Is the Personal Elevator Truly Useful?

While some say that personal elevators are just an accessory, others have come to the conclusion that having one in a house with more than one floor can become quite useful. Although at first you would be inclined to think that people use elevators because they are lazy, if you take the time to analyze the situation a little deeper, you will see that there are actually some truly valid reasons to owning a personal lift. Let's take a look at some of them. 

Create an Accessible Home

Although we do not encourage a sedentary lifestyle, when it comes to homes, personal lifts can actually be very useful. It is no longer a matter of commodity, but rather a problem of conserving energy. For example, if you own a two or three floors home you are likely to place the bedrooms on the superior floors and the garage or service rooms on the inferior ones. Although stairs are faster and healthier, in time they can have brutal effects on the knees. Just imagine yourself rushing up and down the stairs with your hands full of laundry or furniture. In a few years your joints will be screaming arthritis. Furthermore, your house will undoubtedly be equipped with a flight of stairs, so for those who think that they will become less active because of the elevator, we remind you that it is merely a matter of willpower. You don't have to use the lift if you don't need it, but it's nice to know that it is there in case you have heavy lifting to do.

Care for People with Disabilities

Growing old is something none of us are looking forward to, but it is something that we also can't avoid. A personal lift can become an invaluable element in your house, especially if you are passed your prime. Moreover, if you are living with your elderly family members, an elevator can prove to be of great comfort. Elevators are also one of the safest forms of transportation. Personal elevators will enable them to continue living in your house, and for most this is a dream come true. Even if you might think that they could easily live on only one floor, having access to the entire house can be quite reassuring for them.

It is not only the elderly that you should think of. First of all, the needs of people with disabilities are usually neglected. Imagine that you are having a disabled friend over, and he won't be able to move freely between first and second floor because he is stuck in a wheelchair. Secondly, there are a great number of locomotive apparatus diseases like osteochondrosis, joint diseases or sciatic pains which will make climbing twenty stairs feel like conquering the Everest.

Increase the Value of Your Home

In the past few years people have become more and more interested in the overall appearance of their home. And it seems a natural concern, because the house that we live in says a lot about our personality. You don't have to spend a lot of money in order to create a nice looking place of your own. In this regard, personal elevators can be really useful. First of all they occupy less space than the stairs, and they can become a valuable addition to your household. For example, Manwell Dumbwaiters offers customized designs, and this means you will have the perfect fit for your home. Not only this, but also customized elevators can be easily used by people with disabilities or health problems like the ones mentioned above. They are not only functionally justified, but can also be seen as an enhancement for interior design. For example, if you want to highlight it you can add glass walls and create an interesting view of the inside. On the other hand, you can conceal it behind foldable doors.

Maintenance Costs

Before you decide whether or not you want to install a residential elevator, you must consider all aspects and this also includes the issue of regular maintenance, more precisely, maintenance costs. This is an arguable subject, because some consider that the overall costs are very high. However, there are certain models which are maintenance free. Specialists say that a typical residential lift can last 20 years, given the proper care. We believe that you can create the shaft also as a preventive measure, but instead of installing an elevator in it from the beginning you can use it as a closet. As soon as you feel the need to use one – should you be growing old or experiencing health problems - you can easily install it, without making major adjustments to your home plans. This way you will save the money that would have been spent on maintenance.

It seems that elevators for personal use aren't as useless as some might have thought. Besides the obvious reasons stated above, there are also additional aspects which make it an inspired choice in any household.

Personal Capital APP Review

This post brought to you by Personal Capital. All opinions are 100% mine.


In today's world it is more important than ever to keep track of our financial life. What we save, spend, and invest in is critcal to our success with money. Keeping track of these things has become more difficult with the increasing complexity of our lives. Keeping track of income, planning with a budget, and making sure our investments are on track can take up a lot of time.

Sometimes we need to have this information at our finger tips. Luckily, we have a multitude of mobile computing devices that can make this simple. With Personal Capital's mobile app we can have all this important information close by.

The Personal Capital App, is available for the iPad, iPhone and Android; it allows you to see the overall picture of your finances. You can view all your financial accounts in one place. Your savings and checking account, mutual funds and stocks all displayed in an organized, easy to view way.

Personal Capital Benefits from Personal Capital on Vimeo.

The Personal Capital app is free to download and use. Plus has all these feature:

1. Encompasses all your finances. Personal Capital gives you access to all your finances in one location.
2. Gives you a broad overview of your investment portfolio. Many investors that have accounts with multiple brokers can view them all in one easy to view place.
3. Personal Capital offers a great way to drill down into asset allocation and tax optimization.
4. Check your investment fees by using the mutual fund fee calculator.
5. Stay on top of your 401k with the free organizer.

I always found that the major complaint from people who want to keep their finances organized is the desktop and mobile apps we have today are just to hard to use. I have found that the Personal Capital app is very simple to use and this is the one thing that will keep me using it. I think this app has made looking after your finances no longer a chore.

I recommend you give the Personal Capital app a try. You can download it to your iPhone, iPad, and like me even your Android device.

If you want track your income and spending plus finally feel sure your doing all you can to be successful with your financial life. Use the Personal Capital app.

The Necessity of Individual Retirement Accounts

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Even if you have quite a long time before you retire, it's never too early to start thinking about a plan. When that day comes, you want to make sure you have enough money saved up and that you are able to live comfortably. What are the benefits if individual retirement accounts, which are sometimes referred to as IRAs?

An Individual Plan

Not everyone has the same needs, and you want to ensure that your personal ones are met. By developing an IRA, you can work to craft a plan that makes sense for you and addresses your personal and financial needs. When you take the time to sit down with a certified financial planner and come up with an individual retirement account, you are being smart about your future. Specifically, you will be able to work toward attaining a specific amount of money to have reserved for you when you retire. In society at large, these accounts allow people to develop a greater sense of personal responsibility.

Personal Responsibility

Let's explore this concept of personal responsibility a little bit more. It is clear from the state of the economy that many people and government entities are not great with money. Therefore, it's also smart to take some steps to amplify your knowledge and to learn more about where your money goes and why it's important. Taking the step to have an IRA, regardless of the specific type, means that you are putting personal stake into your financial affairs and working toward a plan that works for you.

Tax Options

You likely want to know about taxes on these accounts, and CNN Money's article, "Retirement: IRA Investment Advantages" discusses them in detail. The article writes, "There are two types: a traditional IRA offers tax-deferred growth, meaning you pay taxes on your investment gains only when you make withdrawals in retirement, and, if you qualify, your contributions may be deductible...A Roth IRA, by contrast, doesn't allow for deductible contributions but offers tax-free growth, meaning you owe no tax when you make withdrawals in retirement." You don't need to be told that both of these situations are rather desirable.

Withdrawing Money

The end of the article notes, "Further, if you need the money before retirement, there are more opportunities for penalty-free withdrawals." Ultimately, the goal here is to save up as much money as possible before retirement so that you do not have to deal with financial burdens later in life. However, sometimes situations do arise, and you just need to have the cash available now. When that happens, you can turn to your IRA and take out some of the money to help get you through. Since it's your personal account, you do have the freedom to do that.

Working toward an IRA is really a smart idea. Whether you have just entered into the workforce or you are thinking about retiring soon, it's smart to start making a plan that can be really beneficial to you and your financial situation.

Author Jason Harter is a retired accountant who can happily say that he has all of his retirement accounts in proper order. He obtained his Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree.

4 Budgeting Lessons Families Can Learn from Federal Spending

Family budgets don't work like federal budgets. Still, the average person can learn from the successes and failures of the federal government. These stand out as 4 lessons that we should all learn.

Don't Buy Things You Can't Afford

Everyone knows, or should know, that you can't buy things you can't afford. A big line of credit does not mean it makes sense to spend money that you don't have. Chances are, if you don't have enough money now, you won't have it tomorrow.

Now, the government does this all the time. When you don't include two wars in your budget, you build a huge fence along the Mexican border, and you keep entitlements at about the same level year after year even though you don't have as much money coming in, you end up with a $16 trillion dollar deficit. And growing.

Learn from this. If you can't afford a Ferrari, buy a Corolla. If you can't afford a house, rent an apartment. There are smarter ways to spend money. You just might not like them as much.

Know When to Limit Subsidies

Subsidies are great for certain things. Federal subsidies, for instance, were instrumental in developing the Internet and countless medical breakthroughs that have improved the lives of millions. Even early subsidies to oil companies made sense. When an industry doesn't have the ability to generate profit yet, subsidies let the government give new companies a little push towards success.

It's similar as you giving your child an allowance. The allowance is basically a subsidy. Sure, it's a lot smaller, but it works in similar ways.

The problem is that the government, like some parents, never learn when to let subsidies expire. Once your kid gets old enough to earn a living, you don't need to give her a weekly allowance anymore. That would be like the government giving the oil industry $20 billion a year even though the top five oil companies made $375 million in profits per day in 2011.

Wait, that happened? You don't need a masters in public administration to see why that doesn't work.

Stop Relying on Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are considerably more expensive than you think. You might get a stress headache while pumping $5 per gallon gas into your car, but you're not even thinking about the tax dollars that were used to pay the subsidy mentioned above.

The fact of the matter is that the country and its people need to rely less on fossil fuels. Riding a bike not only uses less money, it contributes to your health, which will become increasingly important as healthcare costs continue to skyrocket.

 

More Money or Less Spending: You Have to Decide

The government and families face a similar choice: they can either make more money or spend less money. For the government, making more money means raising taxes. For your family, that means getting a higher-paying job or picking up extra hours.

For the government, spending less money means cutting programs, staying out of wars, and limiting subsidies. For families, it means living within your means by setting a budget and sticking to it, even if it means you don't get all of the things you want.

What other lessons do you think families could learn from the federal government?

Top Five Ways of Avoiding Financial Scams And Abuse In 2013

Finance (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

All of us, irrespective of gender or age, are vulnerable to financial scams and abuse. And interestingly most of the time we are not even aware that we are being victimized by an imposter. However, all of us must take some stern steps to avoid such mistreatment. Let us start our discussion with a brief discussion on what is financial abuse.

What Is Financial Abuse and Scams?

Financial abuse is subtle form of fraudulent activity that is mainly perpetrated by someone on whom you trust blindly. It can be your financial advisor, tax consultant or even a near relative who has access to your earning as well as bank account details. They might access your account and steal or invest a negligible amount of money without your permission. When such actions are taken by a person on whom you have full trust, it is called financial abuse and scams. However, it is extremely difficult for the victim to understand that he or she is being exploited as the perpetrators always chose such victims who would not realize that is being mistreated or will not be able to protest.

The Target Group

It is generally seen that swindlers target the older persons for falling prey to their scam. Research conducted in this regard show that the old people are generally much more confident and optimistic when it comes to taking financial and other decisions. Moreover, it is also seen that their ability to analyze things quickly also declines to quite an extent. Thus, they are the target audience of the cheats. Therefore, all of us and specially the older people need to take certain solid steps to protect themselves.

Here are top five ways whereby financial scams and abuse can be avoided:

Share Your Bank Statements

According to Burton Copeland, While sharing the accounts details with one person is not a good idea, sharing it with many close associates and professionals can be beneficial. Make an effort to forward the e-statements to your old friends, grandchildren and your advisors as they will be able to detect the frauds or misappropriation, odd transactions or latest investments from your account which you might have overlooked. However, make sure you are circulating it among your close knit circle only as these documents are really important.

Acquaintance Is Important

Most of us seek the aid of many specialists to look after our finance. Therefore, you have a team of tax consultants, investment advisors and real estate advisors working for you. It will be a good idea to introduce them with each other as this decrease the chance of any fraudulent activity in your account. Since all of them would want to maintain a cordial relation with you for their future business, you will be hinted about any financial abuse by any one of them. However, if too many advisors are trying to convince you for a particular financial product, then you should make extra effort to review the product before buying it.

Beware of Promise of High Return

If an investor is promising you unbelievable return from a particular investment, then you definitely smell danger. Always remember that if the investment is genuine, then the return from it will be less but steady. So do not fall prey to such lucrative offers made by the investors or any other persons.

Avoid ‘Pocket Littering’

We always carry with ourselves some valuable and sensitive information so that we can access them easily. For example, the passwords or the ping numbers are stored in our cell phone or computers or wallets. Crooks can use this sensitive information to access your accounts and perform some illegal activities. Therefore, if you are using computer or mobile phone for accessing your accounts, then make sure to log out of the account and not let any other person know your password. Moreover, it is best to keep these vital numbers at your home only.

Do Not Take Decision in Haste

Another important measure that can safeguard you from financial fraud is not taking decision in haste. If an investor is pressurizing you to sign a deal quickly, then it indicates that he is actually trying to stop you from reviewing all the aspects of the investments. So be very conscious to avoid such problems. Moreover, all lawful financial products come with a detailed brochure stating all the terms and conditions. If there isn’t sufficient disclosure, then it is not a good idea to make such investment.

By taking these steps, you can avoid financial scams and abuse. It is a matter of being a bit more careful and cautious and does not involve any excess expenditure. So do not let any other person fool you with your hard earned money.

Car Financing Options for Retired People

English: Car Dealer, Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most seniors who have been through car buying experiences in the past feel that some types of torture could be preferable to going through this process again. If the old clunker appears to be gasping out its last breath, however, it may be time to think through the financing options available and prepare for the car buying process in advance in order to make it easier. Basically, seniors have three options from which to choose if they have need of a new vehicle: buying with cash, financing the cost, or signing a lease agreement. The following information may be helpful to those trying to make the best decision concerning these choices: 

Paying the Entire Amount 

Seniors who have savings stashed back for a rainy day may find that using these funds to pay for a new car is actually cost effective. Interest rates are at record lows so the money saved from buying a car outright and not paying any interest could actually be more than the interest rate paid on any some savings accounts. Of course, if the dealership is offering deals that include payments with no interest added, it may be better to keep the money in savings and take a bit longer to pay for the car. 

Financing the Price 

Most retired people, concerned about keeping enough in their nest egg for emergencies or health problems, choose to make payments on a new car. When choosing this option, it is important to negotiate not only the price of the car, but also the terms of the loan. Seniors with a great credit score should get the best interest rates on the market so always know these rates before going to the dealership. It is also wise to check other financing options before signing on the dotted line. Sometimes credit unions and banks can beat the interest rates offered by the dealership, and people who negotiate with available cash often get a better bargain on the price of the vehicle. 

Signing a Lease 

Although leasing sometimes gets a bad rap, it may actually be the best choice for many seniors, especially those who are retired and live near family. Leasing takes away the need to worry about repairs because the car is always under warranty. Most cars can be leased with very little cash exchanged upfront, and most leasing agreements give the driver at least 12,000 miles per year before any penalties apply. Monthly payments on a leased vehicle, compared to those that must be made when the car is purchased, are almost always lower. 

It is important to know that whether a car is bought with cash or financed for several years, the owner will actually have some equity in the vehicle when he decides to upgrade to a newer model. This is not true of leased vehicles; however, many retired people will find the ease and convenience of leasing a car more than makes up for the resulting lack of equity. Impulse buying may be fun for some seniors, but when it comes to obtaining a new vehicle, planning and information can sweeten any deal. 

Melanie Lewis writes for a site that offers advice on automobile loans and has tips on things to consider before purchasing a new vehicle.

5 Easy, Fun Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Vegetables in a grocery store, Paris, France. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When trying to find ways to save money, you may feel intimidated or unsure of what you should do. However, if you find easy and fun ways to save money on your groceries, you are more likely to follow through on your intentions. Below you will find simple and entertaining ways to save money on groceries that your family needs. 

#1 Grow a Garden

Growing a garden is a fun hobby for many families. In fact, a backyard garden is a task everyone, even little kids, can take part in. It is also a great way to save money on groceries. When you are planning your backyard garden, think about the type of produce you commonly buy from the grocery store, and plant the most common produce your family consumes in your garden. Doing this will ensure nothing in your garden goes to waste, and you will not have to spend money at the grocery store on these items either.

#2 Cook from Scratch

It is much cheaper to buy ingredients than it is to buy processed or prepared meals. To cut down on your grocery bill, learn to cook from scratch. Often times when you buy ingredients, the item will last for a long time. This means that the next time you need a particular item, you will already have it. Before you know it, you will have a pantry full of ingredients that will make cooking from scratch simple. It will also help you save a great deal of money on your grocery bill.

#3 Use Coupons and Store Cards

When you are planning your weekly or bi-weekly shopping trip, make sure to look over all local store flyers, and to use coupons whenever possible. Make sure you only use coupons to buy items that your family will actually use. In addition to coupons and shopping sales, it is also helpful to get a loyalty card at your favorite grocery store or stores. Loyalty cards often give shoppers access to special deals and promotions that aren't accessible to shoppers without a loyalty card.

#4 Shop the Perimeter of the Grocery Store

The least expensive, and the healthiest, food in the grocery store is located along the perimeter of the center aisles. To save the most money, do the majority of your grocery shopping from the perimeter of the store. When you do venture into the center aisles, make sure it is only to buy items that you need, items that are on sale or items that you have coupons for. 

#5 Trade Brand Names in For Generics

If you have a favorite brand name product, you may not have to give it up completely in order to save money. However, it may be in your best interest to trade your more expensive brand name product for a similar, more affordable, product. For example, if you always buy your kids expensive brand name cereal, consider buying a store brand cereal that offers the same flavors. If you would like a healthier option, you can opt for oatmeal or a less expensive cereal substitute as well.


Following the above tips will allow you to save money at the grocery store, and have fun doing it. Think of every trip to the grocery store as a personal challenge to save as much money as possible without sacrificing the things your family needs or wants.

Kara Fielder is a working mom with two kids who understands the importance of frugal living. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks on how to save money by blogging regularly for a variety of websites. Click for money-saving codes and coupons at http://www.cheapsally.com.

Home Loans Possible With the Right Company

Heritage Home Loans has been one of the most successful and reputable home loans companies in the wake of the housing and banking crises of the past few years. With the continued volatility that the federal spending cuts are sure to bring, getting a home loan will continue to be difficult for people without the right connections. 

However, Heritage Home Loans has built up a reputation for helping people precisely when they need it most. With programs for all would be homebuyers in all kinds of financial situations, Heritage Home Loans can easily create financial leverage for a first time homebuyer without much credit or an underwater homeowner who needs to refinance. 

The customer service of the company is also without compare within the industry. Customers of Heritage Home Loans tend to remain loyal because of the human connection that they receive from the company, which has a policy to help any customer who is in need of assistance before simply delegating their account to the foreclosure pile. 

If you are looking for a home loan company that has your best interests at heart, then you owe it to yourself to try the experts at Heritage Home Loan. They will be sure to have both the financing and the answers that you need in order to progress forward in your endeavors.

Five Ways Technology Marketing Can Improve Your Sales Targets

Image via CrunchBase

Despite the downturn, businesses are still investing increasing amounts of time and money into the digital marketing arena. A raft of new technology means that communicating with consumers is more exciting than ever, with touchscreen tablets and smartphones leading the way. 

Technology also continues to make advances in the field of business-to-business marketing with technology marketing companies providing software designed to enhance the sales and marketing function. 

Use a CRM system 

A customer relationship management system can be a powerful tool when it comes to marketing your business and can increase both productivity and profits. CRM systems enable users to build up and maintain detailed customer profiles, which in turn can be used to develop sales and marketing strategies based upon specific needs. Marketing automation takes this concept one step further and delivers personalized content in response to consumer's online behavior. 

Be social, not antisocial 

Unless you have been living under a rock recently, your business will be utilizing platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to communicate with consumers. With more and more brands vying for attention, you need to ensure your social media messages are engaging and aligned with your marketing strategy.

Be aware that boastful status updates are likely to encourage customers to hit delete and it is bad form to follow people on Twitter on the off chance they will follow you back. On the other hand, requesting feedback can be a successful way to engage with existing and prospective customers on social media platforms. 

Search engine listings

In order to be found, your website needs to be indexed by major search engines such as Google and Yahoo. There is software available that will automatically submit your URL, website name, keywords and description to popular search engines, bringing more traffic to your website. 

E-mail marketing

OK, so e-mail marketing may not be new, but it continues to lead the way as a cost-effective marketing tool, particularly for small businesses. You can build you own e-mail database from existing contacts and use your website to capture new data. Ensure you offer an incentive for signing up and make sure your e-mails contain valuable, relevant information or genuine special offers. 

Mobile technology

The use of smartphones continues to grow rapidly and this looks set to threaten the humble PC. As millions switch to mobile phones to connect to the internet, send e-mails and access applications, businesses that ignore the mobile marketing platform do so at their peril. Mobile technology can also change the way organisations conduct business as employees have access to company data 24 hours a day from wherever they are.

The digitally connected world paves the way for exciting technology advances that offer businesses an increasing number of marketing opportunities. However, increased competition and an uncertain economy mean businesses must seek innovative ways to gain a competitive edge.

Everyone would be wise to remember that traditional marketing techniques can still be valuable in the digital age and often the most successful campaigns take elements from both the old and new.

Louise Smith is a digital marketing consultant. She has been writing for websites and printed media for over ten years. Louise uses sources such as technology marketing to research developments in the industry.

Save Money Simply: Tips on Finding the Best Online Coupon Codes Fast

Amy's Kitchen Freebie Coupons (Photo credit: iateapie)

As you probably know by now, taking a little time to get organized can save you a lot of money. At first, activities like coupon cutting or searching for coupons online, may seem like a waste of time; but the truth is, coupons can actually cut your expenses by at least 25%, and who doesn't want to save 25% or more. That could be lunch! Haven't you seen the reality TV shows where the coupon lady ends up spending $0 amount of dollars for hundreds of dollars worth of groceries? I'm sure most of us don't want to go to that much trouble when collecting coupons, but we do want to save some money, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to use easy-to-find online coupon codes.

What Are Online Promo Codes?

These are coupons, just like the ones you find in the newspaper, but virtual. Meaning you don't have to cut them out and take them to the store. You just copy the code and place it in the coupon code box offered by the retailer where you shop. Retail businesses use these codes to promote their business and bring in more traffic.

Where Do I Find the Best Promo Codes?

According to a report offered by Good Morning America, all it takes to find substantial savings for online retail stores is a search on any of the search engines. Visit websites like Google, Yahoo, Bing or any other search engine you prefer and type in the term coupons to get a list of sites with thousands of different coupon codes.

Specific Searches

Conducting generalized searches for coupons is fun, but probably not the most practical way to search for coupon codes for a particular store. In this case, you want to be more specific in your search. For example, you might type in the name of the retailer, followed by the term coupon or promo code. So if you were looking for a discount for Target, you would search for the term, "Target promo codes," or "Target coupon codes." A large list of promo code websites will appear. Then you would click on any of these and browse through the available codes for that retailer to find the one you want.

Specific Websites

Once you realize coupon codes save you a lot of money, and don't require a lot of effort to find, you'll want to keep a few of the best coupon code websites in mind when you make future purchases. Select a few good coupon websites and bookmark them so you can access them quickly the next time you shop online.

Bottom Line

Before placing an order, make it a habit to look for a good coupon code. You may not always find one, but when available, you can save on shipping or on the overall cost of your purchase. All you have to do is find the code, copy it and paste it in the coupon box located at the retailer's website, usually on one of the checkout pages.

Jeremy S is a personal finance consultant. He shares his tips on saving money by blogging for a wide range of money and lifestyle sites. Click the link to save with Upromise.com.

Seek Investment Advice and Have a Good Plan Ready for Your Retirement

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Maybe you have just recently entered into the workforce, and retirement seems like it's so far away. Despite this feeling of yours, it's important to seek out investment advice and start to plan for retirement. Why is this necessary so early in the game?

Knowing Your Options

One of the reasons why you should start looking into some advice is because you do may not really know what all of your options are. For example, let's say that one of the options in which you are interested requires that you start early on in your career to have a sizable amount of money for when you retire. However, if you do not look into such a plan early on, then you might not be able to get all of the benefits from it.

Backup Funds

Sometimes, situations arise in life that we really have no control over, and the only way to deal with them is to have a large sum of money. Some types of retirement funds, 401ks, for example, allow you to start working toward these types of goals right now. For example, let's say that you really needed some money a few years down the road, and you have a decent amount saved up in your 401k. You are usually able to take a loan out against yourself to get you through the situation.

Reaping the Benefits

At some point, you are probably going to retire. Even if you really love the job you have, a time may very well come when you are simply unable to do the job to the best of your ability anymore. While this time may seem to be so very far away, it is wise to start planning for it now. You do not want to reach retirement only to feel regret about the way you have handled your financial affairs. Yes, it might be a difficult way to think about the future, but at least you are being smart and being prepared.

Professional Advice

The other part of this equation is to look for professional advice as opposed to using only what is being presented in front of you. So many different possibilities exist, and it's hard to learn about all of them by yourself unless you are a professional in the field. Therefore, you really need to make this conscious effort to learn about the different possibilities that stand before you and to choose a plan that works for your situation. Certified financial planners and accountants are the people who can really help you out when it comes to sorting through all of this information and picking the best programs.

As you can clearly tell, the time to get started on a plan for your future is right now. The longer you wait, the less time you have to save up money and make an exciting and appealing retirement situation for yourself. No matter how young you are, it's never too early to start planning for the future in a smart and logical way.

Author Jason Harter is an accountant who also works in the finance department of his firm. He deals with the payout of the retirement funds, and is an expert on how to use those funds most efficiently. Jason obtained his BS in Accounting Online degree.

Confused About Retails Bonds? Learn How to Start Investing

Interest Rates (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

With interest rates on savings accounts still rooted to rock bottom, many people are looking for alternative places to invest their cash to get a decent return.

One such option is a retail bond. Not everyone will have heard of retail bonds and they may well sound like a complicated financial instrument but in reality are relatively straightforward. They allow the individual to control the level of risk they are exposed to.

If you think you might be interested in investing in retail bonds and want to know more, read on to find out more.

Retail bonds: the basics

A retail bond is simply a way of investing your money in a certain company, which not only returns your capital at the end of an agreed period, but also pays you interest along the way.

Cash flow can be tough for a company to raise and when it comes to growth and expansion, an injection of capital is needed. One way of getting this is to create a series of bonds that investors can buy. The company offers a guaranteed interest rate in return for the use of the cash for the agreed period. The concept really is that simple.

The amount of interest offered will depend on the size and stability of the company. Large organisations such as Tesco might offer bonds with an interest rate of around 5-6% whilst a smaller, less secure business might have to give an investor around 10% in order to be sufficiently attractive. As a general rule, the higher the rate of interest, the more risky the investment is.

How do I buy a bond?

If you already have an investment portfolio, the chances are that you have either a wealth manager or a stockbroker who executes deals on your behalf. They will be able to purchase a retail bond upon your instructions.

If you are new to investing, it is possible to set up an account with a stockbroker on an 'execution only' basis, which means you will not be receiving advice or management services. This will be the cheapest way for you to get your foot onto the ladder.

When you are ready to purchase your bond, there are several factors you need to ensure you have carefully considered. How long you want your money to remain invested for, the level of risk you are willing to accept and the return you are hoping to receive are all key and will help to determine your choice of company to purchase the retail bond from.

Once you think you may have identified a suitable target - research, research, research. A company that offers a higher interest rate will be at a greater risk of going bust or defaulting on the debt, so think very carefully before ploughing your money in.

To summarise, retail bonds are very accessible to the general public even though they may not be the most well-known way to invest. However, with detailed planning, research and clear goals, it is possible to secure a much better return on your money than with a bank.

Samantha Wood is an experienced finance writer but wishes she had more money to invest. To keep up to date with the latest opportunities and news, Samantha uses sources such as Investing In Retail Bonds.  

Top 10 Tax Tips For The Self-Employed

(Photo credit: patrick h. lauke)

Self-employment is a tough road to go down, but luckily there are a few things that you can benefit from. Self-employed individuals will have a different tax status to those who are employed by someone else. As a result, you are going to want to take a look at your taxes and see what you can do when it comes to making the most out of your situation.

Determine Your Net Income

Your net income is the income that you receive after all of your business expenses have been deducted. This can be done after a year of working to determine what you are most likely to earn.

Keep a Record

Make sure to keep a record of everything that you earn. Knowing how much you earned every week or month will allow you to figure out the proper rate at which you will be taxed.

Calculate Estimated Tax

Try to determine what percentage of your tax you are going to have to pay. Deduct this from your net income and you will have an idea of how much you owe.

Expenses for the Home Office

If you have a home office, then you will be able to make it a tax-deductible business expense. Remember that you are not able to deduct more than your net business profit.

Get an Accountant

Having someone to take a look over all of your expenses is a great thing. On top of this, you can also deduct what you pay from your accountant as a business expense.

Remember to Report

Making over $600 from a client means that you are going to have to report it to the IRS. When this happens, your client is going to give you a 1099-Misc.

Set Up a Separate Account

Get a separate account where you will be able to put all of your estimated taxes in. This is much easier than scraping for the money at the end of the year.

Keep a Track of All Business Expenses

Business expenses can include anything that you use in order to carry out your business. These can include your computer, your desk, your phone and your Internet connection. Make sure to keep a track of everything in this regard.

Remember to Pay Quarterly

You do not pay your taxes on a yearly basis. Instead, you pay every quarter of the year. This means you have to make sure that you have everything organized.

Keep Everything Together

Get files for all of the necessary expenses and tax records that you are going to need. Organizing all of this properly will ensure that you know what is going on when the time comes to pay.

Being self-employed can be difficult for many reasons, but it is always a good idea to keep on top of your tax returns. There are a number of things that you can also do for tax relief, so make sure to take advantage of them if you can. This way, you can ensure that you make the most out of being self-employed.

If you are interested in more tax relief tips, the author recommends you visit OptimaTaxRelief.com

Energy Efficiency: Understanding How a Window Upgrade Can Save You Money

You know winter is arriving when the temperatures begin to get frigid. When the temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners will begin to turn their heating systems on and the colder it gets, the harder the system needs to work which increases energy bills. The good news is, by utilizing replacement windows; you can significantly decrease energy use as well as the cost of home heating.

Energy Saving

 
Energy efficient windows help to make your household more comfortable as compared to older drafty windows. This means you are able to not only live comfortably, but save on your electricity and gas as well. There are several ways that efficient windows work in saving energy. Your windows make up a central part of your household's architecture and it can be really simple to go about your daily activities without giving them a second thought. As the energy costs climb, however, the time is now that you want to pay more attention to them and seriously consider an upgrade to more energy efficient windows. In both function and construction, windows like these are different than regular windows and will help you to save a bundle on both your heating and cooling expenses. Below will help you understand how energy efficient windows work to save you on energy costs.

Hurricane Resistant

Upgrading to hurricane rated windows involves several steps. First, assess your current windows for compatibility and evaluate which buildings codes apply based on your location. Next, choose windows that are specifically rated for hurricane resistance, ensuring they meet standards such as those set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or undergo tests for impact resistance. Installation is critical; it often requires professional help to ensure proper sealing and structural integrity. Always check local regulations and possibly seek permits before starting the project.

Window Frames

 
The frame of a window can be made from fiberglass, wood, vinyl, composite, aluminum or another metal. Even though they all have their own particular advantages and disadvantages, it is recommended that you go with vinyl, composite or fiberglass to get the most benefit. Aluminum is heated easily and therefore does not make a great insulator. Due to contraction and expansion, efficiency problems exist with wood frames, so vinyl-clad or fiberglass is a good choice. However, if you decide on vinyl, depending on your house requirements and climate, it is best if you go with the insulated version for the best thermal insulation.

Window Glazing & Insulated

 
There are many different options when it comes to selecting your window glass, such as heat-absorbing tints, gas fills, double or triple glazed insulated, spectral selective coatings and reflective coatings. Double or triple glazed as well as storm windows allow air and space between panes. This will lower the U-factor and the SHGC or solar heat gain coefficient.

Gas fills

 
Argon is the most common gas used and is fairly inexpensive. Krypton, although more expensive, is also a common gas used and works better at decreasing the U-factor of a window.

Heat-absorbing tints

Tints come in different colors like green, blue, bronze, gray or black. Tint does not lower the U-factor of a window, but you can add spectral sensitive coatings and inner glass layers to help with that. Bronze and gray help to reduce light and heat while green and blue allow for more VT or visible transmittance, but with only a slight reduction in heat transfer.

You can save money each month with energy efficient windows. In some cases, newer windows have helped people to become net energy gainers. Typically, energy efficient windows will have a payback period of around 2 to 10 years. In new installation, their initial cost is higher but can be offset by giving you the ability to get a less expensive and smaller heating and cooling unit. More durable, energy efficient windows will end up costing less in the long run due to lowered replacement and maintenance costs. Plus, you will be more comfortable all around and a fully insulated home. Places like Central Scotland Joinery can help you select the best option of energy efficient windows for your home and install them for you too.

How Does a Novated Lease Work?

A novated lease is a type of car lease that an employer gets on behalf of the employee. The employee, in turn, pays for this lease with their income before taxes are taken out. Novated leases are incredibly beneficial for both the employee and employer, though of course there are certain disadvantages there as well. For jobs that need a lot of on the job travel, a novated car lease is likely the best way that the payments can be handled. 

How Does A Novated Lease Help The Employee?

With a novated lease, the employee never has to worry about making their car payments. The car payments are automatically deducted from their paycheque pre-tax. Not only does this mean they don't have to track the lease payments, but it also means that they can get a better car for less money because they don't have to pay tax on the amount. Employers also tend to have deals with automobile companies to lease cars by volume. That means that the employee has more savings because of the company's better rates.

Rather than other types of employer lease, the employee does keep certain rights over the car because the employee is making the lease payments. The employee gets more choices of car than in a traditional employee lease agreement, and the employee gets use of the car when they are outside of work. The employee can even keep their vehicle if they leave the company by transferring it to another company. 

How Does The Novated Lease Help The Employer?

On the employer's behalf, though the lease is financed through the company the employee still makes the payments. This means very little out-of-pocket cost for the employer. All the employer has to do is secure the lease, and manage the payments from the employee's paycheques. Because the employee is saving money on the lease, the employer can consider the lease a perk that the employee gets, and so save money on salaries.

Employers that need to have their employees travel during office hours save significant funds over providing company cars. Company cars would need to be purchased and retained by the company and not leased, or leased at a higher amount. The novated lease, by contrast, incurs no more cost on the behalf of the business. 

What Are The Drawbacks To A Novated Lease?

Because a novated lease is still a lease, the standard problems with this type of lease still applies; at the end, neither party will own the vehicle, which means that the employees are purely paying an expense and not gaining an asset. This said most novated lease companies will offer easy paths to ownership which will still work out as more cost effective for the vast majority of customers. This normally involves paying a fee at the end of the lease to purchase the vehicle outright

This article was written by the team at Novated by Fleetcare, independent Australian novated lease providers with offices all around the country.

Learning To Make Better Financial Decisions

Whether you value material things or you simply like knowing your bills are paid, money matters. Dedicate the necessary time to find out as much as you can about finance, so that you can remain in control and avoid stress. The information in this article is designed to help you understand and effectively manage your personal finances.

Review your income as well as how much you spend so that you can then formulate a budget. Figuring out how much money you make in a month is where you should start. Include second jobs and other sources of money in your income calculations. The foundation of any budget is ensuring that you spend less than you earn every month.

Home Expenses & Loans

Now, you should write down all of your expenses. You will want to include everything you pay on a quarterly and annual basis too. This would be things like insurance, vehicle maintenance, or regular household upkeep. Included in your list should be incidentals such as entertainment, food, and even the cost of hiring a babysitter. Try to make a very through list to ensure you are aware of absolutely everything you spend.

You should be able to establish a budget now so that you know exactly how much income you can generate. Look over all your regular purchases and decide what is and isn't necessary. For instance, instead of spending money by eating out, you could easily cook something at home, and save money. Examine your spending patterns in search of other ideas to trim costs and keep your money in your pocket.

There are things around the house that you can repair or upgrade that will help reduce your utility bills. A brand-new, energy-efficient dishwasher or washing machine can save you a load of money on your water and electric bills each month. An excellent replacement for a tank heater is a water heater that is either on-demand or in-line. This will decrease your water bill. In addition, you should look for leaky pipes, because they could be causing your water bills to be higher than they should be.

Think about buying energy efficient appliances to take the place of your current models. It will save you a lot of money if you use appliances that use up less energy. Also remember to unplug any appliances that have a constant light going whenever you are not using it. These little lights can really use electrical power.

A good percentage of the heat lost in your home is through the walls and ceiling. Avoid high utility bills by making sure these areas of your home are well insulated. Spending a little money now will save you lots of cash down the road.

Follow these tips to establish a good budget. This will help you save money. Reduce your utility bills with new Energy Star qualified appliances. You will have better control of your finances by doing this.

For more information about home or car loans , please visit:

https://www.alpinecu.com/loan_rates.php

Of the People for the People: When Banking Goes Social

Social media has come a long way, baby, over the past decade. Analyzing the already (in) famous case of Facebook alone will reveal a spectacular tale of a brainchild born out of the enthusiasm of three Harvard dropouts. What started out as a basement dream evolved into a social network especially devised for students and alumni of Ivy League colleges, which then expanded across colleges in the United States and eventually took over the whole world. Nowadays, there is little people don’t do on Facebook. They chat, keep friends, family, and acquaintances updated of their personal status quo and whereabouts – and, more recently, they’ve also started taking their banking to new social level. 

Of course, this latest revolution is inextricably tied in with the mobile revolution, in which both technology and IT savvy have a lot to say for themselves. Over the past year, the US market reach and share of smartphones has increased to great extents and the latest polls in the field indicate that it will only continue along the same lines in 2013. Not only are more and more people online, but the range of actions they perform on their mobile, online-ready devices is also becoming more and more diverse. Supremacy belongs to game playing, which has surpassed, in terms of time spent at play, the time people spend playing video games on their desktop devices. Online and social banking, however, is also undergoing a quiet revolution of its own. 

Two of Australia’s Leading Banks Go Social

Bankwest is one Australian bank that realized the catchphrase according to which ‘you don’t exist if you’re not on Facebook’ is truer than they may have initially thought. At http://www.facebook.com/bankwest they’re keeping clients informed, both current and prospective ones, of all the bank’s activities outside the main institution’s premises. Their strategy is personal and their approach light, as their profile is peppered with pictures from recent social events, organized in support of the bank’s many social initiatives. Bankwest is one Australian bank which has been focusing on online presence more so than others in recent times – their online savings, credit card, and personal loan deals often come with better terms than their offline counterparts.

Bankwest is not the only online Aussie bank either. Another major competitor on the market has recently launched a marketing campaign aimed at informing clients of the many services they offer online. These range from enabling payments via mobile, to dedicated smartphone apps for people seeking to purchase a new home. According to the bank’s representatives, their latest campaign is about improving the bank – customer relationship, and not about “technology for technology’s sake”. The decision to go online and implicitly social was marked by the bank’s desire to stay on top of its game, to improve the way banking was viewed and to provide a higher-value experience for the end-user. 

What’s in it for the Banks?

As the latter example goes to show, taking a banking enterprise online and helping it stay connected with its clients through multiple channels is not about being ‘trendy’. It’s the next logical step in an approach that is firmly rooted in the traditions of the banking industry. Back before the global financial crisis, and even further back in time, during the fifties, sixties, and seventies, banks were perceived as more ‘humane’ and implicitly human than they are now. The GFC changed all that, as many institutions across the world tumbled toward their inevitable end, fueled, it seems, by a lot of inhumane amassing of capital. Current attempts at socializing via the newest means available are, by the looks of it, an attempt of making amends for the past decade. Time alone will tell if the general consumer public chooses to validate this attempt or dismiss it.

Assessing the Damage After Your Identity Has Been Stolen

The Traveler’s Guide to Preventing Identity Theft offered by Guest Door is a wonderful resource with many hints that can help you prevent identity theft. If you travel frequently, or you’re concerned about protecting your identity while you’re out and about, you should read over this info. But what do you do if your identity is stolen?

You get that dreaded phone call: there’s been suspicious activity on your credit card and your bank wants to know if you've been engaging in a spending spree. You’re shocked and appalled. Your identity has been stolen and you've got to act quickly if you want to protect yourself from additional theft and damage.

You’re understandably overwhelmed. What do you do? You want to figure out how this has happened. There are a few steps you’re going to have to take to protect your wallet and your credit:

Contact Equifax, Experian, or Transunion Immediately

You’re going to have to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You won’t have to call all three. Once you contact one agency, they’ll inform the others. They’ll also be sending you a copy of your credit report for you to review. Fraud alerts are extremely important because it requires companies to verify your identity before issuing a line of credit in your name. This will prevent thieves from opening any more new accounts in your name.

Contact Creditors Right Away

If the perpetrators have opened new accounts, contact those creditors and notify them of fraudulent activity. The accounts will be closed and you’ll have to fill out a fraud affidavit. If accounts that you opened have been compromised contact those creditors and let them know your identity has been stolen. The accounts will be closed and you’ll be able to review any charges to determine what activity has been taking place.

Contact Local Authorities

The next step is to contact local authorities and alert them to fraud. A detective will be assigned to your case and you can ask for any details about the charges. You’ll want to let them know what was spent and how your identity was stolen. When you finish providing information to the police, be sure to write down the case number and detective’s name. You’ll have to include this information on any fraud affidavits.

File a Complaint with the FTC

You’ll also need to notify the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1877-IDTHEFT.
Change all Online Passwords

You’ll want to change all your online passwords. The thieves may have acquired information from one of your accounts. Additionally, this may be inconvenient, but you should never store passwords online or on your computer.

Always Keep Records

You’ll want to keep updated records throughout the process. You should keep up with details of your dealings with any creditors, companies, and detectives. You should always write down the name of anyone you speak with, their title, the company they work for, the date, and time as well as a short summary of the discussion you had.

You’ll need to keep all this information in one location that is safe. It’s evidence that you will need later. You might find yourself being diligent initially, but important information may surface later. You need to track everything until all of your disputes are resolved.

Identity theft shouldn't ruin your life or your credit if you can manage to stay calm, be organized and take those first crucial steps involved in resolving any issues. You can bounce back from this stressful situation and you can stop those identity thieves right in their tracks. It might be tough initially, but it’s not an impossible situation.

Author Bio:

If you are still curious on what more steps to take in preventing identity theft, you can visit GuestDoor. You can also visit Traveler's Guide to Preventing Identity Theft.