Kidflation Affects The Children With Higher Prices At The Candy Store

Image via WikipediaMom and Dad think they have it bad, with paying $4.00 for gas to go to the supermarket to shop for ever rising food prices. Kids have it rough too in this economic downturn. While adults are feeling retail prices increasing 8.5%, kids are feeling it worse in the pocket book with a rise of 14.3% for the things they need to buy.

Typical costs for kid purchases of sweets and candy have risen 24% on average. Soft drinks are up 16% and kids clothing is also up 17%. To make matters worse for the kids, Mom and Dad are handing out less and less pocket money. Some parents have reduced or eliminated giving the kids their pocket money. Though many parents are making the kids earn their extra money by taking on additional chores around the house.

This terrible affect of the recession on kids has helped them learn the cold hard facts of life. They are learning money is finite and you have to work for the money you receive. Today's kids have many more hands out for their money. Also income from jobs and chores have not kept up with the prices. If they have jobs they are probably receiving the minimum wage. With expensive gas, movie tickets, clothes and cell phones the kids are having a hard time making ends meet.

The high cost of video games is affecting junior's pocket book. The average new, must have video game sells for $50. Being in the baby boomer generation, thinking of spending $50 on toys when I was young, Mom and Dad would of thought I was crazy to spend that much.

Teach good lessons

All this spending can be used to teach good economic behavior to your children. Teaching wants verse needs is a lesson that can be taught at a young age. This kind of lesson probably will have to be taught again and again depending on the maturity level of the child.

Teach how money is earned

Handing the kids an allowance is not a good idea because it teaches money is free with no action taken by the child to receive it. Rather teach the child to work for their allowance by doing chores around the house. Linking their regular chores with the money teaches WORK = MONEY. If you get that lesson into that head of mush it will be the best thing you can do for your child.

Teach how money is used

When they finally receive their money they must be taught how to make financial decisions in life. This is the parents time to guide the youth in making good spending decisions. Eventually they will be on their own and you won't have this influence anymore. The kids should learn to spend and save for future spending. Eventually, you should not be paying for everything. So start by keeping things simple. Kids (via their allowance) pay for the wants (toys, snacks, gifts for friends). Parents pay for needs (school supplies, Grandpa’s birthday present) and the expenses that are random or unpredictable (class trips). Of course, it’s still your money. But transferring the responsibility for those expenses to the child gives them the chance to learn to budget and save and make wise choices.

Learn to let go.

You have taught them how to spend now step back and let them try it out. If they do well with their spending you have accomplished a lot. If they fail miserably you have an opportunity to use the failure to teach a lesson. Remember this is a process. As their maturity level rises, or doesn't rise, you will have to at time step in and reinforce the lessons not quite learned yet.

Learnvest.com Is A Mint.com For Women, Only Better

Image by Courtbean via FlickrLearnvest.com is a personal finance site for women. It's been around since 2009 but a recent cash infusion of $19 million dollars has allowed it to really become a real player in the financial aggregator field. It's trying to be a Mint.com for women. 


It was founded by entrepreneur Alexa Von Tobel, who wanted to design a website attuned to the financial needs of women. Learnvest.com, which has one million users, is launching My Money Center, which like Mint.com, allows women to aggregate all of their financial accounts, such as bills, credit cards, checking accounts, savings, 401K and more, to give users a comprehensive view into the health of their finances. Members can link all of their accounts into a Financial Inbox, which allows them to track their spending.


What sets it apart from similar websites is it's offering personalized financial advice via the LearnVest Advice Center, in which members can submit questions focused on their own financial situations and will receive a tailored response within a matter of hours. This is included in LearnVest’s premium membership, which costs $4.99 per day, $39.99 for three months and $129.99 for a year. The Advice Center also offers access to LearnVest Courses, which help women create a financial plan.

The word learn is in Learnvest because the founder of the website feels education is an integral part of being successful with your money. To help in this goal Learnvest has "BootCamps" where over a period of time you are educated in basic financial subjects. The three online programs, include a Financial Basics Bootcamp, Cut Your Costs Bootcamp, and Investing Bootcamp. Instead of creating a book-like online experience, LearnVest is making email newsletters the foundation of the educational sessions.

The integration between the bootcamp educational sessions and the user’s LearnVest profile is key to the success of the initiative.

Von Tobel explains, women need more tailored financial products in the same way that women join female-focused gyms. It’s about building sound financial habits, she explains, and a more personalized, tailored approach helps this.

There is a promo code, courtesy of Techcrunch.com, for a free one day pass for the premium service. Just enter the code ‘tc2011′ in the next week when signing up. Also there is another free day pass code "daypass2011", good till August 2.

Supplementing Your Income with a Part Time Real Estate Business

This is a guest post by Jeffry Evans, licensed real estate agent.

If you are approaching or are in retirement, or simply want to have a little extra money come in here or there, then pursuing real estate as a side career part time might be just the thing to do. Out of all the things I can think of, it's hard to think of one job where you can make a few thousand dollars, with just a few hours of work and all from your home (or office, if you prefer).

                                

The typical real estate contract pays some 5-6%, and the paperwork to complete it is just several pages long, and often promulgated by a state body, such as a real estate commission or association of Realtors. This makes the technical part of being a real estate agent easy. So it really just comes down to getting your license, and working with buyers and sellers.

Getting Your Real Estate License

To become legally able to act as a real estate agent, you'll have to get licensed. Each state varies slightly on the steps to becoming an agent, but they all following the same basic steps. First, you'll have to have some education. There are many companies, both online and offline, that can deliver a custom package of real estate education to you.

Once you have completed the courses, you'll have to pass a state exam. Once that's passed, you need to deliver the paperwork, and any background checks the state requires. Then you'll need to partner with a local broker, until you become a broker yourself (and you don't have to, you can stay under another broker indefinitely). Once the state acknowledges you partnership, you are ready to begin helping buyers and sellers.

Becoming Successful and Making Some Money

Now that you have your license, your focus needs to shift to finding and helping interested parties. Starting a website is the best approach, because over 80 percent of home buyers begin their search online. Be sure to get a website that you can list properties on, and then begin promoting your site out through social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Start searching online for other websites that have something to do with real estate and/or finance. Partner with them to deliver helpful content that their visitors can use. In return, you'll get creditability and visitors to your site. This is the vital part of the process called real estate internet marketing.

If you consistently publish quality work that is helpful to online home searchers, you'll soon find that you have prospects that want you to help them find their next home. When they do, all you have to do is use the MLS and any other means you have of finding properties to locate and show your new prospect homes that fit their desires.

Be as helpful as you can, and you'll end up with more business than your competitors, and a nice supplemental income, that doesn't cost you all of your time.

Finding Cheap House Insurance For The 50 Plus Person Is A Necessity In Retirement

Image by Laineys Repertoire via FlickrWhen getting ready for retirement you need to reaccess many of the financial parts of your life. From where your going to live to how you will support yourself. Reducing expenses is a priority for making your income go further. Utilities, food, transportation, and insurance are all necessities that we must try to budget for and find ways to save money.

House insurance for the 50 plus crowd is one of those large expenses that has to be looked at to find ways to save money on. Luckily, insurance companies look highly to the 50 plus crowd when giving a quote for a house insurance policy.

Getting old does have it's disadvantages but when it comes to insurance there are benefits. Many insurance companies recognise that people over 50 make fewer and smaller claims. What’s more, if they do make a claim, they tend to be more honest about the true amount lost. So make the most of your glowing reputation as a mature and responsible citizen when seeking house insurance quotes by going to an insurance company that favors the 50 plus crowd with generous insurance discounts.

Why should insurance companies favor the over 50s?

In the eyes of the insurance companies you are a lower risk when it comes to house insurance. Insurance companies see you as a stable and good partner in taking care of your home. People in their 50s, 60s, and 70s care for their homes better through maintenance and repairs. The house of the 50 plus person is in better condition resulting in less risk for the insurer. They are not running around chasing children or going to a job. They have more time for there homes.

What should I look for in a House Insurance Company?

• By switching insurance companies most people save at least 10% to 20%. Look for an insurance company that specializes in people over 50 years old.
• Make sure you save at least 10% when you switch. Mention it to the new insurance company you need to save money, let them work for your business.
• Tailor the policy to not only cover your home but also it's contents so you not only guarantee coverage but replacement coverage.
• Check out heir claims process for ease of use. Do they have a helpful claim center with communication through Internet, phone and fax.

A House insurance company that specializes in the 50 plus person and wants to provide you with cheap House Insurance is Castle Covers. Go here for Castle Covers Cheap House Insurance for over 50s'.

Should I Hire A Handyman or A Contractor For Home Repair.

Image via WikipediaKeeping a residence or commercial business in good condition is a tough job. Water pipes may leak, toilets can overflow and the electricity can go out in the blink of an eye. Property owners must also pay close attention to how the outside looks, as to not violate any city code violations. A handyman or professional contractor may be consulted for these issues – but there are major differences in the qualifications and duties of each profession.

Do you hire a contractor or a handyman?

A handyman service can be a great choice for home repairs, especially for homeowners who need help with smaller jobs, or those who have a variety of projects.

Handymen are skilled professionals who can handle a variety of home repair and maintenance tasks, from fixing plumbing issues to painting walls. When looking for a handyman near me in Lowes Island, VA,” it’s crucial to choose someone dependable and experienced to ensure quality work. They offer services for both indoor and outdoor projects, making them a convenient option for homeowners. Whether you need small repairs or larger projects completed, a good handyman can save you both time and hassle.

Some of these tradesmen and women can even tackle complicated jobs that include electrical and plumbing work but be sure they are licensed for those trades if it is required in your area. No matter who you hire for which job, it is always important you know exactly what you want in a project and communicate that. These days, contractors and handymen are very similar, especially with more contractors developing an all-around approach - making the decision on who you should hire that much more confusing.

Before you hire, make a list of what you need done. Include as much detail as you can so the company can determine if your requests are within their abilities. Have this list on hand when you call to make an appointment. Talk through your list with the handyman or contractor. Most professionals are going to tell you up front if it's a job outside their area of expertise. And, in the case of some of the larger handyman shops, knowing what jobs you need done, often determines which employee they send to your house

Who to hire? Contractor or Handyman?

• A handyman service can be a great choice for home repairs, especially for homeowners who need help with smaller jobs, or those who have a variety of projects. Some of these tradesmen and women can even tackle complicated jobs that include electrical and plumbing work - but be sure they are licensed for those trades if it's required in your area.
• A contractor tends to concentrate on larger jobs or a more specialized field that could require a license or special certification. If you are planning a room addition or a kitchen remodel, for example, a contractor would be better suited for your project. These jobs may last several weeks or months, whereas a handyman's work may be done in just a few hours.

Are You Really Frugal Or Just An Old Cheapskate?

Image by epSos.de via FlickrI have been called cheap and I have been called frugal, what's the difference, is there a difference? Maybe people are just being nice when they call me frugal. Cheap has such a negative connotation, maybe they just don't want to hurt my feelings.

What is frugal? 

Frugal is that you are making definite choices to save money. You are spending money in the most wisest way with a dignity and respect. Also no one is getting harmed or losing in the process.

What is cheap? 

Cheap is more akin to being a hoarder of money and things. You have something and just don't want to part with it on principle. Also when you are being cheap, someone or something is being hurt or losing in the process.

So what separates "frugal" from "cheap"? Here's a list, culled from several blogs: "Frugal for Life," The New York Times' "Your Money," Queercents.com and Bankrate.com.

Frugal: Taking home those tiny hotel shampoo bottles.

Cheap: Taking home the hotel-room light bulbs.

Frugal: Sneaking a snack into a movie theater.

Cheap: Sneaking into the theater itself.

Frugal: Accepting "free samples" at a grocery store.

Cheap: Accepting a free continental breakfast at a hotel where you are not staying.

Frugal: Buying artificial sweeteners in bulk from a discount store.

Cheap: Pocketing sweetener packets from a restaurant.

Frugal: Ordering only free water with your meal at a restaurant.

Cheap: Bringing your own drinks to a restaurant.

Frugal: Eating at less-expensive restaurants.

Cheap: Being a poor tipper at less-expensive restaurants.

Frugal: Finding stray golf balls in the rough at courses and using them.

Cheap: Selling those golf balls.

Frugal: Having dinner at 4:30 p.m. to get the "early bird" special.

Cheap: Eating a meal at a soup kitchen if you can afford to buy food.


So what's the verdict? Are you cheap or frugal. If your frugal, feel good about yourself, you are saving money and helping yourself get ahead. If you are cheap, rethink your motives and move away from the dark side.

Are Prepaid Cards Finally A Good Idea?

Image via WikipediaLately the emergence of prepaid cards are making a dent in financial circles. When American Express starts to get into the business people take notice. You see these cards more and more at drug stores, supermarkets, and retailers. You usually find them next to the gift card card display racks.

What are prepaid cards?

Prepaid cards are re-loadable cards that can be used anywhere credit or debit cards are accepted. They're popular with people who can't afford a traditional bank account, or who have been turned off by overdraft fees and other costs. They also offer a way for consumers who don't have credit cards to shop online. They come with monthly fees and reloading fees. If you need plastic and don't have a credit card or a bank account, with a debit card, prepaid cards are your only option.

What's the downside?

According to Consumer Reports, there are many fees and charges. They did a study comparing 19 different prepaid cards.

1. Activation Fees

Twelve of the 19 prepaid cards come with activation fees. The worst offender: First Vineyard card and its $39.95 tariff.

2. Monthly Fee

Sixteen of the 19 carry this fee ranging from $2.95 to $9.95. Most of the cards will waive the monthly charge if a direct deposit — think allowance — is set up. But the Green Dot card actually requires you maintain a $1,000 balance or make 30 transactions per month.

3. Balance Inquiry Fee

All 19 prepaid cards charge a fee to withdraw cash. So you shouldn’t confuse this product with a debit card. But 18 of them are really pushing the envelope and taking an additional 45 cents to $1 if you dare to check your balance at an ATM machine.

4. Customer Service

Perhaps the most surprising fee — and the most offensive one — is a charge to speak with a customer service representative. At least two do this and they are BuyRight and Exact card. If they nickel and dime you just for calling, I can’t imagine the companies will be all that helpful if you have a problem.

5. Inactivity Fees

Like gift cards, some of the prepaid cards carry inactivity fees. The Exact card dares to yank nearly $10 off your account every month it sits idle in your wallet.

One thing is for sure, prepaid cards have many fees and gotchas. Make sure you check out all the fees first before you sign up for them. Bankrate.com has a nice comparison chart to help you in your selection.

Men: If You Want To Have A Longer, Healthier Life Have Your Wife Retire

Image by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget via FlickrAARP has a Health Discovery article that claims men will have a longer and healthier life if their wife retires. Angela Curl, assistant professor of social work at the University of Missouri, did a survey analyzing working couples over many years at the university's Health and Retirement Study. The surprising results revealed men feel their health improves when their wives retire.

"Women tend to monitor their husbands' well-being, making sure they eat right, go to the doctor, get some exercise, socialize," Curl says. The reciprocal of the wives claim of a healthier life did not happen. It seems the wife has a much more natural care giving tendency than men do.

When the wives retire they generally rated their health as worse during the first few years after they left their jobs, but then said it improved as time went on.

I find that this husband/wife ecosystem extends to other facets of life. Women tend to socialize more outside their jobs while men have more friendships integrated to their workplace. Success in life and business tends to be increased when a wife is there to guide and nurture the situation, keeping things on track.

Lower risk from heart disease.

Men can thank their spouses again because the reason married men have a lower risk of death from heart disease may be because their wives encourage them (ok, nag them) to go to the E.R. when they’re having the symptoms of a heart attack.

But again the reciprocal doesn't hold true, married women having chest pain did not get to the hospital sooner than single women.

I see in my own life how the marriage dynamic keeps things on track for me. I am grateful to my wife for the consistent gentle persuasion or nagging that is good for my health and happiness. The odd thing is even if my wife isn't there at the moment, I hear that voice in my head telling me the right thing.

AARP article: Husbands Benefit From Wives' Retirement

10 Reasons To Not Use Credit Cards

Image via WikipediaThere are many reasons to use credit cards and just as many reasons to not use them. Credit cards are just disastrous in some peoples lives. It's true a lot of people use credit cards their whole life and never get into trouble. But when you don't understand the dangers and troubles that can occur from misuse it's better to stick with cash.

I have listed several ways the use of cash is better than using credit cards:

1. You will never be in debt. It's pretty hard to get into credit card debt when you don't have any credit cards. It's hard enough getting out of debt, staying out of debt is much harder with those plastic cards pulling at you.

2. Impulse purchases will disappear. Credit cards make it so easy to make impulse purchases, only limited by your credit line. Within no time you can be in debt and over your head. When you spend cash it hurts. Cash is always in limited supply. When it's gone you know it. There is a physical connection between you and your money. Credit cards are a cheat on the process and a disconnect.

3. Credit card purchases are traceable. If you value your privacy use cash. If you want some computer somewhere to know everything you purchase, use credit cards. It's none of anybody's business what you do, where you go, or what you spend your money on. Credit cards makes it easy to know everything.

4. Budgets are easier to keep. When writing out your budget every month knowing your income less your expenses is simpler. Even if you are not the best at budgets you can never go back to debt if you overspend and are short on some bill. You will know where every dollar went, you will be more organized.

5. You will spend less. When you use credit cards, statistics show you spend on average 19% more than what you would with cash. Credit cards disconnect your brain from making good purchasing decisions. Spending money is sexy with credit cards, it's visceral with cash.

6. Card bonus points are not worth it. You think you are winning when you earn rewards from your credit card purchases. But these reward programs are just a way for the credit card companies to keep you on the hook so someday you will get caught again and go into debt. If you don't play their game you will always win. If you do play, there is a very big chance they will get you.

7. Spending cash links work with spending. Credit cards always break that link with how much you need to work to pay for that purchase. Spending hard cash makes it very real that the computer you just bought for $1,000 means you just had to trade a month of you labor for that item. When spending money is viewed as trading your days time and work for a hunk of metal or plastic you look at purchase in a new way.

8. Debit cards work instead of credit cards. There will be a time where you will need plastic to make a purchase and that's your excuse for keeping a credit card. Using a debit card from your checking account works exactly the same way. I have reserved automobile rentals and hotel rooms without any hassle using my debit card. I then pay my bill in cash or with a check.

9. No wasteful fees to pay. I never have to worry about late fees, lost payments, finance charges, messed up accounting, or interest rates. Also I never get a bill from a credit card company.

10. It's a freeing experience to not be beholding to the bankers. With all we have gone through with the financial institutions these past few years there is a bad taste in my mouth with these companies. Not using their product is just my way to voice my disgust for their actions.

I like to use cash, I prefer it to credit cards. It's a shame how the use of credit cards and their abuse is now the norm in our society and using cash is the rarity.

Social Security Encourages You To Boldly Go To Their Website

Social Security has been running PSA ads touting the ease of using their online services. Recently they have been using actors Patty Duke and George Takei to make cute videos about how easy the Social Security website is to use.

It was three years ago when, Kathy Casey-Kirschling, the first baby boomer applied for Social Security. The preparation began for the increase of applicants many years before when the Social Security Administration streamlined there application process online. Today you can go online and apply for retirement benefits, disability benefits, Medicare, and extra help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.

Other things you can do online is get a personalized estimate of your future Social Security retirement benefits. Here you enter your name, social security number, and date of birth. You will see your benefits for full retirement at age 66 1/2, how much it will be at age 70, and if you apply at age 62. Start here for the retirement estimator.

If your ready to retire soon you can complete and submit your retirement application in as little as 15 minutes at the Online Retirement Application here.

If you need to apply for disability benefits, it's east to start your application here.

If you need to apply for Medicare, the application process begins here.

Your benefit amount can be affected by a number of different factors. If you already have a benefit estimate, you can use the charts and calculators listed on this page to find out how different retirement dates and situations affect your Social Security benefits. If you:

• are currently working and are eligible for retirement or survivors benefits this year, you can learn how your earnings may affect your benefit payments with our Earnings Limit Calculator.
• start benefits early, the amount may be reduced based on how long you will receive benefits before your full retirement age. If you want to find out how much retiring early reduces your monthly benefit as a wage earner or spouse, use our Retirement Age Calculator.
• will start receiving benefits after your full retirement age, your benefit may be higher due to delayed retirement credits.
• are trying to decide whether to retire early and take a reduced benefit,wait until full retirement age or delay benefits until age 70 we can help you decide if the higher benefit is worth the wait.
• know the amount of your full retirement benefit, you can
• compute the effect of early or delayed retirement on your benefit amount and
• include Medicare Part B Premiums in your calculations.will receive a pension from a  federal, state or local government job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes, it may reduce the amount of your Social Security benefit. 
• Find out what having a government pension will do to your Social Security benefit if it is based on: Your work, Your spouse's work.

Are You Afraid To Use Online banks?

Image via Wikipedia
With ever changing technology, we always seem to be playing catchup. Technology is progressing faster than the time it takes for us to adapt. Most technology in our lives is just enhancements of existing products. For example, cars today are technological marvels with their computer controlled engines, satellite radio, air bag technology and many other enhancements. But basically it still the same machine it was 50 years ago. It has a steering wheel, pedals, and four tires.

Other things like TVs, radio's, home appliances are all basically old inventions with enhancements and upgrades. One of the things that is completely new in the last 50 years are computers. The world has never seen a technology like this before. An even newer technology coming from computers is the Internet. The Internet has made our shopping, learning, and daily life quicker, faster, and easier. It is still relatively new and will take time to be integrated into our lives.

Many things that we used to do at the corner store we can now do on the Internet in a more efficient way. Every year more and more shopping is done on the Internet. Many of us have our old checking accounts that are able to be accessed and used to check balances online. But we know, if we ever want to, we can still drive down to the old brick and mortar bank and talk to a real person. This lifeline to the old and familiar make us feel more secure to use online banks and all their services.

Article: Why Use An Online Bank Instead Of A Brick and Mortar Bank?

What if there was a bank that was online just like the one you are using presently. But there was no physical bank to go to. Would it make you apprehensive? A lot of people don't like the idea of their checking account and savings account being exclusively on the Internet or as they say "In the cloud".

What are peoples number one worry about Internet banking? They want to be able to go to a physical building to see where their money is. If you do go down to your local bank and think your money is there you will be very disappointed. The bank teller won't be showing you your money. The best and only thing they will do is print up a piece of paper with your account balance on it. Banking online is the same thing. Only you can do it from the comfort of your home.

If you have a lot of money you are probably investing through a brokerage account. When you invest in mutual funds, bonds, and stocks where is your money. The only way you are able to see where that money is, is if you look at the balance on your online brokerage account. It's the same as your online checking account.

You are trusting that your money is in your brokerage account, why not take the step to trust the online bank.

Today there is an online bank that wants your business and is willing to give you rewards to have your business. Take the money from under the mattress and open an account at the best bank on the net. Try PerkStreet Financial.

Here's what you get with PerkStreet Financial:

• 2% cash back on non-PIN debit card purchases, with 5% PowerPerks categories
• Free, complete online banking
• No monthly fees for active account holders
• Free online bill pay
• Free, automated electronic transfers between bank accounts
• Free book of paper checks
• Mobile alerts for balances and deposits
• Access to 37,000 ATMs - the nation's largest network
• 24/7, fast phone and e-mail service

You don't have to close your account at the old brick and mortar bank, use them for transferring funds in and out of PerkStreet Financial. Sign up and link your PerkStreet account to any other bank account for free, transfer money when you need it, it's always free. You will get free checking, access to 37,000 ATMs nationwide, free online banking and billpay. All FDIC insured and your debit card transactions are protected and backed up by MasterCard.


Open an Account today at PerkStreet Financial Here.

What Happens To My First Mortgage If I Don't Pay My Second Mortgage?

Image by Katy Levinson via FlickrToday many people are carrying both a first and second mortgage on their home. They started with a first mortgage when the home was purchased and later added a second mortgage to do a home remodel or a debt consolidation. Now through a reduction in income or a job loss, they are no longer able to make the payment on the second mortgage. They do earn enough to make the primary mortgage but paying the second mortgage is impossible. What will the second mortgage holder do and how will it effect the first mortgage?

All mortgages are foreclosable. But the question is will they foreclose. When the mortgage company writes a mortgage, they put a lien on the home. Liens on a home when there are two mortgages are applied in order. If the second mortgage holder attempts to foreclose, the primary mortgage holder gets first crack at the house in trying to recover it's money. They must be satisfied first. If any money is left over, the second mortgage holder gets any money that is left. In most cases there is no money left and they are left with nothing.

The second mortgage company knows they may get nothing if they foreclose. Even though you are paying the first mortgage faithfully, the first mortgage holder may begin the foreclosure process if they learn the second mortgage wants to foreclose. In most mortgage documents this stipulation appears.

The result is foreclosure will occur if you stop paying either mortgage note. But the second mortgage holder doesn't necessarily have to foreclose. Their alternative is to sue the homeowners. It's bad for the homeowner because the mortgage company will easily win the suit. They will get a judgment and either get a judge to take your assets or garnish your wages. This kind of judgment is open ended and they will persist trying to collect for many years to come.

In todays mortgage environment, many people are having problems with making their mortgage payments. There is a silver lining to this problem and it is that mortgage holders are more inclined to help out people who are having trouble paying. It's a lose-lose situation for all parties involved, the mortgage company and the mortgage payers. The way out of this is all parties working together to make the payment more affordable, so there is no foreclosure. Start to contact both mortgae holders and try to get the loans modified. It's better if the two loans are with the same company but even if they are not it is possible to still make it happen. It takes a lot of persistence and patience. 

Budgeting for Your Pension

This is a guest post by our friends over at www.debtadvisorycentre.co.uk, I recommend you visit their website for solutions to your financial problems.

Saving for your retirement is an important thing to think about for the future. The basic State Pension for a single person currently stands at £102.15 per week, which you may qualify for when you reach retirement age.

If you want to have more than that when you retire, it's important you start putting money aside as soon as possible - if you haven't done so already - which may mean making changes to your monthly budget.

As with any kind of saving, putting money aside for your retirement can be a lot easier if you increase your disposable income every month: that is, the amount of money you have left over after you've covered your essential expenses (such as mortgage/rent payments, utility bills, etc.).

Your disposable income is what you have left to repay your unsecured debts and, if there is any left over every month, to spend on non-essential 'luxuries' - or save for the future.

If you'd like to save more for the future, you could try to maximise your disposable income by cutting back on non-essential spending and/or increasing your total income (all the money your household earns/receives).

How could I maximise my disposable income?

There are two main ways of increasing your disposable income every month:

1. Increase your income. Check that you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to, or look into working extra hours if it's reasonable to do so. Some people decide to take in a lodger and charge for rent/bills, for example, which could considerably raise your income every month.
2. Reduce your expenditure. Find out if you're entitled to any tax reductions/exemptions, or if you could switch to a cheaper utility supplier to save on your monthly gas and electricity bills. You may decide to cut back on your main yearly holiday or other luxuries you feel you could live without for the time being.

However, if you're also repaying unsecured debts every month, trying to save up for retirement isn't always easy, as some of your disposable income will go towards covering your repayments every month. How could you budget for this while still keeping on top of your debts?

Saving and repaying debt

When saving for the future, it's important to make sure you can still afford your repayments every month to your unsecured lenders. The sooner you can pay your debts off in full, the more money you'll have every month for savings.

This could mean a change in the way you manage your debts, or, if you already have savings, it may actually be worth using part of them to repay your existing unsecured debts first, then starting to save more for your retirement after you've paid them off.

If you can't afford to save anything at all because of your unsecured debts, you might want to get some professional advice - at www.debtadvisorycentre.co.uk, for example - to find the best approach for your circumstances.  

BrightScope.com - An Easy Way To Check Up On Your Financial Advisor

Image via WikipediaIn the wake of the Madoff scandal it's always in the back of your mind the integrity of your financial advisor. For the most part, our financial advisors are upstanding and honest people. It's the bad apples that we hear about in the news, not the good ones. But it's always best to do due diligence on the people we trust with our money.

Checking out our advisor doesn't require costly investigators or large amounts of time. There are sources online to get plenty of information.

BrightScope.com. This site offers an easy interface to check out an advisor. Just enter your advisors name. You will be shown a page to narrow down to your specific advisor if there are multiple people by that name. Once you arrive at the page of your specific advisor, you will see a short summary of the firm, location, address, phone # and assets managed. Followed by metrics on the advisers qualifications, experience, and conduct. The types of clients the firm handles in a pie chart .

I especially like the listing of the advisors previous employers, licenses held, and industry exams passed. For a quick and easy way to check out an advisor, BrightScope.com is the way to go.

Finra.org. Is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA’s mission is to protect investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly. All told, FINRA oversees nearly 4,535 brokerage firms, about 163,620 branch offices and approximately 631,640 registered securities representatives. FINRA has approximately 3,000 employees and operates from Washington, DC, and New York, NY, with 20 regional offices around the country. Here you can look up a brokerage firm or individual broker to see their status with FINRA.

Nasaa.org. The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. NASAA is a voluntary association whose membership consists of 67 state, provincial, and territorial securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico. From here you can go to your states Office of Financial Regulation to check out the advisors license status.

Adviserinfo.sec.gov. Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) provides information about current and former Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) and Investment Adviser firms registered with the SEC and/or state securities regulators. Here you can check on the your advisors status.


Learning a little information about your advisor will reveal any red flags or show you that everything is fine and you can relax a little.

New July PowerPerks At PerkStreet Financial

Summers here and PerkStreet Financial PowerPerks took the fun path this month. Thinking you deserved a little relaxation for the hot summer months PerkStreet is going to give you back 5% when you purchase these cool summer treats. 

This months Powerperks that will give you 5% back in rewards are:

1. Ben & Jerry’s
2. Diary Queen
3. Cold Stone Creamery
4. Old Navy
5. Movie Tickets

Remember even if you don't get to use these PowerPerk companies you still receive 1% to 2% cash back rewards (depending on your balance) on all your regular purchases. I like using the PerkStreet Mastercard because unlike a credit card there is never an interest charge or a late fee. You get all the benefits of a credit card without all the negatives.

PerkStreet customers can earn 2% cash back on all non-PIN debit card purchases when they have a daily opening balance of at least $5,000 in their checking account. Customers will continue to earn PerkStreet’s standard 1 percent cash back on all non-PIN debit card purchases even when their account balance is less than $5,000.

PerkStreet has calculated you will get back at least $600 per year by using their account. There are no fees or long list of exceptions to gaining rewards.

Though the amount you can earn via regular rewards (1% or 2% depending on your account balance) is unlimited, the amount you can earn at the 5% cash back bonus rate is limited to $250 per household annually (starting on the day your account was opened). The total amount of cash back you can earn remains unlimited.

Sign up today for PerkStreet Financial and start earning rewards today!

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Do You Have Coupon Etiquette ? - 5 Rules For Easy Coupon Shopping

Image via WikipediaAre you one of those out of control coupon clippers like those found on the TLC show "Extreme Couponing"? Recently many stores have changed or updated their coupon rules to clear up any questions of how the coupons are to be used. Our local supermarket has published a new use of coupon rules in each store because things have gotten out of hand. The problem is some shoppers are abusing the use of coupons and this may make it harder for the average couponer to shop.

If you are an avid coupon user there are a few simple rules to follow to make the whole experience a little less stressful for the cashier and the people in line behind you.

Rule #1. Don't clear off the shelves when you make purchases. It's bad form for you and keeps other shoppers from cashing in on the great deals. Also the store may not know the shelves are emptied out, so its better to only purchase a small amount. If you must make a large purchase either call ahead to the store so they can arrange to put aside enough items for your purchase and not have bare shelves. Also make your large purchase not just in one store, but spread it over a couple of stores.

Rule #2. Be organized at check out. When checking out have all your coupons organized and not just in a messy pile facing all different ways. It shows respect for the cashier and the people waiting in line behind you. Also make sure the coupons are not expired and that you are following the rules of the store in their use.

Rule #3. Try to plan your shopping at a slow time of the day. Holding up the line with coupon redemption at the peak shopping times shows bad form and is inconsiderate of other people. It irritates other customers when you are trying to use so many coupons, so go when you know its the slowest time of the day.

Rule #4. Be polite to the cashier and other customers. You may know more about coupons than the cashier but it's no excuse to be rude or impatient. Use your manners and stay calm if there is a problem. Ask to speak to the head cashier if extra help is needed. Also alert customers behind you that you have coupons and that there may be a delay. Let people behind you in line go ahead if they only have a couple of items.

Rule #5. Follow the rules. Know the rules of the store your shopping at. Don't be pushy with your coupons. If you are having a problem with the use of the coupon just skip that particular one. It's not worth arguing over something like that, it's better to not be known as the neighborhood coupon freak. It's better to build a friendship with the store and the cashiers that work there. Also make sure you have the correct item for that coupon and that the coupon is not expired.

Shopping with coupons will save you a lot of money. Following these few rules will make the experience pleasant for all.

What's A Construction Loan and How Does it Work?

Image via WikipediaConstruction loans can sometimes seem confusing to the first time, do it yourself home builder. But in reality they are a simple tool for borrowing the money to build a home. A construction loan is a simple loan used to finance the construction of a home. When the home is completed the loan is due. So a mortgage loan must already be set up and take affect at that time. Traditionally, you apply for both loans at the same time and it's a good idea to lock down the mortgage interest rate at this time.

At the beginning of home construction, the borrowed money from the construction loan is placed in a bank account and checks are written, drawing on this money. You only pay interest to the bank on the money used. You do not pay principle, that happens when it converts to a mortgage, after the home is built.

Just as there are different kind of mortgages, there are variety of construction loans with different variables.

• Construction loans are short term loans that can last between 6 months and 2 years depending on terms from your lender.
• Some loans are construction only or construction to mortgage loan.
• The credit score of the borrower determines the amount of funds that the banks will lend, it's not open ended.
• Construction loans are usually variable-rate loans priced at a spread to the prime rate or some other short-term interest rate.

The construction loan funds are dispersed on a predetermined schedule or upon stages of completion. According to completion and inspections more money is released. At the end of construction a certificate of occupancy is issued by the municipality allowing occupancy of the home. This triggers the end of the construction loan.

Why Does Dave Ramsey Recommend PerkStreet Financial For Checking and Rewards Debit Card?

Dave Ramsey the king of the debt free life recommends PerkStreet Financial. Dave Ramsey hates debt and on his radio show and many books he preaches the debt free life. Dave is adverse to debt because when he was a young real estate investor he lost everything and went bankrupt. He learned the way to prosper with your finances is to stay away from debt and live on what you make.


He has gone on to write several books about his experiences and all he has learned on his debt free journey. He has a website called DaveRamsey.com and has taught millions his money program "Financial Peace University". He is most famous for his "7 Baby Steps".

"7 Baby Steps"

1. $1,000 to start an emergency fund
2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income in Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5. College funding for children
6. Pay off home early
7. Build wealth and give!

While using these steps, Dave recommends creating a budget and using the envelope system. The envelope system is where you have envelopes for groceries, gas, eating out, clothes, entertainment, etc. Once that cash is gone, you have no more money to spend on that category. It’s a great way to force yourself to stick to a budget. But you can't use that system when you need to buy something and can't use cash. You may not be able to use cash in a situation so credit cards are not allowed anymore, but a debit card is. You would need one to rent a car or make a purchase online. For these types of purchases Dave Ramsey rcommends using the PerkStreet Financial Rewards Debit Card.


Why Use PerkStreet Financial?

PerkStreet is one of the few rewards debit cards on the market, and is available to virtually anyone who wants to open a new checking account. PerkStreet is currently offering 2% cash back on all purchases, and up to 5% cash back on purchases in popular categories. This makes the rewards program better than many rewards credit cards.

How Does the Cash Back Work?

To receive 2% cash back, you need to have a minimum balance of $5,000 on the day you make the purchase. If your balance drops below $5,000 your cash back reward drops to 1%. The max cash rewards of 5% is for select spending categories and stores, which changes on a scheduled basis. You can redeem your rewards for cash, or for gift cards from popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, Best Buy, or a gift card.

How Can PerkStreet Afford To Give You So Much Cash Back?

Every year, banks spend $80 billion on branches. That equals nearly $1,000 for every family in the United States. You probably only walk into a branch to use the ATM or to talk to someone when you have a question. At PerkStreet, there are better ways to spend that money — like having even more ATMs and even better service.

Additional PerkStreet Financial benefits:

• PerkStreet Financial is a FREE online checking account
• No cap on the amount of perks you can earn
• Nation’s Largest Surcharge-Free ATM Network
• No Minimum Balance Requirement
• No monthly fees when you use your account
• Sign-Up In Just 5 Minutes
• Free online banking and bill pay
• FDIC Insured Up to $250,000 and Protected from Fraud
• PerkStreet Financial Debit MasterCard® gives you up to 5% cash back

Sign up today for one of the most rewarding checking accounts and get the PerkStreet Financial Debit MasterCard® - the debit card that helps you get debt free. It gives you 5% cash back on certain categories and 2% on everything else.

Simplee.com Helps Manage Your Health Care Expenses

If your financially able to pay for health care, managing and understanding it is a difficult task. When you go to the doctor you may not be sure how much the doctor will charge, how much your insurance coverage will pay, and if your deductible is met yet. Juggling and keeping up with all these factors of your health care plan is a lot a work. Even if you wait till your explanation of benefits letter arrives in the mail , it can be still very confusing. You need an easy way to keep track of all these numbers.

Today we have Simplee.com to help. Simplee.com is an online personal health care management website. It's the Mint.com for health care. The way Simplee works is you simply let Simplee link to your health care providers website and it accesses the data and then it presents it to you in a simple and manageable way. The website will show you how much you were billed for a procedure, how much the insurance company will pay and what you are expected to pay. You don't have to enter any information because you allow the Simplee website to use your log on information for the health care providers website and Simplee just accesses the information itself.

You can use the information for multiple accounts and family members. It will keep track of your deductibles and even let you know what services your policy covers.


Simplee lets you drill down to individual claims to see what your insurance paid, the negotiated discount, and what you owe. It’s like a statement of benefits that actually makes sense. 

Simplee currently supports eight of the largest health plans in the U.S (including Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, and BlueCross BlueShield of California), and is adding more every week.

Why America Is Exceptional - Fourth of July

Image via WikipediaAsk yourself how it's possible, a group of men could sign a document 235 years ago, resulting in a country that eventually would dominate a world culturally, economically, societally, and militarily. Even though other nations had a 1000 year head start and they still couldn't attain the same result.

Is America exceptional or as President Obama stated in April 2009, "America was not any more exceptional than any other country."

The beginning of American exceptionalism started with the revolution. The founders wanted to write a Constitution that would not fail man as past documents have. They believed the rule of law was the basic foundation of a people who's success or failure depended on their own efforts. They believed government could not guarantee or provide anyones basic needs. They started with the premise that all men were created equal. This gave all men an even starting point in their lives. It would be up to them to make it work. It was the being of the American tradition of self reliance.

The founders new then that government was not the solution but the problem. Even today men still think government can cure all of the people problems. The founders knew that government needed to get out of the way of it's citizens because the people had it with in them to make their lives work. Anything the government touched would not be as efficient as men and women taking care of their own lives. Governments job was not help all citizens succeed, it was supposed to make the playing field level, giving all the opportunity to succeed, not guaranteeing success.

No government is like America. Most revolutions seek to destroy the existing class order and use all-powerful government to mandate an equality of result rather than of opportunity. The Founders were convinced that constitutionally protected freedom would allow the individual to create wealth apart from government. Such enlightened self-interest would then enrich society at large far more effectively that could an all-powerful state.

In America we trust in the common man, not the government. In other lands, the government is the nanny of the people. There is an innate distrust in the government and the elite bureaucracy it creates. Confidence in the common man is the backbone of our success in the past and the only way to a prosperous future.

6 Signs That Indicate Your Headed For A Financial Collision

Image via WikipediaGetting into trouble financially doesn't happen all of a sudden. It happens little by little. Dollar by dollar you increase the amount you owe on your credit cards. An emergency comes along and your savings doesn't cover the bill. You use your credit card like a piggy bank. You don't mean for it to happen but you are forced into a corner.

Being aware of the warning signs of trouble may help you avoid the trouble so here are 6 indicators that you may be on your way to financial ruin.

1. Using your home as a source of money. One of the causes of the financial crisis was homeowners borrowing on the equity in their home. They used the money for consumables like TVs, cars and vacations. Some used their home to pay off credit card and other debt. Doing this takes short term debt and makes it long term debt. It is like borrowing money for a car and taking 30 years to pay it of. If you are about to do this, find another way to borrow the money for your debts. Try negotiating a lower interest rate with your credit card company.

2. Using or borrowing from retirement accounts. If you borrowed from you 401(k) this is a sign of future financial problems. Most people use this as a last resort and it shows that you are having trouble with cash flow. It is only a patch on a problem. Doing this just exposes the serious financial problem you have. Using your retirement savings sets up future tax problems, you have to pay the loan back if you lose your job, and you lose the compounding that makes retirement savings grow. A better way would be to cut back in lifestyle and sell everything that's not nailed down.

3. Your paying overdraft fees and getting Non-sufficient funds notices from your bank. Another sign you are living on the financial edge and ready to go over. This is a big red flag that you have too little income and to many debts to pay. Your monthly bills are more than you make and just one more emergency and you will be underwater. Now is the time to seek professional credit counseling.

4. Fighting with your spouse about money. Nothing can end a relationship faster than money problems. An occasional fight now and then is fine but if you are having continual, never ending fights you are showing all the signs of an impending financial disaster. It's time to get to a marriage and financial counselor.

5. Credit Card Roulette. If you are juggling several credit card balance transfer offers and just moving balances from one to another card, this is a sign of impending financial trouble. You are not paying down your debts and you may be just increasing them. Here again a drastic reduction in lifestyle is the answer. You spending more than you make and it will never end unless you do something drastic and change your behaviors.

6. Paying late fees and juggling due dates. Timing your bills due dates shows you just don't have the money for what your spending money on. It's very hard to time your bills due dates. You may get some bills there on time but others like credit card companies sometimes hold back your payments and credit your account after due dates just to churn late fees. Late fees also trigger interest rate increases, just making the your minimum payments even higher.

If your tired of living with these kinds of behaviors and never having enough money to pay your bills maybe your sick and tired enough to do something about it today.