Credit cards and travel reward taking advantage of your credit cards

Credit cards are widely used anywhere in the world. People find it quite handy to have such a card, which provides a lot of convenience and flexibility. Since many people are finding it useful, many credit card companies are devising ways to attract more prospective clients as well as their present clients in order for them to stay satisfied with their services.

Benefit programs such as reward credit cards serves as an innovative instrument to stay competitive in the market. If you're a frequent traveler, you may find having a reward travel card very useful. On the other hand, if don't travel that much, it would be best not to get a reward travel card because its benefits are usually offset by hidden charges and very high annual fees.

If you are about to choose a particular credit card, consider the rewards features of the credit card company. It would be best if you could compare several card companies, and just make sure that you choose one that will suit your needs best. Determine first hand how you are going to use your credit card. In this manner, you will be able to pick the best credit card out in the market.

You must be aware that there are credit card companies which provide for a particular airline travel. Aside from that, rewards are also provided for hotel stays, car rentals, and gas purchases.

The use of the credit card provides convenience but it doesn't mean that you should not be concerned with its cost. It is still possible to find one card which offers a considerable amount of convenience which at the same time offers the highest possible savings. All it takes is a little patience in doing your very own research on the different cards available in the market.

There are times when the use of cash during your travel is inevitable. A card which allows you to make cash advances will be quite an advantage. However, make sure that you make inquiries about cash advance charges. This step is needed so that you will not be shocked just in case you receive a huge bill at the end of the month. You might not know it, but there are many card companies which charge very high interests on cash advances.

The value for the travel rewards is not the same all throughout, and it differs greatly from card to card. Familiarize yourself with all the aspects of your credit card, including the value and schedule of your rewards. Some card companies send their clients the money after the year ends, and the amount usually depends on the amount of your credit card purchases.

If you don't have travel insurance, you can choose a card which provides for it. The insurance includes lost luggage, emergency expatriation, medical evacuation, and other emergencies. Check with the card company about maximum monetary value limit before the rewards are offered. Due preparation before traveling is a must to avoid the discomforts of traveling to another place; any responsible traveler knows that fact.

Remember that in making any purchases, you will be able to earn points but make sure that you pay all your dues every month, otherwise, the rewards will not be of any worth. Be responsible in using your card and you will in turn receive the benefits that it offers.

How to get affordable homeowner s insurance in iowa

Your home is probably your largest investment and your most priceless asset and because it is you probably have homeowner's insurance to protect your pride and joy.

But whether you have homeowner's insurance because you want to protect your home and its contents or whether it's because your lender insists that you purchase insurance, the simple fact remains that you still want to get affordable homeowner's insurance here in Iowa.

The good news is, you can – and the steps you need to take to lower your monthly payments are within reach of almost any homeowner.

Start with your credit score. If you want the best rates possible on your homeowner's insurance you can start by keeping your credit in excellent shape. Surprisingly the size of your monthly premium payment is based in part on your credit score – the better your credit score the lower your homeowner's insurance payment.

Don't smoke. Smoker's pay more for homeowner's insurance than non-smokers. If you smoked when you first took out your homeowner's policy but you have since quit, then you need to talk with your agent and see about getting your premium reduced.

A large part of your homeowner's insurance premium is based upon the level of fire danger to your house. Cut weeds and brush back at least ten feet from any structure on your property to reduce the fire risk – and to reduce your monthly insurance premium.

Motion sensitive outdoor floodlights are a great way to make you home less appealing to burglars but more appealing to your homeowner's insurance company. Along the same lines you need to trim all bushes away from windows to further discourage burglars.

If you can afford a sprinkler system and/or a home security system that is monitored 24/7 for both fire as well as burglary you may be in line for a reduction in your homeowner's insurance premiums of as much as 20% to sometimes 30% -- but be sure to tell your insurance agent which system you're planning to install before you sign any contracts.

All exterior doors need a working deadbolt lock and all windows, regardless of which floor they are on, need a working lock – and you need to get in the habit of locking your home securely even if you are only going out for a "minute."

Upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems in a home more than 10 years old can result in a substantial savings each month on your insurance premium. Be certain to let your agent know any time you make a repair or upgrade to your home.

Make sure that you have installed the required number of smoke and fire detectors for your size home and make certain each one of them is working properly. Don't forget to change the batteries in your detectors at least twice each year.

Finally, purchase a fire extinguisher specially designed for kitchen fires and mount it where it can be easily reached in case of a fire.

You've now done most everything you can to reduce the size of your monthly homeowner's insurance bill. Now it's time to go online and find at least 3 different websites that let you quickly and easily compare homeowner's insurance policies and prices side-by-side.

Be sure to take the time to make your comparisons on at least 3 different websites; that way you can be certain that you are seeing price quotes from every insurance company writing homeowner's policies in Iowa and you can rest easy knowing that you have gotten the most affordable homeowner's insurance that you could possibly find.

Raking in rewards with an american express air miles credit card

With over 9,600 merchants that accept the American Express AIR MILES credit card throughout Canada, accumulation of reward miles is really not that difficult. When you build up adequate miles for redemption, you will get a chance to travel for free, to and from the destination of your choice. Rewards may include stays at selected resorts, package vacations and cruises, travel and hotels, and merchandise rewards.

The American Express AIR MILES credit card allows you carry a balance every month. If you are a good payer, your credit limit could be set at a level of up to twenty-five thousand dollars. The minimum credit limit for an American Express AIR MILES credit card is one-thousand dollars. Although the American Express AIR MILES credit card does not carry an annual fee (which extends to the supplementary cards), the downside is that APR on purchases and on transferred balances from other cards will be higher than average.

As is the case with all American Express credit cards, you will enjoy features such as emergency card replacements, 24 hours customer service, online account access, and the option to transfer balances at low interest rates.

You can apply for an American Express AIR MILES credit card by logging on to the American Express website. You will need to provide your personal details such as name, existing credit card number (in case you have an American Express card), collector number of AIR MILES (should you have one), and date of birth. Contact details such as your home address, telephone number, and preferred e-mail address will also be requested.

Another set of information needed for the American Express AIR MILES credit card application, is your employment details. This will include your employment status, a brief description of your occupation, the telephone number at your workplace, the name and address of your employer, and your personal income per annum. During the submission process, you will be asked whether you wish to transfer any outstanding balances from your non-American Express credit cards to the American Express AIR MILES credit card. If this is your intention, provide the amount, your account number of the credit/charge card, and the name of the financial institution or the retail company.

After submitting your American Express AIR MILES credit card application, you should receive a response within one minute. If for any reason more information is required, an American Express employee will contact you within ten days.

Attaining secure instant cash advance approval

It is often said that attaining secure instant cash advance approval is something that is very difficult to do, however this is not always the case. When it comes to attaining cash approval it is a question of assets versus liabilities. If you have more liabilities than assets then you will be unable to gain finance, however should you have the opportunity for attaining assets in the future then this makes attaining secure instant cash advance approval not only easier: but profitable for both parties involved.

When you attain a cash loan you will have to pay an amount of money similar to 2-3% of what you borrow, so if you borrow Ј100 then you will have to pay $100 back + 2-3%. This may seem unfair however you have to consider the following – You are being given a loan of money by a trading company that is looking to attain a return on their money. They have to staff offices, pay rent and consume other costs such as marketing in an attempt to be given business opportunities ie customers/ potential customers that are looking to borrow money.

This is why we have to consider another cost for cash advance services, and that is bad debt/doubtful debt. This means, the risk that the company takes in the form of you not paying your instant cash on time or in full. This means that if in total 5% of people do not pay their money back, then the company only makes $95 for every $100 that it makes in revenues to their sales ledger.

This risk has to be limited, and it is done so by a process known as credit checking. What is credit checking? Credit checking is the process of limiting risk for bad debt through vetting any potential customer. This is often done by ensuring the customer is within fiscal and other demographic categories that make paying back likely. Remember that attaining secure instant cash advance approval is all about ensuring mutual benefit for the instant cash company and the borrower.

3 debt solutions you could try

Credit is so easy to gain nowadays – it's not wonder why so many people are in unmanageable debt. If you are slow in making payments or often miss payments, you are not alone. Before you file for bankruptcy, you should consider the following options.

Debt Consolidation Loan

One solution is to get a debt consolidation loan. Simply put, you will find a lender who will loan you the entire amount of your debts. You pay off your creditors and make one monthly payment on your consolidation loan. The purpose of doing this is to avoid having to pay many different creditors.

If you find a consolidation loan with a lower interest rate than the current rates that you are paying, you will save money in the long run.

Some individuals get consolidation loans in the form of home equity line of credit or a personal loan from the bank. Again, as long as the interest rate is lower, you will save from having to pay for finance charges. If you are having a hard time getting an unsecured loan, you might want to opt for a secured loan. A secured loan is backed up by collateral, usually your home or other personal possessions.

Credit Counseling

Another solution to debt problems is to contact a credit counseling agency. A qualified agent will review your current financial state and take the steps necessary to help you get your debt under control. They will most likely contact your current creditors to negotiate repayment terms in the form of a lower interest rate or reduced monthly payment. To find a good credit counseling agency, conduct a search online or browse your local phone book. Remember to check the agency for legitimacy by asking questions about fees and accreditation.

A credit counselor will also sit with you to discuss your financial future. They will teach you basic personal finance management skills and will help you create a budget you can live with. Sometimes, they may ask you to cut up your credit cards so you can avoid future debts.

Debt Management Programs

You can usually enlist in a debt management program through a credit counseling agency, or find one for yourself. In such a program, an agent will review your financial situation and ask you a few questions to make sure you qualify. They will likely negotiate repayment terms with your creditors to lighten your obligations. They will then add up the total amount of debt and figure out a monthly payment for all your bills combined. You simply send the agency a payment and they will make sure that your creditors are paid the right amount.

Again, you should do your research to find a good debt management program. Find a not-for-profit agency that has been accredited or recommended by trusted associations. Enlisting the help of a less-than-legitimate firm can get you in further financial trouble because some agencies will hold your payment longer than necessary so your money can gain interest for their own profit.

Making good debt decisions

Debt is no stranger to most Americans. Credit is becoming easier to obtain and people are charging well beyond their means and at interest rates reaching 20% or more. While “debt” is a scary word that usually is seen in a negative light, not all debt is bad. You can actually make intelligent decisions and use debt as a vehicle for building personal wealth.

Being intelligent with money and making good choices means you need to understand the difference between good debt and bad debt. Consider purchases “bad” that immediately lose their value as soon as you purchase it, or a purchase that has no potential to increase in value. Those are bad debts!

There are many times when it’s almost impossible to avoid bad debt completely. For example, if you need a new vehicle, you may need to obtain financing. A car loan is actually considered a bad debt, because once you drive it off the show room floor, it loses some of it’s value; and the car will continue to lose value every day that you drive it. If you’re unable to pay cash for a car, then you have little other options when it comes time to get another vehicle.

What about credit cards and store credit? Plastic money can be extremely tempting, with promotional offers for low or no interest repayment options and the ability to make smaller payments on a larger purchase when the money is tight. If used widely, many credit cards can actually help people leverage their spending power and their wealth. Unfortunately, most people aren’t always able to pay off their credit card balance in full each month, and the resulting interest charges from carrying a balance from one month to the next are often quite staggering.

For people who fall for the store credit promotional offers - the ability to save 10, 15 or even 20% off the current day’s order is tempting enough for most people to open a new store credit account. The problem with store credit offers and discounts like these is that if you miss a payment or carry the balance to the following month, often the interest rate is charged at a higher rate than the amount of money you will save on the purchase.

While most people can understand the downfalls of bad debt, many may be confused to learn that there is actually debt that is considered “good”. Any debt that is actually an “investment debt” and has the potential to create value is considered a good use of your debt. For example, real estate loans are usually good debts because the land and/or building can increase in value. Student loans are considered good debt because you are investing in the probability of obtaining a higher paid job once you graduate college.

Other debt that is considered a good choice is debts that are tax-deductible and have the potential to generate wealth over the long term. If you use a tax-deductible, home equity loan with a fixed, 6 or 7% interest in order to pay for a high interest credit card, your new debt is a good choice.

Unless you are independently wealthy, it’s almost impossible to avoid all types of financing and debt throughout your lifetime. In order to keep it under control however, you should limit the amount of “bad” debts you acquire and try to maximize your debt by financing your purchases with as much “good” debt as possible.

How to find out deceptive credit card offer

The internet is the place of limitless ideas, products, businesses and anything under the sun. It could also be a place of deceptive offers and persuasive advertisements?

Credit cards are already becoming a must-have item nowadays. People are seeking to own one to facilitate their shopping and traveling. Credit cards are very important properties that can be equated to cash. Almost every product that is available for sale can be purchased using the credit card. Restaurants are offering foods to be served for a credit card. Hotel rooms are made available in one swipe. Plane tickets and cruise line fees at hand provided by credit cards. There is nothing to ask for if one has a credit card.

Debts are natural to be included in credit cards. And these debts can be directly relative to the card issuer company. There are many things to look up to when credit card and credit card offers is being the subject of the conversation.

The internet, being the place of instant shop less the hassle, is also becoming the place of fraudulent offers be it form any product and even to credit cards. There are fake or marketing companies that use the internet to win attention from people who would want to their own credit card. There are a lot of them and they are drastically growing.

These companies are not actually lending companies. They can appear to be foundations that offer credit solution and the like but acts and talks the same way as a credit company. There are many ways and strategies that they are doing just to capture the attention of many and rob their money. What are the things that these fake lending companies are saying and what are the offers they frequently brag? Here are some pointers to consider on how to know whether a lending company is a fake or not.

-When companies are starting to offer zero interest and low interest at the same time but not telling what type of credit card is going to be given, chances are that the company is not giving away or is not a lending company but a marketing or sales company. This company maybe referring to one-time-credit-cards or gift checks that can be used to purchase products from the company. The card that they will give can never be used in any ATM around the world.

-When companies disregard your credit history or situation, then these certain companies maybe just pretending to be real. No lending company will disregard a credit situation of a client. Companies think first of the profits that they can get from the client and will not accommodate any losses due to non-payment.

-When companies disregard the age and employment status of a person, there is a higher possibility that these companies are just make-believing. The capacity of a person to pay is determined through his employment status. When this is disregarded, what good can it bring to the lending company? In addition, most banks and lending companies prioritize those younger person rather than the old ones. This is in lieu with the ability-to-pay scheme that lending companies are implementing.

There are still a lot of doubtful offers that you may encounter not just in the internet but also in newspapers and other media. To make sure you will not be victimized by these people, try to contact reliable banks and lending companies rather than infamous lending companies.

Top 5 reasons people get reverse mortgages

Once you’ve done your research on reverse mortgages and gained a more complete understanding of the product, the next step is to decide if a reverse mortgage is right for your situation. If you’re eligible (a homeowner 62 years of age or older with equity in your principal residence), this may be a quick decision or one that requires a bit more consideration. As with any decision, it’s always helpful to get the perspectives and experiences of others who have faced similar situations and asked themselves the same questions. So for those other folks who have decided to get a reverse mortgage, what were their reasons? We’ve asked some of our readers and site visitors and below are the top 5 reasons people get reverse mortgages:

1.Retire in style! – Most homeowners getting close to retirement age have spent that last thirty years or more making mortgage payments; depending on where you live, this monthly obligation could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to a few thousand dollars a month and beyond – phew! Every month that one big check goes out the door to the bank and leaves you with that much less cash to save, invest or spend on the items you need and want. How great is it to finally turn the tables on Main Street Bank, where they now send you a check each month? Most retirees have steady monthly costs, such as housing, medical, insurance and other necessary expenses. For non-working retirees, those expenses are managed with a fixed income from retirement accounts, pension plans, social security or other plan. The reverse mortgage allows a retiree to increase their fixed income and provide cash to do some things that they might otherwise not be able to afford to do. Typically, the personal quality of life is the number one reason people get reverse mortgages.

2.Pay hospital or medical bills – For many older Americans and retiree’s medical issues are an increasing reality in their daily lives. With the ever rising cost of healthcare, this can put tremendous demands on a fixed income. Ongoing medical treatments, prescription drug regimens, or a large one-time (possibly unforeseen) medical bill are all top reasons that people get reverse mortgages.

3.Improve or modify a home – While this may not be an expansion of the home, the early part of retirement is a great time to re-purpose your house to accommodate the way you will be living for the next ten, twenty, thirty years and on. Maybe it’s time to expand the kitchen, widen the hallways or remove some steps, or exchange the old pool in the backyard for a beautifully landscaped garden. As we get older, a top reason people get reverse mortgages is to outfit their house for their new lifestyle.

4.Dream vacation anyone? – What better time to just get away than when your working days are behind you and the weather turns a bit gloomy? Proceeds from a reverse mortgage have allowed many homeowners to take that vacation they’ve always dreamed about, but never had the time or resources to take. Bon voyage!

5.Pay off high interest rate or problematic debts – With the large amount of debt that the American consumer accumulates over a lifetime, it should be no surprise that this is a top reason people get reverse mortgages. Whether its high interest rate credit cards, a relative’s student loan debt, or even a potential foreclosure that must be dealt with, reverse mortgages can be a very effective way to get a large sum of cash to manage other debts.

These are the top 5 reasons people get reverse mortgages – once you’ve made a decision to move forward with a reverse mortgage, send us your top reasons and we’ll add them to the list!

The secret to getting really cheap car insurance in new york

New York State is a no-fault state in terms of car insurance coverage. Simply put, this means your car insurance policy will cover you, and the other guy’s car insurance policy will cover him, regardless of who was at fault for the damages.

You can purchase New York’s minimum car insurance requirements just the same as you would in any other state in America; however, New York’s minimum car insurance coverage requirements are a bit more in-depth as far as coverage goes, and pricier as far as costs go.

The minimum car insurance coverage in New York is as follows:

$10,000: Property damage liability

$50,000: Basic, no-fault coverage

Bodily injury liability: For injury, $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. For death, $50,000 per person, and $100,000 per accident.

Uninsured motorist’s coverage: For injury, $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. For death, $50,000 per person, and $100,000 per accident.

Of course, if you don’t own your car out-right, i. e., you borrowed money from a lender to help pay for it, you may have to purchase more car insurance than the minimum.

Despite the high costs of the minimum car insurance requirements, it is possible to get cheap car insurance in New York. Shop around with a few NY car insurance companies (remember, drivers in New York must purchase car insurance from a company licensed to do business in New York) and ask about what kinds of discounts they offer. Some discounts are pretty standard, such as those for good students and multi-line policies; other discounts may be unique to that particular car insurance company.

You may also make changes on your own to your car. Make sure it is up-to-date with safety features such as anti-theft alarm systems and reinforced window. Child-proof locks aren’t only safe, but impressive to car insurance companies. And instead of leaving your car in the side of the street, store it in a garage.

How to compare low cost long term care insurance in connecticut

Connecticut residents looking for long-term care should be aware that there are several types of long term care facilities. When comparing long-term care providers, be sure to compare similar types of facilities with their counterparts. For example, comparing an assisted living facility to an adult day care may result in your making an uninformed, biased decision.

Below are a few types of long-term care facilities available in the state of Connecticut:

1. Nursing Homes: These facilities provide full 24-hour care for patients who may not be able to care for themselves. It may be as a result of an accident where the patient requires recuperation and physical therapy that goes beyond hospital care, or it the patient may be a senior citizen unable to perform basic functions and the care requirements exceed those provided by a visiting nurse. Nursing homes provide care for the chronically ill and/or convalescing patient.

2. Assisted Living: In an assisted living facility, people generally are not bed ridden and usually require help with performing some daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, bathing. Assisted living facilities are usually populated by the elderly that do not require 24-hour nursing home care.

3. Adult Day Care: Day care facilities offer their patients health monitoring services. The staff will ensure that patients are well fed and hydrated. They check blood pressure and assist with basic care.

4. Continuing Care Retirement Community: This type of care provides the elderly with lifetime care. Most residents of this type of community have considerable resources to afford such care. Most residents sell their homes and move into these communities. Care varies depending on the health of the resident.

5. Residential Care: These are homes that have the necessary individuals and facilities to provide food, laundry and shelter for two or more people. The services provided do not require a skilled nurse or special training. Residential care homes help individuals by preparing food, assist with dressing and bathing.

What are your shipping options

In the next few weeks, all the carriers will complete their 2008 pricing announcements. As we look at the future, it’s probably a good bet that these carriers’ rates aren’t going down any more than the cost of oil. So what’s the impact and action plan for your business? Given the size of the increases that have been announced so far, multichannel companies need to look at all the options open to them and develop short and long-term strategies to reduce the impact.

UPS has announced that they will be increasing Ground rates by 4.9% in 2008, which is equal to last year. (FedEx will most likely match the UPS Ground increase, but that information has not yet been released.) Under new rates, the Ground commercial zone 2, 1-lb. rate has increased 5.0% over last year—overall, a 16% increase over three years, from $3.62 in 2005 to $4.20 in 2008. For 1-70 lb. packages the average increase is 4.8%. However, if the majority of your shipments are in zones 4 or 5 – like many businesses are - the increase is about 5.16%. Depending on your warehouse location and the predominant zones in which you ship to customers, the impact could be more or less than this average. Meanwhile, the Ground residential minimum charge increased to $6.15, a combination of the base rate for zone 2 and the Ground residential surcharge. In a quick survey of shipping tables of 66 multichannel companies, we found that 71% of the tables were lower than this $6.15 minimum charge.

As AFMS Logistics Management Group’s Managing Director Rick Collins points out, “The announced rate increases of 4.9% for Ground and 6.9% for Air from FedEx and UPS masks the true impact for many shippers. The base rates may average the announced increases across the board; however higher zone express shippers could experience increases in the 9-10% range. Additionally, surcharges are increasing up to 20% in some cases. Surcharges for irregular and large packages are up 8.3% to 12.5%. Commercial remote add-ons are increasing 7.1% and residential fees are up 5.4% for Ground.”

All is not totally gloom. There was some good news on November 15, when the Postal Service Governors announced that future prices will be adjusted using new regulations issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on October 29. Consistent with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, future price increases for mailing services will be capped at the rate of inflation. Said Postmaster General John E Potter, “This delivers one of the main goals of the new law for business mailers—a predictable price schedule.” The new pricing regulations give the Postal Service added flexibility for shipping services. “We intend to use this new flexibility to grow our competitive business,” said Potter, “offering volume discounts and contract pricing.”

Looking at the industry as a whole, however, Edward Wolfe, transportation stock analyst for Bear Stearns & Co., had this to say: “Our sense is FedEx is clearly trying to send a message of pricing strength to both its customers and to competitors UPS and DHL.”

I think we’ve gotten the message. Now we need to do everything we can to reduce freight costs.

With the continual increases in the cost of oil and shipping, we think that companies need to assess both short and longer-term strategies. Here are 15 short - and long-term options to investigate:

1. Renegotiate your contract.

2. Can you use USPS to your advantage?

3. Are you using best-way rate shopping?

4. Consider package weighing, and take out inserts when they push the package into a higher bracket.

5. Can you leverage economies of scale using the same carriers for inbound and outbound freight?

6. Investigate the economics of a second warehouse to reduce the distance and cost to ship to the customer.

7. Reassess your shipping and handling table in light of the changes.

8. If you’re going to use free shipping, re-assess the minimum dollar order value and its effects on your transportation costs. Should the minimum be increased?

9. Review whether you should use by-item shipping charges in your web and catalog copy for heavy and oversize products.

10.Can you make use of package consolidators and zone skipping?

11. Assess your total operation and determine if other costs can be reduced to help offset these increases.

12. Improve your inventory forecasting and systems to improve inventory position and decrease the cost of back orders; keep in mind the $6.15 Ground residential minimum charge.

13. From marketing and merchandising perspectives, how can the average order value be increased so that shipping cost is not such a large percent of the average or small order?

14. Review your policies for giving away free freight to return merchandise.

15. Is it time to use an experienced transportation consulting company to help you get savings? Or are you big enough to hire an internal specialist to continually assess and hopefully lower your costs?

Contract renegotiation is your #1 weapon. How much can be saved will depend on a number of factors: how well prepared you are in terms of knowing your package shipping profile; knowledge of carrier pricing and what can be discounted and negotiated; the 70+ accessorial charges and how they make up your total costs, etc. An increase in the carrier’s list rates does not necessarily translate to higher shipping costs. Bear Stearns’ Wolfe says, “At this point, we continue to expect the market, not announced large rate increases, to determine the direction of pricing.” “The market” means competitive bidding and your ability to negotiate. Another factor to consider is how important your account is to the depot or hub. We’ve learned that sometimes smaller accounts are much more important than management might realize, given the outbound volume.

The most nimble multichannel companies will determine how to offset these foreboding continual increases. We believe it will take all the weapons—both short-term tactics and longer-term strategies—to keep profitability from eroding.

Tight on cash helpful advice for ways to make money

If you are anything like me, you are always thinking about ways to make money. I have a full-time job and make a somewhat civilized living, but it just never seems to be enough. My bills just wont go away, no matter how many times I try to overlook them. Over the years, I have learned that there are some other ways to make money than resorting to prostitution or selling drugs. While both of those ‘jobs’ may earn decent money and be tax-free, they are not the idea ways to make money. Ending up in jail or even worse, isnt going to help your bills disappear any quicker.

I will contribute with you some of the ways to make money that I have uncovered or tried. A few of them may sound ridiculous or useless, but if you need money, there is a need for creativity. If you dont have a job, one of the best ways to make money is to find one. If you are capable of having two jobs or picking up a part-time job in addition to your other jobs or schooling, it would be the most perfect way. I presently work full-time and part-time and am raising a child. It isnt easy but I am strong-minded to become debt-free as quickly as possible.

If you have hobbies or talents that you could turn into money, go for it. Whether it be making crafts or painting murals, something that interests you and you are excellent at can be a great way to add to your income. While there are tons of ways to make money, utilizing your talents could also lead to other door openings in your life. Other ways to make money contain yard sales and selling items you no longer need. Not only could you earn a few dollars by doing this, but it is an brilliant way to clean your house as well. I have sold plenty of things that I have been storing in my garage. I can now fit my car inside of it.

There are ample of other ways to earn money. Local newspapers may need delivery carriers. That could potentially lead to a few hundred dollars extra each month. Babysitting children in your neighborhood, mowing lawns, other chores that people dont enjoy doing can all be ways to earn money. They may not be enjoyable, but they can pay the bills.

Several people have found ways to make money on the internet. While there seem to be some actually great ways that promise to work, be very cautious in investing any money or making any commitments to anyplace that promises huge results. Make sure the company out first with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure they are highly regarded and that it isnt a scam. There is no real guaranteed way to become rich instantly unless you win the lottery. Offers on the internet are mostly all scams. Find your own ways to make money without falling prey to them.

The importance of having a good credit rating

Many of us dream of finding "gold" and suddenly becoming rich. We then fantasize that if we were rich, we could afford anything we ever wanted such as boat, or a new car. However only a small percentage of the people are able to become rich in a short term, and most of us depend on a good credit rating to help us get the items we need. A good credit rating can ensure that you are able to borrow as much money as possible, depending on the loan repayment terms.

The importance of having a good credit rating translates into not having to worry you when you want to purchase your first house. Arranging a mortgage will be necessary, and the amount loaned to you will definitely depend on how good your credit score is. The mortgage bender will check your credit score before giving a final decision regarding the amount of money it is willing to lend for your mortgage.

Another reason why it is better to have a good credit rating is shown in the repayment terms of the loan. A loan lender will issue higher repayment terms for the life of the loan, if you are found to have less than adequate credit rating. This will mean that you could have higher interest to pay back during the life of the loan. This is common if your credit rating is unsatisfactory, and a good score has not been maintained.

Overall, not only is having a good credit rating important, checking it is important as well. Your credit rating should be checked ever so often to determine if there are any mistakes located on it. These mistakes can result in you not receiving a loan. By checking your credit rating, it is then possible to comfortably apply for a loan.

Understanding critical illness cover

One of the many forms of insurance that you can take out to give you financial peace of mind in the event that something should happen to you is critical life insurance. This type of cover will pay out a lump sum should you be diagnosed with one of the illnesses outlined within the policy.

Critical illness insurance will pay out if you are diagnosed as having a pre-determined critical illness, there are a range of around serious illnesses which are now included in a policy such as this, but of course this will vary from company to company and the policy which is on offer, so you should always ensure you understand what your particular policy covers.

However the majority of policies do cover certain conditions which are classed as core or foundation conditions and these include cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, a major organ transplant, coronary heart by pass, multiple sclerosis and a stroke. However not all illnesses are covered and in fact recently, new rulings have been set out by the Association of British Insurers regarding which conditions can be claimed on.

Due to this it is imperative that you understand conditions which are excluded from critical insurance policies. For example, conditions such as non-evasive skin cancer and prostrate cancer which isn't considered to be advanced is excluded from within a policy. Of course these are just a few examples and there are many more.

Even conditions such as heart attack has to be clearly outlined, for example there has to be evidence that there are pains in the area of the chest, along with changes to an E. C.G scan for example. If the heart problem is thought to be caused by angina then in some cases this is also excluded from the policy.

Critical illness insurance benefits everyone, those who are married and have dependant children as well as those who are single. Critical illness cover can be used to pay off the mortgage or for private medical treatment which can be more beneficial than having life cover which will only pay out if you die.

Critical insurance cover can be taken out from between the ages of 17 and 70 and can be taken out for a pre-determined amount of time, such as to go alongside the term of your mortgage. From taking out the cover there will normally be a period of time in which you cannot make a claim, for the majority of policies this is usually a period of 3 months.

Choosing the right type of critical insurance can be a problem as currently there are over 200 different versions of critical insurance cover, so understanding the type of cover you need is essential. Understanding the level of cover is also essential as some policies seem to cover just about anything, when in fact there are a lot of hidden exclusions, while a high price is charged for the product.

How savvy shoppers can make big bucks reselling their finds

This article describes a way of making easy money with high profits, for those who are savvy shoppers and are good at finding “deals” while shopping.

Are you looking for ways to make money at home? You’ve probably heard about the money you can make by cleaning out your garage and having a garage sale, or by selling your items on eBay, but I learned about a little trick recently that has made me some extra cash with very high profit margins. I have always prided myself on finding a deal. I love finding something on sale. Especially when someone says to me, “Oh, I love that blouse” and I get to tell them what a great deal I got on it. Are you one of these people? If so, your talent could earn you some extra income.

I ride horses, which is a very expensive hobby. The horses are expense, the board is expensive, the clothes are expensive and the tack is expensive. Tack is all of the gear you use when riding, like saddles and bridles and such. Every three months a tack shop in my area has a big sale. I’m on their mailing list, so I always hear about it in advance. I get there early along with several other people and wait for the doors to open. They have their usual markdowns of 20% - 40% off certain items, but then they have special items that are on close out that are marked so low they are practically free. I always scour the shop to find all of these items as quickly as I can, because they are usually in short supply. For example, one time I found two pairs of leather tall boots. These were not high quality riding boots, but they still retailed for over $100 dollars a pair. They were an odd size. The foot size was normal, but the calf size was really wide. The boots were marked down to $10 each. Most people didn’t even look at them, because of the size. But I snatched them right up and sold both pairs for over $65 each on eBay a couple of days later. The auction buyers paid the shipping charges and I made $110 profit. The people who bought them were thrilled with their purchase, because if you remember these boots sell for over $100 a pair!

Sometimes I don’t feel like dealing with eBay auctions and shipping merchandise, so I just drop the items off at my local tack exchange, where items are sold on consignment. I don’t get as much profit this way, but it saves me the trouble of selling and shipping the items. If the items are an odd size, like the boots, I usually have better luck selling them on eBay, where there are a lot more buyers looking at them.

On another occasion, I found an expensive down designer riding vest for $20. These vests sell for $200. I sold it at my local consignment shop and made $60 profit.

Now I realize most people don’t ride horses, but this way of making extra money can be used on any kind of merchandise. You just need to be a savvy shopper and know what things are worth. If you are really good at it, you could make quite a bit of money.

Lifting that credit card debt from your shoulders

Are you under severe financial stress with credit card debt, no assets and a salary that does not allow you to meet repayments? Is the situation getting worse by the month, and have you tried to consolidate or negotiate with the bank to reduce fees with no luck? I was in this situation myself at one stage. I needed help and fast! I realized I was probably not alone as many people experience financial stress as a result of increasing personal debt and rising interest rates. I decided I had to find a way to solve the problem. I turned to my favorite ebook superstore cbdeluxe for information as they have a wealth of information I can draw down from.

Firstly I decided I should seek help and advice through a financial counseling service. These organizations provide free, independent and confidential services to help you take control of your financial affairs. They help you to work out a plan and mediate with the bank on your behalf. Intermediaries tend to negotiate better with the banks and credit institutions than you can. The banks take more notice and take your situation more seriously if they are presented with a documented budget and a realistic plan of your outstanding debt. It is also time to take a close look at your spending habits. Aim to reduce your expenditure by splitting your expenses into two groups: essentials and non-essentials. Keep to an absolute minimum spending on non-essential items and keep track of your spending weekly to remain in control. It goes without saying credit cards should be shredded or locked away to be used in an emergency only.

As well as reducing your spending look at ways you can increase your income. I realized it had been a while since I had had a pay increase. Maybe for you there is an opportunity to do overtime. Taking on a second job is also an option. I started to spend more time on my computer at home and found ways of making extra money on the net. Working full time in sales I upped my goals and started to increase my commission pay cheque each month. It was because I found a light at the end of that dark tunnel again. It boosted my income while I was getting on top of my debt repayments. You need to document your month-by-month financial goals. I allowed myself a small reward each time I reached a goal for the sacrifices I was making. It kept me motivated. Surprisingly enough as I was so busy with two jobs the time went very quickly and before I knew it I was out of debt. One of the biggest rewards that happened to me was that the second job has now become my main source of income.

The last resort if all the above fails is always to consider filing for personal bankruptcy. I do mean "last resort". While it may seem an easy answer to your problems - it brings with it more problems. This has been used by directors of large corporations who then go on to start up again in other businesses, but it has serious ramifications for your future. It restricts your income, and your ability to borrow in the future. Travel ling restrictions are imposed on you as well, not to mention the stigma bankruptcy carries. Therefore the effort you put into the above ideas are a far better solution to the problem. Research all your options on my favorite ebook superstore cbdeluxe like I did and you will find a way out of the problem. Main lesson to learn from this is to keep your spending in the future to within the budgets you set yourself.

Understanding chapter 13 and chapter 7 bankruptcy

Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code gives debtors the opportunity to repay some or all of the debts that are in their name, in better terms, lower or no interest. Debtors have the ability to use income they have in the future to pay off creditors.

How Chapter 13 Works

A time frame of 5 years is allotted for debtors to be able to pay of their creditors in full. Your attorney will safeguard your interests, while the entire process is carried out under court supervision. A new interest free plan is approved by the court, which allows debtors to repay their creditors and still retain all of their property, unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A list of transactions and time duration is created for this process. Thirty to forty-five days after the case has started, payments must begin to be made.

Making Sure Chapter 13 Is The Right Choice

To qualify for Chapter 13 you must have a regular source of income. You will need to prepare a budget, fill out forms and leadings, and appear for meetings with creditors and court hearings. After all of your payments have been made in full you will be eligible to receive a discharge from your debts and the plan will be terminated. To know if Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is the right choice for your financial interests, you will first need to fill out an evaluation form as with all Chapters of Bankruptcy. Your attorney will review your form and be able to guide you towards Chapter 13 or the solution that best fits your financial situation.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is known as straight bankruptcy as well as liquidation (converting assets into money) and it is the most common form of bankruptcy. Most, if not all debts are discharged within months of your attorney filing a bankruptcy petition. Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code allows debtors who are in need of discharging debts within a situation of financial emergency to become free and clear of these debts and to become able to begin a fresh new financial start.

How Chapter 7 Works

The way Chapter 7 bankruptcy works is that a trustee is assigned to collect and to sell assets and non-exempt property to distribute the proceeds from these items to pay off creditors. In Chapter 7 the debtor receives a discharge from all dischargeable debts. These debts may include child support, most taxes and student loans under the filing of chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Making Sure Chapter 7 Is The Right Choice

To know if you are eligible or to understand if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for your situation you must first complete an evaluation form. This form will have questions regarding your debt and financial situation. By filling this form out completely and accurately, your attorney will be able to review your financial situation and provide you with a solid answer on if Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be the best choice to be made. If in fact Chapter 7 is found to be the right choice for your financial well being a well laid out set of rules and procedures will be provided and your attorney will be able to process your bankruptcy petition.

Get affordable health insurance while unemployed

Affordable health insurance for the unemployed may feel impossible to find, but as long as you know where to look and have determination it is within your reach. Actually, self-employed individuals and individuals who are employed but aren’t offered employer-sponsored group health insurance can benefit from the much of the same advice.

The first step to finding affordable health insurance for the unemployed is to find out if you’re eligible for COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) made it possible for individuals who are terminated, laid off, or transferring jobs to temporarily continue to receive group health insurance benefits. So, if you’ve just recently become unemployed for any of those reasons, referred to as “qualifying events,” contact your former employer for more information about your COBRA benefits.

The second step to finding affordable health insurance for the unemployed is to check into purchasing short-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance policies are designed with the unemployed person in mind, so rates are most likely within your budget. They can last anywhere from six to 12 months, so they’re perfect for individuals who are actively seeking employment or another form of affordable health insurance.

The third step to finding affordable health insurance for the unemployed is to contact your state’s department of insurance and request information about subsidiaries for which you’re eligible. Most states provide some form of free or low-cost health coverage for residents who meet certain income requirements. Some states even have special low-cost health insurance plans for people who can’t otherwise obtain health insurance. At the very least, you should find a free or low-cost health coverage program that will provide health care for your children, or assistance with special health care needs (i. e. diabetes, mental health, female health check-ups and conditions, etc.)

A change in your employment status doesn’t mean a change in your health needs. It may take some footwork, but it’s possible to find affordable health insurance for the unemployed.

Part-time traders deserve respect too

More than likely, you feel you fall in to the large category of people who consider themselves part-time traders - or would do so if they were active in the markets. That can cover a lot of ground, though, so it makes sense to start with a definition.

For our purposes, a part-time trader is one who can, at most, spend a couple of hours a day developing trading strategies and putting them in to effect. That covers an awful lot of people It runs the full spectrum from those who can monitor the markets each day to those who only have a few hours a week, if that. Most of us fall in to that category.

There seems to be a stigma attached to part-time trading, though. All the notoriety goes to the day trader – someone ready, willing, and able to spend long hours in front of the computer screen, with market information flowing before their eyes. We have certainly all heard the tales of those who quit their jobs to trade full-time. Even when that ends badly, there is still the idea that it was a venture of worth and should be admired.

What about the rest of us, though?

If you read much in the chat boards and trading forums, where there are regular discussions about what one needs to do to trade full-time, you can develop a serious complex. It is easy to come away feeling like you are some kind of lesser breed of trader if you do not aspire to the life of a full-time trader.

The fact of the matter is that only a small fraction of traders do it full-time. Most of us have other things to occupy our time. We have jobs and families and other demands. The idea of day trading or trading for a living - giving up the life of an employee - sounds great, but we are not necessarily seriously considering it.

What’s more, trading full-time is a grind. Sure, the markets can be a lot of fun, and they definitely have their excitement. Sitting at a desk watching charts and news reports all day, though, can take a major toll. It is not something most people can do for long periods of time, or would even want to try, for that matter. There is little social interaction, and when there is it can be very strained for all kinds of reasons related to egos and paranoia.

The part-time trader is the one that should be getting the acclaim. These are the people who balance an array of demands while at the same time trying to better their financial situation. They quietly go about their task with no fan-fare or hoopla. Sure, there might be a bit of bragging by the water cooler from time to time. They are aloud to be proud of what they do. For the most part, though, it is a modest group, just out to do the best they can in what little time they have available to them.

Here’s the thing. Part-time trading can be extremely worthwhile. It is a huge misconception that has people believing it takes full-time effort to make big money in the markets. That is utterly false. A part-timer can certainly achieve returns at least as positive as ones seen by more active traders.

Actually, if you want to really boil it down, a part-time trader can achieve much better results than a full-time one when considering the amount of time invested. Think about it. If Trader A makes $1000 after an eight our day of trading and Trader B makes that same amount, but in only two hours, who is doing better? For those of us whose time is precious, Trader B’s $500/hour seems a lot better than Trader A’s $125/hour.

Effective part-time trading is really all about time management. It’s about making the absolute best use of the little time you have at your disposal. The new Time Crunch Trading book is being designed to help you do exactly that. It will show you all kinds of things you can do to maximize the time you put in to trading and managing your portfolio.