By Mark Allen in Personal Finance on January 5 2009
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Laws can be confusing sometimes. How much coverage is you required to have? What is the minimum amount? Do you have to have liability? What if you drive to other states? The questions are endless and it can be confusing at times.
To answer these questions, call your insurance agent. They will have all the best information about state and regional laws that involve you and your vehicle. It’s their job to know all this and help you with it. Before you call, make sure you have all your questions ready so you don’t forget.
In each state, there is a minimum requirement of coverage that must be accounted for. Some states require one or two, but all three types of coverage are “injury to another”, “injury to all people”, “damage to property”. Some state require liability only, other require all three.
One of the most unsought of thing is traveling to another state. You must have auto insurance coverage to conform to that state’s laws. Call your insurance before you cross state lines to change coverage to meet the local requirements.
You can choose instruments that will be exempt from insurance coverage. This can be a moped or motorcycle in some states. This will save you gas money and insurance money. Unfortunately, they are unsafe and the odds of you getting hurt are greater than a car.
Most states require that you keep your proof of auto insurance in your car at all times. If you are pulled over by a police officer, you must provide proof of insurance. There are heavy fines if you don’t have it. If you forgot it or it expired and you didn’t get the updated version in the mail. Simply contest the ticket and provide proof to the judge and they should wave the fine.
We all want cheap auto insurance. Maintaining a clean driving record is the biggest factor; knowing the laws is the first step.
By Matt Douglas in Personal Finance on January 5 2009
by Matt Douglas
If you have a tax lien on your credit report, you should take immediate action to remove it. This is a very bad mark and will lower your score considerably.
The first step is to have the bureaus validate the lien. You need to send each bureau a dispute letter.
Unfortunately mistakes do happen on your report; there are estimates that 1 in 4 people have an error on their report.
Once your letter is received an investigation will occur. The bureaus will contact the government and ask them to verify your debt. If it is verified you are going to have to make payment to remove it from your report.
Depending on the amount you owe it may be in your interest to contact a tax negotiator. This is because they can often negotiate a reduced payment for you. However you can also negotiate directly with the government.
A tax lien can be collected upon for 10 years, and will stay on your report for 7 years once it is paid. If not paid then you can be reporting a tax lien on your report for a considerable amount of time.
Once you pay your lien in full, we suggest you wait 3 months and then dispute the mark with the bureaus again. It has been learned that once payment is made the tax departments will frequently ignore validation requests from the bureaus.
This means your tax lien will not be verified and the bureau will erase it from your report. However if this mark is incorrect to start with you can demand proof that the account is yours, and send any documentation you have to prove your side.
Repayment
The IRS and state governments are willing to accept partial payment. It is called OIC (offer in compromise), this means you are settling your tax debt for less than the balance.
The government will look at; your ability to repay, your income, your assets, and what they expect to recover. Additionally it will help your chances of acceptance, if you attach a letter showing financial hardship.
It may be in your interest to hire a tax attorney or negotiator to help negotiate a repayment amount. It is not absolutely necessary but nonetheless a good idea.
In sum, you can remove a tax lien and should. You don’t just have to wait seven years for this mark to fall off naturally.
By Jenni Snook in Personal Finance on January 4 2009
by Jenni Snook
Each month, without personal finance software, does your income seem to do a magic trick and disappear? How many times have you thought about where the money went upon receiving your credit card bill? Think back to the most recent time you used the ATM to take money out of your account, has it all already disappeared? It’s possible that you may currently find yourself in one of the above situations and have trouble monitoring and controlling your personal finances.
Each and every time that you turn around, you will discover yet another bill that has to be paid, and then before you know it, your whole entire paycheck has been paid out in bills and maybe a little extra as well. Living from paycheck to paycheck is certainly not an ideal way to live your life as this would mean struggling to meet your financial obligations. You may even resort to credit, which could potentially cause more problems.
It’s probable that you have wondered on many occasions how you got to be in such a situation. Rest assured that you are by far not the only one struggling in the financial area of your life. Today on average, an individual has 1 income stream which then has to distributed to another 30 sources, this is how modern society is today.
By simply looking at the amount of payments you make on a regular basis such as credit cards, mortgages and insurance, you should be able to see why money seems to disappear so quickly before our eyes. Nevertheless, how would you feel if you could always know where money went and shape your life in a way that would guarantee you financial freedom for a long time? Fortunate for you, where you find a will, there is certainly a way.
There exists a highly recommended piece of personal finance software known as Family Finance Planner. What Family Finance Planner is, it’s a free piece of budgeting software for families available online on many websites.
It’s quickly being taken up throughout the personal finance world and it could provide the solution to your financial problems for you and your family. It’s surprisingly very easy to use and you would be mad not to give this piece of personal finance software a try.
About the Author:
Jenni Snook is the premier writer of http://www.HealthyWealthySoul.com, a website focused on providing people recommendations and tools on personal finance software to have both financial and spiritual bliss in their lives.
By John Cooper in Personal Finance on January 4 2009
by John Cooper
You do not have to just wait for negative marks on your credit report to fall off. You can remove them and improve your credit score.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act that was passed by Congress gives you the right to dispute any item on your report. This act also makes it law that if the item is not verified by the creditor then the bureau must delete it from your credit report.
You can dispute an item through the dispute process. This is done yourself by writing a dispute letter or you can hire a service to dispute items on your behalf.
Once the bureaus get your letter they will investigate the dispute. They will contact the creator of the item and get them to verify the account, the account balance, and the dates on the account.
If the creator is unable to verify the account then it must be deleted from your report. The easiest items to remove have been learned to be a charge off, repossession and a late payment after they have aged for two years.
This is because the creditor has gotten some form of payment for your debt. For example with a charged off credit card the creditor has sold your debt to a debt collector. Therefore the creditor has no reason to save records of your account.
Recent delinquent accounts, tax liens, judgments, and bankruptcies are more difficult to remove. If you have one of these marks then hiring a service is a good idea, because they have advanced dispute tactics.
If you have a service and your disputed item is verified then they can use advanced dispute techniques to remove the item. The techniques include; creditor direct intervention, escalated dispute information requests, and debt validation.
In addition it will help your credit score if you open a revolving line of unsecured credit. I suggest a bad credit credit card. This will help you build a positive payment history which is very important when your score is being calculated.
In sum you do not have to wait seven years to repair your credit. You can have a good credit score by removing derogatory items and building a positive payment history.
By Dan Moskel in Personal Finance on January 3 2009
by Dan Moskel
Wired Plastic Card is a prepaid Visa debit card. You must deposit money on your card and then you can use your card to make purchases or access cash through the ATM.
It is accepted over the phone and online. You card can be used anywhere you see the visa logo displayed.
You can sign up for free account alerts via text messaging and e-mail. This card can be used to book hotel reservations or rent a car.
It has a very unique benefit; they offer card holders a rewards program. You can earn 1 point for every dollar you spend with your card.
These points can be redeemed at participating retailers which includes; Verizon Wireless, Cingular, T-Mobile and more. You can use your points to pay your phone bill; purchase music downloads or ring tones.
This card is issued by Bankfirst and it offers free direct deposit. There is a low $3.95 monthly fee compared to the competition which ranges from $9.95 to $19.95 a month.
Your card can also be used to write physical paper checks to pay your bills. This will eliminate your need to purchase money orders. You can also deposit money on your card through 100,000 retail locations and use pay pal or a bank account transfer.
They offer guaranteed approval for this card regardless of your credit history. This card also gives you a 30 day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason you can receive a full refund.
This card is very similar to a check card and checking account. If you are in chexsystems then it can save you money on check cashing fees and buying expensive money orders.
You must be a US resident and able to identify yourself in accordance to the Patriot Act to qualify. In addition you also must be 18 years or older.
In sum the Wired Plastic Visa is a great choice. It works just like a checking account.
By Jill Brennan in Personal Finance on January 3 2009
by John Brennan
Before the economy burst into crisis recently, you were able to get a credit to buy a car virtually from any company. This companies and banks stopped caring about who was asking for their money as long as the rates at which they were lending were high enough. This resulted in authorizing loans to many people that had a very bad credit history.
Today with the credit market in a huge crunch, even gigantic corporations can’t get loans much less the little guys. Even the netquote market is ugly. Some are better than others, especially for car insurance quotes, but financing is a whole other matter.
So, you still need a car loan, right? The first thing you need to do is find a dealer who needs to dump some inventory. This is usually easiest from September through December, with the best market being between mid-November and mid-December. The less picky you are about brand name, the more choices you have.
The car youare going to buy shouldnat be very expensive, and always remember to take in account that youall need car insurance so you should quote this is advance, in order to avoid high premiums. Some cars come with many options so make sure that you just buy what you need in this moment, and maybe you could upgrade your car later.
When making a deal, make sure that you try to take advantage of the situation in which car dealers are right now. Instead of just getting a discounted price, you could also ask for payment facilities, free car service or gas bonus.
To be certain that you will be able to pay for the car, you should ask the dealer to tell you how much would you pay in a monthly basis and you can add this to the car insurance that you previously quoted. If the price seems reasonable, the you should look for a bank to make your application.
The institution where youall apply depends on your preferences. Most of the time, the dealers will recommend you a bank, but itas best if you do an investigation making use of internet and local companies that can offer the lowest rates.
Even if you have a bad credit history, the dealers are in a very tight spot right now, so if you are dedicated enough you should be able to find very good deals. Consider this an opportunity to rebuild your credit and start from scratch.
By Daniel Kane in Personal Finance on January 2 2009
by Eileen King
With the recent downturn in the economy people everywhere are feeling the effects of the current financial crisis. Banks and businesses are closing, people are being laid off from work and the outstanding debts are piling up. It seems as if the whole world is grappling with financial problems. Is there any help for overwhelming debt?
Even though you may feel you are overpowered by financial difficulties, help is available. As complicated as it may seem at the moment it really is possible to get out of debt. According to credit counselors, your first step to be determined to get out of debt and formulate a credit reduction plan.
In creating a plan will need “get real” about your debt. Do you know exactly how much you owe? Or, what interest rates you are paying on credit cards, and on your mortgage or your auto loans? Start by gathering and recording all of this information.
Next, make a list of all of your living expenses and the financial obligations you regularly incur each month. The list should include all of your monthly payments: credit cards, house payment or rent, car payments, utilities and insurance - everything. Until you know exactly what you owe, it will be difficult to construct a plan to get out of debt.
Once you have made a list of your current financial obligations it is time to make an appointment with an approved credit-counseling agency that has the met the requirements of the US Bankruptcy Code. Take the list of your debts and expenses when you meet with your credit counselor the first time. He or she will assess your situation and make recommendations. It is also possible that he or she will contact with your creditors to help you reduce your payments and/or your debts.
There is help for overwhelming debt if you make a plan and commit to it. Whatever you do, do not let feelings of helplessness overpower you. Instead, simply take the necessary steps to get out of debt and achieve financial freedom. It can be done.
About the Author:
Eileen King is a home-based freelance writer whose areas of interest include personal finance, online college education, and professionally and career-focused online degree programs for working adults.
By Ada Denis in Investing Tips on January 2 2009
by Ada Denis
Christmas time and the festive period in general is renowned for being a time where we all spend lots and sometimes more money than our pockets can afford. December and January are the months where many people take out store cards and credit cards to finance their purchases of gifts and other extravagances; in fact there are not many who don’t make use of a credit facility in one way or another.
However when January and February arrives so do the bills, this is a popular time for the cardholders to take out person loans to consolidate and ease their debts. Personal loans can be used for a multitude of purposes, not only to consolidate card and other debts but also perhaps to buy a new car, take a holiday, finance a wedding - the list is endless.
There are many personal loans on the market so it is worth shopping around to get the lowest interest rate available with the best terms and conditions to suit different personal needs. And as personal loans do not need to be offset with any security such as a house they are can be availed by tenants and homeowners alike.
It is very easy to shop around and compare the various loan types by going on-line and using one of the many websites on the Internet. The websites normally have a comparison table or a calculator to help to compare the various personal loans, including interest rates, available and there is no charge to the borrower for using this facility.
Comparing interest rates and the terms and conditions of loans, and all other financial products, is always recommended and this can be carried out with high street lenders such as banks, building societies and on-line lenders alike. The process of applying for and availing a personal loan using the on-line method however is the easier option as there are no long winded application forms to fill out, it can be carried out at your convenience either day or night and you can approach several lenders in a minimal amount of time.
By Mark Deaton in Stock Market on January 2 2009
by Mark Deaton
There are many rules to consider when trading with Bollinger Bands. The indicator appears difficult to understand on paper, but when the rules are followed, trading with Bollinger Bands can be both rewarding and easy to understand.
20,2 are just preset default figures - The N-period value of 20 and the K-period of 2 are just presets and the most generic application of Bollinger Bands to a trading system. Depending on the market, manipulating the values within the Bollinger Band makes for smoother or more volatile changes in the indicator and provides a better indicator. For volatile markets, smoothing the indicator with a greater N-value will create a more static Bollinger Band.
Bollinger Bands do not work alone. - This is what most people would tell you, and honestly I don’t use Bollinger bands exclusively, but I will say that what you learn on the surface about Bollinger bands is just the beginning. Bollinger bands can in fact be used with incredible precision all by themselves.
Stick with the trend. - It goes without saying that you ought to wait for a signal ands trigger in favor of the trend. Trading opposite the trend should be left to expert traders only. Use pivots and support and resistance to identify trend and direction, and take the triggers in favor of the trend.
Climbing or falling with the bands. - In the text books it is presented that price will hit a band and revert to the mean, and while this is true a lot of times, very often price and the band will continue in the opposite direction following the bands. This is an incredible trading opportunity for the trader that understand the explosive possibilities of following the bands.
Bollinger bands work well alone, but applying the magic of Bollinger bands with other forms of technical analysis is a sure way to send your results skyrocketing. Take for example a nice head and shoulders top. A great high profit, highly probable formation. Combine that with the final shoulder penetrating the upper Bollinger band and you have yourself an excellent point of entry.
Bollinger Bands set great price targets - Many investors use the 50, 100, and 200 period moving averages to calculate price targets. Bollinger Bands can be used in just the same way. When price bounces off the top range and crosses the center line, the next move is likely to the lower line. Consider the bands for profit targets.
Bollinger bands has just 2 values to set. The first is the N value, the second, K value is the standard deviation. 2 standard deviations is pretty common and works rather well in all timeframes. I like to set-up a 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 standard deviation one on top of the other. As far as the N value 10 is the absolute minimum. This is the look-back period and anything less than 10 is just noise.
Bollinger bands are not necessarily perfect for short trend and high volatility. Bollinger bands does measure and display high volatility it is not as effective on a 1to 5 minute chart as it is on say a 15 minute or hourly chart. Shorter term charts can experience volatility spikes that Bollinger bands may not signal.
Bollinger bands do not predict the future. In fact Bollinger bands are providing you with information only after price and not before. That said, the secret in trading Bollinger bands is your ability to understand and respond to Bollinger band signals as price approaches the bands. Watch closely how Bollinger bands responds to approaching price for clues on how to make the best trades.
Bollinger Band width is important too - Often forgotten, the width of the Bollinger Band does serve some importance to trading, especially in the realm of reversals and changes in direction. Mixing candlestick analysis with contractions in the Band width is a great way to trade reversals.
About the Author:
Bollinger bands are one of the most magical indicators you can apply . To master Bollinger bands feel free to visit our site to download our trading manual.
By Jim Bransby in Personal Finance on January 1 2009
by Jim Bransby
Credit cards are easy … too easy. The little applications come to you in the mail already filled out, and all you have to do is sign your name and you’re in. At first it seems too good to be true.
Then you get the card, and it’s easy to use. It’s just as easy as your debit card, except it doesn’t hit your bank account … yet. It hits your credit card debt, which is a killer. It’s very easy to keep spending and spending, and it’s very easy to lose track of how much you have spent.
A huge credit card debt is staring right back at you. The basic plan from the credit card company is something ridiculous, like a thirty year payment plan and the payment just goes up more and more every month to no end. Your new lifestyle of spending recklessly has left you in a mess, yet there is a way out.
They way out is to repair your past mistakes. Get rid of the credit card debt. Call the card company and ask them to work out a payment plan with you. Most of the time they are interested in getting their money back just like you are, so you can probably strike a deal for a reduced interest rate in exchange for a larger payment.
As soon as you get off the phone, cut up the card. Don’t trash it, because you might need the number for confirmation on a report or something, but cut it up so you can’t use it. Put it in a baggie and bury it in the closet, in your sock drawer, or somewhere else it is safe and you are not likely to pull it out and use it. Stopping the spending is critical.
As you make your payments on your credit card debt, you might still be hearing from other agents. Resist the urge to yell at them - they are people just like you trying to make a living, just their living is a lot more stress-inducing than yours. Instead, tell them that you are on the path to fixing your debt problem, starting with one of your large accounts.
Do not divulge the details of your arrangements elsewhere, because you might be on tape. Instead, let them know that you will be happy to discuss payments, but you respectfully need their understanding in negotiating. Do not agree to more payment than you can handle.
When all is said and done, you may be forced to miss a payment or two from time to time. However there is no need to lie and get in a mess again; instead just tell them you are having to pay off a lot of debts as is and will update them on the status of the bill, maybe even have them break it up. Soon you will be on your way to a debt free life with the credit card companies working on your terms - not theirs.
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