The 4 Easiest Ways for Burglars to Get Into Your Home

Your worst nightmare is having your home broken into. It’s an invasion of privacy and can make you feel like nothing in your life is safe and that everything is falling apart. These feelings are incredibly valid.

Everyone always feels like it won’t ever happen to them. It’s an invincibility complex like bad things can’t happen to you, whether it’s a car accident, the death of a loved one, or someone breaking into your home.

That sort of invasion of privacy shakes your entire world. Because of this fear, you can never be too safe or careful when protecting yourself from having your home broken into.

Carelessness that comes from time

Of course, there are the obvious things you can do to keep intruders out of your home: lock your doors whether you’re home or not, install a security system in your home, and be wary of who you welcome into your home.

These are easy ways to make you feel more comfortable at home. It’s surprising how many people forget these simple things, though. Again, you never think it could happen to you, so you get a little bit too comfortable in your environment.

When you move into a new area, you won’t dream of leaving without locking your door. But after a while, if you forget to lock your door upon leaving, you figure that it isn’t a big deal, you know all of your neighbors at this point, and you trust them. This is a mistake. You should never let your guard down like this.

Insecure garage doors

One of the most common ways for someone to break into your home is through your garage. A garage door company in King of Prussia can ensure your garage door is working properly. Additionally, make sure your garage door is closed. Even if you’re just home for a quick lunch and will leave less than an hour later.

While it’s not very likely that during that hour, someone will break in, it gives potential thieves a chance to case it out and figure out the easiest way to get in and what they’d like to steal.

Don’t leave your garage door opener in a visible spot in your car. Many people leave theirs on the visor in their car. However, if it’s visible, someone could break into your car and steal it, take a photo of the address on your vehicle registration, and then break into your home while you’re away.

To avoid this, leave the remote in your console or another concealed place in your car.

The back yard and back door

Your backyard is another way that thieves will get in. You’re less likely to keep your back door locked than the front door, and thieves know this.

So not only do you need to make sure you keep people out of your home but also your backyard. When you’re getting a fence installed, ensure it’s tall enough that it cannot be easily jumped over, as long as your city regulations allow a fence at least six feet tall.

And always make sure that the gate to your fence has a lock on it on the inside, so it can’t be picked by passersby. And, of course, keep your back door locked at all times.

Doggy doors and hidden keys

A lot of people keep keys hidden outside their house in case they lock themselves out of the house. This seems like a harmless idea. If you tend to lock yourself out of your house often, then you obviously want to be able to get back in easily without having to call a locksmith.

When trying to break into your home, however, this is one of the first things a thief will look for. Never leave your key in a fake rock, under the mat, in a potted plant, or any other obvious places.

Another way to gain easy access to your home is through a doggy door. Make sure that your doggy door is far enough from the lock that it cannot be unlocked by reaching through the doggy door from the outside.

At night, ensure your doggy door is locked so no one can access it. Also, ensure that the door is too small for anyone to fit through. If you have a large breed dog, a doggy door may not be safe.

Save for College with a 529 College Savings Plan

If you're sending  a kid to school this fall, there's a back-to-school product that every mom and dad needs to get -- a 529 college savings plan. A 529 college savings plan assists households make post-secondary education more achievable. Opening an account with 529 savings plan takes about 15 minutes, and the benefits are well worth the effort.

529 College Savings Plan

Whether the student in your life is moving towards a liberal arts degree at the University,  trades program at the Community College, or another program in another state completely, you now can make those expenses much easier to pay for in the future. 

What you do today can help in reducing the amount of financial obligation your student may  need to borrow tomorrow.

Growth is Tax Free

The 529 college savings plan is found in the federal tax code. With these strategies, you contribute money that gets invested and has the chance to grow tax-free over the years. 



Contributions and profits in the account can be withdrawn, tax-free, for certified instructional expenditures such as tuition, books, charges, room and board as well as computer systems. The account can be utilized at any school in the nation that is qualified to get federal financial assistance for its trainees.

Contibutions May Be Tax Deductible

If you save through The 529 college savings plan your contributions are deductible in some states that have an income tax. With a steady contribution and and some patience over the years you ccan actually end up with a tidy some of money for college.

Even small amount of money can go a long way. Contributing simply $25 each month from a young age can amount to countless dollars by the time your kid finishes high school. However if you're getting a late start, don't worry-- every bit helps.

By the way, anybody-- grandparents, other loved ones-- can add to your 529 account too.

The time to start saving for college is when your child is born. However saving now for future college costs is something that will repay in spades in the future.

Visit Whatisa529Plan.com for more information.

How to Keep Your Sanity while Navigating Through Bankruptcy

Getting stuck in the quicksand of debt and bankruptcy can make your life quite unbearable. Calls and letters from creditors, the possibility of a foreclosure or repossession are immensely stressful and can be quite hard to deal with. There are quite a lot of reasons why you should file for bankruptcy, but we’re sure you can name a number of those against this solution.

In modern world’s economy, bankruptcy is one of the critical stages any kind of business may undergo. When you have to repay your creditors, but you don’t have the resources or you’re unable to do so, bankruptcy may be the only way you can get something out of that situation.

It may be challenging to deal with bankruptcy, and it can be quite stressful, but it’s not impossible. We’ve scoured the web, and we’ve made a list of some great tips that may help you out with stress and anxiety during bankruptcy. 

The important thing to understand is that even if you have filed for bankruptcy, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily lose your company. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and learn how to deal with bankruptcy-induced stress.

Understand what’s ahead

The most important thing you should keep in mind is – what lies ahead. The best way to deal with stress and anxiety from a bankruptcy is to really understand what you are going into. 

Different countries and states have different bankruptcy laws and regulations, so make sure you completely understand the process before you file for one. This will help you avoid unexpected problems and quite a lot of stress induced by not knowing what to do next.




You have to start thinking ahead and planning in advance so you can deal with the bankruptcy in a proper way. In order to deal with the deadlines of your debts, you should think about overtime, multiple income streams and cutting down the leisure and luxury expenses from your budget. You will need to learn how to plan ahead in order to reduce the anxiety and stress that follows bankruptcy.

Keep an open mind and ask questions

Various studies have shown that one of the best ways to deal with your problems is to be open about it. If you’re open about what’s happening, you will reduce a great amount of stress that follows these proceedings. 

Quite a lot of people are letting their ego in the way and they choose to keep the fact that they’ve filed for bankruptcy a secret. This can affect their personal relationships in a bad way, and you need to know that bankruptcy is a solution, not a problem. You don’t need to go around yelling it proudly, but keep your close ones in the loop.

If you have any questions – ask them immediately. Ask your lawyer, or your trustee, and make sure you completely understand how things work. If you have any questions about the specific debts and which can be discharged, or you’re wondering why are your creditors still calling you after you’ve filed for bankruptcy – ask those questions right away. 

Get in contact with your lawyer, trustee or a third party. Contact someone you know that went through the similar procedure and get the answers you need. All of this will help you keep a clear head during this period.

Look for financial advice

As financial laws and regulations differ from one country to another, even from state to state, the best way to deal with too much stress and anxiety in these uncomfortable situations is to seek financial advice. There are lots of great free and cheap courses and classes that help you find any alternative to bankruptcy. 

There are some great solutions like Dean Willcocks Creditors voluntary liquidation or any other kind of deal with the creditors, so make sure you know everything before you decide to file for bankruptcy. Having a financial advisor can help you out deal with personal finances during the life after bankruptcy, and they can help you understand the better approach, and reevaluate your own.

Wrapping It Up

So, as you can see, however hard and stressful filing for bankruptcy may seem, it isn’t something you should be ashamed of, and it certainly isn’t something worth your health. This short guide aims to help you understand that there is life after bankruptcy and that life doesn’t have to be stressful and hard. 

It requires some planning and a bit of organizing, but there are countless examples of successful men and women who managed to make a business empire even after they’ve filed for bankruptcy, so, chin up, and start learning.

Why You Need Professional Financial Planning

Preparing financial plans professionally offers several advantages, including help to ease the concerns that you may have regarding your financial future. Financial plans enable people to balance their daily needs and long-term goals while increasing the prospects of securing their retirement. They can introduce financial planning to individuals in ways to achieving a sustainable retirement income and planning a legacy that will last.

Comprehensive Financial Plan

An effective financial plan should deal with both the present and future. You begin with your current situation in terms of assets, debts and other obligations. A financial plan considers the spending habits that you currently have, creates a viable budget and maintains emergency funding.

Aspects such as what you want to save for aside from retirement, college education for your children, home renovations and your investments are also considered. 

There are issues that deal with estate planning for the purpose of ensuring assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes and life insurance for minimizing risk.

Debunking the Myths of Financial Planning

Various misconceptions regarding financial planning exist, including the belief that comprehensive financial plans are prohibitive because of high costs. Some people think financial plans consist of generic solutions that have been present.

The reality is that financial plans are worthwhile investments in financial security and they are tailor-made to fit each individual situation. 

Financial planning advice is provided by qualified and experienced financial advisors. A financial advisor can help you create and implement a plan that will be reviewed regularly to track your progress. Click here for physician financial planning.

What to Expect from a Financial Plan

Different financial plans have their unique features but the process of creating them consists of a number of distinct steps. It is important to develop a view of what your current financial situation is before you determine financial goals within specified time frames.

The plan that is created should have clear actions and steps. When you implement the plan, follow it up to ensure that you remain on the right track. As changes in your life occur, you can consider changing your investments as well.

Importance of Financial Planning

A financial plan goes beyond managing your money. It involves identifying the goals in your life, including the ones you may already be thinking about and those that may not be apparent. The process will help you broaden your horizons and sort out priorities. It also gives you an opportunity to explore the goals that you and your family have.

Comprehensive financial plans consider the interrelated aspects of your finances such as the money you earn, money you spend, retirement planning, investments, taxes, insurance and estate planning to ensure that everything is coordinated.

Conclusion

Good financial plans should be actionable to give you solid steps that you can take towards your goals and understanding how to adjust in case your goals change over time. There are many parts in a comprehensive plan. These include a net worth statement, cash flow analysis, retirement plan, education funding, insurance coverage, income tax profile and an estate plan.

Putting a financial plan together requires expertise and time. Experienced financial planners gather pertinent information, evaluate your financial situation, provide recommendations, develop the plan and get your finances on track.

Bio

Joel Walsh is a freelance writer and content developer. He has worked with different sites on a range of digital marketing projects. He describes himself as an artistic person and likes to draw and paint whenever he can. Visit this site https://www.beamalife.com for more information.

Concrete Investments: 4 Tricks to Investing in Real Estate

Even when the market is down, investing in property can be lucrative if you take the time to do it right. Unfortunately, many people rush into these investments without realizing exactly how much is at stake. 

These four tricks will help you find the best possible real estate and protect your investment in the coming years.

Start Working on Your Credit Score

Unless you happen to have a substantial amount sitting in the bank, you will most likely need to borrow at least some money. When it comes to investment property, banks and other lending firms are extremely cautious of who they offer loans to. 



Tackling your outstanding debt, removing open debt accounts, and keeping your monthly income as consistent as possible could help you boost your credit score by quite a few points in the coming months. 

Over the next few years, those few points could save you thousands of dollars in interest.

Get Approved Early

One of the best ways to speed up this process is to get approved for the loan before you make any offers. As a general rule, most experts agree that investors should try to get approved for a property loan at least 30 days before the expected purchase date. 

That will give you plenty of time to make a bid and negotiate prices before the approval expires. Your lending company might take two or more weeks to approve your loan application, and the property you wanted to bid on could be gone by then.

Properly Insure the Property

Many investors don’t take insurance into account before making a purchase, and that can be a very expensive mistake. Your insurance is going to be your first line of defense against any accidents or injuries that take place on your property. 

Insuring investment property is much different than insuring a private residence, and you need to work with an experienced agent like Family Insurance Centers or someone similar to make sure that you have the proper coverage.

Work With the Pros

Investing in property without any outside help is time-consuming, stressful, and full of risks. Hiring professionals to inspect and manage the property will initially eat into your profits, but those pros can help you avoid major problems later on. 

You should also consider joining a real estate investment group or starting a local club. These property investment groups can get you started with years of knowledge and connect you with all the right professionals to help.
Property management companies can take care of issues such as screening tenants, evicting tenants, ensuring rent is paid on time, and minor maintenance problems.

These few tips and tricks will limit your risks, but there is always a chance that your investment will go sideways. That is why real estate investors should always have a backup plan for their property. 

Options such as living on the property yourself or renting it out to a loved one for a short period of time could help you get through any unexpected dips in the local real estate market.

Freedom Financial Network Could Help You Prepare for Retirement

While many millennials have developed good savings habits, their reasons for saving are not the same as previous generations. They enjoy a lifestyle that includes travel, eating out, and staying fit. And they are often more inclined to save for these things than for retirement. 

In fact, a recent survey reported that 72 percent of those asked admitted they did not know as much about saving and investing for retirement as they should. But, before you can begin investing for the future, you need to take care of your current cash flow. This is an area where Freedom Financial Network could help you prepare for retirement investing.

Steps to Improve Your Cash Flow

There are several steps you should take before you begin investing. First, you need to build up an emergency fund. Ideally, an emergency fund should have enough money in it to cover three to six months of daily expenses. 

While it may be difficult to save this much money quickly, with time and discipline, it is possible. Start small, putting aside enough to cover an expense you’d normally put on your credit card and build it up from there.




Speaking of credit cards, eliminating your credit card debt is another crucial step to improving your cash flow. Use your emergency fund for unexpected expenses and look for ways that you can pay down the credit cards. 

You could do this by cutting discretionary spending and put that money towards the credit cards, or picking up a side job to help pay them off.

Additionally, Freedom Financial Network offers a program through its company Freedom Debt Relief, that could help you eliminate credit card debt. Over 400,000 people have already worked with this company. 

Whichever method you choose, putting aside money in an emergency fund and eliminating your credit card debt are great steps towards successfully saving for retirement.

Tips for Retirement Investing

If you’ve established an emergency fund and tackled credit card debt, then you are in a good position to save for retirement. Whether you work for a company or you are self-employed, there are great resources and tools available to help you save and invest.

One of these is the 401K. If you work for a company that contributes to your 401K, take full advantage of this. After all, your company is giving you free money to invest! 

These accounts are tax deductible and companies will typically match your contribution anywhere from three to six percent. Even if your company does not match, a 401K is still a great tool for putting money aside for the future and reducing your taxes.

Freelancers and self-employed millennials can also reap the rewards of a 401K by investing in a Solo 401K plan. Solo 401Ks are flexible and offer high-contribution limits with little to no setup or administration fees. 

If you don’t have a lot to invest initially, that is okay because these accounts generally do not require much to get started.

The two key factors with any type of retirement investing account are:

1. Don’t withdraw money early. If you have an emergency, have funds set aside specifically for these types of things.

2. Let compound interest work in your favor. The sooner you can begin investing, the more you’ll have when you are ready to retire.

Position Yourself for Retirement Savings with Freedom Financial Network

While the idea of utilizing the free money from your company or earning compound interest sounds very appealing, it can also be frustrating if you are struggling with debt. 

You see how money could be working in your favor, not against you, but getting to that point feels like a long and distant road. First, don’t give up. You didn’t get in debt overnight nor can you get out of debt overnight.

However, you may be able to relieve it quickly with help through one of the companies that are part of the Freedom Financial Network: Freedom Debt Relief. 

It has been helping customers successfully resolve their debt and reach other financial goals since 2002, and they could help you too. With certified debt counselors who will listen to your situation and help you find the right solution, you could be on your way to freedom from debt sooner than you thought possible. 

And with your debt resolved, you can begin building your future and your retirement savings.