Homeowners Insurance is supposed to protect us in case of disasters. That is what we have come to expect from our homeowners insurance over the years. But what if the disaster is the costliest in U.S. History? What if your insurance agent’s home and office were destroyed in the disaster also?
That is what happened to many customers and homeowners insurance agents and companies after Katrina hit the Gulf coast. Many agents' homes, offices and insurance Companies' claims centers were in the same situation as their clients due to the storms. So what did they do? They set up “office” in tents and mobile trailers. Then Hurricane Rita blew away these temporary offices and the agents and companies set them up again. These temporary shelters acted as a communications center for all people in the surrounding areas. Local people would come by to ask questions, meet with their claims adjustors and just catch up on the news with their neighbors. Extreme circumstances dictated unconventional responses: some agents even filed claims for their clients without even talking to the clients just so they could get the claim “in the queue.” Allstate allowed customers to submit claims through any agent in the country and set up a priority line to assist. They sent email to agents in the areas surrounding the disaster areas to act as messengers by “word of mouth” to their fellow agents in the effected areas. The larger companies such as State Farm & Allstate that service claims for the national flood Insurance Program even used satellite imagery to determine damage in some neighborhoods that were entirely flooded.
Lessons Learned: Those of us not effected by these disasters can learn a few lessons about coping with future disasters from the thousands of policyholders that are still waiting to get their claims paid. As soon as possible, take steps to prevent further damage to your home if possible: such as covering the roof with a tarp if possible. You can hire a contractor if you can find one, as that would be safer for most of us than climbing on our roofs. Hold off making any repairs until you see or talk to an adjuster first. Plus, keep your receipts, as you’ll need them to prove expenses that can be re-imbursed later.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
You can generally expect your homeowners insurance to help pay for additional living expenses for up to 12-24 months while your home is being repaired. But, homeowners insurance usually pays only after they verify you have a legitimate claim. After Katrina, many insurers made an exception, automatically distributing enough to cover two weeks’ worth of additional living expense to anyone in an area subject to mandatory evacuation. Some companies even gave small advances on contents under the personal property part of their homeowners insurance policies.
If you have to wait to get your check, it helps to have cash that is easily accessible in a bank account or money market fund. Stashing cash at home isn’t a great idea because if your home burns down and you weren’t able to get to your cash, most homeowners insurance policies only cover $100-$200 in cash whether it is stolen or burned up in a fire. Your goal should be to have an emergency fund available to take care of your family for 2-4 weeks (minimum)if possible. In a disaster it might be hard to even find a local bank to get cash. Debit/credit cards with a statewide or national bank would perhaps be better.
Your biggest problem in getting your claim handled may be in either not having the proper homeowners insurance coverage or not having enough coverage. Most good homeowners insurance policies today cover up to 120% of your dwelling coverage limit. It is important that you review the dwelling limit with your agent every couple of year’s at a minimum. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover Flooding, but you should again see your agent for this coverage.
If your homeowners insurance falls short, you may qualify for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or a disaster-assistance loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for rebuilding and $40,000 to replace personal property at very low interest rates for up to 30 years.
You may reprint this article on your site or in your newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com
About the Author: Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of www.HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Developing a Successful Home Budget
This is probably the most requested topic that I receive, normally after someone gets a large unexpected expense, or they start thinking about retirement and realize that they have saved a woefully inadequate amount of money.
I recommend using a monthly time-frame to look at your cash inflows and outflows, because most bills are monthly and four weeks is a short planning period that most people can manage. The first thing to do is determine your monthly after-tax income. Usually, this is the amount of money from your paycheck that gets deposited into your checking account. If your income is variable, then use an average of the last three months. (Any savings account interest income would be a bonus.) Next, list out your fixed monthly expenses, such as rent, mortgage, car payment, phone, electric bill, etc. All of these numbers can be changed in the long-term, but first you need to determine a baseline budget of where you are right now.
Make sure you include all of your utilities; some are only paid quarterly or annually, like car insurance, the water bill, or an association fee. Take these expenses and calculate what they would be on a monthly basis. For example, if your water bill comes quarterly, divide it by 3. If you have semi-annual car insurance, then divide it by 6.
So now you have your fixed monthly income and your fixed monthly expenses. Deduct one from the other, and you have the variable amount of money that you are free to spend any way you want for the remainder of the month. From this remaining amount of money, start listing out your main categories of variable spending: groceries, entertainment, medical expenses, clothing, dry cleaning, personal care (haircut, nails, etc.), and gifts. Take each of these variable expenses and put an amount next to them that you think represents your average monthly spending for that category.
Make as many subcategories as you need to make an accurate estimate. The more precise it is for your spending habits, the more effective it will be for you. For example, food can be broken down by grocery store/fast food/dining out/work lunch/etc. Then go through the last few months of your checkbook and credit card statement looking for any spending that hasn’t been covered so far that you need to include for your situation. More reference material for this article is available at http://investing.real-solution-center.com.
Now you should have a total number for your monthly income, total monthly fixed expenses, and total monthly variable expenses. The moment of truth is when you deduct the two expenses from your income to see if there is anything left over. Don’t panic if it is a negative number – it is far better to discover this out now, rather than building up credit card debt later. Most people comment somewhere along this process, “Oh, so that is where my money is going. I had no idea I spent so much on that!”
Seeing all the numbers in black & white can help you prioritize (and negotiate with all the other spenders in the family). From this beginning budget, you can start to set monthly targets for spending categories, you can focus on reducing the largest expenses, and find areas where you should start doing some price-comparison shopping. And did I mention that saving a 5-15% of your income should be an additional fixed expense? Yes, you need to pay yourself first!
Having a budget is the critical first tool in managing your money. Wielding this tool allows you to finally start making financial decisions based on the facts instead of fiction. You can plan for expenses instead of being caught by surprise. And most importantly, figure out how to move forward with goals like a big vacation, a new car, or investing.
About the Author: Francis Kier has an MBA in finance and shares his two decades of experience with investing and personal finance. More of his articles are available at http://investing.real-solution-center.com.
I recommend using a monthly time-frame to look at your cash inflows and outflows, because most bills are monthly and four weeks is a short planning period that most people can manage. The first thing to do is determine your monthly after-tax income. Usually, this is the amount of money from your paycheck that gets deposited into your checking account. If your income is variable, then use an average of the last three months. (Any savings account interest income would be a bonus.) Next, list out your fixed monthly expenses, such as rent, mortgage, car payment, phone, electric bill, etc. All of these numbers can be changed in the long-term, but first you need to determine a baseline budget of where you are right now.
Make sure you include all of your utilities; some are only paid quarterly or annually, like car insurance, the water bill, or an association fee. Take these expenses and calculate what they would be on a monthly basis. For example, if your water bill comes quarterly, divide it by 3. If you have semi-annual car insurance, then divide it by 6.
So now you have your fixed monthly income and your fixed monthly expenses. Deduct one from the other, and you have the variable amount of money that you are free to spend any way you want for the remainder of the month. From this remaining amount of money, start listing out your main categories of variable spending: groceries, entertainment, medical expenses, clothing, dry cleaning, personal care (haircut, nails, etc.), and gifts. Take each of these variable expenses and put an amount next to them that you think represents your average monthly spending for that category.
Make as many subcategories as you need to make an accurate estimate. The more precise it is for your spending habits, the more effective it will be for you. For example, food can be broken down by grocery store/fast food/dining out/work lunch/etc. Then go through the last few months of your checkbook and credit card statement looking for any spending that hasn’t been covered so far that you need to include for your situation. More reference material for this article is available at http://investing.real-solution-center.com.
Now you should have a total number for your monthly income, total monthly fixed expenses, and total monthly variable expenses. The moment of truth is when you deduct the two expenses from your income to see if there is anything left over. Don’t panic if it is a negative number – it is far better to discover this out now, rather than building up credit card debt later. Most people comment somewhere along this process, “Oh, so that is where my money is going. I had no idea I spent so much on that!”
Seeing all the numbers in black & white can help you prioritize (and negotiate with all the other spenders in the family). From this beginning budget, you can start to set monthly targets for spending categories, you can focus on reducing the largest expenses, and find areas where you should start doing some price-comparison shopping. And did I mention that saving a 5-15% of your income should be an additional fixed expense? Yes, you need to pay yourself first!
Having a budget is the critical first tool in managing your money. Wielding this tool allows you to finally start making financial decisions based on the facts instead of fiction. You can plan for expenses instead of being caught by surprise. And most importantly, figure out how to move forward with goals like a big vacation, a new car, or investing.
About the Author: Francis Kier has an MBA in finance and shares his two decades of experience with investing and personal finance. More of his articles are available at http://investing.real-solution-center.com.
Life Insurance – a gamble on your life!
Insurance may be described as a hedge against life’s uncertainties. To that end, it can never be taken too seriously. Every year, the person insuring himself bets that he will not be living another year and the insurer is betting that he will. If the person lives, and loses the bet, he pays the insurer a small premium; if he dies, the insurer pays the lump sum “jackpot” to the person’s nominee. While the person taking up the policy has only one life to bet on, his insurer is playing the same game with millions of other people like him. Since the insurer’s risk is spread, he can offer huge odds. Moreover, the insurer invests the premium he receives each year, and has employees (called Actuaries or Actuarial Officers) who calculate the odds on each policy based on mortality rates, the mortality experience of the insurer, and the return on investment which the insurer is likely to get. These in essence, form the framework of determining the premiums paid by policy holders, and the returns expected from the policies.
It is the Life Advisors of each company who are responsible for creating the relation between the insurer and the policy holder. He meets with the prospective policy holder, and in conjunction with him, determines which policy would best suit his needs. Indeed, it is through the Life Advisors that every Life Insurance Company manages to maintain a personal relationship with its clients.
It is the requirement of each company to constantly try and establish an identity for itself, and to provide to its customers, both existing and prospective, that which its competitors can’t.
In other words, to establish one or multiple Points of Differentiation. Again, the customer for life insurance ends up paying a rate of premium which has been determined upon data which is sadly loaded in the insurers favor.
As stated earlier, the insurance premiums are calculated by the insurer’s actuaries after taking into account mortality rates, and mortality experience. In many countries, especially the poorer countries, neither private insurance companies, nor the LIC are permitted to conduct the nationwide studies required to determine the mortality rates.
The information is provided by the governments, for a fee, from data taken during the Census. Since this data in itself is old, and mortality rates have significantly decreased in the last 14 years, the customer is actually paying more premium than he should for a life insurance policy.
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same
It is the Life Advisors of each company who are responsible for creating the relation between the insurer and the policy holder. He meets with the prospective policy holder, and in conjunction with him, determines which policy would best suit his needs. Indeed, it is through the Life Advisors that every Life Insurance Company manages to maintain a personal relationship with its clients.
It is the requirement of each company to constantly try and establish an identity for itself, and to provide to its customers, both existing and prospective, that which its competitors can’t.
In other words, to establish one or multiple Points of Differentiation. Again, the customer for life insurance ends up paying a rate of premium which has been determined upon data which is sadly loaded in the insurers favor.
As stated earlier, the insurance premiums are calculated by the insurer’s actuaries after taking into account mortality rates, and mortality experience. In many countries, especially the poorer countries, neither private insurance companies, nor the LIC are permitted to conduct the nationwide studies required to determine the mortality rates.
The information is provided by the governments, for a fee, from data taken during the Census. Since this data in itself is old, and mortality rates have significantly decreased in the last 14 years, the customer is actually paying more premium than he should for a life insurance policy.
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same
How To Find A Nursing Job - 8 Tips To Take Some Of The Headache Out Of Your Search
Do you have your nursing degree and are ready to take the medical industry by storm? Are you an experienced nurse looking for an exciting new challenge? Regardless of the level of your nursing experience, looking for a new job can be a time-consuming and frequently frustrating process. A big part of the job search process is knowing where to look for nursing positions.
The following tips and tricks are designed to take some of the headache out of your search, by giving you some guidelines on steps you can take to land your ideal nursing position.
1. Visit the recruiting departments of local hospitals, medical centers, and doctor’s offices to inquire about available positions. If there are no current vacancies, ask if you can submit your resume to remain on file should future openings match what you are seeking.
2. Contact recruitment and contract employment agencies. Aligning yourself with a recruiter can give you access to jobs that are often not advertised to the public. The great thing about recruiting agencies is that allow you to “apply” for positions at multiple companies simultaneously with a single resume submittal, since most recruiters will shop your resume around to all of the available openings.
3. Use the internet to your advantage. Searching for “nurse” or “nursing” on major job boards such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com will unearth hundreds of available openings – just be aware that competition for these positions is stiff since hundreds of other nurses are looking at and applying for the exact same jobs.
4. Don’t be adverse to accepting a contract or “training” position. This are often a great way to get you foot in the door in the medical profession. It also gives you a chance to evaluate an organization and department to ensure it is a match before fully committing yourself to a long-term full-time position.
5. Colleges and universities that offer nursing degrees often have a database of available positions in the school’s Career Center. Career Center advisors are also excellent sources of information on how to network in the industry and get your foot in the door. Many schools limit Career Center resource access to current students or alumni, though, so you may be limited to your Alma Matar.
6. Network, network, network! Let friends, family, and casual acquaintances know that you are on the market for a new position. Since most companies are much more willing to interview (and potentially hire) candidates who have already been vouched for, it’s important to get the word out that you are available and seeking a new opportunity.
7. Don’t forgot to investigate often-overlooked nursing avenues such as:
o School nurses (contact the local School Board for openings)
o Health Department Openings (both local/county and state offices)
o Health insurance companies
o Assisted living facilities and retirement homes
o Universities and colleges seeking teachers for nursing school programs
o Mentorship programs
o Traveling nurse programs that place you on short assignments at different locations around the country
8. Searching nursing-specific job boards for available opportunities is a great way to target only those jobs that require your degree and background. For example, internet sites http://www.NursingJobs.org and http://www.NurseOptions.com offer free access to a wide range of nursing positions nationwide. There are many other excellent on-line resources for nursing job information.
About the Author: Laura Adams is a qualified careers advisor with 11 years experience. Nurses Jobs Information - Resources, News, Tips and Views to help Nurses find their dream jobs. http://www.Nurses-Jobs.info
The following tips and tricks are designed to take some of the headache out of your search, by giving you some guidelines on steps you can take to land your ideal nursing position.
1. Visit the recruiting departments of local hospitals, medical centers, and doctor’s offices to inquire about available positions. If there are no current vacancies, ask if you can submit your resume to remain on file should future openings match what you are seeking.
2. Contact recruitment and contract employment agencies. Aligning yourself with a recruiter can give you access to jobs that are often not advertised to the public. The great thing about recruiting agencies is that allow you to “apply” for positions at multiple companies simultaneously with a single resume submittal, since most recruiters will shop your resume around to all of the available openings.
3. Use the internet to your advantage. Searching for “nurse” or “nursing” on major job boards such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com will unearth hundreds of available openings – just be aware that competition for these positions is stiff since hundreds of other nurses are looking at and applying for the exact same jobs.
4. Don’t be adverse to accepting a contract or “training” position. This are often a great way to get you foot in the door in the medical profession. It also gives you a chance to evaluate an organization and department to ensure it is a match before fully committing yourself to a long-term full-time position.
5. Colleges and universities that offer nursing degrees often have a database of available positions in the school’s Career Center. Career Center advisors are also excellent sources of information on how to network in the industry and get your foot in the door. Many schools limit Career Center resource access to current students or alumni, though, so you may be limited to your Alma Matar.
6. Network, network, network! Let friends, family, and casual acquaintances know that you are on the market for a new position. Since most companies are much more willing to interview (and potentially hire) candidates who have already been vouched for, it’s important to get the word out that you are available and seeking a new opportunity.
7. Don’t forgot to investigate often-overlooked nursing avenues such as:
o School nurses (contact the local School Board for openings)
o Health Department Openings (both local/county and state offices)
o Health insurance companies
o Assisted living facilities and retirement homes
o Universities and colleges seeking teachers for nursing school programs
o Mentorship programs
o Traveling nurse programs that place you on short assignments at different locations around the country
8. Searching nursing-specific job boards for available opportunities is a great way to target only those jobs that require your degree and background. For example, internet sites http://www.NursingJobs.org and http://www.NurseOptions.com offer free access to a wide range of nursing positions nationwide. There are many other excellent on-line resources for nursing job information.
About the Author: Laura Adams is a qualified careers advisor with 11 years experience. Nurses Jobs Information - Resources, News, Tips and Views to help Nurses find their dream jobs. http://www.Nurses-Jobs.info
Invest Wisely in your Child's Future.
Independent school fees have risen faster than inflation and it is estimated that it costs more than
£100,000 in Scotland in the United Kingdom to fund a child through a private education. So sending your child to a fee-paying school is a major consideration and even when you have worked out the fees, remember that there are other costs to be taken into account - in addition to the basic annual fees there will be extras that can add up to 10 per cent of the total.
Schools are very sensitive to the fact that this is a major outlay for parents and she leads to the accusation that the sector is for the rich. This upsets lots of parents. They are not rich. They don’t see themselves as being rich; they have to work very hard to get their children through education.
It has to be conceded that fees have been rising steadily over the last three years since the McCrone agreement; this has been exacerbated by steep increases in teacher’s superannuation contributions, National Insurance contributions, and a raft of regulations and, for example, the self-financing of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. But even though subject to unpredictable forces hitting them fee increases will be more modest in the next year or so.
There is no magic solution to investing for school fees. As any parent who has chosen to educate a child at a private school will know, the costs are substantial. School fees are not linked to inflation or any other recognisable index and seem to rise steeply every year. Parents now have the additional concern of funding a child’s tertiary education. However, there is a need to be wary of financial ‘products’ marketed for the specific purpose of funding school fees. Many of these are typically no more than traditional forms of investment ‘dressed up’ to attract investors who need to save to meet educational costs. It is important to investigate the cost and suitability of these products by contrasting them with simpler financial alternatives, which are available on the market.
The most appropriate form of investment is often determined by what is affordable. For the most, fees must simply be funded from income. Those with capital to invest should follow the basic, straightforward rules. Avoid risk, keep it simple and accessible.
There is no point in investing in stocks and shares in the hope of achieving growth if you have no other capital to fall back on if the market goes against you. To achieve some growth and a pre-requisite for meeting rising fees. A parent could consider National Savings products, UK government gilts or zero dividend preference shares. Zeros have had a bad press as a result of some being caught up in recent financial scandals but if chosen carefully, it should be possible to achieve some growth with each zero maturing on an annual basis to meet the cost of fees.
In addition, don’t ignore tax efficiency. For many families, capital will come from grandparents, rather than parents. If grandparents invest directly for grandchildren, perhaps in a small education trust. The income and capital gains are charged at the grandchild’s marginal rate.
This will boost the value of the funds for the family as a whole.
Consider all the options carefully and invest wisely in your children’s future.
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same
About the Author: Barry Hooper is an independent writer and can be contacted at - basthehoop@hotmail.com
£100,000 in Scotland in the United Kingdom to fund a child through a private education. So sending your child to a fee-paying school is a major consideration and even when you have worked out the fees, remember that there are other costs to be taken into account - in addition to the basic annual fees there will be extras that can add up to 10 per cent of the total.
Schools are very sensitive to the fact that this is a major outlay for parents and she leads to the accusation that the sector is for the rich. This upsets lots of parents. They are not rich. They don’t see themselves as being rich; they have to work very hard to get their children through education.
It has to be conceded that fees have been rising steadily over the last three years since the McCrone agreement; this has been exacerbated by steep increases in teacher’s superannuation contributions, National Insurance contributions, and a raft of regulations and, for example, the self-financing of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. But even though subject to unpredictable forces hitting them fee increases will be more modest in the next year or so.
There is no magic solution to investing for school fees. As any parent who has chosen to educate a child at a private school will know, the costs are substantial. School fees are not linked to inflation or any other recognisable index and seem to rise steeply every year. Parents now have the additional concern of funding a child’s tertiary education. However, there is a need to be wary of financial ‘products’ marketed for the specific purpose of funding school fees. Many of these are typically no more than traditional forms of investment ‘dressed up’ to attract investors who need to save to meet educational costs. It is important to investigate the cost and suitability of these products by contrasting them with simpler financial alternatives, which are available on the market.
The most appropriate form of investment is often determined by what is affordable. For the most, fees must simply be funded from income. Those with capital to invest should follow the basic, straightforward rules. Avoid risk, keep it simple and accessible.
There is no point in investing in stocks and shares in the hope of achieving growth if you have no other capital to fall back on if the market goes against you. To achieve some growth and a pre-requisite for meeting rising fees. A parent could consider National Savings products, UK government gilts or zero dividend preference shares. Zeros have had a bad press as a result of some being caught up in recent financial scandals but if chosen carefully, it should be possible to achieve some growth with each zero maturing on an annual basis to meet the cost of fees.
In addition, don’t ignore tax efficiency. For many families, capital will come from grandparents, rather than parents. If grandparents invest directly for grandchildren, perhaps in a small education trust. The income and capital gains are charged at the grandchild’s marginal rate.
This will boost the value of the funds for the family as a whole.
Consider all the options carefully and invest wisely in your children’s future.
Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same
About the Author: Barry Hooper is an independent writer and can be contacted at - basthehoop@hotmail.com
Benefits of getting auto insurance online
Throughout the world if you want to drive your vehicle you have to get it insured. Having vehicle insurance means that driving is safe and at the same time affordable. It’s very stressful not to have insurance. Having a good insurance policy puts your mind at ease as you drive. It’s the basic duty of a vehicle owner to consider auto insurance seriously, because every time when you are behind the wheel you are running a risk.
Presently it’s possible for you to get auto insurance online, the internet offers you much options and convenience. You can even sit in the comfort of your home and apply for insurance. The following article throws light on the various benefits of getting auto insurance online.
Simple online tools
The simple online tools make getting online insurance very easy. The host of help online will help you to select the right type of insurance for you even though you know nothing about auto insurance. The information the internet provides makes it simple to find the best suited insurance coverage.
Online forms
These forms are very easy to fill, this also helps in prompt and accurate elimination of errors and you can get a printed copy for your proof. This also helps you to save your valuable time. Moreover getting insurance online makes sure that you are accessing to the correct forms.
Uncomplicated claim processes
Today almost all companies dealing with insurance will allow their customers to make their claims online. This can be considered as a great advantage as it reduces your botheration in relation to the claims, along with saving of your time. This is treated as a major plus point as many people are of the opinion that getting insurance claims is a daunting task.
Ease and confidentiality
Making use of the internet for getting the best suited auto insurance is not a demanding task. It’s very simple and you can even enjoy the comfort of your room for selecting the best auto insurance.
Reserves
After finding the insurance you want the next step is to point and click in order to get the best deals on cheap auto insurance online. As there are many providers to choose from you can be sure of getting the cheap and best prices.
Quick quotes
The online insurance application helps you to get fast quotes, they also provide you with an opportunity to compare several insurance policies by price and by coverage. This provides you with a chance of selecting the right type of insurance from the right company.
The above article tells you about the several benefits that you can enjoy if you are buying auto insurance online.
About the Author
http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurance. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.
About the Author: About the Author
http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurance. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.
Presently it’s possible for you to get auto insurance online, the internet offers you much options and convenience. You can even sit in the comfort of your home and apply for insurance. The following article throws light on the various benefits of getting auto insurance online.
Simple online tools
The simple online tools make getting online insurance very easy. The host of help online will help you to select the right type of insurance for you even though you know nothing about auto insurance. The information the internet provides makes it simple to find the best suited insurance coverage.
Online forms
These forms are very easy to fill, this also helps in prompt and accurate elimination of errors and you can get a printed copy for your proof. This also helps you to save your valuable time. Moreover getting insurance online makes sure that you are accessing to the correct forms.
Uncomplicated claim processes
Today almost all companies dealing with insurance will allow their customers to make their claims online. This can be considered as a great advantage as it reduces your botheration in relation to the claims, along with saving of your time. This is treated as a major plus point as many people are of the opinion that getting insurance claims is a daunting task.
Ease and confidentiality
Making use of the internet for getting the best suited auto insurance is not a demanding task. It’s very simple and you can even enjoy the comfort of your room for selecting the best auto insurance.
Reserves
After finding the insurance you want the next step is to point and click in order to get the best deals on cheap auto insurance online. As there are many providers to choose from you can be sure of getting the cheap and best prices.
Quick quotes
The online insurance application helps you to get fast quotes, they also provide you with an opportunity to compare several insurance policies by price and by coverage. This provides you with a chance of selecting the right type of insurance from the right company.
The above article tells you about the several benefits that you can enjoy if you are buying auto insurance online.
About the Author
http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurance. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.
About the Author: About the Author
http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurance. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.
Buying Investment Property
First a little story about buying investment property.
My wife and I stayed at a motel in Tucson for a week one winter. Our bill was for twice what it should have been, but since I already paid the correct amount in cash, I thought nothing of it. During our stay, we noticed that the lobby and swimming pool were unheated, and passed it off as frugality. A year later, however, when I read a news story about a new owner struggling to make the motel work, I realized what was really going on.
To prepare the motel for sale, the owner had been using the two most basic ways to inflate the appraised value: decrease expenses and increase reported income. Stopping repairs, turning down the heat, and quietly adding $100 in income to the books every day, might have increased the net income for the year by $45,000 more. With a .08 capitalization rate, that means the appraisal would come in $562,000 higher than it should have. Imagine the the poor guy who overpaid!
To avoid a mistake like this when buying investment property, you need to watch for tricks like these. You also need to understand the basics of appraising income property.
Valuation of income properties start with the capitalization rate, or "cap rate." When investors in an area expect a return of 8% on assets, the cap rate is .08. The net income before debt service is divided by this to arrive at the value of a property. This is expleained further in another article, but the primary point to remember is that every dollar of extra income shown will increase the appraised value by $12.50 with a cap rate of .08 (Or, for example, by $10, if the cap rate is .10).
Avoid Dirty Tricks When Buying Investment Property
When sellers of income properties increase the net income by honest means, the property should sell for more. However, there are many dishonest ways, both legal and fraudulent, that are sometimes used. Sellers of houses may cover foundation cracks with plaster, but the tricks used by sellers of income properties aren't about appearance. These tricks are about income and expenses.
One way income can be inflated, is by showing you the "pro forma," or projected income, instead of the actual rents collected. Demand the actual figures, and check to see that none of the apartments listed as occupied are actually vacant. See if any of the income is from one time events, like the sale of something.
The income from vending machines is a gray area. Many smart investors subtract this from the net income before applying the cap rate, then add back the value of the machines themselves. For example, if laundry machines make $6,000, that would add $75,000 to the appraised value (.08 cap rate), if you included it. However, since they are easily replaceable, adding the $10,000 replacement cost instead makes more sense.
The other important tricks sellers play involve hiding expenses. These can include paying for repairs off the books, or just avoiding necessary repairs for a year. This can dramatically increase the net income, meaning you pay more for the property. It also means you have less income than expected, and deferred maintenance to catch up on.
Ask for an accounting of all expenditures. If a number in an expense category is suspicious, replace it with your own best guess. Then re-figure the net income.
Look at each of the following, verifying the figures as much as possible, and substituting your own guesses if they are too suspect: vacancy rates, advertising, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, management fees, supplies, taxes, insurance, utilities, commissions, legal fees and any other expenses. Do your homework, and avoid seller's tricks when buying investment property.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
My wife and I stayed at a motel in Tucson for a week one winter. Our bill was for twice what it should have been, but since I already paid the correct amount in cash, I thought nothing of it. During our stay, we noticed that the lobby and swimming pool were unheated, and passed it off as frugality. A year later, however, when I read a news story about a new owner struggling to make the motel work, I realized what was really going on.
To prepare the motel for sale, the owner had been using the two most basic ways to inflate the appraised value: decrease expenses and increase reported income. Stopping repairs, turning down the heat, and quietly adding $100 in income to the books every day, might have increased the net income for the year by $45,000 more. With a .08 capitalization rate, that means the appraisal would come in $562,000 higher than it should have. Imagine the the poor guy who overpaid!
To avoid a mistake like this when buying investment property, you need to watch for tricks like these. You also need to understand the basics of appraising income property.
Valuation of income properties start with the capitalization rate, or "cap rate." When investors in an area expect a return of 8% on assets, the cap rate is .08. The net income before debt service is divided by this to arrive at the value of a property. This is expleained further in another article, but the primary point to remember is that every dollar of extra income shown will increase the appraised value by $12.50 with a cap rate of .08 (Or, for example, by $10, if the cap rate is .10).
Avoid Dirty Tricks When Buying Investment Property
When sellers of income properties increase the net income by honest means, the property should sell for more. However, there are many dishonest ways, both legal and fraudulent, that are sometimes used. Sellers of houses may cover foundation cracks with plaster, but the tricks used by sellers of income properties aren't about appearance. These tricks are about income and expenses.
One way income can be inflated, is by showing you the "pro forma," or projected income, instead of the actual rents collected. Demand the actual figures, and check to see that none of the apartments listed as occupied are actually vacant. See if any of the income is from one time events, like the sale of something.
The income from vending machines is a gray area. Many smart investors subtract this from the net income before applying the cap rate, then add back the value of the machines themselves. For example, if laundry machines make $6,000, that would add $75,000 to the appraised value (.08 cap rate), if you included it. However, since they are easily replaceable, adding the $10,000 replacement cost instead makes more sense.
The other important tricks sellers play involve hiding expenses. These can include paying for repairs off the books, or just avoiding necessary repairs for a year. This can dramatically increase the net income, meaning you pay more for the property. It also means you have less income than expected, and deferred maintenance to catch up on.
Ask for an accounting of all expenditures. If a number in an expense category is suspicious, replace it with your own best guess. Then re-figure the net income.
Look at each of the following, verifying the figures as much as possible, and substituting your own guesses if they are too suspect: vacancy rates, advertising, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, management fees, supplies, taxes, insurance, utilities, commissions, legal fees and any other expenses. Do your homework, and avoid seller's tricks when buying investment property.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
You Need to Backup
It doesn’t matter if you paid $500.00 or $2000.00 to purchase a new computer for your home or business; you will defiantly want to have some kind of insurance and backing up your computer is the best form of protection there is. An interesting fact is that in the business world the data your computer holds is more important than the computer itself!
When anyone buys a computer today they are most likely to be using windows, the most widely accepted operating system on the market. Windows comes with a software utility called backup that lets the user copy all their files and other data onto various media. It is recommended to backup your computer once a week, but if a lot of data is added within a couple of days or so you may consider so daily. First and foremost a backup should include your system settings and important files, and then you can pick and choose to copy e-mail, favorites, pictures, ECT; or make a full backup to cover everything.
There are problems with backups of the human sort. It pains me to say some people (even professionals) are lazy or inconsistent when it comes to backups. They either forget or simply don’t bother until it’s too late because the backup was not updated to include their current data; this oversight can ruin a business! Some people will also neglect to have in place having any sort of labeling system for past and current backups with dates, times or other crucial information. If you are backing up onto magnetic tapes like floppy disks (these are not practical anymore because they only hold about 1.5mb of data), you should keep them away from anything that can produce a magnate field like motors, phones and power supplies; also keep them away from excessive heat, cold and moisture.
The media used depends on factors like cost, time, type, and connivance of use. The most common type of media backup used is CD-R and CD-RW the first one is cheap but you will use a lot of them for a full backup because they hold only 650 MB of data. The second is more expensive and has the same limitations (as CD-R’s), but has the ability to be written on again and again (Re- Writeable). Both of these will not be able to hold video files.
Another way to go is by using a DVD-R or DVD-RW disks that can hold around 5 GB (GigaBites) of data an can hold digital video files as well. (That’s my personal favorite).
Zip drives are also a preferred storage device that can hold 750 MB and also external hard drives that up to 150 GB. There are other types of data storage media, these are just a few.
What it boils down to is everyone should use there backups correctly, use the best media for your present needs, but also try to anticipate what you might need in the future.
About the Author: Robert Hanania is a student of the internet, learning about home based businesses and computers. I am currently promoting my web page. All are welcome to visit me at
http://www.fileanddatarecovery.com
When anyone buys a computer today they are most likely to be using windows, the most widely accepted operating system on the market. Windows comes with a software utility called backup that lets the user copy all their files and other data onto various media. It is recommended to backup your computer once a week, but if a lot of data is added within a couple of days or so you may consider so daily. First and foremost a backup should include your system settings and important files, and then you can pick and choose to copy e-mail, favorites, pictures, ECT; or make a full backup to cover everything.
There are problems with backups of the human sort. It pains me to say some people (even professionals) are lazy or inconsistent when it comes to backups. They either forget or simply don’t bother until it’s too late because the backup was not updated to include their current data; this oversight can ruin a business! Some people will also neglect to have in place having any sort of labeling system for past and current backups with dates, times or other crucial information. If you are backing up onto magnetic tapes like floppy disks (these are not practical anymore because they only hold about 1.5mb of data), you should keep them away from anything that can produce a magnate field like motors, phones and power supplies; also keep them away from excessive heat, cold and moisture.
The media used depends on factors like cost, time, type, and connivance of use. The most common type of media backup used is CD-R and CD-RW the first one is cheap but you will use a lot of them for a full backup because they hold only 650 MB of data. The second is more expensive and has the same limitations (as CD-R’s), but has the ability to be written on again and again (Re- Writeable). Both of these will not be able to hold video files.
Another way to go is by using a DVD-R or DVD-RW disks that can hold around 5 GB (GigaBites) of data an can hold digital video files as well. (That’s my personal favorite).
Zip drives are also a preferred storage device that can hold 750 MB and also external hard drives that up to 150 GB. There are other types of data storage media, these are just a few.
What it boils down to is everyone should use there backups correctly, use the best media for your present needs, but also try to anticipate what you might need in the future.
About the Author: Robert Hanania is a student of the internet, learning about home based businesses and computers. I am currently promoting my web page. All are welcome to visit me at
http://www.fileanddatarecovery.com
Workplace Safety and Economics
It is estimated that over 40 million workers in the United States had to receive emergency medical treatment for workplace-related injuries in the year 2003. This is a staggering number when one considers the efforts most companies have put into maintaining a safe workplace. In modern times, a number of companies have been found liable for injuries sustained in their places of business. There is a relationship that exists between workplace safety and profitability.
Every company, especially those involved in industrial manufacturing, is constantly looking at ways to continuously improve their products and processes. They realize that their profits are directly related to the ways and means by which they produce their products. Unfortunately, too many companies get caught up in drive for higher profits and tend to allow workplace safety to become an afterthought.
The costs associated with operating a large manufacturing facility in America are astounding. Workplace injuries place a massive burden of expense and weakened productivity on a company. These injuries can be reduced with proper planning and careful attention to detail. Most workplace injuries are preventable. There are a number of factors to consider, but maintaining a safe and tidy work area is one of the best ways to prevent injury. Workers, too, have a responsibility in keeping themselves safe from harm.
Workplace injuries place a significant burden on health care providers and insurance companies. As companies continue to pay higher premiums for employee health care, one of the only means available for cost recovery is to increase the prices of the goods they produce. This places the burden of expense on the consumer, and allows companies to ignore the root cause of their workplace injuries. The focus here seems to be on maintaining a healthy relationship with shareholders, and not necessarily on maintaining a healthy workforce.
It is interesting to note that there are record numbers of jobs, especially in the industrial sector, being sent overseas. There are a number of reasons to account for this. One of the most significant reasons is that American companies are able to shave their operating costs down to a fraction of their domestic costs, by capitalizing on cheaper labor in foreign markets. Foreign governments, eager for investment, are all too willing to accommodate the interests of big western business. Far too often, this comes at the expense of workplace safety.
If companies want to be profitable in the long term, they need to reexamine their approach to workplace safety and the health of their workers. Many companies are sending jobs overseas, in order to take advantage of cheap labor and relaxed labor laws. American companies can be both profitable and safety conscious. Through directed education campaigns and preemptive planning, workplace injuries can be reduced in a significant way. Remember: a safe worker is a happy worker, and a happy worker is a productive worker.
About the Author: Jim Staller is very passionate about workplace safety. When he is not researching the latest health and safety information, he writes for industrial101.com – an excellent online resource for information about Safety Supplies, Industrial Electronics, Equipment and more.
Every company, especially those involved in industrial manufacturing, is constantly looking at ways to continuously improve their products and processes. They realize that their profits are directly related to the ways and means by which they produce their products. Unfortunately, too many companies get caught up in drive for higher profits and tend to allow workplace safety to become an afterthought.
The costs associated with operating a large manufacturing facility in America are astounding. Workplace injuries place a massive burden of expense and weakened productivity on a company. These injuries can be reduced with proper planning and careful attention to detail. Most workplace injuries are preventable. There are a number of factors to consider, but maintaining a safe and tidy work area is one of the best ways to prevent injury. Workers, too, have a responsibility in keeping themselves safe from harm.
Workplace injuries place a significant burden on health care providers and insurance companies. As companies continue to pay higher premiums for employee health care, one of the only means available for cost recovery is to increase the prices of the goods they produce. This places the burden of expense on the consumer, and allows companies to ignore the root cause of their workplace injuries. The focus here seems to be on maintaining a healthy relationship with shareholders, and not necessarily on maintaining a healthy workforce.
It is interesting to note that there are record numbers of jobs, especially in the industrial sector, being sent overseas. There are a number of reasons to account for this. One of the most significant reasons is that American companies are able to shave their operating costs down to a fraction of their domestic costs, by capitalizing on cheaper labor in foreign markets. Foreign governments, eager for investment, are all too willing to accommodate the interests of big western business. Far too often, this comes at the expense of workplace safety.
If companies want to be profitable in the long term, they need to reexamine their approach to workplace safety and the health of their workers. Many companies are sending jobs overseas, in order to take advantage of cheap labor and relaxed labor laws. American companies can be both profitable and safety conscious. Through directed education campaigns and preemptive planning, workplace injuries can be reduced in a significant way. Remember: a safe worker is a happy worker, and a happy worker is a productive worker.
About the Author: Jim Staller is very passionate about workplace safety. When he is not researching the latest health and safety information, he writes for industrial101.com – an excellent online resource for information about Safety Supplies, Industrial Electronics, Equipment and more.
Term life insurance: What length of term insurance do you need?
Getting confused with life insurance terminology and all of the policy information of whole life insurance. Then term life might be perfect for you. It is simple to understand and relatively cheap.
Term life insurance means you pay the premium for a term and if you die, your beneficiary collects. If you don't die, nobody collects. Terms can be 5,10 or 20 years. What could be simpler?
Some people feel like they're wasting money because at the end of the term, they don't get anything back. But that is what Whole Life Insurance is for. With whole life, you pay higher premiums in to the policy, and after a long period, there is cash value that you can use.
Term insurance is a "hedge" insurance policy. You're hedging that you might not live to the end of the term and you want to leave a death benefit. The death benefit will cover expenses such as your children's college or university tuition or pay off your mortgage.
If you buy term life insurance you will know that for a set period of time you will have the coverage you need to offer your family protection when you are gone. With you gone, the earning power of your family may be greatly reduced. Your family may quickly fall into financial tragedy if you have not provided them with the protection they need.
The easiest way to learn about term life insurance is by shopping on the Internet. The Internet will lead you to many different companies offering this coverage and allow you to investigate their policies and service with ease. You will be able to find consumer pages, reviews and forums with advise on how to select the best insurance company and arrange for a policy with all of the coverage you need.
It is important to learn all you can about term insurance and how to judge a trustworthy insurance company. Advice from friends and family can be very helpful as well.
But always remember, when you buy term life insurance, it is just for a certain term or length of time. You will need to renew the coverage with a new policy when the term expires. Your insurance company will usually prompt you with a reminder when this date is near.
About the Author: Bob Buckham is webmaster of http://www.canadalifeco.com and has been contributing insurance and mortgage articles to the finance industry for years.
Term life insurance means you pay the premium for a term and if you die, your beneficiary collects. If you don't die, nobody collects. Terms can be 5,10 or 20 years. What could be simpler?
Some people feel like they're wasting money because at the end of the term, they don't get anything back. But that is what Whole Life Insurance is for. With whole life, you pay higher premiums in to the policy, and after a long period, there is cash value that you can use.
Term insurance is a "hedge" insurance policy. You're hedging that you might not live to the end of the term and you want to leave a death benefit. The death benefit will cover expenses such as your children's college or university tuition or pay off your mortgage.
If you buy term life insurance you will know that for a set period of time you will have the coverage you need to offer your family protection when you are gone. With you gone, the earning power of your family may be greatly reduced. Your family may quickly fall into financial tragedy if you have not provided them with the protection they need.
The easiest way to learn about term life insurance is by shopping on the Internet. The Internet will lead you to many different companies offering this coverage and allow you to investigate their policies and service with ease. You will be able to find consumer pages, reviews and forums with advise on how to select the best insurance company and arrange for a policy with all of the coverage you need.
It is important to learn all you can about term insurance and how to judge a trustworthy insurance company. Advice from friends and family can be very helpful as well.
But always remember, when you buy term life insurance, it is just for a certain term or length of time. You will need to renew the coverage with a new policy when the term expires. Your insurance company will usually prompt you with a reminder when this date is near.
About the Author: Bob Buckham is webmaster of http://www.canadalifeco.com and has been contributing insurance and mortgage articles to the finance industry for years.
7 Simple Tips For Flipping Real Estate
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably either dabbled in real estate yourself, or at the very least, know someone who has. So, how does someone that’s brand new to real estate start flipping homes? (And let’s clear the air right now… IT IS NOT TOO LATE to start investing in real estate).
Follow these 7 tips to start investing in real estate today:
1. Look In Your Own Backyard
The grass is always greener in the other neighborhood, and it’s easy to keep looking for the “right” area. The bottom line is that any area is the “right” area. In order to be effective in the steps 2 through 7, you’ve got to get over the idea that real estate deals only exist in other areas. It sounds cliché, but there are plenty of deals in your own backyard. Not to mention, it’s easier to manage and you’re likely to know the values in and around your area.
2. Find the “Right” Property
Not every piece of real estate is a good investment – even if you can “steal” it! Make sure you look at things like:
• Property Location – Will you be able to sell the property once you’ve renovated it?
• Condition – How much work– and what kind of work – needs to be done and is it a project that you can afford to take on financially and from a management perspective?
• Seller’s motivation – Is the seller truly motivated enough to negotiate on price?
3. Have A Thorough Inspection
Unless you’ve been flipping real estate for a while or have a background in construction, then it’s a good idea to have a full home inspection. It may cost you a few hundred dollars, but will catch things that maybe you didn’t know to look for. When flipping real estate, it’s the “little” things that add up very quickly and can eat up your profits!
*** Bonus Tip*** Use a home inspection to help renegotiate the purchase price OR ask for a credit toward repairs.
4. Don’t Get Emotional
Real Estate is emotional by nature. Investing in real estate cannot involve your emotions. It’s got to be all business. If the numbers don’t work, move on to the next. So many times, people are so desperate to flip their first deal that they make bad decisions just to do something at all. Then, they’ve become so attached to the deal that they try to sell it for higher than the market will bear and end up holding the property longer, reducing their profit and getting left with a bad taste in their mouth.
5. Know Your Numbers – All of Them!
Late night infomercials will hype you up with pipe dreams of flipping real estate for millions of dollars in profits and no work. You’ve seen the testimonials that go something like: “Mary Smith purchased this property for $100,000. It cost $10,000 in repairs. She flipped the property for $140,000 and made $30,000”. Somewhere on the screen, you see in teeny tiny print: Results Not Typical. Your Results May Vary!
Of course results are not typical because those results assume that you buy the property for all cash and pay no closing fees and have no monthly costs. Be VERY cautious of deals that you see that sound like that!
In the real world, costs associated with flipping real estate are:
• Purchase costs: Upfront mortgage fees, attorneys fees, regular closings fees, title, survey, etc.
• Carrying costs: It’s more than just the repairs! When you’re flipping real estate, you’re likely paying higher interest rates than on, let’s say, a primary residence or second home. In addition to the repairs, you’ve got to consider monthly payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.
• Selling costs: Again, you’ve got closing costs and possibly real estate commissions to consider.
Whether you’re flipping a real estate deal here and there or you’re looking to make real estate your new career, it’s important that you know – and figure – your costs into your calculations. Keeping this in mind will help you keep from getting emotional (See Tip 4)
6. Keep Track Of Your Progress
You can’t improve what you can’t measure! Throughout the entire project, you’ll want to constantly track your progress. This way, you’ll know, at any given time, where you stand on the deal. This will help keep you focused by keeping the bottom line in front of you all the time.
7. Expect the Unexpected
In virtually every single property you flip, you will run across SOMETHING that you simply didn’t expect. Whether it’s an issue that pops up 2 hours before closing that needs to be handled or a big surprise when you peek behind the drywall that you had to replace! You’ll almost always run at least a little over budget or hold it a little longer than you anticipated. But at the end of the day, you’ll have the satisfaction of taken an ugly house and turned it around and depositing a healthy check in your bank account.
About the Author: Heather Seitz makes it easy to get to the bottom line. Learn how to evaluate a real estate deal in less than 15 minutes. Get your FREE video on flipping real estate and uncover the top 5 secrets that you need to know to double your profits on every single deal. Get your free video and 5-part mini course at www.fixingandflipping.com
Follow these 7 tips to start investing in real estate today:
1. Look In Your Own Backyard
The grass is always greener in the other neighborhood, and it’s easy to keep looking for the “right” area. The bottom line is that any area is the “right” area. In order to be effective in the steps 2 through 7, you’ve got to get over the idea that real estate deals only exist in other areas. It sounds cliché, but there are plenty of deals in your own backyard. Not to mention, it’s easier to manage and you’re likely to know the values in and around your area.
2. Find the “Right” Property
Not every piece of real estate is a good investment – even if you can “steal” it! Make sure you look at things like:
• Property Location – Will you be able to sell the property once you’ve renovated it?
• Condition – How much work– and what kind of work – needs to be done and is it a project that you can afford to take on financially and from a management perspective?
• Seller’s motivation – Is the seller truly motivated enough to negotiate on price?
3. Have A Thorough Inspection
Unless you’ve been flipping real estate for a while or have a background in construction, then it’s a good idea to have a full home inspection. It may cost you a few hundred dollars, but will catch things that maybe you didn’t know to look for. When flipping real estate, it’s the “little” things that add up very quickly and can eat up your profits!
*** Bonus Tip*** Use a home inspection to help renegotiate the purchase price OR ask for a credit toward repairs.
4. Don’t Get Emotional
Real Estate is emotional by nature. Investing in real estate cannot involve your emotions. It’s got to be all business. If the numbers don’t work, move on to the next. So many times, people are so desperate to flip their first deal that they make bad decisions just to do something at all. Then, they’ve become so attached to the deal that they try to sell it for higher than the market will bear and end up holding the property longer, reducing their profit and getting left with a bad taste in their mouth.
5. Know Your Numbers – All of Them!
Late night infomercials will hype you up with pipe dreams of flipping real estate for millions of dollars in profits and no work. You’ve seen the testimonials that go something like: “Mary Smith purchased this property for $100,000. It cost $10,000 in repairs. She flipped the property for $140,000 and made $30,000”. Somewhere on the screen, you see in teeny tiny print: Results Not Typical. Your Results May Vary!
Of course results are not typical because those results assume that you buy the property for all cash and pay no closing fees and have no monthly costs. Be VERY cautious of deals that you see that sound like that!
In the real world, costs associated with flipping real estate are:
• Purchase costs: Upfront mortgage fees, attorneys fees, regular closings fees, title, survey, etc.
• Carrying costs: It’s more than just the repairs! When you’re flipping real estate, you’re likely paying higher interest rates than on, let’s say, a primary residence or second home. In addition to the repairs, you’ve got to consider monthly payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.
• Selling costs: Again, you’ve got closing costs and possibly real estate commissions to consider.
Whether you’re flipping a real estate deal here and there or you’re looking to make real estate your new career, it’s important that you know – and figure – your costs into your calculations. Keeping this in mind will help you keep from getting emotional (See Tip 4)
6. Keep Track Of Your Progress
You can’t improve what you can’t measure! Throughout the entire project, you’ll want to constantly track your progress. This way, you’ll know, at any given time, where you stand on the deal. This will help keep you focused by keeping the bottom line in front of you all the time.
7. Expect the Unexpected
In virtually every single property you flip, you will run across SOMETHING that you simply didn’t expect. Whether it’s an issue that pops up 2 hours before closing that needs to be handled or a big surprise when you peek behind the drywall that you had to replace! You’ll almost always run at least a little over budget or hold it a little longer than you anticipated. But at the end of the day, you’ll have the satisfaction of taken an ugly house and turned it around and depositing a healthy check in your bank account.
About the Author: Heather Seitz makes it easy to get to the bottom line. Learn how to evaluate a real estate deal in less than 15 minutes. Get your FREE video on flipping real estate and uncover the top 5 secrets that you need to know to double your profits on every single deal. Get your free video and 5-part mini course at www.fixingandflipping.com
Really Cheap Car Insurance
There are the usual tips for getting really cheap car insurance. You may need to be reminded of these. Then there are the secrets that you haven't heard about. You'll find a few of those here too.
1. Shop around. Call several companies for quotes, starting with those that advertise the lowest prices. be sure to include at least one independent agent, since they can check many companies for you. Use the tips here to make a list of questions to ask them.
2. Raise your deductible to lower your rates. If you really can't afford the first $500 of an accident, you should rearrange your financial life. After all, you're going to find away to afford more than that over time, on higher premiums.
3. Consider dropping collision. Why pay for it if the car is worth $1000? All you'll get is $1000. The rule is: drop the collision if you can afford the loss. You can't drop it if you owe on the car. However, if the car is worth only a couple thousand and you still owe a little on it, get a personal loan to pay off the car loan, drop the collision coverage, and the savings on the insurance may almost make the payments.
4. Round down your distance to work. You are charged more if you drive farther to work, so be sure to give the shortest distance on the application. Fifteen miles is a common cut-off, at which point you start to pay more.
5. Demand the legal minimums. Do this if you have no assets. Most companies will try to sell you their "company-recommended minimums" on liability, but you may not need that much coverage. Remember, if you are broke, you are not an attractive target for a lawsuit.
6. Get any discounts you are eligible for. Ask about any "safe driver" non-smoker" or other special discounts.
7. Home and auto discounts. See if there is a discount if you insure car and home with the same company. This can often save you a lot.
8. Pay for 6 months at a time. Don't take the easy monthly payment option. They always charge you more for that. Learn to budget and you not only get really cheap car insurance, but everything else is cheaper too.
9. Review your policy. Have your policy reviewed and get new quotes every year or so. If the speeding ticket you had is now past the three year mark (or whatever the company thinks is important) they won't automatically drop the rate, so ask.
10. Consider the insurance costs when buying a car. Sports cars and others are charged higher rates. This isn't a one time charge. You'll pay more for as long as you own the car.
11. Keep policy current. I went without a car for a while, and let the policy lapse because I didn't need it, and there wasn't enough time left on it to request a refund. When I bought a car again, the cost for a six-month liability policy went from $167 to $400 because of my lapsed policy. Keep the policy active if you will be buying again soon, or cancel it, but don't let it lapse.
12. Get paid for diminished value. If you have an accident, be sure the insurance pays what it should. "Diminished value" is often not paid unless you push the point, even though a car loses value from being in a wreck, even after it is repaired.
13. Remove kids from policy. If the kids are at a college that's more than 100 miles away, you can have them taken off the insurance policy and save a lot of money. You can't let them drive the car when they come home to visit though.
14. Get older. Rates drop, especially after 25 years old, so get new quotes now and then as you get older. They may not adjust your rate automatically. Old safe drivers can get really cheap car insurance.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: The Secret Information Site (http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com)
1. Shop around. Call several companies for quotes, starting with those that advertise the lowest prices. be sure to include at least one independent agent, since they can check many companies for you. Use the tips here to make a list of questions to ask them.
2. Raise your deductible to lower your rates. If you really can't afford the first $500 of an accident, you should rearrange your financial life. After all, you're going to find away to afford more than that over time, on higher premiums.
3. Consider dropping collision. Why pay for it if the car is worth $1000? All you'll get is $1000. The rule is: drop the collision if you can afford the loss. You can't drop it if you owe on the car. However, if the car is worth only a couple thousand and you still owe a little on it, get a personal loan to pay off the car loan, drop the collision coverage, and the savings on the insurance may almost make the payments.
4. Round down your distance to work. You are charged more if you drive farther to work, so be sure to give the shortest distance on the application. Fifteen miles is a common cut-off, at which point you start to pay more.
5. Demand the legal minimums. Do this if you have no assets. Most companies will try to sell you their "company-recommended minimums" on liability, but you may not need that much coverage. Remember, if you are broke, you are not an attractive target for a lawsuit.
6. Get any discounts you are eligible for. Ask about any "safe driver" non-smoker" or other special discounts.
7. Home and auto discounts. See if there is a discount if you insure car and home with the same company. This can often save you a lot.
8. Pay for 6 months at a time. Don't take the easy monthly payment option. They always charge you more for that. Learn to budget and you not only get really cheap car insurance, but everything else is cheaper too.
9. Review your policy. Have your policy reviewed and get new quotes every year or so. If the speeding ticket you had is now past the three year mark (or whatever the company thinks is important) they won't automatically drop the rate, so ask.
10. Consider the insurance costs when buying a car. Sports cars and others are charged higher rates. This isn't a one time charge. You'll pay more for as long as you own the car.
11. Keep policy current. I went without a car for a while, and let the policy lapse because I didn't need it, and there wasn't enough time left on it to request a refund. When I bought a car again, the cost for a six-month liability policy went from $167 to $400 because of my lapsed policy. Keep the policy active if you will be buying again soon, or cancel it, but don't let it lapse.
12. Get paid for diminished value. If you have an accident, be sure the insurance pays what it should. "Diminished value" is often not paid unless you push the point, even though a car loses value from being in a wreck, even after it is repaired.
13. Remove kids from policy. If the kids are at a college that's more than 100 miles away, you can have them taken off the insurance policy and save a lot of money. You can't let them drive the car when they come home to visit though.
14. Get older. Rates drop, especially after 25 years old, so get new quotes now and then as you get older. They may not adjust your rate automatically. Old safe drivers can get really cheap car insurance.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: The Secret Information Site (http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com)
Credit Card Tips
There are credit card tips, and then there are credit card secrets. These latter are little known tricks that credit card companies play on you, as well as tricks you can use to get rid of fees and pay off your debt sooner. Here are some of the best credit card tips, tricks and secrets.
1. You can get rid of annual fees. If you have good credit, just call and ask for fee to be removed. This worked on three out of four cards I called on, and I just dumped the other. Of course the threat to do the same with the others is what got the fees dropped.
2. Read the fine print, and pay on time. Be aware that under "universal default" rules, if you are late on one card, your interest rate can be increased on other cards as well. They love to get you with this one.
3. Watch for changing due dates. This is a trick used by some credit card companies to get you to pay late, so they can collect the late fees. They will also be able to raise your rate, and the rate on other cards you may have. Don't assume that your payment due date will always be the same.
4. Use promotional checks with care. Transferring balances to 0 interest promotions can be a good idea, but watch out for those that charge "balance transfer fees." Transferring a balance that you were going to pay off soon anyhow will just cost you more if there is a 3% transfer fee.
5. Try credit unions for cards. Their cards usually have lower rates. My credit union Visa rate hasn't been over 10% in years, and I have zero liability for unauthorized charges.
6. Ask to have the late fee waived. If you've never been late before, some credit card companies will waive a late fee - but only if you ask. Why not try it? All it takes is a phone call.
7. Pay in full every month. Credit cards are for convenience, not for hiding the true cost of things. Don't pay interest - just pay the balance every month.
8. Don't buy the credit card insurance. This typically stops your payments when you are injured or unemployed. It is one of the most over-priced insurances out there, and doesn't eliminate the debt, but just delays it.
9. Avoid credit card security insurance. It pays for unauthorized charges when your card is stolen, but you are only liable for the first $50 if you report the theft in any case, and many cards already have 0 liability.
10. Pay high-interest cards first to reduce credit card debt. If you have $200 monthly to apply to your credit card debt, pay only the minimums only on all cards but the card with the highest interest rate. Put all the rest of the money towards that one. Once that one is paid off, work on the next highest. This is the fastest way to get rid of your credit card debt, and the most important of these credit card tips.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: The Secret Information Site (http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com)
1. You can get rid of annual fees. If you have good credit, just call and ask for fee to be removed. This worked on three out of four cards I called on, and I just dumped the other. Of course the threat to do the same with the others is what got the fees dropped.
2. Read the fine print, and pay on time. Be aware that under "universal default" rules, if you are late on one card, your interest rate can be increased on other cards as well. They love to get you with this one.
3. Watch for changing due dates. This is a trick used by some credit card companies to get you to pay late, so they can collect the late fees. They will also be able to raise your rate, and the rate on other cards you may have. Don't assume that your payment due date will always be the same.
4. Use promotional checks with care. Transferring balances to 0 interest promotions can be a good idea, but watch out for those that charge "balance transfer fees." Transferring a balance that you were going to pay off soon anyhow will just cost you more if there is a 3% transfer fee.
5. Try credit unions for cards. Their cards usually have lower rates. My credit union Visa rate hasn't been over 10% in years, and I have zero liability for unauthorized charges.
6. Ask to have the late fee waived. If you've never been late before, some credit card companies will waive a late fee - but only if you ask. Why not try it? All it takes is a phone call.
7. Pay in full every month. Credit cards are for convenience, not for hiding the true cost of things. Don't pay interest - just pay the balance every month.
8. Don't buy the credit card insurance. This typically stops your payments when you are injured or unemployed. It is one of the most over-priced insurances out there, and doesn't eliminate the debt, but just delays it.
9. Avoid credit card security insurance. It pays for unauthorized charges when your card is stolen, but you are only liable for the first $50 if you report the theft in any case, and many cards already have 0 liability.
10. Pay high-interest cards first to reduce credit card debt. If you have $200 monthly to apply to your credit card debt, pay only the minimums only on all cards but the card with the highest interest rate. Put all the rest of the money towards that one. Once that one is paid off, work on the next highest. This is the fastest way to get rid of your credit card debt, and the most important of these credit card tips.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: The Secret Information Site (http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com)
Auto Insurance Explained in Simple Terms
Auto insurance, is insurance that you purchase for your cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats etc. It provides you with protection from losses that may incur as a result of a car accident. While this may sound simple enough to understand there are many types of auto insurance policies available to you and it can be rather confusing. Your coverage level and types will vary depending on the policy that you choose. In general, these are the most common types of auto insurance programs available to you:
The Different Auto Insurance Coverage Available
Collision Coverage: insures your vehicle against repairs if the vehicle is in an accident or the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if yours is damaged beyond repair.
Comprehensive Coverage: insures your vehicles against the cost of purchasing a new vehicle should yours be stolen or destroyed in a fire.
The Different Auto Insurance Coverage Protection
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – insures against medical expenses and lost wages related to ownership or maintenance of a vehicle. This insurance is mandatory in most states, but not all so be sure to research your state requirements prior.
Medical Payments (MP) – insures against medical expenses for bodily injury sustained in an accident that is beyond any of the expenses that are covered by personal injury protection (PIP).
Legal liability claims against the owner or driver of the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party involved in an accident. Liability Insurance only covers legal liability.
Comprehensive Insurance covers PIP, MP and legal Liability. In the U.S. liability insurance covers claims against the policyholder and also that of any other operator of the insured’s vehicle. If any other operators reside at the same address, they must be additionally covered on the auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive Insurance covers most details of damage which can affect the car, the driver, there is risk associated with buying a new car that is not covered even by comprehensive insurance. Basically, once the car is bought, there is a decline in the cars total value. During this period the remaining car payments exceed the value of the vehicle, thus making the compensation the insurer will pay for a totaled (destroyed) vehicle. To help with this scenario the insurer can purchase GAP insurance. GAP insurance will cover these costs. GAP insurance was established to provide protection to consumers based on the buying and market trends.
As you can see there are many different auto insurance considerations when picking a new insurance policy. Be sure you understand them all in detail and that you have the best coverage for you, your car and your family should you need it if you get into an accident. Also keep in mind that these are general guidelines and the laws may vary within your state so ask questions!
About the Author: Brooke, the owner of Get Car Insurance Now specializes in Auto Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes to help you save money and keep you, your car and your family safe on the road. Visit us today!
The Different Auto Insurance Coverage Available
Collision Coverage: insures your vehicle against repairs if the vehicle is in an accident or the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if yours is damaged beyond repair.
Comprehensive Coverage: insures your vehicles against the cost of purchasing a new vehicle should yours be stolen or destroyed in a fire.
The Different Auto Insurance Coverage Protection
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – insures against medical expenses and lost wages related to ownership or maintenance of a vehicle. This insurance is mandatory in most states, but not all so be sure to research your state requirements prior.
Medical Payments (MP) – insures against medical expenses for bodily injury sustained in an accident that is beyond any of the expenses that are covered by personal injury protection (PIP).
Legal liability claims against the owner or driver of the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party involved in an accident. Liability Insurance only covers legal liability.
Comprehensive Insurance covers PIP, MP and legal Liability. In the U.S. liability insurance covers claims against the policyholder and also that of any other operator of the insured’s vehicle. If any other operators reside at the same address, they must be additionally covered on the auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive Insurance covers most details of damage which can affect the car, the driver, there is risk associated with buying a new car that is not covered even by comprehensive insurance. Basically, once the car is bought, there is a decline in the cars total value. During this period the remaining car payments exceed the value of the vehicle, thus making the compensation the insurer will pay for a totaled (destroyed) vehicle. To help with this scenario the insurer can purchase GAP insurance. GAP insurance will cover these costs. GAP insurance was established to provide protection to consumers based on the buying and market trends.
As you can see there are many different auto insurance considerations when picking a new insurance policy. Be sure you understand them all in detail and that you have the best coverage for you, your car and your family should you need it if you get into an accident. Also keep in mind that these are general guidelines and the laws may vary within your state so ask questions!
About the Author: Brooke, the owner of Get Car Insurance Now specializes in Auto Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes to help you save money and keep you, your car and your family safe on the road. Visit us today!
Types of Auto Insurance Available
Most people don’t fully understand why they need to carry auto insurance. But it is to protect yourself, your family and your vehicle. It is for these same reasons that the law also requires you to have auto insurance coverage on all vehicles you own and operate. Each state has different auto insurance requirements, for instance the state of FL requires you to carry at least the minimum requirements which is property damage at ten thousand dollars and personal injury protection at ten thousand dollars. Make sure you know and understand what your state insurance requirements are.
There are several types of auto insurance policies to choose from that will depend on the coverage you want and the coverage you can afford. But where do you start? It can all be very confusing at first but we are going to help you understand auto insurance policy basics to make your decision easier.
First, do you have enough auto insurance coverage in case of an accident? By law you have the minim required coverage, however there is another insurance coverage that is important, bodily injury. Bodily injury coverage is not required in all states. Bodily injury would cover you in the event you are at fault in the accident and the person in the other vehicle has injuries exceeding their own personal injury coverage on their policy. If you do not carry this coverage the injured party involved has the right to sue and the state can place financial responsibility on your vehicle report, which you then have to carry for three years. The financial responsibility is called an SR22.
Uninsured motorist is another insurance coverage type you may want to have. Uninsured motorist’s coverage covers you if the other party was at fault and you were injured in the accident exceeding your personal injury coverage on your policy and the driver that caused the accident doesn’t have bodily injury coverage. This coverage can be used to cover the difference in your injuries exceeding your coverage.
Comprehensive and Collision are two more important types of insurance coverage you may want to consider. Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle in the event of theft, vandalism, natural disasters and the like minus your auto insurance policy deductible. Collision coverage covers physical damage to your vehicle, if you should be at fault of an accident, minus your policy deductible. Your insurance company would pay the cash value of your vehicle. Most vehicles that are financed require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage by the financing institution.
There are more options available to you, the list goes on but it all comes down to what you can afford and what you want. Keep in mind your life and your family are the most important and having the proper insurance coverage should be one of your main priorities. Use the internet to help you learn more about insurance requirements in your state. It is much easier to read and then ask questions and it allows you to pick a company you think will fit your needs with the least amount of hassle!
About the Author: Brooke, the owner of Get Car Insurance Now specializes in Auto Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes to help you save money and keep you, your car and your family safe on the road. Visit us today!
There are several types of auto insurance policies to choose from that will depend on the coverage you want and the coverage you can afford. But where do you start? It can all be very confusing at first but we are going to help you understand auto insurance policy basics to make your decision easier.
First, do you have enough auto insurance coverage in case of an accident? By law you have the minim required coverage, however there is another insurance coverage that is important, bodily injury. Bodily injury coverage is not required in all states. Bodily injury would cover you in the event you are at fault in the accident and the person in the other vehicle has injuries exceeding their own personal injury coverage on their policy. If you do not carry this coverage the injured party involved has the right to sue and the state can place financial responsibility on your vehicle report, which you then have to carry for three years. The financial responsibility is called an SR22.
Uninsured motorist is another insurance coverage type you may want to have. Uninsured motorist’s coverage covers you if the other party was at fault and you were injured in the accident exceeding your personal injury coverage on your policy and the driver that caused the accident doesn’t have bodily injury coverage. This coverage can be used to cover the difference in your injuries exceeding your coverage.
Comprehensive and Collision are two more important types of insurance coverage you may want to consider. Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle in the event of theft, vandalism, natural disasters and the like minus your auto insurance policy deductible. Collision coverage covers physical damage to your vehicle, if you should be at fault of an accident, minus your policy deductible. Your insurance company would pay the cash value of your vehicle. Most vehicles that are financed require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage by the financing institution.
There are more options available to you, the list goes on but it all comes down to what you can afford and what you want. Keep in mind your life and your family are the most important and having the proper insurance coverage should be one of your main priorities. Use the internet to help you learn more about insurance requirements in your state. It is much easier to read and then ask questions and it allows you to pick a company you think will fit your needs with the least amount of hassle!
About the Author: Brooke, the owner of Get Car Insurance Now specializes in Auto Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes to help you save money and keep you, your car and your family safe on the road. Visit us today!
Real Estate Team - Building One
I didn't understand the concept of a real estate team at first, so I had a hard time with real estate investment. I tended to be a "lone wolf," trying to do too much myself. I have since learned that in real estate, you need a team of people you can trust and rely on. Here are some possible team members, and what they need to be on the team.
1. A mortgage broker or banker. A broker can offer many options, but a banker can make the loan decision. They each have their advantages, and you could use both on your team. In either case it's important they understand what you want (fast closings, lower interest, corporate loans?)
2. An accountant or bookkeeper. To keep proper books for real estate investments is getting more complicated with all the tax-law changes. Find someone that understands the law, and understands what you want.
3. A real estate attorney. Find someone familiar with the laws and legal customs of your area, and that has experience with the type of deals you intend to do (If you are buying rentals, she should be familiar with doing evictions, for example.)
4. A good real estate agent. An agent with experience in the area you invest in and access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), can be a great help. If she is a seller's agent, she can still ethically bring the best deals to you once she knows you're a serious buyer.
5. An appraiser. A good appraiser can give you an accurate valuation of a property, but they can also suggest ways in which you can most efficiently raise the value of a property. Find someone that will talk to you.
6. An inspector. Some states make it too easy to become an inspector with little experience. You may want to find one that is or used to be a contractor, so he can find the problems AND give you some idea of the cost of repairs.
7. An insurance agent. Good ones will understand what you want, and find ways to save you money. Insure all your properties with one agent, and you're likely to have discounts available, aas well as better service.
8. An escrow officer. They'll usually be with a closing company. Find someone that's efficient, and can explain things clearly to both sides. If he is confused by a slightly creative contract, he should educate easily or be replaced.
9. A cleaning person or crew. When you have a trusted person or crew ready, it means a fast turn-around when you buy a rental or rehab project.
10. Rental property manager. Be certain that the company you hire has exerience, is responsive, and will have time when you call. Good property managers can tell you what you should get for rent in a given area BEFORE you buy.
Start building that team. Investing in real estate is a whole lot less stressful and more profitable with a good real estate team.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
1. A mortgage broker or banker. A broker can offer many options, but a banker can make the loan decision. They each have their advantages, and you could use both on your team. In either case it's important they understand what you want (fast closings, lower interest, corporate loans?)
2. An accountant or bookkeeper. To keep proper books for real estate investments is getting more complicated with all the tax-law changes. Find someone that understands the law, and understands what you want.
3. A real estate attorney. Find someone familiar with the laws and legal customs of your area, and that has experience with the type of deals you intend to do (If you are buying rentals, she should be familiar with doing evictions, for example.)
4. A good real estate agent. An agent with experience in the area you invest in and access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), can be a great help. If she is a seller's agent, she can still ethically bring the best deals to you once she knows you're a serious buyer.
5. An appraiser. A good appraiser can give you an accurate valuation of a property, but they can also suggest ways in which you can most efficiently raise the value of a property. Find someone that will talk to you.
6. An inspector. Some states make it too easy to become an inspector with little experience. You may want to find one that is or used to be a contractor, so he can find the problems AND give you some idea of the cost of repairs.
7. An insurance agent. Good ones will understand what you want, and find ways to save you money. Insure all your properties with one agent, and you're likely to have discounts available, aas well as better service.
8. An escrow officer. They'll usually be with a closing company. Find someone that's efficient, and can explain things clearly to both sides. If he is confused by a slightly creative contract, he should educate easily or be replaced.
9. A cleaning person or crew. When you have a trusted person or crew ready, it means a fast turn-around when you buy a rental or rehab project.
10. Rental property manager. Be certain that the company you hire has exerience, is responsive, and will have time when you call. Good property managers can tell you what you should get for rent in a given area BEFORE you buy.
Start building that team. Investing in real estate is a whole lot less stressful and more profitable with a good real estate team.
About the Author: Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
Can You Afford A House?
The time has come to buy a house. Questions buzz around in your head like a swarm of angry bees: “How much can I borrow? How much do I have to put down? How much will my payments be?” Well, let me suggest starting with the “How much can I borrow?” question. I know you should never answer a question with a question, but in this case we need to ask a few more questions in order to figure out the answer to our first question, and for those of you who would like start crunching numbers right away, try out these helpful mortgage calculators.
There are many factors you need to take into consideration when purchasing a home. First and foremost, ask yourself what size monthly payment you can afford. When determining how large a mortgage you can afford, be sure to factor in all your current expenses such as car payments, credit card bills, student loans, utilities, and the like. You may also want to factor in how much you spend on things like entertainment, eating out, and traveling. You don't want to add a mortgage payment and say goodbye to your social life. Instead, you want to make sure that you're not overextending yourself financially and thus ensuring the survival of your social life.
At the present time, most lenders will allow for a whopping debt-to-income ratio of 45% - 50%. Your debt-to-income ratio is the sum of your mortgage payment and any other credit card or loan payments, divided by your monthly gross income. Lenders use this ratio to help determine your credit worthiness. So, all of your revolving debts along with your mortgage payment divided by your monthly gross income should not exceed the 36% - 45% debt-to-income ratio. So, here’s a quick little formula to help you figure out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment:
--Multiply your gross monthly income by 0.45
--Subtract your non-mortgage debt payments from the result
--What's left is your allowable mortgage payment
So, if we have a couple with a combined monthly gross income of $5000 and they pay $700 a month toward two auto loans and one credit card, they would qualify for a monthly payment of $1550. Also, be aware that not all of your monthly housing payment goes toward your principal and interest. A portion must go toward homeowner's insurance and property taxes. I mention this because on most mortgage calculators that’ll you use, you’ll need to enter these figures to get an accurate idea of what your real monthly mortgage payment will look like.
Property taxes are typically a percentage of your home's assessed value. To calculate property taxes, local jurisdictions generally multiply the tax rate by a home's assessed value. For example, if you pay 0.5% in property taxes of the assessed value, a home assessed at $250,000 would have a yearly property tax bill of $1,250. In order to find out the tax rate, you will need to contact your county tax assessor, or a local mortgage broker or bank may be able to assist you. As for the homeowner’s insurance, your best bet is talking to a local broker or bank to get a general idea of what it is for your area. Mortgage calculators will ask you for a percentage rate sometimes and others will ask for a yearly figure. It can be confusing for a new buyer, so don't be afraid to seek a little assistance.
Figuring out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment is a start. Now, you want to know how much house you can afford. There are mortgage calculators galore that will help you do this, but, as I mentioned above, they will require you to enter real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and interest rates. Some calculators will provide you with figures, but they aren’t necessarily correct, so I would suggest a little leg work. Once you know how much you can comfortably spend a month toward a home, and you’ve gathered your tax and insurance rates, you only need an idea of what kind of interest rate you’ll get (Oh, did I forget to mention that you can call your local bank or mortgage broker to get pre-qualified as well, and they usually don’t charge anything?). If you’re curious, try out some mortgage calculators. Once you have a good idea of what you think you can afford, call a local bank or broker and get pre-qualified to see if you’re in the ballpark, and soon you’ll be on your way to owning a home.
About the Author: Brian Daniel is a loan officer/marketing coordinator for Bend Mortgage Group Ltd. a mortgage company in Bend, Oregon. For more information or help with a Bend, Oregon home loan visit www.bendmortgagegroup.com.
There are many factors you need to take into consideration when purchasing a home. First and foremost, ask yourself what size monthly payment you can afford. When determining how large a mortgage you can afford, be sure to factor in all your current expenses such as car payments, credit card bills, student loans, utilities, and the like. You may also want to factor in how much you spend on things like entertainment, eating out, and traveling. You don't want to add a mortgage payment and say goodbye to your social life. Instead, you want to make sure that you're not overextending yourself financially and thus ensuring the survival of your social life.
At the present time, most lenders will allow for a whopping debt-to-income ratio of 45% - 50%. Your debt-to-income ratio is the sum of your mortgage payment and any other credit card or loan payments, divided by your monthly gross income. Lenders use this ratio to help determine your credit worthiness. So, all of your revolving debts along with your mortgage payment divided by your monthly gross income should not exceed the 36% - 45% debt-to-income ratio. So, here’s a quick little formula to help you figure out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment:
--Multiply your gross monthly income by 0.45
--Subtract your non-mortgage debt payments from the result
--What's left is your allowable mortgage payment
So, if we have a couple with a combined monthly gross income of $5000 and they pay $700 a month toward two auto loans and one credit card, they would qualify for a monthly payment of $1550. Also, be aware that not all of your monthly housing payment goes toward your principal and interest. A portion must go toward homeowner's insurance and property taxes. I mention this because on most mortgage calculators that’ll you use, you’ll need to enter these figures to get an accurate idea of what your real monthly mortgage payment will look like.
Property taxes are typically a percentage of your home's assessed value. To calculate property taxes, local jurisdictions generally multiply the tax rate by a home's assessed value. For example, if you pay 0.5% in property taxes of the assessed value, a home assessed at $250,000 would have a yearly property tax bill of $1,250. In order to find out the tax rate, you will need to contact your county tax assessor, or a local mortgage broker or bank may be able to assist you. As for the homeowner’s insurance, your best bet is talking to a local broker or bank to get a general idea of what it is for your area. Mortgage calculators will ask you for a percentage rate sometimes and others will ask for a yearly figure. It can be confusing for a new buyer, so don't be afraid to seek a little assistance.
Figuring out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment is a start. Now, you want to know how much house you can afford. There are mortgage calculators galore that will help you do this, but, as I mentioned above, they will require you to enter real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and interest rates. Some calculators will provide you with figures, but they aren’t necessarily correct, so I would suggest a little leg work. Once you know how much you can comfortably spend a month toward a home, and you’ve gathered your tax and insurance rates, you only need an idea of what kind of interest rate you’ll get (Oh, did I forget to mention that you can call your local bank or mortgage broker to get pre-qualified as well, and they usually don’t charge anything?). If you’re curious, try out some mortgage calculators. Once you have a good idea of what you think you can afford, call a local bank or broker and get pre-qualified to see if you’re in the ballpark, and soon you’ll be on your way to owning a home.
About the Author: Brian Daniel is a loan officer/marketing coordinator for Bend Mortgage Group Ltd. a mortgage company in Bend, Oregon. For more information or help with a Bend, Oregon home loan visit www.bendmortgagegroup.com.
"greatest insurance saving tips for the united states?"
Auto Insurance
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your auto insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes.
Age and value of car- A good rule of thumb to use is if your car is ten years or
older or worth less then $10,000, and your insurance quote is $1000 or more per
every six months, you may want to consider removing collision and comprehensive
coverage to lower your auto insurance expenditures. If you take collision and
comprehensive off your auto insurance policy you should save big.
Low mileage-Did you know that if you work at home or car pool to work - both of
which limit the number of miles you put on your vehicle - you may be eligible for a
low mileage discount on your car insurance policy?
Alarm System- Having an alarm system on your car may help lower your car
insurance. Only customers that carry comprehensive coverage on their vehicles
can take advantage of this discount.
Home Insurance
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your home insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes...
Alarm system- Most insurance companies won't tell you because they don't
want to lose money but by having an alarm system on your home can usually save
you more money on home insurance than the monthly monitoring cost.
Higher deductibles- Many times changing the deductible on your home
insurance from $500 to $1000 can often save you as much as $500 a year or more
depending on the cost of your home insurance.
Multiple policies- You usually get lower insurance prices when you buy
multiple policies such as auto and home with the same insurer.
Life insurance
Buy when you're young- Many people may feel they don't need life insurance
when they are young. You may have fewer financial expenditures at a younger age
and the rates are also substantially less expensive. The best advice is to purchase
as much life insurance protection as you can at a young age while your health and
prices are still good.
Check for price breaks- Life insurance companies often offer "price breaks"
at certain coverage amounts (e.g., $250,000 vs. $225,000). The truth is that many
people can actually pay less money for more coverage. Check how little your
prices increase when you increase coverage to $250,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000.
Check out your payment/billing options- Many life insurance companies
offer discounts to consumers who pay their premiums annually, or who pay
monthly by electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Health insurance
Compare quotes and benefits from multiple companies- You wouldn't
buy a car without first familiarizing yourself with the different makes and models
available. Similarly, when shopping health insurance coverage, don't limit yourself
to the offering of a single insurance company.
Consider a high-deductible plan- If your family is healthy and doesn't make
frequent visits to the doctor, this may be a good option for you. You can save
money and still retain valuable coverage for your family. Although you will be
responsible for paying higher deductibles prior to your coverage kicking in your
family will be protected from the catastrophic consequences of having no
coverage in the event of serious illness or injury.
Take advantage of available tax incentives- Educate yourself on the tax
benefits available to you as a business owner when you provide group health
insurance for your employees. You may be able to fully deduct the premiums and
offer coverage as part of a total compensation package and may help reduce your
payroll tax.
Consider buying prescription drugs online- You can usually purchase
your prescription drugs online for considerably less than at your neighborhood
pharmacy.
We hope you find these insurance saving tips useful. Tips are provided by
Insurance Discount Rus.com visit us today http://www.insurancediscountrus.com we provide an easy one-stop place for
you to find the right coverage at the right price.
About the Author: Insurance Discount Rus was founded in 2000 by a team of former
insurance professionals on the principal that consumers deserve a
fresh approach to serve their insurance needs. We understand that you have more
important things to do then call multiple insurance companies or go from site to site
requesting quotes. So we made it easy.
We represent a carefully selected group of financially sound and reputable
insurance companies. Our staff of professionals carefully searches through
hundreds of insurance companies throughout the United States to find you the right
coverage at the right price.
Whether you are looking for a quote on your new car or old home or if you need life,
health or even pet insurance, you can use our service to find great deals on all your
insurance needs.
Insurance Discount Rus is free and you are under no obligation to purchase
anything. Give us a try today and let us show you how your saving can really add
up.
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your auto insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes.
Age and value of car- A good rule of thumb to use is if your car is ten years or
older or worth less then $10,000, and your insurance quote is $1000 or more per
every six months, you may want to consider removing collision and comprehensive
coverage to lower your auto insurance expenditures. If you take collision and
comprehensive off your auto insurance policy you should save big.
Low mileage-Did you know that if you work at home or car pool to work - both of
which limit the number of miles you put on your vehicle - you may be eligible for a
low mileage discount on your car insurance policy?
Alarm System- Having an alarm system on your car may help lower your car
insurance. Only customers that carry comprehensive coverage on their vehicles
can take advantage of this discount.
Home Insurance
Multiple quotes- Insurance companies rate your home insurance by zip codes.
The number of clams an insurance company has had in your zip code will
determine how much you will be charged. That is why it's so important for you to
get multiple insurance quotes...
Alarm system- Most insurance companies won't tell you because they don't
want to lose money but by having an alarm system on your home can usually save
you more money on home insurance than the monthly monitoring cost.
Higher deductibles- Many times changing the deductible on your home
insurance from $500 to $1000 can often save you as much as $500 a year or more
depending on the cost of your home insurance.
Multiple policies- You usually get lower insurance prices when you buy
multiple policies such as auto and home with the same insurer.
Life insurance
Buy when you're young- Many people may feel they don't need life insurance
when they are young. You may have fewer financial expenditures at a younger age
and the rates are also substantially less expensive. The best advice is to purchase
as much life insurance protection as you can at a young age while your health and
prices are still good.
Check for price breaks- Life insurance companies often offer "price breaks"
at certain coverage amounts (e.g., $250,000 vs. $225,000). The truth is that many
people can actually pay less money for more coverage. Check how little your
prices increase when you increase coverage to $250,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000.
Check out your payment/billing options- Many life insurance companies
offer discounts to consumers who pay their premiums annually, or who pay
monthly by electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Health insurance
Compare quotes and benefits from multiple companies- You wouldn't
buy a car without first familiarizing yourself with the different makes and models
available. Similarly, when shopping health insurance coverage, don't limit yourself
to the offering of a single insurance company.
Consider a high-deductible plan- If your family is healthy and doesn't make
frequent visits to the doctor, this may be a good option for you. You can save
money and still retain valuable coverage for your family. Although you will be
responsible for paying higher deductibles prior to your coverage kicking in your
family will be protected from the catastrophic consequences of having no
coverage in the event of serious illness or injury.
Take advantage of available tax incentives- Educate yourself on the tax
benefits available to you as a business owner when you provide group health
insurance for your employees. You may be able to fully deduct the premiums and
offer coverage as part of a total compensation package and may help reduce your
payroll tax.
Consider buying prescription drugs online- You can usually purchase
your prescription drugs online for considerably less than at your neighborhood
pharmacy.
We hope you find these insurance saving tips useful. Tips are provided by
Insurance Discount Rus.com visit us today http://www.insurancediscountrus.com we provide an easy one-stop place for
you to find the right coverage at the right price.
About the Author: Insurance Discount Rus was founded in 2000 by a team of former
insurance professionals on the principal that consumers deserve a
fresh approach to serve their insurance needs. We understand that you have more
important things to do then call multiple insurance companies or go from site to site
requesting quotes. So we made it easy.
We represent a carefully selected group of financially sound and reputable
insurance companies. Our staff of professionals carefully searches through
hundreds of insurance companies throughout the United States to find you the right
coverage at the right price.
Whether you are looking for a quote on your new car or old home or if you need life,
health or even pet insurance, you can use our service to find great deals on all your
insurance needs.
Insurance Discount Rus is free and you are under no obligation to purchase
anything. Give us a try today and let us show you how your saving can really add
up.
Things to consider when building a house
It is everyone's dream to own their own home. For most people, purchasing a home is likely the biggest single investment they will make in their lifetime. With new housing starts at an all-time high, it may be time for you to consider getting into the market. If you are looking for a home that is different from every other house on your street, you should consider building your own house.
There are a number of things to keep in mind when considering a new home. The first thing to look at is your financial status. Can you really afford your new house? Take some time and do a proper budget, and meet with a financial adviser. Your adviser will help you evaluate the maximum amount of money you can afford to spend each month. Be sure to allow for some flexibility, as there are likely unexpected expenses on the horizon.
The next step is to properly identify the needs of your family. Make a list of your needs, and a secondary list of your wants. Once you have decided on the elements you want included in your new home, it is time to locate a good piece of property. Do you want to live in the city or in the country? In a newer neighborhood or an older, established one? Take your time and shop around. Don't feel pressured to buy right away. You will be much happier in the end, if you purchase a property that your family will love.
Once you have secured a parcel of land, it is time to decide on a house plan. Most respectable building contractors will want to see a detailed plan. These plans can be prepared through an architectural firm, or they can be purchased through various building centers and websites. Your local government will likely require a copy of your house plans before they will provide you with the proper permits and authorizations. Upon receiving your building permit, you should hire a building inspector to ensure that your home complies with all of the laws and regulations in your region. Your building inspector can be a very valuable resource during the construction of your new home.
Be sure to have proper insurance in place before you break ground. It would be an awful shame to have your project held up due to an injury on the job site. You might want to hire a construction manager, too. This way you will have somebody in place to oversee the project, and ensure that everything is done as it should be. After the surveying has been completed, you will be ready to begin excavating. At this time, your new home is officially under construction. Don't forget your hardhat.
About the Author: Brandon Langlois is an independent building contractor with over 20 years experience in the construction industry. When he is not busy on the job site, he writes for homeplaninfo.com – an informative website where readers can find and compare home plans online, discover custom plans for a new house, or explore the latest dream houses.
There are a number of things to keep in mind when considering a new home. The first thing to look at is your financial status. Can you really afford your new house? Take some time and do a proper budget, and meet with a financial adviser. Your adviser will help you evaluate the maximum amount of money you can afford to spend each month. Be sure to allow for some flexibility, as there are likely unexpected expenses on the horizon.
The next step is to properly identify the needs of your family. Make a list of your needs, and a secondary list of your wants. Once you have decided on the elements you want included in your new home, it is time to locate a good piece of property. Do you want to live in the city or in the country? In a newer neighborhood or an older, established one? Take your time and shop around. Don't feel pressured to buy right away. You will be much happier in the end, if you purchase a property that your family will love.
Once you have secured a parcel of land, it is time to decide on a house plan. Most respectable building contractors will want to see a detailed plan. These plans can be prepared through an architectural firm, or they can be purchased through various building centers and websites. Your local government will likely require a copy of your house plans before they will provide you with the proper permits and authorizations. Upon receiving your building permit, you should hire a building inspector to ensure that your home complies with all of the laws and regulations in your region. Your building inspector can be a very valuable resource during the construction of your new home.
Be sure to have proper insurance in place before you break ground. It would be an awful shame to have your project held up due to an injury on the job site. You might want to hire a construction manager, too. This way you will have somebody in place to oversee the project, and ensure that everything is done as it should be. After the surveying has been completed, you will be ready to begin excavating. At this time, your new home is officially under construction. Don't forget your hardhat.
About the Author: Brandon Langlois is an independent building contractor with over 20 years experience in the construction industry. When he is not busy on the job site, he writes for homeplaninfo.com – an informative website where readers can find and compare home plans online, discover custom plans for a new house, or explore the latest dream houses.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Insurance 101 - Undermining America for the Good of Americans
Insurance is like a myth. From one small seed of truth, a fairytale the size of 1000 giant sequoias has sprung up. Reality is blocked from view. Surely, you’ve noticed all the giant, sequoia-like buildings are owned by banks and insurance companies. Where do they get all that money? How much money do the executives make? Who pays for it all? Grab a mirror. “Magic mirror on the wall, who’s the biggest sucker of them all? What’s that you said? The Masses!”
Insurance is yet another unquestioned social reflex. You just buy it. You must. The banker insists you have to purchase insurance or you don’t get the loan. Your government orders you to buy auto insurance at any cost. Hence, it must be really good for you. Hell, why not stock up on some of the non-mandated insurances as well? You can’t have too much of a good thing. Can you?
Somewhere in the dark, murky corners of our minds we hide our thoughts. Like The Emperor’s New Clothes, no one screams out, “But he has nothing on!” or “Hey, this is just bullshit!” You are not alone in the darkness. We all think it. So you are no longer scared to speak, here are some of those secret thoughts voiced out loud for the first time:
1) If I speak out against insurance, I will be jinxed. My home will surely burn to the ground and I will look like a moron.
2) If I speak out against insurance, some pecker-head who heard me will have an accident and sue me because folks are not responsible for their own choices.
3) Insurance is betting against myself. Why would I bet against me?
4) If insurance companies must charge such high premiums because they’re losing so much in payouts, how do they afford all those big buildings?
5) What do insurance companies sell? Air? Promises they intend to deny via small print? Contracts? Wouldn’t I rather buy an IHOP franchise with that money?
6) If government represents the people, why do they make me, a people, a criminal when I cannot afford auto insurance to get to work and feed my family?
7) How much in dollars and perks do insurance lobbyists put into the pockets of politicians?
8) Do I really need trip-cancellation insurance? Why would I buy a dream trip, and then bet on my canceling it at the last moment?
9) If I put all the money I spend on insurance into the bank or toward building success, how much money would I have for coping with my problems on my own terms?
10) If I buy the extended warranty, will I remember I have it or be able to find it when my widget explodes?
11) Shouldn’t companies make quality widgets that last three years in the first place?
12) And finally, did Jennifer Lopez really insure herself for hundreds of millions of dollars? What? She is already rich. The agent who sold this policy is phenomenal.
Yes, we all know the system is way out of hand! The blame lies with insurance companies, greedy bankers, spineless politicians and with the Masses unquestioningly supporting these absurdities. Every frivolous lawsuit provides government an excuse for mandating people be protected from themselves via costly insurances and removal of individual freedoms.
Before long, we will be required to carry Coffee-Burn riders on auto insurance and Cell- Phone–Earring-Tear addendums on HMOs. These days Sleeping Beauty would have sued the castle owner (a.k.a. Dad) for that prick on the finger, lost wages from the coma and for trauma from the scar. Uninsured sewing needles would be outlawed throughout the kingdom.
With a system this out of control, how do you protect yourself? You cut the fat. Quit betting against yourself. Think about all those different types of insurance. Stop buying out of reflex and decide for yourself what you can kick to the curb. Consider the variety out there and what you truly must have.
Life Insurance is for betting you will die such a loser that you can’t pay for your own funeral or leave your kids any inheritance. Extra Car Insurance–How much you betting that you will crash? Not to mention, homeowner’s, mortgage, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, unemployment, boat, credit card, business interruption, earthquake, disability, dental, smoker, expatriate, backpack traveler, winter sports, flood, warranty and health insurance. The list goes on.
Here is a new monument to the ludicrous: Terrorist Insurance. It’s even pushed at Art Gallery Owner’s in isolated communities of the Northern Great Plains. And, why not? No doubt Osama is crouching in an Afghan cave right now, plotting to rid the world of those pesky Remmington Cowboy bronzes.
Insurance agents prey upon these new fears like snakes on wounded mice. Apparently, companies want to terrorize you into buying coverage. Another possibility is a rebel SCUD aimed for Mount Rushmore may slam into a Canada Goose and go askew. It sucks when this happens! No doubt your goat ranch in Chug Water, Wyoming is in eminent danger from this likely chain of events. Perhaps, you should add a specific ‘Unpasteurized-Cheese Addendum’ to your Terrorist Policy. Call your agent today and ask them. See if they will sell you one.
The odds of you dying of a mosquito bite are better than the odds you will die at the hands of a terrorist. Well, crap! The government better permit companies to require we all carry Mosquito Insurance. Maybe you can get a DEET discount! Better still; why not turn over all our bothersome responsibility, like freedom and privacy, to the Feds. Then good ol’ Uncle Sam can protect citizens from the winged menaces that haunt our very souls.
Congress could raise taxes to fund Bug Inspectors. Their job would be to comb through your private life, home and property looking for freestanding water. They would not look for anything else (roll eyes here). Still cancer and glaucoma patients might want to keep the baggies away from the birdbath.
Speaking of cancer, the Air Force could spray us all from above with a perfectly “safe” mixture of insecticides called Agent Tan. Coincidently, that day your governor vacations far away. Is there anybody in his or her right mind who would elect an insurance salesman to public office? Of course, both politicians and insurers are selling you hot air, so perhaps it is a match made in H…
A very few insurances are worth buying, such as liability insurance for cars and real estate. Once you have something to lose, it’s a sure bet some lazy troll with an entitlement-mentality will try to sue you. In this case, you want the giants on your side. Insurance companies provide lawyers to run evil little trolls back under their bridges.
Insurance prices in America are out of control. The wide range of insurance the bureaucracy would have us believe we cannot live without is genuinely insulting. Buying all the coverage companies would have you believe you need wastes thousands of your dollars each year. Look over policies and eliminate what you can. Insurance is just legalized gambling. If you are betting against yourself, how can you take a gamble on yourself? Pursue your dreams instead!
About the Author: The preceding is an excerpt from the book Keeping the Masses Down. Satirist Nola L. Kelsey (http://www.NolaKelsey.com.) is the coauthor and “primary scribe” of this twisted political satire. Kelsey is also the author of the scathingly wicked comedy Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin’ Country. August K. Anderson, a former lawyer, long time CEO of Golden Quest Enterprises (www.chevalinternational.com) and one of the country’s top equestrians, is the primary political force behind Masses. Her ideals formed the cornerstone of this motivational, life-conquering manual.
Insurance is yet another unquestioned social reflex. You just buy it. You must. The banker insists you have to purchase insurance or you don’t get the loan. Your government orders you to buy auto insurance at any cost. Hence, it must be really good for you. Hell, why not stock up on some of the non-mandated insurances as well? You can’t have too much of a good thing. Can you?
Somewhere in the dark, murky corners of our minds we hide our thoughts. Like The Emperor’s New Clothes, no one screams out, “But he has nothing on!” or “Hey, this is just bullshit!” You are not alone in the darkness. We all think it. So you are no longer scared to speak, here are some of those secret thoughts voiced out loud for the first time:
1) If I speak out against insurance, I will be jinxed. My home will surely burn to the ground and I will look like a moron.
2) If I speak out against insurance, some pecker-head who heard me will have an accident and sue me because folks are not responsible for their own choices.
3) Insurance is betting against myself. Why would I bet against me?
4) If insurance companies must charge such high premiums because they’re losing so much in payouts, how do they afford all those big buildings?
5) What do insurance companies sell? Air? Promises they intend to deny via small print? Contracts? Wouldn’t I rather buy an IHOP franchise with that money?
6) If government represents the people, why do they make me, a people, a criminal when I cannot afford auto insurance to get to work and feed my family?
7) How much in dollars and perks do insurance lobbyists put into the pockets of politicians?
8) Do I really need trip-cancellation insurance? Why would I buy a dream trip, and then bet on my canceling it at the last moment?
9) If I put all the money I spend on insurance into the bank or toward building success, how much money would I have for coping with my problems on my own terms?
10) If I buy the extended warranty, will I remember I have it or be able to find it when my widget explodes?
11) Shouldn’t companies make quality widgets that last three years in the first place?
12) And finally, did Jennifer Lopez really insure herself for hundreds of millions of dollars? What? She is already rich. The agent who sold this policy is phenomenal.
Yes, we all know the system is way out of hand! The blame lies with insurance companies, greedy bankers, spineless politicians and with the Masses unquestioningly supporting these absurdities. Every frivolous lawsuit provides government an excuse for mandating people be protected from themselves via costly insurances and removal of individual freedoms.
Before long, we will be required to carry Coffee-Burn riders on auto insurance and Cell- Phone–Earring-Tear addendums on HMOs. These days Sleeping Beauty would have sued the castle owner (a.k.a. Dad) for that prick on the finger, lost wages from the coma and for trauma from the scar. Uninsured sewing needles would be outlawed throughout the kingdom.
With a system this out of control, how do you protect yourself? You cut the fat. Quit betting against yourself. Think about all those different types of insurance. Stop buying out of reflex and decide for yourself what you can kick to the curb. Consider the variety out there and what you truly must have.
Life Insurance is for betting you will die such a loser that you can’t pay for your own funeral or leave your kids any inheritance. Extra Car Insurance–How much you betting that you will crash? Not to mention, homeowner’s, mortgage, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, unemployment, boat, credit card, business interruption, earthquake, disability, dental, smoker, expatriate, backpack traveler, winter sports, flood, warranty and health insurance. The list goes on.
Here is a new monument to the ludicrous: Terrorist Insurance. It’s even pushed at Art Gallery Owner’s in isolated communities of the Northern Great Plains. And, why not? No doubt Osama is crouching in an Afghan cave right now, plotting to rid the world of those pesky Remmington Cowboy bronzes.
Insurance agents prey upon these new fears like snakes on wounded mice. Apparently, companies want to terrorize you into buying coverage. Another possibility is a rebel SCUD aimed for Mount Rushmore may slam into a Canada Goose and go askew. It sucks when this happens! No doubt your goat ranch in Chug Water, Wyoming is in eminent danger from this likely chain of events. Perhaps, you should add a specific ‘Unpasteurized-Cheese Addendum’ to your Terrorist Policy. Call your agent today and ask them. See if they will sell you one.
The odds of you dying of a mosquito bite are better than the odds you will die at the hands of a terrorist. Well, crap! The government better permit companies to require we all carry Mosquito Insurance. Maybe you can get a DEET discount! Better still; why not turn over all our bothersome responsibility, like freedom and privacy, to the Feds. Then good ol’ Uncle Sam can protect citizens from the winged menaces that haunt our very souls.
Congress could raise taxes to fund Bug Inspectors. Their job would be to comb through your private life, home and property looking for freestanding water. They would not look for anything else (roll eyes here). Still cancer and glaucoma patients might want to keep the baggies away from the birdbath.
Speaking of cancer, the Air Force could spray us all from above with a perfectly “safe” mixture of insecticides called Agent Tan. Coincidently, that day your governor vacations far away. Is there anybody in his or her right mind who would elect an insurance salesman to public office? Of course, both politicians and insurers are selling you hot air, so perhaps it is a match made in H…
A very few insurances are worth buying, such as liability insurance for cars and real estate. Once you have something to lose, it’s a sure bet some lazy troll with an entitlement-mentality will try to sue you. In this case, you want the giants on your side. Insurance companies provide lawyers to run evil little trolls back under their bridges.
Insurance prices in America are out of control. The wide range of insurance the bureaucracy would have us believe we cannot live without is genuinely insulting. Buying all the coverage companies would have you believe you need wastes thousands of your dollars each year. Look over policies and eliminate what you can. Insurance is just legalized gambling. If you are betting against yourself, how can you take a gamble on yourself? Pursue your dreams instead!
About the Author: The preceding is an excerpt from the book Keeping the Masses Down. Satirist Nola L. Kelsey (http://www.NolaKelsey.com.) is the coauthor and “primary scribe” of this twisted political satire. Kelsey is also the author of the scathingly wicked comedy Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin’ Country. August K. Anderson, a former lawyer, long time CEO of Golden Quest Enterprises (www.chevalinternational.com) and one of the country’s top equestrians, is the primary political force behind Masses. Her ideals formed the cornerstone of this motivational, life-conquering manual.
How to Lower the Cost of Your Car Insurance
Buying auto insurance is an important part of your overall financial planning. The auto insurance premium rate varies depending on the company and the type of policy coverage you choose to have. Here are some guidelines to lower the cost.
Shop Around- Compare the costs by shopping around at least four to five insurance companies and comparing the quotes. Take the help of your friends, relatives and yellow pages. Your insurance company should offer fair price and posses excellent service records. Check the financial ratings of the company as it indicates the strength and stability of the company.
Ask for higher deductibles- Deductible is the amount of money that you pay before making any claim for an accident. The collision and comprehensive coverage are sold with the deductibles. Higher the deductibles lower will be the premium rate. Increasing the deductible from $200 to $500 may reduce the cost by 15 to 30 percent.
Drop collision and comprehensive Coverage on older cars- If your car is worth less than 10 times your premium in the current market, consider dropping the collision and comprehensive coverage.
Buy auto coverage from your existing insurer- Buy insurance coverage from your existing carrier. This may help you to reduce the cost. Sometimes low rates are available for the longtime customers.
Avoid double health coverage- If you think that you have enough health insurance, and then avoid health coverage with your auto policy. This will help you to reduce the cost.
Maintain a good credit record- Insurers are using the credit history while determining the price of insurance. Statistically,the lower your credit score, the more you are likely to file claims. A person with a good credit score is more likely to settle the accident without the support of the company. Try to maintain a good credit record.
Discounts with low profile car- Cars that are expensive to repair or attractive to thieves will have a higher rate. Consider buying a low profile or average car as it your insurer might come up with discounts for such a car.
Take advantage of the low mileage discount- Obtain some discount on premiums by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.
Consult about group discount- Sometimes you can get some discounts on group plans provided by your employer, or a business groups, or other associations. Find out whether such a plan is available.
Seek Car Safety discount- Some insurers offer discount if you keep your car equipped with air bag, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, automatic seat belts. Take advantage of this.
About the Author: Evan T. Smith is a contributing author for http://www.ampminsure.org
Find more insurance articles on http://www.ampminsure.org/community/index.html
Shop Around- Compare the costs by shopping around at least four to five insurance companies and comparing the quotes. Take the help of your friends, relatives and yellow pages. Your insurance company should offer fair price and posses excellent service records. Check the financial ratings of the company as it indicates the strength and stability of the company.
Ask for higher deductibles- Deductible is the amount of money that you pay before making any claim for an accident. The collision and comprehensive coverage are sold with the deductibles. Higher the deductibles lower will be the premium rate. Increasing the deductible from $200 to $500 may reduce the cost by 15 to 30 percent.
Drop collision and comprehensive Coverage on older cars- If your car is worth less than 10 times your premium in the current market, consider dropping the collision and comprehensive coverage.
Buy auto coverage from your existing insurer- Buy insurance coverage from your existing carrier. This may help you to reduce the cost. Sometimes low rates are available for the longtime customers.
Avoid double health coverage- If you think that you have enough health insurance, and then avoid health coverage with your auto policy. This will help you to reduce the cost.
Maintain a good credit record- Insurers are using the credit history while determining the price of insurance. Statistically,the lower your credit score, the more you are likely to file claims. A person with a good credit score is more likely to settle the accident without the support of the company. Try to maintain a good credit record.
Discounts with low profile car- Cars that are expensive to repair or attractive to thieves will have a higher rate. Consider buying a low profile or average car as it your insurer might come up with discounts for such a car.
Take advantage of the low mileage discount- Obtain some discount on premiums by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.
Consult about group discount- Sometimes you can get some discounts on group plans provided by your employer, or a business groups, or other associations. Find out whether such a plan is available.
Seek Car Safety discount- Some insurers offer discount if you keep your car equipped with air bag, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, automatic seat belts. Take advantage of this.
About the Author: Evan T. Smith is a contributing author for http://www.ampminsure.org
Find more insurance articles on http://www.ampminsure.org/community/index.html
Wanna (not) Buy a Stolen Car?
Would you buy a used car--with cash--from someone you just met in the bar, and who walked you down a dark alley to show you the car? Not likely. How about from a well-dressed, friendly, middle-aged man or woman, who placed a classified ad in your local newspaper, and who meets you midday at a restaurant of your choice?
Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That's the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:
"Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken.... And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was" the mechanic told CBC's Marketplace.
A few months later, Jennifer got a phone call from the police. They said she had purchased a stolen minivan, and they were coming to seize it. She was so upset, she tried to hide the van from the police. Eventually they caught up with her and she ended up paying for a year and a half for a $5,000 bank loan on a van she could not drive. Ouch!
Jennifer was just one victim in the chain that included the original owner, the insurance company, other consumers whose insurance rates keep rising, and the police, who spend thousands of hours tracking thefts. According to the FBI, a vehicle is stolen about every 25 seconds in the USA, amounting to an $8 billion yearly problem.
Here's how these scams often work. Thieves target particular cars: for their value, their ease of resale as a whole or in parts, or because they are easier to steal. Years ago, most cars were stripped for parts, including unusual parts such as airbags. But today some thieves are so brash they sell cars through newspapers.
This newer scam is called "VIN cloning", because the Vehicle Identification Number is stolen from another car. Criminals obtain VINs by copying them from the dash of cars in parking lots--even at dealerships. Some even physically remove the VIN plate from vehicles in auto salvage yards that allow customers to "pick your own parts." (They do not mean that literally!) The number is used to falsely obtain new ownership documents, or documents are forged. Either way, a cloned VIN allows them to transform stolen cars into pseudo-legal vehicles that can be officially titled and sold. Many thieves work across state lines: cars may be stolen in the East, registered in the Mid-West, then sold in California. Scary!
Here's what you can do to avoid buying a stolen car:
** Check the VIN on the dash against the VIN in the driver's door jamb, under the hood, and on the paperwork
** Use the VIN to get the car's history at carfax.com for about $20
** Ensure title and registration documents match the name and address of the seller
** Is the car from out of state?
** Be suspicious if you must meet a private seller in a parking lot. Better to see that they live at the address where the car is registered
** Has the vehicle recently been transferred?
** Does the seller use a home or work phone number, or just a cell?
** Is the selling price oddly low?
** Be warned that some used car dealers are getting scammed, too
** Pay by certified cheque or money order, not cash.
Keep in mind that most private sellers are not thieves, but rather honest, regular folks like you. And prices do tend to be lower with private sales. So if you follow my advice, you can greatly improve your chances of driving away with a "genuine" used car.
About the Author: Will YOU get scammed on your next car purchase? Michael Trusthold teaches people how to save money when they buy a used car or sell used cars or used trucks, and has bought cars for profit for many years. For more scam prevention TIPS and handy checklists for used car buying and selling, visit UsedCars.biz.
Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That's the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:
"Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken.... And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was" the mechanic told CBC's Marketplace.
A few months later, Jennifer got a phone call from the police. They said she had purchased a stolen minivan, and they were coming to seize it. She was so upset, she tried to hide the van from the police. Eventually they caught up with her and she ended up paying for a year and a half for a $5,000 bank loan on a van she could not drive. Ouch!
Jennifer was just one victim in the chain that included the original owner, the insurance company, other consumers whose insurance rates keep rising, and the police, who spend thousands of hours tracking thefts. According to the FBI, a vehicle is stolen about every 25 seconds in the USA, amounting to an $8 billion yearly problem.
Here's how these scams often work. Thieves target particular cars: for their value, their ease of resale as a whole or in parts, or because they are easier to steal. Years ago, most cars were stripped for parts, including unusual parts such as airbags. But today some thieves are so brash they sell cars through newspapers.
This newer scam is called "VIN cloning", because the Vehicle Identification Number is stolen from another car. Criminals obtain VINs by copying them from the dash of cars in parking lots--even at dealerships. Some even physically remove the VIN plate from vehicles in auto salvage yards that allow customers to "pick your own parts." (They do not mean that literally!) The number is used to falsely obtain new ownership documents, or documents are forged. Either way, a cloned VIN allows them to transform stolen cars into pseudo-legal vehicles that can be officially titled and sold. Many thieves work across state lines: cars may be stolen in the East, registered in the Mid-West, then sold in California. Scary!
Here's what you can do to avoid buying a stolen car:
** Check the VIN on the dash against the VIN in the driver's door jamb, under the hood, and on the paperwork
** Use the VIN to get the car's history at carfax.com for about $20
** Ensure title and registration documents match the name and address of the seller
** Is the car from out of state?
** Be suspicious if you must meet a private seller in a parking lot. Better to see that they live at the address where the car is registered
** Has the vehicle recently been transferred?
** Does the seller use a home or work phone number, or just a cell?
** Is the selling price oddly low?
** Be warned that some used car dealers are getting scammed, too
** Pay by certified cheque or money order, not cash.
Keep in mind that most private sellers are not thieves, but rather honest, regular folks like you. And prices do tend to be lower with private sales. So if you follow my advice, you can greatly improve your chances of driving away with a "genuine" used car.
About the Author: Will YOU get scammed on your next car purchase? Michael Trusthold teaches people how to save money when they buy a used car or sell used cars or used trucks, and has bought cars for profit for many years. For more scam prevention TIPS and handy checklists for used car buying and selling, visit UsedCars.biz.
Term Life Insurance Defined
Term Life Insurance Defined
A look at the pros and cons of term life insurance to help find what is best for you.
Term life insurance is by far the simplest form of life insurance. Term life insurance is simply that, insurance for a term or specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die in the designated period of time. On the downside, it pays nothing if the policy expires before you die. It is often referred to as temporary life insurance.
Policies generally last for 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. Many policies are convertible, which means that you have option of switching to a permanent life policy. The main advantage of a term life policy is that they generally have lower premiums. They are good for covering needs that may disappear in time, such as car or mortgage loans.
They also have some distinct drawbacks. Premiums generally increase with time. This means that you will be paying considerably more in your later years, when your need for protection is generally lower. Another factor to consider is that your coverage may expire at the end of your term, leaving you with nothing to show for your investment. You are essentially back at square one.
Insurance agents often recommend that customers switch term companies every couple years, in order to take advantage of promotional pricing. One should be mindful of doing this, as you will be subject to a new contestability period. A contestability period is normally two years. If you die during this period, the insurance company will likely review the statements you made on your application. If you have made any inaccurate or incomplete statements, the insurance company will likely refuse payment.
Life insurance is no laughing matter. When you are considering purchasing life insurance, please do some research first. Spend some time considering questions, and pose them to a trusted insurance broker. Be especially wary of purchasing insurance from a door to door salesman, as they are likely trying to sell term life insurance which may or may not suit your needs. After all, it is your hard earned money that is being spent. And it is the well being of your family that will be impacted by your decision.
Bill Mason is a retired insurance salesman, and is well versed in the ways of the industry. When he is not advising friends and family on the importance of insurance, he writes freelance articles for http://www.insuranceguide101.com – an independent insurance guide dedicated to helping you understand insurance, with information about cheap auto insurance, insurance for your boat, term insurance and more.
About the Author: Bill Mason
A look at the pros and cons of term life insurance to help find what is best for you.
Term life insurance is by far the simplest form of life insurance. Term life insurance is simply that, insurance for a term or specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die in the designated period of time. On the downside, it pays nothing if the policy expires before you die. It is often referred to as temporary life insurance.
Policies generally last for 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. Many policies are convertible, which means that you have option of switching to a permanent life policy. The main advantage of a term life policy is that they generally have lower premiums. They are good for covering needs that may disappear in time, such as car or mortgage loans.
They also have some distinct drawbacks. Premiums generally increase with time. This means that you will be paying considerably more in your later years, when your need for protection is generally lower. Another factor to consider is that your coverage may expire at the end of your term, leaving you with nothing to show for your investment. You are essentially back at square one.
Insurance agents often recommend that customers switch term companies every couple years, in order to take advantage of promotional pricing. One should be mindful of doing this, as you will be subject to a new contestability period. A contestability period is normally two years. If you die during this period, the insurance company will likely review the statements you made on your application. If you have made any inaccurate or incomplete statements, the insurance company will likely refuse payment.
Life insurance is no laughing matter. When you are considering purchasing life insurance, please do some research first. Spend some time considering questions, and pose them to a trusted insurance broker. Be especially wary of purchasing insurance from a door to door salesman, as they are likely trying to sell term life insurance which may or may not suit your needs. After all, it is your hard earned money that is being spent. And it is the well being of your family that will be impacted by your decision.
Bill Mason is a retired insurance salesman, and is well versed in the ways of the industry. When he is not advising friends and family on the importance of insurance, he writes freelance articles for http://www.insuranceguide101.com – an independent insurance guide dedicated to helping you understand insurance, with information about cheap auto insurance, insurance for your boat, term insurance and more.
About the Author: Bill Mason
Top 8 Life Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1
Don’t forget to update the beneficiaries on your life insurance policies regularly. Update it every few years or when there’s a major life event such as marriage, divorce, new babies, death of beneficiary, etc. I hear sad stories all the time from people who’s husband, father, or wife forgot to update the beneficiary on their policy. Instead of the deceased’s family getting the money it’s some ex-wife, ex-husband, cousin, distant relative, ex-girlfriend and the current family and kids are left penniless. That’s tragic.
Mistake #2
It’s important to not let your life insurance lapse when you’re switching bank checking accounts. Most people have their life insurance premiums taken out by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) every month and forget to notify the insurance company of this change. And guess what? Murphy’s law strikes when you least expect it and can’t afford it. It’s a high chance that something will happen when you’ve been paying 20 years for insurance and then when it has lapsed for 3 months there’s a car accident. Notify the insurance company when closing and switching bank checking accounts.
Mistake #3
When requesting life insurance quotes most people aren’t aware that they don’t have to set up an appointment with the first agent that calls to give them a quote. You can receive a quote over the phone or through email. And you don’t have to buy life insurance from the first Insurance Agent you talk to. It’s ok to shop around, but please be polite when you turn down the other agents. Selecting an Insurance Broker is often easier than working with an agent that only represents one life insurance company. A broker will try to find the lowest rate for you and the best policy to fit your situation. An agent that only works for one company called a “captive agent” can only offer you the products from that one company.
Mistake #4
Buying life insurance that does not require a medical exam. It’s often 2-3 times the price of normal life insurance and not worth it if you are perfectly healthy. A medical exam can be inconvenient but it can save you several hundred of dollars a year. Now think of how much you can save if you multiply that by 30 years or whatever length you plan to keep that life insurance policy.
Mistake #5
Buying the life insurance policy with the intent to commit suicide. Ok, this is silly but there are people that face depression and have suicidal thoughts. First, this idea isn’t going to pay because most insurance company and policies have this suicide clause that states if you commit suicide within the first 2 years the company won’t pay the death claim. Don’t do it, please get help if you are thinking this.
Mistake #6
Canceling your old life insurance policy when you’re purchasing a new life insurance policy with another company but the new policy hasn’t been issued yet. Wait until you have received the new policy before canceling your old one. You don’t want a few months where you don’t have life insurance. You don’t know what can happen during that time.
Mistake #7
Not getting enough life insurance coverage. It’s hard to understand why some people would spend money to buy $10,000-50,000 of life insurance. That is such a small amount, certainly not enough to pay off a mortgage, send a kid to college, pay off loans or debts, and can’t support someone for a few years. At least find out how much it cost for $250,000-300,000 of coverage. It may be cheaper than you think.
Mistake #8
Lying on the life insurance application. The insurance companies have a way of finding things out. If you lie on the application then insurance company may not pay the death claim and just refund the premiums if they find out. Be honest about all medical conditions and list all the medication you’re taking.
About the Author: About the Author: Katherine Ly, licensed Life Insurance Agent. Author and Publisher of http://www.term-life-insurance-quotation.com Katherine’s Guide to Insurance is an easy to understand source of information for consumers and provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding life insurance.
Don’t forget to update the beneficiaries on your life insurance policies regularly. Update it every few years or when there’s a major life event such as marriage, divorce, new babies, death of beneficiary, etc. I hear sad stories all the time from people who’s husband, father, or wife forgot to update the beneficiary on their policy. Instead of the deceased’s family getting the money it’s some ex-wife, ex-husband, cousin, distant relative, ex-girlfriend and the current family and kids are left penniless. That’s tragic.
Mistake #2
It’s important to not let your life insurance lapse when you’re switching bank checking accounts. Most people have their life insurance premiums taken out by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) every month and forget to notify the insurance company of this change. And guess what? Murphy’s law strikes when you least expect it and can’t afford it. It’s a high chance that something will happen when you’ve been paying 20 years for insurance and then when it has lapsed for 3 months there’s a car accident. Notify the insurance company when closing and switching bank checking accounts.
Mistake #3
When requesting life insurance quotes most people aren’t aware that they don’t have to set up an appointment with the first agent that calls to give them a quote. You can receive a quote over the phone or through email. And you don’t have to buy life insurance from the first Insurance Agent you talk to. It’s ok to shop around, but please be polite when you turn down the other agents. Selecting an Insurance Broker is often easier than working with an agent that only represents one life insurance company. A broker will try to find the lowest rate for you and the best policy to fit your situation. An agent that only works for one company called a “captive agent” can only offer you the products from that one company.
Mistake #4
Buying life insurance that does not require a medical exam. It’s often 2-3 times the price of normal life insurance and not worth it if you are perfectly healthy. A medical exam can be inconvenient but it can save you several hundred of dollars a year. Now think of how much you can save if you multiply that by 30 years or whatever length you plan to keep that life insurance policy.
Mistake #5
Buying the life insurance policy with the intent to commit suicide. Ok, this is silly but there are people that face depression and have suicidal thoughts. First, this idea isn’t going to pay because most insurance company and policies have this suicide clause that states if you commit suicide within the first 2 years the company won’t pay the death claim. Don’t do it, please get help if you are thinking this.
Mistake #6
Canceling your old life insurance policy when you’re purchasing a new life insurance policy with another company but the new policy hasn’t been issued yet. Wait until you have received the new policy before canceling your old one. You don’t want a few months where you don’t have life insurance. You don’t know what can happen during that time.
Mistake #7
Not getting enough life insurance coverage. It’s hard to understand why some people would spend money to buy $10,000-50,000 of life insurance. That is such a small amount, certainly not enough to pay off a mortgage, send a kid to college, pay off loans or debts, and can’t support someone for a few years. At least find out how much it cost for $250,000-300,000 of coverage. It may be cheaper than you think.
Mistake #8
Lying on the life insurance application. The insurance companies have a way of finding things out. If you lie on the application then insurance company may not pay the death claim and just refund the premiums if they find out. Be honest about all medical conditions and list all the medication you’re taking.
About the Author: About the Author: Katherine Ly, licensed Life Insurance Agent. Author and Publisher of http://www.term-life-insurance-quotation.com Katherine’s Guide to Insurance is an easy to understand source of information for consumers and provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding life insurance.
Where to Find Cheap Life Insurance
Life is unpredictable. There are so many things that are out of our control and try as we might we can never decide the outcome. Therefore the best thing in life that we can do is to prepare ourselves for any eventuality that may occur. The most common and uncontrollable event in life is death. No one knows where and when it can happen and that is why perhaps a lot of people dread the moment. There are those however who know that death is an eventuality and not only prepare all their lives for this but do so in a structured manner. One of the most common ways one can prepare for death is by buying a life insurance policy for your self or your loved ones.
If you are the earning member of the family and if they are dependent on your earnings taking a life insurance policy will offer them the financial benefit that they would so require.
Buying a life insurance policy today is a very easy task. What is difficult is choosing the right life insurance that best suits your need and pocket.
There are several insurance agencies that offer a wide variety of insurance policies. There is life insurance that basically covers you for death. There are term life insurance policies that usually last for a specified period which is usually 10 to 25 years. This period is determined by the length time you actually pay the premium. After that the policy lapses and no insurance can be claimed for any eventuality that occurs thereafter.
You also have life insurance policies that are tied to medical insurance policies and accident policies.
The actual life insurance policies are determined and specific to the individual.
When a person decides on taking a life insurance policy there are basically two things he must note. One, what is his requirement? This would mean he would have to first see why he needs a life insurance policy. While everyone can take a life insurance policy to protect themselves and their families financially, there are some cases in which taking a life insurance policy cannot be compromised. Some of these cases could be if the person is in potential danger of death due to the nature of his work, if frequently traveling within dangerous territory, if his family has a history of life threatening diseases etc. What is clear is that some people must simply take a life insurance policy no matter what.
The second factor to consider when taking a life insurance policy is the premiums to be paid. Premiums are the cost of owning a policy. These are paid by the person to the insurance company as a kind of charge for obtaining the life insurance policy when required.
While we now know that taking a life insurance policy is very important it is the costs of buying one that deters many people. While we hope that we would not need to use the money from the life insurance policy ( which would mean in event of death) it requires a certain amount of discipline and foresight to take a life insurance policy. Premiums would have to be paid either monthly or annually and this would entail a certain amount of budgeting. As we don’t see the benefits of this money in the present, it is very easy for a person to decide not to continue with the premiums and give up the life insurance policy. This could however be the worst thing to do.
Is there any way then that we can get a cheap life insurance policy, if at all it exists? The good news is yes! A cheap life insurance policy does exist and it can be taken by anyone.
To get a cheap life insurance policy we have to come back to our requirements. What is the amount of life insurance that you need? While the life insurance companies can offer huge amounts, you may not need them. It is not the amount of the policy only that you have to keep in mind but also the premiums. The premiums you pay depend on the policy amount and this is why you must choose a policy amount that requires you to pay a premium that you can afford.
Usually quite a few life insurance policies come with add-ons like loss of income benefit, medical benefit, waiver of premium benefits etc. When you are choosing your life insurance policy you can decide how much of these you really require. If you already get social security cover or medical cover through your employer you can do without adding these to your personal life insurance policy.
Apart from the above what you need to do in order to get a cheap life insurance policy is research the and find out the various insurance companies that offer good life insurance policies and do a study. Read the fine print and get all the information you need to make the best decision.
About the Author: Scott is a consultant at Cheap Life Insurance. You can find all the answers to your finance questions online at http://www.lespillets.com/Cheap_Life_Insurance.html.
If you are the earning member of the family and if they are dependent on your earnings taking a life insurance policy will offer them the financial benefit that they would so require.
Buying a life insurance policy today is a very easy task. What is difficult is choosing the right life insurance that best suits your need and pocket.
There are several insurance agencies that offer a wide variety of insurance policies. There is life insurance that basically covers you for death. There are term life insurance policies that usually last for a specified period which is usually 10 to 25 years. This period is determined by the length time you actually pay the premium. After that the policy lapses and no insurance can be claimed for any eventuality that occurs thereafter.
You also have life insurance policies that are tied to medical insurance policies and accident policies.
The actual life insurance policies are determined and specific to the individual.
When a person decides on taking a life insurance policy there are basically two things he must note. One, what is his requirement? This would mean he would have to first see why he needs a life insurance policy. While everyone can take a life insurance policy to protect themselves and their families financially, there are some cases in which taking a life insurance policy cannot be compromised. Some of these cases could be if the person is in potential danger of death due to the nature of his work, if frequently traveling within dangerous territory, if his family has a history of life threatening diseases etc. What is clear is that some people must simply take a life insurance policy no matter what.
The second factor to consider when taking a life insurance policy is the premiums to be paid. Premiums are the cost of owning a policy. These are paid by the person to the insurance company as a kind of charge for obtaining the life insurance policy when required.
While we now know that taking a life insurance policy is very important it is the costs of buying one that deters many people. While we hope that we would not need to use the money from the life insurance policy ( which would mean in event of death) it requires a certain amount of discipline and foresight to take a life insurance policy. Premiums would have to be paid either monthly or annually and this would entail a certain amount of budgeting. As we don’t see the benefits of this money in the present, it is very easy for a person to decide not to continue with the premiums and give up the life insurance policy. This could however be the worst thing to do.
Is there any way then that we can get a cheap life insurance policy, if at all it exists? The good news is yes! A cheap life insurance policy does exist and it can be taken by anyone.
To get a cheap life insurance policy we have to come back to our requirements. What is the amount of life insurance that you need? While the life insurance companies can offer huge amounts, you may not need them. It is not the amount of the policy only that you have to keep in mind but also the premiums. The premiums you pay depend on the policy amount and this is why you must choose a policy amount that requires you to pay a premium that you can afford.
Usually quite a few life insurance policies come with add-ons like loss of income benefit, medical benefit, waiver of premium benefits etc. When you are choosing your life insurance policy you can decide how much of these you really require. If you already get social security cover or medical cover through your employer you can do without adding these to your personal life insurance policy.
Apart from the above what you need to do in order to get a cheap life insurance policy is research the and find out the various insurance companies that offer good life insurance policies and do a study. Read the fine print and get all the information you need to make the best decision.
About the Author: Scott is a consultant at Cheap Life Insurance. You can find all the answers to your finance questions online at http://www.lespillets.com/Cheap_Life_Insurance.html.
Synthetic Diamonds – Chagrinned When Jewelers Scoff At Fabulous Fake Diamonds
New synthetic diamonds are so closely resemble mined diamonds that the naked eye cannot tell the difference, often saving consumers enough money to make a down-payment on a new home or buy a car. Unfounded diamond jeweler arrogance, pretentiousness, and snootiness has gone too far!
My girlfriend has been parading around town with a magnificent 4-carat Round Brilliant cut synthetic diamond set in a stunning 14K solid gold filigree solitaire ring setting for a year now. She has been to restaurants, work, shopping, night clubs, museums, and parties. Family and friends have scrutinized her ring. She has been stopped repeatedly by others who were dumbfounded by her ring. Hundreds of people have seen her ring, astonished by its majesty, gushing about it. And despite its ostentatious size, no one has asked if it is a fake diamond!
How could this be? The latest breakthrough science in lab-created diamonds has brought them in line with mined diamonds. Long gone is the aurora borealis or "disco ball" effect that was seen in synthetic diamonds of the past decades. New millennium synthetic diamonds—with similar hardness, clarity, fire, and brilliance—are indistinguishable with the naked eye and simply don't look fake. High quality synthetic diamonds even have the coveted hearts-and-arrows effect.
This begs the question: If one were to saunter into a jewelry store with a synthetic diamond, can a jeweler tell the difference? Since all mined diamonds have color disparities (flaws), birthmarks (flaws), and inclusions (flaws), and lab-created diamonds have none of the above, a trained eye can tell the difference. A sneering glance under a loupe or even under discriminating examination with a magnifying glass, a jeweler will often proudly declare a synthetic diamond as a fake. Modern synthetic diamonds are too perfect in the world of jeweler snobbery when pushing over-priced high profit diamonds is the agenda at hand.
With the use of scientific testing equipment, mined diamonds will conduct electricity and synthetic diamonds will not. That is because mined diamonds are a carbon gem material and synthetic diamonds are polycrystalline. A thermal probe will produce different readings, differentiating the two. But does this really matter to a jewelry lover who is interested in aesthetic beauty and saving thousands of dollars? In the year my girlfriend has been showcasing her synthetic diamond on her finger; no one has walked up to her with scientific equipment asking to test her gemstone.
Why do virtually all brick-and-mortar jewelers carry only mined diamonds? Why do jewelers scoff at synthetic diamonds? You need to look no further than your wallet. A 1-carat high quality mined diamond is about $3000, a 2-carat about $18,000, a 3-carat about $40,000, and a 4-carat goes for about $90,000. Respectively, synthetic diamonds run about $79, $158, $237, and $326. It's about the money. Don't kid yourself.
It's also about indoctrination. For over a century, the diamond cartel has spent billions of dollars convincing the public that jewel quality mined diamonds have intrinsic value like gold. Not true. Why? During this time DeBeers has limited production, bought up supplies from others, stockpiled inventory, and imposed its monopoly position on jewelry manufacturers in the successful effort to keep prices inflated. And to make matters worse, the diamond industry as a whole has a checkered past with conflict stones, debt-slave child labor in India used in cutting operations, and shady techniques used to enhance perceived quality to further squeeze out ridiculous prices from beleaguered jewelry lovers.
Smart jewelry shoppers today are considering synthetic diamonds as an alternative to mined diamonds for some very savvy reasons: (1) They can acquire fine jewelry pieces set in solid 14K gold. (2) They will save literally thousands of dollars. (3) There is no need to buy insurance. (4) When wearing there synthetic diamond jewelry nobody will know that they are not mined diamonds unless they tell them!
About the Author: Robert Joseph is an expert jeweler and founding partner of Diamond Nexus Labs, a renowned online jewelry store that specializes in pristine affordable diamond simulants set in Solid 14K Gold.
My girlfriend has been parading around town with a magnificent 4-carat Round Brilliant cut synthetic diamond set in a stunning 14K solid gold filigree solitaire ring setting for a year now. She has been to restaurants, work, shopping, night clubs, museums, and parties. Family and friends have scrutinized her ring. She has been stopped repeatedly by others who were dumbfounded by her ring. Hundreds of people have seen her ring, astonished by its majesty, gushing about it. And despite its ostentatious size, no one has asked if it is a fake diamond!
How could this be? The latest breakthrough science in lab-created diamonds has brought them in line with mined diamonds. Long gone is the aurora borealis or "disco ball" effect that was seen in synthetic diamonds of the past decades. New millennium synthetic diamonds—with similar hardness, clarity, fire, and brilliance—are indistinguishable with the naked eye and simply don't look fake. High quality synthetic diamonds even have the coveted hearts-and-arrows effect.
This begs the question: If one were to saunter into a jewelry store with a synthetic diamond, can a jeweler tell the difference? Since all mined diamonds have color disparities (flaws), birthmarks (flaws), and inclusions (flaws), and lab-created diamonds have none of the above, a trained eye can tell the difference. A sneering glance under a loupe or even under discriminating examination with a magnifying glass, a jeweler will often proudly declare a synthetic diamond as a fake. Modern synthetic diamonds are too perfect in the world of jeweler snobbery when pushing over-priced high profit diamonds is the agenda at hand.
With the use of scientific testing equipment, mined diamonds will conduct electricity and synthetic diamonds will not. That is because mined diamonds are a carbon gem material and synthetic diamonds are polycrystalline. A thermal probe will produce different readings, differentiating the two. But does this really matter to a jewelry lover who is interested in aesthetic beauty and saving thousands of dollars? In the year my girlfriend has been showcasing her synthetic diamond on her finger; no one has walked up to her with scientific equipment asking to test her gemstone.
Why do virtually all brick-and-mortar jewelers carry only mined diamonds? Why do jewelers scoff at synthetic diamonds? You need to look no further than your wallet. A 1-carat high quality mined diamond is about $3000, a 2-carat about $18,000, a 3-carat about $40,000, and a 4-carat goes for about $90,000. Respectively, synthetic diamonds run about $79, $158, $237, and $326. It's about the money. Don't kid yourself.
It's also about indoctrination. For over a century, the diamond cartel has spent billions of dollars convincing the public that jewel quality mined diamonds have intrinsic value like gold. Not true. Why? During this time DeBeers has limited production, bought up supplies from others, stockpiled inventory, and imposed its monopoly position on jewelry manufacturers in the successful effort to keep prices inflated. And to make matters worse, the diamond industry as a whole has a checkered past with conflict stones, debt-slave child labor in India used in cutting operations, and shady techniques used to enhance perceived quality to further squeeze out ridiculous prices from beleaguered jewelry lovers.
Smart jewelry shoppers today are considering synthetic diamonds as an alternative to mined diamonds for some very savvy reasons: (1) They can acquire fine jewelry pieces set in solid 14K gold. (2) They will save literally thousands of dollars. (3) There is no need to buy insurance. (4) When wearing there synthetic diamond jewelry nobody will know that they are not mined diamonds unless they tell them!
About the Author: Robert Joseph is an expert jeweler and founding partner of Diamond Nexus Labs, a renowned online jewelry store that specializes in pristine affordable diamond simulants set in Solid 14K Gold.
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