Your Debt Checklist
A Debt Checklist is the only sensible way to organize and control your finances. Most people aren't actually aware quite how much debt they possess - in fact, a recent survey found that almost 75% of UK adults were up to ?5000 out when asked to estimate their non-mortgage debt. They weren't much better when asked to produce a cashflow statement showing how their hard earned cash was being spent each month! A Debt Checklist is a plan you can use to get a grip on your finances, and will allow you to understand in black and white, where savings can be made, and how debt can be tackled most effectively.Obviously, you will have a savings account. If you DON'T, go open one now. Choose a large, reputable bank or loan company so you won't have any problems getting access to your funds when you need them.Secondly, you need to cut back on your credit card spending.
Credit card companies do everything they can to encourage you to spend, and even more to try and cajole you into only paying off the minimum each month, making credit cards the MOST expensive way to borrow money you are ever likely to come across. If you find yourself paying for 'small' items with a credit card, you are asking for trouble. Not only will you be that annoying person in the front of the grocery queue at Walmart paying by card, but you will also rapidly lose ANY idea of what you have spent, and where. Debit cards are SLIGHTLY better than credit cards for these small purchases, but not much - you will still face a terrible temptation to spend more (up to 50% more than paying by cash, if recent surveys are to be believed!)You MUST pay more than the minimum payment each month - if you don't your debts will be around for a LONG time! It can take over 20 years to pay off a measly $1,000 credit card bill if you simply pay the 2% minimum each month. At the end of this, the interest payments you have made will FAR exceed the original debt! And that, of course, is how credit card companies afford those swanky downtown offices.If you have dependents, you need insurance.
It may seem like an extra cost right now, but believe me, it is 'Murphy's Law' - if you don't have it, you will need it imminently! Auto insurance, Mortgage Payment Protection, house insurance and life insurance are a basic set you need. This point is related to pensions, too. Start as early as you can. If you don't have a pension plan now, start it immediately. The tax advantages just can't be missed.
And the earlier you start, the sooner compounding has a chance to work it's magic. And compounding is the secret that will determine if you have a comfortable retirement, or live in a shack, eating beans. And don't try and kid yourself you won't make it to old age - bet you will, and bet you will be surprised how expensive everything is in 30 years!Read up on money, and money topics. If you understand how cash works, the chances of getting into serious debt decrease dramatically. I'm not saying you have to read the Wall St Times, but an understaning of interest rates and compounding won't hurt.
That's about it for now - Get saving!.
Dave is a freelancer who contributes to www.NoDebtEver.com the free get out of debt fast siteIs Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
You and your landlord share a common goal: You both want to ensure the protection of your interests. Obtaining a security deposit from you -- usually ranging from $100 to a full month's rent, and averaging $250 -- is how your landlord obtains a degree of insurance from you. The deposit covers your landlord should you cause any damage to your apartment while you are a tenant. Your landlord, in turn, may keep the deposit if you fail to pay your rent or you leave before the end of your lease. However, if, as a tenant, you keep your end of the bargain -- following the terms of your lease and leaving your apartment in good condition when you leave -- the deposit is refundable.So how do you protect your own interests as a tenant? Renters' insurance.
If you're an apartment-dweller, you're probably accustomed to brochures dangling from your door that advertise various renters' insurance policies. And if you're like many renters, you probably disregard them. But you may want to consider...
Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
Insurance > Is Renters' Insurance Really Necessary?
Vision insurance: An ideal way to protect your eyes
Eyes are a gateway to the panorama of the world around us. Eyes constitute one of the most important senses of the human being. Though it is difficult to maintain a 20/20 vision, yet it is one of the most important sections of our very existence. Hence, it is essential to take utmost care to upkeep it in a healthy state. Vision insurance
can facilitate you in this endeavor.
?Vision insurance' is a comparatively new chapter in the world of insurance. Often, health insurance
does not encompass vision insurance as a part of coverage. Considering the expenses of glasses, laser surgeries, and contact lenses; vision insurance is definitely a good idea.
This form of insurance usually does not constitute as a part of a regular health insurance. With the rising expenditure involved in the upkeep of your eye, vision insurance plays an...
Insurance > Vision insurance: An ideal way to protect your eyes
A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry
There's a relatively unknown market in the insurance industry that consumers need to know about.
This is a market where a single agent can offer you multiple choices from multiple companies.
This is the independent insurance agency market.When you have an independent agent (IA) who you know and trust, you shouldn't have to find a new agent again.
As an IA you have the ability to "shop" a customer with numerous insurance companies, finding them the best rate and coverage, so they don't have to.
Imagine what happens the next time the renewal comes on your insurance and the premium is suddenly $500 higher than it was before.
With an IA, all you need to do is call.
They have the ability to try and find a similar policy with another company; you haven't changed agents, given personal information to strangers, or gone through the monotonous task of shopping your insurance.
Instead, you left it to an expert.Depending on the size...
Insurance > A Different Light Shed on the Insurance Industry
Getting The Most Out of Your Travel Deals
The lowest and the cheapest travel deals are not always the best deal. Today, travelers could be overwhelmed by the numerous travel deals being offered. Therefore you should weigh all options before choosing the right one in order to get the most out of it.
The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discount is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them.
And importantly, always plan ahead.
Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.
Whether you're a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:
1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.
2. Buy your tickets all at the same time instead...
Insurance > Getting The Most Out of Your Travel Deals
Health insurance plans
Health Insurance plans vary but dependant on the scope of coverage offered health insurance plans most often pay for part or all of the cost of the following types of services:
Basic services like visits to the a doctor's office; surgery; hospital care; physical therapy; mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Prescription drugs.
Preventive and diagnostic services such as physical exams; immunizations; annual gynecological (well-woman) exams; cancer screening (Pap tests, mammogram's, prostate exams etc); x-rays; laboratory tests and if needed second opinions for surgery.
Wellness programs, for example to help you stop smoking; weight-loss programs; stress-control courses; discounts at fitness facilities; health-related information via the Internet.
Emergency care. Generally speaking, your situation is an emergency if you expect the following to happen if you do not seek care:
You would jeopardize your health or your child's health....
Insurance > Health insurance plans
Discount Auto Insurance - Keep Your Hard-Earned Money
Finding discount auto insurance is so easy when you do an online search. There are many insurance companies that do offer this option for many customers who want to search through several different companies to get the best possible quotes. With many of these sites, all you have to do is select the type of discount auto insurance you need, fill in a short form and receive quotes from as many as six different online insurance companies. An online automobile insurance quote saves you time and money. You no longer have to spend time using the telephone trying to get discount auto insurance or take time off from work to visit each of the automobile insurance company offices.
You can do an online search at any time of the day or night and receive an instant quote in your inbox. Depending on the site, you may have to wait up to 24 hours for the quote or longer if you submit the quote request on a weekend. When you look for discount auto insurance there are many types of discounts that...
Discount Auto Insurance - Keep Your Hard-Earned Money
Insurance > Discount Auto Insurance - Keep Your Hard-Earned Money
Life Insurance ? Wise Investment In Personal Finance Or Excessive Caution?
Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial protection for your family in the event of your death, upon which a payment is made to your financial beneficiaries, heirs or family members.
The extent of this payment will depend on your insured sum and earnings.
Life insurance and life assurance may be interlinked in advertisements, though bear in mind the two policies are different.
Life assurance is a form of financial protection which is also an investment, as you should always get a pay-out at the end of the term of the policy.
Life insurance on the other hand is simply financial protection for your family, avoiding the issue of debt in the event of your death.According to an article by the Fair Investment Company, the British life insurance industry shrank to almost half the size of the pensions industry last year and according to the Association of British Insurers, less than 50% of UK households hold a life insurance policy.In...
Insurance > Life Insurance ? Wise Investment In Personal Finance Or Excessive Caution?
Innovation In Online Jobs Search. Niche Publishers Leading the way
(ContentDesk) March 25, 2006 -- Niche jobs board InsuranceJobsBoard.com the Jobs Portal dedicated to the Insurance and Financial Services sector today announced the launch of its industry specific job search tool bar. This new innovation allows jobs seekers direct access to the site from anywhere in the web and links straight into the search functionality enabling direct and proactive search of the 1000s of vacancies currently advertised.Additionally the toolbar functionality features access to job seeker resources such as google search, live industry news, google & yahoo finance, rss feeds and industry blogs. It's an entirely free download, with no spyware or viruses, does not open pop-ups or hijack
searches, and no personal information is required for installation. User trials conducted via jobseekers and advertisers registered with the site have found it to be a superb tool to assist in their job seeking activities and account management.Commenting on the launch of this new...
Insurance > Innovation In Online Jobs Search. Niche Publishers Leading the way
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