Seniors Take Care Of Debts With Life Settlements

Seniors that are looking for ways to become financially free in 2013 have been given the option to erase outstanding debts by using Life Settlements. Without financial debt, seniors can enjoy the more interesting things in life. 

It’s finding ways to achieve a debt-free life that can be tough, especially considering the situations facing retired seniors. These settlements provide a way to eliminate debt, buy a vacation property or help someone else out, by providing a way to secure funds quickly.

Retired seniors often have limited income to spend on luxuries. Many times, the monthly bills can exceed a fixed income household’s budget. Needing help paying off medical bills is common in 2013 for seniors with limited incomes. 

Those not able to keep up with the growing cost of hospital and doctors’ visits are now using settlement alternatives to pay off healthcare providers. Many are selling off their life insurance policies because the premiums have become too expensive to afford.




Some seniors have figured out a way to create dividends above cash value from investments they have already made in life insurance. Some financial advisors are showing retirees how to use their current life insurance policies to make their debts disappear. 

By selling their life insurance policies, policyholders can receive lump-sum payouts of up to 60 percent of the policy value. These payouts are being used to create a new and more enjoyable financial situation. 

These types of financial strategies are easier to execute than obtaining the traditional loans that some might choose. These types of financial strategies are easier to execute than obtaining the traditional loans that some might choose. Other non-traditional options are title loans, which could also be helpful.

Seniors who may have felt as if they had lost control of their finances have found another alternative to debt-free living. They have gained a secure financial foothold on their future and possibly contributed to the futures of others. 

Being able to help their children, revive a business that needs a boost or move into the lakefront cabin, can be made easy when considering cash settlements against their life insurance policy. Anyone considering this type of settlement should consult with an advisor for details.

The Retirement Plan, Plus 3 Personal Investment Suggestions

What people want is a question that troubled many wise men, from early philosophers to modern psychologists. Be it eternal glory or living a happy life along with a happy family, be it fortune or health, the truth is people just want to feel an overall satisfactions with their lives. And while as adults people fight and work hard for their goals, after a certain age they get tired and just need to relax and feel at peace. 

A Retirement Paradise: Florida

It is said that within the USA, 1000 people age 50 and more retire every year to warmer locations such as Florida. Florida’s real estate market saw a first growth back in 2010, when an increase in home sales took place in the 4th quarter, according to University of Florida News. The truth is that this piece of heaven in particular offers their residents a full life at a relatively fair price. The reasons to why people move here are quite well known: the climate, the entertainment facilities, the tourist attractions and the residential compounds which offer their inhabitants a lot of health and relaxation opportunities.

Here are three suggestions on what a solid retirement plan should consist of in case one decides to retreat from the madding crowd. 

#1. Knowing What You Are Getting Yourself Into

As far as personal investment goes, it may sound easy, but before packing your bags and leaving a place, you should definitely take into account that you need a real estate agent or a reliable housing company to ease your way through state laws and paperwork. These are time-consuming activities and at your age, you strive to make the best of your time, so it is better to leave them to professionals. They can also offer you the best deals on the market, plus make sure what you get represent what you paid for. You worked your entire life and you deserve the best for a peaceful retirement. 

#2: Knowing Who You Are Dealing With

There are a lot of companies online that will show you spectacular photos and breathtaking descriptions. When choosing your real estate company, make sure they provide full services including house selection, negotiation and goods inspection. The goods inspection must be done in a detail-oriented manner, from roof to floor. To ease the process of home design and household appliances needed for daily activities and chores, it is highly recommended to buy a house that already has everything you need. Make sure to check for appliance ratings with your real estate agent and make sure they are worth the extra money. Also seek guidance in terms of purchase of extra goods, necessary paperwork, financial and legal consultations and many more. 

#3: Dealing with Additional Taxes

Regardless of what you are paying for - house or apartment - in Florida and the amount - from US $100.000 or US $500.000 – consider the fact that there are always extra costs. These include your property annual taxes, ranging around $3000/year, however expect more depending on the residential area you want to move into. Some residential areas are susceptible to a residential community tax that ensures clean streets and carefully groomed fences. This adds up to local golf club member’s fee, home insurance, repairs fund and other taxes.

No matter the household choice, remember that “Location, location, location” is the first rule in real estate and that planning your budget accordingly is of high priority. Homes set in residential areas with a beach view or facing the sport courts are more expensive, but they seem to be worth it, in terms of transportation and comfort. After all, we all seek our piece of heaven where we can retire to some day.

Author Bio:

Roxana Scott is an Occupational Health Psychologist interested in healthy life decisions. As a Life Coach, she encountered many employees close to retirement age, so she decided to write an article on what a retirement plan should look and feel like. You can follow Roxana on Google + (https://plus.google.com/100992360586064517629/)

Understanding Small Business Loans

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are thinking of getting a small business loan, you must know what you are getting into and be prepared. Financial institutions are becoming more timid to loan money in this market so your plan must be concrete. Look extensively into your business and see what the top priorities are and what needs to be done in order to make it more successful. Think big picture and make sure you understand the difference between needs and wants for your company. 

Some things to consider are:

1. How much do I need? Be wary not to take too much or too little. 
2. What exactly will this loan be used for? The more detailed the better. 
3. How much you can afford to pay on the loan each month? Be realistic. 
4. What assets can you use as collateral? 

Make a plan

Use the questions above to help you decide what you really want out of a loan. A small business loan is usually a big commitment and with any big investments like that you want to make sure you go into it knowing exactly what the money will be used for, how it will improve your business, and have confidence that you will be able to pay it back entirely. 

Asset assistance

Financial institutions are not known for handouts. They want to protect their investments and this can make getting a small or a large business loan difficult to attain. When you go into a loan you want to put your best out there and show them you are responsible and able to meet your burden of the loan. Handshakes and verbal promises are long gone, but assets speak volumes. If you are certain that this loan will further grow your capitol game it may be necessary to use assets to back up the loan. Assets can be anything from:

• Equity on your home 
• Real estate property 
• Inventory or equipment 
• College funds/IRA’s 
• And more 

If your assets are low, you can also consider having a cosigner for the small business loan. 

Use it right

Once a business loan is secured it is up to you to make sure the funds you receive go to precisely the areas you want it to and that it is making a difference. If you begin and realize that this isn’t what you were expecting that sit down and draft another plan until you reach the scenario that will best suit your business needs and long term goals.

Often times a financial advisor can help you do this and make sure you get the most of of the loan. If you didn’t qualify for as much as you were hoping, a strategic planner will work with the numbers to ensure that your business will not only make enough for you to get by, but for the company to thrive. Ultimately that is any business owners' goal, to grow and grow. 

Small business, big results

If you are reading this, chances are you are a small business owner. The best advice to anyone in your situation is to plan, plan, plan! The more you take a step back and plan for your company the better the outcome will be. You need to continually re-evaluate what is best and when the time is right to go for a loan to help build it even more. Click Here to find out more about Business Loans.

Getting Legal Assistance for Driving Offences: The Costs and Benefits

 (Photo credit: peretzp)

If you have been charged by the police for allegedly breaking the law behind the wheel, you will have every right to dispute any fine or punishment which is dealt out. To do this properly, you will need to enlist the assistance of a qualified lawyer who knows traffic offences like the back of their hand. Of course, the penalties will have to be high enough for the legal fees to be worthwhile. If you have been charged with a ludicrous amount, here are a few ways in which you can save money and benefit by actually hiring an experienced solicitor. 

Initial Advice Free of Charge

The best legal firms will offer their first consultation for free anyway, meaning that you really have no excuse not to find out what they can do for you. If there is a good chance of you disputing any traffic offence you have been charged with, your chosen solicitors will give you the lowdown. They should also let you know whether it is worth it to fight that specific monetary penalty given the legal fees as well as the time and effort involved. 

Reports and Studies for Support

Another benefit of hiring a lawyer to assist here is that they can supply you with a whole range of research which can strengthen your case. Instead of going to court on your own, you can bring along a legal advisor who has done the appropriate studies, including the following: 

• Reconstruction reports that go over the events that took place 
• Road sign placement tests which examine whether this was to blame 
• Alcohol/drug analysis that determines whether the tests were done properly 

As you can see, the best lawyers will tackle this issue from several angles. By taking the time to hire some truly experienced driving offence solicitors, you can back yourself up well during the trial, giving yourself a better chance of actually winning your case. All of this added information would be impossible for you to compile and collect on your own. 

Financial Matters

Of course, there is always the cost to think about when hiring a lawyer specialising in traffic offences. Fortunately, this is not something that you will need to worry about too much. This is because the top legal firms will let you know exactly what the charges are from the beginning. Some will even offer additional assistance such as “no win no fees” policies. Alternatively, they will seek out compensation from the courts if you are finally acquitted in the end. 

Thus, the monetary aspect will be handled properly at each stage of fighting your case. After the free initial consultation, you will know exactly how much your legal fees will cost and can then budget accordingly. Of course, the total amount will have to be less than the fine you have been charged with. It should also be low enough so that the time and effort spent in court will be worthwhile once the case is finally wrapped up. \

More Pros than Cons

As you can see, there is plenty of reason to hire a solicitor to contest your driving offenses as long as you plan properly beforehand. By taking your time out to find a lawyer who really knows this topic and who will not charge you a fortune, you can then gain a host of legal benefits as a result. Whether you have been charged with drunk driving or speeding, the right advice and assistance can help get you through these legal hurdles and hopefully win your case without having to spend a fortune in fees to accomplish this. 

About the Author
Cunninghams Solicitors Ltd are driving offence solicitors, offering range of services for defence work for appearances at police stations and magistrates courts.

Why You Are Never Too Old to Start a Business

It is easy to make the assumption that only young entrepreneurs with loads of ambition and a thirst for success are capable of starting their own business, but the truth is, anyone with the right mindset can start a business, even the over 50s. As the general population ages, older folk are redefining the marketplace. They might not have youth on their side, but they do have a wealth of experience and a willingness to work hard. 

Why Start A Business In Later Life?

Thanks to advances in healthcare and medicine, people in the western world are living a lot longer than their predecessors. As a result, it is not uncommon for octogenarians to be full of vigour and more than capable of extending their working life. So instead of sitting at home, bored, why not make the most of your health and get back out there and start a new business venture?

Retirement used to be something older people looked forward to. They worked hard all their lives, channelled money into a pension fund, and waited for the day they could sit back and enjoy the financial security of a regular retirement income. Unfortunately for many, a pension plan is no guarantee of enjoying a decent income in retirement, so starting a business can boost your retirement savings and help you enjoy the finer things in life.

Starting a business venture gives you a reason to get up in the morning. Retirement for some is the beginning of a downward decline, both physically and mentally, so instead of succumbing to the mental fugue of old age, stimulate your brain and enjoy the challenge of working for yourself. 

What Can Older People Bring To The Entrepreneurial World?

Older people often have decades of business experience. They may have successfully managed businesses in their younger years, which makes them well placed to repeat the experience in later life. Use the business skills you have accrued over the years and make them work for you. 

Issues To Consider When Starting A Business In Later Life

Finance is the biggest hurdle you may encounter if you wish to start a business in later life. No matter how successful you feel your business venture is likely to be, putting your retirement pot on the line might not be sensible, especially if you have dependents to consider. But if you need to secure financing from a bank or other lender, consider your options very carefully. 

Long Hours

Running a business inevitably means working long hours. This means you must be passionate about what you are doing as well as capable of putting the extra time into your embryonic venture. You will also need a strong support network in place. No matter how enthusiastic you are about your new business venture, one of the downsides of growing older is a slow reduction in energy levels. With this in mind, make sure you delegate responsibilities to others where possible and do not try and do more than you are capable of.

Bio Frank retired ten years ago, but within twelve months he was bored silly, so he decided to start his own business. He had a wealth of experience to draw upon and he fully understood his duties as a director. Now he owns a successful family business and enjoys posting useful blogs online.

How to Keep Financial Records for a Small Business

Running a small business can be a time consuming affair. Most small business owners work long hours and the thought of doing admin work at the end of a long day is hardly a happy one. But, unfortunately, admin work is an essential part of running a business and if you fail to keep accurate financial records, you are storing up a truck load of trouble for further down the line. 

Why Do I Need Financial Records?

Financial record keeping is the best way to keep track of how your business is performing. If you have no idea how much you are owed by your clients or how much you have spent on materials, how do you know if you are even making a profit? It is also worth pointing out that keeping accurate financial records is a legal requirement in a number of countries, so if the thought of doing the books gives you a massive headache, just think about how much worse that headache would be if you had a tax audit due and no financial records of any description to hand.

What Are The Key Financial Records All Small Businesses Need To Keep?

• Income – all income needs to be recorded. At the very least you need a cashbook that records money in and money out, but for the majority of small businesses, this will be too simplistic. 
• Expenditure – business expenditure can be recorded in a cashbook, but you still need to keep copies of all invoices and receipts for tax purposes. Make sure you file these in a manner that makes them easy to find should it be necessary as part of a tax audit. 
• Customer records – it is essential to keep accurate copies of orders, invoices, credit notes and anything else related to customer transactions. You need to know how much your customers owe and how long their accounts are overdue as this directly affects the rest of your business. 
• Bank statements – always check bank statements regularly and reconcile them against your accounts. Banks can and do make mistakes, so spotting these early will save you a lot of grief (and money). 
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What Happens If I Haven’t Kept Good Business Records?

The main problem small businesses have if their records are inaccurate or simply non-existent is that at some point the taxman comes knocking on their door. Since it is a legal requirement to keep accurate records, failing to keep useful accounts and maintain financial records could well end up being a very expensive mistake. 

Should I Do My Own Accounts?

If your business is very simple, you should be able to do your own bookkeeping using a simple spreadsheet programme or purpose designed accounts book. However, if maths is not your strong point or your business transactions are complex it is a good idea to hire an accountant to keep your financial records in good order. Alternatively, you could do a combination of both - you do the day-to-day record keeping and let your accountant do the end of year accounts and tax calculations.

Bio Laura runs her own business and keeps an online blog of her experiences. She is well aware of the penalties for failing to keep accurate financial records, so she uses the services of www.liptrottandwoosey.com to help her with the bookkeeping and end of year accounts.