Where you can save money with your sewing

Everyone likes to save money. With your sewing, it is easier to do than you might think. And…think about this, the more you save, the more you will have put aside when you want that special fabric or that new sewing machine. Here are a few ideas to help you save money with your sewing that you may not have thought of. Save buttons, zippers etc from clothing that has worn out. Keep a sectioned container and store these items, you will be surprised how often you can recycle. Always check the remnant table when in your fabric store, you will find some great bargains. Often times you can combine like colors in prints, stripes and plain fabrics into an outfit, and all from the remnant table. With the cute tops around, like the camisole styles, they take little fabric so the remnant table is often a great place to find fabric for these. You often see the plain color singlet style tops on sale, these can be made individual for just you, with beads, appliquйs, braiding, cording, embroidery, once again, your imagination can have a party. End of season pattern sales are a great place to stock up on patterns, they can go at very reasonable prices, great savings. If you buy end of season fabrics when they are on sale, you will have them to start your next wardrobe for next season. You will be a “season ahead” so to speak. Check out the Manchester stores and soft furnishings. I use a lot of soft furnishing fabric, mainly because they are different and you rarely see them made up into fashion garments. When flat sheets are on sale, they usually are really fantastic prices, they can make up into wonderful curtains, or join two to make a duvet/quilt cover, sew around the edges, leave one end open, add buttons and buttonholes and ….viola!!! a new quilt cover and matching curtains. They can also be made into a couch throws. Your imagination will have a wonderful time with what you can do When interior design shops have to replace their sample ranges, many of these samples are just the right size for throw cushions and other craft items. It only takes a question and they can only say “yes or no”. If they say yes, you are a winner. If they say no, then ask the next design shop you find. Check out the shops that have a rewards system. If you join as a member, when you have spent a certain amount you qualify for a discount on your purchases. See if you have one with this offer near you and take advantage of it. If there isn’t one, why not suggest it to your favorite supplier. I hope these tips have given you some ideas, so start saving money with your sewing, it’s all in the planning. © CTBaird 2006 SewMoreForU

The ins and outs of balance transfers

If you have a number of credit cards, or are looking to get another card, then it pays to know about the ins and outs of balance transfers. If you use balance transfers correctly you can save yourself a lot of money in interest payments on your debts. If you are uncertain about how to use balance transfers properly, then here is some advice on the ins and outs of balance transfer? What is a balance transfer? A balance transfer is simply where you transfer part or all of one credit card balance to another credit card. You are effectively using one credit card to pay off another one. For example, if you have one credit card with a Ј1000 balance and another card with no balance, you could transfer some or all of that Ј1000 onto the card with no balance. How do I make a balance transfer? Making a balance transfer is extremely easy, especially if you have online banking. IF you have just got a new card then it is likely that you will asked if you want to make any balance transfers straight away. If you do then you simply give your other card details to the new card issuer along with the amount you want to transfer and they will sort it out for you. Also, on most online banking systems there is a feature to allow you to make balance transfers at any time. Costs of a balance transfer Unless you have a special rate for balance transfers, there is usually a cost involved in making a balance transfer. These rates can vary, but are usually either a fixed fee or about 2% of the amount to be transferred. When transferring a balance it is important to take these charges into consideration, because it may cost you more than the money you are saving if you have to pay a variety of fees. 0% balance transfer offers One good way to make balance transfers work for you is to get a card with 0% on balance transfers. These cards usually charge a fixed fee for transferring your balance, but offer 0% interest on the amount you transfer. This 0% rate usually lasts for around 6 to 9 months, during which time you will not pay interest on your transferred balance. This is especially good for people who are currently struggling to keep up with their credit card payments due to high interest rates. However, you must remember that new purchases on these cards will be charged at the standard APR, and that after the 6 or 9-month period you will have to start paying interest. Consolidating balances Perhaps the best way to use balance transfers to your advantage is to consolidate your credit card debts. If you have a number of credit cards with different interest rates and balances, then try and transfer as much as you can to the cards with the lower interest rates. This will save on your interest, and as you pay off the debt you card start to transfer more and more onto the lower interest cards. If you use balance transfers wisely then you can really reduce the interest that you pay and keep up with your credit card repayments.

Learn the basics of colorado refinance

So you wish to apply for a Colorado refinance. Problem is, you are totally new to the whole business and are totally ignorant, even of the basics. What you need is a quick introduction and that’s exactly what you’ll get if you read on. Refinancing Explained Refinancing is the process of transferring to a new mortgage agreement or to a new lender. You use your new loan to pay off the old one. You usually get through the whole process to take advantage of better interest rates, to lower your monthly payments, or to extend your mortgage terms. So when is the right time to refinance? You must take a look at the Colorado refinance rates. You must only refinance when the rate you’ll be getting is at least 2% lower than your current mortgage interest rate. So what determines the interest rates? It’s a combination of the effects brought about by a number of factors. Included in the list are the economic growth, the inflation rate, and the Fed funds. Bad Credit Refinance Mortgage Are you worried about your ‘not so good’ credit report? You don’t have to worry about that either. As a matter of fact, a Colorado refinance may be the salvation you’ve been looking for. It holds the potential to liberate you from your debts. How so? Have you heard about consolidation of debts? This is a strategy used by many borrowers. It’s all simple. You refinance your mortgage and use the loan to pay off your other numerous debts. It’s actually a good set-up. This Makes Your Lender Much More Generous You see, your Colorado refinance is a secured loan, as opposed to your burgeoning credit card loans. And because it is secure, your lender is much more generous in terms of interest rates and monthly payments. What is a secure loan? Your mortgage loan is secured by your home, which serves as your collateral. Your lender holds the right to foreclose your property in case of non-payment. This gives them more leverage and more room for generosity. Now that spells better deals for you. Your Lender Holds a Lien Since your lender holds a lien on your home, he or she is more willing to give you lower interest rates. And because you are dealing with a lower interest rate, you also get to reduce your monthly payments. These two come hand in hand. The problem is, they could mean overextended mortgage terms, which may result to more costs in the long run. Even so, a longer mortgage term (though more costly) may still be beneficial in that they make your monthly payments more manageable. This way, you get to keep up with monthly payments, avoiding loan crises. This may be worth the costs you bear in the long run. Numerous benefits await you with a Colorado refinance, especially now that the competition among lenders has become stiffer than ever. Keep searching for more information and resources and be ready to grab a good deal.

How to save money and get discount homeowner s insurance in tennessee

One step to save money and get discount homeowner’s insurance in Tennessee is to take home inventory. You may be wondering, “How will documenting all of my possessions help me get affordable homeowner coverage?” The answer is simple. If you don’t have your belongings recorded, you run the risk of purchasing too little homeowner insurance. Of course, you won’t notice the problem until disaster strikes (your home is robbed, a tornado demolishes your house) and you need compensation for your lost items. Without home inventory, how will you prove you owned that entire state-of-the-art entertainment center, much less receive coverage for it? You won’t, which means you’ll have to pay for replacements or repairs out of your own pocket. This sort of takes the affordability out of affordable homeowner coverage. Help yourself get a cheap homeowner insurance policy in Tennessee by taking thorough and accurate home inventory. Take these tips into consideration before you begin your search to save money and get discount homeowner’s insurance in Tennessee. • Make a list of all things in your home that you’ll need covered by homeowner’s insurance. • On this list, make sure to include the serial numbers of all electronics. • Video and photograph each room in your home, and pay close attention to pricier items. • Gather up all your receipts, especially those for your expensive possessions. If you don’t have them, now’s a good time to start saving them. As you’re shopping for a cheap homeowner insurance policy in Tennessee, always talk with each insurance agent about further tips for documenting your home’s contents. Different home insurers may have different requirements regarding home inventory. It’s best to make sure you know exactly what’s expected of you before you get started. Too, the homeowner insurance company you choose will have a method of keeping this information on record; however, you may want to keep copies for yourself somewhere outside your home.

Consolidating debt using debt management

Is consolidating debt through debt management and credit counseling good? Most people in our society live from payday to payday. Most people never see where their money goes the day after being paid for a month worth of work. Most of them have serious financial problems and are very close to declaring bankruptcy. Is this something you need to do or would you prefer to recover your good standing? What you might need is debt consolidation. Understanding debt consolidation is important. The first thing it does is to stop creditors from calling you and demanding money. It can possibly reduce your payments and bundle them into one repayment per month. It may also help you avoid bankruptcy. Then you can rebuild your credit and get on with life. If your monthly outgoings are becoming overpowering, debt consolidation may be what you need. It can help stop those large late repayment charges and any added interest. Also, you may need to use this service if your monthly repayments do not reduce the amount of your balance. Most importantly, though, debt consolidation improves your credit and helps you to avoid filing for bankruptcy. Another helpful way to secure a debt consolidation loan is to use the equity within your home. This will allow payment of one creditor each month. It can also get you extra cash and relieve the stress by consolidating all your debts into one repayment. Ultimately this type of loan will make you more assertive about making your repayments, as you will be aware that defaulting may lose you your home. Lastly, if a debt consolidation loan is what you require then you should search for a respectable and trusted debt consolidation firm. You should avoid the firms, loan sharks, which offer such loans with huge interest rates, because you will be charged double the service fees and the monthly repayment terms will be harsh. These are not the types of companies you should consider. Preferably you should opt for a non-profit company or lender that will give you much better options in regards to debt consolidation loans. You should only trust the security of your home and an equity-style debt consolidation loan to reputable companies because the loss of your home will make your situation worse and further damage your credit. When choosing a non-profit lender for your loan you should still make sure you understand the terms and conditions, the interest rates they suggest, any fees they will charge, and the time period for repayment. You should feel at ease before signing any documentation before securing such a loan. Finally, if you do have a full-time job, you may not need to use your house as collateral. Debt consolidation firms can give some relief and create a more comfortable deal for you.

How to consolidate bills effectively when you re left with debt after divorce

During the process associated with a divorce, there is probably enough on your mind without having to worry about debt and other money issues. Unfortunately, the pain of divorce is accompanied by financial problems more often than not. Are you trying to recover after a divorce, and having trouble keeping track of constantly growing debt and bills that just will not seem to go away? Debt consolidation efforts to consolidate bills can significantly reduce the amount that you are paying every month, which will make your finances much easier to handle. The biggest problem associated with divorced and debt is that a single individual does not handle monthly payments and debt that were once handled by a pair of people. Even when debt is incurred during the marriage, either of two partners may be held responsible for it following a divorce. What this means, is that you may face a seriously overwhelming shock financially which can add to the turmoil of a divorce. It is important to utilize debt consolidation techniques in order to consolidate bills that are becoming overwhelming and hard to handle. The following is a brief list of steps that you can take in order to get your finances back under your control, so that you can make a fresh start all together. 1. Many people do not realize that you actually do have the power to negotiate lower rates on outstanding debt with credit card companies and other creditors. You should immediately contact your creditors when your bills become hard to handle, and explain your situation to them because there is a very real chance that they will be able to help you. You should not be shy about your debt problems in this case, because nobody can help you if you are not honest. After all, there is nothing to lose at this point and a whole lot that you can gain. Because credit card companies want as much of their money back as they can get, they are typically very willing to lower rates in order to ensure that you do not declare bankruptcy. 2. You should design a budget for all forms of income and expenditures. This budget does not have to be anything terribly complicated, but should give you a good idea of how your monthly income compares to your monthly expenses so that you can begin to make healthy financial decisions to keep from going further into debt. 3. You can obtain a debt consolidation loan if you have the equity or collateral to do it. By obtaining a debt consolidation loan to consolidate bills you can actually reduce significantly the amount that you pay per month for all of your debts, by consolidating them into one single debt. Debt consolidation loans bundle all of your monthly payments and debt into one, structuring your monthly budget so that you can manage it and really get on with your life. The other convenience which is offered by debt consolidation loans is that you will be able to deal with a single lender rather than trying to make monthly payments to several credit card companies, a mortgage company, a lender, and so on. This significantly reduces the risk of missing a payment or defaulting all together, events which could seriously damage your credit rating. With the help of a single loan, it will be easier for you to make consistent monthly payments and to help improve your credit scores. There are two different types of debt consolidation loans to consolidate bills that are worth considering: secured and unsecured. Secured debt consolidation loans are the ones, which require collateral. These are home equity loans, lines of credits and cash out mortgage refinances. Secured debt consolidation loans generally have the lowest interest rates that you can obtain, which makes them the most affordable option of all as long as you have the equity to acquire them. Unsecured debt consolidation loans on the other hand are personal loans, which do not require collateral of any kind, but are usually available with slightly higher interest rates. Certainly there is enough going on in your mind following divorce without having to worry about constantly growing and overwhelming debt and all the financial fallout that accompanies a divorce. Divorce is painful enough emotionally without having to stress about financial issues as well. Debt consolidation efforts to consolidate bills can significantly reduce the amount of money that you are paying every month, and can eliminate a great deal of your debt if not all of it all together. Debt consolidation can make your finances a great deal more manageable, which in turn will help you move on with your life.

Three things you need to know in online currency trading

Forex currency trading is the perfect investment opportunity for the beginner investor. It’s easy to get involved in, as very few restrictions, and offers a standard and mini version for those that aren’t quite comfortable with putting the $10,000 in account. With the mini $500 is all you need. Oh yes and there are three things you need to know in online currency trading. 1. You will need a dealer Number one of the three things you need to know in online currency trading if you want to play on the Forex market you will need to find yourself a dealer. It’s really not too difficult to find one on the net by doing a search through Google or one of the search engines. These dealers are your key as they will make possible your entry into the Forex trade market. You want to start trading without a bunch of worries haunting you and the three things you need to know in online currency trading will help. 2. Knowledge About Global Currency Markets Number two of the three things you need to know in online currency trading is about global currency markets and understanding them. There are all kinds of services on different online Forex sites so find the right site. With the three things you need to know in online currency trading under your belt and your dealer and services lined up with access to global currency markets you’ll be playing the game. 3. Margin Trading The leverage amount given to the trader to trade in the currency market is called margin trading and it is an important tool in currency trading. In fact the three things you need to know in online currency trading include margin trading. Traders can trade foreign currencies with a very high margin. The stock exchange gives you a 1:1, the equity market gives you 2:1, the futures market gives you 15:1, where as the Forex will give you a whopping 100:1, 150:1, and 200:1. How impressive is that? Now you can control a lot of money with very little cash. Now that you are aware of the three things you need to know in online currency trading you’re ready to get busy and start to put what you’ve learned to practice. If there were only there three things you need to know in online currency trading it would be great but it’s only the beginning. A building block to wealth and riches. Copyright © 2007 Joel Teo. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

A brief history of the stock market

A stock is a legal symbol of ownership in a business. When you buy stock, you are actually buying part-ownership of the business. In other words, you become a shareholder. A business will typically spread ownership to hundreds or even thousands of shareholders. Shares are sold when the company wishes to get cash. In a small business, it may be said that the owner has 100% of all shares. However, when a business grows beyond a certain size, it may require capital for expansion and selling shares is the easiest way to do that. Most stock holders do not really have much say in how the business is run because their ownership proportion is negligible. In order to make a difference, you must own lots of shares or you must work with several smaller shareholders. Now days, buying stock has become more of an investment rather than trying to run the business. You simply buy stock and wait for the company to grow. This will appreciate the stock value and you make money by selling it. Or you could simply make do with the percentage of profits the company gives you based on your shares. The stock exchange is the place where people trade stocks. The three important share markets in the United States are the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, and Nasdaq. Stocks are bought and sold through stock brokers or Direct Investment and Dividend Reinvestment Plans. The plans allow you to purchase the stock directly from the companies instead of the market. Wall Street is a famous and important place when it comes to the American stock market. The street is named after the high fence built by the Dutch settlers in New York during the 17th century. Though the fence lasted till 1685, the street next to it was permanently named Wall Street. The history of the American stock exchange begins in Philadelphia. The first stock exchange was built here in 1770. Two years later, the first New York stock exchange was opened, though it was less successful. In 1817, New York stock exchange representatives traveled to Philadelphia to understand why it was more active. This created a more disciplined and formal New York Stock and Exchange Board. Another important point in this history is the crash of 1929. This crash triggered the Great Depression.

How to get a lower homeowner insurance quote

The biggest investment most people make in their life is buying a home. It only makes sense that protecting that investment is a number one priority for these homeowners. What most homeowners may not realize is that it is incumbent on them to not only provide their own homeowners insurance but to also make sure that it provides adequate coverage and protection for the value of the home and its contents. There are any number of potential disasters that could cause significant damage or even total loss of a home, including hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, hail storms, and tornados. To make sure you have the right coverage for your area but also the right amount to cover any damage or even the total loss of your home and all your possessions you will need to either meet with an insurance company representative or fill out an online insurance quote. Homeowner insurance can be quite expensive depending on the value of your house and where you live. If you want to save some money and get a lower homeowner insurance quote here are a few tips that may help. 1bine Insurance Coverage's – There are insurance companies that will offer a discount if you get a quote to cover your home and automobiles under the same coverage. In fact a great majority of companies offer both kinds of coverage's so it doesn’t hurt to ask because you could save up to 10% off your premium. 2. Shop Around – There are a lot of insurance companies out there competing for your insurance dollar. Many offer discounts of different types to get your business so it pays to gather as much information about each company and what discounts they offer before you ask for a quote. 3. Fire Alarms and Security Systems – All insurance providers will give discounts if you have fire alarms and/or a security system installed. Most new home these days come with fire alarms (because of building codes) but security systems are usually extra. The distance from your home to the nearest fire station may also afford you an extra discount. 4. Increase your Deductible – If specify that you will increase your insurance deductible your homeowners insurance quote will be lower. Just be careful not to lower it more than you can afford if your home were to sustain some sort of damage. By following these four tips you may be able to lower your homeowner insurance quote and save some money.

Cash back card buy to save

Credit card cash back offers have the potential to change the way consumers spend their money. Who would have thought that you could get money just by spending some? With banks rolling out credit card rebates, saving has turned out to be the latest aspect of buying. Consumers can now choose from a wide choice of rebate credit cards according to their specific needs. Cash Back Card – What Are They All About? A cash back card is ideal for shopaholics! The promise of getting a few bucks back at the end of a spending spree might remove some guilt of burning money – on the other hand, it may add to the retail therapy. A cash back card entitles the cardholder to a certain amount of money or a refund for every purchase made by using the card. Credit card rebates range from 1 per cent to 5 per cent and differ from transaction to transaction, depending upon the contract between the credit card company and its associated business partners. Groceries, shopping, school fees, electricity and other utility bills; mobile phone rentals ... the possibilities are endless! Just about any transaction through a cash back card ensures reimbursements – however small – for the cardholder. The Flipside of Rebate Credit Cards If this was all beginning to sound too good to be true, you were right! This, like every other promotional offer, has certain pitfalls. Finding the right card amongst a host of rebate credit cards out there could be quite a time consuming task as there is no uniformity in the benefits offered by different companies. But be sure to make an informed choice after weighing all the options on hand as well as your specific needs. Each credit card company has tied up with a particular set of businesses, outlets, and service providers to offer these credit card cash back offers. Thus, you would be well advised to obtain a card that offers the most lucrative rebates on your most expensive or more frequent purchases. If you have any big-ticket expenses coming up, that you plan to charge to your card, this could be a good place to start. Another major area of concern for a cardholder is how these rebates can be redeemed. Some cards have a minimum and maximum cash back limit and any transactions beyond the specified limit remain unaccounted for. Other credit card companies require cardholders to request reimbursements while a few others do it automatically. Most cards will reflect the points in your statements. Are Credit Card Rebates Really Worth It? It remains to be seen whether credit card cash backs will be a success or not. Are these offers trying to win the confidence of consumers, or simply trying to tempt them into abandoning old-fashioned cash forever? If you truly want to protect your own interests and beat the credit card companies at their own game, make sure you make a knowledgeable, well-calculated decision while choosing a cash back card.

What is private medical insurance

Private medical insurance is optional insurance which an individual or entire family can take out by paying a monthly premium, the same as with life or home insurance. There are many advantages to paying for private medical insurance and here are just of the reasons you could consider taking out this form of insurance. Perhaps the biggest advantage to taking private medical insurance is to avoid the long waiting lists that are now common on the NHS. Private health insurance can give you peace of mind that if you become ill then you will be immediately seen and are guaranteed to get the very best of treatment. The second big plus to having private medical insurance is the choice that comes with it. If you should have to have an operation then you will have a choice over the surgeon that performs the operation along with your choice of hospital. Of course you will have a private room which means that visiting hours won’t be restricted as they are when in a NHS hospital. You will get a choice from a menu and you wont have the medical students standing around your bed that are commonly seen following Doctors around the wards of the hospitals. Not only will you avoid the waiting lists associated with operations but even for minor operations and treatment you will be seen straight away. There are many choices for the cover you can have and searching online for the best coverage and cheapest cover is essential. However in most cases you will only get what you pay for and if you want to make savings then taking limited cover might be your only option. Perhaps the only disadvantages to paying for private medical insurance is that not all medical eventualities are covered and the private hospitals might not have the depth of expertise found in the NHS.

Term life insurance as a charitable gift

Typically, when we take out term life insurance it is purchased while we are younger and just starting our families. After some years, a policy becomes old and outlives its original intention: perhaps your spouse no longer needs financial security or your children are now financially independent. In these cases, individuals decide to leave their term life insurance policies as gifts to their favorite charities. This is particularly beneficial to individuals who have large financial assets as they can use their contributions as tax deductions for their estates. There are several ways in which to give a gift of life insurance to a charitable cause. First, you can purchase a new term life insurance policy altogether, leaving the charity of your choice as the beneficiary. Or, you can simply change the beneficiary of your existing term life insurance policy. Upon your death, the named charity would receive full face value of your policy. When you list a charity as your beneficiary, you will need to have the following information: 1. The full legal name of the charitable organization. 2. The charity’s permanent mailing address. 3. Your charity’s federal tax identification number. 4. Your relationship to the beneficiary: to be listed as “charity” Charities always have someone in charge of organizing and accepting gifts and donations. You can be certain that they will be happy to help you should you have any questions on the gift giving process or need help in filing any forms. Rules for Paid or Unpaid Policies If you choose to name a charity as the beneficiary of an already existing paid-in-full term life insurance policy, you may be able to deduct an amount equal to the fair market value of the policy, or your cost basis, whichever is less. Since your charity becomes the owner of your policy, the proceeds will not be included in your estate for tax purposes. If you are still making annual premium payments on your policy, you may be able to deduct an amount equal to the approximate cash value of the policy or the policy's cost basis, whichever is less, in the year in which you make the gift. Again, the proceeds will not be included in your estate for tax purposes. You may also be able to deduct any future premium payments. Group Term Life Insurance If you participate in a group term life insurance policy through your workplace, you can donate your excess coverage to your favorite charity as well. Many employers provide generous life insurance coverage as a fringe benefit to their employees. However, most employers do not tell you that you are also required to pay income tax on the cost of coverage over $50,000.00. How do you avoid paying these taxes? There is a special rule that excuses this extra tax if you donate the excess coverage to charity. “Excess coverage” is an excellent way to donate to your favorite charity. The best part is that you pay no out of pocket expenses for premiums. You get all the benefits of giving while also saving money in taxes at the same time. For more information on “excess coverage” contact your company’s benefits department. Using your term life insurance policy as a gift to your favorite charity enables you to make tax deduction and/or to gain other financial benefits to your estate. Be sure to talk to a financial advisor to ensure that both your family and your favorite charity both benefit by your financial decisions.

8 Ways to save money on your motorbike insurance

Motorbike insurance can cost you a lot of your hard earned money each year. In this article you will find out about 8 different ways you can cut the cost of your motorbike insurance. The savings you make may add up to quite a bit of money over the years so it is usually worth the effort involved. So here are the ways to save on your motorbike insurance: 1. Well first of all, for those of you who have not actually bought your motorbike yet, you have an opportunity of getting your motorbike insurance down from the start by getting quotes for several different motorbikes that you are considering in order to find a motorbike with lower insurance costs. This is because motorbike insurance premiums can vary considerably depending on the type and model of bike that you go for. Another benefit of doing your homework before you buy your motorbike is that you avoid buying a motorbike which you later find out you cannot afford the insurance on. 2. When deciding which excess level to go for on your motorbike insurance policy, the best thing to do is to go for as high an excess as you can afford to pay in the event of claim as the higher your excess the less you pay. 3. If the bike you are insuring is an old one or does not have much value, then you can save some money by opting for third party fire and theft insurance cover instead of comprehensive insurance cover. 4. Some insurance companies take into account your credit record when deciding on how much your insurance premium is going to be, so make sure you keep a good credit record which is a good thing to have anyway. 5. It always pays to shop around different insurance companies to find the best deal and also bear in mind you may get a discount for buying online. 6. Avoid adding a young rider to your insurance policy if possible and keep the number of riders on your policy to a minimum, you pay the lowest amount by just having yourself on your insurance policy. 7. You should only have guest passenger liability on your policy if you actually do have guest riders on the back of your bike. If you ride alone always, then you can get your insurance down by not having the guest passenger liability on your insurance. However you must be aware that you must never have a guest rider on the back of your bike in this case as you will not be insured for this. 8. And finally it is a good idea to only make a claim when it is a large claim and try not to make smaller claims as this will keep your future insurance premiums down.

Credit cards for teenagers

People have to start their financial learning at some point in their lives, and this usually starts when they are children or young teenagers. But what sort of financial products are good for teenagers, if anything at all? One on hand you need to teach them the value of money, but on the other hand they need some form of card or cash in order to start being independent. If you are unsure what type is right for your children, then here is some advice on credit cards for teenagers. Stay away from normal credit If you have a child, then you should really stay away from traditional credit cards, because these types of cards do not promote responsible spending. Although a credit card would allow a child to make mistakes about spending and learn from them, simply giving them a line of credit will probably end in disaster. You have no way of stopping them from spending the whole limit in one go, and they are putting you and themselves in debt. Prepaid cards Despite normal credit cards being a bad idea, there is a new type of card on the market that is being targeted at children. These cards are known as prepaid cards, and have most of the facilities of a credit card; except that you put money on the card in the same way you put money on a mobile phone. Instead of giving your child a credit card, you can put a certain amount of money on the card each week or month and then the child can use the card as they see fit. Benefits of prepaid cards The main benefit of a prepaid card is that it combines the freedom of having a card with the ability to control spending. This makes it ideal for parents who want to give their children a level of financial responsibility but still have the means to control the amount they spend and on what. By having a card with a statement, the parent can see exactly what their child is spending their money on and when. This is a very useful tool in helping to educate children on money expenditure. Also, prepaid cards are safer than having your child carry around cash, plus it also allows them to make purchases online. Drawbacks of prepaid cards Although many believe these cards are better for children than other financial products, there are still question marks over whether they are a good idea. Although they are touted as helping children to learn about finance, this can be done in other ways apart from giving out a card. Also, keeping track of spending is not always easy, as some of the cards allow cash withdrawals, meaning that they could spend their money on anything. Also, there is the danger that parents will put too much money on the cards, which will have the opposite effect on teaching children about money and simply make them believe they can spend what they like. Also, there are fees involved in these cards, such as an application fee and top up fees. Although these cards might be good for some families, you should think carefully about the benefits and drawbacks before deciding on whether or not you want your child to have such a card.

Life before or after bankruptcy it s your choice

Have you been swiping your credit card dead? Have you been unable to resist the temptation of impulse buying? Does a day to by without you actually buying something… something that you really don't need or can't afford? If the above scenario is anywhere near your current situation you may be headed for a financial tsunami or in plain English a bankruptcy. Unfortunately, too many people dismiss thoughtless spending as something that is actually harmless - that there is absolutely nothing bad about it but nothing could be further from the truth. Man has passed thousands upon thousands of laws, some are good and some are really bad but there are also universal laws and one that always comes to roost when people over indulge is this… for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, for every bad financial decision today, there will be an equal and opposite financial consequence tomorrow. In some cases, tomorrow might be a few months or in others a few years but it will come… count on it. Shoring up your financial situation not only makes good sense financially but it also makes good sense emotionally and physically. Anyone who has ever gone through difficult financial times understands that it really takes a toll on your health. It becomes an overwhelming, ever present burden. Life is all about choices and you can either make the choice to change and avoid bankruptcy or continue down the same path and risk putting yourself and family though the emotionally trauma described above. Of course, if your burden of debt has already reached epic proportions it may simply be time to do the inevitable and file for bankruptcy protection… either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. Although creditors want to collect a debt, contrary to popular belief they are not dumb and they want to work with you because only then can they get paid. Considering that you may be facing bankruptcy if they can't work something out it's clearly in their financial interest to help you. As a result, most creditors and lenders will do anything and everything they can to provide you with options that will help you begin the climb out of the financial abyss of debt. However, sometimes bankruptcy is simply the way the go and fortunately, if you find yourself in the position where bankruptcy is inevitable or you are currently going through or will soon have your bankruptcy discharged… there is life after bankruptcy. It's not as good as it was before Congress changed the bankruptcy laws a few years ago but you still have options. One such option is the ability to get a mortgage after bankruptcy (also called a bankruptcy mortgage) within a relatively short period of time. Of course, do a little research, shop around and remember that even after bankruptcy you have options and that many aspects of a mortgage are negotiable. Tip - For options in finding the best lender for you, check out the links below.

Looking for a debt consolidation loan with bad credit

Are you sinking into the pit falls of bad credit? Are you looking for a way to consolidate all your debt into one easy payment? Do you have bad credit? There are many ways in which you can find a debt consolidation loan with bad credit. There are many options available online or through a brick and mortar institution. The choice is yours but most of us need some advice in finding who to trust and how to find debt consolidation loans even with bad credit. If you want to consolidate just your credit cards or other larger debts, the search can take a long time and you have to muddle through companies with bad practices and reputations. If you are looking for a debt consolidation loan you have to remember that it is a loan. You have to qualify for the loan just like you were qualifying for a loan to buy a car or house. If you have a home you probably can get a loan off the equity of your house, but this is not a good idea if you are planning to use that equity later on for a positive financial decision. The equity will only cover the appraised value of your home and it might not be enough to pull you out of the jaws of the bill collectors your are trying to appease. If you are lucky, you can qualify for an unsecured loan that will not hold your assets for collateral. If you have a large credit card debt with bad credit, this may not be an option for you. Think about what the bank thinks when they go over your application. If you can’t pay off your debt now, how secure are you at paying off a bigger loan even if it means just one payment a month. The bank loan advisors will look at you pretty closely and who really needs that kind of investigation when you are trying to do the right thing and pay your debtors off. There are credit debt management companies and services out there who will help you to pay off your debts without taking out a loan. These services will negotiate with your credit card loan holders and bring down your interest rates and consolidate all your credit card debt whether you have bad credit or not. You will be able to pay your entire credit card debt with one easy payment and you will not have to worry about late frees or over the limit charges. You will not be able to use the credit cards again, but you probably do not want to because of the circumstances they put you in anyway. No matter what venue you take to relieve your credit card debt or to undertake a debt consolidation loan even though you have credit, the loan needs to fit your individual situation or circumstance. Do not be buffaloed by fast talking loan officers. There is a credit card or debt management service out there that will fit your needs and give you the financial security that will let you sleep at night.

Easy tips for choosing trustworthy insurance companies

There are hundreds of insurance companies offering thousands of products. Choosing the right one is challenging. Here are some things you should consider: Reputation of Company - Pick a company that offers high standards of service and quality, while having a strong reputation and financial stability. In the US, check your state insurance department to find out more about the companies, and their reputation. Availability and Communication - Choose insurance companies that are available for you when you need them the most. Think about what's important to you. Is it a national company with local representation, or is their online presence as strong as their offline presence? Check their Internet presence. Erase doubts. Service - Check the insurance company's customer service and support. Call up the insurance companies' toll-free numbers and ask them questions pertaining to your issues related to different insurance policies. Make sure you select a company with knowledgeable representatives, who are specially trained to answer all your questions related to coverage. They should also be able to respond to your claims efficiently and quickly. Product Choice - When choosing an insurance company for your insurance coverage, you should opt for a carrier that offers a wide range of coverage options suitable for most of your needs and requirements. Price - Remember, that for any insurance policy you get coverage based on the premium you pay. Also, some insurance companies will tell you that your insurance can come down to a certain price and not lower than that. Don't waste money paying for insurance coverage for possessions that you don't need, or, get less protection just to get a lower premium cost. If you are buying a home on mortgage, then your mortgage company may suggest homeowners' insurance companies that they work with, but this should not mean that you have to use this company for your insurance needs. Take your time to decide the insurance company that meets your expectations and offers you the best coverage at reasonable rates, so that you do not have to regret your choice. Insurance providers even give free online quotes, so you don't have to visit every insurance company's or agent's office in your locality. Just click on 'Get a Quote' and relax. If you buy insurance online, you can get discounts from 10% - 25% depending on the policy. Whether you are looking to purchase a new policy or renew your existing policy, all you need to do is connect to the Internet and browse your way to a new policy - with the click of a mouse!

Should you choose an online broker or an offline one

We live in a new digital era and an increasing proportion of the worlds stock trading is being done online. Sophisticated technology means that someone in London can buy a NYSE stock within a minute with a few simple clicks of the mouse. While there are some situations that may make having an offline broker advantageous, here are the primary benefits that come with having an online stock broking account: It’s Far Cheaper To Trade Stocks Online – When a customer has a phone line and executes a trade via a live broker, it costs the company a lot of money to pay the brokers wages and have a physical location for that broker to operate from. When the same trade is done online, it’s an automated process handled by a system. This is far cheaper for the company allowing it to reduce the price it charges for execution only trade. Faster Execution – With an online stock brokerage account, execution is immediate. There is no need to call a broker and wait while the trade is executed. In addition, online broking accounts enable the user to access their account status immediately via internet connection. In the offline world, a customer would have to wait for monthly statements or phone the stock broking company to know the exact status of their accounts. Availability Of Tools To Help The Investor – Today, a lot of online broker houses provide key information, statistics and investment tools that can help keep the trader informed and help them to analyse stocks. Such services are rare with offline only options. What Factors Should You Look For When Deciding On An Online Stock Broker As you can imagine, there are a huge number of online stockbrokers trying to compete for your account. This high competition means that if you look around you’re likely to find an online stockbroker service that has low fees, good reliability and a fair amount of “bells and whistles”. In this section we’ll look at some of the different factors you should analyse before giving any online stockbroker service the nod: Low Commissions Aren’t Always Low – Look at the commission charges and structure of the different online broker companies. Some companies may display very low charges on their ads only for you to discover that the special unbelievable rate applies to certain sized trades, or kick in only after a number of trades have been executed. Also be on the lookout for admin or handling charges that are tagged onto some online broking accounts. What Is The Minimum Amount Needed To Deposit? If you’re a smaller, casual investor then an account that needs $10,000 deposited before you can open an account would not be suitable, even if the fees associated with each trade are quite low. Do You Need Margin? If So What Is The Rate? A margin account allows you to borrow money to trade with. Different online accounts have different rates for trading on margin so if you’re going to do this make sure you pick an account that’s best suited for this. The Bells & Whistles – By this we refer to the type and depth of research available to account holders, whether there is any “back up” for problems that may be experienced, the track record of the company (if new it may experience the occasional glitch) and the level of detail available on the trading account. Some online brokerage firms also provide broker research on various companies, charting, relevant news-feeds and other valuable information that can help your trading and research. Additional Phone Service? Some online broker companies also make trading via phone, or at least some form of telephone support available. Always a benefit. Reliability Of Service & How Well The Trades Are Executed - You may find an online broker service that has incredibly low fees…but which has frequent bouts of downtime where trades cannot be executed. This can be a frustrating and expensive experience, so ensure that your potential online broker service has a good level of reliability. What have others said about its service? Are there any reviews for it online? Ultimately, the category of investor or trader you fall under will decide what type of broker and service you opt for. It's best to analyse these circumstances before you commit to any online or offline broker or you may find your trading needs are not being met.