What to Do After a Head Injury

 …’a CT scan of the head showing an empty space marked by the arrow were the damage originally occurred’… (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you or any member of your immediate family has been affected by head or brain injury the first thing to do is deal with the injury and start on the road to recovery. The next step on that potentially long road is to either personally seek advice from a specialist head injury solicitor, or for your next of kin to seek professional advice. Almost every incidence of head injury or brain trauma is the result of the action, inaction, negligence or criminal activity of a third party. If you are unsure in any way who to turn to in order to seek legal advice, the person treating the victim for head injuries is often a good place to start. 

Head injury advice and where to get it

The first place anyone who has been affected by head injury and brain trauma should seek advice from is the person involved in the immediate treatment and aftercare. They are involved in dealing with incidents of head and brain injury every day and probably have details of a specialist law firm to hand which can offer head injury advice.

I say a specialist law firm because brain trauma advice and head injury advice are way above the normal personal injury claim, and require specialist knowledge and a strong legal team behind the claim. Not only will the entire team have specialist training, they will also have the backup of specialist accident and injury investigators. Investigating the exact cause and reason for the injury isn't enough.

Investigating the lead up to the injury, the circumstances surrounding the events which caused the injury and the after events are all crucial to any subsequent compensation claim. Not only should the head injury advice from the care team be taken into consideration but expert witness statements from specialists such as neurosurgeons  psychiatrists and nursing and after care experts such as physiotherapists, can all add weight to a valid claim for compensation for injuries.

Long term care and ongoing costs

Many victims of head injury and brain trauma make a full recovery but there are also a vast number of victims whose injuries mean their lives are irrevocably changed. They may be unable to return to their job because the injuries preclude them from physical work as a result of injuries and subsequent disability. It may be that the injuries sustained have changed their personality and they are unable to concentrate, are reduced to outbursts of anger or maybe worse. The victims of head and brain trauma are individuals and the ways in which injuries affect one person are as unique as the person affected.

Ongoing costs for care and medication are also compounded by the routine of everyday bills and living expenses, especially if there are mortgages to pay, children to educate and the myriad costs the average person has to face during their lives. No amount of financial compensation can turn back the clock, but it can take the worry out of what may be an uncertain future.

Graham Green is a freelance writer and has frequently written about and investigated the myriad circumstances which cause head and brain injury in the hope that head injury advice offered helps the victims face the future with confidence.

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How the Affordable Care Act will Affect Seniors

During this presidential election, both candidates seem to have all the answers about how to improve the healthcare system, and so much attention has been placed on Medicare that some people have begun to panic. In all the political fireballs that have been thrown around about how much each candidate's plan will cost seniors, there has erupted a kind of "mediscare" – that isn't really necessary. 

Making Sense of the Costs

Medicare is a social insurance program that spreads the financial risk associated with illness. The government created Medicare in 1965 in order to guarantee health insurance to certain groups of people who were more vulnerable to medical conditions – such as Americans past the age of 65 or those with disabilities. Before Medicare, for-profit private insurers could hike premiums or deny coverage to people who were older or who had poor medical histories, leaving many people uninsured.

Today, Medicare faces major financial challenges, but any claim that Medicare is going bankrupt is a big exaggeration. Seniors can expect to see changes in Medicare over the next decade, but will not be stripped of coverage. Politicians have proposed a variety of options to balance the Medicare budget, most of which include cutting spending as well as raising taxes.

In order to insure some high-risk Americans who choose to receive services via private plans through Medicare Advantage, the government has been paying extra subsidies to private companies. This, in turn, has created a higher cost for seniors. The $716 billion dollars that the ACA will cut from the Medicare budget can be found in the 14-20% that the government is currently overpaying to private companies.

This reduction will occur over 10 years as the government decreases payments to drug companies, hospitals and other providers; but does not cut payments to Medicare beneficiaries. In fact, the plan promises to lower Medicare costs and premiums through implementing these cuts. Though this approach makes healthcare more affordable to the consumer, some are anticipating that hospitals and clinics will begin restricting its services for Medicare patients.

It is, in fact, Medicare's hospital coverage (Part A) fund that is depleting the most rapidly. Medicare's hospital fund is financed through payroll taxes; and the history of Medicare has seen an almost constant increase on the workforce and employers to maintain the fund. The Affordable Health Care Act will add a new tax on high-income earners that will contribute to the fund. Beginning in 2013, single taxpayers with an income of over $200,000 and married couples with a combined income of $250,000 will pay an additional 0.9% in payroll taxes in contribution to the Medicare fund.

Resources:

A Campaign Full of Mediscare

Whose Plan Destroys Medicare – Obama's or Romney-Ryan's?

A cut or Savings? The $716 Billion Question

Keeping People and Companies Accountable

The Affordable Health Care Act is making changes to protect the consumer from insurer abuses. The ACA requires that insurance companies use 80% of premiums on medical care and quality. Those companies who fail to meet the criteria will be obligated to return the difference to the American public in the form of rebates. This law was created in response to the increasing premium rates that have been fueled by rising administrative costs within the insurance industry, such as marketing and CEO salaries. The law regulates the industry's focus to a contribution to the care of patients and the health of consumers.

The ACA also hopes to bridge the gap in quality of care by providing financial incentives to hospitals. Currently, almost 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days, which results in billions of wasted funds on preventable hospital readmissions. Hospitals that reduce these rates will receive some form of financial incentive. An additional measure to promote quality is a new regulation that will require rates of infection developed in hospitals to be disclosed to the public.

Though the ACA works to keep companies accountable, it has no set policy to keep fraudulent claims at bay. Jim Capretta, Director of e21's ObamaCare Watch Project, cited the Government Accountability Organization statistics that reveal the annual cost of fraud and abuse in the Medicare system at $60 billion. Though the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are currently working to develop a system that combats fraud, the GAO has released reports that say progress has been made, but that more needs to be done. Thus, seniors and all beneficiaries of Medicare could expect stricter regulations in terms of identity protection and claim legitimacy in the future.

The ACA also includes an Elder Justice Act that will provide community education programs that will help seniors identify local scams or online fraud. This piece of legislation will also provide for victim assistance for abused or neglected elders. The ACA will provide funding for the prosecution of those who victimize seniors through fraud or by overcharging for services.

Resources:

The 80/20 Rule: Providing Value and Rebates to Millions of Consumers

Does ObamaCare cut or save $716 billion in Medicare? Depends on who you ask

Affordable Care Act: What you Don't Know could Help You

Managing Prescription Costs

A report released in August by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited 5.4 million Medicare patients had saved more than $4.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011. These savings came from a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs and a discount on generic drugs. The initiative is the first step of a 10-year course that will provide 100% of prescription drug coverage for seniors on Medicare. This course of action is referred to as "closing the donut hole".

Resources:

People with Medicare Save More than $4.1 billion on Prescription Drugs

Understanding the IPAB Board

Recently, the IPAB Board has come under scrutiny of those who oppose the ACA. This new government agency is the Independent Payment Advisory Board. It was created in accordance with the ACA in 2010, and its primary agenda is to regulate Medicare spending without affecting coverage. The IPAB Board is explicitly restricted from recommending rations to healthcare. It cannot decide to raise premiums, increase deductible, coinsurance or co-payments. It also cannot change eligibility requirements, restrict benefits or make recommendations for revenue accrual.

So what can this board do? The IPAB board will make broad policy decisions that will affect Medicare's overall cost. The board can reduce how much the government pays health care providers. It can reduce payments to hospitals with high readmission rates. The board can also recommend ways to cut wasteful spending.

The IPAB has the big task of keeping Medicare on budget while also keeping the quality of care up to par. The IPAB can, in no way, determine what types of services or treatments are offered by Medicare. The anticipated issue continues to be that by restricting payment to doctors and hospitals, these institutions will lose money and will resist receiving Medicare patients. This means it may become more difficult for patients to find a hospital that accepts Medicare.

Resources:

Paul Ryan said "15 Unelected, Unaccountable Bureaucrats" could "Lead to Denied Care for Current Seniors”

Brenda Watson is a former HR coordinator who currently writes for healthinsurancequotes.org. When she's not writing, you can find Brenda quilting or baking casseroles. To reach Brenda, you can leave her a comment! She loves hearing from readers.

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Why a Business Credit Card is So Important

credit cards (Photo credit: [s e l v i n])

Among the so many varieties of credit cards, one of the most underestimated is the value of a business credit card. Many people do not choose to apply for a business credit card because aside from having a definite target market— the business owners or business executives—it seems to be complicated to use. 

Although a business credit card has more requirements and has higher interests compared to other types of credit cards there is, contrary to the common conception, t can be very helpful if used properly. 

What is a business credit card?

Basically, business credit card is for the business people’s consumption. Compared to the regular credit card, a business credit card has a high limit plus low interest rates. Depending on the manner of choosing, a business credit card may also bring a lot of automatic benefits.
Since it is targeted towards businessmen or those people who are heading towards building a business, a business credit card can definitely benefit these small businesses. A business credit card helps the budding business by extending payments while improving the cash flow. Aside from bearing the image of a dependable credit card, business credit card boasts of having detailed reports and giving quality customer service as its major trademarks.

Aside from having limits and low interest rates, a business credit card provides many alternatives and numerous credit options for small businesses. A business credit card also caters to large corporations that are crafted to aid those people who are starting with their own business to grow while closely monitoring the baseline of credit. 

Simplifying business credit cards

It really pays to go to the bank when one applies for a credit card to get the chance to answer all immediate inquiries. But since business credit card is for business people who are always on the go, many business credit card issuers offers online applications for business credit cards. When one applies for a business credit card, there is no need to visit the bank. There is also no need to wait in the queue just to talk to a bank representative. 

When you apply business credit card online, all you have to do is to select the business credit card option that would perfectly suit your small business or corporate credit requirements right from the comforts of your home or office. 

Aside from offering safe, secured, and simple processes that are designed help you take care of your starting business, most business credit cards online offer accessible features for the convenience of the business credit card holder like the online payment and reporting. Customized company logos and access to instant cash are also available on line. Other business credit card online offers detailed reporting features for easy monitoring and access.
Most business credit card applications offer free fee for the first year and no pre-set spending limit or finance charges. Other business credit card offers viable membership rewards program that enables the member to earn points towards travel, merchandise and other rewards for his or her business. 

Some of these business credit cards offer small businesses a line of credit up to $100,000 at a competitive APR as low as prime + 1.99% for both cash and check purchases; 100% of the line is available as cash and no collateral is required. The business credit card holder or customer might receive fee-free checks as well as a card to access the account. 

Everyday savings or exclusive savings, express approvals, no annual fee, up to 5 percent rebates on all qualified purchases, and 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases during first half of the year of card membership are some of the great offers of most business credit cards. 

Although majority of the business credit card issuers offer great value deals, it is very important to research first what does your business needs. Whether your business credit card is meant for investing in inventory or just for payroll, it is significant to look for a flexible business credit card that can handle almost anything. 

Whether you opt to go directly to the bank or apply for a business credit card online, a number of premier business credit card suppliers are there to help you find the right credit card product as easy and convenient as possible.

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Holiday Shoppers Using Layaway Plans to Stay Debt Free

Layaway Now for Christmas (Photo credit: eric731)

The holiday shopping season is fast approaching. Shoppers wanting to stay debt free are using layaway plans.  Layaway allows a shopper to reserve an item and make interest-free payments toward the purchase of that item. The consumer receives the product when it is paid off.

"Layaway can be an option to survive Christmas shopping without going into credit card debt and paying high interest payments," says Bill Hardekopf of LowCards.com. "But consumers have to guard against impulse buys even on layaway purchases. You need to determine if you can make all the payments before the deadline. Don't use layaway if you can pay in cash."

When using layaway plans it's best to be aware of the many rules and fees associated with them. Layaway is not free, but retailer competition is forcing service fees to be decreased or even eliminated. Toys R Us waived its $5 service fee on layaway orders made by October 31. Walmart lowered its service fee from $15 to $5, but you can get this back as a gift card after your final payment. Sears is dropping the service fee--$5 for an eight-week contract and $10 for a 12-week contract--for orders placed through October 29 and from November 2 to December 3. Kmart's fee is similar to Sears' and it is being waived through November 15.

Be aware of the rules concerning layaway plans:

• Layaway plans aren't specifically regulated by federal law so consumers need to get the layaway terms of the store in writing before purchasing an item. 
• Know all of the details and conditions of the plan. Know when you have to pay off the item and the dates that each payment is due. Ask what happens if you are late or miss a payment, or if you no longer want the item after making a few payments. Know what occurs if the item goes on sale after you've started the layaway plan. 
• Be familiar with the refund and exchange policies for an item on that specific layaway plan.

Rules specific to stores:

Toy R Us - Toys R Us requires a deposit of at least 20% of the total price of your order plus all applicable taxes. 50% of the total price of your order must be paid within 45 days and the total price of your order must be paid within ninety days or by the "Holiday Cutoff", whichever is sooner. Your contract will be automatically cancelled and ordered merchandise will be returned to stock if you have not made payment of 50% of the total price of your order within 45 days or your balance is not paid in full within ninety days.

Sears - Sears layaway is available on purchases made September 29 through October 29 or November 2 through December 3. It requires a down payment and biweekly payments. Four payments of balance due are required after down payment for an eight-week contract and six payments of balance due are required for a twelve-week contract. All fees are nonrefundable.

Walmart - Walmart requires a $10 or 10% down payment. The minimum total purchase must be over $50 and individual items must be $15 or more. Layaway is available through December 14 and final payment and pick up must be made by that date. If your account is cancelled, the items will be returned to inventory and a $15 fee will not be refunded.

Best Buy - Best Buy layaway is available year-round with a 25% initial down payment plus a 5% nonrefundable layaway fee. The items must total $250 or more. Consumers must make a payment every two weeks until your balance is paid in full.

Target - Target does not offer layaway.

This year would be a good time to try layaway plans. It will help you stay within your budget and keep you from going into debt again this year.

What You Need in Order to Set up a High Interest Savings Account

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In this day and age, where jobs are only safe today and incomes fluctuate wildly, saving is perhaps one’s best bet at securing a future and also making one or two long-held wishes come true along the way. The problem is that the practice and habit of savings is changing as the world around us changes, too, and technologies are updated. 

Another deciding factor in this respect is what to look for in such an account. An inexperienced banking service client can even end up making poor decisions in such a scenario. The ideal picture, when you’re looking to save money, is that you will also be making money out of your good idea and wise caution. How so? 

Essentially because you will be helping to make the bank more secure, by providing it with much-needed liquidities. As such, before signing on with any particular bank, it’s wise for you to look into several options, read up on current trends on http://business-cafe.org/ and decide for a quality product, such as a high interest savings account. In what follows, we will be telling you all you need to know before opening such an account. What do you need? What factors should you be taking into consideration? Read on to find out. 

Personal Identification Documents

As with setting up any type of account, be it a banking account or an online platform account, you will need to provide certain types of identification information. As per usual, banks require you to provide one form of identification with a picture, or, alternatively, a primary source of identification with a picture and one without. You will need to fill in forms with all your personal details. If you’re setting up an account which also allows for another holder, you will also be required to provide their details, too. The most valuable piece of information required in this stage is your tax file number, also known as the TFN, which will allow you to no longer pay the withholding tax on your new account. Also, if you plan on linking several accounts, you will have to provide information on all the other accounts, too. 

Setting up the Specifics

The main question you need to ask yourself before setting up the savings account is how much money you’re willing to set aside each week, and, respectively, how much money you want to see piling up in your account by the time your savings span is over. These two factors are interconnected and require some preliminary thought. You can’t jump in head first and hope everything is going to be all right when it comes to money—not even when it’s about saving money, instead of spending it. 

You need to know precisely what your monthly costs are, from bills to rent to what you spend on food and other current items. Once you’ve established your margins, you’ll be able to set yourself much more at ease with such an important decision. You will be able to focus exclusively on your high interest, which you need to remember is the main perk of such an account. Remember never to set up a savings account with a given bank if you believe a different institution could give you a better interest rate.

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Funding Your Floridian Dream Post Retirement Financial Strategies

Retirement doesn't automatically mean that you get to live off your savings and investments. Many people use post-retirement financial strategies to fund their Floridian dreams.

Invest in Gold

Via Wall Street Manna

The value of gold tends to increase as other areas of the economy decline. Stock market crashes and monetary inflation can cause the value of gold to skyrocket. Investing in gold, therefore, hedges you from other strategies that might fail. Plus, you can always exchange gold for money.

If you want to learn more about making money from gold investments, read The Gold Video articles often. The site can teach you about everything from spotting fake gold to finding great hiding places in your home so you can avoid bank fees.

Start a New Career as a Consultant

Via Bloomsburg Businessweek

You developed a lot of useful skills during your career. You can keep using those skills on an independent basis by working as a consultant. The amount that you earn will depend on what skills you have and how much you want to work. A senior business consultant could earn more than $100,000 a year.
Young businesses might not want to hire retirees as full-time workers, but many of them will spend good money to learn important lessons. As a consultant, you can offer that service. You even get to set your own hours so you can enjoy your retirement even while you work.

Become a Foster Parent

Via FamilyFormation.com

If you love children, then you should consider becoming a foster parent. Not only will you help the thousands of children who need foster care, but you can also make a little money. Foster parents typically get paid between $446 to $667 a month. They might get more if they take care of children with special needs.
The government provides this money to support the foster children, but it can also make your retirement lifestyle more affordable. Part of that money, after all, goes to housing expenses. You can use it to pay your mortgage or rent without feeling guilty.

Learn to Become an eBay Maven

Via Toy N Bee

As a retiree, you have at least one big advantage over everyone else: you have plenty of time. Many retirees have used their free time to become eBay mavens. They spend their afternoons visiting thrift stores for great deals, then they auction off the best items for a profit.

eBay claims that anyone can make $100 a week on their site. Don't feel intimidated by the technology. eBay has a rather simple user interface that works well for experienced and inexperienced computer users alike. If you feel anxious by the very thought of selling things online, contact your local library about computer education classes that can help you feel more comfortable.

You can make your Floridian dream a reality when you think creatively and use your best assets to make money well into your retirement.

Author bio: Natalie Bracco is a freelance writer and an amateur baker. When she's not busy in the kitchen, you can find her writing about technology, travel, food and finance. Follow her on Twitter @nataliebracco.

7 Tips on Income Security for the Over 50 Crowd

Over the past 25 years we have seen the slow and steady decline to government benefits and pension plans. As we reach the age we begin to think about retirement, is there such thing waiting for us?

Before allowing ourselves to feel victimized by the economy or misleading financial plans offered by employers, it might be a good idea to make a plan and take massive action now, even if retirement has already started. Protecting your personal finances in middle age and beyond is still within your power. When we stop relying on employers and banks to save for our retirement, we put the power in our own hands to make the smooth transition into retirement and have enough to keep our lives running.

Setting Up Your Personal Finance Plan

1 Count Your Money – Take a lined sheet of paper with four columns and list:

• All your sources of income.
• All Your Unchangeable expenses (bills)
• All your debts
• All your regular expenses (groceries, entertainments, gas…)

Don’t forget to include all your personal property, debts, credit card balances, mortgages, car payments, insurances, personal belongings, properties, withholdings, 401k’s, pension plans, savings and any other source of income, debt or savings you have currently.

2 Money Flow – Start with a number that is less than your current income and then deduct payments and expenses you cannot change such as car, home, insurance, and debts. Then, carry a note book around with you for a month and write down everything you buy from the coffee out to the toll ways. Don’t judge yourself; simply write down where your money goes, even if it is a gumball machine or your change jar.

3 Make a Budget – Sit down and figure out where your money is going after your month of note taking is up. Decide if you can pay yourself and your savings more first while reducing expenses elsewhere. Are there debts you could pay off too? The idea here is to start living on less so you have more to live on later. As for the portion you pay yourself, you don’t ever spend it, it is simply yours to keep and then invest in plans that make the money earn money for you.

4 Get Help – If you find yourself stressed over the idea of deep changes or can’t see where you can shift income around, then get a trusted friend or family member to help you. There is also great financial software out there to use. By simply inputting your notes into the program daily you can get detailed reports with charts to see where your money is going.

5 Seek Credit Help – One huge way we can start saving more money is by changing our credit card debt. Sit down with a financial advisor and have them help you look at that debt to see where you can consolidate loans and debt, even credit cards themselves. Can you move the debt to a lower interest plan? Can you consolidate? Would a second mortgage be cheaper than the debt and then use it to destroy your credit cards all together?

6 Lower Living Costs – Can you Move to a smaller home and reduce utility bills. Or how about turn in your car for one with cheaper payments and insurance?

7 Increase Income – Most people don’t stop to ask themselves if they are being paid their true worth for their expertise and experience. Get up the courage to ask for a raise or find a new job where your talents are paid for.

Now that you have worked on your income and re-situated where you money flows to and from, sit down and ask yourself what kind of lifestyle you want to live once you are retired. Set forth a plan, even if it includes a part time job or well-paid hobby, that covers the lifestyle you have saved for and want. Being realistic about where we are now and how we get where we are going can make us feel less like a victim of the economy and employers and more in control of our futures.

Author Byline:

Kelsey is the editor in chief for www.findananny.net/. She loves to write article and ideas that parents & nannies would be interested in hearing. She helps society on giving information about nannies through nanny services. She is a professional writer & loves writing on anything.

5 Facts on Life Insurance for Over 50's

Life insurance for those in their 20's, 30's, and 40's is very inexpensive. On average, you would pay less than $300 per year for coverage up to $250,000. The cost of term life insurance has really come down over the years benefiting many families. 

But as we get older the costs of insurance naturally rise because the likelihood of the insurance companies paying off rises. Here are a few facts to keep in mind when shopping for over 50 life insurance.

1. Life insurance for those over 50 is generally offered as a whole life policy. It will insure you until you pass away, as opposed to term coverage which will only cover you if you pass away within the time period that the policy is in force.

2. According to the statistics, life expectancies have increased, Americans, in general, live longer than they did ten years ago. As a result of the greater life spans, many leading insurers are lowering their rates. 

They offer insurance policies to older folks too. Where we may relate term insurance with young adults, it is not difficult for a pretty healthy 50 year old individual to get a 10, 20, or even 30 year term insurance policy!

3. Because people are living longer, insurance providers are more than happy to extend insurance coverage. While a 50 year old individual may have some difficulty finding a 30 year policy, they can certainly find 10 – 15 year term coverage. 

They can also look for permanent coverage like a whole life policy. This can be a significant part of your financial strategy. There are other purposes of policies for older individuals as well, such as Estate Planning, tax planning, etc.

4. Buying insurance coverage for individuals over 50 has been made simpler by online services in America. These days, choosing life insurance for your family is easy, thanks to how simple it is to get quotes from top insurance agencies in the United States.

The quotes cost nothing, and they can be seen within a few moments. In the past, getting insurance was complex and time-consuming. The whole process of attempting to search through rates and details from different firms was daunting and complex. 

Websites have made this process simpler. By answering a couple of questions, you are able to get free quotes from legitimate insurance providers.

5. One benefit of whole life insurance for over 50′s is that they have predetermined (fixed) premiums, so you don’t need to worry about the policy getting more costly as you get older. 

But this implies that policy benefit payment will not rise in accordance with inflation either, thus it could leave your loved ones with less purchasing power than you had anticipated.

As a general rule never go with your first over 50 life insurance quotes, always compare insurance company benefits and their life insurance premium before you make a decision in getting life insurance.

Related articles
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Do Baby Boomers Still Need Life Insurance? (50plusfinance.com)
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Adding Your Children Onto Your Insurance Policy: Pros and Cons (50plusfinance.com)

Call Center Communication Made Easy

The gas company serving this area brought their call center back to Phoenix from India last year after numerous customer complaints. What a difference now when you call them. Plus it also created 300 jobs. They were so bad that when India answered I couldn't even understand them or be understood. I'd simply ask to be transferred to a supervisor in the U.S. and they would comply. Now that I know it is the law - I will do it for sure anytime you call an 800 number for a credit card, banking, Verizon, health and other insurance, computer help desk, etc. 

If you find that you're talking to a foreign customer service representative and you do not understand the person you are talking to, please consider doing the following: 

After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the U.S.A. (you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent), please, very politely (this is not about trashing other cultures) say, “ I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the United States of America.“ 

The rep might suggest talking to his/her manager, but, again, politely say, “Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the U.S.A.“ You will be immediately connected to a rep in the U.S.A. That’s the rule and the law. It takes less than one minute to have your call redirected to the USA. Tonight when I got redirected to a U.S. rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort Lauderdale. 

Imagine what would happen if every US citizen insisted on talking to only U.S. phone reps from this day on. Imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of U.S. jobs that would need to be created ASAP. If I tell all my friends to consider this and you tell all your friends to consider doing this - see what I mean... it becomes an exercise in viral marketing 101. 

Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone representative. You may even get correct answers, good advice. and solutions to your problem - in real English.

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Receiving Payments for Your Blog Business

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the reasons why people create a blog is to make money from it. There are several different methods that you can employ to earn money from your blog. The amount that you make will mostly depend on how many people actively visit your blog every day.

Putting Ads on Your Blog

This is done by many bloggers and is one of the quickest ways of starting to make money from a blog. The simplest way involves signing up to an advertising network, such as Google Adsense and inserting their ad codes into your blog. When a user visits the site, he will be shown the ads, which can be either text ads, banner ads, or in some cases video ads.

Usually you will get paid a few cents every time someone clicks on one of the ads. Alternatively, you can get paid on a CPM (Cost Per Mille) basis, where you get paid a fixed rate for every thousand visitors that see the ad, regardless of whether they click on it or not. With some advertising networks, it is possible to "rent" advertising space on your blog. This allows you to get paid a fixed rate for that advertising spot per day, week or month.

Selling Merchandise Through Your Blog

You may use your blog to promote your own items that you would then ship to buyers. This can be a very efficient way of selling certain types of merchandise online, as your blog will give you a place where you can explain how your products work as well as the benefits that they would bring to the buyer.

If you're selling items online, you will need to use a service that allows you to process credit card transactions and receive payments. PayPal is an online wallet service that is extremely popular among bloggers. The user can pay by credit card, bank account or from their PayPal balance. You will then receive the payment, minus a small processing charge for each transaction. Even though PayPal is the most popular option, there are other services that you can use as well, such as Moneybookers.

If you're making a lot of credit card sales through your blog, you can contact a financial institution to sign up for a merchant account. Here's a clever way to find out which merchant account fits you best , for example: bettermerchantaccounts.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-merchant-account-provider.

In this case, the money from your sales will be deposited directly into your bank account. Fees charged on each transaction vary from one financial institution to the other. However, you should know that merchant accounts have specific requirements associated with them and are more difficult to obtain than simply opening up a PayPal account. You would usually need to have a registered business, as well as make a relatively large amount of money in sales each month to qualify for a merchant account.

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Free Online Business Courses Helping with Personal Finance

Finance (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

There are few things more daunting in our personal lives than the concepts of personal finance, financial responsibility, and preparing for retirement. Money matters are almost always a drag. Whether you're 20-something and just graduated from college or you're 55 and edging on retirement, a little guidance when it comes to finances can be extremely useful. Truly understanding personal finance and retirement planning will most likely take a bit more effort than just reading a few blog posts or "how to" books on the topic. Take the time to really invest in your financial future by educating yourself as carefully and thoroughly as possible on financial matters. As technology grows and expands, we have more and more access to useful information and resources. Use these three online business open courseware classes for free to learn more about personal finances and money management. 

Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning- University of California Irvine

This online class is offered by the University of California in Irvine and takes a careful look at financial planning. While this class certainly shouldn't replace a professional financial planner if you need one, it can be extremely useful in getting individuals started on the path of financial planning. Students can take the class for free online to gain an understanding of financial planning in the broadest sense. Students will learn to manage all aspects of a person and family's financial affairs. This starts with exploring family spending planning and extends to looking at risk management with insurance, taxes, wealth accumulation, investing, and wealth distribution in retirement and estate planning. This online course is a great stepping off point for beginners of any age to delve into the world of financial planning and management.

Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting- MIT

This course is presented by open courseware-great MIT and the Sloan School of Management. As an introductory course, this business class tackles the sometimes confusing topic of accounting. Students will study the basic concepts of financial and managerial reporting in this online course. You will explore topics like the accounting process, statement of cash flow, balancing and recording transactions, long-term assets/depreciation, and much more. While some of this material may be more advanced than is necessary for personal finance needs, the course can still be very worthwhile for the average individual.

Statistical Thinking and Data Analysis- MIT

Another course offered by the MIT Sloan School of Management, this course explores the topics of statistics and data analysis. Again, this course may look into several topics that are more advanced than the average person might need, there are many things to take away from the course. Students will look at topics on applied probability, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression, analysis of variance, and much more. Learning these areas of statistics and data analysis can help with understanding your money use and future prospects. Students have access to lecture notes, exams and solution, and assignments with solutions. Follow the class completely or pick and choose through the topics that you are truly interested in learning and you think can help your financial planning and personal finances.

Karen Smith is a devoted freelance writer and business blogger. Her primary goal as a blogger is to inform her readers about pursuing a business degree online. She also enjoys writing about small business trends, Internet marketing, personal development, and sustainable living. Karen welcomes your comments below!

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Why You Need a Stop Loss (and the Proper Way to Place One)

The big debate in the financial industry among investors and traders is whether or not one should use a stop loss. Some say it is advisable to do so, because it will prevent your losses from growing and compounding into a more deadly problem. Others say you shouldn't - "you should just hang in there and wait for the market to return - if you use a stop loss, you might get stopped out at the worst time possible". 

I believe that one MUST use a stop loss. However, my method of placing a stop loss is a little different from that of others.

Why You Need a Stop Loss

A stop loss has two very important purposes:

1. Using a stop loss properly is the ONLY way to manage risk. Some say that you can manage risk by diversifying - I do not believe that is true, because true diversification is no different than buying an index wide ETF (e.g. S&P 500 ETF). Thus, stop losses help you manage risk by only permitting your losses to go so far - once the losses exceed that limit, the stop loss will automatically trigger and stop your "blood loss". 
2. When I invest, I like to wait for the fundamentals, technicals, and political policy to all line up in one direction (the market direction is easiest to predict when this happens). However, if I'm 99% sure that my market prediction is correct, there still is a 1% chance that your prediction was wrong. The first thing one learns from Risk Management in university/college is to never, never put yourself in a live or die situation, because you just might die. Thus, without a stop loss, your losses could potentially wipe you out - without any capital, you can't make a comeback in the markets. 
3. It can validate whether the fundamentals you analyzed were correct or wrong (e.g. you believed the fundamentals of the market were strong, but if the market hits your stop loss, it invalidates that belief). 

To summarize, the only way to properly manage risk after you've initiated a position is to use a stop loss. So how does one set up a stop loss correctly? 

The Incorrect Way to Setup a Stop Loss

Most people make this mistake - they do 1 of 2 things:

1. Many investor and traders like to place their stop loss near or at whole numbers, such as 10's, 100's, 1000's, etc. Do not do this! nowadays, many big traders and fund managers can buy data that shows where the majority of stop losses are. They'll purposely (artificially) trigger that stop loss, forcing you to cover your position, which yields them handsome profits. 
2. Many others like to place their stop losses at their maximum pain threshold. For example, if Tom is willing to lose a maximum of 10% on any single position, he will place his stop loss at 10% below the market price he opened his position at. This is wrong, which will become evident later. 

In short, you cannot use the above conventional ways of using stop losses because nowadays, the market experiences such extreme swings (thanks to investment models, computer traders, and the consolidation of market capital) that the extreme swings often touch the stop loss, after which the market swings the opposite way. 

The Correct Way to Setup a Stop Loss

When I invest, I create different scenarios. If this happens, then it validates Scenario A, and this should happen as as consequent. If the market then moves this way, then it validates Scenario B, and this should follow as a consequent. Etc. Many times, if something changes, the market will have switched from your Scenario A to Scenario B. So here's how you set up a stop loss:

1. Place the stop order at a market price that, should the market reach that price, your market prediction would be invalidated (eg Scenario A) and you must change your prediction to a different scenario (e.g. Scenario B). 

Tony blogs about his financial thoughts at Intangible Investor, a site dedicated to analyzing the fundamentals of the biggest U.S. and international stocks.

Investment Crowdfunding The Future of Business Investing

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iCrowd for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The spirit of the American entrepreneur is alive and well. Even in a down economy

major private businesses were started last year. What these private businesses have in common with public companies is the need for capital to start up and sustain operations. In today’s investment world, 99% of Americans are prohibited from investing in these startups because they don't have the financial balance sheet required by law to invest in companies before they go public. These antiquated laws block investors willing to share the risks and allowing them to reap the rewards from providing capital to small enterprises.

To cure this roadblock for the common investor a relatively new form of investing called "Investment Crowdfunding" will be coming soon, once the SEC finalizes its regulations. Investment Crowdfunding will allow you to invest directly in early-stage companies, which not only includes startups but other small businesses as well.

Investment Crowdfunding: A Transformative Technology

For the average investor this means that you will be allowed to invest in startups. The JOBS Act has language that allows you to invest with entrepreneurs and help convert inspired ideas into reality. You will be able to invest in companies that have the potential to grow and meet your investment goals. 

Once Investment Crowdfunding is allowed by the SEC, you will be able to invest in new businesses using iCrowd’s web-based portal. There you will discover companies with business plans that need investors like you to turn them into reality. iCrowd will help you find and uncover investments that match your goals and interests. On iCrowd you will find a network of fellow-investors who root for, patronize, or offer advice and ideas to help make your investment successful. iCrowd is different because you will not only be investing your money, you will also be interacting with the investment community by giving advice and networking with like minded investors. On iCrowd you will see a wide variety of businesses that Investment Crowdfunding can be used for: innovative new products, sustainable enterprises, businesses in your home town, potential medical breakthroughs.

What’s iCrowd?

But with any startup there are risks. Businesses do fail, investors need to recognize this. Investors will need to recognize the risks each of their investments pose before putting any money at stake and they will need to invest within their means. The JOBS Act sets limits on the amounts individuals may invest, but investors will need to assess their individual situations to assure they can bear the risks they take on.

iCrowd's goal is to assist investors to make informed investment choices. The iCrowd community is there to help: ask questions, discuss potential investments, talk to the entrepreneurs, give and take advice. Visit iCrowd today.

The Scoop on Buy To Let Mortgages

Property market (Photo credit: Alan Cleaver)

Many individuals today know property investment can be a very profitable proposition, and landlords all over the UK are making large sums of money, both in terms of rental income and rising equity value in their property. 

For many interested in buying property to rent out there are special mortgage programs called “buy to let mortgages” available. When looking around for a buy to let mortgages keep in mind that you should thoroughly analyze these mortgages as you would any other mortgage, since you want locate a mortgage lender that is offering very competitive interest rates. 

A good place to start comparing buy to let mortgages is the Internet. You can do your research from the comfort of your home and you have flexibility and convenience in your favor. Researching these mortgages through the Internet will give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the industry before making any financial commitments. 

In doing your research you will see that the interest rates on these mortgages are slightly higher than on traditional mortgages, even though the difference in rates usually isn't that significant. You will probably have to put down a larger deposit on a buy to let mortgage, with some lenders requesting as much as 25% of the property value as down payment, so you may need to have quite of bit of money on hand to get your mortgage. 

Remember, mortgage brokers are well qualified and trained professionally. Therefore, they are well-versed on the way buy to let mortgages function, and they have access to all kinds of mortgage programs in the UK. You will probably pay a fee to the broker for his services, but this may be a good deal if they can find for you a mortgage at a good interest rate. 

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Just as in any type of mortgage, the requirements for eligibility will vary based on many factors including your financial status, your credit history and your rating. When lenders decide how much money you are eligible to borrow for this type of mortgage, some lenders will consider regular income, as well as any rental income expected from the property, while other lenders may only consider the potential rental income. From your perspective, be sure to confirm what your monthly repayments will be based on the mortgage amount and the amount of your down payment. Also, be sure to check the fine print for any details, any obscure fees or setup costs, so that you will know exactly what you are required to pay. 

As part of your mortgage you will be required to purchase insurance for the building and its contents, particularly if you are offering a remodeled property. Just make sure your insurance will cover fire, vandalism, water damage, or any type of loss you can contemplate. You want to be sure the building is covered for any catastrophe.

 
Since buy to let mortgages have increased in popularity in recent years, numbers of individuals are getting on board. It has become a very competitive market with lenders offering a wide range of deals to tempt potential property owners, so it is essential not to go for the first buy to let mortgage that is presented to you because there might be a cheaper one around the corner.

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5 Good Reasons Why You Should Play Poker

English: Shankar Pillai after winning the $3000 No Limit Hold 'Em event at the 2007 World Series of Poker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many inexperienced poker players ask themselves 'why play poker?' The answer is simple: many play poker not only because it is fun, but also because of the challenge it offers intellectually. Poker is a game that provides mental stimulation and requires certain skills, where numerous competitions take place and where poker players can earn thousands of dollars. Above all, it is entertainment and a way to make money. 

1) Make Money on Poker

The first answer to 'why play poker?' is money. Poker is a game with big money, and this is instrumental in getting many people to start playing poker. Although a poker player can fold many times in a single game, there will always be a patient player who goes home with the big win.

Poker is a gambling game, like most other games at a casino, and with enough practice and knowledge, any player can make money from poker. You can either spend a few hours each week to learn poker, play for fun or earn a few pennies, or you can make poker your full time job - be a pro and make poker your main income, it all depends on you, your determination and what you want.

Making money at poker is of course not quite simple and you need some time to learn the skills, techniques and game and a lot of patience, but it is achievable if you decide to learn the rules of poker and strategies that are the basis to make money in poker.

2) The Intellectual Challenge of Poker

The second reason to play poker is the intellectual challenge the game allows. As mentioned earlier - poker is not a gambling game, although an element of chance is present, it is more an intellectual challenge where a player has to use his full intelligence to win.

The intellectual challenge of poker varies from player to player: some are bluffing the real challenge, while for others it is the intellectual challenge it takes to read the opponents' hands. Successful poker players get a kick from learning how a system works and how the system can be broken. 

3) The Social Aspects

Apart from the intellectual challenge and the money that can be earned by playing poker, this game has a different attribute, and it is the social aspect of it. Poker is a social game - players sitting around a card table can play and talk for hours, which can strengthen their friendship. Poker is offering you a chance to meet new people and make new friends while playing your favourite games.

In many TV shows you can watch the traditional 'boys' nights', where some guys sitting around a table and play poker into the wee hours of the night, it is a typical example of the social aspect of poker - playing, talking and enjoy at the same time.

4) No Limit on the Game

Another great reason to play poker is that there is no ceiling on what you can do with this game - there are always bigger tables with more money, another competition to participate in. There is no limit to poker, just the ones you decide.

You can choose to play 'home games' with little risk or you can go all the way and don’t stop until you've reached the biggest poker events like the World Series of Poker or the World Poker Tour, where millions of dollars are presented as first prize. 

5) The Thrill of Competition

Every game that surrounds money is exciting in its own way, but poker is a greater excitement, as it not only is a game of chance, but a game where the most qualified and skilled player wins and not the lucky ones. Basically this game is a tense competition between the players and a thrilling event that brings out the best and worst in people.

Remember to be a responsible online gambler and poker player and play for no more than you are willing to lose. We wish you luck!

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