Retirement Questions: Four Things You Need to Know About Annuities

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

There are so many questions most of us have about retirement, and often, we just push them to the backs of our minds and wish we didn't have to answer them. However, it's important to get prepared as soon as possible. Many looking to prepare for retirement don't know much about annuities, or even know that they exist. This is an important option that should be looked into. Annuities are forms of investments that provide investors monthly payments during retirement. It is important to learn about annuities before purchasing an investment contract. Find out as much as you can about this type of investment. You can learn more by asking the right questions from annuity providers to avoid making bad decisions.

1. Are there fees involved with Annuities?

While annuities are designed to provide investors with ways of creating regular payment during their retirement years, investors have to pay certain amounts of money to purchase annuity contracts. The fees charged for this type of investment vary and are determined by the insurance companies. Investors may have to pay different types of fees including mortality and administrative fees among others. When investing in annuities, research the fees and charges of different annuity providers to make an informed decision.

2. What type of investment is this?

Different types of annuity contracts are available for purchase including fixed, variable, and equity-indexed annuities among others. Fixed annuities offer fixed interest rates on retirement and fixed payment during retirement. Variable annuities offer investors greater control of their investment options. The returns of variable annuities are tied to investment returns of the annuities. Finally, equity indexed annuities are tied to financial indices.

3. How do Annuities affect Investors’ Financial Rating?

Many people view annuities as guaranteed investments. While this is true, the investment is guaranteed by insurance firms themselves. This means that investors have to choose insurance companies with good financial ratings.

Various tools can help investors compare insurance companies. Examples of such tools include financial ratings provided by reputable financial rating entities. These entities provide data on how companies are performing financially and whether investors should be worried about their retirement investments.

4. What Happens to your Money when you die?

Some annuities come with death benefits while others do not provide any form of death benefit for beneficiaries of deceased investors. People should find out if their annuity contracts obligate their insurance companies to pay their beneficiaries for a certain amount of time after they die.

Some annuity investments provide lump sum payments to beneficiaries upon the death of an investor. If an investor’s annuity contract does not have this provision, the insurance company will keep all the money paid in the investment if the investor died before using the money. This can have a significant impact on the financial status of the beneficiaries. Annuities become very important as you prepare to enter retirement. If you set up a fixed annuity now, you would be able to receive the benefits during your retirement period. Fixed annuities offer stability, guaranteed interest, and a set amount of money each year that those who get them can rely upon. It can be difficult to know what exactly is the best place to start with planning for retirement, and even then, it's tough to know what choices to make. Educating yourself more thoroughly on your options is a great place to start, and you should certainly look for answers to all your questions regarding annuities and retirement. Once you're satisfied you at least have an idea what your ultimate goals are, you should likely talk with a professional that can help you sort out how best to treat your personal finances now to be as well off during your retirement as possible. 

Information credit to PNW Annuities Services Seattle.

Six DIY Projects You Can Do At Home To Save You Money

In this age of rising costs, people are looking for ways to save money. There are certain services you may have paid for in the past, but you can save more by doing them at home yourself. Before you pay for another service, ask yourself if it’s something you can handle doing at home to save money and boost your financial position.

New Window Treatments

You don’t have to be a whiz on the sewing machine to make new curtains. You can actually buy fabric that you love and use nothing more than an iron and special no-sew ironing tape to create a hem. Next, attach wide ribbons to the top using the same iron-on adhesive. Make it a little more secure by sewing decorative buttons at the base of each tab, and you’ll be rewarded with sharp window treatments that cost a fraction of the money.

Weed Control

Rather than paying the professionals high fees to spray your yard with pesticides, do this yourself. There are attachments that you can hook to your own garden hose to spray herbicides on the lawn. You can also buy the spray bottles and just spot treat weeds as they rear their ugly heads. You’ll save money and keep your yard safer for your pets and children.

Car Repairs

Some repairs are best left to the professionals, but there are others that you can handle at home. While you may not know how to fix a transmission, replacing a damaged bumper isn’t nearly as difficult. When you need to replace one of your auto parts, start by finding what you need at 99 Truck Parts, which offers new and used selections. This allows you to save even more when you do the work yourself.

Lights and Plumbing Fixtures

You want a new light or kitchen faucet, but you dread the cost of hiring a professional. The good news is that you probably don’t have to hire someone for help. New lights and faucets usually come with directions for installing them. Remember to shut down the water or power to the fixture you’re working on, and prepare to change it out yourself to save money.

Paint

If you’re looking to change the colors around your home, remind yourself that it’s just paint. You’ll want to invest in some drop cloths, quality paint brushes and remover in case of accident. Move the roller slowly across the wall for the best paint distribution and smallest mess. It will take several hours of your time, but you’ll save a small fortune in labor. This is a great way to update the look of your home without having to pay for a costly remodel. 

Recycle

There are countless ways to recycle items around your home, and most of them will help you save money. Rather than going and buying a new bathroom vanity, learn how to turn an old dresser into a fantastic and unique vanity. Instead of buying candles, learn how to make your own from the kids’ old crayons. You can even make your own compost for fertilizing by saving your kitchen scraps and yard clippings.

There are plenty of DIY project you can do at home to save money. While some are more decorative, others will help you save money while keeping your home and car in top condition. Don’t be afraid to do it yourself and reduce your expenses at the same time.

Financial Debt management -- Tips and Benefits

If you are looking forward to get rid of the debts that you have build in the past you must take some steps to actually see things happening. You must manage your debt efficiently so that you could avoid the seriously bad effects that they could have on your financial future. The debt management plan in the US helps its people who have taken loans to restructure them in order to repay their loans on time and in an effective manner. If you make a clear plan on how you should manage your finances then you will get an approximate idea of the time that you may take to complete the repayment of the loan.

You should take a firm decision for your financial condition which may include your credit card debt also.

1. EVALUATE YOUR DEBT AMOUNT:

Before going through any repayment plan of your debt , you should get an exact idea of your finances. Combine all your debts and calculate the exact amount. Then calculate the exact amount of your monthly income and make an estimation of how much you can devote to your debt management plan.

2. CHECK THE FEES OF THE COMPANY

If you want any debt assistance then you should also be aware of the charges that these help may take . Some charge you with the reasonable amount while others charge you heavily for the , so before proceeding for any assistance you must first ask about the charges the company is asking for. 

3. THE REPUTATIONOF THE COMPANY

Before moving any further with your plan you must ensure that the company is worth trusting or not . You could find out, by going through the complaints and feedback of the previous customers. This will give you a rough idea whether to trust the company or not.

4. BENEFITS OF ENROLLING IN A DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN

When your credit card accounts are given to the collection agencies and you start living in fear of your financial limitations. The debt management plan can be your saviour, it could act like a shelter in the mid- noon. Here are some advantages of the plan

5. OFFERS EXPERT HELP AND DEBT ADVICE:

Once you consult the debt consultants they will provide you with the best help that they could and can tell you some effective money management tips. These are experienced people and it is on the basis of the same that they offer solutions to people depending on the kind of situations they are facing.

6. REDUCES INTEREST RATE AND CHARGES:

The debt negotiators are trained in such a way that they could negotiate your debt drastically with your creditors. You could see the effective results as soon as the negotiation is done. With this you would have to pay low monthly instalments and you could get rid of the debt very soon. However, do not leave everything on the debt settlement agencies. Use your knowledge, contacts and the expertise to get a hang of your financials and taken an informed decision.

7. STOPS CREDITOR CALLS:

The debt negotiators will take the calls from your creditors. the debt management will help you to pay your instalments on time and in return the debt collectors will stop bothering you every now and then you could get the peace of your mind back and soon you will be able to pay back the cash loans no credit check.

The most important step towards getting a financial resolution to your debts is to know how they are poised. If you have multiple debts, you need to have a complete understanding of how they are going to impact your monthly and the payments your are required to make.

Personal Finance Tips: Financial Freedom for you at Any Age

Financially free can sound like an idea that most single women would love to adore. An average American spends more than he earns and gets trapped into financial problems. But becoming financially independent is not a big deal. Keep reading and may be you will find a way to become financially independent. 

Steps that lead to financial freedom

Your first step should be to make a budget irrespective of your income. This will help you to know your exact position where you stand financially in terms of your debts, requirements, needs, desires, income and all. Imagine your budget to be a road and finance your destination . Without a proper road map you would not reach your destination and end up wasting time and fuel; same is the case with your finance. Why would you work so hard if you do not how to manage four financial condition and what you should do with your hard earned money. Budgeting will help you to figure out your priority.

Savings and staying away from loans

You should start saving early. If you save every month it will improve your financial condition. It gives a back up for our tough times and also help us to follow a disciplined way of spending the money. Saving money secures your future. Saving will help you trust your own funds rather than trusting on some credit card services at the time of emergencies. You should save enough for any kind of emergency that may pop up. Once you have saved enough of emergency fund, start planning your retirement funds. It is never too late or too early to plan your future. If you keep waiting for better times to come like better jobs and all then there are chances that you might never begin.

Take care of your debts

To get financially free the debt need to be calculated and moreover eradicated so that you could start saving for future you should begin by paying the smallest debt and once that debt is over than you should pay the next smallest and slowly and steadily you should pay off all the debts. If you get any kind of raise in your salary you should devote it to cover your debt instead of spending it. The little things contribute to the most when it comes to saving money. If you spend $5 extra everyday then this could sum up to $150 in one whole month. But if you save this amount then this could contribute to your savings a lot and effect them. This may be difficult especially for single women but controlling the finance is all about behavior if you change some of your habits then this could result in a large and positive impact on your savings and finances.

Taking to some of the simple steps can give you results which you might have never expected. When you are young and have just begun earning, there are two paths in front of you. Either you start spending into acquiring all the luxuries of life or you start on calculated spending, and go on a planned savings wherein you always divert a portion of your income towards investments. 

The latter is a difficult path and one needs to take a long term approach towards the same. One can actually get very good returns on the investments they make over a longer time period. Looking at this one can really enjoy the efforts they have put in into building their lives and finances and over a period of time they can always become financially free. For more information you can visit our website.

Quick Comparison of Chapter 7 vs 13 Bankruptcy Filings

Bankruptcy is steeped in myths and prejudices. If you are like most people, the first step towards repairing your finances is to overcome the feelings of shame, guilt, inadequacy and fear of what you don’t understand. Bankruptcy is designed to offer reasonable relief for honest debtors who are facing extreme financial hardship. If you don’t have any way of fulfilling your financial obligations, you should definitely consider a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 

Advantages of Bankruptcy

As soon as you file a bankruptcy claim, a shield known as the automatic stay will keep creditors from contacting you and from proceeding with their legal filings. Any creditor that disobeys the automatic stay will face heavy fines and may even be forced to pay your attorney fees. However, creditors do have the right to ask the judge for permission to proceed with collection processes which may include foreclosure or repossession. Here are the biggest advantages of filing bankruptcy:

• Almost all lawsuits filed against you will be stopped
• Your wages can’t be garnished
• Evictions, foreclosures and repossessions will be averted
• IRS seizures will halt
• Most debts including credit cards, utility bills, phone bills, medical bills, most loans and judgments will be discharged

Top Bankruptcy Alternative

Bankruptcy should never be your first choice. You should resort to it only if you have exhausted all other possible solutions:

• Sell some assets to help pay debt
• Try negotiating with creditors to lower payments
• Restructure your mortgage
• Withdraw or borrow against pensions or retirement accounts
• Ask family and friends for help

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13

Whether you file chapter 7 or 13 will depend on your situation. Chapter 7 liquidation allows you to eliminate almost all your debt, but you may be required to forfeit many of your assets including your home and valuable collectibles. These assets will be divided amongst your creditors. Anything you acquire after the bankruptcy cannot be touched. However, income tax refunds, divorce settlements, inheritances, and life insurance money may be applied to your debts for a certain period.

Chapter 13 restructuring gives you three to five years to pay all or a portion of your debts but makes most of your assets untouchable. This is for people who have a regular income but just got overwhelmed with debt. Your repayment plan must be approved by the court and it must pass two tests:

• The best-interest test: Creditors must get at least the same amount of money they would have received if you filed a chapter 7.
• The best-efforts test: Requires that you pay all your disposable income, minus reasonable expenses, to creditors.

Choosing a Bankruptcy Attorney

You should definitely hire an attorney to assist you through this difficult and complicated legal process. Though there are many generalized lawyers out there, a specialized legal team like Lynch & Belch P.C. and others in that market will thoroughly understand bankruptcy law, help you with all paperwork, secure maximum relief for you, and will have excellent customer service.

You should never let debt take over your life. If everything else fails, bankruptcy is a viable option that has many benefits that will help you get back on your feet.

50 Plus Travelers Going on Vacation: Planning Ahead for Cash Purchases

Traveling can be stressful. There are a lot of plans that have to be made, reservations, itineraries, not to mention saving up and setting a budget. If you’re going outside the country all those things can get even more complex, and at the same time you have to add on concerns about passports and customs and so forth. Whether it’s a family vacation or a business visit, anything you can do to simplify your life when that trip comes up is a good idea. One of the things that make the biggest difference is planning ahead for your money. Here are a few ways to be prepared when it comes to your wallet.

Make exchanges before you go whenever possible

Foreign exchange is tricky. Every market plays a role in how much one currency is worth as compared to another. Those rates are constantly changing, and it can be pretty difficult to keep track and make sure you’re making smart moves even without the added stress of traveling. If possible, you should plan ahead and exchange some currency before it’s time to leave. In most cases you’ll be able to use your credit card, at least at an ATM, or find someplace with decent rates for currency exchange. Some places, especially if they’re popular tourist areas, may just accept your US dollars. But why bother with the hassle if a little planning ahead can save you?

This plan gets a lot more complicated if your trip is taking you through multiple countries who don’t share a common currency. You don’t want to be carrying too much cash around, even if it is from a variety of countries. While you may want to plan on exchanging most of your cash as you go, it’s still a good idea to have a little of each, just in case you find yourself in a tight spot somewhere, say you can’t find an ATM that will accept your card.

With that being said though, try to budget as close as possible. If you have a lot of cash left over after your trip, you’re going to pay to exchange it back into US dollars. Pull out as close to what you will need as possible, and if you are going on another trip any time soon, save the extra instead of exchanging back and forth.

Learn to recognize the currency you’ll be using

Another advantage of exchanging some cash beforehand is that you can get to know it. When you’re already in an unfamiliar place, likely with an unfamiliar language, adding to that trying to count unfamiliar money is just a nightmare. Most of us completely take for granted how well we know our currency. We can tell how much a bill or a coin is worth with a quick glance. You could probably tell me a value just by seeing the president.

If you don’t have a feel for the currency, you run a few risks. First, you might just be embarrassed taking so long to count it out. Second, it makes it a lot easier for someone with less than honest leanings to take advantage of you. Third, you don’t want to accept counterfeit bills, and tourists are the perfect target for that type of scheme.

Try to get a feel for how much things cost

While you’re busy keeping track of how much your cash represents, there’s another easy way for you to be scammed. You have a pretty good idea how much something is worth in US Dollars. You wouldn’t pay $20 for an ice cream cone, even in Disneyland. That is a real risk if you don’t have some intuition about the currency you’re working with though. You’ll be so busy making sure you counted right, you may not notice that you were charged a fortune. At the same time, don’t let them charge you in US Dollars either. In that case, they can use any exchange rate they want. Even if it seems reasonable, it may be anything but.

As of this writing, $1 US is equal to:

• 101.55 Yen
• 13.16 Mexican Pesos
• 0.72 Euro
• 0.60 British Pounds

Keep in mind these numbers fluctuate constantly, so look up the current exchange rate before your trip. Getting an idea of what to expect can keep you safer, and likely save you quite a bit.