4 Ways IT Outsourcing Companies Can Save You Money

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All fledgling businesses have two problems, finding clients and managing a restrictive amount of money for expenses. Managing your business income means finding ways to save money. The new business man trys to save money by performing as much work as possible themselves, so the need to spend money hiring someone is eliminated. They end up being the secretary, office manager, bookkeeper, and salesman. Add to that computer and network repairman.

As the business grows your time becomes more valuable and you hire people to do specific work around the office. It makes sense to hire help as you slowly build your business. The owner's skills are more needed in growing the business and maintaining its viability.

As a business grows what used to be an easy office duty is now a more involved and complicated job. As an example, your office network consisted of plugging your computer into a modem and going online. As the business grows, you are forced to network your Internet connection and have inter-office connectivity. The one computer online is turning into 5, then 10 ,then 20 computers that need local network as well as the Internet. The IT needs of your office has grown, to big and to complicated for an IT amateur.

Maybe it's time to get some help.

Hiring any of the best IT outsourcing companies can be intimidating at first but eventually it frees you up to pursue more money making goals. IT companies have much to offer a company and can contribute much to the profitability of a company.

4 Reasons To Outsource Your IT needs.

1. An IT company has access to equipment and technology that the average business owner cannot acquire. You will have access to the latest hardware and software your business needs to compete in today's business environment. Having this hardware can make your networking more robust and adaptable to a changing environment.

2. If you plan on your business expanding then your IT needs will also have to keep up and expand. More complicated networking solutions are necessary and do you have the knowledge to address this problem? Most likely your basic knowledge has gotten you far. If haven't needed outside help yet, eventually you will. IT outsourcing companies have the expertise and continually keep up with an ever changing IT environment.

3. Downtime is a business killer. What would you do if the site you needed to make a purchase at was down? Realistically the customer would move on to a competitor of yours to do business. Don't be the company that trys to save pennies and lets the dollars fall through the cracks. IT companies are able to watch the functioning of your site and will be able to keep the downtime at a minimum.

4. Your websites efficiency depends on the finesse of you IT professional. As systems function and grow they have a tendency to bog down. Your sites traffic will then slow down as a result. A slow site is a business killer. It says to the customer that this company doesn't care about its public face and if that's the case then what other ways does the company run itself poorly.

Having your IT work done properly just makes business sense. Letting an outside company handle your IT processes, can only make your company stronger. Experienced companies know their employees are better used by focusing on growing the business.

Save Money at Home in 10 Easy Steps

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Prices are going up on almost everything these days and many people are looking for ways to save money on the things that they buy. While you may not be able to have an impact on the prices of goods, you can take steps to save money in your own home. Following these 10 steps can help you minimise the amount of money that you spend and save money overall.

Start By Refinancing Your Mortgage

It's more than likely that the single largest payment that comes out of your bank account each month is for your mortgage. It's also quite likely that you've got used to it being around - kind of like a well used reclining chair. But mortgage rates fluctuate, a lot. Even if you could shave off half of a single percent, you could save an awful lot of money each month!

Avoid Standby Mode

One way that you can save money at home is to avoid standby mode on your appliances and electrical devices. Many people leave their televisions and computers on standby mode when they aren't using them. While this seems like it might save you some money on energy, it actually does not save you money in the long term. If you want to save money, consider turning off the item completely.

Switch to Energy Efficient Lighting

One of the ways that people waste money is by using lighting in their homes that is not energy efficient. By switching over to energy efficient light bulbs, you can save quite a bit of money on your electric bill every year. While you may have to pay a little bit extra to get the light bulbs, you will save money over the long-term.

Avoid Air Conditioning

Many people leave their air conditioners on all the time when it's hot outside. If you can avoid leaving your air conditioner on all the time, you can save quite a bit of money on your electric bill. Instead of leaving central air on all the time, consider turning it off more often. If you turn off the air and turn on the fan, you can stay cool without the big costs. You may even want to consider installing a window air conditioning unit in the room you spend the most time. This is often much cheaper than leaving your central air conditioning on all the time.

Look at Your Utilities

Much of the money that you spend each month goes toward utilities. Spend some time focusing on what types of utilities you have. Consider whether you can switch over to utilities that are cheaper. For example, if you can switch your heating over to natural gas, you may be able to save money on your monthly bills. Switching over to solar panels could save you quite a bit of money on your utility bills over time.

Cut Down on Energy Waste

Another way to save money on your monthly expenses is to eliminate the energy that you waste. This can be done by improving your home and making it more efficient. Use caulk to seal up windows and put weatherstrip around the edges of doors. This can keep air from going in and out of the home and make it easier to heat and cool your home.

Reduce Water Consumption

Save money by cutting down on the amount of water that you use. Install low-flow shower heads and toilets when possible. Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth.

Cut Coupons

Saving money on your groceries is another way to minimise your expenses. If you cut coupons and use them when you shop, you can save hundreds of dollars every year.

Do Regular Maintenance

Focus on doing maintenance on your house regularly. If you keep your home up to date with maintenance, you'll be able to avoid major repairs down the road.

Avoid Fees

Stop paying unnecessary fees to your bank, your credit card and other things. Avoid fees like insufficient funds fees and transfer fees and you can save quite a bit of money.

Bonus: Stick to a Budget

If you are willing to stick to a budget, you can save money on your expenses overall. Those who don't stick to a budget end up spending a lot of extra money over the course of a year.

4 Reasons to Pursue Online Education in Retirement

E-learning short courses (Photo credit: London College of Fashion short courses)
Younger people have been privy to the benefits of online education for many years now, just because online developments tend to reach the "digitally native" set faster than others, who don't necessarily spend enormous amounts of time on the Internet. Online education is still in its relative infancy, but as it becomes popular, more and different types of people can benefit. Online education is especially well-suited for baby boomers for many reasons. Here are a few to consider:

1. You can continue learning from the comfort of your own home.

This is perhaps one of the best reasons for taking courses online. Many who have retired but want to pursue further education may sometimes feel uncomfortable or out-of-place learning alongside those who are much younger than you. With online courses, you can skip out on that tedious classroom environment altogether.

2. You can gain knowledge while honing your technology skills.

This is another great reason, particularly for baby boomers, who may not know their way around computers and the Internet as much as they would like. Online classes force you to become more adept at using computers through mere exposure.

3. It's much more economical than taking adult or continuing education classes.

Baby boomers are an intellectually curious bunch, as the popularity of adult and continuing education classes demonstrates. Having worked at a continuing education school offered at university before, I know that classes can often be very expensive. Courses online are substantially cheaper (sometimes free!) and much easier to register for.

4. All you need is a computer and Internet connection, so you can still take classes and travel.

Baby boomers are constantly traveling, so perhaps your concern about continuing your education is that you'd have to give up your wanderlust lifestyle. With online courses, the classroom essentially becomes anywhere you want it to be, as long as you have your laptop and access to the Internet. Some courses may require books, but almost all the information you need can be found online.

After retirement, continually challenging yourself is extremely important in keeping both your body and mind fit. Online classes offer an easy and affordable way to keep your mind still going. For more information about online classes, check out this AARP article on e-learning.

Author Bio:

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online colleges, online degrees etc. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Top 7 tips for Evaluating a Health Insurance Policy

It can be difficult to navigate the maze of private medical insurance. In order to secure the best protection for you and your family it is important to be aware of a vast and ever-changing body of law and practice. It is no exaggeration to say that your financial and medical future depend on it. Here are seven tips to help you evaluate a health insurance policy.

 1. Take it seriously.

There is no way to over-estimate the impact these decisions have on you and your family. You may feel fine today, but it is a law of nature that someday you will not. It is then that your planning, or lack of planning, will show. Even though Americans can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, the moment of need is no time to worry about policies and money. You owe it to yourself to prepare, and if you do not you will certainly regret it.

2. Consider the doctors in the network.

Make certain that they are accessible and competent. Look for reviews online. If you have a doctor who you are dedicated to but is not in the network be sure to budget extra funds.

3. Check the co-pay against the premium.

A low co-pay is wonderful thing but not at the price of a high premium. Take a guess at your average yearly medical expenditure and see how it works out with that plan. If you rarely visit the doctor it makes more sense to pick a plan with a low premium and save a little money for emergencies.

4. Comparison shop.

The only way to be sure you get the best is to know what is out there.

5. Look for details.

There's more to health than emergency care. Don't forget eyes, teeth, or maternity; all things commonly left out of plans.

6. Check the plan for changes.

Health care law and insurance policy change every day. Even if you are using the same provider as last year, check the fine print and make sure it is the same plan.

7. Trust your instincts.

If you see a lot of things in a policy that raise warning flags, heed them. If a contract has one thing that you find unethical, it's a good bet that there are others that you have not seen yet. In a very real sense you are putting your life in their hands. Do not do business with agencies that you do not trust.



Eddie Adams is a Content writer with an interest in topics relating to health, cosmetic dentistry, tourism and green living. You can follow him @thefreshhealth on Twitter :-)

What is Professional Liability Insurance?

                            (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your an independent contractor you have probably already purchased many different kinds of insurance like health insurance, business insurance, and other insurance products. But have you given thought to the need for professional liability insurance which will protect you if a customer sues you for how you did or didn't fulfill your professional obligations. This kind of insurance is also called how you did or didn’t fulfill your professional obligations. This kind of insurance is often forgotten because many professionals think that their general liability coverage policy is enough to protect them from client lawsuits.

As with liability insurance, proliability insurance is there to protect your financial resources in the event of a customer lawsuit. Many companies that hire you sometimes require this kind of insurance as a general policy. A lot of 1099 sub-contractors are finding that the requirements to carry professional liability insurance are increasing because of the demands of clients. 

The services rendered today by independent contractors are increasing in complexity. Projects that you could be working on may interface with multi-million dollar infrastructures that could be damaged by your interaction, through no fault of your own. Having the right protection is a necessity in today's business world.  If your in the IT or tech industry you are especially vulnerable because of the complexity of the businesses your customers have. 

There can be instances where a client is just dissatisfied or claiming that you have not fulfilled your contract, even though you have. An angry client can easily bring a lawsuit on you and fighting the undeserved suit will waste your time and money. Having someone on your side is where professional liability insurance comes through.

Consumer Confidence Returning To Payment Protection Insurance

 (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Many consumers are still coping with the problems caused by the mis sold payment protection insurance policies. Naturally consumers are still distrustful of protection policies. But now negativity of the protection products is starting to wane and consumer confidence is returning.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reported nearly £2 billion in redress has been paid back to PPI customers in 2011. Much of this has been because of the help to consumers from PPI claims companies.

The problems surrounding payment protection insurance are not because of the quality of the product but because of the way it was sold. PPI is a very helpful product to have because it protects you should you find yourself unable to work because of illness or accident. With its protection you will still be able to meet your credit card and loan payments.

Consumers realize that protection of this kind is needed because unforeseen circumstances due arise. Making preparations for illness or loss of job is on the minds of workers who have the responsibility of a family. The past problems of the mis-sold payment protection insurance is still a concern but help from ppi claims companies have alleviated much of the worry with their help in redress paid back to consumers.

The consumer has learned to question the products being sold at their banks and not just take them at their word. With this attitude, customers should benefit from more beneficial financial products.

Commercial Insurance An Often Neglected Necessity

King Henry VI (Photo credit: TranceMist)Starting a new business requires the decision maker of the fledgling company to decide on many matters. Many of these decisions concern important to trivial matters that can lasting effects. One of these important decisions is the choice to purchase commercial insurance.

Many states require a company to have insurance as a part of the license of just operating. There are requirements for insurance to cover an employee getting hurt on the job. Many governments want coverage on the commercial vehicles that a business operates on the roadways. When borrowing money to operate the business, lenders require an adequate commercial insurance protection before processing a commercial loan.

Commercial lenders are understandably concerned for the welfare of the company they are lending their money to. They are concerned about the firms ability to pay if some unforeseen circumstance happens or some liability problems occur.

Once the funding has been acquired the principles of the company should appreciate that things could go wrong and often do. Planning for that rainy day a good business owner takes steps to secure proper commercial insurance.

Other problems, concerning the health of the business, is coverage of possible robbery, vandalism, and liability. Having an adequate emergency fund for these types of problems makes sense. But having comprehensive commercial indemnity protection will help you cover all the problems that the business can't afford to cover.

If your company builds a product, then it is important to have liability coverage to address any claims concerning use or misuse of the product. There may be unknown defects that a good liability policy will address. This is very important because many lawsuits have put companies out of business, when just some commercial insurance could of offered protection.

Your business may someday suffer disaster, man-made or an act of God, a comprehensive commercial coverage policy is important for a quick recovery. A business wouldn't operate a vehicle without good liability protection, doesn't the same apply to your business location.

Resources You Need to Know About Before Filing Your Taxes

Tax (Photo credit: 401K)So you've spent the last month dreading the thought of doing your tax return, but the day has come and you know it's time to get it over with. You sit down and pull up your tax software, and start answering questions. Name? check Address? check....Then, you run into that question that you're unsure about. It might be the number of deductions you can take, whether you are eligible for this credit, or how many business expenses you can claim. Whatever it is, you don't want to get it wrong and have the IRS come knocking at your door. But, you have other work that needs to get done, and you just want to get this damn tax return over with!


Here are three options you should consider that I've tried and tested over the years. Each one has its merits.

1. The free solution - The IRS actually offers a free helpline that you can call to get tax filing help. Since it's a free service (besides the 15 minute wait time), it doesn't hurt to try this one out. If you're lucky, you'll get in contact with an enrolled agent who can help you with your question. However, the help service is notoriously spotty, with a recent Washington Times study showing 3 out of 10 people who call the toll-free helpline won't get through to a human being, and those that do are often redirected to the IRS website.
2. The costly solution - Hiring a last-minute CPA or tax assistant to answer your question is also a popular solution (especially for business owners). However, beware that this costs anywhere from $100-200 per hour, and is limited to availability as the tax deadline approaches. The benefit here is you will be getting someone to do your taxes for you, whose job is to keep up to date with the current tax code.
3. The happy medium - There's a clever new website called Task.fm that offers a place where tax professionals will answer your personalized tax questions quickly for a set cost. For those of you with one-off questions that need to be answered, I would highly recommend looking into this. For an affordable rate (~$20), you get a certified CPA who will answer your question immediately. Not a bad deal if you ask me!

All said and done, what you're looking for is a quick, accurate, and affordable answer to your tax questions.


If you have the disposable income and are willing to pay for someone to do your taxes, hire a CPA (make sure you do your due diligence!).


If you are willing to do the gritty work of reading and understanding the tax code yourself, use the IRS helpline.


If you just want an answer quickly for an affordable rate, go to Task.fm. (Click here to bookmark).

Paying Taxes With A Credit Card Can Be Expensive

Tax (Photo credit: Images_of_Money)Your taxes are coming due and you do not have enough money to pay them. So you push the easy button and pull out your credit card. Sure Uncle Sam takes credit cards but did you know that there is going to be a processing fee tacked on to your transaction.

You are going to pay the fee that credit cards normally charge merchants to use the card. The government wants the total taxes due and is not going to eat the transaction cost. If your credit card provides a reward program or miles that cover the extra fees it may be worth it. But generally, with the high processing fee it just does not make sense to pay by credit card.

Credit card payments to the IRS are processed by third-party providers. These companies charge a processing fee, which averages 2.35% (as low as 1.89% through PayUSATaxes.com and as high as 3.93% charged by FileYourTaxes.com). The fee is a deductible business and individual expense.

For example if your tax bill is $8,000, a processing charge of 2.35% will cost $188 which will be added to your total transaction. So if you do not pay off your balance every month you will be paying interest on $8,188 as you slowly pay off your balance. Interest on top of fees makes the whole process, just not make sense.

Even if you pay off the entire balance, your rewards or miles probably will not offset the extra expense.

"Before charging your taxes on a credit card, check into installment options from the IRS, especially if your credit card has a high APR," says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com. "The IRS will charge interest, but it may be less than what you would pay with your credit card."

If you must use your credit card follow these tips:

• Make sure the transaction doesn't push you over your credit limit.
• Don't write your credit card info on your tax documents.
• Make sure your payment is treated as a purchase and not a balance transfer because the you will be paying higher interest and a balance transfer fee as high as 5%.
• You can't cancel payments to the I.R.S.
• If you can use your debit card than go to Pay1040.com, where they only charge a $3.89 fee.

If you pay your taxes by credit card because you do not have the money, it is an indication you are not managing your money properly. Do not let this happen again next year. Start putting away the tax payment little by little every month.

Where To Invest When Interest Rates Are Low

International Money Pile in Cash and Coins (Photo credit: epSos.de)Putting your money into a savings account is a safe way to protect your money. It is not, however, a great way to grow your money. Interest rates for savings accounts today average around one percent. This means you would get about a $1 in interest for every $100 you have in your savings account. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to invest your money if you want to continue growing your money.

Alternate #1: Invest In Gold

There is never a bad time to invest in gold. It is a commodity that is always going to increase in value. Gold provides you with a safe haven for your money today while growing your money for the future. Consider investing in gold if you are thinking about leaving some of your wealth behind for future generations. Selling your gold is also quite easy to do should you decide to liquidate that asset.

Alternate #2: Real Estate

Purchasing a home could be a great way to grow your wealth over the next decade or so. The key is to put enough down on the home to ensure that equity can be attained right away. Also consider where you are going to purchase the property. The housing market is going to vary depending on where you decide to buy. Finding a good home in a good location can result in an asset that will steadily grow in value over time.

Alternate #3: Find Works Of Art

An art collection can yield you some serious cash should you ever decide to sell. Fine art is always going to be in demand as collectors try to line their walls with classical pieces. A keen eye is needed to determine whether a particular art work is going to be valuable or not. Always have an appraisal done to determine the authenticity of the piece. Clever forgeries will make your piece almost worthless.

Alternate #4: Collecting Original Manuscripts

Holding an original copy of the Canterbury Tales would net you a massive sum of money on the open market. Original drafts by authors such as Stephen King would also be quite attractive if you were to ever sell his work. There is nothing more valuable than a piece that is not widely available to the general public. Be sure to authenticate everything before you try to sell it.

Alternate #5: Sports Memorabilia

The value of sports memorabilia tends to do nothing but go up over time. Having an autograph from Johnny Unitas is going to enhance the value of his trading card. Possessing a championship ring that was given to Kobe Bryant would be worth a small fortune if you could ever acquire it. Sporting goods stores are very popular across the country because almost anything sports related is quite valuable. Your decision to keep your baseball cards in pristine condition could really pay off in the long run.


Savings accounts are one way to make sure that your money is safely accounted for. However, there are many Alternate investments that you may want to look into. Putting your money into gold, art and sports memorabilia are fine ways to grow your money. You can feel secure that your money will last as long as you need it to.

Resources for Investing

• 10 Life Changing Books About Managing Your Money - CreditCardCompare.com.au 
• 5 Alternative Investments Worth Looking Into Now! - YouthfulInvestor.com 
• Alternative Investment News - Guardian.co.uk

With interest rates at historical lows in several developed countries, where have you been investing your money? Have you been investing in any other alternatives?

Second Careers Are Becoming A Trend For Boomers

Court Reporter tests his Stenomask (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Ask a Baby Boomer if age 65 is a finish line or a starting line and you will get an education about life. There are many things people can't understand about being self-reliant until you actually walk in their shoes. But earning a living and contributing to the community is important to boomers. Also because of the faulty retirement system and economic problems, boomers are also stepping up to fill in the financial gaps in their lives.

One such second career that is popular is a court reporter. Many people looking to have a second career and wanting to be in a stimulating, active work environment are choosing the court reporter career.

Of the 21,000 court reporters, over half work at federal, state or local government jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Projection data by the the U.S. Department of Labor states that by 2018 job growth will rise by 18 percent.

The median salary of court reporters is $57,200 and if you can type 200+ words a minute the average pay can be $105,000, according to Payscale.com. Beyond getting your certification, many factors are necessary for a court reporter to succeed in their job. Having good listening skills, knowledge of grammar, writing speed, and vocabulary skills are necessary.

Opportunities are available and educational costs are reasonable for a court reporter career. You can have a flexible schedule instead of the traditional 9 - 5 job. Having more freedom for yourself and still earning good money is what makes a second career great.

Are Gift Cards Good For Consumers?

Gift Card (Photo credit: 401K)

In a National Retail Federation survey, about 80 percent of shoppers expected to buy gift cards, while 58 percent of shoppers said their most requested present would be a gift card. The gift card has been the most popular choice for five straight years now.

The gift that has increased in popularity over the years is being forgotten more often as well. NPR reports that analyst Brian Riley of the Tower Group has estimated about $41 billion in money spent on gift cards has not been claimed since 2005. USA Today reported that accounting rules say gift card sales don’t count as income for stores until they are actually redeemed.

It helps to choose the right card for your gift recipient. But GiftCardRescue.com sells gift cards people don’t want and allows them to buy others at discounted rates. A company spokesman felt that consumers weren’t redeeming their cards right away due to the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. According to USA Today, rules now say that expiration dates are limited to five years after purchase, and fees for non-use are prohibited until after the first year.

Even More places to get rid of that unwanted gift card.

• ABC Gift Cards allows users to buy, sell, or trade gift cards. They claim to be the largest secondary market for gift cards.
• Card Avenue has a very extensive inventory of cards for sale. Navigating the site is easy. If you want to trade a card, create a “wish list” of gift cards you would consider in exchange for your gift card. For example, if you have a $50 Pottery Barn card, but you would much rather have a $50 Victoria’s Secret or Macy’s card, then include those cards in your wish list. Other traders will browse the site, and if they have a Macy’s or Victoria’s Secret card and want your Pottery Barn gift card, you might be able to make the trade. The site receives a commission from the traders.
• Cardnap allows users to buy and sell a variety of popular gift cards.
• Cardpool features free shipping, and a 100-day guarantee, to ensure the gift cards are legitimate.
• CardsUWant is an auction site that lets sellers buy, sell, and trade gift cards. They collect a 5% fee, which is less than eBay.
• CardWoo is another service that buys and sells gift cards. They pay all shipping costs, but require that gift cards have a minimum $20 value.
• Cash4GiftCards.com buys gift cards for 75% of their value. They sometimes buy expired cards, for 25% of their pre-expiration value. GiftCardBin provides an initial offer on sellers’ gift cards, based on the retailer, value, and expiration date. If you don’t like their offer, you can make a counter offer.
• GiftCardGranny is another gift card buying and selling site. The site allows users to sign up for alerts and receive notification when cards from their favorite stores have been listed for sale.
• GiftCardRescue allows users to buy, sell, and exchange gift cards. This website offers an additional 5% over the redemption value if the card is exchanged for an Amazon gift card instead of cash. They also offer bankruptcy protection in the event that the retailer no longer accepts the gift cards.
• Plastic Jungle buys unwanted gift cards and will pay up to 92% of the face value of the card. Users have to enter gift card information on the site, and then Plastic Jungle makes an offer for the card. Sellers receive pre-paid shipping labels to mail gift cards to the website. Once the balance of the gift card is verified, the website pays for the gift card with a check or PayPal.

Obtain quotes from each of the websites to determine which site offers the best deal for the gift cards you want to sell or exchange. Make sure to read the websites’ terms and conditions, and learn more about their guarantees, transaction fees, and shipping policies. Gift card exchange websites are an excellent way to sell or trade gift cards from major retailers. If the gift card is for a small, local business, try selling or trading the gift card on Craigslist or eBay Classifieds instead.

Don’t let your unwanted gift cards sit around collecting dust. Make them work for you instead. If your Great Aunt Sue gave you a $100 Starbucks gift card and you don’t drink coffee, trade the card for a shop you do visit, or trade the card for cash. If you use Plastic Jungle to sell your $100 Starbucks gift card, they may pay you up to $92.00 for the card. 

Citi's Simplicity Card With 18 Months No Interest Balance Transfer

Does a credit card with no late fees, no annual fees, no penalty late payments and more sound good to you?

If you need a no non-sense 18 month no interest balance transfer, to use to pay off your high interest credit cards, then skip down to the bottom and apply.

The Citi Simplicity® Card is designed to give consumers an uncomplicated line of credit. It also allows card members to say goodbye to penalty fees for missing a payment due date, and hello to fast, person-to-person customer service!

The Citi Simplicity® Card features an excellent introductory APR period that gives you over a year without interest! As a cardholder, you'll enjoy 0% APR for 18 months on purchases and 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months from the time you opened your card account!

After this introductory APR period expires, you'll enjoy a low, variable APR. This APR will NOT change if you're late making a payment, nor will you be charged any late-payment fees for missing a due date! This is just one of the many ways Citi is using the Simplicity® Card to make credit management easier.

The Citi Simplicity® Card also lets you do away with frustrating, automated voice recordings when you make a customer service call. Citi representatives are standing by 24/7, and you'll never have to sit and wait for your call to be answered. As a cardholder, just verify your account number and say “representative.” You'll be put right through!

There is no annual fee for the Citi Simplicity® Card either. This card is designed to simplify the credit process for those with excellent credit. With an 18-month 0% APR period, an APR that doesn't change if you miss a payment due date, and access to representatives who can answer your questions or concerns 24 hours a day, the Citi Simplicity® Card truly lives up to its name!

Here are All the goodies:

• Annual Fee $0.
• 0% Intro APR for 18 Months on Balance Transfers.
• 0% interest for 18 Months on Purchases.
• No late fees for making a late payment.
• no penalties for going over your credit limit.
• no wait-time for live help via telephone.

Also The Negatives:

• No rewards program.
• $35 fee for returned payment.

The bottom line is if you need an 18 month no interest balance transfer then this is the card you need. It doesn't get better than this.

Visit the Citi Simplicity® Card page to sign up and for more information. 

Term Life Insurance for Seniors

Universal Life Insurance Company (Photo credit: Thomas Hawk)If you are past the age of 50, you may not know that you can still apply for a term life insurance policy. As time passes, it’s natural to think about the financial future of the people you cherish most. Term life insurance for senior citizens may help address some of these needs.

Why might a senior citizen want a life insurance policy?

Life insurance for seniors can help compensate for future expenses that your retirement savings may not cover.

You can also use term life insurance to help loved ones:

• pay off a mortgage
• cover estate taxes
• afford payment of final expenses
• transfer a business

Do I need to be in good health to be approved?
All life insurance companies may evaluate your physical health when quoting you for a term life insurance policy. Age, gender, height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, history of family illnesses and prescription medications can be considered when evaluating life insurance for senior citizens. Physicians may generally administer the same paramedical exam they would perform on a younger life insurance candidate. If you’re concerned that your general health condition will prevent you from being approved, some providers offer an option to insure people ages sixty and over with no medical exam. These policies generally range from $3000 to $15,000 in value and are appropriate for seniors

How young do I have to be to get approved?

It could be a rare event that insurance providers will issue a permanent life insurance policy to senior citizens over sixty. However, you may be issued a term life insurance policy for up to ten years from some of the leading providers as a senior citizen. It is common to be able to receive a 10-year term life insurance policy until the age of 70; in some states, like Arizona, seniors may be issued a policy until age 75.

How much can I expect to pay monthly?

When you’re a senior, it is important to consider the benefits of purchasing a term life insurance policy as soon as possible. Monthly rates for term life insurance policies may increase significantly on an annual basis. For example, a person at age 60 in great health and no history of family illness might pay $68.76 monthly whereas someone with the same medical standing at age 65 can expect to pay $117.37 for a 10-year $250,000 life insurance policy with MetLife. At 70, the same person might pay $223.56 monthly and at 75 could pay $431.91/month for the same policy.*

What should I look out for?

Too much life insurance is sold rather than bought. The best advice for seniors should be determine what it is they want to insure against and figure out what type of protection makes sense for them.

In other words, you should figure out what your loved ones’ financial needs will be. Then, you should determine how much insurance you’ll need to provide for their financial future. If you do decide that life insurance for seniors can cover your needs best, you should ask around and find a good professional that will not “sell” you on policies.

*Policies based on a 6’, 190-pound male for a 10-year $250,000 term policy at the ages described. Quotes are based on MetLife rates as of October 11, 2011. Rates are subject to change.

Boomers Health Care Costs Cause Worry

Retirement (Photo credit: 401K)Boomers are worried if they can afford health care costs in retirement. A report by the Insured Retirement Institute found two-thirds of boomers aren’t confident they have enough saved to cover the cost of health care after they retire. Also 72% of the younger boomers, between 50 and 54, say they are concerned about health care costs.

Those costs can be considerable. The report, "Health Care Expenses and Retirement Income How Escalating Costs Impact Retirement Savings," found that a healthy 65-year-old man can expect to pay $350,000 for health care expenses, including premiums, for the remainder of his life. A 65-year-old woman can expect to pay 13% more at $417,000. Health care expenses increased 5.75% in the 12-month period ending September 2011.




The IRI also shows that the average boomer on Medicare can have out-of-pocket medical expenses of over $4,300 per year. The 2012 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment of 3.6% represents an average $42 per month or $500 per year. In 2012, Medicare Part B premiums will account for over 8% of the average Social Security benefit, the IRI found.

The IRI suggests purchasing an immediate or deferred annuity with a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit to supplement Social Security income. Another strategy for boomers who already have an annuity or plan to purchase several years ahead of their retirement is to use income from that annuity to supplement a separate investment.

“Boomers are already concerned about their ability to cover their lifelong medical expenses during retirement–therefore, they will likely be open to discussing ways in which to fund the large outlay that will be required,” the report concluded.


Further Reading: 

• The Mystery Of Medicare
•  Medical Issues Can Ruin Good Credit