, but Nenamark 2 score of 60FPS just breaks the ice of all critics.<br /><br />As far as the package goes which comes out-of-the-box, the Zenfone 2 features the latest Android 5.0 lollipop powered by a decent Lithium-polymer 3000 maH non-removable battery and a special add-on for “fast charging” which allows the device charge upto 60% in just first 40 minutes! The Zenfone 2 is even bio-friendly to keep in the pocket of your denim or your shirt and you would not be searching for earplugs in haste, if a call rings up- thanks to the SAR value as low as 0.35 W/Kg. <br /><br />Now, the sacrament of this handset at this price is providing a 4 GB RAM which even some of the modern PC-s do not come boxed with. This piece here, is one of its kind in the world of mobility for the 21st Century and beats all other peers hands down when it comes to the build, design, quality, camera, performance, battery or the amazing special features it comes preloaded. ZenMotion, SnapView, Mini Movie are just a handful of some other gifts the buyer gets alongside of. <br /><br />Needless to say, rolling out the next Android hallmark, post the Android One, Google may choose Asus to bless with the next flagship Google mobile considering the quality standards, hardware specifications, benchmarks and promise of service that Asus delivers to its overwhelmed customers. Rest assured, this gizmo in your pocket would keep you happy at the end of the day as it meet both your ends of budget and what Asus offers you in a steal!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-84040440847527389952015-05-08T14:30:00.000-07:002015-07-04T03:54:22.430-07:00Hi, this is WhatsApp. Who’s this?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nearing 5,000,000,000 installations and 28,000,000 ratings across the web of Android, it has facilitated for us, the first-of-its-kind offering of the basic instinct of human- to communicate. This Android app has brought a revolution in 2009 among Android users across all age-groups which compelled them to send text messages free, by usage of a bare minimum mobile data of 0.028 Kb. Since then, down the memory lane of 6 years, this application has governed the world of Instant Messaging in an all-encompassing aura. March, 2015 has crowned it with an approximate 700 million users online devoting almost 47% of their day’s time to fiddle with, putting back all its trailing competitors such as Skype, Hike, WeChat, Line, QQ Mobile and Viber. You guessed it right, the hubbub is all about “WhatsApp”, the undisputed king of the IM world.<br />
<br />
Besides being the most responsive app for communication, WhatsApp runs even on weak 2G mobile signals. Topping the charts at 69% market penetration in India, WhatsApp was recently acquired by Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook at a whopping US $16 billion deal. WhatsApp now caters to 7 different platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Phone, Series 40 of Nokia and Tizen. <br />
<br />
Following a recent rumor of WhatsApp offering free service to its existing customers, the curtailing of annual upgradation price of $0.99 for one, $2.67 for two and $3.71 years is still a mystery as WhatsApp still automatically offers a free service extension, much to the happiness and satisfaction for all its users. WhatsApp uses an open standard XMPP which creates the user account just by his or her SIM number and tagging the contact list for communication from the address book or contact-list of the device. There has been multiple workarounds and fixes by the development team of California-based WhatsApp, which now allows it to use in Dual-SIM devices as well. A user can have multiple WhatsApp accounts but only one account can be linked to one SIM number. A buffer of 30 days is provided by the WhatsApp server wherein the message (colloquially termed as “ping”) from the sender is stored, before the message gets deleted if the receiver does not or cannot receive the sent message either due to service expiration or due to poor network coverage overmuch.<br />
<br />
One of the top-grossing app in Android, WhatsApp ensures maximum lasting security to its users using the TextSecure encryption which keeps hacks and other intrusions at bay. The popularity of WhatsApp has called for dramatic events an ample number of times. A new judicial rule was brought up in UAE by which swearing in WhatsApp could impose the person a fine of US $68,000 under cybercrime. On another note, an event led to leaking of the question paper for annual examination of First year, B.Com of School of Open Learning, Delhi University. Though a handful of events, but they are alarming enough of the cons WhatsApp could bring if the perpetrator chooses to exploit a chance.<br />
<br />
WhatsApp, apart from sending text pings to other users in the Address Book of the device, also allows to send multimedia files. Unlike Hike Messenger which allows large files as well as files with .exe extensions to be shared across the IM, WhatsApp has restricted users to send and share Audio, Video, Image files and Contacts through the attachment window. It also allows the users to change the background of the home-screen and choose a status just as Google Talk, which is displayed every time another user views his or her WhatsApp profile. It provides an easy way for senders of messages to know when a particular ping is delivered from his device, received by the receiver’s device and seen by him or her. It uses denotations of a single tick, double tick in gray and a double tick in blue respectively, for the sender to know them. 2013 saw a wide range of piracy in cyber world releasing copies and versions of WhatsApp which allowed the users to mask the “last seen” notifications, notifications about being online and even changing the color or basic WhatsApp logo, homescreen and messages and font of all text pings and menu options. The pirated version was popularly known as WhatsApp plus. WhatsApp took the issue aggressively and detected and banned those SIM numbers on which the pirated versions of WhatsApp were registered. The logo of WhatsApp Plus turned the green color in genuine WhatsApp logo to black.<br />
<br />
In a recent introduction of feature in WhatsApp at the onset of 2015, VoIP or Internet calling was rolled out to all its users. They can now make a call to another WhatsApp user over the Internet using either the Mobile Internet (2G, 3G or 4G) or the Wi-Fi. This feature was mainly introduced to compete with Skype and Viber for the offerings they provide. But on the downside, WhatsApp uses approximately 1.3 Mb of Internet data vis-à-vis 240 Kb for Viber, per minute in making a VoIP call to any contact in your Address Book. Through this route of calculation, over a normal 500 MB 3G monthly data plan for instance, WhatsApp VoIP would eat that up entirely in just a matter of six hours, which otherwise accounts for 11-minute voice calls per day in a standard calling plan. Users are hopeful and anticipating a fast version upgrade to sort this out as they do not want to switch over to another app just for voice calls voids them off their pockets.WhatsApp also recently shelled the feature to use its service on personal computers. What the users need to avail this service is to travel to the settings in WhatsApp in the device its currently installed, select the “WhatsApp Web” option, scan the QR code that comes in the webpage web.whatsapp.com and wait for a couple of seconds depending on the connection speed, to load up the entirety of his account onto his or her PC!<br />
<br />
Since the Paleolithic Age, when the ancestral beings started the basic survival instinct for “communication” till now in our Modern era, the most advanced breakthrough among them all, will remain the creation and development of WhatsApp. It caters for mass of all economic form of living standards as WhatsApp also caters to budget multimedia phones like S40 which uses a MD5-hashed mechanism for the lower end devices as well as top-notch innovations like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and akin. Even the Traffic Police in India have started making WhatsApp groups for service inspectors across a State or a District to help monitor the cities in better ways by improved method of departments’ intra-communication. Noida’s WhatsApp Helpline number fetches the Police Department remarkably 5,300 messages in an average of 15 days a month.<br />
<br />
Thanks Jan Koum, for instigating the property of communication among the youth in the world- a cyber sensation in itself. As predictive economics says, sooner or later, WhatsApp together with Facebook is going to surpass more than 80% of world traffic for communication. All hail, WhatsApp!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-60390133102482935152012-08-29T21:33:00.000-07:002012-08-29T21:34:26.378-07:00Get Instant Financial Assistance before Your Next Payday<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We’ve all been there; half way through the month with barely enough money to make it until our next payday; it’s awful feeling that you’re not in control of your finances. So, it’s vital that we find help and advice to prevent ever being in that place again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, if you’re currently in that position you need to find a solution to get out of it, fast! Now this may seem like an impossible task when you’re in financially tight position, but don’t get despondent, there is a way out.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are numerous ways you can get financial assistance before your next payday; it’s just a case of finding which option suits you best. Here are some ways to relieve you of your financial strain:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Friends and family: You may not want to ask those closest to you for financial help as you may feel a bit embarrassed. But there’s no need to feel ashamed; they are there to help, they won’t think any less of you. Also, since they aren’t as strict as the conventional lending institutions a casual repayment arrangement can be arranged, as opposed to regimented deadlines. This eliminates the worry over late penalty charges, which in turn alleviates any additional mental strain.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sell your belongings: There is always a whole host of unused items lying around your house and garage; dig them out and make some money! We take for granted the amount of general ‘stuff’ we accumulate over the years; you could in fact be harbouring a small fortune without even realising it. So when you have a weekend free don’t waste your time lazing around the house; be pro-active and have a clear out. Once you’ve gathered everything you can have a garage sale, go to a car boot sale or sell your things on eBay.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Take out an unsecured loan: Just as you would take out a mortgage to solve the financial hurdles you face when buying a house you can also take out a loan to help you when to resolve other monetary issues. Unsecured loans, such as <a href="http://www.dreampayday.co.uk/">payday loans</a>, give you the opportunity to get out of any financial tight spot instantly. They are short-term loans that require you to pay the borrowed amount back by your next payday and since they are unsecured they do come with interest rates. However, the interest rates vary from one lender to the other.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Financial assistance is always available in some form or the other; it only depends on where you find it and how you use it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>About the Author: </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The guest post was contributed by Alicia, financial guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Find out more about her finance related blogs at financeport</i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-65143937506631379512012-07-17T02:00:00.001-07:002012-07-17T02:00:45.519-07:00Control your Finances with Top Financial Tips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At present there are numerous people who are unable to control their expenses and feel that they can never recover from their financial mayhem. But nothing is impossible; if you feel that attaining financial stability is out of your reach, here are some steps that can be taken now to put you in a better financial position in the future.<br /><br /><strong>Tip 1: Spend within your Means</strong><br /><br />The initial step you need to take is to know how much you spend monthly and how much you are earning; spend only within your earnings never exceed it. The best way to implement is to stay away from your credit cards; when you are in financial difficulties, credit cards dig a deeper financial hole for you. If there are some emergencies arising and you are in need of instant cash you can opt for a <a href="http://www.rush-my-pay.co.uk/">payday loan</a>, it will provide you with the cash instantly and you can pay it back with your next paycheck.<br /><br /><strong>Tip 2: Organise your Finances</strong><br /><br />If you neglect paying your bills on time and ignore your credit card payments thinking that you can do that later on, it would ultimately lead you in late payment fees and penalties. This could also lead you in tarnished credit reports and a lower credit score. To avoid such situations the first thing you need to do is to be financially organised. Prepare a cash-flow calendar for everyone in the home who earns money. Then write down which bills are to be paid on what dates and by whom. This will help to get in a good financial position and become more financially stable.<br /><br /><strong>Tip 3: Track your Expenses</strong><br /><br />It is very important for you to know where your earnings are being spent. Keep a proper track of all your spending’s for a month this will give you a detailed plan who is spending how much and where. Then according to your spending’s in the house you can prepare a monthly budget plan covering all the necessities and save up some money for the future requirements.<br /><br /><strong>Tip 4: Improve your Credit</strong><br /><br />If your credit reports are becoming weak because of your recent spending, then work on improving it. Start to prepare a plan for repayments of your debts; initially begin to pay with a smaller amount and then increase it gradually. Your recent payments will create a stronger impact on your credit score and ultimately improve it.<br /><br />By following each of the above mentioned tips you pave your way to a stronger financial ground.<br /><br />My name is Michelle. I am a tech writer from UK. I am into Finance. </div>
</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-73703126101969248372012-07-12T22:08:00.001-07:002012-07-12T22:08:20.126-07:00Insuring Your Home Inexpensively And Effectively<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The process of buying a new home can be exciting, but it can also get very expensive. There are a number of different items that you'll have to pay for along the way which you may not expect on the front end. One of the expenses that many people do not plan for is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_insurance">homeowners insurance</a>. If you want to insure your home inexpensively and effectively, there are a few different types of policies that you could buy:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HO-1</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HO-1 is one of the most <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/homeowner-insurance.asp#axzz1zap3uknj">basic forms</a> of insurance coverage that is available. With HO-1, you get covered against 10 specific types of damage to your property. This type of insurance does not cover anything related to liability coverage. This type of policy is not commonly purchased, but it can save you some money if you are strapped for cash.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HO-2</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HO-2 is another type of home insurance that provides a little bit better coverage than what you'll get with HO-2. This type of policy only covers against specific perils, but it has more named perils than HO-1.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HO-3</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HO-3 is the most commonly purchased type of homeowners insurance. With HO-3 coverage, you are covered for every kind of damage except those that are specifically excluded by the policy. This provides some of the broadest homeowners insurance coverage that is available.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HO-4</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HO-4 is a type of renter's insurance that tenants can buy. This type of policy covers only the things that you have inside the property and protects you from liability claims. If you are a renter, using this form of insurance and resources like <a href="http://www.rentler.com/">Rentler</a> can help you save money.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>HO-5</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HO-5 is a policy that provides a very broad coverage for your home. It is similar to the HO-3 policy in that it provides coverage for everything that is not specifically excluded by the policy. There are only a few things that are excluded, and everything else is covered by the insurance policy. This probably isn't the policy that you want to get if you are trying to save money. It is one of the more expensive policies out there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Regardless of what type of policy you choose, make sure that it provides the coverage that you need to achieve some peace of mind. You'll be able to protect your home and your financial position for the future.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-19491882588518797232012-05-28T04:19:00.000-07:002012-05-28T04:19:17.882-07:00Getting a VA mortgage loan refinamce<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
U.S and Veteran Military member can refinance their home loans that insured by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Refinancing helps to get the interested rate redunced as well as monthly payments for their mortgage loan</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Qualification for refinance loan</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Homeowners should be making the monthly payment on regular basis. To ge a rate reduction <a href="http://www.militaryvaloan.com/CashoutRefinance.htm">VA mortgage refinance</a>, homeowner should refinacne another VA insured loan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Howeowners also need to pay a fees for VA refinance loan and that fees is 0.5 percent of the new loan amount. This fees can be pain in advance as well as can be adjusted to monthly payments.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Borrowers need to get certify with the Department of Veterans Affairs if they they already occupy their new home or will occupy later. Well, for getting VA loan refinance, homeowner should be certify that they already occupied the home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. Borrower should alwals check if they are getting a lower interest rate from the current mortgage loan. However, one may not get a lower rate if refinancing an adjustable-rate mortgage VA loan to a fixed-rate version.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-12339224790382522662012-04-27T05:44:00.002-07:002012-04-27T05:44:30.678-07:00Debt Settlement Scams Companies – Try Hard to Avoid Them<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those who have decided to go for debt settlement or debt consolidation must take some proactive measures to avoid scams. These scams are unethical practices done by the fraud debt settlement companies to squeeze money out of the mentally distraught debtors. Debt settlement companies are dime a dozen in the market. Some of them do business in fair way but for the rest; it is making money by hook or by crook. So the chance is not slimmer that the debtors will be vulnerable to the deceptive practices of the dishonest debt settlement organizations. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These companies take advantage of the ignorance of the ordinary persons regarding debt settlement. As these debt settlement scams are increasing at a shocking pace, so you are advised to be doubly alert while selecting a company. Some debt settlement companies cry hoarse to claim themselves as non-profit entities but it often turns out to be misleading, so check into entire matter to find out the truth. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There two most popular and practiced options for debt problems – debt consolidation and debt settlement. People go for either of them just because their financial condition has got into a mess and they need some immediate relief. If you are experiencing the same, then you must wholeheartedly try to find out a good riddance and should not fritter away money by making haste and ending up selecting a fraud debt settlement company. You are already in heaps of problems, so instead of hurrying up take time and follow advice of the experts to locate a reliable company for debt settlement. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A debt settlement company plays the key role in solving your debt problems. Remember that debt settlement is an expensive and time-consuming process. If handled by a trustworthy and experienced company, it will not take much of time to solve your issues. At first, you need to undergo registration process and once it is done, the company takes full responsibility to handle your problems on your behalf. There is no fixed rate for debt settlement process and it varies from one company to another. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What this debt settlement company does at first is checking your current financial status. Depending on its analysis and findings, it negotiates with your creditors. These companies try their best to reduce your debts to a comfortable amount that you can easily afford. A good debt settlement company can successfully make reduction in your payment by 40-60%. The most authentic firms efficiently deal with your problems whereas the debt settlement scams companies make fake promise and handle your case in such a way that it leads to a complete financial chaos. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is true that even the most genuine companies are in the market to make money and earn profit but they do it on the strength of their honest service while the scam companies prey on the hapless debtors and have no intention to better your financial state. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-48586156878830960892012-03-08T09:03:00.001-08:002012-03-08T09:09:42.475-08:00Reduce Stress To Save More Money<div style="text-align: justify;"><span >There are countless ways that people try to be more financially prudent, spend less, and save more. They make detailed budgets and stop eating out at restaurants. They consult financial advisors and start putting more earnings towards investments. They seek out a <a href="https://www.greendot.com/greendot/">Green Dot best prepaid debit card</a> or simply just use cash in an effort to reduce impulse purchases. The strategies go on and on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >But few people try to reduce their stress levels as a means of achieving greater financial health.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >Yes, stress. We all know that stress is an unfortunate side-effect of modern life, and all of us probably want to – and take steps to – reduce our stress levels whenever possible. But stress isn’t just something that impacts your health and well being; rather, it is an emotion that has a proven influence on your wallet and on your bank account.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >Research conducted at <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2011/04/20/happy-people-save-more-money-for-retirement">Coventry University Business School</a> and at <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071106/NEWS/711060363?tc=ar">Duke University</a> found that happier people tend to save better invest smarter, and generally make prudent financial decisions. They are further more likely to exert self-control when it comes to spending and make choices that take their long-term financial future into account. In short, happy people are personal finance experts when compared with the general population.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >And how can we become happier? Happiness is such an intrinsic quality – one that you either have or you don’t, one that you can either realize or cannot. But there are several ways that people can concertedly try to make themselves happier, stress reduction being foremost among them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >So perhaps this is a better question to ask: How can we reduce our stress levels? Most stress is work-related, so finding ways to switch up the daily routine can always be beneficial. One can rearrange their work schedule, try to take on different projects, plan weekend getaways, or make an effort to occasionally work from home. Of course, your ability to reduce your work stress varies considerably based upon the nature of your job.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >Perhaps a more sure way to reduce stress is by exercising on a regular basis. Exercise has been shown to be an excellent stress-reducer because it breeds newer, “calmer” brain cells that give us a greater buffer against pressures and anxieties. Whenever stress builds up, then, go for a run. It might make you more relaxed and, ultimately, make you happier in the long run.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span >It all comes down to a matter of personal effectiveness. What makes you stressed? How can you target and minimize this pressure source? Asking these questions may just be an important first step towards improving your long-term finances.</span></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-15503364074973732932012-03-01T00:53:00.000-08:002012-03-01T00:55:41.512-08:00How Debt-Ridden Housing Holds Back U.S. Recovery: Mian and SufiThere is an emerging consensus that housing is weighing down the U.S. economy. The Federal Reserve’s housing white paper in January declared that “ongoing problems in the U.S. market continue to impede the economic recovery.” The 2012 Economic Report of the President argued that “declines in housing wealth can have a far greater effect on the economy than equivalent losses in other financial assets.”<br />Are these arguments sensible? Why should declines in house prices affect the broader economy? And why should the drop in housing wealth matter more than, say, a drop in stock-market wealth?<br />The key to understanding these questions is a four-letter word: debt.<br />In the absence of debt, economic theory tells us that house-price declines should have a negligible impact on aggregate output. To understand this argument, imagine a young recently married couple who own a one-bedroom condominium. They plan to start a family soon, and are looking to buy a bigger, more expensive house in the same neighborhood in the next few years.<br /><p>Given their plan to upsize, a decline in house prices in the neighborhood makes them unambiguously “richer.” In the parlance of finance, the young couple are “short” housing services, and are better off when the price of such services declines.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/how-debt-ridden-housing-holds-back-recovery-commentary-by-mian-and-sufi.html">Read full article</a></p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-20520855072101971342012-02-02T23:19:00.000-08:002012-02-02T23:23:51.824-08:00Saving Money At The Grocery Store<div style="text-align: justify;">When we look to save money and stay out of debt, most people look to long-term solutions or try to cut big-ticket expenses. They look to downgrade their home, seek out a higher-paying job, or try to figure out whether <a href="http://www.discoverbank.com/ira-cd.html">an individual retirement account should be part of a savings plan</a>. They forgo vacations and cut back on car purchases and technology costs, among many other measures. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is nothing wrong with taking a big-picture approach of this sort, but anyone looking to cut expenses and avoid debt is best served to also consider their spending on a daily basis. While the money we spend on the average day may not be much, the aggregate effect of this spending can add up quickly over time. This particularly applies to our food budgets. The FDA estimates that a family of four <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2011/CostofFoodDec2011.pdf">spends over $200 per week</a> on food costs. Extrapolate that number over time and you’re looking at a pretty decent amount of money. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The FDA also estimates that a “thrifty” spending plan can reduce costs for that family by over $50 per month. This can translate into a savings of $600 per year. How can these savings be realized? Here are a few tips: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-<b>Plan your meals beforehand-</b> Many people go to the grocery store and buy those ingredients and food products that they think they need – not simply those that they actually require. You can avoid this mistake by planning out all your meals for a two-week period before going to the store. This way, you can insure that you buy only what you need and nothing more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-<b>Buy high-nutrition, low-cost foods-</b> Not all foods are created alike. Some are low in nutritional value and high in price. Others are cheap yet full of healthy calories. It’s that second category that you want to target while planning meals and shopping for foods. Products such as rice, beans, eggs, pasta, and tuna are all great options here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-<b>Go vegetarian-</b> There’s no question that a meat-heavy diet is more expensive than one that minimizes such purchases. Becoming a vegetarian, consequently, can help you eliminate some of the costliest food options that you otherwise would purchase. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-<b>Purchase non-perishables in bulk-</b> You can save considerably on non-perishable items by buying them in bulk and storing them in your basement or cellar until they are needed. Stores such as Sam’s Club and <a href="http://costco.com/">Costco</a> are great places to stock up on canned foods, condiments, paper plates and utensils, napkins, and any other non-perishables that you may use. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following these steps should hopefully help you start saving on your weekly grocery budget. While $50 may not seem like a huge amount, the benefits add up quickly and – in the long run – can greatly improve your budget and your bottom line. </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-78917968739548210142012-01-26T20:40:00.000-08:002012-06-08T21:56:07.786-07:00Understanding ISA<div style="text-align: justify;">
ISAs are a popular type of savings account that is used by millions of people in the UK. However, if you have never had one before, you may not be entirely familiar with what ISAs are and what they do. Read on to find out more about understanding ISAs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>What are they?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘ISA’ stands for individual savings account, and the aim of ISAs is to allow everyone to save a certain amount of money every year tax-free. This means that while you normally have to pay tax on the interest you earn on your savings with other types of savings account, this isn’t the case with an ISA. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>What are the main types?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are two main types of ISAs: the cash ISA and the investment ISA.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cash ISAs allow you to save less than other types of ISA but all of the money you save in the account is guaranteed and you can access it whenever you need it, which makes these accounts very popular with a lot of people.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Investment ISAs commonly take the form of a <a href="http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/isa/stocks-and-shares/">stocks and shares ISA</a>. This type of ISA allows you to save more money every year, which can be appealing for anyone looking to maximise their tax-free savings. Most shares ISAs are linked to the stock market – often carefully-selected FTSE 100 companies, but other high performing listed companies can also be chosen, such as those that have a good track record on the environment. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>How much can you save?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is an annual limit on ISAs, which changes every year so it is worth keeping an eye on this to make sure you are getting the most out of your ISA allowance. For the current tax year (2011/2012), you can save up to £5340 in a cash ISA.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a share ISA, you can save up to £10680. There are two options related to investment ISAs in terms of how you save your money. One option is to save the total amount in the form of stocks and shares investments. Your other option is to save half in the form of shares and half as cash.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>What are the risks?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is important that you are aware that there are some risks attached to investment ISAs. This is because their performance is dependent on the market and so, while there is very good potential for you to receive very good dividends, your investment can also go down as well as up. However, if you look around for the best stocks and shares ISA, it should be well-managed and so risks should be kept to a minimum.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, it is advised that you plan to save in your stocks and shares ISA for the long term to give it the best possible chance of performing well. You could also consider a gilts and bonds ISA if you prefer, which has less of a risk attached but can still offer good returns. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall, make sure you do your research to make sure you choose the investment ISA you think would be best for your needs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-27561568583216824542012-01-19T22:18:00.000-08:002012-01-19T22:33:05.980-08:00Work From Home: 5 Ways to Earn Extra Money<div style="text-align: justify;">Times today are tough, so whether you’re a student, a stay at home mom, or an employee whose hours got just reduced, the chance to <a href="http://www.moneyalps.com/">make money</a> would be a blessing. Blessings don’t always have to be God sent; they can also be man made. Effort and initiative goes a long way, so if you want to make extra money from home, here are 5 ways to generate additional income:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1</b>. One effortless way to make money from home is by the sales of items you have around the house. Aside from holding a garage sale, you can also post household items you want to sell on online sites such as EBay. Using an online site promotes your sale to a wider audience than just your neighborhood. Due to the tough economy, you don’t want to just get rid of unnecessary or unused clothes, furniture, books, or household appliances. By auctioning off your items, people who’re looking to spend less will also stand to gain. Check out Cash4Books.net; it pays well for newer hardcover books or textbooks. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2</b>. Online writing is the right direction if you want to earn extra money from home, or even if you want to work full-time as a home based writer. Several sites such as eHow, Bukisa, and Hub Pages welcome well-written articles from contributors. Blogging is also a great way to make money; you can launch your own blog. In order to do so, you would require a good topic, research, and dedication to pull it off.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3</b>. A lot of work can be done online, even if you aren’t a writer. If you’re a teacher, you can earn money tutoring people online at such sites as Tutor and ETutor. You also don’t have to be a teacher per se, just an expert in a certain field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>4</b>. In line with online work, several sites also offer professionals from different industries (from web and software development to customer service) a chance to earn extra income. Check out Craigslist for job postings or register with oDesk to find part-time or full-time work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>5</b>. Make a business from your skills and hobbies. If you like to bake or cook, you can sell these to neighbors, friends, and even your co-workers, thereby making a tidy profit. If you’re good with your hands and like to make crafts like handmade jewelry, decorations, or even personalized t-shirts or mugs, you can post these for sale online in Facebook or take orders in person. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are many opportunities to make extra money from home, especially if you know where to look for opportunities online. Networking is also a very important skill to utilize; this enables you to market whatever products or skills you may offer to others in order to earn additional income.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One word of caution, especially when working from home: there are many scams that take advantage of the popularity of working from home, so check the companies or sites you are thinking of working for. Nothing ventured is nothing gained, but also be wise about where you put your time and effort.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-85541363119062382312012-01-13T20:35:00.000-08:002012-01-13T20:41:00.981-08:00When Buying the Expensive Version Can Save You Money<div style="text-align: justify;">Usually buying the expensive version of a product or service would seem counterintuitive to saving money. In fact, being frugal doesn't seem to have any link whatsoever with indulging on expensive things. Let me explain why there is a connection and why it's not as tenuous as you may think. No, I'm not leading you down the path to selling your house and moving all your stuff into <a href="http://www.storage-mart.com/">StorageMart</a>. What you're about to hear are actual ways in which buying the expensive version of something can save you money:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy a fuel-efficient electric or hybrid vehicle:</span> While the upfront cost of a hybrid is comparable or a bit more than a new gasoline powered car, the money you save on fuel and emissions updates will even out the costs. Depending on the year and model of the hybrid you buy, you many even wind up saving more money in the long haul. Also, you'll be helping the human race save money on cleaning up the environment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy high-quality coffee beans:</span> Stopping by your favorite coffee shop every morning can easily lead to a monthly tab of $100 - and that's assuming you don't also need a caffeinated pick-me-up throughout the day. By buying high quality coffee beans, which run about $15 a pound, you will be able to reduce your monthly coffee bill to about $30 by bringing your own coffee from home. Another reason to buy high-quality beans is that they will keep you riding a more potent, smooth wave of caffeine exuberance, making you need less coffee throughout the day. So invest some of your scratch into top-notch <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2011/feb/28/coffee-chains-ethical">fair trade</a> beans and save yourself money.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy appropriate car insurance</span>: Sometimes opting for the more inexpensive option can not only be risky, but downright financially life threatening, and <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson17/index.htm">buying car insurance</a> is one of those instances. Getting inferior coverage in order to save $10 a month is not a smart move. If the worst case scenario happens, in which you and the other drivers' cars are totaled and people are injured, you're going to wish you had full coverage on injury and collision for all parties. It could be the difference between a few hundred dollars on a deductible vs. tens or even hundreds of thousands on repairs and surgery costs.<br /><br />These are just a few of the instances in which buying the expensive version of something can save you money in the long run. Spending more upfront on a product or service is not always prudent, but in some cases it's the right move.<br /><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-53579116760224095362012-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:002012-01-09T09:12:25.164-08:00How to Save Money on Your Taxes<div style="text-align: justify;">With the holidays over, many are looking for quick ways to recover from the excessive spending brought about by the holidays. While refusing to leave the house for the next 3 months and pulling out <a href="http://www.tfciloan.com/">title loans</a> are always options, they aren't always the most fun or feasible. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Instead of living life to the frugal extreme, many quickly file their taxes so that their refund can get their savings back in the black. However, simply filing your taxes isn't always wise. An improper file can actually cost you thousands of dollars. So before you file, see if you can't write a few of these deductions on your taxes to increase your refund: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Charitable Contributions </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You don't have to donate money in order to write off dollars under charitable contributions. In addition to any monetary contributions, you can also write off a percentage of your mileage spent while driving to and from your volunteer destination. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Moving Expenses </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you've had to move for a job in the last year, you just may be able to write off those moving expenses. As long as your new residence is over 50 miles away from your previous residence, you can write off the moving vehicle, gas, and many other moving expenses to increase the amount you can get back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Student Loan Interest </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are paying on those student loans still, you may be eligible to write off the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc456.html">interest paid on those loans</a>. In order to be able to write off the interest paid, you have to have paid more than $600 and you should receive a 1098-E form from your lender with the exact amount of interest paid that you are allowed to write off. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Job Searching </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are like <a href="http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=z1ebjpgk2654c1_&met_y=unemployment_rate&tdim=true&fdim_y=seasonality:S&dl=en&hl=en&q=unemployment+rate">countless Americans</a>, there is a good chance that you spend time job hunting. While not all searches are always fruitful, you can actually write off the expenses that you procured while job hunting. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Medical Expenses </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you have had to pay a high amount in medical expenses this last year, you may actually be able to write them off. However, to qualify, your medical bills must be unreimbursed and must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Filing your taxes always seems to be a daunting task for anyone. However, with a little know how and all the right receipts, you can easily file your taxes and get your refund quickly in order to get your finances back on track in the new year. </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-87082548399705505512012-01-04T09:16:00.000-08:002012-01-04T09:18:21.841-08:00Why You Should Stick to Those New Year's Resolutions<div align="justify">If you are serious about your personal finance, it may be in your best interest to stick to a few of those New Year's resolutions that you made this year. While many make their resolutions in vain and give up after a few short weeks, choosing to stick with your resolutions can actually help you increase that personal net worth – even more so than switching <a href="http://www.freeinsurancequotes.org/">car insurance</a> policies or putting away an extra $5 a week. Here are a few ways that some of the most popular New Year's resolutions can save you money:<br /><br /><strong>Losing Weight<br /></strong><br />Losing weight affects more than just your waistline. Choosing to shed a few pounds can actually save you a <a href="http://calorielab.com/news/categories/costs-of-being-obese/">substantial amount of money long-term</a>. In addition to reducing the amount of money spent on eating out and your regular grocery bill, choosing to lose weight will also reduce the amount you will spend at the doctor's office in the future. Having a lower BMI will also help you qualify for cheaper health insurance rates which can easily save you a couple hundred dollars a year.<br /><br /><strong>Quitting Smoking<br /></strong><br />There is no denying that <a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/cost-of-smoking.htm">smoking is an expensive habit</a>. Depending on where you live, a pack of smokes can reach nearly the $8 mark, and if you are a heavy smoker, that's over $200 a month you are spending on cigarettes. In addition to the outright cost of cigarettes, smoking can also lead to numerous health conditions that can lead to high medical bills in the future.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Getting Out of Debt</strong><br /><br />Sticking with your goal of getting out of debt is going to save you for obvious reasons – the quicker you pay down debt, the less money you will have to spend on high interest rates. However, paying down debt can help you save money in a few other, less known ways. By having a lower debt-to-income ratio, you are more likely to be approved to lower mortgage and car loan rates which will save you money, and it will also help you keep your credit score high which will keep you from having to pay steep deposits with your electric company or phone service provider. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br />We all want to keep our finances out of the red, and for many, choosing to stick to those New Year's resolutions is a great way to keep a few extra dollars in their pockets. So before you give up on that resolution yet again, think about how not choosing to follow through will affect your wallet. You just may find that the calculated dollar sign is enough motivation to push through.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-8503470003859335792011-12-30T22:40:00.000-08:002011-12-30T22:42:57.583-08:00Getting IRS tax-debt Relief<div style="text-align: justify;">The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the United States federal government. IRS tax reliefs can be of various forms. Each form comes with a variety of certain variables such as the debt amount, the financial position at the present and the fines as a result of the money borrowed. As a surplus, various IRS tax relief Programmes are also available for all different sorts of debts heedless of whether they are of property, employment or income or other business related liabilities. Some of them are explained below: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compromise agreements negotiations are a way for reassessment. It can not only reduce the fines and extra payments based on your period during which you are indebted, but also can actually reduce the cost of the tax liability. Tax rebates are properly negotiated by tax specialists in certain special circumstances such as the person is unable to pay off the entire fees or the nature of the debtor seriously undermines the possibility of bending the policies in his/her case. As for he/she is produced in the court on functioning of tax litigation, he/she can file bankruptcy here too. As is the case with all administrative pronouncements, taxpayers sometimes litigate the validity of the pronouncements, and courts sometimes determine a particular rule to be invalid where the agency has exceeded its grant of authority.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Certain plans for payment can help the tax reprieve. Ideal for businessmen or individuals who have come across serious dues or other penalties due to silly mistakes, errors and miscalculations in their personal accountancy or bookkeeping. Personal loans can some to the savior but in this reprieve, you have to pay the required interest and enter into an installment agreement which will also be having some amount of interest and/or payment extensions. If the conditions are unnegotiable, then as decided by the IRS, these extensions may well be downplayed and short term attenuations in payment extensions or tax interests are possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Penalty reassessment is one measure by which your tax rebate can be performed. Many a times penalty reassessment may be subject to carelessness giving rise to computerized flaws and loopholes in calculations. Such mistakes can be pin-pointed or may be a waiver can produce substantial documentation and ask for waiving the penalty in case of unavoidable circumstances of extreme trauma or demise of someone close.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">IRS tax relief companies are a great remedial option when they might provide with best reliefs in shortest time preventing your salary garnishment or tax liens or seizures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-28459891330623862432011-12-27T20:43:00.000-08:002011-12-28T08:37:06.711-08:00Fatten Your Wallet Not Your Waistline<div style="text-align: justify;">The New Year is upon us, and for their 2012 resolution many will opt to lose weight. Obesity is one of the biggest epidemics facing many industrialized nations, and because of this, it is often the most popular choice for New Years Resolutions. However, losing weight isn't just good for your overall health, it is good for your wallet too. If you are serious about bettering your finances in the upcoming year, losing weight may be one of the best ways for you to save money both short and long term. Losing weight will help you save money in the following year through:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Limited Healthcare Costs </span><br /><br />Being overweight wears your body out. Your organs have to work harder and are often bogged down by fat, your joints work harder to carry the excess weight, and your heart works harder to pump blood to your bigger body. Not only does your body wear out quicker, but you are at a higher risk for diabetes, stroke, and heart disease – none of which come with a cheap price tag.<br /><br />While Britain does have universal healthcare, the general upkeep of dealing with diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, isn't always covered. In terms of home care or certain medications, some claims may be denied, forcing you to pay out of pocket. By keeping your waistline trim, you will be able to avoid the high fees of caring for someone in poor health which often leave many calling a <a href="http://www.maceybankruptcylaw.com/">bankruptcy attorney</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lower Food Bills</span><br /><br />Those who are overweight may not typically eat more than someone who is fit, in regards to quantity, but they do generally eat out more which comes with a <a href="http://www.london-budget.com/londoneating/">high price tag</a>. If you eat out every day for lunch, there is a good chance that you spend about £ 50 a week on lunch alone. If you are also eating out for dinner a couple of times a week, there is probably another £ 40 to £ 50. That is about £ 300 to £ 400 a month that you could save by skipping the high calorie meals out. Not only will you have quite a bit of money left over at the end of each month, but you will drop a couple of sizes too by bringing a more nutritious lunch from home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smaller Clothes Have Smaller Price Tags</span><br /><br />If you where anything larger than a XL, there is a good chance that you are paying a couple of bucks more for your shirt than someone who wears a XL or smaller. Larger clothing costs more to make, and therefore manufacturers have to increase the costs of the item in order to profit. By shedding some weight, you will be able to fit in to smaller sizes and spend less on clothing.<br /><br />By choosing to lose weight in the New Year, you will not only improve your overall health, but you will get to fatten up your wallet as well. So do yourself a favor, and set a resolution that will benefit you in more ways than one.<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-64626743999593492812011-12-06T20:44:00.000-08:002011-12-06T20:58:01.257-08:00Expert Advice To Tackle Credit During Disasters<div style="text-align: justify;">There is something unnatural about the air. Probably, it is the hurricanes and earthquakes on East Cost, Blackout in Southern California and Wildfire in Texas that are the prime reasons for most people freaking out! This is the main reason that people are seeking guidance on how to prepare for credit and finance to avoid any financial mess after the disaster.<br /><br />After carefully scrutinizing the archives and talking to experts, this article lists the things you should prepare in advance before the emergency strikes and things to do after the crises.<br /><br />Things to do before the disaster strikes:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Lay a strong foundation: </span>You need not be dramatic like digging up the backyard or buying room in a luxurious hotel. There are more simple and practical ways. Just follow these instructions:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Look after the basic carefully</span>: It is best to pay the debts well in time and try to build up the cash reserves. This should be your regular habit in even normal times. Remember in spite of volcano or hurricane or earthquake your utility bills and credit card bills are sure to come your way. Even Jean Chatzky advocates this in her Debt Diet Challenge. She strongly recommends that even small savings can be of great use in time of emergency. Savings acts as a cushion against incurring debts. Credit.com's credit card expert, Beverly Harzog suggests that it is advisable to spend less than your credit card limit so that you can use it in time of emergency. As it might not be possible to access ATM always.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Get the insurance</span>: To many, insurance seems to be a burden. But remember that in times of disasters it comes up as the biggest help. Ensure that your car, house, office, apartment are insured so that in times of emergencies insurance companies pay for them.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep a number of copies</span>: Many credit experts also advocates the habit of maintaining photocopies of all important social and financial documents. Maintain careful records of information like credit card name, number, toll-free number, automatic withdrawal details, bank account number, insurance policies, mortgage or lease papers, auto loan details. Keep the details in well sealed plastic folder. In case the need arises of evacuating the house, you can just pick the folder and run away.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Maintain calm and use your brains during the crises:</span> If you are well prepared and focused during crises, it helps you tackle the situation well. Here are things you must do to keep the situation under control:<br /><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pay cash</span>: Using credit cards in times of emergency doesn't do any good. It just compounds the crisis as then you are supposed to pay the interests amount too. Therefore, it is best to pay cash if needed.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pay the bills well in time</span>: To avoid pending bills it is very important to make timely payments. Make a call to the credit card companies or utility companies and ask for the dues and make the payment well in time. During the time of crises you can easily make payments over the phone for a small fee.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Get in touch with the bank</span>: All credit card companies are in close association with the banks and monitor each transaction very carefully. If during emergency, you are to make a big transaction, it is very important to inform the bank to avoid cancellation of the transaction.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carefully log off the accounts</span>: Credit experts also suggests that if you use computers at coffee shop, libraries or cafe, it is important to log off your accounts before you leave the computer.</li></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Be prompt and quick:</span> Disaster hits a wider area and therefore, it is important to start the recovery process as fast as possible. The simple reason being, like you, there are several others who are hit by natural calamities. Read below to find more about how to use your insurance cover after an emergency:<br /><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Make a list of all your possessions to make the claim process simpler. To back up the support it is best to take assistance of private appraiser.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>File for the claim as soon as possible as the insurance companies resolves the claims on first-come-first basis.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Maintain good records. Keep a description of the interaction between you and the insurer in the written form.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Keep the receipts- hotel bills, restaurant bills and others handy to support the claims. This is help you in speedy reimbursements.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">These tips are sure to help you tackle the emergency situations without much of inconvenience and when you have everything intact, your <a href="http://www.freecreditreportsinstantly.org/improving-credit-scores/">free credit scores</a> are also not very likely to be affected even after the disaster. So, be sure that you stay as much vigilant as possible, even in dire circumstances.<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-35604044938859538502011-11-21T10:04:00.000-08:002011-11-21T10:08:15.712-08:00Ensure Yourself a Beautiful Retirement Home<div style="text-align: justify;">The Baby Boomer generation is not leaving the workplace any time soon because of an unstable retirement system that has been put in place. The generation that was looking towards an entitlement program like Social Security to get themselves through their golden years fell victim to faulty 401k's and a housing bubble that left everyone unsure about <a href="http://www.retirementcalculator.com/">planning for retirement</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The citizens of Greece and Italy decided to pack it in early and set up their retirement homes all at the same time. According to <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-18/502c0000-march-on-athens-over-austerity-measures/3678510/?site=melbourne">ABC Melbourne</a>, the new governments elected are raising taxes and slashing entitlement programs en masse. Citizens are rioting across the country in protest of these new decisions. While this is happening in Greece, we are facing the same problem in the US with the Occupy movement. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A recent report by <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/17/americans-getting-more-worried-about-retirement/">Ameriprise Financial</a> found that Americans aged 40-75 are more anxious and worried about retirement plans than ever before. Even if you have been working hard all of your life, have a double income household, and a little bit of a nest-egg saved up for yourself, the chances of living a comfortable retirement in your dream home are becoming more grim. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Real estate prices in Florida, Arizona, and any coastal tropical climate are going to be more expensive than anything that is inland. If you want to find a good place to retire with a warm climate, you should look towards other areas that share a temperate climate. If you travel up the east coast from Florida, the Carolinas and Tennessee offer excellent and scenic locations to retire without the steep real-estate prices. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An excellent way to set up a guaranteed retirement property is to purchase a property lot in your 40's near a lake or other body of water. Instead of moving to a planned retirement community, you will have more freedom and a sense of ownership in what you have built for yourself. You can start by purchasing an old, dilapidated property you will have the chance to make it into something beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By learning about house restoration from sties like <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/">HGTV</a>, hiring a personal contractor, and encompassing some clever landscaping tricks, you can turn a tiny house next to the lake into an expansive property where you can cherish your spring, summer, and fall. By building a fireplace, you can also have a cozy cottage perfect for the cold of winter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Planning for retirement is a lot harder now than it has ever been for Americans. Just because you work hard all of your life doesn't mean you can sit back on Social Security and your employer's pension for the rest of your life. By carefully planning things out and getting financial advice you can start to set up your retirement plans now.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-83009598839824762552011-11-09T20:39:00.000-08:002011-11-09T21:02:17.322-08:00Short-Term Borrowing: Pros, Cons and Why<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1NiKW8NNJigPqIXrpHHIuaJiV1j9tKFxp1sT0sQaLluTQtfv2mN-av7Y3VPoTybBr4x4agn7xx_NLgFpzofQjcSlyKnyyX2tNmX5T-rug2J7hREjNwbsTnEbSJ8TJX08-BCT9hO0_Qo/s200/download" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673225021040012514" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">Of course debt is to be minimized and avoided. We have all heard this time and time again. But not everyone’s life circumstances are perfect. What were once two-earner households are now one-income households. That will stretch a budget very thin very quickly. Throw in a healthcare problem, an expensive (and poorly-timed) car repair, on top of an underwater mortgage, and you will find that life can be quite imperfect, despite all your best efforts.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">These are the grey areas, the shaded nuances of personal finance. You can be a frugal and restrained shopper. But while your weekly savings from coupon clipping might be $75 or $100, that $5000 deductible on your health insurance can wipe out a year’s worth of savings in one playground accident. So how do you manage? Particularly if you lack a rainy day fund or credit line with a credit card issuer?</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">Short-term loans are one option. Even if you have imperfect credit and no collateral to offer, you can get one in the form of a <a href="http://www.cashnetusa.com/payday/payday_loan_advance.html">payday loan advance</a>. These are designed to be small and paid back within 30 days or less (on your next payday). It’s emergency money for times that absolutely call for it, with three distinct benefits:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">1. Psychologically easier – These <a href="http://www.moneygreenlife.com/say-yes-to-cash/">loans</a> do not ride on your back for months and years, as is usually the case with credit card debt. You know that it is a necessary financial tool, but that you will settle up the debt in just a few days or weeks.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">2. Long-term financial damage is limited – The comfort is more than psychological. A short-term loan is far less expensive than one held for the long term. The cost of debt always rises with the longer that debt is held.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">3. Reduces the negatives of missing due dates – Short-term borrowing is often done to make timely payments on key bills. If you make a required payment on certain debts, you avoid penalties, higher interest charges and poor credit reports.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; ">For the busy working person, the other benefit is that with online technologies these are <a href="http://www.cashnetusa.com/payday/faxless_payday_loans.html"> faxless payday loans</a>. The time required to process an application is about five minutes and can be done any time, day or night, from one’s personal computer.</span></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-31584867929282616212011-11-08T04:54:00.000-08:002011-11-08T05:09:59.858-08:008 Smart tips to avoid monetary worries<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lJxezMXLIX-lB9zRyj1uCCR05numtoZ8vc5yZEFvGqgeQc_tLI59J58kvhFp_O9UApSR18KqUigrCVMcnpFiaUgGZe3J6WL7qtenRcFdfToD9fKBYHSblGXaixHINE4YRNuVRIe7KIM/s1600/smart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lJxezMXLIX-lB9zRyj1uCCR05numtoZ8vc5yZEFvGqgeQc_tLI59J58kvhFp_O9UApSR18KqUigrCVMcnpFiaUgGZe3J6WL7qtenRcFdfToD9fKBYHSblGXaixHINE4YRNuVRIe7KIM/s200/smart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672610425572242578" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The U.S economy has not recovered from the devastating effect of the recent financial crisis. Unemployment rate is still quite high (9%, says the labor department) and consumer debt is soaring. Therefore, it is no wonder that monetary crisis is the foremost problem in most American families these days. Under the circumstance, you need to be smart in money matters. You should follow some simple yet effective rules to say goodbye to fiscal problems. Here are some great money tips for you: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Maintain a rainy day fund</b>: Do you think you don’t need an emergency fund? You are wrong. An unexpected financial crisis can push even a well-off person into debt. It would be great if you can use a high yield savings account for this purpose. Contribute at least twice a month towards your rainy day fund. Make sure that you do not touch this money for trivial reasons.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Get organized</b>: Difficult economic climate demands prudent money management. Therefore, consider keeping your entire financial information in one place. You might take advantage of free services of websites like mint.com. Also, there are several other free personal finance softwares that would allow you to get an idea about your financial health, analyze your finances, and start a budget.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Get rid of your debt</b>: Consumer debt has become a major issue in America. But you can easily come out of it if you follow an effective strategy. For instance, you might want to check out the debt avalanche method, which is advocated by Robert Kiyosaki. According to Mr. Kiyosaki, it is always a wise decision to eliminate the debts with higher rate of interest first. If you stick to this strategy, you are bound to get out of debt within a reasonable period of time, and you would also be able to save money.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Debt consolidation</b>: Depending on your situation this can be a good move. Debt consolidation refers to merging all your debts and paying them off by taking a single loan. This debt relief process works best for people with several credit card debts. The best thing about debt consolidation is that it does not hurt your credit rating.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do not mess with retirement accounts</b>: Your debt payments are important. So are your everyday expenses. But that does not mean you will borrow from your retirement account. Retirement accounts like 401(k) guarantee you a secure future. They would help you to support yourself and your family when your income drastically drops after retirement. Consider liquating 401(k) and other similar accounts only to avoid serious situations like bankruptcy. </li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hire a financial advisor if you can</b>: A lot of people believe that financial advisors are exclusively for extremely rich people. This is a rather misleading theory. You certainly do not need to hire a FA with extremely high fees. But hiring someone with reasonable fees might pay off. A FA can spice up your investment strategies and help you to reap huge profits.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Be careful with stocks</b>: Stocks can make you a millionaire, but they can ruin you too. Remember that investment in stocks demand a certain level of expertise and a thorough knowledge of the market. If you are a newbie, but you want to put your money in stocks then better invest a small amount to play safe.</li><br /><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Set short term and long term goals</b>: It is very important to have a clear idea about what you want from life. So make a list of your goals and make plans accordingly. Are you planning to buy a house? Do you want to retire early? Are you determined to save for your child’s higher education? These are goals which require planning. So make your moves carefully.</li></ol></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Money management is a very tricky business. So you should always remember the above tips and maintain fiscal discipline while managing your finances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-28498015702878557632011-09-26T09:49:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:11:02.222-07:00The Importance of Your Credit Report<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7z4gfGiEeAZIJCMZ7mYJYULcZRZGEK9fpkAaLQn7rvPzVpo1ed0LNaHSBG18Z_W18CDRWtfl2Cb40lBsI9MuV4uObsEwWj21aJkhKXdbSGIQ-9SblEst-NX_IHwyIWxYyMRFvfAV7OU/s1600/credit_score_2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7z4gfGiEeAZIJCMZ7mYJYULcZRZGEK9fpkAaLQn7rvPzVpo1ed0LNaHSBG18Z_W18CDRWtfl2Cb40lBsI9MuV4uObsEwWj21aJkhKXdbSGIQ-9SblEst-NX_IHwyIWxYyMRFvfAV7OU/s200/credit_score_2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656716719120976498" border="0" /></a>Credit Card Bureaus are companies that help the company find the credit rating of the potential person wanting to obtain money. Most of the times, banks or credit bureaus, credit card companies or stores want to find as many clients that are a good credit risk and those who are not. They use credit reports to find those who qualified for the <a href="http://www.mypaydayloan.com/">loans</a> and help in determining what kind of rate to offer them.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />If a person attempts to get a credit card or a loan, the company will make its acceptance decision of the application based on the personal credit report. If the report is shown in a good light and displays that you have been worthy with your credit history in the past, your loan or credit card will be seen as low risk and probably approved. If there have been late payments or if there is default in repayments of <a href="http://www.mypaydayloan.com/">loan</a> installments, this will affect your chances to obtaining the loan. Many Americans suffer from making bad on their loans, showing a pattern of defaults. This is the worst thing that can happen to your credit rating. If at all possible make sure that you contact all the companies if you are having trouble and work a solution with them.<br /><br />Many times we end up having multiple accounts with many different companies. We might fall behind on a couple of payments and feel like there is no hope in catching up. This is the most crucial moment in your credit life. Don’t fall prey to letting it all go. You must stay on top of these payments and keep up.<br /><br />Credit reports contain detailed personal information about a client. This includes your housing record, place where you work, income level, and other financial information. This information gives the creditor insight about how you pay your bills, how you have been able to pay your credit in the past, and whether you have had financial troubles. Having troubles in the past will not be an automatic disqualifier. If you can show that you are now back on track and have your accounts in order you will still in good shape.<br /><br />If for some reason you are denied a personal loan or a credit card, you have the right to obtain a copy of the credit report the company used to determine of you get the loan or card. There are federal guidelines that the companies have to follow and gives you recourse if you believe the findings are wrong or false. The report will tell you all of the information on your account, the positive and the negative. This is why it is important to obtain a copy of the report BEFORE you attempt to get a loan.<br /><br />Having your credit history in order is always a good idea not just when you are trying to get a loan, but for your general credit worthiness. Credit will always be a part of your life, it is always in your best interest to have a positive report.<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-90271682590913178612011-09-22T20:53:00.000-07:002011-09-22T21:01:30.341-07:00Can an Instant Bad Credit Loan be the Ideal Solution for Your Short Term Fiscal Need<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_kNCxOn4QqjvLHNl88qV7VsdKPG0dgxMdnwABSm6zldl6VpkEa7PtvFTWu448SDOjOaCjlK88TI2Ak3vmlPJlZFA7qfUtuKfiPd8XvbVMV4RFuwtVg6qHdCcpvFOkCdLWWKLxZ6BPWg/s1600/financial-crisis.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_kNCxOn4QqjvLHNl88qV7VsdKPG0dgxMdnwABSm6zldl6VpkEa7PtvFTWu448SDOjOaCjlK88TI2Ak3vmlPJlZFA7qfUtuKfiPd8XvbVMV4RFuwtVg6qHdCcpvFOkCdLWWKLxZ6BPWg/s200/financial-crisis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655400187437649602" border="0" /></a>Resolving a short term financial requirement is not as easy as it seems. It involves arranging funds for meeting up the essentials. However, if you have a bad credit record, you might confront with difficulties while making the arrangements from some external resources like financial institutions. At such an event, instant bad credit loan could be your solution.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Instant bad credit loans are easily available. Once you qualify after applying, the amount is deposited to your bank account. The lenders of instant loans do not seek a credit check or a collateral. This way you can withdraw the money with much ease and relieve your financial needs without affecting your credit history.<br /><br />However, make sure that you shop around properly for the lenders who offer such kind of loans. Analyze the exact reason for which you require the loan. If you are seeking it for purchasing things like a car, you must establish a good credit record first. You can also look for these short term loans to finance your wedding, parties or even paying off your debts.<br /><br /><br />While you think of applying for an instant credit loan, few things should be kept in mind.<br /><ul><li>In case you have changed your place or got separated from your spouse, the lenders might ask for more details than the usual.</li></ul><ul><li>Taking professional help is advisable because this will provide you with the information of the best possible loans for you.</li></ul><ul><li>Find out a loan with a lower interest rate. Remember that the rate of interest depends on the amount of loan you apply for.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Assess properly whether you are able to pay off the loan amount without defaulting on it.</li></ul>Although, it is possible to get an instant loan without a credit check, yet, it is significant to know that sometimes people need to qualify certain criteria to be eligible for availing the instant loan. For example , the borrower must have a savings or a checking account and a steady flow of income in order to qualify for an instant loan.<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-23021519280795561452011-09-06T21:35:00.000-07:002011-09-06T21:45:29.134-07:00Advice to Set Financial Destination for Retired People<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvzGr-onCkBZZG0W1CcjXDn1AXeK0pF3jPQ6Skw6a8nEMGyAlk16xbOWXXyVWNVbscA-vikKHWEuA_MwVgBSgPdS5f4UaQaX_BbfJ96EgJes5HecbjXCD90JY9oqPcpurES_EMsqH8XY/s1600/Retirement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvzGr-onCkBZZG0W1CcjXDn1AXeK0pF3jPQ6Skw6a8nEMGyAlk16xbOWXXyVWNVbscA-vikKHWEuA_MwVgBSgPdS5f4UaQaX_BbfJ96EgJes5HecbjXCD90JY9oqPcpurES_EMsqH8XY/s200/Retirement.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649471981092841314" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>“The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does” - Unknown Author</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Retirement is the best period in one’s life after the long years of hectic work. It’s the time when one can take enough rest and at the same time accomplish all the unfulfilled desires of going to holidays and enjoying life to the utmost. Therefore, one needs to plan it prudently in the early days of employment, so as to save sufficient money, which will enable him to live a peaceful retired life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The following steps will help you to set your goals better: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not just tend to foresee that saving your money towards your retirement planning would dodge you from the present luxuries. Instead, try to think that your retirement planning can evade you from much of the financial disasters that might strike you in the golden days of your superannuation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are tools available in the internet to determine the accurate amount that you need to save towards your retirement. This will help you to make your moves wisely and rationally and will enable you to detect the risk level.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Try to analyze your current economic status. Examining this properly would render you a proper estimation of what type of retirement plan you need and how much money to be preserved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this juncture, seeking advice from a professional financial advisor would be discerning. They would help you to apprehend thins in a better way and suggest you productive ways. They can assist you on making a budget, which could be the key aspect during chalking out the retirement plans. They may also advise you with many investments planning that would yield you a good return in the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, it is very essential that you plan just the right financial things for your post-retirement days, so that you can keep worries at arms length and enjoy the rest of your life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599251764360406388.post-44166969289824847972011-08-15T00:19:00.000-07:002011-08-15T00:37:04.086-07:00Helping Hand for Debt Stacked Disabled<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbudTU9vd-USjIrWyDSvuZ0j2PlbJQmbWS9A4mp3_cJn-00lNXyr9vxWEFxk3lr_mFsNscvbHdJN5cVzsc6FwU6O2lWcJPjJHTH0QWOPgb6MlCeTK5BjU9bk1n8rK8ccmVFYxj9SqRu8/s1600/hand"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbudTU9vd-USjIrWyDSvuZ0j2PlbJQmbWS9A4mp3_cJn-00lNXyr9vxWEFxk3lr_mFsNscvbHdJN5cVzsc6FwU6O2lWcJPjJHTH0QWOPgb6MlCeTK5BjU9bk1n8rK8ccmVFYxj9SqRu8/s200/hand" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640979532629782850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Medicine: "Your money and your life!” Karl Kraus </span>
<br />
<br />Yes indeed, it’s your money and financial situations that determine your future. Therefore it is very important for people to manage their money wisely so that they do not fall into the debt trap. However, sometimes due to sloppy approaches with your money, you might fail to manage your cash and eventually meet with crisis which might lead to debt burdens. It must be noted that doing away with debts is a difficult task for average people, but it becomes immensely painstaking for a person if he is disabled. It can prove to be very difficult to pay down the debts. But there are laws to protect the interest of the disabled people when they try to pay their overwhelming debts and confront their creditors. They also bear the scope the receive grants and seek help of the debt settlement programs.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Protection of Law:</span>
<br />
<br />Defaulting on your credit card debts may compel your creditors to drag you to court. But the creditors have lesser ways to garnish the wages from a disabled person. They are restricted to fetch the debt amounts from deposits like Social Security, disability benefits and pensions. If you are a disabled and receive most of the income from these assistance, you can consistently receive it without being harassed by the creditors.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grants from the Government:</span>
<br />
<br />Look into the available government grants for you. You can browse through the websites like FederalGrantsWire.com, ADA.gov, which will provide you with a list of grants that the government offers to the disabled people. Although there are factors that determine your eligibility for the grants, yet you are allowed to apply for multiple grants at the same time.
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Settling Debts:</span>
<br />
<br />Although you may receive all your income from social benefits, yet you might be required to participate in a debt settlement program. In order to do so, the first step should be to stop paying your debts. This convinces the creditors that they might lose the owed amount and hence would negotiate the amount and the rate of interest and lower it to your terms. You can seek the help of a debt settlement company.
<br />
<br />Therefore, if you are disabled and are indebted, then instead of worrying take prudent steps so that you can rid it effortlessly and quickly.
<br />
<br /></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16305730191417530148noreply@blogger.com0