Should You Sign the Back of Your Credit Card?

In case of credit cards security plays a major role, in deciding as to how much you would eventually pay. So, as it is, more and more steps are increasingly being taken up. In order to avoid credit card thefts and frauds, a number of credit card users have started adopting a new stance in the last few years. In order to decrease the chances that they would become a victim of a credit card fraud, they tend to refuse to sign on their credit cards. Most of them would leave the signature space blank altogether, whereas, others would write something for reference on the signature line.

Now, the popular thinking on signing on your credit card, is that, it is better not to sign. This is because, in case you sign the card, then it would be quite easy for anyone to get hold of your card and then use it for a number of purposes. Although, they purchase commodities online or through phone, the signature is not required, however, in case they purchase something from a store, then they can easily forge the signature, with your sample as a reference.

As it is, theoretically, criminals with an eye on your credit card would be less able to use your card, sans your signature as well as a matching Identity proof. They would not be able to forge your signature in case they are not given an example at the back of the credit card.
Along with that, in case you sign on the credit card, then there is always this minor possibility of criminals using your signature, along with any other information, which they are able to know about you, for acquiring more credit.

In case you do not sign on your credit card, then a viable option for you, is to write a reference, like see ID on the card. This has become a very popular option for a number of credit card users. Now, in such a case, the store clerk would then ask to see your ID proof and they could compare your ID proof signature with that, which you would provide on a charge receipt.
You may also leave the signature space blank, which may also prompt the store clerks to confirm with your ID.

Most of the credit card companies would advise the consumers to sign their credit cards. In fact, they state that store clerks do not have the authority to accept cards that have not been and can even deny you the purchase, in case you provide an unsigned card.

Financial distress

Finance is the most important aspect of any business organization. As it is, proper coordination between cash inflow and outflow is a condition, which is the financial objective of every firm. As it is, there are times, when the company undergoes through rough patches. Lack of availability of enough cash, due to various reasons can lead to financial distress.

Now, financial distress refers to a term, which is used for indicating a situation, where a company finds itself unable to address its promises to the creditors, or honors them with difficulty. Many a time, financial distress of a firm can lead to its bankruptcy. Creditors can file a bankruptcy petition against the company, in their bid to recoup a bit of what they owe to the company. This may do irreparable damage to the firm and may eventually lead to the liquidation of the company. Financial distress is generally linked with some costs in relation to the company. These costs are referred to as costs of financial distress.

A very common form of a cost of financial distress is the bankruptcy costs. Bankruptcy costs refer to the costs incurred by the firm, in relation to the bankruptcy proceedings and include expenses like legal fees, management fees, auditors' fees, as well as other payments. The cost of financial distress might occur even in case bankruptcy is avoided:

Financial distress of a company can pose serious problems, which can adversely affect the efficiency of the organization. As maximization of shareholders value as well as that of the value of the firm, take a backseat, the financial managers who are accountable to shareholders may try to transfer the value from the creditors to the shareholders. This results in a conflict of interests between the creditors and the shareholders.

When the liquidation value a firm lowers below its debt, then, it is in the interest of the shareholder for the firm to invest in risky avenues, with higher chances of earnings that increase the likelihood of the value of the firm to grow over debt. Now, risky projects, as it is, are not in the interest of the creditors.

The companies undergoing financial distress tend to go for corporate restructuring where the valuations are used in the form of negotiating tools. This difference between negotiation and the process is a distinction between corporate finance and financial restructuring.

Additional changes to an evaluation approach, irrespective of whether it is asset-based or market-based might be necessary in some cases. Apart from these there are other changes to the financial statements, which have to be made during evaluation of a company in financial distress.

Insurance Coverage for Renters

Insurance is a very important factor of ones life. Irrespective of your social standing and economic stature, insurance is a necessity to protect against unforeseen damages. If you are a renter; even then, it does not in any way save you from the risks that homeowners face. So, in case of any damage, to the structure, would not only damage your belongings, but would also result in inquiry and reasoning. In order to provide financial protection against such eventualities, you can opt for renter's insurance coverage that takes care of various possible eventualities.

By way of Renter's Insurance coverage you would not only be able to tackle the issue in regard to protection of the property while your stay in it, but your own belongings as well. The standard insurance coverage for renters policies cover damages caused due to accidents, such as structure cracking or burning, riot, damage by vehicles, fire, lightning, hail, snow, explosion due to gas leak or electric snags, vandalism/theft, damage by falling objects, accidents due to faulty plumbing, heating or air conditioning, damage due to faulty fire alarm system, sprinkler system or any other household appliances, volcanic eruption, as well as earthquakes and floods.

If you are interested in renter's insurance coverage, you will have a number of renter's insurance policies, which can be availed by you, through various insurance companies. As it is, you can also opt for coverage, which is tailor made, to suit your needs. So, if you feel that, coverage for accidents due to faulty plumbing, heating or air conditioning is not worth the premium, then you can neglect it and the premium for the aforementioned risk would be reduced from your total renter's insurance premium.

Normally renter's insurance coverage can be broadly classified under two categories. The first category is known as Actual Cash Value, in which, the insurance covers the actual cost of the structure, as well as your belongings at the time of damage. The second category is known as the Replacement Cost Coverage, where the insurance covers the cost of reconstruction or replacement of your belongings.

However, the insurance coverage can not be of an amount, which you deem fit. It is calculated by the insurance companies on the basis of several factors, such as the condition of the property, whether the property is situated in a high risk zone or a low risk zone, case history of the property etc. Apart from these several other factors are involved. Similarly, the premium payable is also calculated by the insurance company on the basis of several factors.

Now, before you opt for an insurance company, to get a renter's insurance cover, it is advisable to do properly satisfy your self that the insurance policy you are opting for, is the best that is available to you. For this, you can surf through the internet, where you would be furnished with a lot of information, in this regard. Apart from that, you may also contact an insurance broker, who can also be handy in such a situation. As it is, he/she would provide you with relevant information in this regard.

Single Parent Grants and Financial Aid

Being a single parent is not at all an easy task, especially when you do not have enough resources, to take care of your financial requirements. It is a challenge in real sense, mainly because, not only you are required to meet your household expenses, but will also have to address the basic necessities for your children. The situation gets worse in case of single income.

In order to address the financial problems faced by single parents, a number of programs have been extended by the federal Government of the United States, for helping a single parent address her financial requirements. Several grants and financial aids are provided to single parents, apart from several other facilities, to enable single parents, to fend for themselves. The aim is to provide financial succor to the single parent, apart from reducing the level of stress, associated with single parenting.

If you are a single parent, then you can apply for government grants and financial aid and if you satisfy the criteria, then you can get financial assistance from the state. However, it needs to be mentioned here that, these financial aids are granted on the basis of the annual income, as well as the size of the family. These financial aids are given only to people with serious financial problems.

So, if you are financially secured or you are receiving a certain amount of alimony as child support, then you will not be eligible for these grants. Similarly, if your children are been taken care of, by foster parents or grandparents, then in that case too, you will not be eligible for these grants. Apart from that, several other factors are also taken in consideration while granting these financial aids.

It also needs to be mentioned here that these grants are also provided, in order to enable a single parent to continue her education. The following are some of the grants and financial aids, which are available to single parents:

1. Federal Pell Grant Program
The Federal Pell Grant Program is a grant, which is extended to single parents, to enable them to support their education further. It is especially aimed at providing support to students belonging to low income group. As it is, single parents are also eligible for these grants, if they satisfy the criteria in regard to the family income, as well as the size of the family. A major feature of this grant is that it not only takes into account the cost of the tuition fees, but the enrollment status of the student as well. The grant is provided directly to the educational institution where the candidate has enrolled. The institution then credits the amount into the account of the student or issues a check once every semester.

2. JRF Scholarship Program
This scholarship is available to all women candidates, irrespective of their marital status. However, for availing this grant, you need to be a US citizen; you should be 35 years old and belong to a low-income family.

It is worth noting that today; more than eight hundred different types of grants and financial aids are available to single parents. However, many a times, single parents are not aware of these grants and financial aids, which can be availed by them.

A high risk business loan is a loan that involves a high level of risk on the part of the lender, as well as the borrower. High risk loans are usually extended to those borrowers, who have a bad credit history. Also those borrowers, who are unable to furnish adequate collateral, are also the ones, who opt for these loans.

Most of the borrowers, who apply for a high risk business loan are usually desperate for funds; and have been turned down by most of other sources of finances. Approval of such loans involves high risk on the part of the lending institutions, along with the borrower as well. Due to this reason, high-risk loans usually carry very high rates of interest and a high down payment.

Apart from these, a high risk loan is also extended to well reputed firms as well. In most of these cases, it is the requirement for quick cash, which compels these firms to go for high risk loans. Apart from that, low availability of cash at disposal and wide expansion plans, may be the other reasons for availing high risk loans. However, due to the high risk involvement, you can not actually afford to take these loans casually. You should therefore, consider a number of factors, while you are opting for a high risk loan. Some of these factors are as follows:

1. Your credit score is one of the most deciding factors, as far as getting the best loan is concerned. You should therefore, take care to bring your credit score into perfect shape. If your credit score is in good shape, then finding a good loan option will not be difficult.
2. Another way of finding the best loan option is to directly approach banking institutions for this purpose. Collect brochures and then compare them to arrive at the best option.
3. Negotiation is an important aspect, as far as getting the best loan option is concerned. It would therefore be better on your part to negotiate your way into the best deal. This would help you a lot in the long run.
4. Apart from this, a loan professional can also be of great help in this regard. He/she can help you not only choosing the best option, but would also help you in the negotiation process as well; and although he would charge you some fee, the benefits might far outweigh the fee that you would pay him.

A high risk loan is more like a tight rope walk and hence the scope for making mistakes is low. You should therefore, make sure that, you make your repayments on time. Also, if possible, then see to it, that you pay off these loans, as soon as possible. This would lower your burden by a large margin.