Getting Money Wise

What You Need to Know About Credit Repair

2012-01-27T23:46:00.000+05:30

In 2004, I was 26 years old and $46,000 in debt. So that November, I declared bankruptcy. Thankfully this held off the creditors, but it demolished my already damaged credit.

A couple years later, I began to seek ways to raise my credit score . I hired a reputable credit repair firm. And within a year, 11 items had been deleted from my credit report and my score rose by 200 points.

In the process I learned a ton about the reality of credit repair, and the credit repair industry. The good, the bad, and the truly ugly.

The bad and the ugly dominate this business. If you're looking to raise your credit scores, chances are you are not in the best state of mind. Unscrupulous lawyers and companies have been known to take advantage of people with financial troubles looking for some relief.

Here's what you should know to avoid getting conned.

First, "Credit Repair" isn't like car repair where you can depend on a skilled mechanic to fix up your engine. It's a legal process based on the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1996. This law gives any consumer the right to dispute the accuracy of anything on his or her credit report. If the credit bureaus cannot verify the items within 30 days, they are required to delete them.

Like any legal process, there is no guarantee that the items will be deleted. If the credit bureau verified your info, they send you a letter saying so. That's why it took a full year for the 11 items to be taken off my reports. Some months the dispute letters were successful, with one to 3 items being deleted at once. Other times, 3 to 4 months would go by without getting a single item deleted. It is a process that requires patience and diligence.

Therefore, any credit repair company promising fast results is full of baloney. It's true that you may see some items deleted within a month or two, but you can't say for sure.

Any company charging a large up front fee is also suspicious. Realistically, you can draft up your own dispute letters without any lawyer or company's help. I chose to work with a law firm because their rates were reasonable and I believed the credit bureus would respond more quickly with legal representation. I've known people who have tried it on their own and been ignored; all of my disputes were answered, even if items were not removed.

However, you should never ever pay a large fee up front to a company you don't know, especially if you are already in financial trouble.

If you do hire a credit repair company (which should be a law firm) to represent you, they are going to need a copy of your credit report in order to know how to dispute the negative items on your account. For this reason, I highly recommend researching any credit repair company thoroughly. Check them out on Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for detailed client testimonials.

If you are patient and do your due diligence, a quality credit repair company can have a tremendous impact on your credit score and your financial future.

Seth Jared is a blogger who writes about credit cards for college students and web hosting comparison.

Finding Extra Cash in Retirement

2012-01-27T17:54:00.001+05:30

Everyone dreams of retirement, of the days when they no longer have to set the alarm clock, roll out of bed and commute to a job every day. While we all imagine our golden years as full of leisure or family time, financial considerations sometimes get in the way of our ideal retirement. Whether it’s an unexpected health event, a downturn in the markets, or simply realizing there’s not enough money to last, many retirees are seeking ways to earn some extra cash in order to help stretch their budget. Let’s look at ways for the modern day retiree to just that.

Part time employment

Part-time jobs are common ways of earning extra income in retirement. And while most people picture seniors doing unskilled jobs such as working at the front of a big retail store many retirees use their years of work experience to land jobs such as part-time consultants or to assist certain projects. While part-time employment can be a great way to remain engaged in the workplace and to feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose it is still a job and can carry the stress of work, exactly the stress that retirement was supposed to put an end to.

Home equity

Many of those who are nearing retirement or have recently retired have lived in their home for many years. Some may even own their homes outright and have no mortgage payments. For retirees seeking extra funds releasing equity from your home may be a good strategy. One way this can be done is simply by selling the home. This option may particularly make sense if the upkeep, maintenance, and utility costs are high. Not only are you getting the money from the sale, but you are reducing or eliminating future expenses.

For those who are unwilling to move and sell their home there are other means of utilizing the home equity. Even in the post-housing bubble years, there are still financial institutions that are willing to provide funds to qualified homeowners. Reverse mortgages are flexible government-sponsored programs specifically designed to help seniors release equity from their homes while allowing them to maintain ownership of the property. Home owners are advised to view an equity release guide or see a financial advisor before doing so to make sure this is the option for them.

Hobbies

Retirement can be a time for individuals to take up new hobbies or to expand on previous pastimes. Without the need to head to a job each day, the extra time allows seniors to do what they truly enjoy doing. Some hobbies can be used to generate money. Some retirees sell arts and crafts while others market gardening produce or flowers. And while monetizing hobbies will probably not make retirees rich, it is a great way to earn extra cash doing something they love to do.

Also Read: How To Budget For Hobbies

This article was written by freelance writer, Jem. He specialises in advising you, the reader how to release equity from your home. You can follow him on twitter now at @writerjem.

Top Tips to Help Small Businesses Easily Achieve Online Success

2012-01-27T14:51:00.001+05:30

There are several tricks and strategies that can easily make your small business a handsomely functioning business, as you enjoy the leisure of online success! A great number of business owners have realized the significance of bringing their small scale business corporation to the light of online world. These days, it is hard to overlook this fact, that the more you grab online limelight, the nicer your business output is going to be. Through right amount of online exposure you are also going to be able to attract a lot of customers.

These days you see less usage of paper-based work, as more and more things are getting online. So, the need of the moment is that you must also have a recognized place of yours online, in order to make the right impact. So, this article serves as a guide to those who desire to grow their online presence and it is also for the ones who are still thinking about “going” online. Here are few fingertip tips that may help you out on the way to online business success, especially for the small scale business owners.

You want to be Rich? Be Keyword Rich!

Yes, that’s a top trick in online business! If you want to stay visible in Google or other search engines, you must pick up a domain that allows you rich keywords to use! Now, being keyword rich does not mean that you have hit a jack-pot! However, it does help a lot to make you visible in Google. With a bit of help and a website that you have made with effort and diligence, you will be able to be included in the top websites in Google and other search engines. Moreover, friendlier domain names are more likely to be memorized by the users and, therefore, more traffic of readers would turn to your site (often).

Press Your Word on WordPress!

Majority of SEO companies would recommend WordPress, as this forum offers all the apps and gadgets that you will ever need to erect a website. There is another platform, called Joomla; however, I still like WordPress much better. You may call me a bit biased but I have been using WordPress platform and it caters to every need that a successful website or blog has. You can easily customize it, coding is very feasible and the forum remains frequently updated. The greatest favourable point is that, its very user friendly.

Be a Regular Blogger!

This is the key factor. You miss a day, you loose on traffic turning to your blog. The more frequently you blog, the more people are going to like your blog and turn back often. Moreover, search engines also take serious note of the activity going on your blog. They won’t give a high ranking to the least active blog (irrespective of any magic keyword). Take my word, the search engines simply adores fresh content and regular updates!

Watch your Suppliers!

You may try connecting with your suppliers and see if they are willing to place any link on your blog or website. This will assist you in the process of expanding your business; moreover, search engines will also notice that you are some trustworthy and reputable blogger with several references and links.

So, now you know tricks of the trade well enough! Go blogging and make your way!

I am Susan Hannan from Examsking. Looking for Examsking.co.uk exam assistance? Let’s take benefit of Exams King self-paced Oracle Certification training material and clear your IT certification on first try.

5 Must Read Books about Personal Finance

2012-01-27T01:48:00.002+05:30

Most of us have a love/hate relationship with money. We love it when we have it and we hate it when we don’t. Unfortunately, the latter is often the situation for many people. Did you know that the government is reporting that 50% of Americans are now living at or below poverty level? That means we need serious help. Numerous personal finance books attempt to teach us how to become financially savvy, but here are five I think are great for people like me who were not born financial wizards.

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko
When you think of millionaires, you probably picture beautiful people wearing beautiful clothes, driving luxurious cars and living in luxurious homes. In the book The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko, the authors draw a different image. It’s not about movie stars, wealthy heirs, or lottery winners. It is about everyday people who each built a net worth of more than one million dollars. It’s about their shared traits, habits, disciplines, and lifestyles. It’s about living within our means, no matter how minimal, and still being able to save and invest. It’s not a newly published book, but offers wise words to live by. Everyone seeking financial prosperity should read it.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman
Written by Suze Orman, America’s most recognizable personal financial advisor, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying, also came on the market more than a decade ago, though the latest edition does have new information added. Orman analyses how money affects our lives in every aspect, including emotionally, and gives insightful tips for overcoming financial fears and barriers. Suze Orman is definitely a must read.

The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
Believe it or not, not every book about financial management is dry and humorless. The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton is just the opposite. Chilton crafts an entertaining story starring Roy, a fictional barber who has only an average income but uses simple methods to untangle complex financial puzzles and build financial strength. It’s filled with sensible money management advice and is an excellent read as well.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Radio show host and author Dave Ramsey created The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness to help you become debt free and get on the track to financial health. Everyone should read this practical guide, especially those who are struggling with debt.

The Family CFO by K. Snider
This is a particularly good book for those who have little understanding of money management, but those who are presumed experts can learn from it as well. The Family CFO breaks down family money management into four steps that are practical and effective and will keep your family finances flourishing. Every parent or parent-to-be should read this book, but it’s helpful for singles and seniors, too.

It’s time to get past our love/hate relationship with money and take it to the next level. We need to find out how to make this lifelong liaison vibrant and successful, to put broken financial hearts behind us. Read these five books for some of the best advice on how to turn your love/hate relationship with money into a fulltime romance.

George Gallagher is a writer for researcher for literature, finance, and the economy. He is also an expert on student loan consolidation and puts his talents to use helping your professionals.

Also Read: Extremely Useful Personal Finance eBooks (Free)

How to Choose a Great Accountant

2012-01-26T19:51:00.001+05:30

Of all the services your business will outsource probably the most crucial to your business is a trust worthy accountant. Finding somebody whom you can trust to stay up-to-date with your accounts and payments will allow you to focus on expanding your business.

Qualifications
Make sure the accountant you choose is properly qualified as either a certified or charted accountant. If this is displayed on the accounts collateral or website be sure to check with the accountant that they hold the relevant qualifications and can provide proof.

Experience & References
As to see case studies and examples of other clients the accountant has worked for. If possible you should ask if you may contact a few of these clients to get a client’s perspective of the level of service the account provides.

You should also ask the accountant about the size of client they deal with; you want to be sure that they have clients who are of a similar size to yourselves and clients who are larger than you. This way you will not outgrow your accountant and can ensure they have the expertise applicable to your needs.

Cost
This shouldn’t be the only reason you employ an accountant. As with all services you will get what you pay for and the better the reputation, the more the accountant will cost. As an SME choosing an accountant it will be about finding the right balance between cost and service.

One thing you should check is whether your accountants work on an hourly basis or to fixed fees dependent on the services you require. You may be able to negotiate a discounted rate if employing your accountant for a number of services.

Size
How big is the accountancy firm you are employing to manage your accounts? Smaller firms will have an understanding and appreciation of how a smaller business operates and will be more likely to allocated the time and resources required.

Be sure to meet your potential account face-to-face before choosing who you want to use. Meeting face-to-face will give you almost an immediate feel for whether they are the right firm for you. Be certain to meet with a number of accountants before making your decision and if possible you should settle on your chosen accountant before incorporating your business; unless of course you are changing your accountant because you have outgrown your existing firm or they have done you a dis-service.

Apple Tree are a firm of Witney Accountants that specialise in bookkeeping and tax advice services for small businesses.

Student Credit Cards: How to Smartly Use Them

2012-01-26T19:34:00.000+05:30

Not very many people are agreeable to students getting access to credit cards. Many believe that these young adults still do not have the financial literacy and discipline to manage their finances well.

But this is not necessarily true to all college or university students. There may be those who are irresponsible, but there are also those who are.

When college or university students apply for credit cards, the primary purpose is for their educational needs. There is the need for books and tuition fees that can greatly be eased with the help of credit facilities, such as student credit cards or loans.

However, it’s also true and it can not be denied that when students get access to credit cards, there is an immense risk that they will be tempted to use the plastic not only for their school needs, but also for things that they want. Sometimes, they give good reason for it, and say that they will only do it once, or twice; that things are under control. In fairness, some are in control. Unfortunately, some also fail.

Hence, it is very important to continually warn and remind these students about the dangers of irresponsible use of student credit cards.

Here’s a list of some things students should never buy, charge, or pay for using their credit cards.

Clothes

Sometimes, students see nice blouses, jeans, dresses, or even shoes, and they want to buy it, not because they need it, but because it has taken his/her fancy. Maybe their friends are wearing the same style. Trends, styles, fads, and fashion appeals to a persons’ vanity, which, when unbridled, can often lead someone to excessive debt because of irresponsible spending.

Gadgets

The latest gadgets such as iPhone or other mobile phones, game consoles, and watches – these can be very tempting to people with credit cards. One can, for example, desire the newer model of a mobile phone, even if he does not have the cash to pay for it. If the desire for an upgrade gets out of hand, then he buys the gadget and charges it to his credit card, then the problem begins.

Dining Out

This can be very costly, and this normally happens when one hangs out with an influential group of friends, like in cases where a low income student hangs out with financially-well-off students. Three things can happen: one, he leaves the group during meal time and rejoins them later; two he joins them but spend more than what he can actually afford; or three, stay and not eat anything. The same scenario is true if one is in an expensive relationship with the opposite sex. Paying for someone’s meal one or twice is okay. But to do it regularly can be a heavy burden, just because of “love”. In these scenarios, students who have student credit cards usually resort to “swiping” their credit cards. Unfortunately, in a months’ time, he will have to pay for everything he charged in his account, plus interest.

This is also true when a student goes out to party on Friday nights. Drinks can be very expensive.

There’s one common factor among the things mentioned above: they are all not necessary. This means the student can do without them, and he’ll still live comfortably, debt-free, hence with peace of mind.

College students, especially those who are still struggling to make ends meet, can learn so much about this adage: To live simply for a better future, in relation to everything that you own materially: “use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without”.

Debts should be avoided as much as possible. But since there are things that can only be accessed and realized with the help and use of credit, then the best advice is for students to use credit wisely and responsibly.

Learning about financial literacy has to start somewhere, and learning about it while one is young is best. To have a credit card is not a bad thing; it only becomes a problem when it is used irresponsibly. To avoid irresponsible use of credit cards, students should educate themselves as much as possible about how to manage their finances well, and apply what they’ve learned.

Siena Lombardi is a web publisher for AccessRx.com, a safe and secure facilitator for medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra online. At AccessRx.com’s blog, we cover everything from health to pharmaceutical news, such as the piece on 5 Sex Enhancing Foods for men.

The Best Investment for the Small Budget

2012-01-25T23:26:00.000+05:30

Seeing the financial sector crash in the late 2000s was a dangerous and scary time for many people. Those with small investments in the banking industry may have seen the value of those investments crumble overnight, with the danger that they would lose all of their money. As the financial sector slowly recovers, what are the options for those with a smaller budget today? Are there any realistic investments that can see those with a small budget become successful in investing once more?

A Regular Investment?
Since the fall of the markets there may have been a worry over investing in stocks and shares. This is understandable as once the financial services caused the crash in the late 2000s the stock market lost a large amount of value, some shares were unaffected, but there is no doubt that the majority of businesses were directly affected. For small investors nowadays the stock market can be seen as a viable option once more. The markets are slowly recovering, and there is no doubt that some businesses are flourishing at the current time. If you have a small budget, do some research and find an up and coming company with cheaper stocks and shares, you never know, they could be the next Apple!

Risking For High Rewards
For those who are wondering if the stock market is out of their reach, there is another option you could consider. In a direct reflection on the stock market you could consider spread betting. Whilst this may not be the safest route for your money, if you manage your spreads effectively, then you can make money. Ensuring that you track your spreads effectively is vital, it will mean that as soon as your price starts to rise or drop you will know when to cash in, or sell. Spread betting can lead you to invest in stocks which would otherwise be completely out of your reach, and benefit from any rise in their price. The vital thing to remember is that spreads need to be monitored, if you do not then you could lose large amounts of money. With the correct research, and monitoring, spreads can be a very effective investment technique.

Picking Commodities
There is another consideration to make, and one that saw investors flock to post recession. Gold has become extremely popular in the last few years, and the price is ever increasing. If you managed to buy gold before the price rise post 2007 then you will be sitting on a relative ‘gold mine’. This is not to say that gold is something to avoid right now. If the Western economies fall into a double dip recession, there is no doubt that gold price will continue to rise. This means that buying gold now could be extremely important. The same could happen with silver, which has also seen a steady rise in price in recent years. In fact any metal that is investible, for example copper, has increased in price. So get involved in the market now if you are considering it.

Overall the market is in your hands, and it is important that you make the right decision. Ensure that you do as much research as possible, and you will find that with the determination you need you can make money, even with a small budget.

This article was written by James who has a strong interest in investments, including spread betting companies, and is looking to make money with only a small budget.

15 Simple Ways to Save Money on Daily Basis

2012-01-25T19:19:00.001+05:30

With the state that the current job market is in, it has become important that everyone play their part to save as much money as they can. Below are listed fifteen ways you can save money every day.

1. Walk as much as you can – When there is a nearby store, try walking to it rather than taking your car. If you go to a school located only fifteen minutes away, try walking instead of taking public transport

2. Switch off the lights – When there is nobody in the room, switch off the lights. It does not matter whether they are energy saving bulbs as you will still be wasting energy

3. Use public transport to get to work – Rather than taking your car to work, try taking public transport. Not only do you avoid straining you brain, you save a substantial amount of gas as well

4. Wash your Own Clothes –When you have a washing machine, use it rather than sending someone to get your clothes washed at a nearby dry cleaner

5. Stay Healthy – Staying healthy is a great way to save money . By staying healthy, you are less likely to acquire an illness that will necessitate expensive medication

6. Use Coupons when Possible – One smart idea is to use coupons whenever possible. If you have a coupon for a free coffee, use it on your way to work to get a quick and free boost of energy
Also Read: Tips on How to Save Money Using Coupon Codes

7. Stay away from snacking – Although it may seem a little strange, avoiding two packets of 6 oz chips a day can helps save $5 a day

8. Avoid smoking – If there was ever a time to quit smoking it is now. Although they may seem cheap, you will be astounded when you look at how much money you spend on a monthly basis on cigarettes

9. Cut down on alcohol – Unless you have a substantial reason for doing so, cut down on the booze.

10. Carpool – Carpooling is a great way to half your daily gas bill. Instead of taking two cars to work, carpool with a friend

11. Use the phone only when needed – You can save quite a sum of money if you talk only when needed

12. Compromise – if you are married, ensure that your wife knows of the current financial situation. Talk about how you can both compromise to save money

13. Avoid expensive brands – Just because it is expensive does not mean it is the best.

14. Go outside – If you have kids, try to encourage them to go outside than waste electricity on the computer inside

15. Open up a window – Rather than using the air conditioner, open up a window. Not only will it cool the entire room, the ventilation is good for your lungs too.

Allan has been writing about money saving strategies and
online savings accounts for the last 4 years.

What's Up With The Price Of Silver?

2012-01-25T14:03:00.001+05:30

In the current volatile and uncertain economy in which formerly trustworthy nations are now receiving credit downgrades, people are definitely looking for ways in which to invest for their present and near future without having to expose themselves ever fluctuating whims of the globalized market.

One thing that any advanced or professional investor can tell you is that there are always things that you can do in order to not only protect yourself in any kind of market, but also make money, whether your market is going up, down or sideways. One such investment which has gained a lot of notoriety lately because of its steep ascent into profitability is the precious metal of gold.

However, as many investors, professional and retail, notice that the demand for gold is going down as many third parties dilute the market with spammy sales and trading for gold, the price of this particular precious metal does not seem to coincide with the continued volatility of the market. What this means is that gold as the standard has lost some of its luster for the professional investors know a great deal about what they are doing and can find increased profitability elsewhere, although the investment itself may still be a good buy for people who do not necessarily want to manage their investments on a full-time basis.

If you are in that class of investors who does not mind a little bit of self management when it comes to his or her personal economics, you would most likely be well served to take a look at the price of silver, especially with an increasingly stagnated gold price but a still fast-moving precious metals market.

What Gold Tells You About Silver

The gold silver ratio of price to price normally fluctuates only within a certain range. When that price goes out of range, it means that one or the other precious metal is too high a price in relation to its cousin. When this happens, it is especially good look to take a long researched effort into the pricing of the lower price prices metal. With gold stagnated, but the market is still in flux, silver is definitely the precious metal to look at.

The price of silver currently is much too low when compared to its cousin goal. However, stagnating gold price definitely means that the price of silver is set to be on the rise as people switch to the next most popular kid in the hallway. This historically has always been silver, and also historically, the price of silver has lagged behind the price of gold, but as people turn away from gold to silver after gold eventually stagnate because of market saturation, the price of silver eventually catches up and sometimes even surpass the price of gold in the ensuing rush.

How to Get Silver

There are many different ways to invest in silver that in gold cannot touch. Many other things are made with silver that are not made in gold, and in a situation this with stagnating price of gold, the fact that silver is less rare is one of the only times that the scarcity rule of economics does not apply.

In this situation historically, as gold stagnate but people still find a market for precious metals, people are looking for something that they can get into and they usually sell without a whole lot of hassle. There are many things made out of silver that can quickly increase in price and then can even more quickly be sold to those people who are not necessarily professional investors. For instance, if you are able to find a silverware set that is made of pure silver, you can quickly make a killing on an investment such as this by selling it to a collector or someone who simply needs good silverware to put with their good china patterns.

There are definitely more traditional ways to invest in silver, such as buying silver coins or investing in silver bouillon. Silver derivatives, such as stocks that follow the price of silver or the stocks of mining companies that focus on silver, are also much less apt fluctuate with the market, as many retail investors never find out about "silver rushes," and therefore leave the market to the professionals, who usually have a much more conservative way of trading the precious metal - without all of the emotions that tend to cause large fluctuations in the price of the derivative that has little or nothing to do with the actual supply and the demand of the metal itself.

The Bottom Line

Dealing with silver can actually be better than dealing with its more popular cousin if you know what you are doing and are willing to manage your investment a little bit. Don't overlook it, especially after the gold rush.

If you are looking for ways to save money and reduce your expenses in this uncertain economy, go online to do a quotes comparison at Kanetix and find a cheaper insurance rate for your vehicle. By comparing car insurance quotes online, you could save up to $600 or more every year.

The Rising Costs of 2012

2012-01-24T22:03:00.000+05:30

A new year brings new worries, and one of out main worries is usually finances - and the state of our personal finances. Are you prepared for the rising costs that we are most likely going to see in the United States this coming 2012.

Airline Fares
We all know that airline fares are going to be rising this year - with the merger of United and Continental, as well as most airline companies reaping profit loss hand over fist, the general population is taking the hit of all the airline company losses quite hard.
American Airlines even filed for bankruptcy!
So, ladies and gentlemen, if you are planning a vacation for 2012 (and I really hope that you are - we all need to get away from our jobs every once in a while) make sure that you budget at least 10 - 15% more for your transportation costs - in the air, at least.

Meat & Fish
Unfortunately for all of our wallets and plates, the costs of our main staples are going to rise even more in 2012 - many blame the rising costs of gas to the increased prices of fish. The rising cost of corn is what many have to blame for the increase in prices of meat at our grocery stores.
Overall, prices are expected to jump 4% this year, after an 8% jump in 2011.

Coffee
You're going to be shelling out quite a bit more for your morning cup of joe if last years trends hold true this year - prices increased for coffee last year by a whopping 18%! Starbucks is already hiking their prices in the Northeast and the Sunbelt - so you may be better off if you just get up ten minutes earlier and make your own coffee - or stop using the socially-accepted drug-of-choice altogether!

Gas
The ever-rising cost of gas could break $5 a gallon by Memorial Day this 2012, or at least that is what some forecast. With Iran threatening to shut down some a key passageway for oil exports, and the recent outbursts of violence in Iraq threatening our oil interests there, our oil import situation is tenuous as best.
At home, a very large oil refinery in Delaware has shut down - and the potential of an economic rebound, while good for the general health of the country and our economy also means that more people are likely to be out driving. It comes down to supply and demand and neither of those are sure things yet in the forecast for 2012.

Anything Else You Can Think Of?
There are a good number of other instances where prices are likely to increase in 2012, this includes things like:

Mail
Apparel, esp. cotton clothing
Data plans for cell phones
Utilities
Running the New York City Marathon (really! look it up!)

At least the price of wine is trending down, you'll be able to drink up as you consider the rising cost of your bills and finances. Unfortunately, wine can't change the bottom line.

Krista Sampson is a freelance writer who works closely with banks and hopes that considering Milton NY mortgages or taking out a loan in Ballston Spa is on anyone's radar this year in order to pay their bills.

Talking to Your Child about the Economy

2012-01-24T15:34:00.001+05:30

As a parent, I am regularly faced with the predicament of having to explain to my children things like why I can't always buy them whatever they want, why I complain when they leave the front door open to "air condition the entire world," and why I often work into the night (and sometimes even on weekends). I don't want them to grow up worrying about money (that's my job), but I do want them to be aware of the fact that we must work for the things we have, and that we must be conscious of a budget. The economy is a tough subject to explain to children, but it is also necessary to arm them with the knowledge and tools they will need in order to be fiscally responsible adults. So, where do you begin? Here are my suggestions for talking to your child about the economy.

Encourage open communication. If you have school age children, then there is no question that at some point they will hear about the "economic crisis" (like the Greece crisis) and they will wonder what it is about. Initiate conversations about the economy by asking questions like, "Do you talk about the economy - or things like money and jobs - in your class? What do you think?" Once you understand how much your children actually know about the economy, you have a good starting point for discussion. Plus, encouraging them to open up about what they think and feel about it is the best way for you to gauge exactly what should be addressed and how.

Teach good habits. To teach the concepts of how the economic system works, use an allowance chart. You don't even have to use money; rather, any system of tangible reward and consequence will instil in children the value of hard work and saving. Also, let your children help you clip coupons and hunt for the best deals when you go shopping together.

Provide assurance. At some point, your children may feel the stress of these hard economic times. They may even see the effects in your household. Make it a point to reassure them that everything will be fine, no matter how tough a time the economy is having, and no matter what kind of changes you may go through. Also, remind your children that you are the adult, and that it is your responsibility to worry about the economy and not theirs.

The economy may be a complex subject, but you don't have to be an economics whiz to be able to teach your children about it. Approach the subject with love, an open mind, and assurance, and you will be giving your children a gift that will last a lifetime.

Blair Shinsel knows that even in a bad economy there are plenty of ways to entertain the family. Blair enjoys searching for the best deals for entertainment and events online. Even though he can't go out as much as he used to, the family can still spend time out of the house from time to time!

How to Determine How Much You Need for Retirement

2012-01-24T02:51:00.001+05:30

Planning for retirement is no small feat. After all, you'll probably spend decades working, with retirement in mind. So, when will you be able to retire comfortably? Do you even know? The best way to determine when you'll be able to retire (and in the lifestyle you are accustomed to) to is to determine how much you need for retirement. Here are some tips for how to do just that:

Your current cost of living. Your starting point should be to figure out how much your lifestyle costs you today. Sit down and write out your budget. Be sure to include necessities, as well as things like entertainment, vacations, and clothing. The figure you come up with is your current cost of living, or how much you need to make in order to maintain your quality of life.

Your projected cost of living. Of course, inflation guarantees that your future expenses will be higher than your current expenses. You'll need to add about three percent to your expenses for each year in order to get a fairly accurate idea of what your cost of living will be by the time you retire and throughout your retirement years. For example, if you currently need $30,000 a year and plan on retiring in ten years, then your cost of living at the time of your retirement will be a little over $40,000. Additionally, you'll need to account for inflation for each year of your retirement.

Life expectancy. As you don't know how many years you can expect to spend in retirement, err on the side of caution. A standard rule of thumb is twenty-five years. Therefore, you will need to add up your projected cost of living, inflation and all, over the course of twenty-five years. Generally speaking (according the stats of the average American), you will most likely need somewhere around two million dollars in order to retire comfortably and safely.

Savings. It's not necessary that you save all of the money you'll need for retirement, so you can breathe now. By the time you retire, you should have outside sources of income to contribute to paying your expenses. Add it all up - pensions, retirement account funds, military benefits, trusts, etc. - in order to determine exactly how much you will need to save before your big day arrives.

So now you know how to determine how much money you will need to retire. Your next step is to figure out how you are going to accomplish that. Your best bet: start saving money , and now.

Gaylene Tynum is an EKG technician who loves working with potential medical students. She often recommends sites like ekgtechniciantraining.net to those interested in a similar career path. When she's not helping others, she spends a lot of time planning for retirement, ensuring she'll be comfortable in her golden years.

Getting Psyched About Saving Money

2012-01-22T17:49:00.001+05:30

Do you need help saving money? Do you think saving money has to score zero on your fun meter? It might be time to get psyched – that could be the only way you'll get anywhere with your personal finances.

Let the Party Begin!

How much fun do you have saving money? This is not a sarcastic question… If you've never found it fun, lack of experience may be part of the problem. Countless articles will talk about getting out of debt, saving for a new home, an early retirement, and a number of other items – but the motivation for such moves is often lacking, other than to say "it's for your own good". It might not be easy, or even seem a little bit artificial, but it is often necessary to push yourself to find ways of making money saving fun.

It is all too easy to slide on one’s budget. While some concessions to impulse are fine, and natural, they can add up very easily and undermine your budget. It might be time to find a way to motivate yourself to save money and meet your financial goals.

The Lifestyle – Not Budgeting – Change

Consider what it means to be responsible with your budget. Or, if it seems more relevant to your situation, think about what it means to you to get out of debt, stay out of debt, or meet some other huge goal. You must find your money saving spirit and throw some energy into making your personal finances an enjoyable part of your life. As you make budgeting changes, get out of debt, invest in term deposits for the first time, or consider other improvements to your financial standing, you will always need to know your motivation.

There are so many lifestyle-improving benefits of being debt free and staying that way. Building up some savings gives one an even better feeling. In other words, your financial lifestyle is much wider than whether or not you meet your financial goals. Your financial goals are only the means to an end, such as financial security for you and your family. It may offer you the ability to spend more time with your family, donate money to charities and causes you care about, and so forth. These types of feel-good activities may be the true motivation that you need to win the battle with your budget.

The Motivational Repertoire

You want to conquer your financial goals. You see the big picture and what it can do for you. There is another important point that should be made: keep working to the small goals as well! Perhaps keeping short-term goals in sight may be vital. For instance, maybe you and your family, together, can be good about reducing unnecessary expenses bit-by-bit so that a fun family vacation can be saved for in the longer term. A short-term target such as a weekly amount to save makes it easier to reach the long-term objective.

Remind yourself of your goals. When you have short and long-term goals in mind, it may be easier to pass up on that expensive restaurant tab in favor of a fun night at home. Having fun and inexpensive options is part of the battle. When you have goals, large and small, in plain vision, you are better able to motivate yourself and others around you. Perhaps having a repertoire of motivational tools and interesting money saving ideas can help you overcome financial difficulties.

This article is written by Brian Neese, who shares his favourite money making and money saving ideas online, from comparing term deposit rates to getting a good deal from your car insurance comparison.

Image credit

Insurance: Are You As Covered As You Think?

2012-01-21T22:24:00.001+05:30

Vague or unclear terminology can be very dangerous if it appears in your insurance policy, as we will explore in this article. Are you prepared for a quick run-through of some common culprits? Follow along as we look at the impact they can have on your insurance coverage and your personal finance.

Definitions
Money Crashers warns insurance consumers that “Valid programs explain the key points before you sign anything (although you may still have to ask for clarification).” This is a vital point - you must ensure that you have fully understood the policy you're buying!

This is the crucial first step: there must be an adequate definition or explanation of the types and extent of the coverage offered. Thus, when you purchase health insurance, for example, you should know what treatment and care you are covered for. This sounds simple, yet it can be a major problem if you misunderstand the coverage provided.
Make sure that you do understand the major terms and definitions involved, then move on to the minor points and "fine print". This means reading through the full policy and any other information provided by the insurer. You should not purchase a policy without understanding what you are buying. Don’t understand it? That leads us into the next point…

Clarifications
Not too many members of the general public hold law degrees. Hence, you might find some difficult-to-understand language when reading through the legal definitions and conditions on a potential health insurance or car insurance policy, for example. There are a couple of possibilities:

Get clarification from the insurer. Talk to them and ask them all your questions. They should be accustomed to answering queries and may have an answer immediately available.
Talk to a financial or legal professional. This step is one that can benefit your understanding of your own policy and your overall financial situation, but it may well involve fees for professional advice.
Still no idea what it means? If after speaking to the insurer and showing the policy to an expert, there are points that you still don't quite grasp, you might benefit from reading up on the subject of insurance a little more, or even taking a personal finance course. It's important to understand what you're spending your money on!

Coverage
Understanding the coverage on an insurance policy is important not only for your existing insurance and during insurance comparison shopping, but also for budgeting: if you know exactly what coverage you currently have from your private health insurance, then you can better predict your overall health care costs, for example. Whatever is not covered by your insurances will have to be paid for by you; don't forget that you may also have to pay an excess on some claims, so make yourself aware of the amounts in question.
When you compare health insurance, home insurance, travel insurance and the like, ambiguous language can certainly undermine your understanding of the coverage. These ambiguities can lead to unfortunate misconceptions that may cost you, as a policy holder, if you've overestimated the extent of your coverage. Do your insurance policies – or the ones that you are comparing – contain vague language? If so, you might want to tackle this before you go any further.

This article is by Brian Neese, a finance blogger who helps people compare car insurance quotes and private health insurance to get a good deal.

Money Crashers

Preparing For Taxes When You Are Struggling With Unemployment

2012-01-20T15:43:00.001+05:30

The economy is still struggling, and far too many people are still out of work. With tax season coming up, thoughts are turning to the tax bills. You must file your taxes, even if you are currently out of work. Here are some tips to help you prepare for filing this important paperwork and paying the bill.

Free Filing

You don’t have to spend $30 dollars on a tax program; many places are now offering free filing. If you have an adjusted gross income, or AGI, of less than $58,000, then you can file your taxes free of charge online. You must be able to use the basic form, because these basic systems won’t do any advanced calculations.

Increased Write-offs

If you own a home or have other deductions, then you may not be able to use the basic form. In this case, maximize deductions to limit your tax bill as much as possible. Take time to add up all the expenses you have incurred in your job search. If you buy the Sunday paper just for the classifieds, that expense can be written off. Special interview clothes you have invested in are a write off, although a new wardrobe once you get the job is not. The mileage you may have driven going to interviews and searching for a job can also be written off, along with any printing fees, resume writing fees or other expenses that were incurred specifically for your job search.

Track Medical Expenses

If your medical expenses exceed 7.5 percentage of your adjusted gross income, you can take a write-off. You can’t claim the premiums paid through your employer if they are deducted pre-tax, so most people don’t meet this minimum threshold. However, if you have been paying COBRA premiums out of your own pocket, then there is a good chance you will qualify. Add up the expenses for doctor’s visits, dental care, prescriptions and even vision care. If you meet that 7.5 percentage minimum, you could see a big reduction in your overall tax bill.

Taxable Income

Your unemployment compensation received in 2011 is taxable in full for Federal taxes. You must claim it and you will have to pay federal taxes on it. However, they may not be taxable on a local level. Not all cities with income tax require you to pay taxes on unemployment payments. Call your local city hall to find out if you should claim this income on your local income tax forms. . Any severance pay from your job is taxable, including vacation days or sick days that you may have received. Odd jobs you may have done and earnings from working as an independent contractor are also fully taxable. Additionally, you will need to pay self-employment taxes on these earnings to Medicare and Social Security. On the bright side, fifty percent of those self-employment taxes can then be written off on the Federal return.

It is imperative that you sit down and do the taxes as soon as the relevant information arrives. If you owe, it will give you some time to try to come up with the payment before the April 15th deadline. If you are getting a refund, then you can claim that money sooner and get it in your bank faster. These tips can help you minimize your tax bill, but it is up to you to avoid problems by filing your taxes before the deadline.

Author Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and content contributor to a payday loans site providing information and advances when you may need money before your regular paycheck arrives.

How Hard Money Lenders Can Help Real Estate Investors

2012-01-19T09:50:00.001+05:30

The recession since 2007 in the United States has created somewhat of a precarious market for real estate. What we have been witnessing with the collapse of the housing market is the bursting of a Federal Reserve induced bubble in real estate. Excessive money creation by the Fed in combination with certain government policies that directed that money into housing are the root cause of all this turmoil in real estate. And now with the recession continuing on into 2012 it is not only housing that is being affected but commercial real estate as well. Of course banks are hesitant to lend in such a risky environment.

The interest rates that they commonly charge for loans are insufficient to compensate for the increased risk they would be taking on by lending. And because of the need to maintain a reputation for being very sound and conservative with their loans, there are many properties that investors would like to get loans for that banks just simply will not entertain. But hard money lenders offer a good alternative option for real estate investors who need funding. Not only will they grant loans for properties that banks will not, they can do it much more quickly.

As anyone who has applied for a mortgage from a bank knows, it can take over a month to get the actual funding. Not so with a hard money lender. Ten to fifteen days is typical and sometimes they can originate a loan in a week or even less. Another good thing about hard money lenders is that they often are not really concerned about the credit rating of their borrowers. Generally they are more concerned about the value of the collateral which will be used to back up the loan, as well as the borrower’s actual ability to pay back the loan. So they will usually want a good look at a potential borrower’s finances including revenue that will be coming in from the investment property.

As the lender is an investor himself he will want to make sure that the borrower’s investment is sound and will likely make money. Typically hard money lending is much more flexible than the financing one could expect to get from a conventional bank. A hard money lender will want to work with investors by structuring a loan that is very specialized for their needs. So loan terms are very flexible. Often the loan will serve as a bridge loan, meaning that it is just being used as temporary funding until longer term financing can be secured. And most hard money loans are for short term durations. Many of them are for a year or less with five years being about the maximum. We are likely to see continued volatility in real estate, both commercial and residential, in the coming years because of the misguided monetary policy being pursued by the Fed.

But even with an uncertain real estate market and tight lending by banks, hard money lenders will continue to empower real estate investors to make money by capitalizing on good deals that will inevitably arise in a volatile market.

Information about private money lenders can also be found at Stephen’s website. Stephen Otto is an online entrepreneur with interests in political economy and the Austrian school of economics.

Canadian Credit Cards - They've Come A Long Way

2012-01-18T02:05:00.001+05:30

It used to be that you could not get Canadian credit cards that would actually give you the things that you wanted. You would not be able to find them with low rates, for example. The interest rates were so high that many people decided not to have the cards at all. Some people would apply for cards that came from other countries in order to get around this problem. These cards also would not allow you to pay them off online, causing people to miss payments since they had to send the checks in through the mail. Now, however, the cards have drastically changed.

The first thing that changed was the interest rates. Part of the reason that they were so high to start was just because there was not much competition. There were not very many companies offering the cards, so those that did could just charge whatever they wanted. They would do this in order to make more money. It was a logical business move that they felt that they had to make. It did not help the customers out at all, but it did enable to companies to be very successful and to grow with this new wealth.

As more credit card companies were created, the interest rates just had to fall. There was competition. The companies that offered the best rates were the ones that would get the most customers. People were leaving the companies with high rates to go out and get cards from the other companies. This competition spurred a price war, where all of the different providers lowered their costs massively. This made it so that all of the cards were suddenly very affordable to the consumers. The companies that refused to change went out of business because they could not get any new customers.

The next thing to change was the online access. As the internet became more and more of a driving force in the financial world and the business world, companies could no longer ignore it. To do so would have been to fall behind the times. Technology was carrying all of the most successful companies forward to even greater success, so everyone started to use the internet as much as much as possible. Soon, people were able to make all of their payments and other transactions online. This was soon synced up with online banking programs to provide a very easy process.

As can be seen, Canadian credit cards have really changed a lot over the years. When they were first starting out, no one wanted to get them. They could not compete and people could not see any good reasons to use them. Now, however, they are a powerful force in the Canadian economy. People use them to buy groceries, to get new clothes, and even to pay off the rent. They use them to pay tuition at colleges all over the world.

This development was really just a natural consequence of the evolution of the market. The Canadian card companies were forced to do things differently because the world was no longer the same place. Things had changed, and the existing companies had to change at the same time. This is often how business works, and the credit card companies were no exception to this rule.

Have you had time to compare credit cards Canada? There are plenty of competitive offerings out there,and all rates are certainly not the same. Joyce Smitten is a financial analyst at CIBC, and a Forex trader when she's got some spare time. Joyce did a credit card comparison a year ago, and found better rates with some additional rewards at Kanetix.

How To Save Money By Selling Your House

2012-01-15T22:29:00.001+05:30

The decision to move homes, particularly if you are a home owner, can be thwarted by worries about how much the process of moving will cost and eat into the budget for the property itself. These sorts of worries apply particular to anyone who is downsizing their property due to cutting back on mortgage costs and property upkeep.

The type of costs involved in selling your home can soon mount up. Solicitor fees are often into the hundreds and even thousands, moving trucks can cost a bundle and worst of all, to even get anyone to consider buying your home you will need to spend some money on marketing the property. Most home movers opt to instruct a high street estate agent to take care of the sale and marketing of their home. However, many people find it hard to trust the high street estate agents who have a bad reputation for not living up to expectations. High street estate agent fees can also be unpredictable, as some will charge a percentage of the final sale price, others will charge a fee just for marketing your property even if it doesn’t sell, and others will charge both. High street estate agency fees are usually around 5% of the sale cost – which is 10 grand if your house sells for 200k!!

In true money saving spirit, you may want to give selling your own home ago to save on the estate agent fees. This certainly will save you from estate agent fees, but will take a lot of your time and could mean it takes you a long time to sell your home because not many people will know that your house is available without the power of estate agency marketing.

To save money selling your home, sell your home online. Using a specialist online estate agent instead of a high street agent could save you hundreds or even thousands in estate agent fees. Online estate agents have all the power of the high street agents when it comes to marketing. They will have a large e-mail mailing list, a good website that is easy to find, and be able to make use of the professional online property marketplaces that millions of people search on every day. You’ll also have the sales support that you would normally get from an estate agent, so you won’t feel like you’re on your own trying to sell your home. Usually you will only need to pay a one off fee for an online estate agent and your home will stay on their website until it’s sold.

After making a massive saving on estate agent fees, remember to get several quotes before choosing a removal company so you have some prices to barter down the cost. Unfortunately we don’t think this will work with solicitors but it’s always worth a try!

Precious Metals Vs. Stocks and Bonds

2012-01-15T00:52:00.001+05:30

Investors can buy gold and take advantage of a valuable commodity that has been traded since the beginning of time. There is relatively low risk to the purchase of this precious metal, and it is much safer than speculating in stocks and bonds. The current market in precious metals has been steadily increasing in value during the last several years, and investors can take advantage of the benefits when they buy gold now. There are many ways that this can be done, and investors can even use stocks and bonds to ensure they receive the benefits of precious metal investing.

Gold Bullion

Gold bullion is one of the most common ways to purchase this metal, and there are several methods that an investor can use to store this material. Many people actually buy this commodity and keep it in their home. This may not be such a good idea, but this material is also easily kept in the safe deposit box of a local bank. Other options are to purchase the precious metal from a company that will hold the gold for investors. There are several companies that offer this service to their clients, and this enables a person to be sure their investment is in safe hands.

Dependability of Gold

Buying gold is a complicated issue, though it is far safer than speculating on companies that may not be in existence in a few months. Most investors will have to pay a premium when they purchase this material, and they will already be losing money compared to market value. This matters little though, and it is usually in the range of only 2% or so. The primary consideration is that a person purchases a product that has been recognized for eons as a safe store of value, and it will be worth more money in the future regardless of what happens to the American dollar or stocks and bonds. Liquidity is another benefit that is offered when an investor purchases precious metals, and their value continually increases and can be sold at any time.

Mutual Funds Based on Gold

Other options for buyers to take advantage of the opportunities that are found in the value of gold are to invest in the mutual funds or stocks that are based on gold. There are several of these on the market, and they hold solely gold. Investors can choose this option, and they do not need to worry about where they will keep their precious metals. Companies that mine for gold also sell their stock, and this is a derivative way to take advantage of the gold market. These firms own mines that produce stable quantities of this material every year, and buyers are essentially purchasing shares of the metals that are still in the ground. This is a viable option for those who wish to take advantages that are offered in the gold market.

An investor can choose to buy gold and realize a number of benefits compared to stocks and bonds. This precious metal is highly liquid and can be sold at any time. It has also been recognized as valuable since the beginning of time, and its price has steadily risen. This is not true of companies that have only been around a few years and may not exist next week.

Fran Delaney is an avid freelance writer who lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Gift Vouchers - An Investment Or A Risk?

2012-01-14T22:49:00.001+05:30

Many people give gift vouchers as wedding presents, thank-you tokens, or Christmas gifts. They're convenient from the gift-givers' perspective, can be posted easily, and are sure to be appreciated. When you give a gift voucher, you're allowing the person to choose whatever they want from that retailer. They could choose to put it towards a Vax carpet cleaner, a new dress, or an Acer laptop. The chances of you acquiring psychic powers and picking that exact gift are slim!

Saving for Gift Vouchers

Gift vouchers have become increasingly popular because they're easy to save up for. You can buy £10 gift vouchers for popular retailers every week or two, and then you have a stack of them that you can divide up when birthdays and other special events come round.

At least, that's the theory. Sadly, it doesn't always work out like that. In 2011 alone, Holidays4U, Focus DIY, Jane Norman, and Habitat all went into administration, and as a result many people lost their money.

When you buy a voucher, you're taking a gamble that the company will continue trading, and that they won't change the voucher's redemption terms. When Jane Norman went into administration, they continued honouring vouchers, but set restrictive conditions - the voucher had to be redeemed on a full-price purchase (sale items didn't count), and the value of the purchase had to be twice the value of the voucher. While such terms might be acceptable to an avid Jane Norman shopping fan, it's not as nice as giving the gift of being able to walk into a shop and pick up an item without handing over any cash at all.

Protecting Yourself

There's no way to ensure that a company will never go bust - until a couple of years ago, nobody would have ever dreamed that a high street institution such as Woolworth's would one day vanish from our streets. However, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.

Firstly, instead of buying your vouchers over a long period of time, save the money itself - put it in an instant access savings account, and buy the vouchers just before you need to give them.

If the person you're buying for lives locally to you, consider buying vouchers for the local mall. Many malls offer voucher schemes these days, and by giving a voucher that covers many different shops, you're removing a lot of the danger - even if one shop closes, there are other shops that will take the voucher. So, the recipient could buy clothes, chocolates, video games, power tools, or a Vax carpet cleaner. The choice is up to them.

Some people advocate buying everything on their credit card , for the insurance that the credit card companies offer. The law does not give a firm answer as to whether or not credit card companies would have to reimburse vouchers that were not honoured because the company that sold them closed down, but there's a good chance that they'd refund you out of goodwill, so it's worth considering - as long as you pay the balance in full each month. Racking up credit card interest over a few gift vouchers isn't very economical!

This article was written by Amy Fowler for The Original Factory Shop; supplier of Vax products and other household goods at discounted prices. Amy recently tried to use some gift vouchers but they were rejected since they'd passed their expiry date. Amy believes this to be unfair since the shop has now recieved money while not supplying any goods.

How to Calculate Percentage Yield

2012-01-14T15:00:00.002+05:30

Percent yield is basically the amount of success you had measured against the amount of success you expected to have or would have had in ideal situations; so basically it is actual gain measured against projected gain. Percent yield is most often used in chemistry to measure how successful a reaction is; calculating percent yield helps to save resources the next time a synthesis is done as it helps a chemist to understand what is physically possible and what can be expected the next time the synthesis is done.

It also helps chemists find areas that they can modify to cut down on their input while getting the same or even greater output; so here is how you go about calculating percent yield for yourself.

INSTRUCTIONS

First you need to understand what all the terms mean; yield in chemistry is a term that refers to the amount of product that is obtained from a chemical reaction. Actual yield is basically the weight of the actual product in grams or moles, while theoretical yield is the product that was expected to be produced. Fractional or percentage yield is calculated by dividing actual yield by theoretical yield to determine how successful the synthesis actually is when compared to how successful it was expected to be. Once you know the fractional yield, multiply it by 100 to get the percentage yield.
For example let's say that actual yield was 50 and expected yield was 150, then the equation would look like this:
Percent yield = actual yield/theoretical yield
Percent yield = 50/150 = 0.33 fractional yield
Percent yield = fractional yield x 100
Percent yield = 0.33 x 100 = 33.33%

To calculate percent yield one must first begin with a balanced equation for the reaction (a balanced equation has the same number of atoms on both sides); next calculate the molecular weight of each reactant and product (add the masses of individual atoms) and then convert all the amounts into moles since you need the amounts in moles before yield calculations can be done. Next you need to figure out the limiting reagent (which reactant will finish first?) with this information you can now calculate the theoretical yield. You would probably already know the actual yield that you got from the synthesis so go ahead and work out the equation.

TIPS AND WARNINGS

If your percent yield is greater than 100% then do the calculation again and check for errors as the answer should always be less than 100%. If the equation is correct and you still get over 100% then it is probably because the product is impure; purifying the product usually leads to lower yields and more accurate results.
Although 100% is the ideal result, it is virtually impossible to achieve those results so 90% is considered excellent results and 80% is considered to be very good.
Ensure that both the theoretical and actual yield figures are in the same units of measurement before you do your calculations.

For more information read Calculate GPA and How to Use a Financial Calculator

Buying Event Tickets on a Budget

2012-01-14T14:24:00.001+05:30

How to buy tickets on a tight budget without getting ripped off can be difficult. There are often lots of avenues you can opt for if you want the cheapest tickets on the market – and there are ways that can guarantee you a safe purchase too.

The first most obvious way is to look out for offers. Sign up to websites such as Groupon who offer daily deals on tickets and products. Sure, you might not be into all the offers they make you but you might stumble across one which is perfect. Another great offer system is priority access to tickets such as O2 Priority in the UK – who offer priority tickets to people on their network, meaning you can get your tickets before the general public and before they go on public sale. You might think “Well where is the bargain in that?” – If you are, just think about how much you’d end up paying for those tickets on Ebay when they’ve sold out everywhere else.

Another alternative to look out for, and very helpful when it comes to budgeting, is looking for smaller venues. Often, more intimate venues in smaller towns have smaller prices to go with it. It might mean you have to go a little further afield when travelling to the Gig but it’ll be worth it with the money you save. Also, if you’re looking for Stand-up Comedy tickets – for people like Michael McIntyre or Lee Evans keep an eye for their DVD filming concerts – as these always come at a reduced price but you get the same great experience.

To save money on tickets, try local venues and local acts. You may not see you favourite A-Listers on stage but you’re still bound to have a great time, and tickets for these types of gigs can be up to 70% cheaper than those for venues such as the O2 arena or the MEN. It’s great to get to know the local talent in your area and you never know, they might end up being the next big thing!

Of course, the best way to budget and save money is to get tickets for free. So if it’s free tickets you want the best is to sign up for television shows online. Most talk shows and talent shows give away free tickets for you to be in their audience and all you have to do is get your name on the waiting list. You might not be guaranteed your favourite act or talent – but with TV shows like Jonathon Ross and Graham Norton amongst those who give free

tickets, you’re always in store for someone good.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is to steer clear of anything that just doesn’t seem legitimate. If an offer for tickets looks too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is pushing a sale on you (either outside a venue or online) then steer clear. It’s always best to buy official tickets from official sellers, than to take the gamble and buy from unofficial.

Ellie-Rose Williams writes for Go See Them, a UK based ticket site offering tickets for tours and events throughout Europe. Popular options currently available on the website include Ed Sheeran and The Stone Roses tickets.

Five Reasons Why Nike Should Sell Car Insurance

2012-01-13T22:34:00.001+05:30

Have you ever wondered what would happen if everyday companies decided to sell car insurance? Instead of geckos, celebrity voice overs, or perky assistants, Nike would offer up a no-nonsense, no-frills approach to insuring your vehicle. Here are five reasons Nike should sell car insurance.

Everyone would be insured. Nike's slogan of "just do it" would encourage more and more people to sign up for insurance. Nike has inspired plenty of people to run marathons, conquer their goals, and reach new heights with this message. The same simple phrase could encourage those same people to be insured drivers. Of course, any old insurance from any random company simply won't do! Nike would become the go-to insurer for athletes from nearly every sport. Their existing fan base could easily be converted into a client base.

Insurance would be seen as a status symbol. Just like some people won't be caught dead with anything but Nike shoes on, some people would see having the Nike brand of car insurance as equally impressive. Being insured by Nike could become fashionable! Having the swoop logo on your insurance card could become a status symbol similar to carrying high-end 'black' credit cards. Perhaps those with premium service could have access to special services such as 24-hour towing and road-side assistance, a personal concierge, or an auto mechanic referral service? These extra services could drive profits and make the clients feel as if they are park of a select club.

The perks would draw a huge clientele. Rather than being offered a small percentage off your premium for being accident-free, Nike insurance customers could choose from a catalog of fabulous prizes! Everything from limited-edition running shoes to high-end sports equipment could encourage people to drive safely. The safe perks program could be extended to include multi-car policies or those who have completed a defensive driving course. Forget a few pennies off the bill, Nike could offer merchandise to their best clients.

The commercials would be awesome. Nike is known for its cutting-edge, visually interesting commercials and print ads. Instead of booking a celebrity to do voice-over work, Nike actually hires the celebrity to appear and make a statement about their product. Insurance commercials would no longer be ruled by cutesy CGI animals or irritating, perky people. They would feature some of the best athletes in the world. NASCAR drivers would definitely be on the short list.

They could branch out into other products easily. Athletes and those who partake in dangerous activities like skydiving often have trouble finding insurance. With Nike's pro-athletics stance, they could easily branch off into other areas of insurance. They already have the impressive legal representation they would need!

Nike selling car insurance seems like it could make sense. With their impressive advertising clout and stable of loyal followers, a new business venture of this type would only serve to expand and increase Nike's exposure and profit margin. Who wouldn't want to insure their car with one of the most fashionable brands in the world?

Whether or not Nike would pursue the car insurance industry is still a question in the sky. With numerous car insurance companies already in the market today, Nike would be fighting with some tough sharks if they do decide to enter.

With an insurance quote comparison site like Kanetix, consumers can easily see which insurance provider offers the cheapest quote in just minutes. Comparing quotes online is the easiest way to get the cheapest insurance rate for your vehicle. Compare some car insurance quotes at Kanetix, and see who's got the best deal on insurance for you.

Improving a Bad Credit Rating

2012-01-13T15:09:00.001+05:30

Everyone knows how important it is these days to keep a good credit score but in the current economic climate it is sometimes impossible to maintain a perfect rating. Get behind with the odd credit card bill or utility payment and you can soon see a drop in your score. Those credit scores normally sit somewhere between 300 and 850. Anything above 700 and you will be considered a good prospect for credit or loans (if you wanted to apply for one); anything below 500 and your chances won't be so great. Consequently if your score takes a knock it is important to make sure you get it back up again as quickly as possible. This article will list five ways you can improve your score:

(1) Pay those Bills On Time - An obvious point but carelessness or bad organisation can mean you sometimes pay late. This should be avoided at all costs. Banks and lending institutions need to be confident that you can pay all of your bills regularly and on time which is why your credit score is so heavily weighted towards recent history. Consequently the newer any issues with payments, the more weight they will drag on your credit rating. Just by paying bills on time for six months you will see a significant improvement in your credit score.

(2) Keep Those Credit Card Balances Low - Sometimes this is easier said than done but if you can manage to keep your balances well below the limit you will avoid any loss of points in your credit score. If your cards are maxed out to the limit and beyond you will see your credit score reduced by as much as 70 points. If you are struggling to do this it might be worth spreading the balance out amongst other cards.

(3) Take Small Loans before Big Loans - If you know that in the next year or two you will be applying for a larger loan or a mortgage it might help to improve your credit history by applying for a couple of smaller short term loans first. Provided you pay these back on time and clear them, this will allow lenders to get a clear picture of you as a good prospect for a loan.

(4) Cut Down the Regularity of Loan Requests - If you like to shop on credit then try to do so only every couple of weeks, thereby limiting the number of loan requests. Each time you make a loan request that particular lender will need to access your credit record. Each time this happens your score decreases by 3 points. Consequently you should try to make sure it is accessed as infrequently add possible.

(5) Keep Consistent with your Bank Accounts - Lenders like consistency so try to keep your old bank accounts open even if you are no longer using them as much. Better still, if you have been with one account for years, keep using it until your score has improved. A long term bank account shows dependability and consistency. Likewise if you clear balances on old credit cards and loans, keep them open as they will help improve your total allowable credit.

Alex is a financial journalist and writer. he blogs regularly on consumer finance, covering everything from credit to tax reduction.

Can You Save Over £1000 In Just One Hour?

2012-01-11T16:02:00.000+05:30

Price comparison site MoneySupermarket.com has released their new TV advert campaign which is challenging hard-up families across the UK to save over £1000 this year.
The comparison site reckon, that by taking the time to make changes to your insurance products, loans, credit cards and energy suppliers, you could save over £1000 with minimum effort required.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at the price comparison site said

"Significant savings can be made by switching to a better deal and you may find it could be the best resolution you have ever made.”

Save up to £500 on your insurance

Research by Consumer Intelligence found that people who shop around for their home and car insurance can save nearly £500 a year. You should never have to accept your renewal price on your car and home products as there can always be a better deal out there for you.

You can also save money by making a few minor adjustments to the level of cover you have. For example, by raising the excess of your car insurance, this can reduce your overall premium, and when it comes to your house and contents insurance, do you really need accidental damage cover?

Save another £500 on your credit card and loan payments

Currently in the financial markets, there is a lot of competition between providers to capture your business. This has resulted in some great offers across the credit card and loans sector.
If, like many you are stuck with a credit card or loan that has a high interest rate, why not take advantage of these offers and get yourself debt free quicker by paying little to no interest at all.

For example, on a credit card balance of £2,069 with an average APR of 18.4%, you could save yourself £272.35 by transferring that balance to 0% balance transfer card. The same can be said about a loan, where you can save up to £220 in interest by moving to a cheaper interest rate.

Can you save even more?

There are even more ways to save money this year.
Energy suppliers have a number of cheaper, online tariffs that can be between £200 - £300 cheaper than their average standard tariffs. Finding a cheaper deal on your travel insurance can save a further £30 this year and finding a new provider for your home phone and internet provider can save up to £125.

Visit the moneywise facebook page and tell us how much you have managed to save so far in 2012.

Here is the TV advert from MoneySupermarket.com for a little inspiration.