finance Archives - Page 8 of 8

Strategic Options for Emergency Expenses

July 7, 2017 by admin

It’s easy to say you should save money for emergencies. It’s even a really great plan, but it isn’t always possible. However, when you have the emergency situation under control saving as little as $10 a month can go a long way to preparing you for the next emergency. But what if you need the money right away?

Savings in Hidden Places

You may already have savings that you haven’t even thought about. There are several financial products you may have which you can tap into. If you have a life insurance policy, you may be able to withdraw a portion of the accumulated cash value of the policy. The amount which is available will depend on the policy size and the length of time you have been making payments towards the policy.

Other options include retirement accounts, private IRAs, and even college savings plans like the 529. If you have ever put money into any of these types of accounts you can probably withdraw at least a portion of the money. This should really only be considered as a last result, however, because it will almost certainly result in a tax penalty.

Installment Loans and Credit Cards

If you don’t have access to any type of savings but you do have a job, you may want to consider an installment loan. These are smaller loans that are available more quickly than a traditional loan and they are available to people who don’t have perfect credit. In the past, many people only had the option of a payday loan but these have a bad reputation for making financial difficulties worse.

Financial lending companies realized this and created small installment loans to give consumers a better option. If this is something you’d like to consider, get more info about the types of products and eligibility requirements in order to make a truly informed decision.

Another option may be to secure a credit card. This is a solution that requires a bit more forethought. You will need to obtain a credit card and then keep it set aside only for emergency use. The only problem is, most credit cards take several weeks to arrive in the mail which may be longer than you have in a true financial emergency. If you need money immediately the installment loan may be a better option.

Leverage the Gig Economy

The gig economy presents a fantastic opportunity for those who find themselves in need of emergency funds. If you have a special skill or reliable transportation you are well on your way to having the ability to make money quickly if the need arises.

There is always a high demand for people who are able to tutor students. If you have experience in a subject field and access to a computer, it is likely you can make some extra cash tutoring in your area of expertise. There are a large number of websites which are devoted entirely to helping students find tutors. Some of these offer direct employment and will take more time to begin earning money. Other sites offer the ability to complete the exchange between two individuals. Using free video conferencing and electronic payment methods such as Stripe or PayPal will allow you to begin tutoring foreign students in English almost immediately.

Writing is another career which allows people the freedom to take only the work they want and be paid upon completion. There are many companies who keep a pool of writers on hand to complete work as it comes in, signing up for one of these is an excellent way to establish yourself and have access to emergency funds. Alternatively, there are bidding sites that allow people who have a writing project to find freelance writers for single assignments.

If you don’t feel comfortable teaching or writing or even working online, there are plenty of gig opportunities that can be completed in person. Uber and other ride services allows almost anyone to turn their reliable mode of transportation into a money-making taxi. Other services allow individuals to deliver food, groceries, and complete other tasks for immediate payment.

When you need money quickly for an emergency it is always reassuring to have some hiding in savings. When that isn’t an option securing and installment loan or relying on a credit card are good options. Alternatively, having a fallback gig that brings money in quickly may also work. Ideally, you will cultivate a combination of methods so you have multiple options in an emergency.

Starting Out on the Right Road: Teaching your Kids to Be Savvy with Money

April 26, 2017 by admin

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Is your teenager already showing signs of money irresponsibility? Maybe you should have taught them about finances when they were little kids. Don’t worry, though. Money experts say it’s not too late to teach your kids how to build a budget. In the interest of happy families and easier money management, we’re pleased to present the following advice about how and when to teach youngsters ways to be savvy with their cash.

Age-appropriate money lessons

There are perfect ages to teach your kids certain concepts about cash. Between the ages of two and three is a great time to begin giving toddlers a rudimentary explanation about money. A senior research scientist at Yale, Dorothy Singer, says that very young kids are not quite ready to grasp the value of money but can learn the names of coins. Start with a fun identification game. Supervise kids as they trace around coins of different denominations. Color in the shapes and talk about the name of each coin. Explain how a dime, although smaller than a nickel, is worth more. They won’t get the idea of “worth” until they’re somewhat older, but it’s a good place to start. Set up a “store” in the game room and let kids exchange play money for empty cereal boxes and other grocery items, says Parents magazine.

Youngsters aged four and five are ready to handle a bit more money information. Let them use child-safe scissors to clip coupons before grocery shopping day. Six- and seven-year-olds may be old enough to receive a small weekly allowance. Open a bank savings account in their name, and teach your child the joy of tucking away some money every week. Spend some, share some, and save a little extra for a special future purchase.

Save for a reasonable goal

When your child wants a new toy, let them save money toward the purchase and offer to meet them halfway. Choosing a goal that can be attained within a few weeks sets your kid up for success. Say your child has a $10 toy in mind. If they save half of a $2 weekly allowance, they can amass their half of the price in five weeks. Match their five, buy the toy and let your child feel proud that they made a financial goal and reached it. This small act may improve your kid’s money management skills for the rest of their life, say money pros at Forbes magazine.

Set a good example

If your own money skills have been lax, don’t hesitate to consult with a credit counselor who may help you get back on the right track. Check here to learn more about credit card consolidation and other savvy ways to put your money life back together.

Kids who learn how to handle money at a young age tend to be smarter consumers as adults. Show your little ones how to spend, save, and share.

The Building Blocks of Financial Success: Teaching your Kids How to Handle Credit

April 25, 2017 by admin

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Choosing the right ways to prepare your teen for the financial responsibilities of adulthood can be daunting. Yet studies show that children who are taught strong financial habits while they’re still young are more likely to grow up to be savvy with their money.

A crucial part of learning financial independence is building good credit. Your teen’s credit score could be what helps them qualify for loans, better interest rates, auto insurance, rental applications, and even some types of employment.

There are plenty of tricks and tactics you can try, but in reality building up your teen’s credit is all about teaching them to be responsible with their money. When they learn financial responsibility, the result is that they’ll start building good credit.

Here are some tips for teaching your kids to handle credit wisely.

Add Your Teen as an Authorized User

Add your young adult as an authorized user on your credit card. Teach them about spending and payment responsibilities. Explain the charges on your credit card statement and add up the amounts they’ve accrued on your credit card account.

It’s normal for some teens to go crazy with spending the first time they get a credit card, but they need to understand the importance of repaying what they spend. Help them find positive ways to pay off the amounts they spend.

Choose the Right Card

If your teen has been responsible with spending and repaying the debts incurred as an authorized user on your credit card, encourage them to apply for a card of their own. Compare the different types of credit cards available and choose the right one to suit your young adult’s needs.

Check things like fees, interest charges, rewards programs, and other options. In some cases, a student credit card can be ideal. In other cases, it may be wise to choose a credit card with a low annual fee that offers interest-free days on purchases.

Avoid Temptation

Even teens can be inundated with credit card offers from banks, so it’s important to explain the importance of choosing the right card. Your teen also needs to realize that it’s not wise to accept all of those offers that come in from the banks.

Too many inquiries showing on a credit report can cause your teen’s credit score to suffer. No matter how many offers arrive from the bank, encourage your teen to avoid the temptation to sign up for all of them.

If your young adult has already succumbed to the bank’s offers and accumulated some debts, you could check here for ways to help them get their finances back under control.

Teach Responsible Card Management

Let your teen know it’s okay to use the credit card for small purchases, as this can help build up their credit. Small recurring expenses are also okay to put onto the credit card, such as Netflix subscriptions or groceries. However, you also need to explain the importance of repaying the amounts spent in full each month.

When it’s time for your teen to apply for student loans or other forms of credit, having a credit card statement showing no late payments goes a long way to establishing their level of financial responsibility.

What Is Home Equity and Why Should You Release it

February 25, 2017 by admin

You won’t be the first person to find yourself in a situation where luck just doesn’t seem to be on your side. We all face financial difficulties at some point or another, desperately needing money that simply isn’t available. If you are in that situation now, you may want to consider some of the home equity loans Florida has to offer. Your home is an important asset, and refinancing it could be a way to get you out of a difficult time. The home equity loan gives you that opportunity, providing you with quick access to money when you need it the most.

Understanding Home Equity Loans

A home equity loan is a line of credit that is placed against your home’s value. There is generally a cap on this, however, which is calculated by estimated the value of your property. Essentially, you can usually borrow no more than 75% to 85% of the total value of your home, provided you have good credit. From this value, the outstanding balance of your first mortgage has to be deducted first, however.

Home equity loans are delivered in different ways, although many give you a special credit card of check book that allows you to withdraw only the money that you actually require. Different lenders have different terms and conditions, however, and these set how long your loan will be running for, how long you will be able to withdraw money out of your equity, what the interest rates are, how much you can withdraw (minimum and maximum) each time you want to use it, and how you will repay your loan.

There are many different constructions within home equity loans. One, for instance, is when credit payments are made based solely on the interest that has to be paid on the loan. This means that, at the end of the loan, all that is left to pay is the balance. In other constructions, you will have a payment that is larger than usual, which is known as a balloon payment, which you will pay at the end of your loan agreement. Of particular interest is that you can generally deduct the interest you pay on your home equity loan from your taxes. This means that, if you manage your finances properly, your final payment could actually be very affordable. However, this is also why it is important that you seek out the services of a qualified financial advisor.

The alternative would be to take out a second mortgage. The benefit of this is that you will receive a lump sum of borrowed money. Usually, you will also be able to fix the interest rate, but this does tend to be higher than that on home equity loans. However, you have the security of knowing exactly what your payments will be each month. Again, this is why it is important to seek out solid financial advice before you decide which option will be best for your situation.

retired homeowner, you can use the equity in your home to your advantage by taking out a special type of home loan. That loan is called a reverse mortgage, and it is referred to as such because, unless you specifically choose a lump sum or some other loan payment option, you will receive payments from your lender each month to help you fund your retirement instead of the other way around. Other reverse mortgage pros and cons will depend on your situation. For example, you will still have to pay taxes when you efile for free on maintenance costs on your home when you apply for such a loan. However, you will not have to worry about defaulting because the loan balance will only be due in full upon your death or when you move away from the property. Also, your lender cannot seize any of your assets to recover the loan costs when the loan is due. Only money from the sale of the home can be taken by the lender.