Zen Finance Advice

• 29Aug

  Save Money When You Cut Your Classic Car Insurance

  Insurance No Comments

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  One can never have enough pointers to saving money, and the same can be said of suggestions on how to lower your specialty car insurance. stated value auto insurance is one of the highest cost expenses most consumers will pay in their lifetime so it is important to find ways to reduce your collector car insurance to raise the money for your other pursuits.

  Did you know that your credit history can have a very large impact on the cost you pay for your insurance premium? It’s true, take care with your credit rating and you will find that your stated value auto insurance will be lower than if you have a poor credit rating. If your credit rating is currently below average, take the steps and measure to increase it and you’ll also be taking the steps and measures to reduce you stated value auto insurance.

  Do you really need to have the $250 deductible? No you do not. stated value auto insurance policies rise as the cost of your deductible lowers. If you have a good driving record and the others who drive your vehicle do too, then take into consideration the increasing of your deductible to five hundred dollars if not even one thousand dollars.

  Another great tip to lower your stated value auto insurance is to check with insurance rates prior to purchasing your car. Some cars and trucks have a higher risk to insure than others. This can be either because they are sport related cars or they are among a set of cars that are most commonly stolen or broken into. By researching the insurance rates prior to purchasing the car you can lower car insurance by preventing having to pay the higher insurance rates.

  There are tips to reduce stated value auto insurance to be found on the Internet and many of these tips are minor things that when combined with each other accumulate to make a large deduction. If you’re looking for more tips to lower your stated value auto insurance, browse around car information and you’ll find even more tips to lower stated value auto insurance.

• 28Aug

  Earn A Second Income As A Freelance Writer

  Earning Money No Comments
  If you’re looking for a second income, and you’re good with words, you will find that there are numerous freelance copywriting jobs available.  Within this article we look at a couple of the different freelance websites and how you can set yourself apart from all of the other freelancers out there.

  Our first task is to identify the different marketplaces where you should have a subscription. The first website to consider is www.elance.com. This particular marketplace has a very strong following, as more than 100,000 potential customers come by the website each week.  You are able to sign up to offer your services, and the system allows you to upload your best work to sell yourself to potential clients.  There is also a search agent in place so that you can have jobs that meet your criteria e-mailed to you on a daily basis.  The cost for a subscription to this particular website can range from eight dollars per month up to one hundred twenty dollars per month.

  The second website which you should consider is www.guru.com. This is actually the largest online freelance marketplace on the Internet for online jobs, including freelance copywriting jobs.  The capabilities of this website are similar to those offered by elance.com.  It has a service provider base of over 481,000 people.  If you live in Europe, you can use both of these websites as well as a European challenge to these two, which is found at www.getafreelancer.com.  There are many other websites that also offer a freelance online marketplace, for example www.directfreelance.com.

  These sites can get you started on finding projects, but you need to do more than make a simple bid.  When you are bidding on projects, companies that are looking at the bids will not be looking just at price, but also at how their work will be done.  To do this you will want to set yourself apart.  Include copies of your best work, and also include testimonials, along with a sales letter explaining why you will are the best writer to do this particular project.

  By doing this, you will be tailoring your message to the advertiser, and you will be showing them examples of your past work, along with messages from happy clients.  This will help improve your credibility and firmly anchor you as a potential candidate who can get the job done.  Many copywriters do not have a website today, so if you take the time to create a website, you will find that you could have a competitive advantage in the freelance copywriting jobs market.

  Remember, too, that the skill of writing can be the foundation for multiple streams of income. You are not limited to simply completing writing tasks for a fee or an hourly rate. As a writer, you are ideally placed to earn a second income from affiliate marketing, as a pay-per-click publisher, or as a producer of information products.

  If you want to earn a second income as a freelance writer, it is important to know which websites you should use in finding work, but it is also important to find ways to set yourself apart.  By creating a website, and creating an advertising package which shows off your best side, you are setting yourself up to stand apart from other freelancers.  You are selling yourself when you create this package - your writing about yourself should be the best, most well-crafted writing you have ever done!

  Tags: earn second income, earning second income, freelance, freelancer, second income, writer

• 27Aug

  Auto Refinancing

  Credit, Debt and Loans No Comments

  Refinancing your car loan is a way to get a better interest rate on your loan - in essence, you trade off your old loan for a new loan at a better rate. Refinancing is a great way to take advantage of the great loans being offered by online lenders and traditional mortgage companies. You can get free quotes from several lenders and compare the rates offered by each.

  Refinancing your car loan can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars, if you can get a lower interest rate. Just reducing the loan period can make you eligible for a lower APR. Refinancing your car loan is an ideal way to lower your interest payments or reduce your monthly payments. By doing proper research, including comparing several online auto loan lenders, you can be assured that you are finding the lowest rate.

  Credit Unions do more refinancing of car loans than anyone else, so they are a good place to start. Credit cards, medical bills, and unsecured loans can all be combined into one monthly payment when you apply for a debt consolidation refinance loan. The time has never been better to apply due to the current low interest rates being offered by mortgage lenders.

  Auto refinancing is most valuable to individuals with less than stellar credit. Car companies advertise amazing interest rates, but only extend those rates to a limited number of buyers. Auto refinancing is essentially a loan which pays off your existing auto loan. The idea is very similar to mortgage refinance however the process is much simpler and much faster. Auto refinance is a great way to save money.

  If you when you bought your vehicle when your credit score was below 610, the rates on your car loan could very well be much higher than the rate you would qualify for today. By financing your car loan with poor credit, or even an auto loan with bankruptcy, your monthly payments could go down quite a bit.

  Auto refinancing is popular in many people those suffered from bad credit, poor credit or bankruptcy in the past. Auto loan brokers partner with several lenders to offer you multiple quotes.

  Lenders utilize current book to value estimates to determine if they want to consider providing funding for a car refinancing loan. All you need to do is simply fill out a quick and easy online refinance loan application. Lenders’ rates vary as much as 5% between financing companies, so it makes sense to shop around. Online lending websites often allow you to quickly compare rates through general quotes. Auto loan brokers strive to offer the lowest rates, so you may find a better deal through their sites than going to the individual lender’s site.

  Refinancing your car loan online means you are able to shop and compare on your own time and be able to make a decision without the hassles you would get at a dealer.
  
  Refinancing your car loan online is now more convenient, too. Your online application can be approved within an hour with most online car loan lenders.

  Refinancing your home to pay out your auto loan is an excellent way to take advantage of the low interest rates, but you do need to be careful.

  Refinancing means that you will often be paying for the vehicle longer. This can totally destroy any interest savings you are incurring. Refinancing a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) to an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to take advantage of current low interest rates is another decision homeowners are likely to later regret. That low rate may look attractive now, but an adjustable rate mortgage is just that: adjustable.

  Tags: auto, car, refinance, refinancing, vehicle

• 26Aug

  Making Best Buy Even Better: Best Buy Coupon Codes

  Saving Money No Comments

  Do you think the best can be even better? Apparently, it can. If you are a big fan of Best Buy, then you should realize that you can make your shopping experience even more enjoyable through Best Buy coupon codes.
  
  Best Buy coupon codes are what you can use to reduce the price of your purchases from the store. Primarily, the codes are actually intended to be used for shopping in the Best Buy site. This is because coupon codes are the online or electronic alternative to clip-out coupons.

  When you visit an online shopping site, you will encounter a prompt in the checkout page wherein you can enter your coupon code and reduce the cost of your purchases. And why is this a smart move to make?

  For one thing, if you are shopping at best buy, you might be a price-conscious individual, otherwise known as a “smart shopper”. This means you might want to get the most value from your cash. A coupon code can go a long way in helping you accomplish that.

  A lot of people think of coupon codes as merely tools that can help them when they make their purchases. You should avoid this mindset. What you need to do is start thinking of coupons as something that you can spend. In other words: consider them as you would cash. This will help you have an easier time remembering that you do have coupons.

  Of course, coupon codes are actually pretty easy to remember. Unlike clip-out coupons that just come incidentally with a magazine or newspaper, codes need to be sought out or are delivered to people who may apparently need them. Most codes need to be obtained through sites where a person needs to be very specific about what sort of code he or she needs.

  Other codes are distributed through e-mail to people who have interests in such. In fact, many people have observed that the best codes or the ones that give the highest discounts are the ones delivered through e-mail to regular customers.

  One thing that you need to know about codes, though, is that most have special conditions that must be met in order for you to obtain the discount. Some have a minimum purchase requirement, while others offer discounts only on very specific items (more often than not, these are items that are “slow” sellers).

  Because of the conditions, and because of the advertising nature of coupon codes, you might not want to base your shopping on what coupons are available. What you need to do is to work out a budget and see how you can reduce that budget through the use of your codes. If you try to plan your purchases based on the coupons, you might end up spending more than what you think you’ll save.

  If you really want to make sure that you get the best value for your money, you also have to learn how to consider your need, ant not just the opportunity presented by the coupon. You need to think about how much actual savings you will be able to get, not what the coupon is presenting.

  Obtaining and using Best Buy coupon codes can be a tad complicated. Just make sure to avoid the usual advertising pitfalls and keep your budget in mind.

  Tags: Best Buy, coupon code, coupon codes

• 25Aug

  Steps To Refinancing A Mortgage

  Mortgages No Comments

  While the steps to refinancing a mortgage in general are pretty much the same for everybody, there are always little differences, depending on who your new mortgage lender is, and the lender or lenders who will be paid out of your current loans. As a borrower, it is very important that you understand the steps to refinancing a mortgage.

  A crucial first of the steps to refinancing a mortgage will be to determine the current market value of your home. Many people are coming unstuck just now with this, more than any of other steps to refinancing a mortgage.

  Unfortunately, in some parts of the country it can be very difficult to obtain market value when selling your home right now. The mortgage lender who will provide your new mortgage will decide on a valuation of your home against which they will be prepared to loan you money.

  This valuation may be lower than you think it should be, or even lower than the amount you want to borrow. In this case, you may actually have to stop and rethink whether to go on with the rest of the steps to refinancing a mortgage.

  If there is a shortfall between the amount your new lender is willing to advance, and the amount you need to pay off the existing mortgages, then refinancing your home may not be the right option for you at this time. There is no point following the rest of the steps to refinancing a mortgage if the new mortgage will not be enough.

  If the valuation comes back at an acceptable level, then you can proceed with the rest of the steps to refinancing a mortgage.

  The next steps to refinancing a mortgage involve all the annoying paperwork! You will need to provide your new lender with documentation showing your income and expenses, and also showing the current mortgage or mortgages, and what is owing on them. Do not try to conceal if you have missed a payment on your current mortgage - be honest with your new lender or you could end up in much worse trouble down the track.

  The rest of the steps to refinancing a mortgage are in the hands of the financial institutions. Your new lender will do a credit check, and let you know a settlement date. That is the day when the old mortgage or mortgages will be paid out, and your new mortgage will begin.

  There is nothing complicated or difficult about the steps to refinancing a mortgage, but if you don’t like paperwork and dealing with banks, you may find you are very relieved to reach the end! Many people find the steps to refinancing a mortgage stressful, but if you have chosen your new mortgage wisely, you will find the results are worth it.

  Tags: mortgage, refinance, refinancing, steps

• 24Aug

  Before You Go For Credit Card Debt Help

  Credit, Debt and Loans, Self Help & Motivation No Comments

  Generally you will find that there is more credit card debt help available than is actually needed. Just flip through the newspaper and you would be surprised by the number of advertisements related to credit card debt help. Every now and then, there are articles on credit card debt and credit card debt help. Television channels are full of ads related to credit card debt help. There are websites and magazines that are dedicated to credit card debt help. You also hear about the topic of ‘credit card debt help’ being discussed in parliament.

  There seem to be policies and laws being formed for credit card debt help. All kinds of suggestions seem to be floating for credit card debt help. Everyone, even some of your friends, have a piece of advice related to credit card debt help. All banks seem to offer credit card debt help in term of various loan types (generally short term loans) at low rates.

  So, credit card debt help is readily available and in fact even unwanted credit card debt help or advice will flow into your ears. However, not every one offering credit card debt help is proficient enough to be able to provide proper credit card debt help that will suit you. So you do need to understand some basics about credit cards and credit card debt, before you actually go looking for credit card debt help or before you start helping yourself out with your credit card debt.

  You should try and understand how the credit card suppliers bill you, how the interest is calculated on your credit card balance and how your credit card debt grows. Understanding all about APR, goes without saying. Even if you think that you went through all this stuff at the time of choosing your credit card, you should revisit these concepts to make sure that you still know them.

  If you decide against going for professional credit card debt help, you will need to understand these concepts in even more detail. All these concepts will become handy when you are comparing various balance transfer offers (for example). Moreover, the knowledge of these concepts will also be helpful in making the discussions with credit counsellor more fruitful.

  So credit card debt help really starts with developing a better understanding of credit cards and other concepts related to credit cards (irrespective of whether you go for external credit card debt help or not).

  Tags: credit card, credit card debt, credit card debt help, credit cards, debt, help

• 23Aug

  Kids Offer Business Ideas

  Uncategorized No Comments

  Molin Upper Elementary School Principal Dave Archambault asked faculty and the business community a simple question: “What happens when you inspire more than 75 fifth-grade students to create an invention or new business idea?”

  On Friday, Archambault was pleased with the answer.

  “This is great — we have a lot of great ideas,” Archambault said.

  From eyeglasses fitted with windshield wipers to clear one’s view in a rainstorm to a “sweet flavored gum” that was claimed to have the ability to bring about world peace, the second annual Young Entrepreneurs Contest showcased students’ creativity.

  The contest, sponsored by the Newburyport Education and Business Coalition as well as teachers Ellie Bailey, Mary Ann Daley and Carol Snow, included special exercises for students to go along with teaching students about business and sociology.

  David Strand, president and owner of Strand Marketing, was brought into the Molin School to assist in creating and presenting the ideas that inspired entrepreneurship and encourage fifth-graders to come up with their own ideas about business.

  Read the rest of the story in The Newburyport News.

  I love hearing about initiatives such as these.

  Gradually, ever so gradually, the traditional education system is being infiltrated by little bursts of entrepreneurial spirit.

  These kids participated in simulations, where some of them played the role of bankers, some the rols of suppliers, and others represented retailers. Once a supplier had “won” the business of a retailer, the young retail entrepreneurs then had to persuade the bankers to finance their purchase of the stock.

  These simulations are a fantastic way to provide kids with a solid learning experience when it comes to business concepts. We encourage the families in our Cash-Smart Kids program to engage their kids with “mini” business situations and simulations whenever possible.

  Kids are remarkably creative - I loved the description of one young inventor’s product, the “my-Cod”. This fish-shaped contraption would allow swimmers to listen to their iPods through a swimming “fish” broadcasting when placed in a swimming pool.

  I really think that one would be a goer!

  Syndicated from Raising Entrepreneurs.

  Tags: business ideas, kids

• 23Aug

  How To Avoid Foreclosure

  Mortgages No Comments

  Foreclosure is the legal means that your lender can use to repossess (take over) your home. Foreclosure, or a deficiency judgment, could seriously affect your ability to qualify for credit in the future. So you should avoid foreclosure if all possible! Foreclosed properties make their way into bank auctions where the properties are sold off to the highest bidder. Foreclosure is a reaction not an action and can be avoided with your calm decisions and careful planning.

  Banks are in the business of lending money and not owning real estate. If a home is in foreclosure because the borrower is in default, that’s called a non-performing loan. Federal Reserve guidelines state that the bank must put aside two to eight times the amount of the non-performing loan to cover the bad debt. If this money is sitting in reserve,it obviously can’t be loaned out to new customers to make the bank more money. Banks that take back houses must resell the homes through a real estate broker. With prices falling and lots of homes already on the market, that could be difficult to do, experts say.

  It is important to solve the problem of being behind on the mortgage proactively. Get on the front foot, pick up the phone, and engage with your lender. If you are looking for the best way to avoid mortgage foreclosure, it is very important to take a deep breath, relax as much as possible, and act professionally.

  Lenders do not want to foreclose, and will usually work with you to get you back on track. You may be able to negotiate time to sell your your house, but make sure you can sell it by the planned date. Lenders do not take kindly to delays. If the house isn’t sold in time for foreclosure, there is no turning back. Lenders are much more inclined to work with you right now and by contacting, rather than avoiding, your lender, you can end up with a workable solution. Homeowners with problems that could result in default of their mortgage or foreclosure on their property are encouraged to contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency immediately.

  In some cases where you are looking for the best way to avoid mortgage foreclosure, it will be possible to negotiate to modify the mortgage. Mortgage loan modification may include decreasing interest rate, re-amortizing the remaining balance, or extending the term of the loan. Loan modification is also referred to as a workout or restructure, and is a useful way to avoid foreclosure.

  Losing your home is the last thing you want to happen to you and your family. To avoid foreclosure, buyers need to be aware of the intricacies of their home loans, and know what they are getting into, both short term and long term. Homeowners can avoid trouble later by making informed decisions when purchasing their homes. Borrowers who are most likely to keep their homes are those who solve the problem of being behind on the mortgage effectively.

  Mortgage brokers make loans utilizing all kinds of exotic loan programs. There are interest only adjustable rate loans, option loans where the purchaser would choose from one of 4 different payment options, and 100% financing programs, just to name a few.

  If you do not fully understand the terms and conditions of your mortgage, you must get professional advice to ensure you are making the right decision in accepting the deal.

  Mortgage lenders will usually want to avoid foreclosure as much as you want to avoid it — or nearly as much, anyway. Lenders are in the business of lending money, not managing and selling properties.  When you are looking for the best way to avoid mortgage foreclosure, contact a reputable counseling agency. Foreclosure laws vary by state. If you are low income, you may also qualify for free legal services. To avoid foreclosure must be your top priority.

  Tags: avoid foreclosure, foreclosure, mortgage, prevent foreclosure

• 22Aug

  Choosing Your Reward Card

  Credit, Debt and Loans No Comments

  When you are in the market for a new credit card, the features you have to choose from may draw you to the card.  Low interest rates and the types of rewards you can get, are what draw many to reward credit cards.  Those of you who have good credit, will more than likely be able to get reward cards that boast 0% APR.  This does have an introductory period, normally 1 year, that goes along with your new reward card.

  You’ll also need to think about the type of card that best fits your lifestyle.  The credit card field is very competitive, meaning that you always have a lot of offers to choose from.  Reward cards and becoming very popular, with more and more coming out all the time.  If you look for your reward credit card on the Internet, you’ll be able to compare hundreds and hundreds of offers - and decide which one is indeed the best for you.

  Those of you who travel on a frequent basis, may find frequent flyer reward cards to be very beneficial.  These credit cards will accumulate either points or miles for every dollar that you spend.  You can then use the accumulated points or miles and redeem them for airline travel, hotel reservations, car rentals, and even cruises.  These credit cards can also help you with discounts as well, which can make a vacation or business trip more affordable than ever.

  If you like to pay your full balance at the end of every month, then you may find a reward credit card with a cash back feature to be the most enticing.  There are some cards that offer cash rewards of up to 5%, which can equal quite a bit at the end of the year.  All you need to do with cash back reward credit cards is make a purchase, and you’ll get money back for everything you buy.

  Other types of reward credit cards include discounts on gas purchases, contributions to your savings account, and points that you can redeem for great items and things of that nature.  No matter what your lifestyle may be, you can almost always find a reward credit card that fits your needs and interests.  Reward credit cards are great to have, as you can buy the things you need and earn points, flyer miles, and even cash back.

  If the sound of rewards with your credit card purchases sounds enticing, you should look into getting a reward credit card.  These cards are great to have, as most include low APR with great reward incentives.  They can save you money as well, which is great for those on a budget.  With a reward credit card - no matter what you choose you’ll come out a winner.

  Tags: credit card, credit cards, reward, rewards

• 21Aug

  Municipal Bonds

  Investing, Stocks, Bonds, and Equities No Comments

  While Treasuries tend to be the first bond category beginning investors consider, they aren’t always the best option. Treasuries perform best in tax-deferred accounts, since the US government treats interest payments as regular income. Also, they can decrease in value during periods of inflation.

  An alternative is high-rated municipal bonds. These promise Treasury-like safety from default as well as some important tax breaks. Buy bonds issued by municipalities in your home state, and you usually dodge federal, state and local taxes — the “triple tax free” promise that makes municipal bonds a favored income vehicle for the well-to-do.

  Even for the rest of us, municipal bonds make good sense. Assume you’re in a hypothetical 30% federal tax bracket. A municipal bond yielding 5% earns just as much — after federal taxes — as a Treasury bond yielding more than 7%. These days, you will be hard-pressed to find a 7% Treasury bond!

  “If someone were to get a fixed-income portfolio and their money were sufficient, I would think that they should own outright some high-quality municipal bonds,” says Gayle. You can gain extra peace of mind by ensuring you buy insured or triple-A-rated general-obligation bonds.

  The main problem with municipal bonds is getting your hands on them. A round lot of any particular bond goes for as much as $250,000. If you don’t want to buy that volume, you pay a higher markup. Financial planners see $100,000 as just about the smallest allocation that can go into individual municipal bonds.

  You can go the mutual fund route, as municipal bond funds accept smaller amounts. But be careful to know exactly what you’re buying. Fund managers may have a different definition of “high quality” than you might have for yourself. Check their investment criteria.

  Tags: bond investing, bond investment, bonds, municipal bonds

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