Ways Your House Can Earn You Money

Housing (Photo credit: james.thompson)

When financial times are tough, we have to make our assets work for us. A house is a large investment and it is important to ensure that the money that has been invested in it is working as hard as it can. Of course, we invest a lot emotionally into our homes as well, but sometimes it helps to view the house from a different perspective, and think of the fiscal benefits our homes could provide. 
By viewing a house as a moneymaking machine as well as a home, ideas for generating extra cash will soon come flooding in. Here are a few to start off with: 

Almost everything is rentable 

Perhaps the most familiar moneymaking scenario is renting out the spare room to a lodger. There are many types of lodgers out there looking for a room. Whether it is a student during the current college term, out-of-town workers looking for Monday to Friday accommodations, or tourists seeking somewhere to spend a few days or even a single night, there is plenty of flexibility in the room rental model. 
It may seem hard to believe, but the rental concept can be extended to cover many other things related to the home. There are people out there willing to pay good money to rent the driveway (for parking), the garage space, and even the back yard of a house (to pitch a tent for a party). Websites exist that can help hook up homeowners with people looking to rent various parts of the house or property. There are even people who will be looking to rent the lawnmower or gardening equipment for a couple of hours. If you are looking to generate some income, take another look at your home and its contents with fresh eyes - instead of being a money pit, it could be making money. 

Buy another house 

We have established that houses can often be efficient moneymaking vehicles, so if there is room in the budget, why not buy another? Admittedly, not many people have spare cash around these days, but those who do are certainly not getting great returns from savings accounts or CDs. It will usually be a far better idea to put any extra money into investments that pay good returns. With property prices at historic lows in many areas and rentals in high demand, becoming a landlord is increasingly popular for those with money to invest. Choose property in attractive areas where rental demand outstrips supply. There are many US houses for sale in premium locations that would make prime vacation rentals and yield a healthy return on investment. 

Film star homes 

Spectacular, unique, well located, or just plain quirky homes are always in demand as film locations. TV and film companies are willing to pay good money in return for the use of a home as a film set. Registering with a locations agency can be a relatively simple process and if your home has that ‘star quality’, the house could be earning hundreds of dollars a day just for looking good.
 

Remodel for great returns 

Another sure-fire way of making money from a home is by increasing its value through remodeling. Home improvements such as unique designer kitchens, luxury bathrooms, extra bedrooms, new flooring, garden rooms and conservatories, landscaped gardens and driveways will all help to boost resale profits. This long-term route may take time to reap rewards, but can be very financially beneficial. 
So remember, home is where the heart is, but when money is tight, home can also be where the cash is. 

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How to select the best car insurance for luxury car?

Automobiles are among the most commonly used engine-powered vehicles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many of us would envy and dream to own a luxury car such as Audi, Benz, and Porsche in our life time. People who opt for a luxury is the one who do not want to compromise on the ride, handling and comfort of their travel. So, when it comes to car insurance these cars should also have an insurance policy that covers the cost of the repair adequately.
A car accident can never be planned and no one knows when it is bound to occur. As a luxury car owner one should have necessary coverage with the insurance so that the cost of the accident does not have a catastrophic effect on your finance. 

These are the few points you should consider when going for a luxury car insurance

Be ready to pay higher premium – As we all know luxury cars tend to cost more than the regular cars. And the costs to keep up the luxury cars are also higher than the regular cars. Therefore, insurance company does charge a high premium for the top end cars. Therefore, when you plan to buy a luxury car, be ready to pay higher premium.

Make sure it covers all the spare parts – Luxury cars when met with a accident is going to be a costly affair to get repaired. Many insurance companies do have restrictions on percentage of claims you can make on the specific parts of a car. Some companies only offer 50% of claim on spare parts that is made of plastic. Therefore, before signing a luxury car insurance you should make sure it is always a bumper to bumper insurance.

Your insurance should cover theft – Luxury cars and vintage cars are rare in numbers, therefore they are always the target for people who steal luxury and vintage cars and ship it to other countries. I believe many would have seen the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” where Nicolas Cage steals 50 luxury vintage cars in one night. That movie is a good reminder for people to have theft insurance on their luxury car.

Research and analyze – Even though a luxury car owner is not a price conscious person it is always advisable to shop deep to get the better insurance coverage for your luxury car. To get the best plan collect all the available plans, analyze each every minute details like premium, coverage and No claim bonus to select the best plan for your needs

Always go with company offered insurance – Many car manufacturers like Porsche, Mercedes and Audi tie up with insurance companies and offer their own insurance plan. In case if you come across such plan, never leave the opportunity to go. In experience, a luxury car is easy to maintain when the car has the insurance plan from the insurance company that has a tie-up with the manufacturer.

When you are in the market for an insurance policy for your luxury car, you should make sure that the insurance policy fulfills the above points. An insurance policy that compiles with the above points will give you peace of mind while driving your luxury car.

Philip is a guest blogger interested in writing informative contents related to Auto insurance. To know more on being familiar with car insurance please go through his page at http://www.freecarinsurancequotes.org/

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7 Ways Seniors Can Keep Their Car Insurance Affordable

With the cost of car insurance rising each and every year, it is no wonder that car owners have been looking for ways to make their insurance more affordable. No group of car owners, however, has been hit by rising insurance premiums as much as seniors. 

This sector of the population generally has low incomes but high car insurance costs, especially if one has not built up a good driving record over the years. Follow these tips to keep your car insurance premiums as low as possible for years to come. 

1) Keep out of trouble! 

The best way for anybody, not just seniors, to keep car insurance premiums low is to ensure that your driving record is clean and you never get into any at-fault accidents. Your insurance company is bound to get wind of any problems with your driving record at some point, so keeping out of trouble is the best policy. 

2) Take a defensive driving course

Aside from the obvious benefits of showing you how to control your car effectively, many insurance companies provide discounts to drivers who take defensive driving courses. 

3) Find a senior citizen insurer 

Some insurance companies specialize in providing cover to senior citizens, and these companies might be a little more forgiving of previous misdeeds on the road, especially if such incidents occurred decades ago. 

4) Drive less and ask your insurer for a discount 

Many seniors do not use their cars very much. Often, a senior citizen's car is only used for short drives down to the shops or to visit family. Some insurance companies provide discounts to people who use their car very little, as a reflection of the sharply decreased risk involved by driving occasionally. 





It is well worth speaking to your current insurer to see whether any such offers exist, and if not, consider switching insurance companies.

5) Keep up to date with medical checks

Insurance companies just love to see medical reports come in outlining issues with vision, as this is a great excuse for them to hike their premiums. If you detect issues with your vision, it may be worth your while to visit an optometrist to see whether corrective lenses can be worn to ensure that while on the road, these vision problems will have no impact on your ability to drive safely. 

This not only looks good to an insurance company, but it also helps to keep you safe while on the road. 

6) Switch insurance companies

Many seniors do not have access to the Internet, and hence do not 'shop around' to get the best rates on their car insurance. It is a good idea to shop around, so if you do not know anybody willing to source quotations for you, get out your copy of the White Pages and start calling around. 

7) Stop driving.

Many seniors use their cars so infrequently that it may be cheaper to get rid of the car altogether and just take cabs whenever transport is needed. Often, the cost in cab fares that will be incurred by not driving will be less than the yearly insurance premium. 

Author Bio: Anna Peterson works for InsurancePanda.com a company that provides numerous quotes to compare. 

4 Ways to Make Money with Certificates Of Deposit

Certificate of Deposit is the safest and the surest way to earn money by way of investment. It offers you more interest than the savings account and is devoid of the risks involved in stocks. You can open the Certificate of Deposit in any bank or financial institution of your choice. Given below are 4 ways in which you can earn money with Certificates of Deposit -
Invest In A Long Term CD

The easiest way to ensure that you earn money from your certificate of deposit is to invest in a long term CD than a short term one. CDs will require you to keep your money for certain duration before you can withdraw from it. This period can vary between six months to five years. It is known that the CD, which is valid for a longer period of time, earns you high CD interest rates than a CD that is valid for a few days or months. For example, a six-month CD can give you 3% interest as compared to a 5 year CD that gives you 5% interest.
High Yield CDs Are Not Always Beneficial

The U.S Exchange Commission warns investors from being influenced by CDs that have a high yield. Also, be wary of CDs that have variable interest rates. These CDs usually depend on the stock market and this can affect how much you earn from the Certificate of Deposit. CDs with low rates of interest usually have less risk since they do not depend on the financial market.

You should also make sure if your CD has a call feature. The banks terminate CDs with call features when the financial market dips and this can stop you from earning the full potential of the CD. This feature is usually present in high yielding CDs.
Let Your CD Mature

You should never withdraw from your CD before it matures if you want to earn from it. Access it only to withdraw money after its maturity. If you withdraw money from the CD before it matures, you may end up losing interest earned in the prior months. If you haven’t earned enough interest to pay the penalty, the bank will then deduct the amount from your principal. Thus, you end up losing more than what you would have earned.
Be Clear About How You Will Earn The Interest

When you open a certificate of deposit, the bank will give you a disclosure document that will state the features of your CD, the rate of interest that you would earn and how you will receive the payment. It is better to have the interest amount electronically transferred to your bank account rather than opting to receive a cheque.

If you want to earn money from the CD, keep in mind that it is best to invest in long-term schemes and not to touch your CD before it matures. Be clear about the rates you earn and the mode of payment.

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5 Ways to Make Money Online

Computer feestje (Photo credit: arneheijenga)

Being older and on a fixed income is no fun. These are difficult economic times for everyone, but it is possible for industrious people to make money right from their own homes through the Internet. 

A computer and a connection are the only required tools to get started, and you may even be able to manage without those if you can start small at a local library or a friend's house. All you need to do is think about the opportunities available to you online and decide which is best for you.

1. Writing - One of the most common ways to make money online is to write for a site that offers compensation for its writers. Some pay per articles, while others pay a share of advertising revenue. If you can find several sites that pay, you will have a place to write for even if one of them goes dry.

2. Editing - With all the writing online, many sites are in need of good editors. If you have a strong grasp of grammar, your services could be valuable and compensated as such.

3. Selling - If you have old items lying around the house collecting dust, you could make money off them by selling them at an online auction site or used goods store. Moreover, if you have artistic talent, you can make crafts and artwork and sell them online.

4. Services - If you have a special skill that you can offer, why not advertise it online and see if people might have a need for it? You can restrict yourself to local parties if you are doing something like yard work; if it's something that can be done from a distance, you have countless potential clients to choose from.

5. Blog - You don't have to be a writer to blog. You can show off photography, artwork or music, whatever it is that you enjoy. Once you put ads alongside your entries, you will be able to earn money on every one of them if enough people click through.

As you can see, the Internet is full of ways to earn some extra cash. While making a boatload of money online is difficult, you can always get a little extra in to supplement your income. With enough hard work and some time invested wisely, anyone can make a significant amount of money online.

Author Bio: Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “babysittingjobs.com/”. He personally thinks his blog will help finding information on all things related to a babysitter.

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Guiding your Recently Graduated Kids through Debt Management

Source: Personal Trainer Pioneer

If there's one thing that we adults have learned as we approach retirement is that the world is not a secure place, no matter how hard you've tried to make it so. 

Living a debt-free life in America is though not impossible very difficult, and more and more people have realized that their debts can seriously hamper their ability to get what they want in life. Debt can make it difficult to have a stable marriage, to buy a house, or to relocate. Debt can also stop you from retiring when you are ready, and it can keep you from pursuing more education. 

Even if you've handled your debts wisely, it's very important to pass this knowledge on to our children. If you have children who are now adults and out on their own, here's how to guide them through a financially responsible life:

1. Encourage them to pay back their student loans as aggressively as they are able.

Hopefully, your children's only debts after graduating from college are student loans. While this was the case with me and my siblings, many of my recently graduated friends had mountains of credit debt as well. 

Regardless of your child's debts after graduating, it's important to emphasize to your children the need to start paying loans back as soon as they find work. 

Most young professionals will only pay monthly minimums for years before they realize that they could have paid much of their debt off a lot faster had they simply pitched in a little more every month.

2. Help them develop a budget for living expenses.

While budgeting may come second nature to you, it's often tough for young adults who are doing it for the first time. Sit down with your adult children and talk about ways that they can implement a reasonable budget on their expenses, including separate budgets for food, rent, entertainment, and savings.

3. Do not pay back their loans for them, especially if it means sacrificing your retirement savings.

One of the most tempting things parents usually want to do for their children is to pay back their loans. Of course, if, like many young adults in America, your child cannot find a job and is completely unable to pay back their debts, there's nothing wrong with stepping in and helping a little bit. 

At the same time, however, it's important to understand that we much continue to teach our children lessons even as adults. And one of the most important lessons that many people take their entire lifetimes to learn is a personal responsibility. 

Of course, advise them on how they should manage their debt, but leave the actual repayment up to them. Don’t risk your retirement savings just to coddle your kids.

4. Talk to them about the importance of starting an emergency fund.

It's quite astounding to read the statistics concerning the percentage of people who have absolutely no emergency fund. A serious accident on the highway can happen at any time, and recovering can be difficult. While legal aid like a Tampa truck accident lawyer can help with the recovery, it can still be difficult to recover from the mounting expenses.

Of course, it's hard to establish an emergency fund when you're busy paying off debts. Still, once your child has learned to manage her debt and budget correctly, encourage her to start an emergency fund that can pay for six months' worth of living expenses. 

Most financial advisers recommend having a fund that covers at least six months and as much as a year, especially in an uncertain economic climate.

It's quite astounding to read the statistics concerning the percentage of people who have absolutely no emergency fund. A serious accident on the highway can happen at any time, and recovering can be difficult. 

While legal aid like a Tampa truck accident lawyer can help with the recovery, it can still be difficult to recover from the mounting expenses. Of course, it's hard to establish an emergency fund when you're busy paying off debts. 

Still, once your child has learned to manage her debt and budget correctly, encourage her to start an emergency fund that can pay for six months' worth of living expenses. 

Most financial advisers recommend having a fund that covers at least six months and as much as a year, especially in an uncertain economic climate.

Still, once your child has learned to manage her debt and budget correctly, encourage her to start an emergency fund that can pay for six months' worth of living expenses. Most financial advisers recommend having a fund that covers at least six months and as much as a year, especially in an uncertain economic climate.

At some point, of course, there isn't much that we can do when our kids are all grown up. At the same time, however, you'll be their parents forever, and they still will look to you for advice. Offering sound financial advice is perhaps the most important advice we can give. Good luck!

Mariana Ashley is a freelance education writer who also writes about parenting, personal finance, and small business strategies. She has an especial interest in online education, particularly online colleges in Arkansas. Please feel free to contact Mariana at mariana.ashley031@gmail.com

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National Coffee Day Discounts and Free Giveaways

Krispy Kreme logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oh Yeah! Saturday will be the Christmas for all coffee drinkers. Saturday is "National Coffee Day". What does this mean to you? Free coffee, what else. 

At 50plusfinance.com our goal is to provide interesting articles in the personal finance realm that hopefully entertain and educate. But what we really care about more than that is coffee and the enjoyment of it.  Our team of coffee scientist, in our secret coffee labs, have been scraping the Internet for all the best deals and freebies for you to properly celebrate this great day. Below you will find a list of all we could come up with concerning the delicious drink. Most of these are either free or require a coupon which we have graciously provided a link for. Enjoy!

• 7-Eleven: Free large coffee on Sept. 28 between 6 and 10 a.m. 7-Eleven has locations in the U.S. and Canada. 
• Dutch Bros. Coffee: All coffee drinks and Dutch Bros. Blue Rebel energy drinks are free on Sept. 29at the location at 7225 Martin Way East, Olympia, Wash. Take $1 off any coffee drink on Sept. 29 at the eight locations across Central Oregon, all located in Bend, Redmond, or Sisters. Free coffee drinkson Sept. 29 at the three locations in Colorado Springs, Colo. 
• Dunkin’ Donuts: Printable coupon for a 99-cent hot or iced lattethrough Sept. 30. 
• Dunkin’ Donuts: Printable coupon for six free doughnuts with the purchase of a Box o’ Joe through Sept. 30. 
• Dunkin’ Donuts: Printable coupon for $1 off the purchase of a dozen K-cups through Oct. 28. 
• Eight O’Clock Coffee products: Printable coupon for $2 off at any store that sells this brand and accepts manufacturer coupons. 
• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Pumpkin lattes are buy-one-get-one-free on Sept. 29. They’re also offering other coffee-related discounts earlier in the week. Einstein has locations nationwide. 
• Kangaroo Express convenience stores: Get a 12-ounce cup of Bean Street Coffee for 1 cent on Sept. 29 between 8 a.m. and noon. Kangaroo Express has more than 1,500 locations in 13 southeastern U.S. states. 
• Krispy Kreme stores: Free 12-ounce cup of their new House Blend Coffee on Sept. 29. Krispy Kreme has locations in 39 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. 
• Krispy Kreme online: They’re giving away free coffee for a year to 75 people as part of their 75th birthday celebration. To win, enter once between now and Sept. 29 by completing the form. The winners will receive two bags of coffee every month for the next twelve months – plus a free T-shirt and coffee mug. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 and older. 
• McDonald’s: Free cup of coffee every day through Sept. 29. Rumor has it this freebie is limited to locations in the eastern U.S., so be sure to call your location before making a trip. (Thanks to reader Jolene for writing to us about this offer.) 
• Punchbowl.com: Send a free National Coffee Day e-card. This freebie is available now, but they don’t say when it expires. 
• Seattle’s Best Coffee products: Printable coupon for $1 off at any store that sells this brand and accepts manufacturer coupons. 
• Ten Thousand Villages: Look for free samples or discounts at the stores in Charlottesville, Va., andPhiladelphia and Lancaster, Penn., on Sept. 29. 
• Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop: Printable buy-one-get-one-free coffee coupon good on Sept. 29. The coupon is good at their U.S. locations. 
• Wawa Inc. convenience stores: Sign up to receive an immediate coupon for a free 16-ounce iced latte through Oct. 2. Wawa has locations along the eastern U.S. coast.
•        

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How Is Classic Car Insurance Different from Regular Car Insurance

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The average driver uses their car for work, shopping, and travel. The amount payed for car insurance depends on the age of the car and your driving record. Depending on whether you have a new car or just a jalopy, the amount of insurance can vary. But the costs vary according to how much the car insurance agent knows it must pay to repair or replace your car. 

But what if you have a classic car? Many of us have that dream of owning a classic car. The car could be the car you had in your youth or that car you could never afford to buy. Now that you have it, you wonder what type of insurance do you need.

Classic cars have many of the same qualities as your new car. They need to be insured for theft and damage. But do classic cars need any other types of insurance. There are differences because the classic car is not driven on the road as much as the new car. How do insurance companies account for this?

Classic car owners take a lot of pride and care in their classic car ownership. They could of personally took the time to restore the car. Maybe even taking years to painstakingly restore the car to its original appearance. So when it comes to insuring it they are very concerned about insuring it correctly.

What is a Classic car?

Most people have some idea what a classic car is. But what do car insurance companies consider a classic car? Insurers vary according to their definitions of a classic car. In general, cars built between 15 and 25 years ago are considered "classic," while those older than 25 years are considered "antique." Make sure an insurance company considers your vehicle a classic before signing on the dotted line.

What does classic car insurance actually cover?

The amount of protection varies according to the policy. Comprehensive coverage is typically the same for a classic car as it is for a modern car but with a few extra restrictions.

Insurance policies often limit how many miles per year you can drive your classic vehicle. Many insurers also put restrictions on who can drive the vehicle.

Some policies put mandates on classic car storage. Because these cars frequently attract the attention of vandals and car thieves, many insurers require you to fit your car with approved security devices and store it in a locked garage.

Many insurance companies also offer insurance coverage for replacement parts. These policies are worth looking into if you have a valuable classic vehicle or you want any replacements to be truly authentic.

What are the specifics of a classic car policy?

While looking for classic car insurance I started online. After searching online, I found the Hartford through AARP. They specialize in giving a classic car insurance quote

12-Month Rate Protection

Because the AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers a 12-month policy, your classic car insurance rates are locked in for a full year — not just 6 months like most other companies.

Lifetime Renewability

No need to worry about losing your classic car insurance. Once you become a policyholder, you are assured continued coverage as long as you’re able to drive and meet a few simple requirements.

Auto/Home Bundle

If you bundle your home and auto insurance with the AARP Auto and Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford, you could save on both.

Anti-Theft Device Discount

Anti-theft devices can be either active or passive disabling devices that protect a car from theft and save you money on your Comprehensive Coverage. If you must manually activate the device, it is considered active. If no separate step is needed to activate the device, it is considered passive.

Defensive Driver Course Credit

If the classic vehicle is the car you principally operate, you’re the primary operator of the vehicle, and you have completed an approved defensive driver course, such as the AARP® Driver Safety Program, you're eligible for an auto insurance discount for the next three full years.

Not all car insurance companies provide classic car insurance. Some do but they do not specialize in it. Be sure that you classic car insurance is provided by a company that specializes in it. You do not want to risk your classic car with just any company.

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Online Education Balances Work and Career Opportunities

online education. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Online education has exploded, students are learning that online degrees are becoming more accepted by potential employers like traditional university degrees . According to many companies, online education is continually gaining more respect as it establishes itself in academia and the workplace. 

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal says in the past many businesses were not familiar with online degrees. Today, this opinion is fading because many mainline universities are offering MBA's, Masters of Public Administration online , and other Master's degrees online. 

A recent study by the Online Journal of Nursing Administration shows that Health providers are becoming more accepting of web based degrees. The need for employees to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, required for their employment, is not being satisfied by the regular university system. Their findings show that the time commitment required when attending a traditional university can not be integrated into a health care workers long hours. The time constraints of a full time job and the many duties that a family and home life require put an employees time at a premium. So nurses are converting their RN to BSN online degree.

Today's health care providers see present employees, who have gone through online degree programs benefiting from their online education. It is becoming apparent that the training they have received has made a them valuable members of the team. Companies also responded that their opinion of a potential employee with an online degree five years ago would of put that persons resume to the bottom of the pile, but not today.

One of the managers major concerns are that when you take courses online you do not have a way to use your social interaction skills that are necessary in a business environment. Sitting in front of a computer in your pajamas doing your course work can not be transferred to a dynamic work environment. Hiring managers have this opinion and it's something the employee has to think about when being interviewed.

Not all health care providers see the benefits of taking entire degree courses online. They do give much credence to already working employees adding additional degrees like a nursing or a bachelor of science degree to an employees credentials through online learning. There still is a prejudice against online colleges. The advancement of online degrees has made it's way into the systems of many state colleges. Every year you see the technology of delivering complete degrees through online programs becoming better. Today's online education system is changing rapidly every year which will greatly benefit both health care providers and employees.

The online student has to keep in mind the views hiring managers have. When taking your course work it is imperative that you work toward receiving the highest possible grades and while you're attending your online school you should continue to work so as to have even more job experience when finally going for an interview after you receive your online degree.

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Should You Be A Cosigner On Your Kids College Loans

 (Photo credit: Occupy* Posters)

If your child is getting ready to head off to college, you are probably wondering if cosigning his loan is a good idea. Although you want to help your child get an education in any way you can, you are wondering if cosigning a student loan can come back to bite you in the future. For example, if your child is not able to start paying back on his student loans, you will be responsible for them. This will be a real burden to you, especially if you are trying to save for retirement. Before you decide to cosign your child's student loan, you really need to think it over carefully.

What Student Loan Options Can I Cosign?

Parents have two options for student loans: a parent plus loan and a private student loan. Parent Plus loans are federal loans that are created to supplement federal aid. Good credit is required to get approved for this loan and the student is not required to sign for it. Before you decide to cosign this loan, make sure your child has taken advantage of all available financial aid, scholarships and federal funding. Private student loans are offered by private lenders. To get approved for a private loan, a minimum income and credit history are required. Even if your child qualifies for a private loan, cosigning the loan could give him a lower interest rate. 

What Are the Benefits of Cosigning a Student Loan?

If financial aid or scholarships do not cover the entire cost of your child's tuition, cosigning a Parent Plus loan or private loan will benefit him. He likely does not have the credit history or enough income to qualify for a loan on his own. In addition to helping your child pay for his education, you will also be helping him establish a credit history. 

What Are the Negatives of Cosigning a Student Loan?

The biggest negative of cosigning for a student loan is that you are financially responsible if your child is not able to pay it off. If the loan is not paid as agreed, you will have collection agencies aggressively calling you until it is paid. This can negatively affect your credit history and might even put you up against a lawsuit. If you have weighed your options and decided that you do not want to cosign your child's student loan, you can inform him how to get a student loan without a cosigner. For example, your child can apply for a Stafford loan. This federal loan is easy to qualify for because you do not need an income or credit history. Government loans, however, do not allow a student to borrow as much as he wants. If your child has a full-time job and some established credit, you can also advise him to apply for a private loan to cover the rest of the costs. A private loan is more difficult to qualify for than a Stafford loan, but it doesn't hurt for him to try. 

Chad is a seasoned writer on topics such as student loans and saving money for college. You can follow him on twitter @studentloanansw.

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The New 1099 Laws Will Take a Bigger Chunk of Your Money - Infographic

The government needs your money more than ever to pay down its debt and fund more programs. The way they will be doing that is by digging deeper into your pocket. Closing tax loop holes is one way but another is finding ways to getting you to pay taxes on all that undeclared cash your making on the side.

Sellers on Etsy, Amazon, and eBay have been getting away with murder for many years. Many people do pay their taxes on those profits but many do not. Uncle Sam is getting those companies to do the dirty work and send out 1099's on that income. This infographic depicts the amount of taxes under paid by this type of activity.

Brought To By Outright.com

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Freshbooks Makes Business Invoicing Simple - Review

If you're in business, what is the most tedious jobs you have to do? When meeting with clients or figuring a bid estimate for some new work you're doing what all business do, scrape up new clients and serve their needs in a timely fashion. That's how a thriving company make money. The problem with the entrepreneur is that's what they do great. What they do poorly is bill. In my business, many contractors can't stand to send invoices or track accounts receivables. They hate it and because of it they bill improperly or not at all. They want to find an easy way to send clients invoices and get paid.

The Answer

Freshbooks is the business mans answer to invoicing. It lets you create—or import—databases of companies, contacts, and products/services. It provides customizable invoice and quote/estimate forms that you can either fill in manually or complete using lists. FreshBooks lets you dispatch these forms by e-mail or U.S. Mail, and you can record payments and expenses. Reports give you a birds-eye view of your finances. 

Collaboration

FreshBooks also builds in a lot of collaboration. For example, clients and contractors can access pertinent subsets of the site, this is unusual. It incorporates time-tracking and support tickets, and it lets you upload documents to a shared area, something competitors don't do. Basically, it does everything that everyone else does, and a lot more. Multiple subscription levels are available, ranging from free (three clients, unlimited invoices) to $39.95/month (unlimited clients and invoices). 

Decisions

With FreshBooks you get a clearinghouse for all of the options that serve as the site's backbone. When you click on the 'Settings' link, a number of tabs appear that open informational screens. Here, you can set up things like taxes ,colors and logos, and invoice templates.

You can edit default e-mail text for new invoices, late payment reminders, and so on. You can also set permissions for staff and clients who will have access to portions of the site. FreshBooks only allows one person to access the system unless you sign up for the priciest level ($39.95/month), and then it's only one additional individual. It's $10/month to add another. That's not cheap, compared to the competition. The next-best scoring service, Zoho Invoice, gives two people access in even the free version, but it doesn't let you set permission levels like you can do in FreshBooks. And FreshBooks lets clients and contractors to view pertinent data.

You'll also have to make decisions about payment gateways. FreshBooks supports several: three flavors of PayPal; several merchant accounts, including Authorize.net and iTransact; and Google Checkout. These options are more generous than competitors. You can also set up several defaults, like levels of client and staff access to Documents. 

Pros

• External collaboration. 
• Support tickets. 
• Project and document management. 
• Many payment gateways. 
• Multiple currencies/languages. 
• Numerous add-ons/integrated sites. 

Cons

• Pricey for multiple staff members. 
• Could make better use of screen space. 
• Skimpy online help. 

Bottom Line You get it all with FreshBooks: client and product/service records, easy invoice creation and dispatching, document-sharing and reports, and the best integration/smartphone support on the Web. 

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Using Online Tools to Help Manage Finances After the Age of 50

Once reaching and passing the age of 50, most have a good understanding of their personal finances. Still, managing finances can take a considerable amount of time, and dealing with retirement is, for most, a foreign concept. Fortunately, the Internet provides a number of tools to help those older than 50 manage their finances more easily and effectively. Here are some great tools to use.

Online Banking Interfaces
Everyone over the age of 50 remembers a time when banking was done on paper. The only way to get important information was to stop by the bank or to wait for monthly statements to come in the mail. Careful checkbook balancing was necessary to manage monthly budgets. Banks, however, now have online resources to provide their customers instant access to their information. By taking advantage of these tools, it is possible to have instant snapshots on how much money is in each account. Further, these online resources allow customers to transfer money between accounts and even to other people. Incorporating these tools into day-to-day financial dealings can save trips to the bank.

Online Bill Pay
Most over the age of 50 send bills by check or pay over the phone. However, a growing number are allowing customers to pay online, which saves both postage and time. In addition, these sites also allow people to set up automatic bill payment schedules. People often travel more after reaching the age of 50, and avoiding the hassles of paying bills while traveling can be a tremendous relief. Some companies are even offering discounts to those who pay their bills online, and for those who are looking to help the environment, online bill pay can help eliminate unnecessary paper usage.

Planning Tools
Planning for retirement spending can be a major hassle; the financial calculations can be difficult, and many have to adjust their lifestyle once retirement comes. However, there are a number of online tools that are far easier to use than financial calculators. These tools present information in a manner that is easy to understand, and many can even offer tips and suggestions to users. While meeting with a financial expert is useful for most, these tools can eliminate the need for some meetings. Financial experts can even give advice about using these tools more effectively.

Connect With Others
Internet forums can be a great resource for those looking for financial advice. Almost everyone who has passed the age of 50 has some experience with managing their finances, and many communicate in online forums to share information and tips with each other. Ranging from retirement advice to saving money on bills and food, these tips can help people spend as little as possible. These small savings add up, and many people use them to enjoy the retirement of their dreams.

At and beyond 50, the demands placed by children often drop, and many can begin to taste independence for the first time in decades. With some careful planning, those who are 50 or older can use online tools to enjoy the lifestyles they want to live.

Author Bio

Sara is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of http://www.nannypro.com/.

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What is a Joint and Survivor Annuity?

When it comes to investing in an annuity plan, the purchaser looks for something that not only financially secures his life after retirement, but also ensures regular payment to his spouse after his death. And there the need of buying a Joint and Survivor annuity comes into play.

What is a Joint and Survivor Annuity?

A Joint and Survivor Annuity, also known as a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity, is typically bought by a married couple. It can be defined as an insurance tool that ensures to provide regular payment (usually monthly) until one of the spouses is alive. In other words, this is a special type of annuity which is especially designed for the married couples who want to assure that the surviving spouse would get payment for rest of his/her life.

How does a Joint and Survivor Annuity work?

The money paid in such an annuity plan is generally invested in a varied portfolio of financial apparatus and the income from such investments continues to be disbursed to the surviving annuitants.

Such annuity plans are sometimes referred as life annuity plans, as they ensure payment until either of the annuitants is living. And here a Joint and Survivor Annuity contrasts to other types of annuities. Most of the annuity plans pay out for a particular period of time agreed upon by the annuitant and the insurance company, irrespective of whether or not the annuitant is alive. That is why couples, who want to ensure the surviving spouse getting regular payments for his/her lifetime, opt for a Joint and Survivor Annuity.

What are different types of Joint and Survivor Annuity?

The most common and popular types of Joint and Survivor Annuity are a joint & one-half annuity, and a joint & two-thirds annuity.

1. Joint & one-half annuity – In this type of annuity, the payment is reduced to one-half of the actual payment followed by the passing away of one spouse.

2. Joint & two-thirds annuity – In this type of Joint and Survivor Annuity, the payment is reduced to two-third of the original amount after the first annuitant dies.

What is the rule regarding payment to surviving annuitant?

There is a specific rule regarding how much payment can be made to the surviving annuitant after the death of the first annuitant.

· After the death of first annuitant, the surviving annuitant would get no more than 100% and no less than 50% of the annuity amount paid during the purchaser’s life.

What is Qualified Optional Survivor Annuity?

Qualified Optional Survivor Annuity, also known as QOSA, is a provision for which the surviving annuitant may opt for after the death of first annuitant. According to this option, the amount payable to the surviving spouse will be equal to pre-set percentage of the actual annuity amount payable during the purchaser’s life.

These are just the fundamentals of Joint and Survivor Annuity. For more information and expert advice, one may need to talk to a qualified annuity agent.

Author’s Bio –Jonny is a regular annuity and insurance blogger. He is a regular contributor to Mypensionexpert.co.uk.

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Sweet Home Alaska: An Affordable Cruise Vacation

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s important, even for those of us on a budget, to get out and see the world. A cruise can be one of the most sensible and convenient ways to cover a whole lot of...well, not ground, but sea. You pay one flat price that covers transportation and lodging (since they’re the same), plus food, which these days is usually excellent. So while you’re away from home, you only have to pay out of pocket for drinks, souvenirs, and other incidentals. This makes for a marvelous trip because you have the peace of mind that comes with leaving your money worries behind.

Most of the time, though, when we think about cruising, we picture a voyage through tropical Caribbean or warm Mediterranean climes. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with a balmy island getaway, the cruise industry does offer a much wider geographical diversity, including the unfamiliar resort cities of the Black Sea, the fjords of Scandinavia, and a thriving tourist trade on the coast of Alaska. This latter destination was where I ended up a few years ago, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Our cruise departed from Vancouver. It was my first opportunity to visit this city, famed as one of the best places in the world to live, a beautiful jewel among cities. I only had 24 hours to see it, but I had to agree. As our ship set out from Burrard Inlet, we saw the city grow smaller and smaller against the gorgeous natural backdrop of British Columbia.

The Veendam, our Holland America vessel, was headed up through the Inside Passage, whose waters are kept calm by being sandwiched between the mainland and the archipelago of islands along the coast of B.C. and Alaska. In this peaceful wilderness it did not take long to spot bald eagles and tantalizing glimpses of whales.

We also took this first day at sea to explore the ship itself, with its multiple dining options (sit-down, buffet, or fancy restaurant with a surcharge), fitness center, gaming room, cooking classes, theatrical shows, and a spa where I had a rejuvenating massage. Alaska cruises, as you might expect, don’t exactly draw the Spring Break party crowd. The activities were more geared to a mature audience, which is not to say they weren’t fun.

Our first port of call was Ketchikan, which with a population of around 14,000, is still the fifth-largest city in the (geographically) largest U.S. state! It’s known for its salmon fishing, totem poles, and the Misty Fjords National Monument. We took a morning floatplane excursion over the fjords, which would have been amazing...if I hadn’t had too many cocktails the night before.

After I managed to get back to the hangar without using my motion sickness bag, we re-boarded the ship and headed for Juneau. Juneau is tiny for a state capital, easily walkable, but so hilly that many “streets” are actually stairways. The postman must be in great shape. We went on a packaged day trip in Juneau that included an incredible whale-watching excursion and a stop at the impressive (but shrinking) Mendenhall Glacier.

My favorite city, though, was Skagway, where we stopped next. This was a boomtown of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, and its authentic Wild West appearance is preserved by the National Park Service. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is the highlight: built too late (at a cost of many lives) to reach the Yukon Territory before the rush had peaked, it nevertheless remains a world treasure, providing a breathtaking scenic experience over a century later.

Our next two days were spent at sea in Glacier Bay National Park, which truly must be seen to be believed. Alaska is just so much wilder and bigger than any place I’ve ever been. The glaciers “calve” before your eyes, dropping chunks of ice the size of cars into the sea below.

We disembarked for good at Anchorage, the state’s largest city by far, home to more than 40% of its population. It was funny to be back in civilization, with its strip malls and high-rises. In our day in Anchorage we saw a beautiful light show about the aurora borealis, a rather awesomely cheesy theater-shaking show about an earthquake, and the impressive Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, which covers all of Alaskan history from its huge diversity of First Peoples (literally the first people to come to America, through the Bering Strait), to the underestimated Russian colonial influence, to Alaska’s modern importance in the Cold War and the energy industry.

As fascinating as this anthropological material was, the history of man in Alaska immediately shrank into insignificance as our plane took off at sunset. The twinkling man-made city of Anchorage was soon gone and all we could see were mountains, mountains for a thousand miles, mountains each bigger than any I’ve ever seen, but so many of them that it beggared the imagination. This is Alaska. If you want to be seized with a sense of awe at the majesty of creation, I can recommend no cruising experience more highly.

Tracy Myers writes about finance, travel, and education issues at sites such as www.homeinsurance.org. When not out exploring the Arctic Circle, Tracy likes to stay home with her two Shetland Sheepdogs and a big mug of coffee. She welcomes your questions and comments!

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