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Sunday, February 8, 2009

Keeping Your Cell Phone Bill Low

By Melanie Pratt

If you have a cell phone, I'm pretty sure that it has happened to you at least once. I'm referring to the monthly bill shock. Granted, sometimes you know that you've been talking a lot and have had the opportunity to brace yourself, but most times you're caught totally off-guard. In this post, I'll try and share with you a few tips to keep your bill as low as possible. Read on.

1. Going over your allotted quota. This is by far the biggest reason people end up with a larger bill than they should. Going over your minutes, or your text messages, or your Internet usage limit carries a prohibitive cost because cell phone service carriers charge exorbitant fees for this. But don't worry, you won't have to guess what caused the bill to go up, it will be prominently displayed, separately from your "regular" bill.

How to keep your bill low: sign up for a plan that gives you more minutes or text messages or Internet usage. This might sound odd to be advised to move to a higher plan when we're talking about keeping the phone bill low, but it's pretty much a given that the higher plan will cost you less than you would be paying if you constantly went over. If a more generous plan isn't an option, then all you need to do is monitor your cell phone use and stop using any service that you risk going over your limit on. We never said this was going to be easy!

2. Third Party Subscriptions. There seems to be no way of getting rid of the companies that sell those subscriptions, no matter how many complaints and lawsuits are filed against them. Their subscriptions services offer anything from a "free ringtone of the month" to a "horoscope of the day" to a "sexy wallpaper picture of the day". In theory, the only ways to subscribe to those services is to send them a text to a number they give you, or to log on to their website and enter your cell phone number there. Of course, if it were always like that, things would be simple; the problem is that they have a tendency to appear out of nowhere on customers' bills. In the end, pay close attention to the "direct bill" portion of your bill because that's where you'll be able to eventually spot them.

AT&T recently settled a class action suit involving the way those subscriptions are handled. The company now has to notify the customer via text message every time such a subscription is about to be added to their account. If there's no reply to the notification, then the company has no grounds on which to apply the subscription, and so the customer doesn't get charged. The other mobile carriers should adopt this practice as well and avoid the class action lawsuit cost altogether.

3. One-time fees. The final cause for a higher than usual bill is those fees that typically are a one-time affair. such as activation (or re-activation) fees, upgrade fees, or non-payment fees. Cell phone companies (and utilities companies for that matter) do not miss the opportunity to charge a hefty re-activation fee in order to get service turned back on after the account has been suspended because of a past due bill that the customer failed to pay for. Those fees will rarely ever get waived or credited back to your account, but you can ask for discounts. Ask about discounts or waived fees for employees of the company you work for. You can also wing it and try and ask nicely to have the fee waived/credited back. This will be a lot easier if you've been a customer for a few years and have a good record of paying your bill on time.

Strategy. Your cell phone habits will go a long way towards determining which strategy you use to keep your cell phone bill to a manageable level. If you do most of your talking in the early evening, paying a little bit extra for early night and weekend minutes might be economical. If you're home a lot, look into the various Voice Over IP phone service providers such as you cable company, your phone company, Skype, Vonage, T-Mobile @ Home, and so on. This can save you a lot of minutes. And never be afraid to ask for a discount: employee discount, student discount, senior discount, and so on. If you own a business, you can even ask for a business discount.

In case your bill is too high for you to pay if off in one payment, make sure you call customer service and let them know, and ask whether or not you can arrange some type of payment plan. Just like the previous example, your past record will be the deciding factor to determine how flexible they will be. Bottom line is, with a bit of research and if you restrain yourself a bit, your cell phone bill will no longer cause you to get into shock.

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Financial Consultancy Service Basics before Hiring One

By Paul J. Easton

You could be one of those who make the mistake of choosing your financial consultant like choosing randomly food you eat on your favorite fast food. What you really don't know can hurt you. Financial consultancy is a big obligation for the professional's end but bigger for your part. We are talking about your financial future and if you are one of those who suffer from this ignorance, read further this article.

Finding the service of your first consultant can be intimidating because you basically don't know where to start. Some people just go with the most convenient and find the most available. But this decision is far more important than just choosing someone to trim or garden. You even have to begin realizing what you really want with your future and what your financial consultant will do for you. Just the general thought or idea would suffice. Your financial consultant will likely add more in-depth solution to your problems once he listens to your story.

Start looking for financial services from a financial directory. Start calling them and ask for the names of financial consultants available. Ask your family if they know one as well. When you already find three to five consultants, try to compare their credentials. If their track records look good, schedule an interview with them to get to know them personally.

You have a set of goals already visualized and you have a set of needs at this stage of life. Your needs might be different from the needs of a couple having their first child or a friend approaching his retirement. You just need a financial consultant with the necessary experience in the areas of interest you prefer.

Before you go to the interview, identify your prospects' key expertise. You have to dig a little further into their qualifications for more information. Check if they are certified. As much as fifty different certifications abound the financial consultancy field. The most respected in this field is the Certified Financial Planner designation.

From your prospects, find the one among them who has this certification. With this certification, you just have to give them priority because they are definitely brilliant in their field. This gives you more confidence with the financial consultancy you are looking forward to.

Take a look at this certified consultant's work history. Does the experience match your preferences? If so, then that's a good choice. A word of caution, though, investigate for possible disciplinary actions in the past, this will save you from committing a big mistake before hiring this service.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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Attacking the Root Cause of your Credit Card Debt

By Paul J. Easton

The subject of credit card debt is very popular nowadays because it affects everybody. What we don't know however is that our credit card debt is just a part of our excess baggage in life. It is a manifestation of our irresponsible financial management and, perhaps, the output of our not so good personal relationship with our own selves.

When you think about it, you have easy access to credit with your cards. It is easy to get away with it and before you know it, you already amassed an extremely difficult amount of debt to get rid of. If you not still aware of the situation, you are probably so nave that taking more steps would lead you to your financial ruin. Without a question, help is needed and the time to take action is now. Get rid of your credit card debt now but how? Get rid of your debt now with these methods on how to get rid of debt here.

The simple answer is being conscious of your spending habits. Pay your due every time with twice the minimum payment. And be on time. This should be done without any more excuses.

So how can I be conscious with my spending? That is where the simple concept of budgeting will help you. Spending without a plan is simply spending your way to financial hell. So write things down and keep that budget every time you buy something.

Many people would say that they don't have the time to work on a budget. The truth is that you should have no time not to make a budget!

The budget is your best friend at this time of financial crisis. Don't worry because everybody is doing it now and that might probably be good news to you. Create a budget periodically say every month. Your budget is fundamentally just a plan to guide with your spending habits. A budget serves as a way for you to limit yourself on the things that you truly need. It keeps you focused on spending on the things you have a purpose.

Few people follow their set budgets though. This is for the reason that they view their budgets as a constricting factor in their lives. A budget seems to enslave them with their rights to have some comforts in life.

However, here is an insight that might get you inspired. Some people who disciplined themselves and controlled their habits with money by following the principle of only spending with intentions have actually experienced more freedom with their lives. By taking control of their lives, they saved a lot of money and became debt-free. Now, that's the real freedom. So stick with your budget and get out of that debt cycle very soon.

For valuable tips on how to get rid of debt, go to http://www.Howtogetridofdebt.net/ by Paul J. Easton.

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Credit Repair Report Dangers And Tips To Prevent Tradgedy

By Frank Froggatt

If you are one of the multitudes of Americans that possess poor credit, there are many things that you need to understand in order to amend your credit score. With these tips you will be better prepared and have a better chance at success.

Each of us is granted one free credit rating report per year. You can utilize that free account to ascertain what is making you credit rating to be so little. Its also a chance to observe if there are any mistakes on your credit report so you can make measures to have them fixed should you discover any.

Be sure that whatsoever debts you have paid back are mirrored on your credit report. For some reason many parties don't report that last payment, so your credit report appears as though you still owe cash on an account that has been paid back in full.

Most individuals don't understand that every last time a lender looks at your credit report it will show on the report and persist there for up to six months. If there are several queries it can have a negative affect on your credit score. Make sure to only let parties you are serious about extract your credit report.

It is critical to look out for collection companies. Many will name the identical overdue bill different times on your credit report. This will lower your credit score more.

Compensating an older delinquent remainder before applying for a house loan will harm your credit score by making that balance a current collection. This will cause short term damage to your account.

The balance you carry on credit cards can have it's effect against your credit score too. Very lofty balances and maxed out cards hurt your score a lot. Indifferent, even if you always produce the payments on time. Consistently using just one-half your on hand balance will aid to raise your score.

Your credit score is likewise affected by the measure of time you have carried a personal credit line. If you had a charge card in college and still possess it most likely your credit score is benefiting from it. The reverse is also true. If you have recently withdrawn a loan for a new house or automobile it is going to have a damaging affect on your credit. Once you have established your payments for a time period your credit score will only be aided. You will have to build any fresh loan before it will sustain a beneficial affect on your credit.

In order to restore your credit score it is important to see your credit report. Make sure that there are no slips or duplicate reporting. If there is make a point that you choose the correct measures to resolve the matter.

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Do You Really Need Credit And Loan Credit Repair

By Lee A Beattie

Bad Credit Loans are fundamentally debt consolidation loans with higher interest rates that can be exploited for many functions. For Instance, if you possess few unpaid debts, individuals with bad credit can apply them for debt consolidation, which is relatively less complicated to manage because debt consolidation unremarkably furnishes a lower interest rate . Bad credit becomes an issue, when you need to make up a major buy that would take on acquiring a mortgage loan, auto loan or personal loan. When you apply for a loan or a line of credit, the creditor with whom you are applying for a loan, directly draws your credit history file.

Bad credit repair program is a tremendous timesaver. You can surely repair bad credit yourself without a credit repair software application to test and determine your online history, only in truth bad credit will demand many credit repair letters and redundant days and weeks to optimize, wheras a software program can automate the process substantially without the risk of missing anything in the mail service. You can have bad credit erased lawfully. And this really helps out enormously because identity theft is growing more mainstream and this type of software keeps you from losing anything in the mail service.

Credit repair counseling can be used in many directions; to prevent debt, to get out of debt, and to stay out of debt. When employing credit repair advice to prevent debt, it is significant that an individual see the difference between applying their credit options a healthy way, and taking advantage of lending proposed to them. Financial decisions are personal, dependent on an individual's state of affairs. Consult with a financial counselor before making any financial decisions to see if they will read you the free credit reports they will use to help.

And many a times individuals have to apply for bad credit personal loans or perchance bad credit auto loans depending on the interest rate given to you prior to receiving that new automobile when you can't make those unworldly payments.

Consumer reporting companies must investigate the particulars in question - normally within 30 days - unless they interpret your dispute superficial. They must also forward all the applicable data you offer about the inaccuracy to the organization that admitted the selective information. Consumer Credit Counseling Service furnishes budget counseling, educational programs, debt management assistance and housing counseling. On That Point are also many a local branches of this nonprofit organization, so learn for one near your location.

Consumers with less-than-perfect credit ratings may be enticed to hire the help of a company promising to "straighten up" or "erase" bad credit. Credit repair companies can do nothing for you that you cannot manage for yourself for free, and they may charge you hundreds of dollars to do it.

Debt consolidation can make up the better selection if you are having financial difficulties. Invariably keep in mind that debt expirations do deviate, as well as judgements status. If you experience delinquencies and charge-offs that are affectng your credit scores, credit and loan credit repair could be an selection looked at when talking to credit debt counselor during your bad credit counseling sitting.

Lenders are more afraid these days to extend student loans to a person who has a bad credit history. Therefore if your credit score is under 600 and you're wanting to obtain a loan for schooling, you might desire to check a credit repair service . Lenders will employ this selective information to find if you are worthy for a loan or line of credit. When they learn this "bad" information, they will more than likely bill you a higher interest rate or worse, turn you down entirely.

Ask the credit reporting agency for a dispute form or present your dispute in writing via a credit repair letter, along with whatever validating documentation. Likewise make for certain to not send them original documents , make a copy of that document and send it with credit repair letter. Ask your creditors to report the debt as paid to the credit agencies instantly so this can reflect on all of your credit reports. You can also fax or send a copy of the debt settlement letters to the credit agencies yourself so they can update your credit history faster which gives you a huge relief.

Bettering poor credit can personify a long and problematic process. If you have sputtered through a period of financial difficultness, or yet filed for bankruptcy, your ability to acquire credit may be compromised long after you have gotten back on your feet and back to good credit. Bettering your financial state of affairs will have a positive affect on all aspects of your life.

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An Obama Presidency: How to Invest Now!

By Charles L. Stanley CFP ChFC AIF

Regardless of your attitude toward President Obama, his policies will have an affect on the financial markets, both internationally and domestically. His desire to bring change to the United States will, by extension, bring change to the world due to our huge economic foot print.

How do you need to think regarding your investment portfolio - both taxable and retirement accounts - now that we will have new policies under President Obama?

1. Taxes definitely matter: With all the spending that is going on, eventually taxes will go up. That seems to be a given. How much and who will pay are the only questions that remain. If your capital gains rate goes from 15% to 25%, it doesn't take a genius to realize that there will be a lot less to either spend or reinvest after taxes are paid. A dividend rate of up to 35% has been floated by the Obama folks - although not much has been said lately because they are all too busy trying to spend trillions of dollars to hopefully turn the economy around. Good luck on that. It it weren't for the fact that so many municipalities are going broke (or at least they claim to be), tax free municipal bonds would be a good addition. Be sure your Advisor is implementing solid tax management with your portfolio. Tax managed passive mutual funds (like index funds) have an extremely low tax impact.

2. You can't fool Mother Nature or the Capital Markets, they work: Turn on your TV any week-end and you will hear the "gurus" announcing which sectors or industries will boom under the Obama Administration and which will go bust. Academicians have shown over and again that such attempts to combine stock picking with market timing almost never outperform the broad market - the truth is they generally underperform. When they do outperform it is usually just plain luck rather than skill that can be exploited for profits and this it is not repeatable. Financial markets are essentially efficient and any attempt to regulate trade or change tax policy will end up being priced into the securities as soon as the news hits the wires.

3. Diversification is Key: The way to consistently win under an Obama Presidency is to hold very broadly diversified, global, low cost, asset class mutual funds. Diversification reduces uncertainty. If you hold a mutual fund of US securities with about 3500 stocks in it and one of them happens to be a Bear Stearns or Lehman Brothers, it will hardly make a blip in your portfolio as it goes out of existence. Dont be caught with concentrated position mutual funds or with individual securities. You will be carrying too much risk that you can diversify your way out of.

4. You can't separate Return from Risk: This is the principal that everyone wishes weren't true. But, it is. Over time, stocks outperform bonds. Over time, bonds outperform cash. But this isn't true at all times, just over time. In 2008, cash outperformed stocks. But, over any extended time period, stocks outperform cash and bonds. Stocks are also more volatile. You can't separate this kind of higher risk and higher return. Small stocks outperform large stocks. Value stocks outperform Growth stocks, not always, but over time.

5. Portfolio Performance is determined by Portfolio Structure: Asset allocation (choosing how much of a portfolio to commit to what asset class) along equity market exposure, value and size dimensions primarily determine the performance over time of a broadly diversified portfolio. Stated another way, under an Obama Presidency - or any Presidency for that matter - own low cost, globally diversified asset class mutual funds that are more heavily weighted to smaller and more value oriented stocks. You are exposing yourself to higher performing asset classes but are protecting yourself from uncertainty through broad diversification. If an all stock portfolio is too volatile for you, add some short term high quality bonds to reduce the volatility. Of course, it will also reduce your expected return.

Following academically sound investment principles will allow you to win the losers game during an Obama Presidency. Dont give in to the Wall Street marketing gurus who have proven their ability to separate you from your money, quickly and permanently.

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Vital Information with your Financial Advisor

By Paul J. Easton

Looking for a financial advisor? These different qualities should be searched for in your prospect financial advisor. These qualities, if given a good effort to look for, will not only avoid you a lot of stress in the future but can also be a precious move you will treasure.

Financial advisors must have both education and experience. With proper education, your advisor is equipped with the required knowledge in today's most sophisticated global financial system. Experience gives your financial advisor the confidence of negotiating with the best deals and the solid network which can be attained with a great track record. And only with experience will your financial advisor be working with people with better respect and trust.

A seasoned financial adviser usually has extensive knowledge of budgeting and forecasting. In addition to that, a good knowledge of taxation, asset allocation and latest financial tools and products will definitely be an edge. These are great help in establishing with you realistic goals and the strategy for your investments.

Their main function is to assess the performances of prospect companies that you are interested to invest in. Financial advisors, with a good network in the financials sector, can work with analysts. Financial analysts analyze company financial statements and can provide you with valuable information for your investment requirements One of the most critical criteria in finding a financial advisor is the communication aspect. From the very beginning, you must know how much your advisor is willing to get to know you. By interviewing them from the start, you will begin to notice his willingness with this aspect.

Personal touch is very important in building a professional relationship so better spend some time with your advisor face to face. Communicate your preferences in your finances and tell your plans for the future. This experience with your financial advisor will be much more enjoyable if this aspect is given attention. Especially at these bad economic times, you have to emphasize this aspect as this can be very crucial.

To recapitulate, find out the level of education, the history and experience of your prospect financial advisor. Spend ample time with your advisor to assess their communication skills by conducting a personal interview. Find a match by finding an expert with your financial preferences. With due diligence learning these vital information with your advisor, you are on your way to creating a good start of a harmonious financial relationship.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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Reverse Mortgage: Advantage and Disadvantages

By Matthew Sanz

Reverse mortgage is getting to be more and more common in most homes these days. Along with its popularity is the soaring of housing prices and the lowering of interest rates at their record lows. Let's take a look at the reasons why despite the bad publicity that reverse mortgages had, they have managed to stay in the industry all these years to become the "in" thing for many borrowers today.

Nicknamed predatory loans, the reverse mortgage took more beating when it was embroiled in scandals. But in the last decade, it has earned more credibility after legislation required more upfront disclosures of costs.

This is a mortgage product designed for homeowners aged 62 and older. Through this product, seniors can receive a loan against their home in the form of a lump sum, regular monthly checks or a line of credit. The loan is typically repaid with interest when the borrower sells the house, permanently moves, or dies.

Here are some of the reasons that borrowers resort to a reverse mortgage.

To Pay Down Remaining Mortgages - Homeowners use a reverse mortgage to pay down their remaining debt on their traditional mortgages and use the remainder to fund other retirement costs.

Home Ownership - When the loan is accepted, the ownership of your house is not affected and you will still retain title to your home.

- Most of the costs are paid for through the reverse mortgage loan.

Payment Period - Compared to a traditional home equity line of credit, a reverse mortgage allows debt payments, including interest and other costs, to be stalled until a later date, typically when the owner dies.

Debt - The debt can never go beyond the value of a home at the time that the loan is already repaid. This means that when soaring housing prices begin to drop, borrowers won't be held responsible for paying back a higher amount.

However, there are also its negative aspects.

Variability of Rate - A reverse mortgage tends to be a variable rate mortgage loan that entails substantial front-end expenses to compensate for expenditures if ever the borrower exits early.

Old Borrowers - The loan will be bigger for pricier homes and older borrowers.

Expensive - According to advocates and financial planners, a reverse mortgage can become expensive and complicated. Therefore, seniors who are interested in applying for a reverse mortgage should first learn how it works. Before they look for a lender, they should be ready to receive independent counseling.

Higher Rates - Borrowers who choose to take the lump sum are slapped with higher interest payments compared to those who settle for installment checks or a line of credit. The reason for this is that, with the two latter choices, interest is only computed on the portion used.

While financial planners recommend that seniors only take a reverse mortgage if they plan to stay longer in their homes, evaluating the product's options may still be confusing. Before you apply for a reverse mortgage loan, make sure that you get impartial counseling first to help you decide if the product is right for you.

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Why You Don't Need a 401(k) Plan For Retirement

By David C Lewis, RFA

Most people today are looking for 401k help. That's because one of the most popular (if not the most popular) retirement plan is a 401(k) plan. Another popular plan is the Roth IRA. Of course there are more options than this, but these are the two most common.

If you are making a choice between a Roth and a 401(k) plan, consider what your goal is in saving money for your future. If you are trying to accumulate enough money to live on, a 401(k) may not be the best choice. That's because the better you do, the higher your tax burden is. In fact, you may end up paying back more in taxes than you've saved.

Let's key in on one of the things that you're always told about these plans. Aren't you constantly being told that you'll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire? Think about whether that really makes sense to you. Because, if it's true, then it means you're making less money than when you were working. That may seem fine for some people, but adjust for inflation, and you could be broke when you retire! Is that what you really want?

Of course, the other most popular option is the Roth. This plan works a little differently than a traditional qualified plan. You contribute after tax dollars and when you retire you don't have to pay tax on any of the gains. It's a good deal, except for one thing. You can't contribute anywhere near the amount you'll probably need to save. This can be problematic since most people expect unrealistic rates of return on their investments...the result will be a lower than necessary savings rate.

What it ultimately comes down to is: which qualified retirement plan is the best? But, do you need to use a qualified plan? Most mutual fund investors earn less than the rate of inflation according to DALBARinc.com. In qualified retirement plans, the bulk of your money will probably be invested in - you guessed it - mutual funds. The inherently high fees in some of these plans will further drag down your returns.

What would be an alternative to using Government sponsored plans? High cash value life insurance would be one example. High cash value insurance can net between 5-6% tax-free over your lifetime, and the cash values are guaranteed. Many major banks and corporations use life insurance as a way to safely conserve money or to build a guaranteed pension. For example, the "king" of cash value insurance, William Ryan of TD BankNorth, has his pension funded by the corporation...his annual premium? $1,260,000.

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Compare Student Loan Consolidation Rates in Choosing a Lender

By Torrie Cantor

If you want to select the best lender, compare student loan consolidation rates. A lot of students who have just graduated find it advantageous to consolidate student loans at once. The next crucial step would have to be choosing the right lender from which to apply a student loan consolidation from. Nowadays, there are many lenders that offer you different loan consolidation programs, each with various requirements, interest rates, and etc.

This article will give you some things to consider when choosing a lender. Although it is very important for you to compare student loan consolidation rates, you should also take into account some details in choosing a loan consolidation program and a lender.

Comparing School Loan Consolidation Rates

You could cut your student loan payments by up to 50% or more if you consolidate your student loans. This could mean big savings and thousands of dollars on the life of your loan. You could also be able to lock down a low and fixed interest rate for your monthly payments.

Look into the rates. When choosing a lender, you should ask them about the rates that they can give you. Usually, the interest rate on a consolidation loan is calculated by getting the weighted average of the interest rates (as of the date the application is received by the lender) on all the loans you are consolidating, rounded up to the nearest one-eight of a percent.

Other Things to Consider

You should also consider other things. It will also be wise if you ask your lender to figure out your monthly payments and how long it would take for you to fully pay the total loan balance. Also, you should try asking about incentives, like additional breaks on interest if you make your payments through automatic debits each month or if you consistently make on-time payments for a specific period of time.

Requirements

Lenders may ask for different requirements. There are some lenders that will require you to have a co-signor, some optional, and some do not require this at all. In lending companies that posts this as optional, having a co-signor with a good credit background will let you enjoy some benefits like lower interest rates.

Other lenders will require you to have collateral, other's wont. Some lenders also set a minimum balance policy, and the amount varies from one lender to another.

Application

Look for a lender that has an easy application process. Now, there are some lenders that provide online application that can be accomplished in just a matter of minutes. The process is quick and all information released is kept confidential. After 15 minutes of submission, you will be immediately called by a customer service representative on the contact number that you provided.

Service

Service is very important. If you're comfortable and satisfied with your current lender's service, then you can just check with them to see if they offer loan consolidation. Either that, or you can check your school's financial aid offices for a list of preferred lenders who have provided tried-and-true working experience to former students.

Those are some things to look out for. So if you are choosing a lender, compare student loan consolidation rates and other details.

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How To Fix Poor Mutual Fund Returns

By David C Lewis, RFA

Getting a high mutual fund return might seem like an oxymoron to some people. This is because most actively managed funds have pretty poor performance. It's not an accident. Government regulations have spurred an industry that has become increasingly inefficient, and as a result, has shown investors little more than inflation-matching returns.

While you may find some ways to boost your fund's returns, keep in mind that these products will almost certainly not be the end all, be all that you're told they are.

You can boost the returns on your mutual funds by not paying attention to historical returns that are posted by the fund company. These are, many times, inflated. By using simple averages instead of compound averages and effective yields, the fund can show you returns that are higher than the actual returns posted by the fund.

A financial calculator can help you figure out the compounded return of an investment but, unless you know how to do that, you're probably going to have a hard time trying to figure out what return you are actually getting.

The second step in increasing your mutual fund's return may be just to sell the fund. I know that's not really boosting the return of the fund, but you may be better off investing in something else. Actually, that's one of the basic rules of investing: understand what you are investing in. Unless you understand every business that that mutual fund holds, you are asking for trouble. You're not being a smart investor, you're just guessing.

The last "tip" on boosting your mutual fund returns is to choose mutual funds that invest in smaller capitalization companies or choose funds that are relatively small in size. A smaller mutual fund would probably be the essential point here. Small funds have more places that they can invest in. It's also easier for a $10 million fund to double in size than it is for a $100 million.

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Why Need a Financial Consultant?

By Paul J. Easton

Many people choose to hire a financial consultant to relieve themselves with several personal financial issues. Some people though choose their consultants haphazardly the way they choose their plumbers. Without due diligence, most people hire the nearest and most available financial consultant in town. But this decision is far more important than just choosing your plumber because this concerns your financial future.

First and foremost, decide what your financial consultant's role in your life. With a clear picture in mind, it is time to find some leads in your search for the best financial consultant for your needs.

Always make sure you only deal with the certified consultants and better check their credentials. If everything seems to look good, schedule a personal interview to meet your financial consultant.

A personal financial consultant is a practicing professional who can provide you with assistance and professional financial advice. A financial consultant may advise on the overall management of your financial portfolio. Consultants are usually retained for a set period of time. In this period, financial consultants will investigate your financial situation and your current lifestyle and produce a report detailing their recommendations including some aspects for improvements.

With different financial needs at each stage of life, clients need different financial consultants specializing with various financial instruments. A married couple expecting their first child has different financial goals than a married couple in their retirement age. With these demands for various financial instruments, you certainly must find a match with your financial consultant. Find the time to fill the need for a financial consultant with experience in your areas of interest.

After you have identified a few short-listed prospects, you need to delve deeper into their qualifications and designations. Find out if they are certified. Eliminate immediately those without any certifications.

There are actually more than fifty different certifications in the field of financial planning and consulting. Only trust the internationally recognized designations. The most respected is the Certified Financial Planner designation. Take a closer look at the financial consultant's work records and career history. Lastly, check for possible disciplinary actions in the past. You'll be glad you did this background check later.

Never hire a financial consultant without meeting them personally. With just a small effort of knowing them personally, you build loyalty and personal relationship. It is completely essential that you get to know them face to face.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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Make money online

By reklicom

Make Money Secrets of a 6 Figure a Year Earner:I like that title. "Secrets of a 6 Figure a Year Earner." Kind of catchy, don't you think? Guess what? It's true. The 6 figures that is. The secrets? Here's the biggest secret of all. There ARE no secrets. That's right. Everything you need to make a killing online is right in front of you. Don't believe me? No problem. By the time you're done reading this article, you'll realize that I'm telling you the truth.

Let's reverse engineer this process. As somebody looking to start a home business, you've done one of two things. You've either bought some ebook to show you how to do it or you joined some program that promised to teach you. Either way, take a look at the book or the program. See what the creator did? See how he structured his book? See how he designed his site? See all the work that went into each and how it was done? Of course you do. There is nothing that is hidden. How can it be? If it was, there'd be no site or book.

Writing my fourth article that will show you how to reduce your cost or increase your income. The first two articles gave you methods to reduce your costs to being online, or on the phone or on the TV. This reductions would result in an increase of money in your pocket by $60 to $100 per month.

Finally, how did you see the ad or sales page? makeeasymoneyinfo.blogspot.com .You saw it somewhere, right? Well, guess what? That's the advertising medium that the person used to get you to see his ad or sales page. If it worked to get you to see it then I'm sure it worked for others as well. Point is, you now know how this person promotes his business. All you have to do is get information on how to promote through that source. Shouldn't be too hard to do, don't you think?

There income is a result of working 3 to 15 hours per week. So if you are looking for an additional income source, this is the company. Are you looking for a company that can help you become independent and provide you with financial and personal freedom then this is the company.

Because you can't sell your house you are looking for another source of income to pay for the balloon mortgage. The last article I told you about turn key businesses and how they can be pretty safe. I am now going to tell you about a business that is very much a turn key business.

According to the media we can't afford to go anywhere, anyway, with the outrageous price of gas! Doom and gloom pervades the news media: Gas prices are soaring, groceries are costing more than ever, and home foreclosures are escalating. Woe is me, we are heading for recession, if we aren't already in it.

So if this is what you have been looking for, don't walk, run and please go to my web site listed in the authors box for more info. The link will direct you to my blog where there is more info and then finally to the sign up site.

The wealthy dwell in an abundance consciousness. Every thought we have falls into one of two streams of energy - enough or not enough. If you think there is enough, then you will THRIVE AT ALL TIMES. If you think there is a limited supply than you will have to participate in the gloom and doom that the media is peddling. The choice is yours.

Making money is no different, you need to tell yourself exactly how much you want to make and then believe it to be true. It is this unconditional belief, along with good business skills that will make you money and bring you success in whatever you desire.

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Financial Consultant for your Retirement

By Paul J. Easton

If you are looking to find a professional to talk with to sort out your retirement planning, then getting a financial retirement consultant is the best and most reliable option. You want to ensure that your investments will work for you and that these financial moves will serve as vehicles to help you get to where you want to be.

If you are looking for the retirement financial consultant to help you out with your investments, this might be the article worth reading. Personal financial consultants are the best source of financial information to guide you with your investments. They usually assess your financial needs. Consultants will use their knowledge of investments and financial deals and most likely recommend financial options to your specific needs. They help you formulate a written plan with short- and long-term goals.

In this specific case, your financial consultants help you with retirement planning and other general investment choices. Some of them may even provide tax advices or recommend life insurances for various purposes. Just look for a consultant who specializes in areas such as retirement, estate planning, and risk management at the beginning so that he or she is familiar with your needs.

As far as financial services are concerned, the best clients are the informed ones. Finding a consultant is like finding a mentor and learning from the lessons provided. So even if you are at your retirement age, you can still grow and learn while making money at the same time. You will only be more successful with your investments if you are more aware of them.

Set some limitations with your financial consultant especially when already in retirement. Be clear with your appetite for risks. You must understand the various financial instruments and let your consultant advise you whether those are high risk or low risk investments. Monitor how well the different strategies work and know which investments you wish to pursue in the long run. You get to decide on these things after hiring your financial consultant after six months or so.

As a tip, hire a consultant you are much comfortable with in the beginning. Communicate always and learn from every your conversation with your retirement consultant. By developing a good professional relationship, you will find that a retirement financial consultant will be more valuable to you. After that, you would have realized that you are very lucky you had found a valuable tool in the form of your financial consultant. It is a good thing to always prepare for your future.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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Hiring your First Financial Consultant with Trust

By Paul J. Easton

Everyone has different financial needs at different stages in their lives. These different stages require different financial needs too. Get started with your investments as early ijn life as possible. Look for your first financial consultant. When looking for a financial consultant, always find a consultant that matches your area of interest.

Personally, I don't recommend hiring your first financial consultant without meeting him or her. Although it may take some time from your part, it is absolutely necessary to get to know your financial consultant in a personal way, especially with your first one. According to a world-renowned investor Warren Buffett, it is always customary to ask oneself these three questions after meeting with a party or company to invest with. "Do I like their company? Can I trust them? Do I respect them?" These questions should be applied to hiring your financial consultant too.

Okay, so how can you find a person to trust? There is no perfect method because it is always up to the individual. Be on the lookout for these warning signs that will give you indications of a reputable financial consultant.

First thing you deal with your consultant is how they will be evaluated with their performance. Ask them some information from topics you researched on your financial objectives. Ask for their opinion to know how knowledgeable they are with their field. You only ask for information you have already an idea with. See if they tell you information misleading you along the way. This will be a good test to gauge their credibility.

Always clarify things in terms of the fees and the payment method. In addition to that, you just need to find a financial planner you are comfortable with. You are the client and you are in charge. Never go with the smoothest talking guy. Find a person who is warm and is willing to sit down with you and walk you through everything. This person will teach you with what is really going on later.

This is a process where you should be very keen with managing your expectations and finding the right person to fit the job. Since this will be one of the largest commitments you are going to undertake in your life, you have to simply take the time. Choosing the right financial consultant will take some of your time and effort. As one of the best moves for the future, play your cards well and get the best minds behind your investments. After finding this first consultant, develop a professional relationship, it will sure be worth it.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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Get Out of Debt Fast Today!

By Paul J. Easton

Decide now to get rid of your credit card debt. Why now? This is because prolonging it only will cost you more money in the long term. Count all the money you spare each month for your credit card payments. Just think about what you could probably spend with this money if you were not paying the bills with the credit card company.

After convincing yourself, the first step in this very arduous process is to come up with a written plan for systematically reducing your debt. Get rid of all of your existing cards except one to avoid the temptation. Using them accumulates even more debt and more problems for you. Cut up the rest of the cards or put them in a place where you cannot have access for now.

Pay much more than the minimum every due date. You should be very reluctant in paying only the minimum on your credit cards because this only benefits the credit card company in the long run. After all, if you can't manage to pay for more than the minimum balance every time, it is a strong indication that you are spending on something you can't afford in the first place. By paying more than the minimum, you reduce how much you pay for interests every time. In addition, you deduct the principal thereby gradually turning the balance down. Following this process continuously will make you debt-free much sooner than paying only the minimum.

One method to get out of debt faster is by avoiding the card with the highest interest rates and transferring the balance to a card with a better rate. After the balance transfer, focus all your energy by paying off that card as soon as you can.

As an advice, you can also try talking with your credit card lenders. Ask for any hardship terms they can offer with you. Some larger credit card lenders have programs which help cardholders pay off their accounts at a much reduced rate. Just ask for those deals because they don't promote it very willingly at times. Just make a good record by adhering to the terms closely because these schemes are strict. In most cases, if you make one missed payment, they will drop you off the program and all interest and fees will carry on the account.

By now, you are pretty convinced and will soon be making the decision to deal with your credit card debt finally. Working towards your goals consistently, you will definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel in due time.

Credit Card Debt Sucks! How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more Getting Rid Credit Card Debt helpful tips and information.

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Meeting your Financial Consultant

By Paul J. Easton

When deciding to get a financial consultant, don't follow the many people making the mistake of choosing their financial consultant like their plumber. You just cannot hire a financial consultant straight from a telephone directory. This is probably one of the biggest decisions in your financial life and this needs some thorough analysis and thoughtful decision makings.

You have to begin first with yourself. Start with deciding what you really want to do with your financial future. Find out what will probably be the role of your financial consultant.

After fixing your mind with your objectives, create a short list of a few financial consultants in your area. Check their credentials. If their credentials look good, schedule an interview with a few of them.

Since you are already fixed with your general goals, it is time to find a financial consultant in the area of your interests. You definitely have a specific financial need and the right financial consultant will have the answer to your problems. You will need a financial consultant with extensive experience in your preferences. That is the reason for conducting an interview. Gauge how their answers fit your lifestyle and standards.

Research more a little deeper into their qualifications. Ask for their certification. There are more than fifty different financial consultancy and planning certifications. One of the most respected is the Certified Financial Planner or CFP. This certification designates a financial consultant as a Certified Financial Planner. Always look at the consultant's work history too. Verify the kind of experiences they have if they relate to your preferences. Lastly, check for possible disciplinary actions in his or her career history. You may encounter several headaches if you don't spend the time looking for this information.

By taking the necessary step to meet your prospective financial consultant, you are showing sincerity and a great deal of effort in securing a bright future. It is absolutely essential that you get to know your financial consultant well.

As this process is very imperative, choosing a financial consultant is more than a walk in the park. It is more than just a quick look at your telephone directory and hiring some help. Going through the hassle of checking the credentials of the different candidates and talking to them are all worth the effort if you hire the best one. Take the time to conduct the interview and find the one you are most comfortable with and you feel most trustworthy. Establish a rapport with this financial consultant and you are on your way to financial success. Of course, it pays to review the performances every quarter after you hire and decide if he or she is doing a good job. Try these steps and you save yourself a lots of stress.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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How to Trust your Financial Planning

By Paul J. Easton

A personal financial planner is a practicing professional who can provide you with help in different personal financial issues. These professionals are experts in proper financial planning which includes cash flow management, investment planning, education planning, and even retirement planning. They also propose plans for risk management and insurance planning, tax management, and estate planning. They can even provide business succession planning if you are a business owner.

In carrying out the financial planning function, your financial planner needs to create a financial plan with a detailed strategy customized to a client's specific situation in order to meet the specific goals in mind. Looking for one should involve enough caution as this function is very personal and crucial at the same time.

If you are finding for the right financial planner for you, here are a few guides you need to understand. Have a personal point of view of your financial aspirations and objectives. Be very clear before consulting for professional help to have a clear and smooth discussion with your financial planner. Lastly, it is still vital to find someone with whom you can be at ease with. Trust is founded on confidence and value, so find someone you think you can rely on.

You might need a financial planner for a reason. Write down your needs; find out what your current life stage requires you set as a financial goal. Your financial goals generally decide the type of planner you are looking for.

Here is a great tip. Always look for the certification to give you peace of mind that you are dealing with a professional with high ethical standards. Nevertheless, a certification as financial planner can definitely help but the search does not stop there. Discover your planner with starting from your preferences. Find someone with whom you are relaxed to disclose your financial life.

Remember that you are going to share with this person every detail of your financial life, so be cautious with your financial planner at first. Once you get the hang of it and you begin to be confident with your planner, you are to expect a good relationship developing. The first meetings are critical so be very alert in your observations and decide as soon as you can to keep working with your planner or not.

These are just some of the steps to finding the right certified financial planner. By taking the time to realizing your own needs and priorities before finding the right certified planner, you are more focused with your financial goal to be concretized in a plan.

As a rule of the thumb, find the one you can trust with your money and make every cent of the service worth it. Take the time and be decisive, start now by looking for more information.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here.

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How to choose the right forex

By reklicom

Take your time to read these few lines, as I am going to provide you with some essential forex trading info. First thing you should know is that the forex market is very profitable, because you can make money every time it moves, and believe me, it never stops moving.

So as you can see, I ultimately improved my performance as I wanted, but not before I did my homework searching for good forex trading info.

But what forex trading info should you look for in order to achieve that goal? Well, simply look for forex trading info about educational products and other forex trading tools designed to put you on the right track..

I cannot tell you enough how important this is, because when I first started with forex trading. I decided to read a little bit here and there, and settled for some forex trading info provided by friends already in the market, I thought I was invincible.

The largest market in the business world consists of the trading of foreign currency. Foreign currency trading, often abbreviated as FX, Forex or foreign exchange, is considered a liquid market, meaning that there is actually very little actual market trading going on while trading foreign currency"most Forex online trading is purely speculative, with only a small percentage of actuals translating into companies or governments conversion needs. In a liquid market, assets are converted very easily, with very little loss into cash, yet there is enough account activity going on to satisfy both the sellers and buyers competing in the market. The Easy-Forex system, an online Forex platform, is designed to assist potential Forex traders in their daily dealings, making the process as smooth as possible. With Easy-Forex, there is no Forex software to download, and potential traders can begin dealing in just minutes.

For the most part, foreign exchange is traded on margin. Margin consists of a deposit used to secure an open position in the market, and the amount of foreign currency available to the trader to deal in depends entirely on their margin. With Easy-Forex, traders can deal in small amounts easily"even as low as one hundred United States dollars. This smaller, safer trading amount would be unheard of at banks or with competing Forex online platforms. In addition, potential traders have the option to use their credit cards to fund their margin deposit, making it simple to begin trading in minutes.

With Easy-Forex, there is a qualified staff ready to assist traders with anything they might need, and unlike so many other internet marketing businesses, there are real people waiting to take troubleshooting calls or emails. In addition, beginning Forex traders can take advantage of the option for live help and one-on-one Forex training straight from the experts to ensure they will be properly equipped to utilize the Forex market to their advantage. Moreover, the trader will be assigned a personal account manager who will act as a live operator during the traders first activity on the market, guiding them through their first steps in Forex trading.

There are various Forex trading strategies that should be followed by every Forex trader in order to gain a large number of profits. This Forex strategy system includes:Ability to read or know the Forex trading strategies, Adopting reliable and effective Forex trading strategies, Implementing Forex trading strategies without involving costly software, Taking the option of simple moving, Deriving resistance and support levels

There are different forms of business. But the easiest way of making money is to trade forex. One of the leading providers of forex trading in real times basis is the global forex trading. It started out its operation since 1997.

It gives chances to individuals to trade forex online on real times and it offers an opportunity to most forex brokers to earn millions each day.

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Give these Items to Appraiser at Inspection

By Marten W. Davis, SRPA

When you arrange for a new mortgage, refinance or purchase, it is important that you have things ready for your appraiser's inspection. If you have some important items ready for the appraiser it will make his job much easier.

All items might not be available in all cases, but those that are available will be extremely helpful to your appraiser.

These items that you should look for are: Mortgage Survey which is a small piece of paper with a drawing of the lot with the building outline. This document is usually prepared by a surveyor and has his stamp on it. The information on this document includes the specific measurements of improvements and lot, the legal description and the flood zone specifics.

Physical characteristics information can be obtained in a previous appraisal. If the dwelling is newer, any floor plan drawings (blueprints) is extremely helpful to the appraiser.

A list of recent improvements, date and cost. These will be helpful to itemize those items that have been upgraded and modernized. If you have a recent home inspection report, that would also be very helpful.

Any easements which the property has like shared driveways, etc. should be presented to the appraiser.

If you present these items to your appraiser, they will be very helpful to him/her and will assist the appraiser in getting the specifics of the property detailed.

Marten W. Davis, SRPA

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How to Find Private Student Loans

By Colby Mangum

So you've decided you want to attend college, but you are going to need to find a little financial assistance to get there; what do you do? Perhaps you have already applied for federal loans and either didn't qualify, or didn't qualify for enough to cover the tuition and expenses you will owe. It might be time to look into getting a private student loan to help cover your college expenses.

If you plan to apply for a private student loan, the question is no longer how will I pay for school, but how do I find private student loans. Every college institution has a financial aid department or at least a counselor who might be your best source of information. They will probably know about the rates and types of private loans offered from the lending institutions nearby.

There is a private loan called the Federal Family Education Loan. Even though it is offered by a private lender, the federal government backs the loan. Not all colleges are eligible for this type of loan. Your financial aid office should know if the school is a qualifying school and if it is, what lenders offer the loan.

Federal Family Education Loans aren't issued for every college. Again, your financial aid office might be able to be of some assistance in this area. They should know if the college you plan to attend is an eligible institution.

If you don't like the information the financial aid office gives you, you can look to the internet. The internet is a fantastic source for information about private student loans. It is important that you look at the different types of loans before you apply.

Don't just apply with the first company you find on the internet. There are a lot of scams out there. You might end up paying a lot more for your loan than necessary.

The internet will probably retrieve several different sources for private student loan options. You will want to review the interest rates and fees of each loan so you can make a decision on the best deal. Another thing to pay attention to is term of the loan. The repayment schedule might be different with different loans so just know what you are agreeing to before you complete the loan process.

College is expensive, but there are ways to fund it. If you don't get government loans to cover the necessary expenses, consider a private loan to help you reach your educational goals.

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Getting To Know Debt Consolidation Loaans

By Caden Flynn

Debt consolidation loans can be a great way to get out debt. They are a specific type of loan to consolidate all of your debts, including credit card debt, into a single monthly payment instead of many payments. Often this loan comes with a low interest rate. These loans are made for people who owe a lot of money to different creditors, and are unable to meet the minimum monthly payment amounts.

If you have an awful credit history, finding a consolidation loan with a low interest rate can be very difficult. However, you should keep some things in mind while searching for a debt consolidation loan.

Interest is the income of any lender, so talking them down on rates, especially if you have a bad credit history so they cannot be a hundred percent sure that you will pay them on time, can be very hard.

In order to find a consolidation loan, first you need to have some sort of collateral, which will be the property you use to secure the loan. Particularly if you have a bad credit history, having some sort of collateral is extremely important, especially if you want a low interest rate. The greater the value of your collateral property, the greater your chance to find a low interest loan. However, you should ask for a loan amount less than the value of your collateral. This will make your loan more attractive for debt consolidation creditors.

When searching for an organization to offer you a consolidation loan for debt, it is very important to choose the right lender. When you are selecting a bank or financial institution for any reason, you should always look for one with excellent customer service and high customer satisfaction. Look for one that is not in the news for its bad practices. However, you may find a good bank that does not offer low interest debt consolidation loans. Many of these banks can direct you to a reputable debt consolidation company who they would recommend.

Many debt consolidation lenders have big, flashy ads, but you should not pay attention to them. Ask yourself, are those promos worth it? Instead, do your own research. The companies with expensive ads can afford to spend this money because it attracts borrowers even with higher interest rates or high APR credit cards that go with the loaned amount. Shop around to find lesser-known, but still reputable, companies. They may offer loans at lower interest rates. Smaller companies have to work harder to attract borrowers, which is why they may offer low interest rates which are not publicized in attractive ads.

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