Financial Advice for UK Students

The time that you spend in the college and all that you learn is worth borrowing money. But as you step out of your college you have to arrange for the loan repayment installments. Here are some tips which you can use to arrange for the tuition fees and for some finances in case your debt situation goes out of control.

Search out for the scholarships
There are different types of scholarship programs at the district and state level. Find out about such programs. The best thing about such scholarships is that they don't expect you to be a topper but they ask you to have a particular grade which proves that you are a good student.

Search for the colleges charging less tuition fees
Shop around. Search for the college that respects your grade. Find out the college that treats you as a special student. Such colleges offer a discount in the tuition fees for their special students. Choose a college where you find yourself in the top ten students. With such rank you can bargain for your tuition fees.

Take admission in a local college
Choose a local college, stay with your parents and save on the expenses. But think before you make this move. Because then you will be missing the student life and social activities in the school campus.

What about a part time job
List down your interest and hobby and take it up as your part time carrier. If you are good at computers then go ahead and find out what you can do with all the knowledge you have. You can also take up tuitions, mow the garden, work as a mechanic in a garage or take up baby sitting.

A part time job not only earns you some extra pocket money but it also improves your skills. Just analyze what you can do. What skills you have. Find out your strength and weaknesses and search the job accordingly. Who know your part time job may end up as a full time carrier in future.

Think before you apply for the loan
Loan in such times of recession and turmoil should not be the obvious choice. But if you are still determined then apply for the government loans designed for the students.

If you do not qualify for such loans then shop around and compare the quotes of different private lenders before you make a choice. Understand the terms and conditions and clear all your doubts.

Apply for tax return
If you are in a part time job then don't forget to apply for the returns. Take some leave and visit the officials for the details. If possible take the advice from an expert in the field. Start with the process about two to three month before the date of filing the return application.

Avoid using credit cards and pay your debt amount on time so that you keep up with your credit scores.

Wedding Plan on a Budget

Last month I attended the wedding anniversary of my friend William and his wife Cynthia. On being asked how he felt, William replied," I never realized the true meaning of happiness, until I got married to Cynthia; but it was too late by then."

Jokes apart; a marriage is perhaps the most important decision in a person's life; and this might be one of the reasons why people often get carried away and end up exceeding their budget.

Now, if are the chairperson of Microsoft Inc. then overspending may not actually affect you, but if you are a regular guy with an average income, then you must always take care to see to it that you are not overspending.

Marriage plan on a budget is definitely a tightrope walk for those who wish to have a wedding, simply because your fiancée wants a lavish wedding whereas you are focusing on the financial aspect. This may have serious consequences in future. Now, just when you have thought that you have lost all hopes; there is good news for you. Yes, you can have a fairly lavish wedding at a shoe string budget. All you need to do is to keep the following points in your mind.

Starting with the wedding ring; you need to look out for a wedding ring that appears elegant, yet is on the lower side of the price. You will find a lot many options in the market. What you need to do is see to it that, you keep your eyes open for such products.

Next, we have the wedding dress. A very common way of cutting down on costs is to settle for a second hand tuxedo or wedding gown. You may feel it odd, but ultimately you have to realize that in all probability, you will not wear it again. And, once the wedding is over, you can re-sell it. Of course, you should remember not to invite the person who sold you the weeding dress; for obvious reasons of course. You can also go for a wedding dress on rent counter.

You can also cut down on the wedding expenses, by avoiding a professional photographer. You can always find a kid in your locality, which would do the job for you in half the cost.

You can also cut down on the wedding card expenses. Settle for Microsoft publisher instead, which would give you the same results in virtually no cost.

You can also get wedding planner software installed at your home P.C. This would also help you in reducing your wedding costs by a considerable margin.

If you take care of the above mentioned rules, then I am sure, you would be able to achieve your goal.

Wedding Loans

With wedding loans you can arrange for the funds if your wedding expenses are getting out of your budget. Weddings are an expensive affair. You need money for the dress, reception, catering and decorations. There are other miscellaneous expenses which just suck out the money from the account and you soon feel that you are running out of money. Here you can take the help of wedding loans.

Wedding loans are available as secured wedding loan and unsecured wedding loans. In secured form of loan you place a property as collateral. The property can be any which has a market value. You can place your car, home or important documents as collateral.

If you don't have your own home or you don't want to engage your property in loans then you can apply for unsecured wedding loans. The interest rates for the two forms vary.

The secured loans come with slightly lower interest rates than the unsecured forms. Factors such as your credit history, the amount that you borrow, your employment status, credit score and rates prevailing in the market affect the interest rates.

Both the form of wedding loans comes with either fixed interest rate or variable interest rates. With fixed interest rates you pay a fixed interest amount for the whole term. but if you apply for the loan with variable interest rates than you pay the interest which may vary from time to time during the loan term. The flexible interest rates vary with the fluctuations in the market. They may rise or fall. Therefore choose the type of interest rate carefully.

Bad credit loans are also available for the individuals with bad credit score. All the conditions related to the bad credit scored are taken care of so that you can arrange for the funds that you require for making your wedding memorable.

To find a wedding loan which suits your conditions and financial needs you have to shop around. Wide range of information is available on internet. Search for the information on internet. The companies provide free quotes for the loan. Download the quotes and compare them on the interest rates, fees, terms and conditions.

If you have a bad credit history then first apply for the credit report and credit score. Scan your report for any mistakes. If there are any then report them to the agency and ask them to correct the mistakes. These loans are available from £ 1000 to up to £ 20, 000. You can borrow the amount that you need and use it to make your wedding a memorable event.

Secured home improvement loans

Home improvement loans provide you with the necessary amount so that you can give your home a new look. These loans are designed so that you can pay for the renovation, maintenance or extension of your house. You can also use the money to improve your kitchen, add a room, improver furnishing, repair the floor and correct the leaking ceilings.
With secured home improvement loan you use the equity in your home. You place your home as collateral for the amount that you want for the repairs and construction. With the money you can conveniently modify the living space to give it a new look.

These loans are available to the self employed, professionals, individuals with bad credit history, CCJs and individuals with history of bankruptcy. These loans come with low interest rates as the home that you place as collateral lowers the risk of the lender. But the interest rates for the individuals with bankruptcy or bad credit history the rates are slightly higher than the standard interest rates.

Characteristics of secured home improvement loans

• You have to place your home as collateral.
• The interest rates on loan are generally fixed but some lenders give you the option of variable interest rate.
• You can borrow $1000 to $2, 50,000 depending upon your needs.
• These loans come with the repayment period of twenty four months to twenty five years. You can choose the repayment term according to your financial situation and repaying capacity.
• With the loan amount you can add the swimming pool, improve the kitchen, and use it to renovate your bedroom or to convert your lobby into a small study room.
• The loan is also available to the individuals with bad credit history but for them the amount comes at slightly higher interest rate.
• The interest on such loans is tax deductible.
• If your loan amount is more than $100,000 then the officials may ask for some documents such as the plan for the renovation that you want to take, an information sheet from the contractor and a letter with all the specifications signed by your contractor.

Eligibility conditions for home improvement loan
The home that you wish to place as collateral should have a high market value. Besides this you should be not less than eighteen years of age. You should also have a regular income and you should be employed so that you can repay the loan amount that you borrow.

Good credit history is also a condition for the loan. Although the loan is also available to the individuals with bad credit score but a good credit increase the chances to qualify for the loan.
Secured loans are long term loans which give you money for big construction or renovation. There are companies which sanction the loan online. You just have to visit the site, get the quotes and apply for the loan.

Know the Risks of Forex Trading

The Forex market is a non centralized market. Different types of risks are associated with the Forex market. These are the exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, country risk, leverage risks, scams and credit risk. Lets discuss them one by one.

Exchange rate risk
The exchange rate is the rate at which different currencies are quotes in the market. It is the rate at which one currency is quoted in relation to another currency in the market. Stop loss orders and limit orders are used to minimize the fluctuations in the currency prices over a trading period. The stop orders help you to close the currency if the prices of the currency fall beyond a certain level.

The limit order on the other hand is used to close the open position of the currency when it reaches a predetermined rate which earns profit. The stop orders when used along with the limit orders reduce the exchange rate risk to minimum.

Credit risk
Credit risk defines the risk of default by either of the party involved in the currency transaction. Bank or financial institutions becoming insolvent result in the loss of credits. To reduce the chances of credit risk it is advisable to trade in the regulated markets.

Interest rate risk
The currencies are exchanged at particular interest rate. The economic conditions in a country affect the exchange rate and the interest rate of the currency in that country. It is the difference between the interest rate of the two currencies. This differential is the carry cost that you pay to hedge a forward or future contract.

Country risk
This risk arises when the government of the country introduces some policy or takes some measures which affect the exchange rate of the currency.

Scams
Approach a certified broker to save yourself from the scams. Check if the broker is registered with the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. You can also trust a broker if he is a member of National Futures Association.

Leverage risk
Leverage increase the return but higher the amount higher will be the risk. In case the market moves the other way round against your expectations then you loose all or a large part of what you earn. Optimum level of leverage is thus what you should use when you trade in foreign exchange market.

You can minimize these risks with a proper trading strategy. Plan well when you will enter and exit the market. Use stop loss and limit order to manage the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations. Study the market carefully before you enter the market with your savings.

The Secret Tips to Make Auto Accident Insurance Claims Easier

Auto accident insurance gives you the necessary financial cover for the accidents. The insurance compensates the medical bill and for other associated expenses that you meet due to accident.

Try to be as honest as you can in your claim. This is important because there are number of cases that get disqualified each year as fraudulent cases. Here are some tips which you can use to claim for auto accident insurance.

Contact your financial advisor
This is the first thing that you should do. Contact your advisor who suggested you the plan. Ask him about the claim procedure. Ask him all that you require for the claim; the documents that you need and the proof that you need.

Discuss with him your policy details and find out what and how much you are entitled to this is especially important if your policy is in the initial stage. You can also approach the company directly and ask the officials about the claim procedure. Find out from the officials what they want you to do; what they want you to submit along with your claim statement.

Find out about the cover that you have
Take you policy documents and calculate the coverage that your policy gives you. Read your policy documents carefully and find out how much you can claim. If you have more than two insurance policies that give you auto insurance cover then go through them and find out how much you are entitled to.

Prepare an auto insurance claim statement
Prepare a statement about the accident. Collect all the necessary documents and bills that you can present as a proof. Place the medical bills in order. If possible ask your physician to prepare a detailed report of the injuries.

Attach them on to your statement. List the medical reports of the injuries. Find out the details of the witnesses. Find out about their address and contact number. Mention them in your statement.

Stay in contact with the claim department of insurance company
The insurance company will send an official to your place that will examine and find out the authenticity of the documents that you place with your claim statement. The company will also send an adjuster who will look into the process. They may ask you to fill some forms before they finalize your claim.

Keep all the evidence ready with you. Fill all the forms as quickly as you can so that there are no delays from your side. Keep track of the procedure. If possible write down all that you go through, all that you discuss with your officials and all that you place as evidence.

Some Useful Credit Options for Starting a Business

There are different financing options for your business. Funds are available if you have a sound business idea and have a will to transform the idea into a reality. You can apply for business line of credit, loans or business credit cards. The credit unions are also useful when it comes to easy credit options for the start up business.

Let's discuss different credit options.

Credit union
You can get easy credit for your start up business from such unions. The credit is available at low interest and easy repayment options. The loan fee from such unions is also very low which make the credit from such unions a lucrative option.

Business credit cards
You can also apply for the business credit card. You can have the card with the name of your business on it so that you can utilize it to the fullest just for your business.

Business line of credit
You can apply for business line of credit to raise fund both for the short term and long term needs of your business. It is available as unsecured line of credit and secured line of credit. The unsecured line of credit is the best option to raise funds for the short time and current needs of the business. You can use the fund to finance the inventory needs, or pay to your employees or your creditors.

The unsecured line of credit does not require any guarantee from your side and it is given solely on the basis of your creditworthiness.

If you require more funds for your business then you can apply for the secured line of credit. For this you have to place collateral to raise the funds for your business. Higher amount of capital can be raised from secured line of credit as compare to the unsecured line of credit.

Besides these options you can also consider the home equity loans for your business. These loans are low interest loans. The interest on such loans is tax deductable. You can secure your home to avail the benefits of this loan.

Before you apply for any of the business credit options register your business. The financial institutions look into such information and verify that your business is a legal entity with phone number and address in the directory, before they consider your loan application.

Before you choose any of the credit option for your business, study it carefully. Find out everything about the option. Research well. Prepare your business plan and then choose one which best suit your business needs.

Know How You Lose Your Money

There are different ways by which we continue to loose money. You loose it when you spend the money on small things, spend lavishly. Bad investments can also make you loose your money.

Unwise investments make you loose your money. Any unwise and hasty decision may reduce the returns and thus may make you loose your money. So weigh all the investments plans before you put your money in them. Find out everything about such plans. Consult an expert in the field.

Find out different options available. Find out where you can invest your money. Make a list of all such plans. You can find the information on different websites. With the list ready, next you can do is find out the risk with the investment plans.

High return securities carry with them high risk. Stocks earn you high return but they carry high risk. Government securities give less return but give less return. Find out how much risk you can take with your investments. Then plan how you will invest your savings so that you can reduce your risk. Plan a portfolio. Make a list of different type of securities. This will help you to diversify the risk and help you to earn higher returns.

Find out everything about the securities and stocks that you choose. Search the information on different websites. Ensure that the stocks in which you plan to invest are there in the stock exchange list. This will prevent you from falling into the scams; other common way makes you loose your money.

Don't trust anyone and any advertisement blindly. Use your senses and knowledge. Find out each and everything related to the investment plan and the company that you approach. Ask them about their authenticity. You have the right to do so. Evaluate each and everything before you invest your hard earned money in some security.

Think before you spend your money. Squandering is the most common and most popular way which makes you loose all that you have saved for quite some time. Think before you plan for a vacation. Sit down and take a deep breath. Find out other more viable options to spend your money.

Calculate the taxes that this extra money will make you pay. Find out the ways by which you can save the tax. Find out about the investment options which help you to multiply your money besides giving you the advantage of tax deduction or exemption.

Don't loose your money. Invest it wisely and let it multiply.

Get the Best Secret Tips to Avoid Paying Income Tax

Tax avoidance is the legal means by which you can reduce the amount of tax that you pay. The best way is to take the advantage of the deductions and exemptions designed by the government so that you can reduce your tax liability. Taxes are the source of revenue for the government.

The money from taxes is used by the government to carry out various development activities. The government also designs different deduction and exemption schemes so that the citizens are motivated to invest their earnings in different saving schemes.

You can take the advantage of deductions offered by different saving schemes. There are different types of investment plans in which you can invest and save tax.

Invest for your retirement
The retirement plan offers you the tax deduction if you invest $14000 in 401(k) and 403(b). You can also invest upto $4000 of your pre tax income and apply for the tax deduction.

Make charity donations
Make charity, take the slip of the donation that you make and use the slip to file tax return.

Gift your heir
Gift your heir up to $11000 and save taxes. If both of you that is you and your spouse gifts your heirs an amount of $11000 then you can file a return of $22000 and save the amount that you pay to the government as tax.

Invest for your child education
This is one of the best ways to save the taxes besides investing for your child future. The amount is deductable till you use the amount for the education of your child.

Consult an expert in the field
Consult the lawyer and find out the ways by which you can avoid taxes. Most of us are unaware of different tax laws and the exemption schemes designed by the government. The layers and advisors can guide you and inform you about different schemes and plans which you can use to claim deduction and exemptions to reduce your tax liability.

Some of us do not disclose our whole income or property. This way most of us try to reduce the amount of tax that we pay. But the best way out of the situation is to consult an expert in the field who can suggest you some legitimate ways to avoid taxes.

Completely avoiding taxes is difficult. This is also not the right way to avoid taxes. This is because if the tax department finds out that you are not paying any tax then they can fine you for this. So the best way out is find out the tax liability that you have and find out the different deductions available so that you can file your returns and reduce your tax liability.

How to Finance Ambulance

Ambulance forms an important part of the healthcare industry. The hospitals need well equipped ambulance so that they can provide the best care to the patients. Financial companies now offer low interest and low fees loans to the hospitals so that they can arrange the ambulance for the patients within their operational budget.

The level 1 ambulance is the most important type of ambulance which every hospital should possess. These ambulances meet the OSHA and EPA standards. This type are highly priced which exceed the operational budget of the hospitals. Also not all institutions finance such level 1 ambulance. Therefore to raise finance for level 1 ambulance, reach the reputed financial institutions.

Level 2 ambulances are the mobile vehicles which come with different facilities for different emergency needs. Similarly are the level 3 and level 4 ambulances. These are the mobile vehicles which come with different medical facilities so that the patients can be given the utmost care.

These types of ambulances are especially useful for the hospitals in the critical emergency situations and in the situations of the infectious disease outbreak. These ambulances are highly sophisticated vehicles must for every hospital. As they come with different configurations they exceed the budget of the hospitals.

Besides this the patient transport ambulance is a necessity for every hospital to provide immediate care to the patients while they are transported to the hospital.
There are recognized financial institutions which extend the financial help for ambulance requirement in the form of loans. The hospitals considering raising funds from the outside sources should find out about such financial institutions.

The small financial companies generally do not provide loans for ambulance. The therefore it is essential for the hospital authorities to search for the reputable financial companies which have experience in this field.

The finance for the ambulance and rescue vehicles is available in the form of loans and lease. Leasing has its advantage over other type of financing. With leasing equipment and vehicles with latest technology can be purchased. The payments can be spread over the years which make the ambulance much more affordable. This also allows reserving the capital for other hospital requirements.

With loan as an option it is advisable to look for the recognized and reputable financial company that has some years of experience in the field of lending loans for the ambulance financing. The information about such institutions is there on the internet.

Best approach is to compare different financial companies on the basis of the interest rates and fees for processing the loan application. Select the company that approves the loan immediately.

Useful Tips for Holiday Shopping on a Budget

With the holidays nearby, shopping is on the card. Here are some tips which you can use to buy gift for your loved ones within the budget you plan.

Make a list
Smart shoppers always prepare a list before they go out for shopping. Prepare a list. Plan well in advance what you will buy once you are in store. This will save you from impulse purchase.

Plan your expenses
Decide well in advance how much you will spend on the gifts. Prepare a list and write the name of each member for whom you want to purchase the gift. Write the maximum amount that you wish to spend on the gift next to the name of the person. Then write down the different type of gift that you can purchase within this limit.

Search online stores
Shopping online is convenient. Visit the online stores and see what they have for you. Find out the discount schemes offered for the different items of your interest.

Compare the prices in different stores
Compare the price of the items of interest in different stores. There are different sites online which offer this service. By comparing the prices you can manage to get some of the best gifts at very affordable prices.

Start early
Start well in advance around a month or so to avoid the last minute panic related to shipping of the gifts.

Inform yourself of the shopping policy
Find out the details of the shopping policy of the store from where you plan to buy the gifts. Get the details of how the gifts are shipped and how long it takes for the gift to be delivered to the specified destination. Also inquire about the return or exchange policy of the store.

Sign up for emails
Visit the online stores and sign for the email alerts about the new items being introduced in the store, the discounts and concessions offers and early bird sales offers. Also ask your friends to inform you about such offers. Share the information with your friends and family members so that you don't miss the attractive offers and schemes.

Look for the discount schemes
Find out about the discount schemes and concessions, group discounts and rebates at the stores. Search for the free shipping offers or discounts on shipping of the purchase items. Consider the bargain offers. Look out for buy one get one free offers. Find out about the coupons.

Send postcards
Postcards and e-greetings are more economical than the regular cards. You can express your greetings the same way with these cards and still stay within your budget.

Advice to Teach Yourself Finance

Finance is a broad term. With the development and expansion of the market and the way the business is conducted, finance is not just confined to accountancy. It also includes working capital management, financial management, management accounting, economics, portfolio management and risk management.

If you want to teach yourself finance then find about such sub streams in the field. With the knowledge of finance you can be a financial planner or you can take up a carrier in risk management or portfolio management. To teach yourself finance you can follow the tips mentioned below:

1. First make yourself aware of the basics. Find out what finance is all about. Get informed about the basics of accountancy and economics. This will lay the foundation of the subject and make you understand the more complicated portion of the subject in much better manner.
2. Visit the local libraries and find out the books which explain the text in easy manner along with the examples. Consult the revised edition of the books which have the recent information. The methods of finance keep on changing. What was applied few years ago stands irrelevant today. Therefore check for the books with latest information and accountancy approach.
3. With all the basics clear narrow down on the specific field in which you want to specialize.
4. Approach the university or college in your area and find out the courses that they offer in finance. It is better to join a part time or regular course in a nearby university. Browse the internet and find out the different colleges offering short term courses in finance.
5. Visit the local college and ask for the text books that are available for the non college students. These text books will give you a more direct approach towards the subject.
6. Visit the market and search the books for the beginners. Also search for the books on personal finance. These books will give you an insight into the subject and teach you the fundamentals. Read and understand the debit and credit transactions. Make yourself aware about the balance sheet entries and financial statements.
7. Take the subscription of the financial magazines and newspapers. These magazines will give you an insight of how the knowledge of finance is actually applied.

Lots of information is available online. There are different online dictionaries available on the subject. Visit the sites such as investopedia for the definition of the financial terms. You can also visit the sites such as Finance Professor for the latest financial news and articles. Join the online communities for to share and clear your doubts on the subject.

Important ways to Track Business Transactions

It is important to track all the transactions. Cash inflows and outflows are important and if not recorded properly they can lead the business into serious financial troubles. Here are some of the ways which can prove helpful to track business transactions.

1. Record all the transactions: this is the most important step to keep a track. You can record the transactions in individual ledger account or enter the information in the computer spreadsheet. Enter all the cash outflows and inflows.
2. Allot the job to a specific person: appoint a person who looks into the transactions taking place. Design the job of the person such that the person records all the transaction in the books under different headings, manage all the cash inflows and out flows such that at the end of the day you have all the records of the money that is withdrawn and deposited in the business account.
3. Deposit your cheques everyday: the verification of the cheques takes time. To take the benefit of the actual date of payment and receipt try to deposit cheques on time.
4. Ask your clients to pay you on time: longer the repayment duration, longer your books remain unbalanced. Timely payments help you to record the transactions on time and this saves you from the hassle of balancing your accounts in last moments.
5. Clear your outstanding dues on time: make sure you pay all your creditors on time. Long standing dues not only add up to the interest but also keep your books unbalanced for a long time. Avoid postponing the payments until it is extremely necessary.
6. Record your transactions under different headings: start with a broad heading of cash inflow and cash out flow. Under these broad headings enter all the transactions under specific headings. This will give you the clear picture of all the cash that has flown in and out of the business in certain time period.
7. Use one cheque book instead of two: this is important if you wish to enter all the transactions accurately. Using one cheque book will help you to keep a track of the entire amount that you pay to different lenders and creditors. This also helps you to record all the payments in orderly manner. The entry in the cheque stub can be used for verification if there is any error in balancing the accounts.

Keep a track on all the business transactions if you want your business to grow. To track your finance you don't have to be an accounting expert. Just follow the above mentioned points and manage your business finances.

Best 5 reasons Why Mortgage Applications Get Rejected

The mortgage application is rejected by the financial companies due to several reasons. It may be due to insufficient fund in your bank account or high valuation of the property that you wish to finance.

The lender may also reject your application if you do not fulfill the eligibility conditions for the loan. Here are the top five reasons why mortgage application gets rejected:

1. Credit rating: the financial company will first look into your credit history and score. They will reject your application if you have a previous history of bankruptcy or have a poor credit score. They may also reject your application if you have some pending loans. They will look into all the types of loans in your portfolio. This includes the personal loans, car loans, credit card loans etc.
2. Your debt situation: if you owe too much money to different lenders then your application for the mortgage loan may be rejected. All this information is revealed by the crediting agencies. Therefore, if you want your lenders to sanction your loan then clear all your debts before approaching them.
3. Valuation of the property: make sure that the property that you want to finance is evaluated properly. The financial companies reject your application when your property is overvalued or undervalued.The property is appraised according to the location, conditions of the house and the amenities the property provides. Your lender will send their experts to appraise your property. Therefore, find out the correct market value of the property before you place your mortgage application with any financial company.
4. Funds in your account: your lender wants you to have some money in your account for the down payment. They do not sanction the full amount. You are expected to pay about five to twenty five percent of the amount from your wallet.You are also required to pay the fees for the loan application. The company will thus look into your bank account to ascertain that you have sufficient money for all these type of payment. They will sanction the loan amount only if they are sure that you can pay them their fees and sign the down payment cheque.
5. Low income: the financial company will look into your repaying capacity. If you do not have sufficient income or fail to give them the income proof, they will reject your application. This happens if you apply for the loan which is twenty eight percent higher than your income. Look into such conditions before applying for the mortgage loan.

Advantages of Debt Consolidation and Reduction

With debt consolidation you roll up all your debt under one lender. You take the loan from this new lender and use the sum to pay off different lenders. This helps you to lower the monthly installments that you pay to different lenders.

Debt consolidation in fact makes your debt situation much more manageable. You improve your credit score as you don't have to file bankruptcy. You pay all your lenders and clear your dues with debt consolidation and reduction.

The debt consolidation and reduction reduce the worries and stress associated with the debt. You don't have to run to different lenders and make the payments. The repayment agencies are there for you. You deposit the payments and these agencies pay to your lenders. Single monthly payments make the debt management much easier.

You don't have to remember all the deadlines of the loan installments that you have to pay to different lenders. With debt consolidation, you pay regular installments to just one lender. This thus lowers the lenders significantly and thus provide for a better administration and management of the debt.

The plan is structured and customized according to the needs of the individuals. Thus, if you apply for the debt consolidation loan, the agency where you approach for the loan will ask you about the loan that you owe to different lenders, the interest that you pay to different lenders, and the installments that you pay.

They take the information about the mode of payment and the term of the loan. They also ask you all the details of all your expenses and your annual income. With all this information they devise a debt management plan that is practical enough to be followed.

Debt reduction is a part of debt consolidation which either reduces your debt completely or reduces them significantly through different debt consolidation options. The debt settlement helps you to lower the debt by 50% to 80%. In this you approach your lender on your own or through a debt settlement agency and negotiate with your lender.

You explain your lender that you are not in a condition to pay your debts any further and need to settle the pending amount. This way you pay much less than you would actually have paid.

You can also apply for home equity loans to roll up all your debts under one lender. This loan lowers the total interest rate. The interest that you pay is tax deductible. Also the loan comes with the repayment term of 15 years. You can spread the loan installments over the years and lower your monthly installment amount.

Best tips on buying a House at Auction

Investment in real estate is considered as a profitable investment. And if the property is sold in auction, you can manage to get the property at fraction of its original value. Properties are auctioned and the information appears in the newspapers about three to four weeks before the date of the auction.
If you wish to buy a property at auction then you can use the following tips:

1. Read the newspaper. The information about the auctions appears in the local newspapers. This information is also available online.
2. Contact the real estate agent to get you listed in the auctioneer list. Contact the auctioneer and get the auction catalogue form him. This brochure is available for a fee. This catalogue will give you the information about the sales and the condition of the sale.
3. Inspect the property. Visit the property in person and take a view of the location and the property itself. Note down the details. Find out whether it is worth purchasing.
4. Contact the real estate dealers and the neighbors for the advice and information about the home that you plan to buy at the auction.
5. Get all your finances in place. After auction you will get a very short time for all the payments. You will be asked to make about ten percent of the payment on the day of auction and the remaining amount within a month. Therefore, arrange for all the finances that you will require for the payments.
6. Find out the present value of the property. Find out how much the property will cost you and how much you can make on reselling it. Also add to it the fees of the solicitor and other professional fees you will be giving in the whole process. This will give you a broad idea about the profits that you will earn from the auction and sale.
7. Decide the maximum bid that you will make. Stick to this limit. Never get carried away during the auction process.
8. Contact a solicitor who will prepare all the documents for you.
9. Read all the terms carefully. Find out the different charges that the auctioneer can levy on you. Find about the penalties that can be charged in case you back up. Every auction has different terms. Go through these terms to have a clearer picture of the whole process.

Don't be disheartened if you cannot buy the home. The auctions take place often all around the country. Get hold of the information and follow the tips the next time you go for the auction.

Advantages of Online Stock Trading

Online stock trading offers many advantages over traditional method of stock trading. With online stock option you can invest, buy and sell the shares online. You can find all the information online about the share in which you wish to invest your money.

This information is available in the form of charts and graphs. You can find the past as well as the current information about the stock. You can also find the trend charts related to the stocks. You can use these charts to compare the past and the present growth trend of the stock and also predict their future trend.

You can also search for the stock predictions from different experts in the field. All this information proves very beneficial in deciding when and how much you can invest. You can find all the current news about the market movements and the news about the shares.

Online trading gives you the advantage of buying and selling shares automatically. You control your investments and money. You don't have to discuss with your stock broker for how long you will hold your stock and how much you will invest. You take your own decisions.

You get all the information about the accounts, the money you transact, the recent quotes and other related information at the click of the mouse. The method provides you with all the convenience. You manage your money on your own. You can perform the transactions from anywhere and at any time. Whether you are sitting at your home or office, you just need a computer and internet connection.

Thus, the advantages which online trading offers over the traditional stock trading methods can be summed up as convenience, control and efficiency. But clear all your fundamentals before investing your money in the shares by this method. Get your basics clear about the market trends, type of markets and how you can invest. You can opt for either the execution only broker where the broker just follows your demand and does not give you the advice. The other method is to search for the online brokers and open your account with them, deposit the money and start trading.

Now you can trade in futures as well as forex. Choose the option depending upon the risk that you can take. Investing in futures eliminates or lowers the risk associated with such investments. You can also take the advice of online brokers, search for the current news and market trends and then invest your money.

Online trading is a secure way of making investments in shares. The method is simple and once you know what how the market moves, you make money.

Buying a Home after Bankruptcy

You can buy a home after bankruptcy. The financial companies offer home loans for the individuals with bankruptcy. Such loans are also available online. You can apply for bad credit home loans. These are secured loans and are available to the individuals with bad credit history, CCJs and individuals with a history of bankruptcy.

The financial companies look for two things if you have filed for bankruptcy and applying for the loan. First is your income and second is the down payment. The conditions are much different if you apply for the loan after one year of bankruptcy and you apply for loan two years after filing for bankruptcy.

If you intend to apply for the loan within a year or so after filing for bankruptcy then you have to qualify certain conditions. You should have at least three percent to five percent for down payment. Also you should have paid up all your payments in this one year. There should not be any sign of default in your credit after one year of filing bankruptcy.

Things are a lot easier if you are applying for loan after two years of filing bankruptcy. This is because the lenders consider this as a time in which you have build up your credit and now you are reliable enough to pay your installments in time.

To apply for bad credit loan you have to place any of your assets as collateral. This asset can be your new home or any of your property with a value. The bad credit loan can get you an amount in the range of five thousand to seventy five thousand dollars. The repayment term is flexible and you can take the amount with a repayment duration ranging from five years to twenty five years.

To qualify for the bad credit home loan you must have a flawless term of two years after the discharge of bankruptcy. You should have built a good credit record in this term. Besides this, you should have a regular source of income.

The lenders generally ask you to submit your last pay slip from your employer. They also verify that you have made all your payments and have no outstanding loans or debts. If you qualify above criteria then you can also manage to get hundred percent financing for your home.

You can also search for the online options. The loaning process is simple and fast. It is not impossible to buy a home after bankruptcy. All you have to do is weight your options and improve your score so that you can get the loan amount at reasonable rates.

Consolidate All Your Student Loans and Cut-down Your Monthly Payments Substantially

Once you are out of your college with the degree, you have to manage all the bills and monthly installments of different loans you took for your studies. Managing different loans with different repayment installments, different interest rates and different terms gets tough.

The situation becomes worse when you don't have enough money to pay the installments. Debt consolidation in this situation can get you out of the mess. It makes the debt management easier for you. By consolidation you consolidate all your loans into one big loan. You take this loan from a new lender and then pay to different lenders. Now you pay just one monthly installment to the new lender. This makes the management of the debt easier.

Consolidation lowers the monthly installments by fixing them at particular amount that you pay monthly ant fixed rate of interest. There is no application fees, prepayment fees and penalties charged for consolidation loans.

Consolidation also reduces your monthly installments. If you take federal consolidation loan then the interest you pay is an average of all the interest rates under different loans. This weighted average is fixed for the entire loan term and never rises above 8.25%. This proves extremely beneficial if you are paying variable interest in different federal loans.

The fixed interest rate is not affected by the market fluctuation and thus lower the total amount you pay as monthly installments. The interest gets fixed after consolidation and this reduce your monthly installment by about 45%.

If you have a list of private student loans then consolidating it also reduce the monthly installments that you pay to different lenders. The interest rate on private consolidation loan is variable in nature. But there are some financial companies which offer such loans at fixed rate of interest. The financial companies charge one time fees for such loans. But there are lenders who waive off this fee completely. You can search the market and find such companies so that you end up with the best possible deal.

Consolidation also gives you the option to extend your repayment term. So, if you have a repayment term of say about ten years, you can extend it to a maximum of thirty years. This reduce you monthly installment amount and makes the payment of debt easier.

The companies offer you certain discounts and benefits if you make consecutive one time payment. The discount and benefits are given as a break in the interest for one time payment.

Capital gain tax

Capital gain tax is the tax levied on the profits earned from the sale of any non inventory that was purchased at lower price.

What are capital assets?
Any non inventory assets are called capital assets and include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, jewelry or any other property of similar nature. This means every asset you own is a capital asset.

What is capital gain?
Any gain or profit earned due to the sale of capital asset is treated as income and this income is considered under taxable income. Capital gain is classified into two types under the tax code- short term capital gains and long term capital gains. If you purchase any property and sell it within a year then the profits you earn come under short term capital gain. But if there is a gap of more than one year between the purchase of the asset and sale of the asset then the profit you make come under long term capital gain.

There are different tax rules for both the form of capital gain. If you come under 10%-15% of income tax range and you have purchased and sold your property within a gap of one year or more then you are liable to pay 5% on long term capital gain as tax. But if you come under the tax range of above 15% then you will pay 15% tax on capital gain.

How you calculate your capital gain?
You subtract the purchase amount of your asset from the sale amount of your asset. The figure that you receive by this calculation if positive indicates the capital gain or profit that you make. Next you fill this profit amount on the schedule D of IRS.
From 2005 onwards the capital gain tax range from 5%- 28%. But if you have incurred some losses then you can claim for deduction that is up to $3000 per year. If you have loss of more than $3000 then you can claim only $3000 in one financial year and carry forward the remaining loss to the next financial year.

If you have purchased an asset and also sold it within a year then you are liable for short term capital gain tax. Short term capital gains are taxed at normal tax rates. Therefore the amount you pay as taxes for your capital gain depend upon the time for which you hold your asset with you. Holding period starts with the second day after the trade date of the asset and is not calculated from the settlement date.

There are different ways by which you can save the capital gain tax and donating to charity is one of them.

How to file bankruptcy

To file bankruptcy you have two options. You can do this on your own or consult an attorney. If you are filing for bankruptcy on your own just visit the libraries and search for all the information on the websites. Do a lot of research work if you are going on your own.

This is because the rules for bankruptcy filing have changed since 2005 and to complete with the process you should be well aware of those legal terms. There are government forms which you will take from the local court. These forms come with the instruction manual which guides you in filling the form. Although the instruction manual is helpful to a large extent but you still need to know about those legal terms that come across.

For this if possible try to understand them by going through the legal dictionary in the library. Also do some research by consulting some books on filing for bankruptcy. These can be of great help if you are doing things on your own.

The law has changed since 2005 pay attention to the chapters. If you are earning good income then you will have to file chapter 13 and not chapter 7. You are eligible for chapter 7 if you are earning average income or income below the average income earned by the individuals like you in your state.

If your income calculates higher than the average income then you are required to appear for the Mean test. This test is taken so as to ascertain whether you can file under chapter seven. But in case you fail then you will be filing under chapter 13 or so.

Not all debts are discharged under bankruptcy. Such debts include the student loans, child support, tax debt and the debts that you fail to enter in your bankruptcy form. You are also required to attend credit counseling with a government approved credit counseling agency so that they can ascertain whether you really require filing for bankruptcy. This is mandatory for those filing bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy laws are for those individuals who have a large burden of debt and are struggling to pay them off. So to qualify for bankruptcy you have to prove that your total disposable income less your expenses is too less to pay off your debts. There are certain chapters that may confuse you as to keep your property or sell it. As some of such rules are confusing it is better to consult an expert so as to avoid making mistakes in filing bankruptcy.

Amazing Points to Think Before Signing a Finance Agreement

If you are thinking to apply for loan or you have some sort of financial crisis and you are planning for personal loans then you should keep in mind certain facts and points before taking any further step:

1. Compare the rates on the basis of the total amount of interest that you have to pay. The financial companies have different rate of interest and also differ in the interest rate structure and the mode of its payment.
2. If you have completed your research process of searching for all the lenders in the market and comparing their quotes then pay a little attention to the quotes and the payment that are to be made upfront. Make sure that if the quotes differ then the lenders also have same upfront payment.
3. Confirm the end of term title fees of the lender. Make sure that the lender gives you this in written so that you don't have to pay them any residual payment or any type of balloon payment which are generally asked by the lenders once you sign on that dotted line.
4. Keep the documents in written as to when the first and last payments are to be made.
5. Keep all the documents and records with you till you complete the financial agreement.
6. Clear yourself with all the aspects of the agreement.
7. Clarify all the financial and legal terms used in the agreement and understand in full the conditions which may be imposed if you default with the installment.
8. Also find about all the rights and advantages that you have with the financial agreement that you are signing.
9. Consult the broker or an expert in the field. They can guide you with all the procedures. They can also suggest you with the plans and financial compare financial requirements.

If you are a business then

1. You should consider leasing as a method for the equipment rather than purchasing it. This will provide you with the option of using the equipment with latest technology at much lower rates. It also provides you with the tax benefits.
2. Find out the total cost as well as the other cost that your business can have within the financial agreement period.
3. Your responsibilities related to the equipment which you are getting on lease.
4. Find out about all the responsibilities and payments that you will be bearing related to insurance, maintenance and taxes related to the equipment.
5. Clarify about all the payments you will be making after the financial agreement ends.

Student Loan Debt Consolidation

There are debt consolidation loans for the students by which they can consolidate their different loans under one lender. Such educational loans can thus be used by the students who have taken multiple loans from different lenders for their studies and are not able to manage the loan repayment. By taking such loans the students can avoid the conditions of default and prevent themselves from the risk of making their credit history bad.

Merits of loan debt consolidation
The consolidation of your loan can give you many benefits some of them are:

1. It makes your repayment a lot easier.
2. The process gives you the advantage of consolidating you federal as well as private loans under one private bank or financial company.
3. After consolidation you are liable to one lender and so the debt management is easier as you don't have to run to different lenders and pay different lenders at different times in a month or a quarter.
4. The consolidation lowers you interest that you pay.
5. The interest gives you the tax advantage as it is considered tax deductable.
6. The financial companies do not charge any fees for the student loan debt consolidation.
7. The amount that you pay in a month is small.
8. The term of repayment can be adjusted within ten to thirty years according to your financial conditions.

Who are qualified for student loan debt consolidation?

Any facility comes with conditions and this facility to consolidate your debt also requires you to approve to certain conditions. You are qualified for the loan if:

1. You are in the grace period.
2. If you have no previous history of debt consolidation.
3. You are out of the school since three to six months.
4. If you have applied for the deferment period.

There are two options for consolidating your debts:

1. Federal consolidation of the loan
2. Approach private companies to consolidate your debt

If you are looking for federal consolidation loan then you should have at least one outstanding federal loan in the list of your debt loans. If you have such then you are qualified. The loan amount will then be consolidated for you and the interest that you will have to pay them will be calculated by averaging the interest rates of your outstanding debts. The average interest thus is applied to the loan that is sanctioned and it remains fixed for the whole term of loan till you repay the whole of it.
If you are approaching private companies for debt consolidation then the interest on loan will depend on the prevailing rates in the market. The company will also look into your or your parent credit history.

Personal Loans for People with Bad Credit

If you are having a credit score of less than 600 then you will be considered as a bad creditor by the lenders. If you are a self employed and have no income proof, Country court judgment, have a default history of payment, are jobless since years, have piles of debt and have taken loans that you are not able to repay then you come under bad credit rating. Still the personal loans are available for you. They have the same feature like the normal personal loans with a difference of interest rates which are slightly higher as compared to the personal loans for people with good credit score.

The bad credit personal loans are of two types: unsecured bad credit personal loans and secured bad credit personal loans. If you have a property then you can use it as collateral and apply for the secured bad credit personal loan. By doing this you can arrange a loan at slightly lower interest rates besides retaining the ownership of your property and use the loan amount to pay off your debts.

If you don't want to use your property then you can take unsecured bad credit personal loan. But these loans come at slightly higher interest rates as otherwise if you use your property as collateral and ensure the lender of the repayment. The unsecured bad credit personal loans are generally given by lenders for a short term ranging from one year to up to ten years. In contrast to this the secured loans can be taken for a period ranging from five years to twenty five years.

You can use any of your property like car, commercial vehicle, home, jewelry or any document of importance as collateral for the secured personal loan. With bad credit secured personal loans you have to option to spread your repayment amount for years according to your financial conditions. By this you can manage your installment according to your paying capacity and financial conditions and improve on your credit score.

You can use the amount to fulfill any of your financial need like paying off your debts, fees for education, renovation of your home, support wedding expenditure, and pay your medical bills and any such requirement that you cannot carryout due to financial crisis.
Bad credit is not a hurdle if you want loan from the financial companies. All you have to do is accept your condition and find the lender that give you the loan at comparatively lower rates, according to your financial conditions of repayment so that you can repay the loan amount comfortably and improve your credit score.

Information about Realistic Debt Solution

We use credit cards sometimes overusing it; take loans to finance our car or to pay installment for our home. All this and more take us into a sea of debt. The condition gets critical when we have a bad credit history. Here we are in a fix and search for solution to get out of all the mess we are in. the solutions are few. But if followed properly and strictly will take you a long way in getting out of this self created maze.

Realistic solution steps

1. Calculate your debts: this is important so as to find out how much you owe to others.
2. Calculate your earnings: this again is important as you will then be able to calculate how much you can set aside after deducting for your expenses so that you can pay to your lenders.
3. Calculate your credit score: you need to find out your score rating. This will give you the number regarding your reliability to your financers. This is an important step in debt solution because if you are thinking of approaching a financial company for the loans so that you pay your lenders then they will be looking into your credit history, your previous loans that you have taken, the loans that you have cleared and the loans that are still to be paid off, the default history regarding the loan and debt payment and so on. They have the long list with them. So you should be clear with all your history and never try to hide any such details when asked by the financial company.
4. Keep an eye on your expenses: jot down all your expenses no matter how small they are. Trim all those which are unnecessary or which can be avoided. This will help you to save some money which you can use to clear off your debts.
5. Develop your interest: if you have some spare time then develop your interest and turn it into your business that can earn you some money.
6. Search for some fund source: visit the financial market and find out the companies that can help you with some funds. There are different types of loans that you can take and ease yourself off all the lenders. Debt consolidation loans, personal loans and similar type. They are with different interest rate options. Choose the one that best suits your requirements and financial conditions. If you have a bad credit score then also you have some loan options available.
7. Search for the companies that provide debt solution: there are different companies which provide debt solution according to your needs after analyzing your financial situation. Take some advice from them.
8. These simple steps can help you with debt problem and management of the debt situation in a much better way.
   

How to Finance Commercial Vehicle

The vehicles form an important part when it comes to supporting the business. They require a huge amount, and in the conditions of limited personal savings, approaching a financer is the other option available for raising money to buy the vehicle.

The various financial companies provide easy finance for the commercial vehicles. One can approach such companies for the amount required to purchase the vehicle, but, prior to it you should decide the type of vehicle and its usage. Commercial car finance loans differ from the traditional car finance loans in their nature although the process for applying is nearly the same for both.

1. The first step is to look into your requirement and then find out the various companies providing the financing facilities.
2. The companies have their own terms and conditions for lending the amount which you need for your vehicle, but they generally differ slightly and the basic conditions remain same with almost all the financers.
3. The rate of interest differs from one lender to another. Look into the rates offered and the conditions associated. Compare these rates and conditions. The rates depend on the model of the vehicle, their usage and other conditions as well, which differ from one financer to another.
4. The rate of interest on the loan given by the financers is of two types. In the first type the interest remains fixed for the full period of the repayment and this is called as the fixed rate of interest. The second type is the variable interest rate where the rate differs with the market trends. You can choose any of the type of interest depending on your repayment capabilities.
5. Find out the financial institutions offering the e-loan facility and here also make a comparison of the lenders on all aspects of the loans. Find out their reliability and whether they have their contacts in the telephone directory as well as an office to authenticate their presence.
6. Consult a broker or a financial expert who can guide you with the process and can also suggest the financers from whom you can take loans.
7. The financers besides requesting the basic details which include name, mailing address, contact details, your current professions and the likes also look into your credits status.
8. The financers also offer a kind of secured or unsecured loan facilities. In case of secured loans the vehicle is to be kept as a collateral but not so in the case of unsecured loans. Compare this for different financers, analyze your situations and take the type that suits you.

Auto Finance

Going to buy your vehicle and need money for down payment? The financial companies are here to finance. There are many companies with all those loan terms and conditions. So, before applying to them consider certain aspects:

1. The loans are provided with interest rates that you can afford to pay, and are with reasonable terms and conditions.
2. Now first look into your savings. How much you have in your account and how much more you require.
3. Next, find out the financial companies which are giving auto loans.
4. They can give you the option of unsecured or secured loan. In secured loan the financial company or the lender ask for some collateral which can be a property or any such asset which has a value slightly above than the loan amount. In unsecured loans you don't have to place any collateral but the rate of interest is slightly higher than the former. The unsecured loans get a faster approval than the secured ones as the process of evaluation is not involved in it. The auto loans generally are the unsecured loans.
5. Decide the time in which you are comfortable in paying back your loan. Longer the period higher is the rate of interest.
6. The companies have their terms and conditions for the loans. The common one are that you should be eighteen years and above, an employment proof, your residential proof. Minimum amount of salary you should be earning, your credit history. You will be paying more interest if you have a bad credit.
7. There are companies offering the online loans. Search them and compare their quotes. The quotes are given on the basis of the credit score, and it includes fees, mode and the installments which you will pay and so on. Also make sure about their genuine existence and their reliability. The online option is much convenient than the traditional one as the loans are approved within few minutes and you can do so by sitting at your own home.
8. The companies offer certain tempting options. Weight them firmly before opting them at the end as they might prove costly.
9. Think about your repayment installments. It depends upon your own financial ability to pay back. So make sure you choose the one with which you are comfortable.

Also consult an advisor who can explain you the jargons used in the financial field. Financing also include the insurance that you should have for your auto. Finding an insurer also involve the above listed points that you should consider. The funds should be carefully planned and raised so that you save yourself from the financial stress and enjoy your auto ride fully.

Equipment Leasing Companies

Leasing is a form of financing where the firm signs a contract with the lender for using the equipment or the plant for its business for certain time duration. It is becoming a popular mode of financing as it cuts down the cost on buying of the equipment. Also the lease financing is readily available than the other financial options.

There are many companies which are lending the equipments on lease. But to make sure that the financing is according to the needs and is hassle free, one should consider certain aspects regarding the deal with the leasing company.

1. First analyze your equipment requirements and the budget for the equipment.
2. Make a list of the various leasing companies.
3. Compare them and make a choice.

There are different types of leasing companies. They may either specialize in the leasing of the equipments for a particular industry, some may be leasing the particular type of equipments, or there may be companies specializing in particular type of lease. Make sure what you want and then approach them.

There are specialized leasing companies, like the banks and financial service providers, and, small and independent lease houses. The specialists provide various expert services related to different aspects of the leasing process, to their clients. The small and independent leasing companies may specialize in certain specific field of financing so for the other services; you again have to hunt on your own.

The independent leasing companies provide more of the customized services and you can again take the advantage of the negotiation with them. While the banks providing the leasing facilities may have fixed laid down conditions and terms which they will not negotiate and the borrowers will have to accept. Although the banks have their resource though which they can guide you with the leasing process and provide you with the advices from their expert in the field of finance.

The thing is that you have to first lay down your priorities. Consider all the aspects related to the leasing: the term of leasing, your priorities, type of lease that suits you, the equipment that you want to lease, whether it will be available on lease or not, what can be your responsibilities in the leasing period, and your budget.

Then make a list of the leasing companies. Make sure the company which you are approaching is the member of any leasing association look into their terms and conditions and the facilities they are providing, their expertise in the field.

What Is Identity Theft

It is the condition when the person uses you identity to commit a fraud. The person may use your identity to take loans from the bank using your details, or, may use your credit card details to use your credit without paying the bills.

It can be of different types which are financial identity theft, criminal identity theft, synthetic identity theft, identity cloning and concealment.

Financial identity theft can be in the form of credit card fraud, banking or loans fraud, taking some kind of utilities in your name and not paying the bills.

The credit card fraud is the most common of all the types of financial identity thefts. In this the person committing the fraud using your identity details and the credit card to commit the crime. The thief uses your name and first makes a new mailing address. It then conveys this new mailing address to the credit card company and gets the address changed. But the credit card account details remain the same. The credit card is then used by the thief. As the bills are sent to the new address so the victim does not realize the fraud that is committed on their name until they check their credit card details.

In the second form of credit card fraud the thief may open a new credit card account giving the details of the victim to the credit card company and continues to use the account in the name of the victim.

Another type of financial identity theft is when the thief opens a depository account in the name of victim and uses this account for electronic fund transfers and makes payment through checks to their creditors.

A loan fraud is also committed by the thief by using the name and details of the victim to get loans from the banks. The thief may also file tax return on the name of the victim called as tax refund fraud.

The thief uses the personal security number, the name, date of birth, bank account number and employer contact of the victim to commit such frauds.

Things that can be done to avoid and protect yourself from such frauds:

1. Check your account details regularly.
2. Avoid lending of your social security number to the companies seeking details on such things, or, any other person unless this is extremely necessary.
3. Destroy the slips containing your personal details and the details of your account, after any signing of check or deposition of the money in your account.
4. Contact your credit card company to prevent them to lend your details to the companies, this maintains your privacy and prevent you from getting those credit card offers.

Tips for Home Loans

Home loans are available in different forms. The types are:

1. Home extension loan
2. Home purchase loan
3. House bridge loan
4. Home construction loans
5. Balance transfer loans

If you are going to apply to finance your home then you should first consider the different aspects associated with the process.

1. First find out the various types of home loans available. Some of the types as mentioned above are there with the financial companies. Find out which one will be right for you. This you have to decide on the basis of your requirements and the amount you want in addition to your personal savings. If you are planning for construction then the obvious choice for you will be construction loans. If you have sold your old home and want some money to purchase your new home but still you have not received sales installment of your old home then you can apply for bridge finance. This is also a good option if you are searching for the source that can provide you with fast cash.
2. After finalizing the amount you need and the type of loan you will be taking then search the market. Find out the financers giving the loans, the loaning conditions that they lay for the applicants, the interest rates they have for the amount, the documents they require and the duration in which they will finally sanction your loan. Generally the financers look into your credit history and your ability to pay off their installments in time. If you are opting for bridge finance then they may ask for the property as collateral for the loan they are giving you.
3. Compare them on the basis of the interest rates, annual percentage rates (APR) and all the conditions they have attached with the process of loaning. The bank or the company will provide you with two options of interest rates: fixed and adjustable rates. In first one the rate of interest remains fixed for the whole term of the loan while in the adjustable one the interest rates may vary according to the market trends.
4. The APR is the total of the interest, the main or the principal amount and the fees and charges of the bank. Consider this while comparing the loans of different companies and banks.
5. Some banks offer the redraw facility. Find all abut such facilities and decide accordingly.
6. Consult an expert in finance for their guidance.
7. There are online loaning facilities provided by the banks. This is a convenient option and thus should not be ignored while applying for home loans.

Commercial Development Finance

Such finances are for the commercial properties and for its development. The commercial development loans are either for the acquisition of the land and the development of the site, or, in the form of refurbishment loan or as conversion loans. You can take refurbishment loan if you want to renovate or redesign your property that may be your merchandise store, or the warehouse faculty that you require for business or for any of any commercial purposes while the conversion loans are the choice if you want to use your existing property for any commercial purposes.

Thus the commercial development loans are available for both the small projects as well as the large projects like site acquisition or undertaking large construction.

The basic requirement for the finance is that you have to be prepared with the project for which you need finances. Whether you are planning to buy a site for business expansion, or for construction of any retail store market, you need to be clear about all the aspect of it ranging from the investment that you will be making to the profitability of the project and the risks associated with your projects. The financers will lend you the money after they are satisfied with all these points about your project.

100% commercial development finance is available if the risk with your project is low the profitability or feasibility of the project is enough and project has an outline planning approval. The banks generally lend such loans to the developers who are experienced in their area and have previous record of such successful construction or development. In other case the banks finance about 70% of the needs of the borrows.

Banks lend the residential development finance generally on the pre sale conditions as this reduces the risk for the bank and is advantageous to the borrower in the form of more loan amount.

To get such finances first find out the various banks lending such loans. Compare them on their conditions and terms. The interest rate is generally same through various lenders and a common base rate is generally followed. But first thing is the project that you are getting financed. Make a detailed list of its profitability, expenses, what you are planning with this project, different phases of the project, how you will be investing and all such aspects this will help you to plan the budget required and also make a detailed report. Also consult the financial expert for their advises related to such finances.

Cheap motorbike insurance

Insurance is providing a financial cover when there is any mis happening, and when it comes to insuring your motorbike it becomes equally important due to rising four wheelers on the road and occasional accidents happening.

Getting a cheap insurance cover requires some researching of the market. Finding out the various insurance providers and comparing them.

The premium that you pay for the insurance depends upon certain factors. Some of them are:

1. Your age, if you are taking the insurance for your bike. More experience of driving and higher age qualify you for lower premiums. But if you are a starter then you have to pay a standard level of premium. Generally bikers with less than 25 years of age qualify for standard premium. And above pay a lower sum.
2. The place of parking also makes the difference to the premium. If you are keeping your bike at safer place where the damages are likely to occur less like in a garage or a common parking place then you can save some on the premium amount.
3. The miles you have run you bike. If the mileage is within certain limits then the premium can be lesser.
4. The model of the bike. If the bike is new or an older one.
5. The gender also plays the part. If you are a female then you can secure to pay less premium than males as the insurance companies go by the surveys that females are less likely to meet road accidents and are more cautious drivers than the males.
   

There are various types of insurance covers available ranging from the third party insurance policy to comprehensive insurance policy. Third party theft and fire bike insurance policy gives you a cover for the theft of the bike or any kind of damage from fire. But you will have to arrange for the medical expenses. In comprehensive insurance cover the policy ensures you for the damages as well as the medical expenses. The comprehensive insurance policy is costly than the third party insurance policy. Depending upon your requirement and the budget, take the policy that best suits you.

There is a lot of information on the internet. Research the various insurers and their terms and conditions; calculate your premium depending on the age, your bike model, the miles you run your bike and other factors which the companies consider. Find what type of policy best suits your requirements and your pocket and then consult with the insurance advisers to finally take up the policy for your motorbike.

Business Finance Loan

Financial decisions are important for business as finance is the back bone of any business. The business require funds to fuel in the production process, pay to the employees, pay to the suppliers and many such activities that require cash on daily basis. This short term capital which is required for the business to keep it running is called as working capital. Also the business require long term funds for future plans which it has for expansion or for investing in the purchase of new plant or equipment.

The options are available for the firm to raise capital from either equity or debt, or, a combination of both. Loan is the simplest form of debt which is most common form of raising the capital.

The entrepreneur can raise the loan depending upon his short term and long term requirement. Such loans can be short term, intermediate term and long term loans and depending on the nature of the loan, the payment may be on the quarterly, monthly or yearly basis.

The financial institutions lending such loans charge a fixed interest for the money borrowed which may differ from one financial company to another on the basis of their terms and conditions.

The short term loans are taken for short term financial needs of the company and are raised by the business generally for a year. The intermediate loans are for up to three years and the payment mode may be quarterly or monthly. The long term loans are raised for meeting the long term business objectives of the firm and are for more than three years that may go up to twenty years.

The financial institutions have their conditions for lending the sum. They generally define margins for the amount, that is, if any entrepreneur has to raise certain sum then the bank will lend 70-75% of that sum and the rest of the amount has to be managed by the firm.

The banks also ask for security or third party guarantee and fix the repayment of the cash as installment on the basis of the cash flow of the firm.

Before lending, the bank looks for the past records of the firm, its creditors and debtors, scrutinize the financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the firm, and also completely review the project for which the loans are taken, where in the cash generation capacity and profitability of the project is generally assessed.

Best Ways To Finance Your Franchise Business Opportunity

Financing the franchise business is the decision that has to be taken with some caution. Financial decisions taken are important as they make your business start without any hiccups and thus should be taken considering certain points:

1. First look into the fund which you have and then the amount which you require from the sources outside.
2. Make a list of all the financial companies offering financial lending to the start ups.
3. Find out how reliable they are.
4. Compare the interest rats and the term and conditions associated with the finances that you are taking form them.
5. Different lenders and financial companies have their own terms and conditions, so approach the lender that best suits you. But first decide whether you are willing to take a long term or a short term loan. Depending upon the amount of loan that you are asking them to lend you, the future profitably of the franchise, the installments that you are willing to pay, the terms and conditions vary from one lender to another lender.
6. The Small Business Administration loan guarantee programs should also be considered while searching for the lender. The banks generally lend to the companies with a previous history of existence.
7. These are applicable to both the new franchise option and the one that has previously existed.
   

But in the existing business franchise the sales sum provided by the seller can also add as the start up cash for continuing or improving on the franchise and the amount to be raised from the outside sources can go down. Then in such situations loans with low interest rates and from reliable lenders can be raised for the short term. But again in such situations the lender will look into the previous records of the franchise, its profit records, financial statements, cash flows, balance sheets and all such documents that determine the viability of the franchise and assure them that the future cash flows will be sufficient enough for the paying off the installments of the loans you are taking from them.

The various sources are there that provide for the finances of the franchise that can be summed up as:

1. Family, friends.
2. Bank and financial companies.
3. Companies in venture financing.
4. The associates of the business who can be the suppliers who have the credit schemes available for the new partners.
5. The amount given by the seller of the business.
6. The initial cash which you have saved for starting the business.

All such sources analyzed and then approached to finance the business franchise.

Best Online Car Finance

Looking for e-loans to finance your new car, so, browse through the websites of all the companies before applying. The online financing is lot more easier than taking loans by approaching the bank as the e-loans are much more convenient and faster way of financing your car.

But some points should be considered before applying for the loans. These are:

1. First browse through the internet and get the detail of all the financiers giving e-loans.
2. Check out their terms and condition for lending loans.
3. Check their reliability, whether they are having the office where you can reach out in case of any query or inquiry, and also they are disclosing their full contact details and other relevant details about themselves. There are consumer sites which give you the information regarding the reliability of the companies offering such facilities. Go through such information carefully.
4. Find out their interest rates for the loan which you want to apply. Compare the rates of the different companies and then reach to any conclusion.
5. The rate of interest differs from fixed interest rate to variable interest rates. Find out the terms and conditions associated with both and take the one that best fits your finances.
6. Some financial companies may charge the rate according to your financial and credit situations. Look into such conditions before applying.
7. Find out the hidden fees and penalties with the loans which you are applying. There may be some early repayment fees charged by the company which is associated with taking a loan with low interest rate.

Finally take an expert advice form the professionals before finalizing for the loans.

The car loan application can be filled on line or you can also give the on line quotes. Once you leave the information on the website of the company, the employees of the companies contact you and give their details regarding the loans structure, mode of payment, the rate of interest on the loan applied and the installments for easy payments according to your credit situation.

But they will ask for some details regarding your credit card and other modes through which you are comfortable paying them the installments.

Applying for e- loans may be simple but a cautious approach is needed so as to enjoy the benefits of this facility. There are many companies offering the e- loan but sift through them and find out the reliable one so that you enjoy the drive on weekend with your family with all the comfort.

Asset Based Finance

In asset based financing you place your asset as collateral with the bank or the financial company to raise money as loan so as to meet your business financial requirements.

The financiers thus look that:

1. You have a proper credit history.
2. The asset that you are placing with them can be liquidated easily when such conditions arise.
3. And your business history, that is, how long you have been in your business.
   

The assets that you can place as collateral:

1. Accounts receivable
2. Inventory
3. Or any other assets like the trademark, intellectual property.
   

Here although you do not transfer the ownership of your asset to the bank but in case of default payment the bank can take your asset and liquidate it to realize the money that it has given you as loan.

The inventory and the account receivable are the two most common type of asset used to take such finances. When placing account receivable the bank lends you around 70-75% of the value. While in inventory as collateral you can get about 35-80% of the value of the inventory. The amount differs with the different lenders and this you need to compare when you have decided to raise some finance through your assets.

By asset based financing you can raise for your business working requirements, or for investing in any activity to improve the profitability of the business.

Both the small and big enterprises can raise capital through asset financing. Most common type of such financing is mortgages. The company can gain by getting a certain amount of ready cash available to meet its business needs. Besides, the lending bank may also provide with some services such as processing of the accounts receivable, and collection facility of the accounts which are as collateral. But the mode of financing can become expensive to the company under certain situations. Thus the company should weight all the conditions before opting for such methods of finance.

The companies or individuals with bad credit history can also take such finances but for them the interest rates are slightly higher than those with sound credit scores.

There are financiers which are giving asset based loans by online mode. Such facility makes it much easier for you to apply for the loan. But again you need to check all the terms and conditions, the interest rates at which they are extending you the money and above all they are the registered financiers, are genuine and not a fraud financial company.

The Role of Finance Manager

The role of finance manager in the company is an important one. The function of the finance manager is not confined to the management and making of the accounts but it also plays a major role in dividend decisions, capital budgeting decisions, capital structure outlay of the firm, decision related to the merger and acquisitions, and all the investment decisions of the firm. Thus the finance manager plays an important role in any business enterprise.

The different decisions can be classified into:

1. The routine working capital and cash management decisions.
2. Dividend decisions
3. Investment decisions
4. Financial forecasting
5. International financial decisions
6. Portfolio management
7. Risk management
8. Cash management

while the dividend decisions are related to deciding the amount that is to be distributed to the shareholders, the investment decisions relate to the investment that the company makes in different projects so as to expand the business and improve its profitability. The finance manager here appraises the various projects and judges their profitability. The manager also decides how much capital should be employed in the project and which sources are the best for financing the project. Such decision also extends to the investments in the foreign and the local market which requires a thorough knowledge of the market trends thus the role becomes important.

The top management takes the advice of the finance manager for the capital structure outlay of the firm.

On the monthly and yearly basis the manager looks into the inventory requirements, daily cash requirements, and the objectives of the firm and then plans a budget accordingly for different departments so that they receive optimum amount to carry out the activities and achieve the business objectives.

On the basis of the previous year budget utilization, different reviews and study reports prepared by the research department, finance manager prepares a budget and allocate the recourses for the coming year.

With globalization the role of finance manager is not confined to the regional boundaries but has spread to the activities involving taking the decisions regarding mergers and acquisitions, establishing of the subsidiaries and investing in the foreign markets. Here the finance manager looks into the profits that the business can generate from establishing the subsidiary, what should be the capital outlay of the firm, what tax benefits the firm can avail by establishing and expanding into the foreign market?

A finance manager thus not only acts as a person maintaining the accounts but also plays a major role in the management of portfolio, risk, cash and capital.

Online Banking Services

With the growth in the technology the banks are also growing. They are working towards providing their valuable customers all the facilities so as to retain them as their loyal customers. The online services are a step towards such facilities so as to make their customers more comfortable in performing the banking transactions from any place and any time.

Different online services
The online banking services help you to perform all the banking transactions and work from your own place without visiting the banks.

1. You can check your account balances and get the statements of your account.
2. Pay all your bills by performing the transaction online.
3. Transfer the money between the different accounts.
4. Make a fixed deposit investment.
5. Pay checks and request for the demand drafts.
   

Thus you can perform different online transactions as e-checks, e transfers, and online payments.

The e- checks are the electronic version of the existing paper checks that we all sign to pay our lenders. In e-checks you will fill the entries just like the paper checks and it is transferred to the receiver directly. The receiver can thus deposit the e-check and receive the credit in their account. This thus makes the mode of payment much faster and also convenient.

In e-fund transfer you move your money from the account in one bank to the account in other bank. Here also no paper is involved. This is the mode by which your salary arrives in your account; you receive the loan amount from the bank. The ATMs and the POS (Point of sale) are the more common ways of the electronic fund transfer. Thus it is advantageous as the funds are transferred fast; the method is more convenient as it saves time visiting the bank, and it can be performed any time and from any place. Also most importantly it provide for the secured transfer of the money.

Online payments are the most common modes of money transactions between the business persons and their clients. It includes e-check payments among the customers the online credit cards.

So, how is it advantageous?

• The method is convenient
• You can make direct transactions with the clients you are dealing with
• You receive a receipt in your mail that you can use as a document for your transactions
• It is real time process and saves time visiting the bank branch nearby
• Hassle free process and you can perform transaction from anywhere and at any time according to your own convenience.