4 Ways to Have a Home from the Future Right Now

Everybody wants to be ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest household furnishings and home goods. But, when trading contemporary style for trends of the not-so-distant future, there are certain elements every homeowner should keep in mind. Here are just a few ways homeowners can integrate the future into their furnishings without waiting for the next millennium. 

1. Furniture Ahead of the Times

In terms of futuristic furniture, items don't necessarily have to be light years ahead to function like they're from the future. Modular designs can make a tired living room look like the next interior design movement. Mod furniture, like two-in-one table fridges are space conscious and stylishly advanced.

And truly futuristic furniture that's both aesthetically pleasing and technically advanced is available for the modern times. Tech-savvy "smart beds" not only automatically adjust firmness by sensing pressure points in the body, they can also adjust room temperature depending on a person's resting body temperature. 

2. Artificial Intelligence for the Home

Homeowners looking for futuristic elements throughout the home should look no further than smart home systems. A smart home allows the homeowner to control everything from room temperature to the adjusting of drapery and window blinds to the drawing of a hot bath all from a handheld tablet or smart phone.

As an added benefit, smart home systems can even integrate security into a home's intelligence. Intuitive security features such as remote security system arming, lights that turn on automatically from room to room, and advanced security cameras that can tell the difference between trespassers and guests are all on the market now. 

3. Advanced Appliances

A home is only as futuristic as the appliances within it. So it's no surprise there are more and more appliances coming out every day that seem to outsmart their users. Take, for instance, ovens that automatically bake meals to perfection just based on food type. Not only that, but meal presets are available to achieve that same great taste every time.

What about a refrigerator that reminds people when it's time to pick up more eggs or that the milk has reached its expiration date? Well, grocery-list-savvy fridges are available today, and they're ready to keep you in the know about your dairy. 

4. Home Efficiency

Alternative energy is going to play an important role in the future, so why not have an energy-efficient house now? Solar panel shingles and auto-darkening windows that adjust to sunlight intensity are just the beginning of energy-conscious homes.

Also, on the market this very moment are heating and cooling systems that are aware of the seasons. In other words, a home's temperature can adjust according to outdoor temperatures, while the homeowner is at work or out-of-town. So now the homeowner can save the planet while saving money on heating and cooling.

From beds that have the homeowner's comfort in mind to houses that run off tablets, it's possible for your future home to take place in the present.

Is a Financial Advisor Group Right For You?

Financial planning and making investments is something many people dread, whether in a small business or their personal life. However, to make a decent return on your money, these are necessary evils. 

Before fretting over stock splits and mutual funds, though, ask yourself a simple question: Do I have the time, knowledge, and expertise to manage my funds? Or would it be better left to professionals? 

Helping with Retirement: Will You Have Enough Saved?

Will I have enough money to retire? That's a question faced by millions of Americans. If you aren't the type of person that keeps track of where every penny you make is spent or you have trouble saving, then a financial planner could be a perfect fit for you.


Likewise, if you own a small business but have difficulty dealing with your balance sheet, net income statement, or cash flows, then a financial advisor will be a benefit to you. They can help you go over the numbers to make a profit and save money. 

Investment Knowledge: Do You Know How to Manage a Portfolio?

Market knowledge is a key element in any investment portfolio. Do you have the know-how to balance and manage your stock and bonds without losing money? If the answer is no, then financial advisors can help you meet your monetary goals. Always look at advisors' track record and certifications and make sure they're legitimate.

Long-established advisors such as the Fisher Investments Private Client Group, for example, have a successful history that speaks for itself. That way, you can take the headaches out of whether to buy or sell, or which stock is going to be the next hot buy. 

Saving Time: Are You Willing to Sacrifice Free Time?

When it comes to managing your investments, remember that it's a full-time job. It requires you to check your investments and market conditions on at least an every other day basis.

So ask your yourself: Do I really want to spend what little free time I have sifting through stock quotes and financial statements? That's why advisors are a great fit for those with demanding jobs and families; so you can keep your free time available for doing what you love. 

Achieving Goals: Do You Know What Your Goals Are?

If you don't have a firm grasp on your financial future -- i.e. what to buy, how much to buy, how much you need to earn, etc. -- then finance professionals can help. They can help you set your financial goals, which is what many overlook.

Retirement aside, do you need extra capital for your business? Do you need to put your kids through college? Do you want money for a down payment? All these are pertinent questions that your advisor will help you answer. 

Overcoming Adversity: What risks are Involved?

With the many Americans still struggling from a rollercoaster economy, the ability to assess risk in your investments is important. By hiring a financial professional, he/she can advise you on the degrees of risk of your portfolio. By taking this advice, you can make more sound financial plans, and avoid losing heaps of money in a down market.

While hiring a financial advisor may not be the best plan for everyone, it certainly comes with many benefits, especially for those who are a little less market-savvy. Remember, when choosing a financial advisor, make sure to find one that you're comfortable with and that fits you.

Why Getting a Title Loan for your Car is A Better Choice

When things get tough in terms of money matter, it's time to take out a loan. However, things may not go smoothly when applying for a loan these days. For one, you have to line up and fill out dozens of forms. 

Next, you have to find yourself a co-maker or someone who is able to cover up for you when you can't make the payments. The hardest part is the waiting; you're not sure whether the company will indeed approve your loan. 

While most loans usually get approve without problems, the problem lies on the fact that some people are not that attentive when it comes to paying their loans. 

Check You Credit Rating

There are also times when people can no longer apply for loans because of bad credit. If you're unable to pay your creditors, then this will go into your credit rating and may affect your financial status when you get rejected for loan applications because of the low credit rating. 

At times like these, perhaps getting a title loan might be the course of action for a person down on his luck. 



Perhaps this is the reason why title loans were created; to take a loan where an object of high value is kept or treated as collateral means that the company will get something from you if in case you "forget" that you have a loan to pay. 

The most popular loans are the car title loans. Florida Auto Title Loans are made for those people who need an amount of money for emergency situations, like getting hospitalized or paying for a child's tuition fee. 

While it's not advisable to get a car title loan for smaller expenses, there are some who offer title loans for as low as $1000. The maximum amount for a car title loan (one that I know so far) have reached to $25,000. 

Apply For A Car Title Loan

Almost anyone can apply for a car title loan; the important thing is that you own a vehicle. It's also important that the vehicle is already your very own; if you are still paying for your car in installments, then it would be wise to not put your car for a title loan. 

You'll give the car's title to the loan company once you've agreed the terms and conditions of the loan. Make sure that the fees and interests are reasonable enough to your tastes. Different loan companies have different fees and interests, so always keep this in mind. You'll get the car title once you fully repay the loan. 

The biggest advantage about getting a car title loan is the processing speed. Also, most car title loans do not do credit checks. If you find yourself knee deep in bad credit, then that's going to be a problem if you try to apply for a regular loan. 

With car title loans, companies will still let you apply, as long as you have the title for your car. Right now, there are a lot of online title loans for fast cash approval, so make sure to take your time and only choose the one that is right for you. 

About the Author: 
Jessica Greenberg is an avid blogger from San Diego, California. During her day-offs, she spends most of her time updating a blog that she keeps together with her friends.

Understanding the Different Types of Auto Insurance Coverages

When purchasing an auto insurance policy, it's tempting to simply ask for "full coverage" and let the agent put your policy together. Doing this can leave you vulnerable, however, and it may also lead to higher insurance premiums. By understanding what each coverage does and why you need it, you can put together a policy that will fit your needs without emptying your wallet. 

Here are the most common types of insurance coverage: 

1.) Liability: Every state requires all drivers to have liability insurance. There are two types of liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage. They each have separate limits and cover different things. Bodily injury liability pays for any injuries you may cause in an accident, and property damage liability pays for the damages that occur as a result of an accident you cause. In any case, liability insurance only pays for another person's injury or damages; it will never cover your own injuries or damage. Your liability limits determine how much your policy will pay toward an accident. High limits will cost more on your policy, but low limits make you vulnerable to lawsuits if damages or injuries exceed your policy's scope. 

2.) Collision: Whenever your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident, your collision coverage pays for its repair. You pay a predetermined deductible amount, often $500 or $250, and the insurance company pays for the rest. Higher deductibles result in lower premiums but require you to pay more out of pocket for your damages. 

3.) Comprehensive: Coupled with collision and liability, comprehensive rounds out a standard full coverage insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages that occur to your vehicle outside of an accident. For example, theft and vandalism are covered by comprehensive coverage. This coverage tends to be cheaper than collision, and its price will depend on the deductible you choose. 

4.) Uninsured Motorist: This coverage is not available in every state, but it is a requirement in some areas. Uninsured motorist coverage replaces the missing liability insurance of another party when a person without insurance causes an accident. 

5.) Additional coverages: The coverages above are standard in most auto insurance policies. You can also choose to purchase medical payments coverage to pay for your own medical expenses. Rental reimbursement coverage will cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop, and towing or roadside assistance can help reimburse these expenses. Be sure to check with your insurance agent or compare rates on sites such as autoinsurancequotes.com to see what additional coverages are offered and whether you might need them. 

Not every vehicle will require every available coverage. For example, an older-model used vehicle may not require collision coverage as repairing it would not be financially sensible. By understanding what each coverage does, you can make an informed decision about your auto insurance.

Discover It for Students Credit Card Review: $20 Bonus Cash Back

The folks over at Discover it® for Students is offering a $20 Cash Back Bonus after your first credit card purchase. This card is really popular with students because it lets you earn 5% cash rebates on rotating categories of purchases, and up to 20% cash back on purchases in Discover’s online mall. If you are in college, this is a great card to build credit, earn cash back, and pay no annual fee.

RULES FOR THE CASHBACK BONUS OFFER: Get a $20 Cashback Bonus® after you make your first purchase within 3 months of being approved. Promotional award will be applied within 8 weeks. The promotional award is in addition to the Cashback Bonus earned on all purchases.

Here is the link to get you the signup promotion

With 5% cash back in revolving categories throughout the year, you’ll be earning cash back on up to $1,500 on purchases such as restaurants, gas stations, movies, etc. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1% Cashback with no maximum.

Discover Cashback Quarterly Categories 2013:

• January-March 2013: Sign up to get 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at restaurants and for movies.
• April-June 2013: Sign up right now to get 5% Cashback Bonus* on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores.
• July-September 2013: Sign up begins on June 1st to get 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Gas Stations.
• October-December 2013: Holiday Shopping – It’s a 5% Cashback Bonus wonderland. More info coming August 1st, 2013.

ShopDiscover: Up to 20% Cash Back

Just like all Discover cards, you can shop online through ShopDiscover to get up to 20% cash back! Get 5-20% Cashback whenever shopping through ShopDiscover from major online retailers such as Macy’s, Dell, Groupon, Jcpenny, Kmart, and many more partners.

No Annual Fee

No annual fee for you or for any additional cardholders. There is also no overlimit fee, no foreign transaction fee, no pay-by-phone fee, no late fee on your 1st late payment, and no interest rate increases for paying late! This sounds pretty darn good especially for a Student card!

Great Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Your purchases made with your Discover card are protected for the first 90 days against theft or accidental damage. Up to $500 in coverage per purchase.
• Extended Product Warranty: Get an additional year of coverage on your existing warranty of 36 months or less for no additional cost.
• Return Protection: Return any qualifying purchase to Discover within 90 days for up to a $500 refund, even if the store won’t take it back.
• $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee: If your card or account number is ever used fraudulently, you won’t be responsible for those charges.

Unlike a debit card, the Discover it® for Students will help you build a credit history while you are in college. Build your credit score over time with every purchase when you pay your bills on time, which is essential when you apply for loans or get a job in the future. It’s an excellent choice to take advantage of the $20 bonus cashback promotion along with their amazing rewards program. I definitely recommend the Discover it for Students with major advantages such as $0 liability for unauthorized transactions, online account management, and discounts on products and services at participating retailers. 

Its Never to Late to Start a Home Business

Apple muffin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s great to have hobbies as they clear your mind, keep your fingers nimble and your brain active, but have you noticed how expensive many hobbies have become? The time has come to find hobbies which don’t break the bank or, preferably, ones that actually increase your bank balance. Make a list of things you enjoy to do – things you’re good at and things you’d be interested in pursuing. Let’s look at a few clever ideas. 

Start a Baking Business

If you’re lucky enough to be a great baker, this may be something worth investigating. Not only is baking a real talent but it’s also rather scientific. (If you've ever mis-measured the ingredients in a cake recipe you’ll know exactly what I’m referring to.) The average person would much rather buy a cake than bake one, so you already have that on your side. Start by selling your baked goods at small fairs and markets; set up a Facebook page with photos of your wares; hand out business cards to friends and family and also don’t be shy to approach companies about baking for them on a weekly or monthly basis. Sending over samples may be a clever way to tip them in your favour. 

Offer Home Organization Services

As you grow older you realise that there are many people out there who have spent their lives ‘trying to get organised’ with little or no success. If you’ve always had a flair for organisation and your cupboards are almost always neatly packed and stacked, there may be an untapped opportunity waiting to be uncovered. Offer your services to friends and ask them to pass on your business cards to their friends and colleagues  Place an advert in your local newspaper and on any community notice boards in and around your area. Speak to real estate agents, people who have recently moved into new homes and also to small companies who often don’t have the resources to employ an admin person full time. 

Turn a Hobby into a Business

Arts and crafts can be a costly pastime, but when you’re looking at it as being a potential income earning activity, the playing field changes. People are always looking for original, thoughtful gift ideas and if you can come up with something that goes just that little bit further or is great value for money, you’re heading in the right direction. If you’re really good at a certain hobby you could even consider offering classes. Many people find themselves glued to their computers on social media sites and playing games such as Intertops blackjack out of sheer boredom, but given the opportunity to attend a course in an informal setting and learn a new skill that they will be able to save them money in future, they are bound to consider it – especially if targeted and marketed correctly. 

Teach your Skill

Gardener Gardening (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s clear to see that the world is ‘going green’ and that its citizens have begun to take a pro-active approach to preserving the earth and its contents for future generations to come. In a time where there is much talk about genetically modified foods being unhealthy and organic produce being the best option, it may be time for you to start your own vegetable and herb garden. Not only will you save on having to go out and buy certain vegetables, but the convenience of having them on hand is priceless. If you have green fingers you may even consider teaching a beginners gardening class from your own home. While gardening may sound simple and straightforward to you, for many, both young and old it’s a daunting task, but given the right guidance, many successful gardeners may emerge.
There are hundreds of hobbies one could consider pursuing, but remember, unless you enjoy it and are relatively good at it, you may want to look further down on the list. Don’t feel hedged in – you may decide to make beaded jewellery this month and candles the next – as long as you have a diverse client base, the world is your oyster, but be warned: if you land up with a closet full of goods that haven’t sold, you may need to reconsider your hobby of choice and spend some time investigating what the market is actually interested in buying.