Divorces Don't Have To Be Expensive: Six Tips To Save Money

One of the main reasons why many people stay in unhappy marriages is because of how cost-prohibitive divorce can be. Remaining in a marriage that makes you miserable can be emotionally crippling. If you want a divorce, don't be afraid of the costs involved. You can reduce your expenses if you follow these tips to save money throughout your divorce proceedings.

Take Your Time Finding An Attorney

Many people end up spending too much money on legal costs because they hire the first attorney they find online or in the phone book. When it comes to choosing a divorce attorney, be sure to take your time and compare costs. You don't want to spend too little money and find yourself with a sub-par attorney, but you also don't want to spend too much on a simply average lawyer. While some couples may avoid getting an attorney to try to save on costs, this a bad a idea. An attorney can help you speed up the process and get a fair outcome for you and any children involved. 

Try To Settle In Mediation

The longer your divorce proceedings, the more you'll spend. If your divorce actually goes to trial, court costs can really start to pile up. If you can settle in mediation and keep the proceedings out of a courtroom, you can save a lot of money.

Close All Joint Accounts As Soon As Possible

If you and your soon-to-be ex share credit or debit accounts, close them immediately. As long as both of your names are on these accounts, you can be held accountable for anything that he or she spends. Telling these creditors that you were in the process of getting a divorce won't get you off the hook. Not taking this critical step can quickly leave in you in unintended debt. Open up a different bank account to continue paying your bills without worrying about your partner spending all of the money. 

Create a Budget and Stick To It

Even if you're behaving smartly, cash will be tight during your divorce process. Create a budget based on your income and expenses and stick to it. Remember that a time will come again that you will be back on your feet and able to live comfortably. During your divorce, however, you can't be a spendthrift. Take a look at your budget and figure out how it will need to change until the divorce is finalized. Many people jump to what things will be like after the divorce, and don't take financial steps during the process to avoid financial problems. 

Don't Take Out Any New Loans or Lines of Credit

Many divorcing individuals will take out loans or open new lines of credit to take the place of the support they used to receive from their spouse's income. However, this is a one-way ticket to bankruptcy down the road. This is a time to monitor your finances carefully, not to assume new debts.

Don't Be Afraid To Sell Assets

Many people develop sentimental attachments to luxuries procured during their marriage. Items like boats and jewelry may have been a breeze to finance when you were in a two-income partnership, but they're extraneous and unnecessary when you're trying to save money during a divorce. There's no shame in selling off luxury items and creature comforts to get a little extra cash.

By following these tips, you can get through your divorce financially. It's important to understand all of the costs to not overspend or go into debt. With the right planning and effort, divorces don't have to be expensive. Informational credit to Kitchen Simeson Belliveau Llp.

How to Save Money on Your Next Home Remodel

When your home is no longer purely functional for your needs or when it has taken on an outdated look, a major renovation project may be in order. A renovation can transform your existing space to one that is more suitable for your needs and more accommodating to your personal sense of style. However, such an extensive project can cost a small fortune, and you may be wondering what steps you can take to save money on your upcoming remodeling project. There are a few ideas that you can consider as you prepare to remodel your home.

Choose an Experienced Contractor

Unless you know how to do most of your home renovation projects yourself, you will want to hire a professional contractor to come out and do them for you. This way you don’t make any mistakes and have to pay out more money to the general contractor to fix them. Some homeowners believe that using a contractor adds unnecessary expenses to their renovation project, but in reality, the right contractor can help you to save money while also giving you the finished results you are dreaming about. A contractor may have great working relationships with quality vendors, and these may be vendors who are known for hard work and excellent results. This can save you a small fortune on labor throughout the project. Keep in mind that it is important that you hire the right contractor. The last thing you want to do is hire another contractor to come out and fix the problems the first one may have caused.

One Project at a Tine

One of the other things that you can do is take on one project at a time. This way you are only spending money for that particular project which should allow you to save up more money for the other renovations that you would like to make. It also allows you to better maintain a budget for your home remodel.

Consider Alternative Materials

While labor costs can be expensive with a remodeling project, the same holds true for the cost of materials. There are numerous alternative materials that may be used to create a similar effect from a stylistic standpoint without the cost. For example, concrete flooring can be stained and scored to look like other materials, but it may be a fraction of the cost. Other materials like granite and marble will easily be more expensive. You can find other materials that look just as good that cost less. With that said, you may consider alternative materials to save money.

Look for Creative Design Alternatives

According to Alair Homes who specialize in major renovations in Courtenay, the design or scope of your project may also be inflating your costs unnecessarily. In some cases, it may be necessary to tear down walls, remove or add windows, move electrical fixtures or plumbing fixtures or make other significant changes to the home. However, these can all inflate the cost of a project, and it may not be necessary to do so. With creative design alternatives, you may be able to achieve similar or even better results without adding to your expenses.

A renovation project can help you to improve your home to your satisfaction, but a big project can also empty your bank account. When you are focused on saving money with your renovation project, consider how some of these ideas may be implemented effectively with your plans. Then, incorporate the ideas into your initial efforts to ensure that you move forward on a path that saves you money and that helps you to achieve the end result that you want.

Will You Be My Co-Pilot? 5 Important Things to Know Before Co-Signing on a Loan

When a loan applicant lacks the sufficient financial backing and creditworthiness to qualify for a loan on their own, a bank or lending institution may recommend that they find a strong co-borrower to back their loan. This may commonly occur if an individual has an insufficient credit history, poor credit or lack of assets or income to qualify fully. A relative or close friend may have recently asked you to be a co-signer on a loan that they are having difficulty being approved for on their own. While you may be inclined to sign on the loan simply to help someone you care about out, it is important to understand how this will impact your life and finances. Consider the following before agreeing to co-sign on a loan: 

Responsibility for the Debt

When you co-sign on the loan, it is important to note that you are equally responsible for the debt as the primary borrower. This means that if the primary borrower is not able to make the payments as agreed, due to job loss or another issue, you will be responsible for the debt. You essentially will be taking on this debt just as if you are the primary borrower or applicant on the loan request.

The Impact on Your Credit Scores

According to the professionals at Power Finance Texas in Houston who specialize in payday loans, any loan that you co-sign on likely will show up on your credit report and will impact your credit scores. Factors related to new credit inquiries, unseasoned accounts, the amount of debt owed to creditors and even late payments for this account all have the ability to negatively influence your credit scores.

Consider Why the Person Did Not Qualify on Their Own

Because you will be financially responsible for the debt and because it can impact your finances and credit scores, it is important to have a full understanding about why the person did not qualify for the loan on their own. If the person did not qualify, the bank essentially is stating that the person lacks the creditworthiness to qualify on their own, and this may be a warning to you. For example, if the individual has a history of being irresponsible with finances, you may think again about co-signing. On the other hand, if the person has been responsible but simply fell on hard times, due to job loss or illness for example, you may be more inclined to help out.

Your Ability to Qualify for Financing in the Future

Even if you want to help out a friend or family member, it is important that you think about your own finances and goals. Your credit scores and debt-to-income ratio will be impacted by the debt that you take on. In some cases, this additional debt may make it harder for you to qualify for a loan in the near future. If you have plans to apply for a car loan, a home mortgage or another type of loan, you may think carefully about how this new debt will impact your plans.

Being Targeted by Debt Collectors

In the event the primary borrower defaults on the loan, keep in mind that debt collectors may target both you and the primary borrower. This means that you may receive collections calls and letters until the loan is returned to good standing or paid off. Furthermore, collections on this account may impact your credit rating.

There are instances when co-signing on a loan is the right thing to do. You may feel comfortable with the risks and financial impact to you with co-signing, and it may not impact your future goals and plans. However, it is important that you fully understand the impact of co-signing and to ensure that the risk to you and your plans is minimal before you take on this additional financial responsibility.

How To Stay Financially Stable When Dealing With Unexpected And Serious Injuries

Besides the physical and mental effects of sudden injuries, people often deal with financial difficulties as well. This is often unexpected, and many aren't prepared for the bills that may come from medical needs. Thankfully, strategies exist to keep you financially afloat during your recovery process. If you’re dealing with this type of financial stress, consider adhering to the following six principles. 

Prepare a Budget

When dealing with the financial insecurity of sudden injuries, you need to prepare a budget. This task is especially important if you don’t normally keep up with your inflows and outflows of cash. You can prepare a basic budget by utilizing a spreadsheet. Simply list all of your revenue sources and all of your monthly expenses. You will quickly determine how much disposable income you have to carry you through this month. It's important to stick to this budget, and make changes as needed. If you set an unrealistic budget, it won't be doing much good, and it can be very discouraging. 

Clip Coupons

Coupons aren’t found exclusively in the Sunday newspaper anymore. While you can still save money by collecting coupons this way, you should also take advantage of downloadable internet ones as well. With a little searching, you might be able to save a healthy amount of money each month this way. You don’t even have to print coupons out anymore. Many manufactures allow you to download savings to your cellphone nowadays.

Enjoy Early Entertainment

If you’re financially strapped during a period of convalescence, you can save money by dining out early. Many local eateries offer discounted prices to patrons who eat lunch or early dinners. Check your favorite restaurants’ social media sites for opportunities. Dinner and a movie could be done earlier to save money. You may be able to save even more by avoiding going out on weekends. 

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured due to someone else’s neglect, you should consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer. This professional can help you recover any money you were forced to spend on medical expenses. A lawyer can also help you reach a settlement with the party at fault, say the experts at Bronson Jones & Co. If a settlement can’t be agreed upon, your attorney can represent you during trial proceedings. 

Search for a Telecommuting Job

If an accident has left you unable to work away from home at this time, consider searching for a telecommuting job. You might be amazed at the variety of telecommuting jobs available these days. For instance, employers are constantly looking for telemarketers, clerical assistants, accountants, writers, and teachers to fill vacant telecommuting positions. It's also important to talk to your current employer first. Often times, arrangements can be made so you can work at home and continue doing your job. 

Delay Unnecessary Expenditures

One of the best ways to stay financially afloat during a crisis is to delay unnecessary expenditures. This decision may mean putting off buying that new car for a couple of more years. Or, you might wish to rethink purchasing a pool table until your finances pick up. This goes hand-in-hand with your budget, and one of the most important things you can do for your wallet.

Suffering sudden severe injuries can be physically, mentally and financially draining. However, by being proactive, many people are able to stay financially secure during these difficult times. By following the aforementioned six tenets, you will hopefully survive this storm with your bank account intact. This will take a way a lot of financial stress that can take over your life if you let it. With a little help and planning, being financially secure even with unexpected expenses becomes possible. 

How to Save Money on Your Business Start-up

Small business owners know better than anyone that it will almost always take money to make money as expenses quickly begin to accumulate. Those that have recently set out to develop their own business start-up may just now be realizing how much capital these ventures require, but there is help out there. Anyone looking to make save money without cutting the wrong corners needs to keep these actionable tips in mind.

Save and Spend Your Money Wisely

When you are first starting a business, it can be very hard to bring any kind of revenue. This is to be expected when you first start a business as you are trying to create a customer base. Therefore you want to be careful how you spend and save your money. You don’t want to spend your money on unnecessary things as this is how many new businesses go under so quickly. They spend too much and bring in too little revenue. However, you do have to spend some money and you have to take some calculated risks. Therefore you don’t want to just horde all of your money either. If you can make smart investments with the money you make in the early stages of starting your business that will bring in more customers or clients, then you want to spend that money. If it is necessary, you may want to take out a business loan of look for investors willing to put money in your company in the beginning which will hopefully allow your business to grow.

Focus on Free or Affordable Advertising

It will often take a little more time from the owner or their employees, but small businesses will mostly likely need to forgo paid advertising in the beginning. Instead of going with radio, TV, or local newspaper spots, it is more efficient to begin building a powerful online presence with social media companies. Attaching social media accounts to the company's primary website will have the added benefit of making it more visible to search engine users. 

A Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are now highly-trained and can be found for businesses of any size. Some of the top virtual assistant companies now provide small business owners with tiered and industry-specific training for four weeks or longer. They will also do all of the legwork for hiring a new employees such as carrying out a background check, drug tests, the interview process, and even supplying the new virtual assistant with health insurance and other benefits. 

Streamline Your Payment Services

Figuring out how payment services are going to work is often one of the most confusing steps for new merchants and business owners. This is why it is important to figure out simple and streamlined solutions early on with options such as a mobile point-of-sale device. In addition to handheld devices, owners could also opt for programs such as auto-deposits for payroll or the use of smartphones to accept physical checks to cut back on CPA or banking expenses. Owners could also apply for an ACH Merchant Account.

Buy Secondhand Office Supplies

Unless the product is absolutely essential or going to be seen by clientele, no one should ever think twice about purchasing secondhand supplies for their start-up. Going out and purchasing new purpose-built machines or expensive software is impractical for most. By searching online or going through bidding sites, small business owners can find high quality office furniture, electronics, software, and anything else they will need at a fraction of the price.

Money is going to be tight for almost every new start-up, and this is why cutting back on expenses should be on the business owner's mind at all times during those first few months and years.

Critical Differences Between a Bank and a Credit Union

Banks and credit unions both offer the same loan and financial products to borrowers and clients, but there are critical differences between each type of institution. If you are trying to decide where to open an account or where you should apply for a loan, understanding these critical differences is an absolute must. While some people will use terms like bank, savings institution and credit union interchangeably, here are the distinct differences all prospective clients should be aware of.

How Your Money is Used by a Bank

From the outside looking in, credit unions and banks are one and the same, but when you scratch the surface and learn about the operations, you will find that the two are extremely different. When you open an account with a bank, the money that is deposited will be used to invest and earn profits for that institution. This is why there are minimum balances for accounts or else you will be charged a fee. 

How Your Money is Used by a Credit Union

With a credit union, which is not a for-profit organization, you become a shareholder when you deposit money into your account. The dollars in the account are actually buying shares, and you are part owner of that company. Credit unions like PenFinancial Credit Union are not corporate entities and you, along with other members, have a say in how the company is run. Because members have an interest in how the company performs, they tend to take more pride in being a customer and a shareholder when doing business with a credit union rather than a bank.

The Presence of Banks vs. Credit Unions

Another thing that sets a credit union apart from a bank is its presence. Typically, banks have a nationwide presence, which creates the need for large advertising and marketing expenditures. Banks are also known to participate in lobbying efforts with the government to fight for new legislation that will help grow their profit margin. Their goal is to be on top, above competition in the industry.

The presence of a credit union is very different. Most of the time, only people with certain employers or in a specific community are able to become members. Because there is exclusivity, the credit union does not need to advertise. They partner with organizations and offer their products in a way that is spread through word of mouth. Being not-for-profit means that any profits are reinvested into the company to offer lower interest rates and better products. 

The Balance Between Customer Care and the Interest of the Institution

Credit unions want you to feel like part of the community. After all, you are part owner and deserve to receive the best customer care. While offering competitive products and services is important, these institutions have made a commitment to take build relationships and exceed their members' expectations.

Banks have to find a good balance between their motives to earn profits and the cost to provide customer care. All activities that the bank has should result in profits, and this can affect your bottom line. Banks are also allowed to use your deposit funds on a multitude of potentially risky investment options designed to increase the profits of their shareholders. These actions show where their loyalties truly lie.

As you can see, there are critical differences in the interests of a bank versus the interests of a credit union. Ultimately, you will need to decide if you want to be a depositor funding the profits of a bank or a shareholder of a credit union providing excellent rates and customer care.