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.