Monday, July 31, 2017

Building Your Financial Safety Net From Nothing

money safety
We could all do with a financial safety net at some point in our lives. Whether it’s because you’re suffering from the aftermath of mismanaged finances or because you fear what could happen if you fall into debt, it’s understandable that you want to take better control over your money.

A good place to start would be the ever-important financial safety net. However, you can’t just build a safety net out of nothing. If thin air were a good safety net then the world would be a different place, but sadly that’s not the case. A financial safety net needs to be built on money and good habits, which can be two very hard things to hold on to if you’re new to budgeting or financial concerns. So to help you begin your journey to weave your financial safety net, we’ve written this guide that will get you back on your feet and far from the clutches of debt.

What is a financial safety net?

First, let’s clear up any questions that you may have about financial safety nets. The first major question we should answer is: what is a financial safety net?

A financial safety net, as mentioned, is built on money and good habits. Many people incorrectly assume things about the financial safety net and, as a result, they work on the wrong things.
  • A financial safety net is NOT about a single savings account
  • A financial safety net is NOT about a single insurance policy
  • A financial safety net is NOT about having others to fall back on
With this in mind, let’s go through some of the things that create a financial safety net and define the term.

For starters, having a single savings account isn’t the best method for financial security and having multiple savings accounts isn’t much better. A savings account is, in some ways, like an investment. You’re essentially putting money into an account, watching it steadily grow and giving yourself peace of mind that you have money available for dire situations. However, it’s all too easy to withdraw and spend this money accidentally.

Insurance policies are a major part of financial safety nets, but it’s important to remember that you can’t just have a single policy for everything. It takes a lot of time and research to find the right insurance policies for your needs, which is why it’s a good idea to not only take out multiple insurance plans but to fine-tune them to your specific needs.

Lastly, financial safety nets aren’t other people. You can’t rely on friends and family members to help dig you out of a financial pit. Not only is it embarrassing, but you can’t rely on something that isn’t guaranteed. A guaranteed net is something like savings accounts or assets to fall back on, not a family member that might also be in a dire financial situation.

Building the net from nothing

Now let’s talk about ways to build a financial safety net from almost nothing.

1. Start an emergency fund, not a savings account - This will help you build up some funds that you can use for pretty much anything. It’s best to have this in cash form because it’s all too easy to accidentally spend money from a bank account and it’s much more convenient than having to go to a bank to store it every week. Use budgeting to help you save money and try your best to secure a large emergency fund to build the foundation of your safety net.

2. Look for cheaper insurance quotes to help you pay less - This is a fantastic way to save money on all-important insurance plans. Make sure you look around for a quote for auto insurance, home insurance and life insurance if needed. Remember that you can fine-tune your insurance plans depending on your needs. This will help you save money in the long-term and can give you more peace of mind knowing that you have more control over what you’re putting money into.

3. Learn to invest in assets, not a savings account - As mentioned before, savings are a form of investment which is why it’s better to learn how to actually invest money into something as opposed to just sticking it into a savings account. Not only do assets grow in value more rapidly, it’s also harder to accidentally spend that money because it’s not in cash form.

Summary

As you can see, building a financial safety net is more about your knowledge than your funds. You can’t just slap a large amount of money into a savings account and call it a day—it’s much more complicated than that. Study how to save your money, what to invest in and shop around for better insurance quotes to give yourself a financial safety net that is sturdy so you can bounce back from debt.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Is It Time To Fix Your Finances?

money fixation
Financial freedom might be your goal, but most of us are suffering from financial burdens. More and more people rely on credit just to get by. And, of course, there are many essentials in life, like the car and the home, that are unattainable without a loan. As the cost of living continues to increase, there are fewer disposable dollars to enjoy. But at what time do you need to address these issues? When can you tell that it’s no longer manageable?

No Savings

If you’re not putting anything away for a rainy day anymore, something isn’t quite right. This suggests you are stretched to the very limits of your income. An emergency fund to help you cover the cost of any repairs or replacements that are necessary is essential. If you’ve already started dipping into yours, or it is completely depleted, alarm bells should be ringing. If you have no savings to fall back on at all, then times may be proving very tough right now.

Have a look at your income and your budget. Consider asking for a pay rise or promotion. You might also find a second source of income. Your household budget may be trimmed a little. Check your receipts and see if any cuts can be made. Try to reduce your spend on energy bills by checking lights are off and heating or cooling temperatures are adjusted. 

Red Bills

If you regularly receive red reminder letters from your creditors and service providers, then you might be living beyond your means. Struggling to make payments on time can also be a sign that your budgeting isn’t working out too well right now. Cancel any non-essential services like subscription TV packages or mobile phone contracts.

Are you feeling a lot of stress every time you open your mail box? Apprehension and anxiety about demand letters can make you physically and mentally ill. If you’re worried there will be a knock at the door from a debt collector, it is definitely time to take action. It’s worth speaking to an FDCPA attorney if you are receiving a lot of letters or debt collector visitors. If these creditors are bullying you into ill health, you can’t let it continue.

Not Enough Income

Life changes all the time. Sometimes this can bring about a big change in your income. Whether you lose your job, or you’re not in a position to work as much, you must address the shortfall. Take a detailed look at your household budget. Try to trim as many expenses as you possibly can. 

If the lack of income is going to last a while, you might need to consider getting rid of some of the things you have previously considered to be essential. This might include your car, your TV subscriptions, and clothes shopping. Reduce how often you attend the salon, cancel your gym membership, and shop around for cheaper deals on phones and energy. Consider consolidation of your existing credit to see if you can reduce your debts. In the least it might make repaying them more affordable.

When you’ve cut everything back to the very bare essentials, you can focus your energy on finding additional sources of income. This might include selling unwanted items or selling high-spec to be replaced with budget-lines. When you’re back to full earning potential again, you can start to enjoy the finer things once more.

In the meantime, look for opportunities to earn in different ways. Can you teach or write? Both of these things can be done from home using the internet. Perhaps you are quite arty and can create pictures or crafts that can be sold? Can you take on a part time job out of hours to bolster your salary? If you’re at home with your kids, why not consider qualifying as a childminder so you can be paid to care for other children too?

Sacrificing Meals

Beyond the stress of receiving unpleasant debt collection letters comes the need to make sacrifices. We’ve already talked about living more frugally. But if you’re finding it necessary to go without food or heating at all, then you have serious financial problems. It’s important to seek help and advice as soon as possible. Skipping meals and going cold in your own home is not healthy.

It’s not always easy or even possible to live within your means. The cost of living often increases beyond our wages. Each year the belt is tightened until the cracks start to show. Get the debt collectors off your back by seeking help and reduce your stress. Find more ways to save, and find creative ways to boost your income. It will get better if you take the time to fix your finances.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Studying To Land Yourself A High Paying Career

more paying jobs
Having a financially stable future is all that most people desire. Worrying about whether you can pay the bills that month, and feed your family is something that no person should ever have to go through. Of course, the way of ensuring that this doesn’t happen to you is by studying for a highly paid job that will guarantee a great paycheck month to month. In this article, I’m going to talk about three top earning careers.

Healthcare

Diving into the medical profession can be a difficult decision to make, but it is by far, an incredibly well paid job, especially if you’re working within the private sector. There are tons of different jobs available within the medical profession too, such as:

>Doctor
>Nurse
>Surgeon
>Midwife
>Working with the disabled
>Caring for sick children
>Administrative work
>Mental health worker
>Podiatrist
>Chiropractor

Depending on which career you decide to study within healthcare, you could be earning a six plus figure income every year, which will certainly put your mind at ease money wise. Unfortunately, working in the medical profession isn’t for everybody. Some people can’t handle the stress, and some people are squeamish, so working in healthcare would not suit them.

Accounting

Accounting is a fantastic career to pursue. This is because not only is the money fantastic, but the skills that you can learn regarding looking after your money and where to hold your money will come in handy for personal life too. Although, it is likely that you will have to study to land yourself the highest paid accounting jobs. Luckily, you can study online to do this, like with the program that online mba accounting aacsb run, so you can do it entirely from home rather than having to pick a college to study at.

Working as an accountant could potentially earn you a six figure income, which is something that the majority of us only dream of.

Sport

Most of us only think of sport as a hobby, but as we all know there are thousands of people in the world that have made a career out of it. This could be with any kind of sport, for example:

>Football
>Soccer
>Golf
>Swimming
>Running
>Dancing
>Gymnastics
>Basketball
>Baseball
>Cricket

If you’re good at a sport, consider trying to land yourself a scholarship with a team. If you manage to do this and keep up your talent, you will soon be earning mega bucks. A bonus of having a career within the sporting industry, is that you can guarantee that you will keep yourself fit and healthy, meaning it’s unlikely that you will have to worry about massive health care bills due to being unhealthy.

Of course, there are so many different jobs that you could study or apply for. Choosing a job that you’re passionate about is important too, so that you don’t end up dreading work every day. 

Good luck with your future career!

Friday, July 28, 2017

7 Financial Changes to Prepare for When You Have a Child

money steps for child
If you have a young child or you’re expecting a baby, you’re probably already aware of the financial implications of being a parent. Children don’t come cheap, and every parent will need to make some financial adjustments to ensure the child is provided for properly. It’s often best to make these changes before the child arrives, because when he/she is here, you may not find the time to concentrate on making the right choices. Here’s what you need to consider for your family’s financial future.

Health Insurance

If you have to pay for health insurance, you’ll need to consider all the costs of raising a child. The first thing you’ll need to consider is your birthing plan. Consider the costs of medical care during labour and your hospital stay. Does your insurance cover you for everything? You’ll then need to add your little one to the insurance policy to make sure your baby is covered in the event of a medical emergency.

Car Insurance

When you and your baby are ready to go home, the first place your baby will go is your car. The journey from the hospital to your home can be an emotional and exciting one. Finally, you get to settle your child in its own bed and accept visits from family and friends. So, it’s important that you’re protected during that journey. Make sure your car insurance is up to date. If you’re in an unfortunate accident at any point with your child, the quality of your personal injury attorney will make all the difference. Find someone with experience and recommendations.

Household Budget

The budget you’re used to before the baby will dramatically change when baby arrives. They may only be small, but they require a lot of financial commitment. You’ll go through tons of diapers, wipes, formula and clothing. Not to mention any medical supplies, like teething gels or pain killers. If you have a disposable income, start saving it a few months ahead of the birth. It can help to cover essentials as well as any loss in income due to maternity or paternity leave. Many new families can find the financial adjustment difficult to deal with initially, but once you understand how much you need to set aside per month for your child, you’ll begin to get into a good financial routine.

Life Insurance

Many young couples don’t bother with life insurance, especially if each of them is earning a good wage. However, the circumstances change when a child comes into the picture. You now have a little human who is relying upon you to survive and thrive. If anything were to happen to either parent, that child may be robbed of the financial future you have planned. Having a life insurance policy in place will mean that your child is provided for if the worst should happen.

Child Care

No parent really wants to face it, but there will come a time when maternity leave ends and you may have no choice but to leave your child in the care of another while you go back to work. There are two downsides: the first is that you’ll miss your child and the second is that you’ll need to find the money for child care. You need to weigh up how much money you’ll lose and whether it’s worth returning to work. Either way, many families face a financial loss.

Child’s Future

A college education doesn’t come cheap, and there are thousands of students fighting for the same scholarships. A child’s future is something you need to start preparing for as early on as possible. Who will pay for your daughter’s wedding when the time comes? There are so many wonderful milestones that require you to put money away. Start a savings account early and put in whatever extra cash you can gather together. You’ll be thankful for it one day.

Events

It goes without saying that your child will have a birthday every year. Add that to Christmas, Easter, graduations, prom and every other event in a child’s life and the financial implications for parents are downright scary. However, if you prepare for these events in plenty of time, you’ll spared the heart attack you may have when you find out how expensive these occasions can be. Take at least a few months before each event to prepare financially.

Raising a child can be a financial struggle at times, and there may be times when your child has to go without or doesn’t quite get what they want. Don’t worry, they’ll survive!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Small Business Should Employ These Strategies To Reduce Tax

tax cutting
Every small business wants to grow, but it can feel like the government’s policies are biting so hard into profits, that’s hardly worth all the effort. It should be clear for everyone, that tax evasion is wrong, and should anyone be caught doing it, they will be taken up by the law. However, smart tax strategies are totally legal. Small businesses can struggle when managing their finances against their larger competitors, and any kind of global slowdown will affect them more so than the large corporations. Being tax-wise is being wise in general, because, you shouldn’t be paying more than you have to. After all, you’re going to use the profits you make, to research and find better solutions to your products. You may also want to expand and hire more staff, but it can feel like you’re being punished for becoming a successful business. 

S-corporation status

You should make an s-election application on your LLC and have it ready for the new tax year, ready to be used in all your business ventures. However, you’ll be vouching for a level 1 corporate status, putting you in the lower bracket of taxes. It’s simple and affordable to file the proper paperwork. However, since you’re applying to the government, via the IRS, it may take some time. They will need large amounts of information and require the relevant payroll details that are taken out of the company. You must also take some payroll for yourself if you want to make the election. You should use the right tax attorney who cares for your needs, so you can apply for your business to be seen as a corporation. The services of such a legal instrument are needed, especially when dealing with the IRS, so you are protecting your business from unforeseen errors, however innocent they may be.

Set yourself a payroll

Newly elected owners of an s-corporations must also complete their payroll forms before the tax year is over in order to qualify. Don’t wait until the end of the fourth quarter because the IRS will need prior warning to your application. A late payroll confirmation will potentially trigger an IRS audit, which will take precedence over your s-election. Valuable time will be lost, and a somewhat intrusive inspection of all your legalities will be done by the government. This is to stop many business owners from avoiding tax, while also paying themselves a salary from their business. In a sense, some people use their own business as a cushion to avoid paying the proper business owner’s tax. By setting yourself a payroll, you clearly indicate that you personally profit from your business, therefore the correct tax rate can be set after a successful s-election application. 

Pay less by paying more

If a spouse works for you, you should be putting them on the payroll too. The more money you technically ‘lose’ by paying out a salary from the profits you make, the less corporation tax you will pay. Although you may be applying to go onto a level 1 status of the tax bracket, this is subject to change, hence the stringent IRS rules. You should also put your children on the payroll for any service they provide your business. This way, the money stays within the family, helping you with household bills and general life expenditures. Yet, you will pay less tax, because your spouse and children, will be counted as employees.

A vehicle purchase

Purchasing a vehicle, under business expenses will reduce the tax you’ll pay for the year. A business with a truck, or SUV, should be over a certain threshold, subject to your state or regional laws. If you’re in need of a new vehicle, buying a car, under the pretence of a business vehicle, the purchasing price will factor in a deduction. Discuss this option with your tax advisor, or business consultant to get a wider picture of your options. The vehicle will need to be shown with visual evidence and documentation. The vehicle should have stickers and decals of your business to make it look professional and more convincing when proving the evidence to the tax man. 

Keep records

Keep a record of all your expenses and the amount of tax you paid per year. Should you need to reconsider a spending strategy, it’s crucial to make changes based on evidence of your own business workings. Make informed decisions so you can have the best year-end tactic to implement. Bookkeeping is a great way to keep tabs on all spending and studying where you’re overspending.

It’s perfectly sound, to pay as little tax as you are required by the law. Small businesses need all the help they can get, and sometimes, only you can provide that help to your business. Do not veer away from proper legal practice. There’s a fine line between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Morally speaking, make sure any money you save from paying low taxes, goes back into your business, creating more wealth and providing the economy with more jobs.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Top Cities To Live in For Those With Student Loan Debt (Study)

debt for students
Finding a place to live depends on a variety of factors. For those who are trying to pay down student loan debt, and climb out of the debt hole they’re in, the cost of living is a primary concern. Targeting cities where these costs are lower is a great way to balance your budget. It will also ensure that you have enough flexibility to continue making consistent loan payments.

Beyond the cost of living, there are other factors for recent graduates to consider. Join us as we examine these considerations and discover excellent places to live for student loan borrowers.

The Best Places to Live For Students With Loan Debt

Looking at the cost of living is an important start. What is the average rent or mortgage payment in the city you’re considering? Beyond this, you should also consider factors like these: 

Taxes - what kind of sales tax or state income taxes are present in the state you’re considering?
Employment - What kind of job opportunities are present in the area where you’re clearing?
Real Estate Value - Consider the value on the home you would be purchasing. Does it offer good value if you decide to sell later?
Crime statistics - You should check to see the crime rates so you know you’re choosing a safe place to live.
Education - If you pay off your student loans and decided to go back to school for a master’s degree, what kind of schools are in the area where you’re looking?

Considering these things is important, but the ultimate factor will be the cost of living. To help students struggling with loan debt, Credible published a study that examines the best and worst cities to live for borrowers. To compile this data, the study targeted the top 23 most populated U.S. cities.

The study took the average income of borrowers in each of the cities, and factored in things like housing payments and average monthly loan payments. Through this, the answers became clear.

Take a look below for the results of this study, and let us know which cities you would recommend for borrowers paying off student loan debt in the comments!

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Buy To Sell: The Reseller’s Handbook

buying or selling business
In the past, running your own buying and selling business took a lot of work. You’d have to travel around and keep in touch with contacts to find items to buy. Then, with a good level of stock, you’d have to open a shop to sell the goods in. All this is very expensive. Thankfully, though, the Internet has made this sort of job a whole lot easier. Nowadays, buying and selling is just a matter of making a few clicks on the right boxes. To help you out with this, this post will be going through some of the attributes you should look for in your purchases, and how to sell them on for a profit.

This whole endeavour can begin with a single purchase. You don’t need a lot of money to start out, just enough to buy something big enough to make a good profit. The item you choose will have a huge impact on the time it takes to sell and the money you get from it, so it’s important to think carefully. Below, you’ll find some of the qualities you need to look for in products like this. With these in mind, it should be easy to find good products to sell.

Is it on sale?

It’s much easier to sell new products online than it is to sell old ones. So, for this reason, to make a profit, you need to look for goods which are on sale when you buy them. Using this method, all you have to do is wait for the item to go off of sale before you sell it. This will make the market price for the item higher, generating a greater profit. Of course, there’s more to it than seeking the sales, though.

Is it branded?

Branded goods sell a lot faster than non-branded ones. With this in mind, it’s best to look for goods which are made by a company which people will recognise. It’s hard to trust a company you’ve never heard of, putting a lot of people off. If you want to sell outdoor equipment, a company like Thule could be perfect for you. They have a large product range of popular goods, and you can usually find their items on sale. Or, if you’d prefer to sell smaller items, you could look for branded goods on wholesale sites like DHGate or AliExpress.

Can you undercut the competition?

Finally, you need to consider whether or not you will be able to undercut the other goods on sale without losing money. Before you buy something, you should research its trends on websites like eBay and Amazon over the last few months. If items have been consistently selling well at the same price, and it’s a price you can beat, it’s definitely worth investing. Products which will force you to charge more, though, you should simply avoid.

Once you have some goods to sell, it’s time to start putting them online. eBay is one of the best sites for this, thanks to its huge user base and cheap listing prices. Use accurate titles and descriptions, including as much information about the product as you can. If you’re brave, you could try and auction the goods, relying on bidding wars to give you a good profit. Or, you could use a normal buy-it-now method, allowing you to decide the price they goods sell for. If you find a product taking a long time to sell, it can be worth lowering the price a little. But, be careful not to lose out on too much capital.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working on your own online business. A lot of people have managed to create good earners through methods like this. With the right dedication, you’ll find it easy to keep turning over a profit.

Monday, July 24, 2017

What Are You Owed?

finance way
When you’re trying to balance the budget in the hopes of finding a better financial future for you and your family, there is one crucial area you may overlook. While you’re filling in your income and expenditure, seeing what you have left at the end of the month, and understanding where your money goes - this overlooked area could make a crucial difference.

What are you owed?

You might think on the surface that there’s relatively little that you’re owed. If you receive your wages every month and all seems to be in order, you might think that that’s the end of the story and you don’t need to be concerned.

The truth is, any adult is often owed money from a variety of sources at any one time. As life is busy and few of us have the spare mental energy to keep a logbook of all our outstanding monies, it’s easy - over the years - for these amounts to be forgotten. They often take time and effort we don’t feel we have to track them down. 

However, if you do have money owed to you, then you’re doing your finances no favors by continuing to overlook it. While it might not add up to enough money to solve all of your financial concerns, if you look in the right places, the amounts could add up to a chunk of change that will make a big difference. So where should you be looking?

#1 - Compensation

Compensation comes in many forms. It comes from an online store when they make an error with your order, leaving you waiting for it to be rectified. Then there is the more conventional form of compensation that comes via a car accident lawyer in the aftermath of a crash. Or it could just be a company compensating you for loss of time or not supplying an agreed service, such as your broadband not working as it should, or your phone line having excessive static on it.

It’s not petty to chase down these areas of compensation; they’re all about righting a wrong. If you have suffered through a misfortune that was due to the fault of another person, then you’re well within your rights to ensure you get what you deserve. 

#2 - Outstanding Loans

A friend asking if you can spot them $10 for dinner; your sister asking to borrow $100 which she’ll pay back on her next payday; another friend promising to pay you back the $50 for the concert tickets but never handing over the cash - they all add up. Just there there are three situations that many of us find ourselves in, totaling $160 - or at least 20 hours work if you earn the minimum wage.

Asking people for money back doesn’t need to be awkward. Do it by email, framing the problem as an embarrassed request, stressing that your own finances are really tight and anything they could offer back would be hugely appreciated. You loaned it on the expectation you would see that cash again; don’t be embarrassed about getting what rightfully belongs to you.

#3 - Work Hours

We mentioned your paycheck, but how often do you scrutinize what exactly you have been paid for? It’s worth making sure everything - including any overtime or late nights - has been paid as it should have been. If you find a discrepancy, raise it with the accounting team at your work; they should rectify it ASAP.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

What are Open Ended Mutual Funds?

money funding
Mutual funds are all the rage at the moment and even many conservative investors have begun investing in Mutual Funds systematic investment plans. There is however, perpetual confusion overwhat do open-end funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds mean? Open-ended funds are available in most developed countries, though terminology and operating rules vary. U.S. mutual funds, UK unit trusts and OEICs, European SICAVs, and hedge funds are all examples of open-ended funds.

While they are all essentially mutual funds, each of these fund types are structured differently. Open-end mutual fund shares are bought and sold at their net asset value, also known as NAV and this is determined by several factors, one of which is linked to the value of the fund's underlying securities. It is generally calculated at the close of every trading day.

Majority of open-ended funds are actively managed, which means that a portfolio manager decided what to buy & sell, whereas ETFs or index funds are now growing in popularity. Open ended mutual funds offer retail investors an easy and low-cost way to pool their money to purchase a diversified portfolio that reflects a particular investment objective. In contrast, closed-end funds typically have a fixed number of shares that are traded among investors on an exchange.

Similar to stocks, their share prices are determined according to supply and demand. Exchange-traded funds or ETFs also trade like stocks on an exchange. Index funds are open-end funds that attempt to replicate an index, such as the S&P 500, and therefore do not allow the manager to actively choose securities to buy.

You also don't need a large corpus to invest in open ended Mutual Funds. However, this does not meant that open-end funds are always the best option and other fund types are inferior in terms of returns. Many experts are divided on whether or not the structure of a closed-end fund works better than an open ended fund.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Could Your Next Property By Your Cash Cow?

cash cow property
Your property is fundamentally a place for you to rest your head at night and raise a family, but that’s not all it is. In fact, a property can be so much more: it can be a chance to create a place in your image, and then invite other people to come and experience your world for a short period. If you’re looking for a new property, it’s worth thinking about the other benefits it might bring beyond just a place to call home. In this day and age, the investment virtues of property are unparalleled.

Emerging Markets

We’re living in a golden age of travel, and don't let anybody tell you different. With the influx of cheap air travel, more disposable income, and great inter connectivity, more people than ever before are packing their bags and seeing the world. If you buy a property in a place that has a unique selling point for would-be tourists, then you’ll be able to open up a guest house and invite people from across the country and globe into your home. People’s lust for travel has never been as strong; could you tap into the market?

Finding a Spot

Of course, not every home is fit to be a guest house. If it’s located in an area that is not of any interest to travellers, then it’ll be doomed to fail. Pick somewhere that offers something unique to people. These types of places can usually be divided into two areas: city and nature. If you have a house or apartment in a well-visited city, you’ll be in a good position to market your home to guests. The same goes for country life. If you’ve always dreamed of owning a guest house out in the country, then get more info at Ranch Marketing and start turning your dream into a reality. You’ll have people from all over the world coming to visit your beautiful home. 

Blending Passion with Business

Of course, it’s not just a simple matter of buying a property and letting the tourists do the rest. It’ll also be your home, and it’ll take a lot of hard work to make a property profitable, so you’ll need to buy a place that is inherently connected to your passion. If you’re passionate about the outdoors and all the recreational opportunities connected to it, then a ranch like we mentioned above would be suitable. If your passion is eco-friendly, progressive tourism, then finding an off-grid place to call home would be right for you!

Deciding If It’s Right

It’s not just a matter of buying a home, putting in an extra bed, and then waiting for that sweet tourist money to roll in. You’ll have to get the necessary approval from the local authorities, and also put in a lot of investment in to make sure that it’s not just able to host guests, but able to show them a great time. However, if you’re looking to buy a property and make it your world, then it’s a great option to have.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

The Ugly Truth About Property Investment

time for property investments
Any expensive purchase needs careful consideration of the risks, benefits, and effect it will have on your life. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you may ever make in your life. Regardless of whether you are buying it as your forever home, or as an investment, there are many aspects to consider still. The excitement of the potential investment can often delude many into forgetting some of the risks involved. 

Considering what you can afford now, not what you predict you can afford in 10 years. By ensuring you can pay the mortgage repayments each month is one of the most important aspects when considering what and where to buy. Many people overestimate their budget, or even worse still predict they will get a pay rise, when in fact, they may not. Rather than predicting you will shortly be able to afford that expensive terrace house in the middle of the city, it may be worth looking at some home and land packages that are available. It is always best to speak to a financial advisor first to see whether you're financials will still be secure in the unlikely event of an emergency. You can not predict what may happen in the future, and rather than blowing the whole budget on one deposit, it is best to see what your alternatives may be. 

Another important element to consider is if you are buying with another person, how will it affect you? Many people often share the cost of their home deposit with a loved one or a close friend, not considering any future predicaments they may encounter with that person. If you have ever experienced a breakdown in a relationship or friendship, you will understand how difficult it can get. In the case of sharing the purchase of a home, it is important both parties communicate clearly, and efficiently. It is important that all that possess ownership make executive decisions together regarding the property. If there is a breakdown in communication, it can be difficult for even the smallest of issues such as minor repairs. Unless you are 100% certain this will not happen, try and avoid buying property with another party.

As soon as you tell someone that you are considering purchasing a new home, you will come across many people who will try to offer you advice along the way. Listen to others advice, don’t necessarily take it. Although they may have experience with something such as investment, finances or even real estate, it is important to remember that you know yourself best. Someone trying to convince you to buy in a city you don't particularly like just because they feel the area will go through a property boom can be annoying. It is best to do your research and stick to your instincts. Although property growth is an important aspect of a house investment, it is always important to be happy where you live. 

It is important to find the best area for you that will still offer the best investment opportunities. Always remember to consider your budget and the risk of sharing the cost of a purchase, as well as researching your options.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Major Life Decisions: Know When To Invest And When To Avoid

time for investments
Navigating your way through life is challenging enough, so making major financial decisions will feel daunting. However, if you use your money wisely and make sure that you’re as well-informed as possible when it comes to where to invest it; the rewards can be well worth the initial time and effort. The following are some areas to consider if you’re thinking about what to do with your money, and will help you to decide on where to invest, and more importantly, where you should avoid putting your cash. 

Education

Education is often an extremely effective way to invest in your personal growth, along with your qualifications and career development. Therefore, if you’re sat on the fence when it comes to starting a new course or taking on extra training, and you’re unsure whether to spend your money or not; you need to weigh up the potential results. If you are stuck in a job that doesn’t fulfill you on any level, because you can’t pay your bills and receive no job satisfaction or development; it’s time to start thinking about retraining. Take into account your current experience and qualifications before you pay to begin something. You don’t want to have completed a college course, only to find out that you lack in the other areas needed for a particular job role.

If you’re able to start a course or degree and have researched thoroughly into how it will lead you towards a job and career that you’re happy with; it’ll be worth both your time and investment. You will have to sacrifice things as you study; you may have to downsize in your accommodation and limit your lifestyle so that you can afford to retrain and keep up with your deadlines. You might also have to continue to work to pay your rent and bills alongside regularly visiting a college; so your life will take a major impact, and it won’t be an easy road. However, once you’ve worked out your time management and you’re out the other side and working in a job that fulfills you and pays better than your previous roles, you’ll realize how smart your decision to make a change was and how much you appreciate it.

There are some career paths that allow you to train as you work. Therefore if you’re prepared to get stuck in at the very bottom of the ladder and work your way up, your investment in your new position will pay off in the long run. Bear in mind that there are ways to save the money that you are currently earning, which will give you the freedom to take some time out to study and learn in the near future; it might just be a case of a little patience and a lot of determination to get where you want to be. If you’re willing to invest in education and training, you want a career change and improvement, but you’re a little stuck on where to begin; take a look here: http://www.careershifters.org/expert-advice/how-to-change-career-when-you-have-no-idea-what-youre-doing for some advice and tips.

Property

So, you’ve investing your time and money into getting your career to where you want it, and you’re earning a regular salary or wage; now’s the time to start thinking about building up your property and any long term real estate investments you could make. Property can either break or make you financially; so, to ensure you’ve made the right investment for a comfortable life, you’ll need to do your research and make some smart decisions. Flipping homes can be a lucrative business to invest in; however, you’ll need to know the market like the back of your hand and be able to understand the processes that are involved in a profitable sale.

If you feel that you should be relocating to a new area, or have fallen on difficult financial times; property can be your money savior. You can seek help and advice on how to sell your home for the best price, and there are companies who will buy your property from you, no matter what condition it’s in. Handing over the responsibility of resale to another party could give you the income of cash that you need as soon as possible and will take the time, stress, and strains away from doing it all yourself; making it a valuable investment.

The real estate market waits for no-one, so take the chance to buy and sell when you can; but, you must ensure that you’re making informed choices and aren’t swayed by impulse. Rash decisions and choices when it comes to property will cost you a lot in the long run; however, if you’re smart about it, you’ll have set up te beginning of a comfortable life for you and your family. For more tips and ideas on real estate investment, take a look here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-agrawal/5-basic-tips-for-investing-in-real-estate_b_9072532.html and ensure that you’re making all the right moves in the property market.

If you are considering buying your first home; take into account the location and whether the prices are likely to rise before you plan to move on, so that you know you’re money will and assets value will increase. Avoid houses that are in declining areas, or have too much work that needs doing to them, just because they’re a quick and cheap sale; you’ll regret it in the long run and will have wasted your cash. Choose a property that will allow you and your family to grow over the next few years, and that should increase in value steadily with the rest of the market, so that you can sell with ease in the future. Know when to call in the professionals to buy your house, or to renovate for resale, so that you don’t waste any time and more of your money in trying to do it all yourself. 

Transport

You might think that transportation, or more specifically your vehicle of choice, is an unusual thing to put on a list about major life investments. However, a car will lose value the second that you drive it away from the showroom; so it’s worth making extra effort to choose one wisely and ensure that it will last for the years ahead. Unless you have plenty of cash to splash on whatever you like; you need to make a list of all the factors that your mode of transport will impact.

If you commute each day, whether it’s to work or college; work out whether it would be cost-effective to run a car, or you’d be better off investing in a long term pass for public transport. Take into account the convenience factors too; think about whether you’ll be able to park your car for free, or if you’ll have to pay for a parking spot each day, and how that compares to your public transportation option. If the convenience of driving to work each day outweighs any savings you’ll make taking the bus; then a car might be the correct choice for you. However, if running a vehicle will make a major dent in your wallet each month, and you could quarter the expense by getting on the train in the morning; reconsider visiting that car showroom this weekend and keep thinking of the money you're saving by not having one.

If you do decide that a car is a wise investment; consider secondhand and fuel-efficient options that will help you to save your hard-earned money. For some tips and ideas on what to look out for when you’re buying a vehicle, take a look here so you can make a smart choice. Taking good care of your car, and maintaining it properly, will ensure that you’ll be more likely to get a decent price for it when you decide to sell and upgrade your vehicle. Regular garage visits, washing the car inside and out, and protecting it from extreme and harsh weather conditions are a great place to start when looking after your investment.

Experiences

Vacations, traveling, and seeing what the world has to offer, will enrich your life and give you an education that no institution ever could. However, you need to ensure that you have the cash in the bank to set off, and crucially, you’ll need to prepare and plan for when you return. Short trips and vacations are the perfect way to get a taster of places that you want to spend time in, and you’ll be able to return back to work and home life with ease. Take advantage of special deals and offers on traveling across the country and overseas when they pop up, and try to have a contingency in your bank account for when these discounts pop up.

If you feel that you want to spend more time traveling and exploring new environments, then much like when you saved to retrain; you’ll need to regularly put money aside to fund a future trip. You can always work abroad, as long as you’ve sorted out the correct visas and permits; however, it’s always a wise idea to have a buffer put away. You’ll need to have a life when you return, so saving while you’re away is another way to earn some extra income, and will give you time to figure things out when you’re back in the country. As long as you work hard and make smart spending choices; there’s no reason you can’t lead an enjoyable and fruitful life and be financially comfortable too.

Monday, July 3, 2017

How Keeping A Close Eye On Your Finances Can Help Them Flourish

finance to flourish
Personal finance can be a minefield to most people. Having money is great, but it can be so hard to keep track of and even control. So, more often than not, you find yourself not doing anything - which can be the most dangerous option. When you let your finances run themselves and spend freely, you can often be doing your financial future a huge disservice. Not only is it careless, but you could also be losing out on a wealth of financial benefits.

When you can grasp a better control over your finances, they often tend to flourish. Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or you’re doing okay, but you need better control, being able to keep a close eye on what’s happening with your money is a simple way to improve your situation. There are certain areas that you should aim to channel your time and energy into. When you do this, you may find that you’re able to not only improve your current financial standing, but also boost your money too. To figure out just how this could work for you. Take a look at the different areas to spend your time on and see if your finances can flourish.

Know The Breakdown Of Your Income

First of all, one of the most effective thing you can do during this process is to know what income you have. And that doesn’t mean just how much you get paid as your salary each month. Even if you do just have one set salary, it’s important to know what that’s made up of. Do you know what deductions you have, or even the amount of tax you pay? Without knowing these figures, how are you going to know that they’re right?

Understand Your Expenses

But lining up your income and knowing that your deductions are correct is just one side of things. You should also aim to keep a close eye on your expenses too. You may want to use some budgeting and personal finance apps to help you with this, but either way, knowing exactly where your money goes each month is an important part of both taking control of your finances and keeping them down.

Drill Down Those Bills

Now you know where you’re money is going, you’re going to want to work on bringing those bills down. You may even be surprised by some of the amounts that you’re paying, or even the things that you’re paying for. Cancel what you don’t need, reduce your fixed plan amounts and do what you can to save on those monthly expenses. By watching them like a hawk, they should always stay down.

Know Your Rates

You should also make sure that you know exactly what interest rates you’re paying (and getting) for what. When it comes to your bills and your loans or credit cards, you need to know exactly what interest rates you’re paying. Then, you can try to bring down the cost in any way that you can, or opt for pay for things outright rather than on credit. Plus, when it comes to savings, you want those rates to be as high as possible.

Check Your Entitlement

Sometimes, you may find that you’re entitled to support, credits, or refunds due to your circumstances. But the only way that you’re going to find that out is to ask. Without knowing, you’ll never find out. So, you may want to calculate earned income credit, speak to your local state department, or even look into different schemes that can help you when you’re struggling. But without the research, you’ll never know if you qualify.

Write Everything Down

If you’ve thought about setting yourself a budget, or making savings commitment, in order to make sure they stick, you’re going to want to write them down. Keeping a close eye on your finances means that you have to start being accountable for them. And writing things down helps with that. If you want to stick to your commitments, setting them in stone can help to make it happen.

Own Those Debts

When you’re in debt, you often feel like hiding away and pretending like the amounts piling up just don’t exist. But that never helps. Instead of burying your head, you need to take action. Work to bring them down and get rid of them. Sometimes, speaking to your providers can help. They can let you know of any special rates or promotions they can offer you to make your debts more cost-effective and help to get rid of them quicker.

Top Up Your Income

When you start to look deep into your financial situation, you may realize that you need to bridge a gap between your income and expenditure. But only keeping an eye out can help you to see that. So, now that you know, you may want to look into ways to boost your income. Alongside selling things, you may also want to look at the ways you can earn money online, or even start your own small business on the side.

Boost What You Have

If you’re looking closely, you may start to notice that there is one thing that you can make a bit more money on that seems to cost you the earth - your home. Sometimes, you can profit from property and free up some cash by doing up your home, selling it and moving to someplace new. But that’s not your only option. You may also want to think about renting out a room or some storage space for a bit of extra cash.

Get What you Deserve

Finally, you’re going to want to make sure that you chase after any money that is owed to you or that should rightfully be yours. Over the years, if you have ever been mis sold any financial products, you should look into claiming that money back. But if you don’t look into things, you’ll never know. Whether you want to get a refund on interest, or compensation, be sure to check what you’re entitled too. You could be surprised by the amount you’re owed.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Houses vs Apartments: What Determines Their Comparative Values?

apartments or houses
You might be looking for a buy to rent property, or you may just be looking for a new place to call home. You’ve probably already decided if you want an apartment or a house! But if you’re still in the earlier stages of such a decision, then you may still be a little stuck. A house may seem like way too much money when compared to an apartment… but what if it offers more value for money?

The question of value for money when it comes to houses vs apartments is an interesting one - and we’re going to explore a few of the unique aspects of each that make a difference in this field.

City living

City living is more affordable if you’re actually in the city. Those who want an apartment instead of a house will usually find better deals in the city because there’s much more supply of apartments than there are houses. If you need to be in the city on a regular basis, then a house somewhere outside the city could end up costing you more in the long-term due to travel expenses

However, you need to remember that price fluctuations can hit cities harder than suburbs. You should research recent property life cycles in the area of the city you’re interested in. In either case, you should ensure you consider city living or suburban living when you use a mortgage calculator to assess what you can afford. You may find that you’re able to afford a house in the city, as long as it’s not in too affluent a neighborhood. Los Angeles is a good example of a city that has a large supply of houses - but some of those houses are in Beverly Hills!

Neighbors

A lot of people forget that noisy disruptive neighbors can cause quite a drop in property value!, The effects of this will be even worse if neighbors are unable to keep their children quiet or have very loud pets, because people tend to recognize that such noise levels are unlikely to change via kind requests or even threat of legal action.

How close you are to the neighbors, and how likely interacting with them will be, will have a bigger impact on the property value than you may have originally imagined. When it comes to independence from neighbors, detached houses are much more trustworthy!. Noisy neighbors are less likely to affect the value of a detached house than noisy neighbors in an apartment complex, where you may get a lot of noise from the right, the left, and above and below you! 

Safety

Apartments usually offer a stronger sense of security than a house - criminals are simply a lot less likely to break into apartments. Homes are an easier prospect because they can be accessed directly from the outside through at least three of its sides. Depending on the neighbourhood, this may cause huge differences in the value of these properties.

Let’s say you know of a desirable area of the city that nevertheless is victim to occasional crime. You may consider dismissing the area completely - but apartments and houses aren’t at equal risk of that crime, so there won’t be equal decreases in value.