Dangerous Business of Non-profit Debt Consolidation

Wipe our Debt (Photo credit: Images_of_Money)

These days a large number of people are in debt. Some of them are in a deeper hole, while some are beginning to get stuck in the never ending cycle of debt repayment. Loan may provide you with funds required to fulfill your immediate demands, but the normal human attitude towards money is to spend it when you have it, and beg for more afterwards. Be it begging for time or money, after all, time is money!

This may not be something everyone wants, but the problem of debt is faced by almost everyone at some point in their life. These days, loans are taken right at the time when one is very young and he or she would get stuck in the debt repayment cycle for a very long time.

There are times when people need immediate action to solve the problem of debt payment. Suppose you are in debt, you have to pay $50000 by end of 3 years. If you default on repayment, you risk losing your house or car, whatever it is. This is where two options are usually seen, one is to borrow more money so you can pay off the other creditor, or go to a debt consolidation company who would extend your repayment period and also reduce the interest rate.

These debt consolidation companies have their own fees, which might just be an additional burden on you. But there are also these non-profit debt consolidation loans companies which charge absolutely nothing to you (At least that is what everyone thinks). Not all companies that use the tag non-profit are all honest and care for the people. They can scam you right away and you will be in an even deeper hole.

Such debt consolidation companies often advertise how quickly they would remove your debt by reducing you interest rates and the amount you pay. Often they tell you things which are too good to be true. There can be testimonials from people who are smiling and telling you how quickly their debt was cleared. But there is always a catch which can dig an even deeper hole in your bank account.

Signs of a Good Nonprofit debt consolidation company

• Nonprofits should charge a very small amount of fee to setup your account and other stuff that is required. A nonprofit debt consolidation company who charges no fee and promises to fix your debt problem should be carefully examined before dealing with them.
• Ask for a nonprofit organization license issued by the government or the state government. Most of the states require all nonprofit organizations to have a license to operate. Not having one would apparently look like some shady business and it is advisable for one to stay away from them. 
• If any debt consolidation company promises you to get you out of debt very fast, then they are lying. Stay away from them! Getting in the debt took you time, and getting out of it would require time too! Considering that you are at a tipping point is the reason why you went to a nonprofit debt consolidation company, i.e. you are in a deep hole. Filling a hole deep enough requires time. 
• Check out online reviews for all the nonprofit debt consolidation companies that you have on your list. If you need to make a choice, there is a very great website known as BBB (Better business Bureau). All you have to do it enter the organization name and check out their reviews.

Remember, no consolidation company is going to miraculously make your debt go away. It takes time to get out of it. Spend the money wisely, and choose a good debt consolidation company to pay off your debts.

Your Best Mutual Fund Investment Guide If Clueless

A Mutual Fund is a Finance Investment by convention of a basket of currency that is contributed to by any number of parties. The pooled money is then traded on the stock market. These accumulated funds are used to trade in several different companies in equal share to reduce the risk of what a company collapsing could do to the overall portfolio.

As a result of the size of what a Mutual Fund’s trade is they get particular bulk discounts in the execution of trade orders. Traditionally there is a trade cost incurred during each trade which limits smaller trader’s activity sufficiently. When so much of a stock is being held onto, even the slightest price swing of pennies could amount to thousands of dollars of either profit or loss for the Mutual Fund Companies and the Private Investors that had funded them.

As a Private Investor the challenge is to spread the stocks you buy across several companies and industries. Due to the nature of the trade costs you will find it is not worth the fees to spread the trades out too much and will want to stay focused on a certain few companies. There are certainly benefits and negatives to both kinds of Investors, whether they are Institutional such as the Mutual Funds or Private such as an Individual.

The Private Investor benefits in such ways as the weight of their trades are so small that they barely impact the market at all where a Mutual Fund can cause a chaotic swing when a large bid is opened. Usually Mutual Companies put their funds into stocks slowly, just a small amount at a time so as to not interrupt the delicate balance of the Trading Volume. A chaotic move upward could even trigger a Double Top followed by a large dip in the price of a stock shortly after.

Financial Investments of this sort are always aided with some of the most complicated mathematics to provide detailed price trending reports to detect instability before it even happens. This method is referred to as Technical Analysis and when combined with the standard Fundamental Analysis it can identify profit opportunities seamlessly. Even many of the Private Investors have access to these mathematical tools as a result of the Internet whereas before it was restricted to Mutual Fund Companies.

Mutual Funds do not traditionally involve themselves in Illiquid Assets such as Penny Stocks or Microcap Companies due to the large volume of their trades. The execution time would be tremendous and the volume of what is being traded would undoubtedly disturb the chart pattern quite rapidly leading to momentum movements, potentially in an unfavorable way. The light weight of a Private Investors trades makes little to no difference in the machinery of the market.

If you are about to choose a Mutual Fund Portfolio Manager then make sure that you are completely aware of your fees before doing business. There are a lot of hidden fees usually in the fine print. Reading these line by line is very important to the safety of your investment money that you will retire on later in life.

Author Bio: Mark Long is a well-known finance writer as he worked his initial few days in Mutual Fund Company as Finance Investment specialist. Mark generally advises about Investment, Settlements, Annuities, retirement plans to his customers.

Six Industries That Will Perform Well as Baby Boomers Retire

The first wave of baby boomers has reached retirement age and they continue to buck trends; defying expectations set by previous generations. Nearly 80 million baby boomers born between 1945 and 1964 have a combined wealth which tops $3.5 trillion. This demographic block is a unique force to be reckoned with and some industries are well placed to benefit from this wealth. If you are looking to change your career, or just to start a side business, these are some of the industries you should be looking in to.

Senior Dating Companies

Believe it or not, the divorce rate has increased in the past 20 years among baby boomers over 50. As this group enters their golden years, they do so with vigor and a level of confidence unknown to previous generations. Rather than going “gentle into that good night” this segment of the population actively seeks love and companionship if they are single due to divorce or widowhood. Many may have tried online dating before, and become disaffected, and others may not trust internet sites to help them find companionship. This being the case, clubs and venues that cater to the single senior crowd have plenty of potential.

Healthcare Industry

Geriatric healthcare and areas that support it will become a booming industry. There will be an increase in demand for all services from routine and preventative care to palliative care. The Department of Labor projects the demand for in home care will grow about 70% over the next decade. These services can be provided by small and large companies, and there is room in the market for both, but smaller players should be prepared to handle the ins and outs of medical billing, and negotiating with insurance providers. An increasing number of seniors will likely rely on government supplemented healthcare, and those who wish to enter this market would do well to study out government regulations and set up relationships with insurers now.

Fitness

Many baby boomers wisely have embraced fitness as a way to stave off aches and pains that accompany age. There has been an increase in the number of “mature” clients who attend gyms and use the services of personal trainers. Healthier, toned seniors, have become a game changer as rocking chairs are swapped for mopeds. Fitness programs tailored specifically for seniors and their health concerns will do well.

Senior-Friendly Communities

The demand for retirement/senior living communities that provide access to amenities like centers of culture, schools for continuing education and athletic facilities will soar. Architects will see an uptick in requests for senior-friendly communities. Along with these communities will come a demand for good transportation and nearby services. Aspiring entrepreneurs should start investigating what types of amenities and services these communities will want, and be prepared to serve them.

Recreation

Baby boomers will turn to recreation workers for trips and excursions tailored-made to their group. It behooves travel agents and those connected with the tourism agency to create packages that are senior-friendly because there is a burgeoning market on the rise.

Financial Advisers

Finally, baby boomers will become more reliant on savvy financial advisors to ensure their nest eggs will yield necessary dividends to support a comfortable retirement. With all the talk about entitlement uncertainty, baby boomers are aggressively exploring ways to secure their financial future.

Since the census bureau projects that Americans 65 and older will comprise 1/5th of the population by 2030, entrepreneurs should take note and focus their attention on this group. These industries and others are poised to enjoy a surge in baby boomer consumerism.

Reducing Your Spending On Loss: 5 Tips For Protecting Your Assets

We grow up accustomed to the fact that we're going to deal with some loss along the way. We've all dropped a great dessert, or maybe even had someone steal something we liked. But when it comes to our financial standing, there are some things we can do to protect ourselves from loss. Whatever your financial status may be, you can use some of the following five tips to protect your assets.

Invest in proper insurance

If you are the proud owner of a business, it is imperative that you have liability insurance to shield your pockets. A sudden accident on the work site or another unfortunate incident could leave an unprotected business owner stripped of their assets in a lawsuit. Homeowner’s insurance is a great advantage in case of a natural disaster, and auto insurance is a must-have for your vehicle.

Keep an eye on your bank accounts

Monitor your bank account on a regular basis, and be sure to report any suspicious activity as soon as your recognize it. If you are in a business partnership, make sure to formalize the union to protect your assets in case of disaster. Remember that anything that your business partner does, you are considered responsible for as well. Simplify joint accounts wherever possible to ensure that anyone with open access to your financial assets does not abuse the privilege.

Use a quality home security system

Your home is a place where your valuable property should be safe. However, many homes are vulnerable. With a system from a company such as Vivint Home Security or others, you can shield your possessions from unscrupulous burglars who seek valuables of all kinds. A Peoria AZ specialist in home security suggested that in the United States a burglary occurs almost every 14 seconds. So, an investment into a decent system can be a great protection against loss of assets in your future.

Minimize online transactions

In this high-paced technological age, the desire to conduct business online for convenience is high. However, millions of people find themselves the victim of identity theft and other online capers where cyber-criminals can drain assets. Keep your online transactions to a minimum, and invest in the best virus protection possible. Keep your bank information safe, and never enter personal information in an unsecured site. Aim to do transactions over the phone, by certified mail, or in person, wherever possible to offer yourself an extra edge of security.

Protect your assets after you are gone

Designate a responsible power of attorney to manage your finances in case you are unable to for any reason. If you plan to leave some of your assets to children or other relatives, remember to place them in a legacy trust. An estate planner can help you set up a trust in your state so you can comfortably leave wealth to your heirs.

No matter the type of assets that you have, it is important to protect them from harm. A financial planner can help you place your assets in an ideal arrangement where they will not be depleted. Seek wise investment advice before placing any of your finances in the stock market or other money account. Using this information can help keep your assets secure at all times.

Looking To Invest? 5 Foreign Investment Ideas For Your Portfolio

Luckily, no one needs to scour through information on hundreds of countries or upcoming trends in developing states in order to invest internationally. Instead, here is a look at five simple investment ideas that many have not though of when it comes to expanding the portfolio. 

1. French Wine

What many investors are surprised to hear is that wine funds are both popular and a great investment. Much like a hedge fund, a specialist in both wines and finances will allow investors to pool money in order to invest in new or established wineries, bottles, or companies.

This not only will diversity your portfolio, but it yields good results as well. When investing it is best to spread out your money, this is a great option to mix things up and still be happy with the results. 

2. Chinese Clean Energy

While China is a global player, the country is now encountering huge issues with air pollution, toxins in the soil, and irreversible damage to wildlife. This has led them to begin looking at projects for clean energy in all parts of the country. Investors should take a look at their up-and-coming hydroelectric plants and solar panel fields to get an idea on the scale of growth they can expect. This is a great potential opportunity. Something is going to have to be done in China, if you are invested in the right companies you could really benefit through the market. 

3. Iraqi Currency

The value of the Iraqi dinar has risen and fallen due to instability in the region, but many are looking to dinar news to see that this form of currency is looking profitable in the near future. For those that do buy dinar, even minor changes to the region could result in dramatic increases to the currency’s global worth making it an excellent investment opportunity.

4. German Housing Market

Japan has long been one of the most undervalued investment markets for property, but foreign investing can become a lifelong hassle. This is why many investors may want to look at the German housing market. Both German land and German houses have remained chronically undervalued by as much as 15 percent when rent, home sales, and land prices are taken into consideration.

By being aware of history and trends, you will be able to better understand the market and how the stocks will react and change. 

5. Globally Appealing Art

A few pieces of art around one’s home can be much more than decoration, but investing in art is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes considered to be more complex than any other form of investment, investors will want to ensure that they not only love art, but are devoted to the extensive research that each piece will require along with global art trends.

Diversifying one’s portfolio is an absolute must in today’s volatile economic climate. With these few international ideas, investors have a number of great new options for unique and exciting markets.

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn't writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.

4 Good Tips To Secure A Stable Retirement

There has been a lot of talk these days about retirement funds dwindling and the fact that many people may be forced to work late into their 70s. The truth is that those who plan ahead for their retirement and make intelligent investment decisions should have no trouble retiring when they feel the time is right. Here are four good tips that should ensure that you have a stable and financially secure retirement.

1. Invest in Stocks, Bonds and/or Mutual Funds

Investing is the best way to ensure that you have enough money to retire at a time of your choosing. While you may save up a lot of money through 40-50 years of working, investing gives you a chance to double or triple that sum by the time you retire. By conducting bond market research, buying stocks that you believe will rise in price, and researching the best mutual fund options, you will give yourself a great financial platform in retirement. Some prefer to invest in stocks and bonds independently. However, if you do not trust your knowledge of the markets, you may be better off letting a mutual fund handle the specifics of investing.

2. Keep Your Mind Sharp

Even if you have retired from your job, it is important to keep your mind fresh and stimulated every day. Find an intellectual activity that suits your personality. Whether it is reading a book, learning a new language, solving puzzles and riddles, or becoming a history buff, exercising your mind every day will help you stay healthier and livelier much longer.

3. Exercise Regularly

Keeping your body in the right shape is just as important as exercising your brain. While you are probably not going to be completing any marathons when you are 65 or 70, it is always good to walk a few times a week or head to the gym. Exercising will help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, and keep your muscles and bones in tip top shape as you age.

4. Explore New Places and Things

Many people enter retirement and lose their purpose in life. No longer having to work everyday, they can become lost and confused in the adjustment period. Make exciting plans for retirement, such as visiting new continents, exploring new areas in your city, and meeting new people. Sometimes when we become adults and start having to spend all of our time working, we lose touch with some of the activities and hobbies that make us happy. Retirement is the perfect time to dust off your old guitar, or read that novel you always talked about reading. Not only will these activities broaden your horizons, but they will keep you excited and in good spirits.

Retiring can be daunting and overwhelming at the best of times, which is why you do not want to be unprepared. Secure your financial future, and make plans to keep you occupied during your retirement years. That way, retirement will be the next phase of your life, instead of being the beginning of the end.