4 Techniques for Financial Success That Will Surprise You

The secrets to financial success are not actually that secret. They can simply just be difficult to achieve. These four surprising techniques for financial success will put your finances on the right track.

Invest

Investing is a very practical skill and how most people with significant amounts of money got rich. Its sheer influence over financial success is what will surprise you. There are many different kinds of investments you will need to understand, including stocks, funds, bonds, and more. Know your risk tolerance. 

Remember that, in most cases, you don’t lose or gain any money until you actually withdraw investments and that values will change over time. To be successful at investing you will have to take the time and learn how it works to make the best possible decisions.

Save for Retirement Early

Many, many people neglect their retirement savings. Would it surprise you to learn that just about every age group has far too little in retirement savings? You will likely not be able to live on social security alone when you retire. 




Take advantage of any employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts from the moment you get your first job. You can also utilize investments, outlined above, to grow your retirement savings so you can enjoy your golden years while having enough money to live on.

Watch Your Credit

Your credit rating and score are essentially a history of your financial reliability. Credit checks are done in a large variety of circumstances, including by landlords, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and employers. 

Odd things such as closing accounts, not utilizing credit, credit reporting errors, and getting parking tickets can affect your credit score. If your credit is poor, there are ways you can improve it, including fast credit repair services, working hard, and budgeting well to get your finances back on track.

Budgeting

Perhaps the single best thing you can do to achieve financial success is to have a budget and stick to it. Doing so means you are less likely to overextend yourself by borrowing more than you can afford. 

It will help you set up good financial habits such as paying all bills on time and putting a little into savings each month. While budgeting is hardly a surprising financial tip, its effectiveness certainly is.

In most cases, financial success comes from using the money you do have wisely. These tips may not be revolutionary but they will surprise you in their effectiveness. Don’t make your financial situation more complicated than it needs to be. With a solid foundation of good practices, you can achieve financial success over the course of your life.

How to Spend Your Personal Injury Settlement

Getting injured is never an enjoyable experience. Not only do you have to deal with the pain and suffering that comes from it, but there is often a ton of paperwork involved. In many cases, when you’re injured, it’s the result of someone else’s negligence, and you can be compensated as a result. This offers a nice silver lining, making a bad situation somewhat better.

However, once you receive your personal injury settlement, you can’t just go out and spend it all in one night. There are better ways manage your personal finances and knowing the best strategy can make your life a lot simpler going forward. Here are a few tips to help you out.

Pay Off Fees and Bills

The first thing you’ll want to do is pay off any expenses that came from the injury. Often, this primarily means medical bills. Unless your insurance covered everything, you likely have some leftover medical bills that you need to pay off. This personal injury settlement is designed to erase that medical debt, so make sure you put it towards that.

In addition, to get this settlement, you likely hired a lawyer. Trying to get a personal injury settlement without a lawyer is practically impossible, so it’s a good thing you hired one. In fact, according to these Manhattan personal injury lawyers, “When it comes to serious injuries – and especially those that will require long-term medical care – you should not file a claim and represent yourself. In order to get the settlement that you deserve, you must enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.” 




These lawyers aren’t free though, so you need to pay them. In most cases they will take their pay from your winnings, but just make sure you factor this in before you start spending your payment.

Think Long-Term

With your debts all paid, now it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to spend the remainder of your money. Many people make the mistake of going out and spending all of the money over the course of a couple of weeks. You don’t want to do this. Instead, you want to think long-term and how you can best stretch this money out for as long as possible.

While it may seem fun to take an exotic vacation now, in 6 months when you’re still having trouble finding work because of your injury, you’ll be happier if you still have some of your settlement leftover. So, when you start planning out how you’re going to spend your money, think years, not weeks.

Learn About Investments

To really think long-term, you need to learn about investments. The best thing you can do with your settlement money is find a good investment for it, and let it grow over time. Some people choose to invest in real estate, while others choose to put their money into stocks and bonds. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons to decide which method is best for you. Remember that you’re planning for the long-term, so it’s okay if your investment doesn’t pay off next month.

Seek Additional Advice

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed with this decision, don’t stress. Knowing how to best spend your money is difficult, and with such a large sum from your settlement, you’re worried about messing it up. In situations like this, the best thing you can do is get some help. Talk to a fiduciary and find out the best way to spend your money. Professional financial managers have the experience and knowledge necessary to set you on the right path and ensure your money goes to the right places.

Treat Yourself, Within Reason

Finally, don’t think that getting this settlement is all about your future. You’ve been through a tough time, so it’s okay to treat yourself a little bit. Take your family out for a nice dinner or get that new comfortable mattress you’ve been after. You deserve something nice to make up for this bad experience, just don’t go overboard. Keep it within reason and focus on your long term goals instead.

If you can do all of this, you should have an easier time spending your personal injury settlement. Then, a few months from now, when this painful experience is behind you, you’ll be doing better than ever because you planned things out in advance. This will hopefully help to make the entire experience a little easier to handle, and your personal injury won’t be any more cumbersome than it needs to be.

Give A Gift That Pays Off For Years - A 529 College Saving Plan

Instead of showering your child or grandchild with worthless things this vacation or birthday, provide a present that has more long-term worth: a 529 college cost savings plan.

And while looking for a plan can be complicated and more complicated, a new research study on 529s from WhatIsA529Plan.com could make the choice process easier.

529 College Saving Plan

With a state-sponsored 529 account, revenues are exempt to federal taxes as long as the withdrawals are used for certified education costs, including tuition and innovation. Even sweeter, lots of states use tax reductions to locals on contributions to a plan.

Remember, you do not need to limit your shopping to your own state's specific plan, nor is there any requirement that your future university student go to good old State U. in order to reap a 529's tax advantages.

And, keep in mind, it's the owner, not the recipient, who manages the possessions in a 529. You can generally link your account to your 529 account so you can make regular money saving contributions, if you wish.

Picking a 529 College Savings Plan

There's certainly a lot to think of when picking a 529: Which ones are the very best and worst strategies? How do charges accumulate? What about the quality of the investment management group? Efficiency?

That's where a brand-new report from WhatIsA529Plan.com, shows the best mutual funds and best places to save.

They just recently released the most current rankings of 529 plans, an extensive analysis of 62 plans across the country that hold about 95 percent of the more than $300 billion in financial investment possessions.

WhatIsA529Plan.com ranked the plans on more than simply investment efficiency. It likewise examined charges, financial investment management, financial investment choices, oversight and whether strategies offer any unique benefits such as scholarships, grants and matching programs.




Based on those factors, WhatIsA529Plan.com tagged a plan with either a gold, silver, bronze, neutral or unfavorable score.

4 plans made gold scores this year: Illinois' Bright Start College Savings plan, Invest 529 in Virginia, Nevada's Vanguard 529 College Savings plan and the MY529/Utah Educational Savings Plan.

There were 9 silver-rated plans, and 18 bronze, while 26 made neutral evaluations, which implies those plans still hold some appeal due to the fact that of state tax breaks.

WhatIsA529Plan.com, which has produced the 529 rankings, likewise acknowledged two "most enhanced" plans for 2019: The Oregon College Savings Plan and Arizona's Ivy Invest Ed 529 plan.

On the flip side, the site handed out unfavorable rankings on 5 plans mainly because they haven't cut charges as strongly as their counterparts. The worst plans: College Save in North Dakota, 529 College Savings in New Jersey, the GIFT college savings plan in Arkansas and the TD Ameritrade 529 college savings plan in Nebraska.

"The 529 industry continues to make substantial fee cuts, with so much more competition in the 529 investment space we are about to see many more fees starting to come down," stated WhatIsA529Plan.com director.

If you're thinking about gifting a 529 account to a child or grandchild, consult the plan supervisors to see if they provide a card or certificate of ownership that you can cover.

5 Things To Consider While Buying A Car For Investment Purposes

Your latest automobile purchase must have burned a hole in your pocket, but that doesn’t mean buying a car is always an investment. A wise investment is when you expect a return on the original amount of money you put in the asset. For example, the value of a house is more likely to appreciate over time. Stocks pay a dividend and appreciate.

However, unlike other expensive assets, a car starts to lose value the second you drive it off the parking lot. Most cars are high-maintenance and need regular services like gas, oil, repairs, and insurance. Usually, a car’s value depreciates every year and is worth less money as time passes.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn’t buy a car. Almost everyone buys cars several times throughout their adult years. Today, we are going to discuss different ways that can ensure that purchasing an automobile is a good investment for the long haul. Here are X things to consider to make sure that your next car purchase is a wise investment for the future:

Buy a used car

You will be surprised to know that buying a used car can often get you the best deal. Visit scrap car buyers or used car dealers if you’re tight on budget and looking for an essential vehicle in the least amount of money. 





A late used car model means that you can save some extra bucks through reduced maintenance and warranty coverage. However, these factors are only applicable if you have done adequate research beforehand and gotten the used car inspected from a trusted mechanic. Which brings us to our next point...

Do your research

If you’re looking to buy a car for investment purposes, then you can’t skimp on a thorough investigation. Make sure you have evaluated some hard data about various kinds of car models before you approach a car dealership.

Invest in classic cars

Thanks to the internet, there are lots of classic car auction sites that can help you spot a great classic car. Many websites offer valuation tools and a classic car newsletter to help you stay updated. Buying a classic car has a lot more emotional value and is considered a better investment than owning stocks and bonds.

Choose a reliable brand

Another big factor to look while investing in a used car is to make sure that the automobile brand is reliable. Focus on brands that have a relatively high-reliability element, such as Honda and Toyota. Research consumer reports about the reliability of a particular model and also study how the cost of spare parts will affect your car insurance later on.

Reliability is critical because it will minimize your car’s repair costs in the long run and will also give it a longer life on the roads. Both scenarios will put back cash in your pocket.

Start saving today

The last tip of this article is that if you're planning to buy a car for investment purposes, start saving now instead of taking out a loan. You don’t want your savings to go down back on returning the loan.

Conclusion:

We hope these tactics will help you in dealing with the pain of buying a car for investment purposes. Start applying all these rules together and you will notice that your yearly vehicle expenses will reduce significantly over the long run. This means you’ll have a car that not only runs better but also has smaller monthly payments and you might land up with some savings!

Do you have any tips and tricks that can help people buy a car for investment purposes? Share your best-kept used car buying secrets with us in the comments below:

AUTHOR BIO

About Erica Silva. Erica Silva is a blogger who loves to discover and explore the world around her. She writes on everything from marketing to technology. She enjoys sharing her discoveries and experiences with readers and believes her blogs can make the world a better place.

Find her on Twitter: @ericadsilva1

Checklist For Tax Preparation

Ready or not, it’s time to start thinking about your taxes. Gathering the appropriate documents in advance can speed up the preparation process and help you take advantage of money-saving tax breaks. Here’s a list of items most taxpayers need to file their tax return.

Personal information

• Social security numbers and birth dates for you, your spouse and your dependents
• A copy of your prior year tax return
• Routing number and account number to receive your refund via direct deposit

Income

• W-2 forms for you and your spouse
• 1099-C forms for cancellation of debt
• 1099-G forms for unemployment income, or state or local tax refunds
• 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B forms for investment or interest income
• 1099-MISC forms for independent contractor income
• 1099-R forms for distributions from IRAs or retirement plans
• 1099-S forms for sale of property income
• SSA-1099 for Social Security income
• Alimony received, paid
• Income and expense from a business
• Income and expense from rental property
• Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling/lottery winnings, scholarships, Medical Savings Account (MSA), unreported tip income, prizes and awards

Expenses

• Forms 1098 for mortgage interest, points and private mortgage insurance
• Form 1098-E for student loan interest
• Form 1098-T for tuition paid
• Federal and State estimated tax payments
• Medical and dental expenses (including medical mileage, long term care health insurance)
• Real estate and personal property taxes
• State and local taxes
• CASH and NON-CASH charitable donations (including mileage driven)
• Casualty and theft loss (only for federally declared disasters)
• Gambling losses to the extent of winnings
• Child care costs including care provider identification
• IRA contributions
• Qualifying energy expense for home improvements
• Receipts for classroom supplies (educators in grades K-12 only)
• Receipts for moving expenses (members of the military only)

Other

• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
• 1095-B, 1095-C Health Insurance Verification Form

ezTaxReturn.com is the fastest and easiest way to do your taxes and get the biggest possible refund, guaranteed.

Knowing Aflac and the Insurance Plans Covered - Auto, Disability Insurance and Health Care

There is virtually no way to avoid being bombarded by commercials and advertising aimed at selling you the latest and greatest car, truck or SUV. Whether you choose what you drive for “status” or if it is merely a transportation necessity, the automobile is a part of daily life in North America.

And for every automobile ad you see or hear, there is likely to be an auto insurance ad nearby. After all, if you have a car, there is a very good chance that you have car insurance. But do you have enough? And do you have the right insurance? Far too often we discover the deficiencies in our insurance coverage after it is too late.

For a family living on a fixed budget, with little or no savings, a major automobile accident can be a significant setback. Even if your auto insurance covers damages to property and your liabilities, there are often collateral expenses that are not covered and can be a significant financial burden. 

Fortunately, Aflac, an insurance carrier, has an insurance product which helps policyholders in time of need when their primary auto insurance is not enough. Aflac car insurance, however, is not your typical auto insurance policy, which can create confusion for those trying to understand exactly what insurance options they have with Aflac.




To help you better understand, Aflac is a known as a supplemental insurance company, meaning, Aflac covers what typical insurance coverage exempts. These exemptions might include lost wages. Therefore, the Aflac auto insurance policy supplements disability insurance policies. 

As such, an Aflac auto policy may only be purchased as an addition to insurance from a typical carrier. Such a safeguard may be a wise investment for those unforeseen extra liabilities that you may encounter after an accident.

Understanding Aflac Car Insurance

Vehicular accidents are unpredictable and sometimes fatal. The bills that come thereafter can be financially crippling, affecting your family’s economic stability. You may require time off work to recover, during which you still need to pay your bills. 

In the long run, if not well prepared, the stress of juggling between paying hospital bills and meeting your family’s everyday needs can make your present and future financial stability. In extreme circumstances, bankruptcy may be the end result.

To help reduce that stress and burden, Aflac provides a lifeline by providing disability insurance policies, including an auto insurance supplement - that is why there is no Aflac auto insurance, per se. The Aflac car insurance policy is like an insurance for your insurance. 

It kicks in when the policyholder is incapacitated after an accident and unable to return to work in a timely manner. The Aflac policy provides additional financial resources to keep the bills paid and the bank account balanced when income stops as a result of an accident.

Aflac has become a globally popular supplemental insurance provider and there are several reasons customers are finding Aflac auto insurance worth the investment.

To start with, several Aflac car insurance plans include rider insurance

A rider insurance option comes in handy as it addresses any extra medical costs resulting from the accident and gives the victims a recurring income. The accident victim still receives an income while recuperating. The rider insurance is very expensive not offered by most insurance companies that alone should help you see why Aflac’s plan is so popular.

Since the rider insurance is not affordable to all, Aflac has a supplemental insurance provision which extends to what other auto insurers will not cover. That is, the Aflac car insurance takes care of dental care, daily income expenses, intensive care, short-term lost wages, ambulance services, emergency room costs and extended hospital stays. With all these being included in the insurance plan, why would a policyholder opt out of Aflac?

Aflac Claims - Car Insurance

With a better understanding of the Aflac car insurance policy, one can’t help but wonder how effective Aflac is in terms of paying out a victim’s claim. Some insurance providers manage their policyholder claims through third party companies, which can be a great inconvenience to the policyholder. 

Aflac does things a little differently. Once an Aflac car insurance claim is made, Aflac makes payment directly to the customer with no third parties involved. This reduces delays in payment and frustration on the part of the insured party. Additionally, Aflac has a great deal of care for its customers, demonstrating this through offering immediate benefits to a victim’s spouse in case of serious bodily harm.

Aflac’s ability to pay claims quickly and efficiently not only saves the victim and family members a great deal financially but also provides them peace of mind while the afflicted receive necessary medical attention.

Disability Insurance

Notwithstanding the unique Aflac car insurance, this insurer differentiates itself from other insurers particularly in its mode of operation. Instead of your typical insurance coverage, Aflac treats companies, non-profit organizations and individual clients to the disability insurance coverage. Their product ensures that the policyholder does not endure financial struggles after being injured while on the job or if they fall ill which leads to an inability to work.




Aflac’s medical and disability plans protect companies as well. Aflac offers plans that can be purchased in terms of group coverage. The group policy covers all employees in circumstances of illness or injury. The coverage comes into effect if they are incapacitated while on the job. All an employer has to do is to file a claim and will be ensured that their employee will be handed a financial lifeline.

The Aflac disability insurance plan is everything you will need, not only for your vehicle. Whether you are an individual or a group, this coverage will be your solution in times of accidents.

Healthcare

One might assume that since Aflac’s services are aimed at helping people meet their medical needs, there must also be an Aflac health insurance plan. Sadly, there is none. Aflac has, however, designed the disability insurance to work together with a policyholder’s health insurance coverage. Thus, there is no Aflac healthcare coverage.

A policyholder may only be eligible for Aflac’s insurance with an existing health insurance plan. In fact, many insurance providers will present their own policyholders with Aflac’s policy option as a way to supplement the purchased health insurance plan. The wide range of medical costs covered by Aflac is definitely worth supplementing the standard health plan.

About Aflac

There is no argument that the Aflac duck is the best corporate mascot ever. But the duck alone is not the star of the show. Founded in 1955, Aflac has gained worldwide popularity as a result of consistently meeting their customer’s needs and keeping their promises. Aflac has millions of satisfied customers with policies that include vision, dental, accident, cancer, life, short-term disability, hospital indemnity and hospital intensive care covers.

Aflac’s claim-handling procedures set them apart from their competitors. Policyholders can file their claims on their website or over the phone. Claims are typically paid within a few days and, in some instances, on the same day, reducing stress and financial burdens for their customers. 

Aflac’s world-class customer service has made it a trusted name in the insurance industry. This is, after all, what defines a good insurance company and customer relationship. Although Aflac is not the only option for supplemental insurance, it has built itself a name through exemplary service.

Through the decades Aflac has extended its services across the United States, Canada, Japan, and other nations, proving that supplemental insurance can ease people’s financial struggles in times of accidents and illnesses.

Aflac’s excellent customer service and unique delivery of insurance plans makes it a top option for your supplemental insurance needs. Do yourself a favor by insuring yourself against unexpected accidents and financial stress with Aflac automobile insurance or disability insurance.