Top 5 Government Programs to Assist Veterans Financially

As a thank you for their service and dedication to excellence as a member of the military, the United States government maintains a number of different programs that offer financial assistance to veterans. Whether the assistance be for college, housing or for simple necessities, military veterans deserve as much help as they can get.
The following five government programs offer extensive financial assistance to military veterans who are in various stages of life.

1. Federal Student Aid from the Department of Education

Veterans and current military members who are seeking a college degree can receive financial assistance from the Department of Education.

Veterans are eligible for a variety of levels of benefits depending on how long they served and whether or not they are currently active. In a large number of cases, veterans are eligible for full college benefits meaning that the Department of Education and the Department of Defense will pay for their entire college education in full.

Those who might not be eligible for enough military grants to cover their college education can apply for specialized college loans that are deferred and offer significantly reduced interest rates when compared to other types of loans. 

2. VA Home Loans

VA home loans are perfect for military veterans and their families who wish to purchase a home.

VA home loans from institutions like Low VA Rates are specialty loans that are insured by the federal government. Unlike other federal mortgage insurance programs, these loans often require little to no down payment, and borrowers don't have to purchase mortgage insurance as part of the process.

The Office of Veterans Affairs can assist with getting these types of loans and with other financial issues that veterans experience after being discharged from the military. 

3. Local Property Tax Offices

While many veterans may not be aware of this, anyone who has served in the military is eligible to receive property tax exemptions. 


These types of exemptions are for veterans who own homes in certain county jurisdictions across the United States. To take advantage of this exemption, veterans need to contact tax assessor's office and file a property tax exemption form. Veterans who are disabled are eligible to receive an increased exemption amount based on their property value and annual income. 

4. Blind Annuity

Veterans who have become legally blind are eligible for yearly financial assistance of up to $1,100.

To qualify for this financial assistance, veterans must have served at least 90 days in the military beyond their specified training period. Most counties across the country currently offer one similar to the program that is being run by the County of Albany in New York. 

5. Veteran & Dependent Burial Benefits

The National Cemetery Administration assists veterans and their families with the cost of funerals and other expenses that occur when a loved one passes away.

From burial allowance to headstones, burial flags and more, veterans can sign up for these services early on in life to help them prepare for the future.
The United States government provides billions of dollars every year to veterans who are in need. From buying a home to seeing a doctor and attending college, veterans have a number of options to choose from for financial assistance on a lifelong basis after they've been discharged from the military.

How to Reduce Your Mortgage Payment Significantly

Imagine finally saving up enough money to make a down payment on your first new home and when you finally get the rates for your mortgage you are stunned. They are higher than you ever thought possible and are already considering whether or not you can even afford them. 

When purchasing a home, you start with a set mortgage rate. In the beginning, the majority of your payment goes towards interest but as you reach the end of your loan the payments being made are the principal. If you feel as though your mortgage rate is too high, there are several ways to lower it.

Pay Off 20% of Your Home

If you have purchased your house with less than a 20% down payment, you are paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). This can tack on thousands of extra dollars every year. 

After you have reached the point where you own 20 or more percent of your home, contact the bank. They will look at your loan and drop this PMI. Be aware that this is not something that happens automatically and you might have to be proactive to save this money.

Extend the Life of Your Loan

Shorter 15 or 20-year mortgages come with a higher monthly payment. Refinancing to a conventional 30-year mortgage will help to make your monthly payment fall dramatically. One factor to be aware of when choosing this method to reduce your payment is that your interest rates will go up. You can, however, pay more than the monthly payment to get rid of your interest quicker.

Pay Your Mortgage Insurance at the Start of the Year

When your mortgage insurance is added on to your monthly payment, it can be a significant amount of cash. Instead of paying the same amount each month for many years, ask your lender about paying it all or part of it off at the time of closing. When you pay it off all at once, you are not going to be stuck paying the same amount each month until it is naturally paid off. This will result in a substantial amount of savings.

Explore Your Homeowner's Insurance

Every once and a while you should be exploring your options for homeowner's insurance. What was the lowest rate when you purchased the home may not be the lowest rate available to you now. Take some time and explore different providers. 

Request free quotes and see if you can get your insurance cheaper. When insurance is escrowed into your monthly payment, a lower insurance cost will be noticeable when you pay your mortgage bill every month.

No matter what you are doing with your mortgage, you should never just sit and pay the same amount year after year. Explore new options and potential ways to save on your monthly bill on a regular basis as there are many options for individuals to make changes. Talk to the bank and loan providers to discover ways to lower your cost.

The Appearence Of The Workspace Affects Productivity

When it comes to efficiency of employees, you have got to find many different and creative ways to improve it, which could be a fairly difficult task sometimes. There are various factors that affect their morale and mood, hence their will to do the job properly and offer nothing but the best results. 

So, you actually have to keep doing something about it all the time and constantly make changes, since the dull routine is a really horrible thing, in business at least. However, there is one essential thing that does not require consistent attention and it is the workspace. 

The appearance of the workspace can significantly boost the performance of everyone in the office and if you manage to thoroughly design it only once in order for it to be splendid, you will not have to think about it for a long time, and it will be a crucial part of your company's success.

Don't believe it?

This article is here to prove the enormous impact the looks of the workspace has on people who spend a lot of time in it and their ability to stay focused and productive, so let us start with some obvious stuff that can be done easily. 

The first thing that is to be taken in consideration is the lighting. If the lighting is bad, it can be tiring for your eyes, cause headaches and fatigue or even depression, and make people lose their inspiration; so, make sure to do this right and right away and do not be one of those who completely overlook this issue. 

For example, you should buy natural light bulbs and make use of natural light whenever you can, therefore keep windows and doors open during daytime, and use lamps occasionally, in case it gets cloudy outside.

The next thing you should take care of are chairs and tables. Aim to please all of your employees and yourself, naturally, so get furniture that is fully adjustable to everyone's needs, that is suitable in every possible way and, of course, it is a must that you have enough space to stretch. 

In addition to these things that physically burden employees, there are a lot of those that mentally affect, as well. For instance, many carefully chosen ornaments and the color of the walls can be remarkably helpful. When painting the walls, always pick a relaxing color, such as green, but avoid those that have a negative effect on people, such as blue or gray. 

Of course, keep in mind that too much of anything is bad in this case, so add variations, such as items in diverse colors, from seemingly insignificant postcards and magazine cutouts to interesting and cheerful pictures.

Other than these, you should get more mesmerizing decorations - beautiful Sydney rugs, compelling flowers and plants or colorful cabinets. On top of all, there is a thing that many people neglect, but it is unbelievably significant and common sense. 

Namely, the office has to be clean at all times, otherwise there will be many unwanted distractions, and since this can be achieved effortlessly, there is absolutely no reason to spend about 10 minutes on a daily basis and get rid of the clutter. This way, you will most likely get rid of all unpleasant odors, too, which is rather important, because no one feels comfortable in a smelly workspace. 

Also, it is advised to get air-fresheners with the scent of pine, lemon or lavender. The last but not the least is the fact that the room temperature and noise level are to be kept at normal levels or the employees will not be pleased at all.

Believe it or not, numerous studies have proven that all of these things can increase the productivity up to 20%, which means they have an enormous impact, so what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves and start renovating your workspace as soon as possible and the positive results will appear in no time! 

Also, be aware that this is not reserved for large companies and huge offices only, but is of a great important for home-based businesses, as well, so, if your house is also your place of work you ought to redesign it as soon as possible.

Six Tips for Applying for a Payday Loan

Life can curve balls at us which may leave us needing a bit of financial help from time to time. From sudden medical expenses for home and vehicle repairs, a short term or payday loan is often a quick and easy answer to life's little surprises. If you are considering applying online for short term loans, there are some tips that you should keep in mind to best guarantee your chances of not only getting approved, but being able to manage the loan.

Proof of Employment

The beauty of applying for a short term loan is that it is quick and seamless as long as you are properly prepared. Unlike applying for a loan from a financial institution, companies which offer short term loans have a quick application process which largely relies on one being able to have proof of employment. Some ways you may be able to prove your employment status include:

• Tax forms
• A signed letter from your employer 
• Providing your National Insurance number 

Having recent proof of income from your employer may also be acceptable as a sole piece of proof of employment. This would include items such as a pay stub from your place of employment. Ask the loan company if the length of time you have spent with the employer will have an impact on your application as well. Typically short term loan outfits will only lend money to individuals if they have been working at the same place of employment for 3 months or longer.

Understand what the Loan Is

Short term loans are significantly different than a long term loan. This should be well recognized and accepted before the application process. Ideally, this type of loan will only be used to tide someone over should they find themselves in an emergency situation before they receive their next pay check. 

Do Not Apply for Multiple Loans

Payday loans are quick and easy. Many will hear back within hours after the application process whether or not they have been approved. Even if you are well-intentioned and trying to improve your chances of being approved, apply at one loan location at a time.

These companies have the means available to track every single loan request you make. If they see that you have made multiple loan requests in a short period of time, they may think that you are:

a) Trying to scam them; or
b) Will receive so many loans that you will not be able to pay them back on time, if at all.

Avoid Start-up Fees

Any payday or short term loan company which charges its clients a start-up fee should be avoided at all costs. Legitimate loan providers do not require any fees from you. They receive payment by other means.

A payday loan is a small, short-term unsecured loan, "regardless of whether repayment of loans is linked to a borrower's payday. The loans are also sometimes referred to as "cash advances," though that term can also refer to cash provided against a prearranged line of credit such as a credit card. Payday advance loans rely on the consumer having previous payroll and employment records. Legislation regarding payday loans varies widely between different countries and, within the USA, between different states.

Be Honest about Your Finances

The best way to protect yourself when taking out this type of loan is to be honest. There may be some unattractive details about your past or current financial state which may cause a loan company to reconsider lending you money. But being honest will help keep you financially afloat rather than unexpectedly drowning in debt.