Monthly Archives: December 2009

How To Deal With Bankruptcy

Author : Peter Kenny

Did you know that today more individuals are turning toward personal bankruptcy as a way of solving their financial hardships? It is true

During the period from 1998 through 2000 there was a decrease in the filings for bankruptcies but that is not how it is now New estimates say this year nearly 1 in 70 people will file for some sort of bankruptcy protection Depending on how the sub-prime mortgage fiasco goes that number may go higher

One of the major reasons people seek protection from the courts is the unrelenting pressure that some bill collectors place on people who are delinquent on their payments Others may find that bankruptcy is the only way they get their debts discharged with any sense of organization or with any hope of ever getting back to some sense of a normal life

For those who absolutely need it, bankruptcy can be the best answer, but there are drawbacks to filing for it These drawbacks can be severe for most people

New laws have been passed that make it much harder to find relief from the courts The simple truth is that many big financial institutions have been spending millions of dollars on Political Action Committee (PACs) to push tougher laws through Congress Some experts suggest that as much as $75 million has been spent over the last few of years to get lawmakers to change the bankruptcy rules Of course this worked, and Congress has passed these new laws

Once a court has approved your bankruptcy filing, it will stay on your credit report for ten years However, many people do not realize that it will stay on their court report for life This can present problems later on if a person is trying to get a high-level job or a security clearance

The new laws that went into effect in 2005 are designed to keep more people out of bankruptcy than to allow in New requirements have been set up such as pre-bankruptcy credit counseling requirements Numerous other requirements have been established as well All in all, the days of being able to file for protection under the courts with ease are over

Because the new laws can often be very confusing to consumers it is suggested that they seek the advice of a qualified bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions In some cases, people who wish to file for bankruptcy may not be able to do so Knowing in advance if you even have a chance of being approved for your filing can save you and your family a lot of time and money and emotional distress

You can find copies of the new laws online but this should not preclude you from getting expert advice as well If at all possible, consumers should seek other options before filing for bankruptcy protection These other options may not discharge your debts as bankruptcy may do but they are much easier to live with in the long run, and they do not cause as much damage to your future credit ability

Peter Kenny is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at Remortgage Bad Credit and Debt Help
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Lowering Your Monthly 4×4 Insurance Rates

Author : Graham McKenzie

4×4 insurance rates are often higher than the rates for other vehicles and take extra effort to find good rates for Your 4×4 will be seen by insurers as extra risky and more hazardous, making your insurance rates much higher You can avoid these prices by taking the right actions The most important factor to getting low rates is to search online for multiple different quotes

If you have a garage or underground parking then you will be able to help lower your premium This is because a vehicle that?s parked indoors is less likely to get singled out for theft or vandalism The insurance company will be able to reduce your rates if you?re able to reduce the risk of something happening to your vehicle

If you have previous experience driving a 4×4 then you may be eligible for a lower rate While this is not always the case you should ask your insurance agent if it makes a difference Also by having more experience you will be less likely to get into an accident ad you will know how your vehicle responds better

Keeping your driving record clean is always an important part to getting low insurance rates The fewer claims you have on your record, the better If an insurance agent sees you already have several different claims they will charge you even more for insurance just because you are at a higher risk If you manage to go for a period of time without any claims you may subject for a claims bonus, a discount given to drivers after about a year of claims-free driving Mention that you this and your insurance agent will work to get you the best rates possible Sometimes you may want to pay for an accident yourself just to save money that may add up to more if spend on increased rates from claims This only works if the accident was very small and with little damage

By getting a 4×4 with a category 1 or 2 security rating you may end up getting lower rates as well These categories indicate that your 4×4 is equipped with the finest safety features, making it harder to steal and safer in accidents Your agents will look for these extra features while gauging your insurance premiums to determine the risk of your vehicle Opt for the best security possible when choosing your vehicle

Military personal, including those from the National Guard, can take advantage of special discounts Even if you are not a part of the military you should always be on the watch for discounts that may help you Search online for the best quotes before going to visit your insurance agents personally

Graham McKenzie is the webmaster for a leading South African Car Insurance provider. For more information visit: http://car.insurance123.co.za/

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A Guide To Offshore Banking

Author : Peter Kenny

If you are someone whose career and place of residence changes a lot, then you might want to keep your banking constant One way to do this is by using offshore banking, which allows you to keep your money in one country, yet have access to it wherever you go If you want to know more about banking then this guide has some information that might be useful

Why get offshore banking?

Getting this type of banking can be useful if you are travelling around a lot and aren’t really located in one specific place If you use an account from one country then you will find it harder to get your money out abroad, and might have to pay fees each time you want to carry a transfer or withdrawal You might not even be able to access your account in some countries Banking offshore can help you to have access to your accounts like you were in your home country wherever you are in the world

Tax exemption

Another reason why this type of banking is popular is for tax exemption If you have a large sum of money that you don’t want to pay tax on, then moving it to an offshore account might be useful Of course, you need to make sure that you abide by the tax laws of your country, but there are legal ways to save yourself money through offshore banking

Benefits of offshore banking

Apart from the tax benefits, having your money offshore means that you have equal access to all of the world’s markets, and this makes it easier to invest in a diverse range of products and services

Offshore features

You can bank offshore simply as a savings account, or you can use it as your main means of banking You can have a current account with a debit card, and even make investments and buy insurance and loans using your offshore bank Most of the products and services that your standard bank can offer are available offshore, with the added bonus of being available around the world

Risks

This type of banking does use the law to its fullest, and so there are a number of risks associated with it Firstly, if you don’t know what you are getting into then you could end up in legal trouble Before signing up you need to consult a lawyer Also, you need to deposit a large amount of money in order to get this type of banking off the ground, and that money could be at risk if anything happens in the country you opt for You know that your money in your own country is insured, but if something happens offshore then you might be in trouble Banking does have some benefits, but make sure that you know the details of the system before proceeding If you do this then this method of banking can help you save money and access your finances wherever you are in the world

Peter Kenny is a writer for The Thrifty Scot.
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What Are The Common 401 k Mistakes

Author : Paul Hata

Believe it or not there are many mistakes that can be made along the way when it comes to financial retirement savings and investing Unfortunately a good many of these mistakes center around the 401(k), which can be a tremendous boost to your retirement plans when used properly in order to build your portfolio

The problem is that the mistakes are often the only things we hear when it comes to retirement plans and investing I suggest begin with the mistakes so that we can move along to better information and advice in the near future

The first and perhaps largest mistakes that people make when it comes to 401 (k) plans is not signing up Yes you heard that right What people do not understand is that this is something your employer offers so that you can have some security for your future

It is a manner of saving money for your future that shouldn’t be overlooked or taken for granted Even a bad 401 (k) plan is better than no 401 (k) and with strict regulations those are few and far between More importantly, if your company offers to match the funds in your 401 (k) plan not taking them up on that offer is literally tossing money in the garbage can

The next big mistake when it comes to your 401 (k) is risking too little Rewards come with risk If you aren’t taking any risks with your investment then you are by and large throwing money down the drain

In addition to that, it is nearly impossible to meet your retirement goals without taking some risks, and some hits along the way This doesn’t mean you should be reckless but along the way you are going to need to take some calculated risks in order to receive the bigger payouts that most of us hope for when investing in their retirement funds

Risking too much There are many risks involved when investing in the stock market There are a few that deserve a little more mention than others First of all, stocks present a fairly large risk, particularly to the uninitiated

While it is true that great rewards are most often the product of great risks you do not want to risk the bulk of your retirement by investing it all in stocks Another thing you want to avoid doing if at all possible is investing in your company stock We’ve seen too many lives destroyed when companies go under taking the financial stability of their employees along with them

Many companies offer incentives to employees for investing in their stock, which may be tempting but I recommend investing as little as possible in your company stock whenever possible as this could lead to problems down the road

Finally, the worst thing you can do for the health of your 401 (k) is borrow against it There are so many ways in which this could go wrong and the penalties for this are more than a little prohibitive

They are designed to be that way so that you will use the funds for their intended purpose If you absolutely have no other option is the only way I would recommend borrowing against your 401 (k) and I would seriously consider selling a kidney before doing that

When it comes to your financial retirement, 401 (k) mistakes can be far more costly than you may realize Work to avoid these common mistakes and you should be well on your way to a successful retirement

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Where To Find and Buy Foreclosures

Author : Paul Hata

When looking for information pertaining to foreclosures, you will find a lot of information for homeowners who are on the verge of losing their homes This is nice, but you may be on the other side of the fence Instead, you may be looking for information and tips on buying foreclosure properties If so, you have come to the right place

Those unfamiliar with real estate and foreclosures often wonder how they can find foreclosures available for sale After a quick examination, many are pleased and surprised with their options One of the easiest ways to find foreclosure properties listed for sale is online

Many foreclosure listing websites come with a free trial period Foreclosure properties can also be bought through an auction These auctions are usually advertised in local newspapers, but town and village offices should have the information posted as well

As an added bonus, if you are new to buying real estate and foreclosures, you will want to examine homes that are referred to as REO (real estate owned) You may still find affordable asking prices on these types of properties, but they aren’t always classified as foreclosures

This is because the original lender, who now may be referred to as the investor, has regained control of the property This occurs when bids are low at a foreclosure auction The lender steps up and buys the property themselves You can find REO properties available for sale online or by visiting your local bank branches

As it was previously stated, foreclosures can be purchased at an auction Many bargain hunters like this approach, but know that it may not be in your best interest Many states do not allow you to place a bid unless you can show proof of available funds upfront Since it is rare for a lender to grant you a mortgage loan on a house that both you and they have never seen, not everyone is the perfect candidate for foreclosure auctions

In keeping with foreclosure auctions, it is first important to determine what protection your state offers homeowners going through foreclosure Some states have redemption laws When these laws are in place, homeowners have a set time frame in which they can reclaim their home by getting their mortgage back in good standing What this essentially means is that you could win a foreclosure auction, but later walk away without the property This cannot occur with REOs, as the seller is already out of the picture

If you are interested in buying a foreclosure, it is recommended that you do the proper amount of research first Although you may not be able to inspect the property in question, you may be able to drive by the property Foreclosure listing websites and local government offices will have the address listed Use your best judgment If the property doesn’t look cared for on the outside, chances are the inside is just the same Of course, you can remodel, but be sure to take those costs into consideration when placing your bid

As a reminder, it is easy to find information on foreclosures both online and locally To make sure that you are well informed, consider consulting with a professional, such as lawyer who specializes in real estate law At the very least, purchase a guide on how to buy foreclosures from your local bookstore or online

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About Non Profit Debt Management And Credit Consolidation Organizations

Author : Ben Brook

It’s never too late to work on getting out of debt and, you don’t have to do it all by yourself When you are in a financial crisis, you need help from financial experts without having to pay a lot of money for that help You can get this help from non-profit debt management and credit consolidation organizations Their services are legal and effective for people who owe at least four figures to one creditor

Services Offered

Always check with the individual debt management and credit consolidation organization for exact details on the services they offer But most services include two steps getting all of your debt into one loan to repay and getting you money management counseling Sometimes you don’t have to be there in person for your appointment, but you need to at least be on the phone or online

As you’ve probably discovered to your chagrin that it isn’t repaying the principle of a loan back that is hard it’s repaying the interest fees that are It’s the interest fees that make you feel as if you will be in debt forever That’s because you will be in debt forever if you don’t get some legal help Non-profit debt management and credit consolidation organizations pay off all your loans, then you pay them for the loan they gave you The interest rates are much reduced

Banks do this all of the time in order to get back some of the money they are owed which is better than getting NONE of the money back You do wonder why banks and credit lenders don’t just offer these low interest rates to begin with and save a lot of time, but the interest rates is how they make their money

Things To Watch Out For

A non-profit debt management and credit consolidation organization is just that non-profit If the employee asks you for a “donation”, they are doing something illegal You also need to be wary of any debt management and credit consolidation organization that offers you a loan and interest rate without closely going over your finances They’re hiding something there

You should never be asked to do something illegal, like lie on any paperwork, even at the urging of an employee This is illegal and you will get punished harshly if you are caught Also, there is no such thing as having anything on your credit record erased Anyone who promises you that is offering you an illegal service, or will just take your money and not do anything for you

For more information about debt management please visit my Debt Management website where you can find more articles and information about debt management credit consolidation

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How to Invest In Gold and Always Make a Profit

Author : Daniel Millions

Very few people are so rich or so secure that they never worry about their money, and for the rest of us, there’s gold! With today’s fluctuating market, more and more people have returned to this standard of wealth for a degree of security that has become harder and harder to find While some people decide that they want to horde gold jewelry in their mattresses for the next Depression, other people take the time to decide on what pieces they want to invest in

Investing in gold is an ancient tactic which has been in practice for thousands years There are so many motives and causes behind this investment Some do it in hope of future increment other do it because they just like and love this sparkling yellow metal where some do it because they hope to increase their value

There are many advantages to investing in gold When governments struggle with paper currency and minted coins, gold could usually be depended on to maintain the buying power that people needed While the price of gold might have fluctuated, it has never done so as wildly or as unexpectedly as printed currency You’ll also find that gold is quite liquid, meaning that it can be transferred and manipulated quite easily

When you are looking to buy gold for investment, you’ll find that there are many forms of this precious metal that even a buyer with even a limited amount of buying power can afford On a very small scale, you can consider things like gold jewelry, but this is on a level that is quite private When you think about buying gold, think about things like gold bullion products and gold coins These are recognized units that have a worth that is easily determined, and you’ll find that they are a significantly sounder investment

When you start looking for gold coins and gold bullion, you’ll find that there is more value in some pieces than others Take gold coins, for example If a gold coin has some sort of historical value, it’s value will increase over the cost of the gold alone, which might already be considerable In this way, you can have the advantage of purchasing gold jewelry as well as the advantage of buying something as solid and stable as a gold coin

You’ll also find that that the rarer a gold coin is, the more valuable it will be With the increase of specialized auctions for Coins collector organized these last years, some lucky owners have sold one coin at a much higher value than their real value

Many people have decided that in these uncertain times that they need to diversify their portfolio, and gold is a great way to do that Gold gives you a certain stability that other investments lack, and it can be the anchor that holds your finances together through rough times Take some time to research this investment, and speak with your financial adviser about it as well Think about what your needs are, and see if gold can keep you solvent while you make riskier investments

Investing in Gold and can be a very profitable venture.

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Why Buying Your Own Car Insurance Policy Might be the Most Important Thing You Do After Graduation

Author : Anthony Peck

Graduation is a time of endings and beginnings, a fresh start for teens and young adults to shape their futures Along with graduation, however, comes the responsibility and confusion that go hand in hand with stepping out into adulthood One of the most important responsibilities facing any new high school or college graduate is the purchase, for the very first time, of their own car insurance policy

Until this point, you’ve probably been covered under your parent’s car insurance policy It makes sense-their good driving record can help keep your premiums down, and that way you never have to wonder from month to month whether you paid your bill Parents are just naturally responsible about things like that

Well-not really See, once upon a time your parents were new graduates just like you, looking forward to leaving their mark on the world, overwhelmed with the sheer number of opportunities waiting for them and not concerned in the least for those first few months what they were going to do about their car insurance They were either nudged out of the nest by their own parents’ not-so-subtle reminders that they needed to get out and buy their own policy or were given a healthy taste of exactly why car insurance is one of the most important bills you’ll ever pay

Do the math As a new college graduate in today’s economy you can expect to make between $25,000 to $40,000 per year That number drops exponentially for high school graduates who choose not to continue their education Now add in the cost of student loans, which on average total $20,000 or more, and you’re looking at a tight financial situation for a couple of years Can you afford to pay $20,000-$30,000 upfront for the damages suffered by you, your passengers, your car, the other driver, their car and any personal property involved after an accident?

Unless you have a great aunt who’s going to hook you up after graduation, the answer is probably no Accidents are expensive The average cost of a new car is $20,000, and emergency room bills usually start at $1,000 (just to say hello) and crawl up from there The last thing you want during this already uncertain time in your life is to have to pay for:

1) Damages to your vehicle

2) Damages to the other driver’s vehicle

3) Your medical bills

4) Their medical bills

5) The cost of the guardrail you ran into

6) Any other costs, including lawsuits, that happen to come up along the way

while you’re still trying to figure out how to pay your rent!

Car insurance also protects you against other uninsured drivers who haven’t figured out by now that it’s just not worth it to drive without insurance, and it can help pick up some of the slack after an accident if you haven’t yet managed to obtain your own health insurance Again, trips to the ER are notoriously expensive Many car insurance providers give you the option to tack medical coverage for yourself (exclusively for injuries suffered in an accident) onto your policy to protect yourself

Don’t let your fear of annual premiums and yet another bill you have to pay every month stop you from making sure your car is properly protected after your graduation The benefits far outweigh the risks when you consider the fatal blow an accident can be on your bank account

Anthony M. Peck is the Senior Developer, Software Project Manager, and
Director of Business Development for QuoteScout.com. For more information on buying cheap car insurance after your graduation, please visit them on the web at http://www.QuoteScout.com.

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