Save Money On Your University Textbooks
Mar 7, 2010 Uncategorized
One of the biggest cons involved in going to college is the game involving textbooks. They are essential items and unscrupulous book store prey on this. They will sell you a book for $150 and tell you to bring it back when you’re finished and they’ll buy it back. You duly due this and get $25!
You can bet your bottom dollar that if you return to that same store next semester your book will be there with a used price on it of around $120. This is a game the student will never win so it’s pointless even trying. So the way to go is to sell your book online, there are always new students looking for a bargain and you will get a much better return than you would ever get from a book store.
The two biggest places to sell your book on is eBay or Amazon. eBay will charge a small percentage for selling it and this is calculated depending on the price that it goes for.
Amazon is a well respected site and has a good reputation. A lot of people don’t realize that are buying from individuals using the site, and think they are buying from Amazon itself.
Amazon is a better option as it will give better results in the search engines and in peoples minds they are buying from Amazon when they are really buying from an individual who has listed something on the Amazon site.
You may want to try your luck on a public forum to avoid the fees, but there is a major possibility that you will be offered less than you would on one of the auction sites, even after the fee is deducted. Trust plays a major part on these sites too, and if you are a first time seller people will be reluctant to pay out money.
The best thing about Amazon and eBay is their members ratings so you know you are buying from a reputable seller, most of the forums don’t have these.
The easiest, and safest way, to receive the money for your book is through PayPal. Once it’s in your account you can either use the money to shop online or transfer it into your bank account. A standard fee of approx 3% applies for the transaction.
Enjoy more of this writer’s tips about subjects including gourmet gift baskets and wire mesh baskets.
Tags: advertising, advice, banking investment, books, business, college, ecommerce, education, finance, internet, personal finance, reference, sales, self help, teens
Why Do You Need To Get Independant Financial Advice?
Feb 25, 2010 banking finance
When anyone is planning on making any serious financial decision is is always a good idea to get independant financial advice from a trustworthy source before you commit to anything. This might well be something that is of particular importance during an difficult economic time when planning for the future will sit at the top of your priority list.
Research has proven that many adults will face all sorts of hardship unless they consider their future when they are young and in work. Many people are now struggling with their retirement packages and this has shown the need to really think about your future and plan ahead.
Financial advice is something that can come from all sorts of sources, many of which will be free, and so it is important that you take advantage of this situation. When you are looking ahead to your retirement, knowing where to invest your money and how to set up your pension and your savings will be fundamental in your financial freedom.
It is not only in planning ahead that you will need financial advice but also in the here and now. Anyone who is looking to make a serious financial decision needs to make sure that they have first talked about their options from an expert. This might be someone you pay or a free service. It might even be from an informed friend or family member who themselves are experts in a particular field. Possibly the largest financial investment you will ever make will be with your home and therefore when getting a mortgage it is absolutely crucial that you get some good advice to avoid paying larger rates of interest each month.
In addition to this, whenever you are looking to get any sort of major loan or overdraft for any reason, it is always best to talk to an expert beforehand so that they can fill you in on the best options available to you.
Whatever financial decision you are making, therefore, getting financial advice from an independent source will be crucial unless you yourself are already an expert in the field.
To get your Independant Financial Advice online, you can search the Web. Many websites are there to be useful for you take the best step in your financial way of life. Http://www.independentfinancial-advice.com/
Tags: advice, banking, banking finance, debt, economy, finance, financial advice, income, lifestyle, misc, money, self improvement
Race Horses and Mutual Funds
Feb 9, 2010 bank loans
For years investors have been taught to look into the composition of a mutual funds. In other words the “experts” want you to take the time to analyze the stocks within the mutual fund portfolio, categorize them by industry group and try to understand the objective of the fund manager. This is nonsense.
When I go the track I look to see what the horse has been doing for the last several races. I don’t give a hoot what he had for breakfast. All I want to know is has he been fast? Is there a good chance he will finish in the money in the next race? I only want to know how he has been performing.
Most mutual fund managers, except those who follow index funds, are always trading. You have no idea that what is in the portfolio today was there yesterday or will be tomorrow. Some fund managers trade more than others, but you can prove this to yourself by looking at the fund prospectus at the beginning of the year and one of the updates that funds publish quarterly. Many of the stocks will still be there, however, you don’t know if the percentage holdings are the same.
By the way, don’t bother reading a mutual fund prospectus. They are worthless when it comes to making money. Consider that most of the information in it is about a year old by the time you read it. Think about this seriously for a minute. Is there anything you can find out in the document that will show up in your bottom line? I’ll wait while you think. OK? There really wasn’t anything was there? All prospectuses are basically worthless.
But you say the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) in Washington approved this. No, they did NOT. They don’t approve of anything; they just read it to be sure it meets the regulatory requirements for disclosure. There is almost no difference between the prospectus for the worst mutual fund and the best mutual fund and both of them may have been read by the same Dilbert in his cubicle at the SEC.
There is one excellent way to find out which fund to buy. It is based on performance. How much has the fund increased in price during the past 12 months? Just 12 months. Many financial analysts want you to look at 3-year, 5-year and 10-year performance. Remember that horse? I don’t care how many races he won 3 or 5 years ago. Can he run NOW? There are many publications and web sites that tell you the best performers. Investor’s Business Daily prints a list of best performing funds each day. You might have to see the paper every day as they sometimes just tell about the long-term performance. You want the last 12 months and the last 3 months.
Three years ago you could have bought the best performing fund on the street and today have a dog. I call a dog any mutual fund that is not outperforming the S&P500 index.
If you were a jockey you would want to ride the fastest horses because in many races you get a percentage of the purse. The same applies to mutual funds. You must own only the best performing funds at all times. Like the jockey you must pick the fastest horse if you want to be a winner.
You should review your fund holdings monthly to see that you are only in the best funds. It might take you an hour, but you will find that you will double the current return on your mutual fund investments. Do it!
Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he’s the man that Wall Street does not want you to know. A stock broker or stockbroker is a regulated professional broker who buys and sells shares and other securities through market makers or Agency Only Firms
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, cash, credit, finance, funds, Leasing, loan, mortgage, Stock
Option One Mortgage Loans – Getting an Option ARM or Option One Mortgage Loan
Feb 9, 2010 bank loans
Have you heard about or been interested in finding out more about option one mortgage loans? They are becoming very popular, but its important to understand how they work before you apply for one. I will describe, in this article, an overview of the most common type of option ARM mortgage loan or option one mortgage loan.
How do they work? Option one mortgage loans are basically interest only mortgage loans, except that the first year, you pay only 1.25% of the interest on the loan. The remainder of the interest that is accruing is being added to the loan amount. The second year of the loan you pay more interest until gradually you are paying either full interest only payments or fully amortized payments (interest & principle). The reason the loans are called option loans is because every time you have a payment due, you have the option of paying the less than interest only portion, interest only or a fully amortized payment. This option would be good in a situation where your income is sporadic.
This mortgage loan type typically gives you 4 payment options in every bill.
Here are your typical monthly payment options:
Option #1 – Pay a 15-Year fully amortized payment amount (p&i)
Option #2 – Pay a 30-Year fully amortized payment amount (p&i)
Option #3 – Pay the interest-only portion of the loan (Interest Only)
Option #4 – Make a partial interest payment (1.25% – 1.95% depending on your loan type) and defer paying the additional interest to the total loan amount. (Deferred interest can be counteracted by making bi-monthly payments and by property appreciation)
This type of loan is good if you want to:
Wait a while to refinance again – If interest rates drop again, so does your payment. If you want to accelerate your payments and increase equity quick, pay more on your loan and it will be applied to future payments & will be directly applied to the principle balance. Will you want a 30-year loan? Keep the option to pay your loan as a 30-year, 15-year, or interest only payments.
Have an adjustable rate mortgage but want stability – This loan has a payment cap. The interest rate on this loan is based on the 12 month-MTA index, the most stable index of the 4 main indexes (COFI, LIBOR, MTA & CMT). This index is always below prime. The interest rate is based on the world economic markets which have been steadily coming down over the last 3 years. This loan has a 5-year fixed payment option as well.
Invest your payment savings in something else – This could open up opportunities for you if you could invest in real estate, the stock market or another investment when you use the extra $500-1000+ a month you free up from your property payment. Pay off debt with your payment savings – You can use the payment savings to pay off other debt.
Have security and options in your mortgage loan – The main benefit to this type of loan is the security of a mortgage payment that you control. You decide at any time what kind of a mortgage you want. If all goes well in your future, you have the freedom to pay your 30 year loan into a 15 year loan without even consulting another mortgage broker. Get more home for your money – You can qualify for more home with these low payment options.
Who Can Qualify? Qualifying for this loan is basically the same as any other loan, it is based on credit, equity & assets, if you are strong in 1 of these or 2 of these, you could probably qualify and with lowest rate possible.
What if I want to take out a stated income loan? “Stated Income” or “No income/assets” loans are possible with this Option One Loan.
These are just general guidelines and information about this type of loan. You will want to discuss all of these details with your broker or lender before you actually complete the loan. These factors may vary with each individual lender. Many lenders do not offer their customers this type of loan. If you are seeking an option one or option ARM loan, you will need to talk to your broker about it or find a broker that can do this type of loan. To see our recommended lenders for this type of loan. Visit here: Option One Mortgage Lenders.
Written by Carrie Reeder, Owner of ABC Loan Guide . Calculate your home loan mortgage payments with our payment calculator
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, cash, credit, finance, funds, Leasing, loan, mortgage, Stock
Credit Card Basics – Understing What You Need!
Feb 9, 2010 bank loans
There are different credit cards to suit each individual. One needs to assess his or her needs before applying for a credit card online.
Many people feel that they have been through hell because of credit cards and would not like to repeat their mistake. Another common misconception about credit card is that having a bad history will stop credit card offers coming there way again. The truth however is something else. Some credit card companies offers great schemes to those with bad credit card. They also make cards specifically for frequent flyers, Wall Mart Shoppers, or frequent moviegoers. There are many offers based on incentives on shopping.
Let us see what things you should keep in mind before shopping for credit card.
The first thing that should be kept in mind is Annual Percentage Rate. An Annual Percentage Rate is the amount of interest you pay every year on your borrowings. The higher APR will make you pay more finance charges. The minimum amount that you are required to pay would be basically your past balance, try paying a little more than the minimum repayment. In short your APR should be as low as possible.
The next step to keep in mind would be introductory rates. Most credit cards offer a low or 0% rate of interest for an introductory period. You should strictly keep in mind that this interest free period is applicable on purchases and balance transfers as well. This will reduce your bill considerably.
You may seriously consider gold or a platinum card if you are a good earner and love to splurge on luxurious things. These cards have very less rate of interest and unlimited credit limit. They also come with exciting offers.
Another point to be considered is Grace period. During this period, a credit card holder doesn’t have to pay any interest on repaying the amount.
Cash back and rewards also offer a great relief to the customer. But such offers are mostly entitled for air miles, cash back or discounts. You should consider them seriously as they are of no use to you if you don’t fly.
Balance transfer rates are the most wanted among the customer who are having a huge outstanding amount. Many cards offers lower rate of interest. Thus, if you transfer your balance from one card to another with lower interest, it can help you with your debt problems and save a lot of money.
One should also avoid late payments as the interest in this case, keeps piling. A time also comes when the interest amount exceeds the principal amount. This can be avoided if you keep tabs upon the charges levied on the late payments.
Andy Eaton is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-4us.com a site decdicated to helping consumers find the right credit cards, helping them get out of debt. Credit cards for people with bad credit or who can’t qualify for a regular credit card
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, cash, credit, finance, funds, Leasing, loan, mortgage, Stock
Open the Cash Vault Inside Your Home
Feb 8, 2010 mortgage banking
Believe it or not, many people do not understand equity and the power it provides.
In its purest form, equity is money. With regard to real estate (specifically, your house or other investment property), equity is measured in terms of the value of the property minus what you owe. So, if your home is valued at $100,000, and you owe $40,000 on it, you have $60,000 in equity (actual money that is available to you, under particular circumstances).
Surprisingly, many people have this type of equity and do not take advantage of it. Some people are actually in dire financial straits and fail to realize their problems can be solved very easily, by taking the equity from their home. Remember, your home is a “vault,” and the money inside that vault belongs to you. Best of all, you can use that money/ equity for anything you desire, from home improvement to travel expenses to spending money.
Exactly what is a home equity line of credit or HELOC? A home equity line of credit, which lenders and mortgage brokers refer to as a HELOC, is a different kind of home loan. An equity line has different rates and terms from a conventional first mortgage. In a standard home loan, or mortgage, your monthly payments cover both the principal loan and the interest you are charged.
Most mortgage payments include escrow, or taxes and insurance. An equity line of credit payment does not reduce your principal loan amount and does not include escrow. You are borrowing the equity in your house and paying the bank an interest premium on that loan. With a HELOC, you pay only the interest on the loan and, generally, you get the money for less time than you do a standard first mortgage.
The underwriting on these loans is very simple, and in most cases, the loans are very easy to get. At close, you either get one big check, which you can deposit into your savings or checking account or you can get a check book and treat your equity line of credit as another checking account. The payment on equity lines is very enticing. Paying interest only makes for a very low payment. It’s important to remember, though, when paying interest only, you are not paying down the principal loan balance.
The Power of Interest-Only Payments So, let’s suppose you take an equity line for $50,000 at 4.25% interest. This interest rate is based on the Prime rate, a floating rate that can change but does not fluctuate very often. When this article was first published, the prime rate was 4.25 percent. So, on your $50,000 equity line of credit, your payment is $177.00 each month. This is an incredibly low payment on a loan of this size. This gives you a great deal of power, because you can control a large sum of money for an extremely low monthly payment. It is this low, because you are only paying the interest on the loan.
At the end of the first year, you will have paid the bank over $2,100. You will, however, still owe $50,000. This is because your monthly payment is an interest-only payment. This is where some people can get in trouble with home equity lines of credit. If you use all the equity in your home and never pay down the balance, then decide to sell your house, you won’t make anything on the sale, because you’ll owe it all to the bank.
It is also important to understand the terms on a home equity line of credit (HELOC). When talking to mortgage professionals about home equity lines of credit, be sure you understand the terms, as lenders vary on what they’ll offer. Like conventional mortgages, which have terms of 30 years, 15 years, 10 years, etc., home equity lines also have various terms, but not all lenders offer them. Don’t let this confuse you. Just find your trustworthy mortgage broker, and tell him or her exactly what you want.
Unlike mortgage payments, which include complicated yearly amortization of the principal loan amount, interest-only payments are calculated very easily. You can do it in two simple steps. To find out your payment, first learn what rate of interest you’ll be charged. If you are using 80 percent or less of the equity available and you have an A credit rating, you’ll be able to get the best rate available, which is the prime rate.
Now, let’s assume you have $40,000 in equity in your house, but you only need $20,000 (taking less than 100% of the equity is important). You take $20,000 and multiply it by 4.25%, which gives you 850. This is what you’ll pay each year to borrow $20,000. Next, divide the 850 by 12 for a monthly, interest-only payment. Your payment for your $20,000 home equity line of credit is $70.83.
This is a very powerful loan. Imagine paying less than 71 dollars for the ability to control $20,000. Some people pay more for cable TV or their monthly cell phone bill. Some people even take the equity in their home and invest it elsewhere. You’re probably figuring out how much equity you have right now, and what you can do with that money!
To learn how you can turn your equity into a never-ending money cycle that will fill your bank account year after year, read Winning the Mortgage Game. Whatever you decide, open the cash vault inside your home, and make use of your equity today.
Mark Barnes is author of the wealth-building system, Winning the Mortgage Game and other investment real estate books. Supported by: Find the Best Loan Rates in minutes
Tags: advice, bad credit, banks, business, credit, finance, loan, mortgage, mortgage banking
4 Steps to Creating Good Credit
Feb 7, 2010 bank loans
As a consumer you’ve learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.
A bad credit history or bad credit habits will place “black marks” on your credit profile. These include things such as late payments, having an account assigned to a collection agency, and of course bankruptcy.
Establishing good credit habits and therefore a good credit rating will improve your credit worthiness. This will be reflected in potential lenders offering you substantially lower interest rates and better deals on credit offers.
Here are 4 tips to help you create a shining credit profile:
1) Pay Your Bills On Time
Lenders only have your past payment history on which to decide the type of credit risk you present to them. How you pay off your debts now indicates to them how you will pay off future debts.
2) Don’t Use Too Many or Too Few Credit Cards
How much is too much ? How little is too little ? Many credit experts and financial planners suggest two to four credit cards is just the right mix.
3) Pay At Least The Minimum Due
Always pay at least the minimum due payment, but never less. And remember, just paying the minimum payment means it will take you years and years to pay off that credit card.
Example: Paying off a $2,000 credit payment at 18% APR with a minimum monthly payment of 2% ($40 dollars or less) will take you 30 years to pay off the amount plus interest.
4) Review Your Credit Report Regularly
Monitor your credit report from all three major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – on a regular basis. Check your credit profile at least annually. Review it carefully and make sure that any past mistakes or disputes have been corrected.
Also, if you notice an account listed that you know that you have not personally opened, contact that creditor and the credit bureaus immediately. This could be a sign that you’ve had your identity stolen. Request to have a fraud alert placed on your profile and account to protect yourself and your credit. Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in America, with an estimated 1 million people victimized each year.
Establish good credit habits early in life and reap the benefits that your good credit rating will provide you for the rest of your financial future.
Compare the top 10 credit cards for those with bad credit and apply online instantly
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, cash, credit, finance, funds, Leasing, loan, mortgage, Stock
How To Get Fast Cash Loans Even With A Bad Credit History
Feb 5, 2010 mortgage banking
Getting fast cash loans even if you have bad credit, or a poor credit history, can be a blessing for many people.
These days, all you need to do to get quick cash is to fill out a simple online form that takes only a few minutes to complete and you are ready to receive their reply.
A very popular way to get fast cash loans is by using an online cash advance no credit check company. These types of online cash loan services are willing to give you money without checking your credit history.
And besides not checking your credit, most online cash advance companies do not require faxing. So because of these convenient ‘no credit check’ and ‘no faxing’ payday cash loan companies, you will be able to get the money you need fast.
Here Are The Advantages of Getting a Cash Loan Online:
* Online loan applications that are quick and easy to fill out * No credit checks * Cash loans can be approved even with bad credit history * No faxing required * You will get a fast cash loan response * Once approved, very quick cash loan deposits
Because the cash loan companies take pride on giving their customers the cash they need quickly, you will get a quick response to your online cash advance request. And, in many cases, you will get your cash loan the same day or within a few hours – now that’s fast!
This is why so many people prefer to get an online cash advance loan instead of a normal loan. Why lower your credit and wait around for the company to make a decision when you can get quick cash using an online cash advance no credit check loan. It just makes good sense.
Plus, cash advance loans are a good way to rebuild or improve your credit history. But take note, if you don’t repay the cash loan within the time limit applied to them, then your credit history could get even worse than it was before. This could prevent you from being able to get another bad credit cash loan in the future for failing to pay back a previous cash loan.
The truth is that online payday cash loan companies are an good way to get fast cash loans when you need it the most.
And thanks to online cash advance companies with no credit check and no faxing policies, the entire loan process is quick and easy for you. Many people find dealing with an online cash loan company to be a great experience.
Companies that will give you a fast cash loan without credit checks. Instant Decision on an instant cash loan from all about loans
Tags: advice, bad credit, business, credit, finance, loan, mortgage, mortgage banking
First Time Buyers Fail To Shop Around
Feb 5, 2010 bank loans
Almost two thirds of first time buyers accept the first mortgage they are offered and fail to shop around, often missing out on better deals.
Many first time buyers feel pressurised by their estate agents into quickly organising a mortgage for fear of losing out on a property or are attracted to a low interest rate without looking at the mortgage deal as a whole.
However, with such a vast range of mortgage lenders to choose from, first time buyers are well advised to step back and do a little research before they commit.
There are a number of places to find good mortgage deals:
Speak to your bank
Your bank or building society may provide special offers to their account holders, but don’t feel that you have to accept their offer through customer loyalty as there are many other places to look.
Consult with a financial advisor
Financial advisors can offer you a range of mortgage deals to choose from that are appropriate to your circumstances. Some financial advisors offer free advice, but can only provide a limited range of mortgages, through which they earn a commission.
Independent financial advisors will offer a wider range of deals, but you may need to pay them to provide this advice. However, this is often a worthwhile investment, as commission earnings do not influence the advisor, so the mortgage is more likely to meet your requirements.
Get on the net
A search on Google will generate a list of hundreds of UK mortgage providers to choose from. Many will have online mortgage calculators, to give you an idea of your repayments.
Alternatively you can use financial comparison sites, such as MoneySupermarket.com to do the work for you. Simply enter your requirements and let the comparison site search hundreds of providers to provide you with the best deals.
Don’t always depend on the rate
Don’t always assume that a low interest rate makes a cheap mortgage. Providers often use low rate deals to attract new customers, however you may end up paying more money in the long-term.
Check the small print of the mortgage and find out if you will be penalised financially for opting out of the deal early or if there are any hidden costs.
Don Suter is Managing Editor of the UK Property Portal (http://www.ukpropertyportal.co.uk), an online directory. Mortgage Loan Interest Rates
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, buy, cash, credit, finance, Leasing, loan, mortgage, shopping
3 Steps To Saving More Money
Feb 4, 2010 bank loans
Saving money is not easy and is made more difficult if you have a short-term outlook regarding your personal finances. If, like many people, you are living from one pay cheque to the next, it is difficult to put some money aside for a rainy day or for a summer holiday. But what if you were to change your financial outlook into a medium to long-term one? You might believe that you cannot afford to think ahead and make plans, but in most cases you would be wrong. Most people should be able to save some money and with some effort, maybe even as much as 20 percent of their salary each month.
Step 1 – Income Analysis
First of all it is important to have a handle on where your income is going. Unless, we are on an extremely tight budget or are very money conscious for other reasons, many of us have never really sat down and considered what our money is being spent on – we just know that by the end of the month, it has all gone! You will know if you are consistently spending your money on unnecessary purchases, for example. Having this knowledge equips you with the control to change things a little or a lot.
Step 2 – Saving Money Mentality
Many people have never been taught to save and as children, immediately spent the money they received without any forethought. You often hear people say, “Life is short, if you want something buy it now”, but thankfully for most of us life is not really so short and along the way we will have to deal with both opportunities and challenges. Having some money saved will help you make the most of the opportunities and ride the challenges. Step 3 – Savings – Seeing the Big Picture
If you could save 20 percent of your salary each month, imagine what that would mean in real financial terms. For example, if you earn 2000 dollars per month and you saved 20 percent or 400 dollars out of every pay cheque, after 12 months you will have saved 4800 dollars! Regularly saving this amount of money would give you the financial freedom to take advantage of more of life’s opportunities. You could plan the special holiday you have always wanted to go on, buy the car that you have been dreaming about for years, or help put a child through college. When it comes to life’s challenges, having a lump sum put away could help you pay for private medical care or deal with an expensive plumbing problem in the home, all without having to turn to the bank for a loan and getting into debt.
Now Do Something Special or Pay Off That Debt! As we have already seen, knowing exactly where your money is going is the starting point. Next, start thinking about the big things you could achieve with some money in the bank. Some people compensate themselves for not having what they really want, by making many frequent small purchases and getting a temporary “feel good” sensation afterwards.
Rather than satisfying yourself with small purchases, such as new clothes and CDs every week or always buying the latest mobile phone, think about how much more satisfying it would be to save up and buy or do something special like going on holiday or important like paying off a debt. You can now do something which you previously thought was out of your reach, but is achievable with a little effort.
Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster of Living and Working in Greece at http://www.living-and-working-in-greece.com. Get the current best debt consolidation rate quotes
Tags: advice, bad credit, bank loans, banks, business, cash, credit, finance, funds, Leasing, loan, mortgage, Stock