3 Kids and Us

How to Choose the Best Car Insurance for Your Family

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It has that wonderful new-car smell, it comes with plenty of leg room for all your little ones, and it’s spacious enough to get all of your camping gear without feeling confined for a single moment. It’s a great feeling when you get that awesome ride for you and your youngsters, as you can already envision all the adventures that lie ahead. However, owning a car, especially when you use it to take your kids to school or soccer practice every day, let alone those lengthy trips, comes with a high level of responsibility.

It takes time to get to know your car, to learn how often you need to fill the tank, how well it handles weather changes, and how reliable it is on the road. But all of those factors aside, having a peace of mind means insuring your car properly and for all those specific family needs you’ll have. So, before you schedule your first test fishing trip ride, let’s see how you can pick the right insurance and enjoy your family car hassle-free!

Ask around

Much like with anything else you want to buy and use every day, and especially something as important as this particular safety feature, you want to see how happy other customers may be with any given insurance policy. Talk to your friends and family about their own insurances and see what perks they have, and if any of them are suitable for your own family.

On the other hand, talking to independent repair shops can be another way to learn useful information. They won’t benefit personally whether you go to one insurance company or another, and they have plenty of first-hand experience when it comes to people who have filed claims with many of them. You should always go for financially stable, reliable names in the business, even if some of their rates might be slightly higher.

Check for pricing options

Now that we’re on the topic of pricing, one could assume that the highest price always comes with the most perks, but since you have a specific situation, learning more about your price options depending on the package can make a difference in choosing the right policy.

The key here is not to be lazy or quick to make the call – use this time to get at least three or more quotes from different agencies, in order to evaluate which one fits your budget as well as your needs. Maybe the initial rate could be higher for a particular company, but they might offer reward programs for reliable drivers, or discounts on joint insurance for spouses. Check all the boxes with your insurance quotes before you eliminate your options.

Prioritize your needs

Every family is different, and as you get to know your first family car, you can already understand what you will need your policy to contain both in order to keep it affordable, and to increase safety. Have your car evaluated for its existing safety features and consider all the situations when you’ll be using it. What would an ideal policy ensure in addition to cost-effectiveness for your wallet?

Perhaps a fast-responding customer service for any of your inquires, or a more flexible policy that gives you more wiggle-room in case an unwanted situation occurs. Depending on where you live, you will see if it’s best to focus on fire and hazard protection, or burglary and theft. All these factors will affect the final price range, so make sure to cover your bases and discuss them with your insurance agent.

Know your insurance basics

We’ve already established that there is no templated solution for all family cars, and considering your own situation, you should also start a conversation by getting educated about the basics of each insurance policy. Make sure you know what the legal minimum is for your country, as having third-party protection often is the starting point for each policy. However, you should also protect your family and your vehicle with insurance that gives you access to a courtesy car in case your needs fixing, as well as a rescue service for those unexpected mishaps on the road.

Essentials such as windscreen repairs and replacements and lost or stolen keys are other details to keep in mind, but when it comes to your personal belongings, each policy comes with a different minimum rate they cover. All in all, education is key before you start a conversation with your chosen insurance agency, and it’s best to armed with information so that you find that ideal policy for your new family car!

Just a Handful of Reasons Why a Ford Should Be Your Next Car Choice

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If you are on the lookout for a new car then you will know that this can be a confusing decision to make. With so many makes and models about there, so many mixed reviews about cars and of course, a wild variation of prices, it can be challenging for you to select which your next car will be. Having owned over 15 cars during my lifetime, I can honestly say that I have never owned a better car a Ford, and they are now the only cars that I will buy. I wanted to write this piece then, to let you know just why I love Fords, and why I think that it would be your best choice to get one as your next car.

Great Value

In almost every range of car on offer across the market, Fords will almost always come in cheaper than the competition. This lower price is not only on the new models either, you can get a good deal on used Ford cars too! Ford is always competitive and will try their very best to offer the best value on the market.

Loyalty

A great indicator of just how great Ford cars really are is to take a look at their loyal following, thousands of people just like myself who have bought a Ford, and been so impressed with it that they have gone on to stick to the brand for their next car choice. A recent poll conducted by magazine Which! found that Ford have the largest amount of loyal customers than any other car brands, hard to argue with that.

Green Engineering

A great amount of consumers have a desire to buy cars which are environmentally friendly and that look to leave as little a carbon footprint as possible. Ford has been leading the way for many years when it comes to green engineering, and you can count on many of these eco-features as standard.

Perfect for Family

If you are looking to invest in a family car, you really cannot go wrong with a Ford. The reason behind this is because the majority of Ford models, be it an SUV, sedan, truck or even sportier models, are all designed with family in mind. Whether you are looking for a robust car, a safe car, a spacious car or all of the above, these are aspects that you will find in most models of Ford.

Low Cost of Ownership

Ford are constantly looking for ways in which they can reduce the cost of owning one of their cars, making these some of the best on the market for value. Fuel economy is always high in a Ford vehicle, parts are low cost because of the sheer volume of Fords on the road and insurance costs are some of the lowest when it comes to these vehicles, because they usually are very high in terms of safety.

These are just a few reasons why I love Ford cars, the truth is though, I could go on forever, why not make your next car a Ford?

Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Student Loan Refinancing

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Refinancing a student loan, as well as qualifying for any other type of loan, is a straightforward process for most people who have regular full-time jobs with a weekly salary. But when you’re an entrepreneur, it’s different.

Whether you are self-employed or own a small business, your income may fluctuate from week to week, monthly, or seasonally. A financial institution may not want to take a risk on the owner of a business with a short track record. However, in most cases, you can still refinance if you know how to prepare for the process. Here are a few tips to help.

Ask the Lender About Alternative Documentation

Full-time employees are required to provide copies of their last few pay stubs when refinancing student loans and other debts. Unless you’re the owner of a business that is structured to give you a regular paycheck, you won’t have that. Instead, your lender may be willing to accept bank statements and tax returns as proof of regular income. You will need to have a conversation with the lender to find out their policies about this and might need to shop around to find one that is accommodating.

Keep Excellent Business Records

Image via Flickr by 401(K) 2013

All business owners and freelancers should keep excellent records no matter what, but this is even more important if you might be seeking a new loan or a refinance — whether it’s for business or personal reasons. A lender will want to see growth from year to year to make sure your business is profitable and will continue to succeed. Having organized and thorough records also is a good indication that you’re responsible and good at managing finances.

Think Twice About Tax Write-Offs

Nobody wants to pay taxes. Many business owners scour their records for every possible tax credit and deduction they can claim to reduce their tax burden. However, when it comes to applying for a loan refinance, this can work against you. The lower the total income the business reports on its tax return, the less likely its owner will be approved for a loan refinance.

Boost Your Credit Score

Everyone should try to keep their credit score as high as possible, but this is especially important for an entrepreneur. Without a regular source of income, a lender needs proof that the borrower is good at paying bills on time, and the best indicator of that factor is a strong credit score. Experts agree that 750 is a good number to aim for before applying for refinancing.

Obtain a Co-Signer

If all else fails, you can ask a co-signer who has a regular full-time job to help you refinance. Often this is a parent or a spouse who has excellent credit and traditional employment.

If you’re bogged down by student loan debt, not only will refinancing save you a bundle of money, but it can also free up resources that you can invest in your business. If you’re an entrepreneur without a regular salary, don’t give up on the idea of refinancing. The results are worth the extra effort.

How to reduce your household expenses

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If you are concerned about your finances, it is important that you act fast to resolve the situation. After all, it’s your best chance of getting matters under control before you are landed in an enormous amount of debt and forced to change your lifestyle drastically. Although it is important to keep living in the way you desire, there should be some areas that you can subtly adjust. Doing so will help you to free up some funds and to pay off any debts. Why not begin with your household expenses? There are so many ways that you can reduce them to secure impressive savings. Below are six suggestions to get you started.

Taking care of your animals

Owning a pet can be expensive. That is why you need to keep your eyes peeled for money saving opportunities. Make sure that you do your research before going ahead with any purchases. For instance, if you are a dog owner, you should think about the meals that you are providing for your pampered pooch. It will give you a chance to compare your prices and to make sure that you are getting the best dog food for the money you are handing over. Once you have made this purchase, you will need to weigh each meal to make sure that you are not overfeeding your pet and wasting precious resources. Another step is to try grooming your animal at home. You could set up a washroom and invest in high-quality products. Although this will be expensive at first, in the long run, it will save you from paying someone else to do this for you.

Completing your weekly grocery shop

Next, you should think about saving money on your weekly grocery shop. If you are going to reduce your household expenses, you can’t afford to be throwing money away. That is why you should never buy a product unless you absolutely need it. You can ensure this by creating a meal plan for each week. Then, you can write out a grocery list that will help you to budget your purchases and to stick to your plan. Instead of relying on a scrap of paper that could easily be lost or torn, you should download a useful app. That way, you have no excuse for wandering off course. You could even download an app that allows your family to add to your list remotely. Creating a list will save you from forgetting any essentials and wasting precious time on a second trip to the store. Although you should be sticking to your list, you should also be on the lookout for any chances to buy items in bulk and to secure a one-off deal. Why not set yourself a financial goal for each week?

Paying your monthly bills

It is likely that a lot of your outgoing expenses involve paying your monthly bills. Whether this is your electric bill or your heating bill, it is vital that you are cutting costs wherever possible. You can do this by getting off the grid and creating your own energy. Not only will this help you to save money, but it could also help to save the environment and to boost the value of your property. If you don’t already have solar panels, now is the time to invest. You could even end up generating enough energy to sell back to the government. You should also invest in comprehensive insulation solutions, as this will prevent valuable heat from escaping your property. Additionally, you should switch your regular light bulbs to LED alternatives and encourage your loved ones to turn off their devices once they have finished with them.

Managing your technology

When it comes to your technology, you should also be evaluating your television subscriptions. If your family likes to explore a wide range of channels, you may be facing a large monthly bill. It is one area where you could be making a huge saving. Firstly, you will need to make sure that you aren’t paying for channels that you don’t watch. You will also need to compare the prices that you could be getting with other providers. Understanding your options could help you to negotiate a better deal, as the company that you are currently with will have to compete for your loyalty. Another thrifty tip is to ask your loved ones to charge their devices in public places. You should also be leading by example and do the same. It will save the sockets in your home from being switched on all the time. Perhaps you could charge your smartphone at your favorite coffee shop or take your power pack along to the local library.

Cleaning your property

Cutting down on your expenses shouldn’t stand in the way of you being house proud. Instead, it should simply evolve your attitude towards cleaning. Instead of hiring outside help, you should establish a chore chart for the whole family to follow. You could also save money by creating your own cleaning products as an alternative to store-bought solutions. Finally, you should endeavor to clean your own car, as this is another brilliant way for you to claw back some extra funds.

Keeping your family entertained

If you spend a lot of money on keeping your family entertained, you should write a list of fun and free activities that everyone will enjoy. Embracing a thrifty lifestyle will help your loved ones to respect their money and to create their own entertainment. Why not hold a weekly family meeting and encourage everyone to bring along at least one suggestion? You could spend time outdoors hiking or walking along the beach. You could attend a cultural event such as an open gallery or a community theatre performance. Or, you could strengthen your family bond by taking part in a charity run or an outdoor team sport. The most important thing is that you aren’t relying on your wallet to have a good time. It may take a little while for you to get used to this change, but it won’t be long until you’re all having fun.

Risky Business: High-Yield Investment Options Only the Truly Brave Should Try

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Investors can either play it safe or go all out and take on a whole load of risk. The riskier an investment is, the higher your return yield could be. Nearly all investors prefer to take on these high-return investments, but cannot manage the risk either financially or emotionally, but if you are drawn to the thrill of this type of investment, there are several risky but potentially lucrative investment methods to consider. As always, investors should weigh the risk against potential returns. When seeking massive returns, investors risk becoming gamblers, therefore, understand the exact amount of risk you face if you continue to seek over-the-top returns.

Buying and Selling Stocks Daily

Playing the stock market every 24 hours, known as day trading, is a highly risky form of investing, however, savvy traders can have their lucky break and possibly even become millionaires overnight. Traders tend to have an infamous reputation because they are taking on massive amounts of risk when buying stocks. Selling off purchased stock is never a guarantee. Regardless of these problems, professional traders can enjoy massive paydays, so the practice remains popular. Anyone can become a trader if they know the risks and understand that they could lose all their money. That’s not to say that you would. But if a trade goes wrong, you should be able to withstand the loss financially and psychologically. Start trading with a set amount, such as $1,000, that you can easily earn back. Never buy stock with money you actually need.

Investing in Emerging Markets

An emerging market is a country undergoing rapid economic development after years of underperformance. The biggest emerging market in recent history is China. There are many such countries today that could be categorized as emerging markets for investors to fund. Investing in an emerging market can really pay off, as seen in countries like China and South Korea. However, this can also go the other way. A prominent example is Brazil, once lauded as a major world economy that has since fallen apart due to corruption and violence. Emerging markets exist in countries with young governments and a history of war and unrest. The drawback, however, is that these very problems could crop up once more, threatening economic gains. War and unrest are certainly not elements that draw in investors. Despite these obvious risks, investing in an emerging market can pay off if the country continues to be successful. Think China. However, there are inherent political risks that cannot be shaken off. You should invest in emerging markets only if you can take on unexpected political risks.

High Yield Bonds

High yield bonds can be issued by either governments or companies. These bonds have one characteristic—extraordinary returns. For these eye-popping returns, the investor would be taking on extraordinary levels of risk as well. The problem with high yield bonds is that nearly 10 percent of them are junk bonds—worthless at the end of the day. Investors may double the risk of principal capital loss if