The Basics of Home Finances Elude Most Americans

Loans (Photo credit: zingbot)

In today's America, more than one-third of households can barely manage to pay their bills. They are only getting by paycheck to paycheck. The Consumer Federation of America's research reveals Americans are less well off than they were 10 years ago. 

According to the survey of 1,508 US households, 30 percent of families are living paycheck to pay check. They aren't complaining because they feel they are financially comfortable. The have all the things they need to live. The problem is that when an emergency arises, their world is thrown off balance. Without savings or credit they are at a disadvantage to financially solve an emergency cash need.

The lack of income combined with a high cost of living has led many people to take out debt for financial needs but because of the lack of income they are unable to pay these loans back. The result is bad credit or no credit at all. Their only solution is to secure personal loans with no credit check.

There are companies that will give a personal loan for poor credit. These loans can nowadays be done online and with great speed. The funds can be deposited into your bank account in a short period of time.

Because of the convenience and the ability of borrowing with bad credit, the fees for these loans are high. On the websites of these loan companies the rates, fees and late fees are clearly listed. The loan company eLoanPersonal clearly displays the exact amount of fees payable for the amount of money you borrow. There are no surprises. This transparency is refreshing.

When entering into any type of debt arrangement be sure you know all the facts, fees and schedules to pay your loan back. The borrower needs to take responsibility for paying back the loan and should take seriously the risks involved with any loan agreement. Using personal loans on a continual basis is irresponsible and sets you up for a unnecessary cycle of debt.

5 Trips to Take the Grandkids On

Cinderella Castle by day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Its summertime and the grandkids are out of school and heading your way for a week or so. Want to do something extra special with them this summer? Take them on a trip that they will never forget, here are 5 trip ideas to help you:

Disney: Who doesn’t want to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld? Whether you choose the west coast or the east coast, there is fun to be had for both kids and adults. Disney is a magical place where your grandkids can run wild and use their imaginations. The best time to take them is between about 4 years old to 12 years old. There are always great specials and deals for families, especially in the off season.

Beach: Summer vacations are always best spent next to the ocean, playing in the sand. You can rent little houses or hotel rooms near a beach for a weekend getaway. Avoid big party beaches and aim for family friendly beaches. They tend to be the smaller beaches outside of the big ‘party’ beaches. Find a nice beach to build sandcastle and collect seashells on. And don’t forget the sunscreen and watch the tide!

Camping: There are plenty of camping sites across the United Sates that offer great camping sites. Go big and head to Yellowstone or go local. This is a great time to show your grandchildren things in nature and get them away from video games and television. Whether you want to head to a lake or the mountains, your options are unlimited. Camp by a fire or in a cabin, whatever you do bring the bug spray and the mores.

Washington DC: A very educational and beautiful city to teach your older grandchildren about the history of the United States. There are many things outside of political monuments to visit like huge art museums and the zoo.

Historical cities: If big road trips out of the budget this summer, travel to the closest city for historical landmarks. Major cities like Ft. Worth, Texas, Boston, Massachusetts and San Diego California are just a few examples of affordable cities with rich history and plenty of attractions to visit. Cities like this have a great visitor bureau website to help you plan your next trip!

Call the grandkids, pack the bags and hit the road for a fun summer trip with quality time spent with your family. Pick a location based on their age and enjoyment level for the whole family and go! Have fun and safe travels!

About the Author:

This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of full time nanny.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: - jdebra84 @ gmail.com.

Car Insurance Shopping Online Saves You Time And Money

 (Photo credit: West Midlands Police)

These days many more people are using the Internet to research large purchases. With so many car insurance companies competing for our insurance dollars, competition has driven down the costs and it is of great benefit for consumers. The Internet has made it easy to find car insurance quotes online.

A recent poll by the American Automobile Association (AAA) has found that, sixty-two percent of people shopping for auto insurance, start their search on the Internet. Most car insurance shoppers go to at least two online insurers websites prior to arriving at a decision.

Before doing some online shopping take time to do some research.

1. Collect all your important documents together. Your going to need your drivers license. If you had any accidents, have that information ready. Also have your address and social security number ready. You will need the year, make, model, license plate, mileage, and VIN (vehicle identification number) from your car.

2. Use your computer to search for "discount insurance quotes." When you see your search results first check out aany companies you are already familiar with. Also find insurers that will show quotes from many car insurance companies. Some companies represent a lot of different insurance companies. They can compare reates for you and deliver the cheapsest one to you.

3. Choose the kind of coverage you need. It depends on the state you reside in what our options are for what required insurance you need to have. The website will know and walk you through the specifics of your states car insurance requirements.

4. Input all necesary information and get your free quote. There are too many insurance companies that offer free quotes, stay away from websites that require a deposit, credit card number, or any kind of fee.

5. Compare the rates and coverage along with the costs. When you feel comfortable about your selection you can pay with a credit card. You will be able to print out a temporary insurance I.D. car and later a formal one will be mailed to you.

My Car is in Storage Does it Need Insurance?

A car crash on Jagtvej in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We all know that having a good insurance policy for your car when your out and about not only protects your car but it also protects the people injured in the accident. What if your car is damaged while in your driveway and your not even driving it? How does your insurance coverage work. What's is covered then?

If your involved in an accident and your car is damaged you may put your car in storage  waiting for repairs. Do you need to carry insurance? You may have a second car that you drive very little or not at all. Should you still have insurance for it? The answer to all these questions is yes and you need to find some discount insurance quotes.

For any period of time where your car is not going to be on the road you still need insurance because your car can be subject to collisions, vandalism, or theft. You should make sure you have the correct car insurance coverage by contacting your insurance provider and inquiring what insurance is available for your particular situation.

Your rates for storage insurance could be much lower than your regular car insurance coverage. You should also check with your states insurance commission and see if you are even required to carry regular auto insurance.

This also applies to vehicles you only drive at certain times of the year like RV's, motorcycles, and other seasonal vehicles. 

Your insurer may only say you should carry your comprehensive coverage because it covers theft, fire, and other damage that does not result from driving the vehicle.