Archive for October, 2010
Friday, October 29th, 2010
One great irony of life is that people find it so easy to spend money and yet, they find it doubly hard to save money.
Almost 80% of the consumers, according to some surveys, tend to spend their money easily and find it hard to save even just 10% of their income or any amount of their earnings. They always insist that they have more expenses than they can handle; that is why it is so hard for them to really create a hefty amount for savings.
What people do not know is that they can easily save more money even on their daily expenses if they just know how to do it.
The point is that if they were really wise consumers, they would definitely take advantage of freebies and discount items that can absolutely cut their expenses almost in half.
One of the best examples is the utilization of money saving coupons.
The problem is that many people are still not aware of the benefits that money saving coupons can give. They contend that these freebies just offer such a little amount of money and that they can be better off without it.
Therefore, for those who are not yet fully aware of the benefits they can derive from these money saving coupons and what they can do in order to save more money, here is a list of some of tips on how to use these coupons for a cause:
1. Look for the right places
If you are not yet aware of the right places where you can get excellent money saving coupons, try to look in your local newspaper, especially the Sunday editions. Its one of the best places where you can get discount coupons.
Usually, different establishments provide discount coupons to entice consumers to buy their products. Thats why they use the paper to distribute their freebies.
2. Shop online
Online businesses also provide money saving coupons. What people do not know is that online discount coupons provide more money saving percentage than what the newspapers can give.
Best of all, it is so easy to accumulate discount coupons. All you have to do is to sign up for the online business and you can easily get some of their freebies.
3. Coupons are great money savers
The very advantage of money saving coupons is that they can cut your bill to almost 50%.
Indeed, using money saving coupons can definitely save you more money than what you have expected. So, for those who do not know this yet, try to cut more coupons and start saving.
Tags: Advantage, Amount Of Money, Best Places, Derive, Discount Coupons, Earnings, Easy Money, Establishments, Freebies, Hard Money, Irony, Local Newspaper, Many People, Money Problem, Money Saving Coupons, Newspapers, Online Coupons, Online Money, Surveys, Wise Consumers
Posted in Savings Accounts | No Comments »
Friday, October 29th, 2010
The modern socio-economic scenario has made life really very complicated for us, as we all have to run after money to make ends meet. In this age of rapid commercialization of economy, we are always running short of cash no matter how much we earn. As the economy scale new highs aggressive consumers are always busy exploring new ways and means to augment their income. For spendthrift people it may however turn out to be an arduous task to save money.
Therefore, it makes sense to invest in saving bonds so that you never reach a stage of bankruptcy and always have some cash to fall back upon in times of need. Industry experts strongly recommend consumers to use saving bonds as a reliable means of letting your money grow at an amazingly fast pace. According to a recent media report, savings bonds currently bring greater benefits than many savings or money market accounts. With savings bond you can solve all your monetary woes. Savings bond takes care of your child’s higher education or even your post retirement ordeal.
Some of the advantages of investing in saving bonds are as follows- -The monthly interest rates on savings bonds accumulate on a monthly basis. Savings bonds offer enviable rates of return in comparison to other bonds.
-Savings Bonds come with a particular registration number so that they can be easily be replaced in case it is stolen or tampered.
-You do not have to dig deep into your pocket to buy a savings bond. You have to shell out as little as $25 to get a savings bond.
-Another unique feature of saving bond is that they are easily exchangeable. You can get cash out of your bond easily in case of an emergency.
-One of the greatest benefits acquired from investing in savings bond is tax exemption. The interest amassed on savings bonds is free from all state and local income taxes.
-Last but not the least, savings bond act as a great balancing factor to your existing investment folder paving a way to start building your own capital. This unique feature of the savings bond gives you enough room for diversification of funds.
There are a variety of savings bonds on offer. You just have to do a little bit of market research to find out which one suits your bill perfectly. Riding on its highly beneficial factor savings bonds have really emerged as a preferred investment option everywhere. Series EE or Series I bonds are the safest bet amongst all categories of savings bonds. Savings bonds have undoubtedly emerged as the best add-on to your investment portfolio.
Therefore, if you want to make your life simpler with little financial worries then investing on savings bond is a must. Your post retirement life or child’s’ higher education expenses may not seem to be at all difficult after investing on savings bonds. So, get ready to outsmart your peers by investing on savings bonds and it will save you from unnecessary harassments and gift you a secured peaceful life in return.
Tags: Arduous Task, Bond Act, Economic Scenario, Income Taxes, Industry Experts, Money Market Accounts, New Highs, New Ways, Ordeal, Rapid Commercialization, Registration Number, Saving Bond, Saving Bonds, Savings Bond, Savings Bonds, Spendthrift, Tax Exemption, Uniqu, Ways And Means, Woes
Posted in ISA Cash | No Comments »
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
Closing costs can surprise many homeowners if they aren’t prepared for them and can seriously deplete savings at a time when most people need money the most. It seems that lenders are constantly finding new and creative ways to tack on a few dollars here, and a few dollars there to the tune of thousands. However, by taking a few simple steps you can keep your closing costs low and know when to tell your lender that enough is enough!
First, you should always be a savvy consumer when it comes to title work. You have the right to select any title company you want and not the one that the mortgage company wants to force upon you. Of course, the mortgage company they want you to use always turns out to be one of the more expensive ones (because they are getting kickback fees). Shop around for a title work company and you can often save 30% right off the bat, and if you are willing to really work at it, save upwards of 50%. It’s not chump change either – a title company can easily charge $1,200 for basic title services.
Next, be on the lookout for junk fees. Lenders love to pile on the document preparation fees, interest locking fees and anything else they can think of. Often times they throw these fees onto mortgages that have no points attached to them. Make sure that you ask your lender for a full disclosure of all the fees and then ask them about any that seem out of line. If you aren’t happy with what they quote you, tell them you are looking around at other lenders. The last thing a lender wants to do is lose 30 years worth of interest because of a $200 junk fee!
If you aren’t going to be in the house for more than a few years, ask the seller to pay the closing costs. Sure, you’ll end up paying a higher interest rate, but if you plan on moving in a few years then the cost of the interest won’t match the closing costs you would have to pay up front. Plus, you pay the extra interest off is small chunks each month rather than being out a lot of money up front.
Watch out for lenders who try to sell you add-on products with your mortgage. They love to try and get you to buy credit insurance (a total waste of money) and some lenders even try and sell you services such as “plumbing protection” or “whole house appliance protection”. Just say no!
Remember, you have the power to say no thanks at any time before you sign on the dotted line. If you don’t like the figures your lender is talking about for closing costs, shop around – in fact, you should around and get several mortgage offers before you even consider one. Don’t be afraid to get up and walk away from the table. After all, it’s your money – don’t let a greedy lender try to squeeze another $1000 out of you when you have enough stress taking place buying a home in the first place!
Tags: Chump Change, Chunks, Closing Costs, Document Preparation Fees, Full Disclosure, Interest Rate, Junk Fees, Kickback, Lenders, Lookout, Match, Money, Mortgage Company, Mortgages, Right Off The Bat, Savvy Consumer, Simple Steps, Title Company
Posted in Savings Rates | No Comments »
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
One of the rules of life is that, sooner or later, everyone has to stop working and retire. For some, this is a golden opportunity to enjoy life and do things they never got the chance to do while they were busy with working and raising a family. For others, however, retirement can be a very scary prospect, with no money coming in and yet some of the biggest expenses still needing to be taken care of. Even though work stops, the truth is that life (and your bills) doesnt. Here are some ways to plan ahead and develop a secure source of income for when you retire.
The most important factor in planning out your retirement income is to plan ahead- the sooner you start to plan, the better. As soon as you reach that stage of life where you are receiving a secure income, you should begin to put money aside in order to draw off of when you retire. You can do this by diversifying your investments- small contributions to several areas will add up when you retire to provide you with a comfortable living- if you are very wise and frugal you may find that your retirement income is actually more than your regular working income was!
The best places to put this money are in areas where they will be able to accrue interest, especially of the compound variety. Some safe investments include mutual funds and saving bonds, in which an investor agrees to leave the money aside for a stated amount of time in order to earn the interest that will often be guaranteed. In some areas, it is also possible to invest in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) which will not only accrue interest until the time you retire, they are also usually tax deductible in the present.
You should also look for a job in which a regular contribution is made by both the company and by yourself to a pension plan. Ask your employer if it is possible to have some money deducted from each paycheck and deposited to a specific pension plan- many employers will meet the contributions made by the employee.
The most important thing when you are planning out your retirement income is to make sure that the money you invest for that purpose remains there. Many people lose their retirement nest egg in emergencies or even investing in opportunities that seem iron clad, but arent. When you make investments towards your retirement, do not touch them. Remember that this money will be all you have at that time in your life, and if you lose it you are going to be in for some hard times, with no chance at recuperation. Any risks as far as investments go should be undertaken with money that you budget for that purpose, and not with any of the money that you plan on setting aside for retirement purposes.
Prudence and long-term planning are the watchwords when you begin to develop your secure retirement income. Make a plan and stick to it, and your golden years will be the best time of your life.
Tags: Amount Of Time, Best Places, Golden Opportunity, Investments, Investor, Look For A Job, Money, Mutual Funds, Paycheck, Pension Plan, Planning Retirement, Retirement Income, Retirement Plan, Retirement Plans, Retirement Savings Plans, Rrsps, Saving Bonds, Scary Prospect, Stage Of Life, Truth
Posted in ISA Savings | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
The stark rise in car insurance and business car insurance premiums, which was predicted by Norwich Union at the end of 2006 has not materialised.
One of the UKs biggest car insurers, Norwich Union had stated that in 2007 premiums would have to rise by 16% in order to cover the cost of increased claims. However, the latest AA British Insurance premium index indicates a rise of only 5.9% in comprehensive car insurance cover throughout the year.
The reason given for the halt in premium rates was the much fiercer competition engendered between the UKs top online insurance companies.
Typically, the report stated, UK drivers paid an average of 594 for fall comprehensive car cover in the previous year. The Index also reveals that those who shopped around in search of cheaper car insurance when it came time to renew the policy, paid on average 194 less, an indicated saving of upwards of 33 percent.
The data also revealed that car insurance for third party, fire and theft could also be cheaper when switching companies on renewal, achieving savings of as much as 225 a year below the average industry quote.
However there are other factors, which may have affected the accuracy of these statistics.
According to a recent article in The Guardian Money Column, the exact circumstances of each driver must be compared in order to reach a true comparison of what is actually the cheaper insurance option. For instance, some insurers will not offer cover for business or commercial use, and other insurers will not offer any kind of policy for younger drivers.
It has also been noted that often the cheapest of the insurers can subsidise their premiums by applying other costs and charges. An example of this can be found in the APR charged when the premiums are paid in monthly instalments. Extra costs have soared by as much as 39% when this has been applied. Also regular drivers abroad are offered free European cover by some insurers, whilst others may charge as much as an additional 20 for a two-week visit to France.
Interestingly, the consumer body icon Which? Discovered that insurance premiums could reduce by as much as 25% by buying directly from the designated companys website online.
The organisation also suggests that even if only third party, fire and theft is being considered, it would be beneficial to also get quotes for comprehensive car insurance cover, as often
this type of cover may not cost much more, and it may be well worth paying the difference in order to secure additional security and peace of mind.
Tags: British Insurance, Business Car, Car Cover, Car Insurance Premiums, Car Insurers, Cheaper Car Insurance, Cheaper Insurance, Comprehensive Car Insurance, Exact Circumstances, Fire And Theft, Instalments, Insurance Companies, Insurance Option, Insurance Premium, Money Column, Norwich Union, Party Fire, True Comparison, Uk Drivers, Uks Top
Posted in Compare ISA | No Comments »
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Modern Ways of Saving Money: 4 Tricks that Can Make You Rich
Saving has always been a way of life for people who believed on its power. These people know that they have to save more money in order to create a more established future.
However, as time goes by, more and more people find it hard to save money. They contend that saving is no longer a way of life but a resolution that they have to strictly adhere to just to salt away some amount of money.
Some people even insist that it is no longer possible for a person to save more money because most of them are already living paycheck to paycheck. With all the high-prices of commodities these days, saving more money is no longer workable.
But the point is that people can indeed save more.
How? Here is a list of some modern ways that will let you save more money:
1. Save some percentage from your salary
Most money-savers automatically take at least 30% from their salary and save them into their savings account. The basic concept here is that most of us spend whatever amount we have on our paycheck, and maybe even more. If you are able to limit that amount, your expenses will unexplainably get smaller.
2. Pay everything in cash
Credit cards had always been a way of life for most consumers. The problem is that they become so comfortable with it that they tend to spend everything on credit. In fact, statistics show that the average family has an average outstanding balance on their credit cards amounting to $7,000. And they even pay almost $1,000 in each year just on the interest charges alone.
Hence, because of this comfortable shopping, they forget to keep track of their expenses and accumulate more payables than what they can afford to pay.
3. Set goals
Create goals that you really want and not be fickle-minded about it. If theres a certain amount involved, be specific with the amount, like saying I will save $5,000 in a year and not around $5,000.
Try to set your goals based on your priorities. Have a period for every goal.
4. Check your companys retirement plan
With your employer plan such as the 401(k) or the 403(b), you can definitely save more money for the future. Here, your company will deduct a percentage of your salary from each paycheck and invest the amount in your choice of instrumentsmainly mutual funds.
The bottom line is that saving is not just a way of life or a resolution. Its the ultimate gratification that you get as a fruit of your labor.
Tags: Amount Of Money, Commodities, Consumers, Credit Cards, Hard Money, Living Paycheck To Paycheck, Money Order, Money Savers, Money Saving, Money Tricks, Payables, Paycheck To Paycheck, People, Salary, Set Goals, Shopping, Statistics, Way Of Life, Ways Of Saving Money
Posted in Savings Accounts | No Comments »
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Knowing if you have saved enough is just part of retirement security. The other part involves creating an investment scheme that will create income without touching your savings.
If youre past 40 or in your 50s, things are a little more difficult. Its difficult to predict the amount of income that youll need during retirement. The needs and interest rates are bound to vary during that period.
In an investment plan, the traditional advice of putting your savings in dividend-paying stocks and corporate bonds cant be relied on anymore. A portfolio like that tends to hurt over time and risk using your savings too soon.
Have enough savings.
To determine if you have saved enough, there are web tools available. Make sure that you understand the assumptions in the tool. You may also hire financial planners to do the numbers for you instead. Look for one that uses the latest income-planning tools. Do not make unrealistic assumptions on the returns of the savings and the investment incomes. Worst, do not make bad assumptions on your spending.
Be prepared for deep and long recessions. Assume that youll spend at least as much as you do now.
Create a portfolio for both growth and income.
As soon as you have enough saved, you need to set up a system that allows you to put your money into stocks for the long-term, while putting away enough for fixed income.
Many financial planners advise you to place your retirement money into three portfolios.
1. The first portfolio is for expected expenses next year.
2. The second portfolio is for fixed income investment whose income goes to the first one
3. The third portfolio is for stocks that will grow and go into the first two
A constant flow of income can be generated when the fixed-income portfolio is diversified into investments with varying maturity. If youre thinking of how much money to put in, carefully evaluate your risk tolerance and needs. This helps you determine how much to save and how much cash should be available.
This is a critical decision, because it can make or break your retirement.
Try to get the most from your fixed investments. The classic approach is to diversify your fixed-income portfolio. Treasury bills and investment-grade Corp-bonds of different maturities are the most commonly used vehicles.
Here are some alternatives:
1. Treasury bills
2. Corporate bonds
3. Real-Estate investment trusts
4. Convertible bonds
5. Municipal bonds
Tags: 50s, Corporate Bonds, Dividend Paying Stocks, Financial Planners, Fixed Income Investment, Fixed Income Portfolio, Incomes, Interest Rates, Investment Plan, Investment Scheme, Maturity, Planning Tools, Portfolios, Recessions, Retirement Money, Retirement Security, Risk Tolerance, Traditional Advice, Unrealistic Assumptions, Web Tools
Posted in ISA Savings | No Comments »
Monday, October 18th, 2010
This is a very important question which all homeowners should ask themselves both at the start and towards the end of the process of re-financing. The answer to this question can spur the homeowner to investigate re-financing further or convince the homeowner to table the thoughts of re-financing for the moment and concentrate on other aspect of owning a home.
Establish Financial Goals
This should be the first step in the process of determining whether or not re-financing is worthwhile. Without this step, a homeowner cannot accurate answer the question of the worth of re-financing because the homeowner may not fully understand his own financial goals. While financial goals may run the gamut from one extreme to another the most basic question to ask is whether the more significant goal is long term savings or increased monthly cash flow. This is important because re-financing can usually achieve these two goals.
Do You Want to Save Money in the Long Run?
Homeowners who establish a goal of saving money in the long run should consider re-financing options such as lower interest rates or shorter loan terms. Both of these options can considerably lower the amount of interest the homeowner is paying on the loan. This is significant because paying less interest will result in a greater cost savings.
Consider an example where a homeowner has an existing debt of $100,000, an interest rate of 6.25% and a loan term of 30 years. Just by reducing the loan term to 15 years the homeowner can significantly decrease the amount which is paid in interest during the course of the loan. However, this option will also result in an increase in the monthly payments made by the homeowner. Therefore this type of re-financing option may only be available to those who have enough cash flow to compensate for the increase in monthly payments.
Do You Want to Increase Your Monthly Cash Flow?
Some homeowners may have a chosen goal of increasing their monthly cash flow. For these homeowners the overall cost savings may not be as important as having more money available to them each month. These homeowners might consider a re-financing option in which they are able to extend their loan terms. This means they will be repaying the existing debt over a longer period of time. The homeowner will pay more in interest in the long run but will achieve their goal of lower monthly payments and an increased cash flow.
How Will Re-Financing Affect Tax Deductions?
This is another serious consideration for homeowners who are interested in investigating the possibility of re-financing. The interest paid on a home loan is often tax deductible. A homeowner who re-finances in a manner which results in less interest being paid annually may adversely affect their tax strategy. The implications of this type of chance can be amplified for homeowners who were previously just below a significant tax break line. A significant decrease in the amount of interest paid will mean a significant decrease in the deduction the homeowner is allowed to take. This reduced deduction can put the homeowner in an entirely different tax bracket and could end up costing the homeowner money in the long run. For this reason, homeowners who are considering re-financing should have a tax preparation professional determine the ramifications re-financing will have on their tax return before a decision is made.
Tags: Accurate Answer, Answer The Question, Cash Flow, Financial Goals, Financing Option, Financing Options, Gamut, Interest Rate, Interest Rates, Loan Term, Loan Terms, Owning A Home, Saving Money, Term Savings
Posted in Savings Rates | No Comments »
Sunday, October 17th, 2010
The world stock markets are going through quite a turbulent period at present and on average around ten percent has been wiped off some of the leading markets over the last month. In this article I write about how on a personal note I try to save in a series of different financial products which helps me to spread the risk, including when we have these stock market falls.
I started saving money on a regular basis about five years ago. At this stage the stock market in the UK had just had some dramatic falls after the terrorist attacks in New York. I wanted to build up a kind of rainy day fund and decided to invest monthly premiums into a unit trust. I started saving 50 a month and over time I increased this figure.
I have to say that I have been very lucky as my investment has done very well, I have even over the last couple of years cashed in some of the units to pay for our family holidays. At the start of this year the stock market in the UK was showing its highest levels in five and a half years.
In the five years that I have been investing, I have bought and now own a large number of units in this unit trust fund. What it now means however, is that if the stock markets have a period just like the one it has had, it costs me financially on paper quite a lot of money.
I now believe that my exposure to the stock markets is high enough and have decided that I will leave the units that I have invested in the fund as they are, but that I will not be adding to them. Instead I am going to put my regular savings into one of the high interest regular savings online bank accounts. This of course is a way of spreading the risk.
I have no idea which way the world stock markets are going to go over the next few months. Many people are saying that the United States interest rates may rise and that this could have a damaging affect on world markets. There could well be another major terrorist attack which could of course result in dramatic stock market falls.
I am hoping that the stock markets will continue to rise in the same way that they have over the last five years and that the falls over the last few weeks are just a blip. I just think that I have enough money invested and would like to start building some form of other savings in a safer type of environment.
Tags: Bank Accounts, Family Holidays, Half Years, High Interest, Interest Rates, Invest, Investment Stock, Lucky, Personal Note, Premiums, Rainy Day Fund, Risk, Saving Money, Stock Market, Terrorist Attack, Terrorist Attacks, Turbulent Period, Unit Trust Fund, World Markets, World Stock Markets
Posted in Compare ISA | No Comments »