Finance Roll

I was just leaving the school, when I saw it. It was red, and fast, and I knew I had to have that car. There was only one problem, I was a broke teenager. Undaunted, I set out to make some money. In the back section of "Jugs" I saw my opportunity to cash in! All I had to do was stuff envelopes and I could make thousands from home. Eager to make my fortune, I sent in my $8.00 for the information package. When it arrived, I was ready to get started! All I had to do then was send in $40.00 for my supplies and mailing list, and watch the money roll in. I received my package a few weeks later. My supplies were: A list of 1000 names and addresses, and a cheap looking sales letter about how to make money stuffing envelopes! I was supposed to copy the letter 1000 times, cost= $50.00, buy 1000 envelopes, cost= $30.00, get postage, cost= $300.00 - luckily, the mailing list was printed on labels, I still have them around somewhere. I couldn't shell out $400.00 more on a plan that was immoral at best. So, I kept riding my bike to work, until I saved enough to buy a lemon. That year I learned two things, you can't always believe what you read, and no one is going to give you money for nothing. Only slightly dispirited, I still had my dreams of buying a really cool car, or buying a house someday.

When faced with these realities, one must take action, lay out a path. All too often, consumers take the path to financial ruin, sacrificing the future for immediate satisfaction. High unsecured debt, such as credit card debt and personal loans are a huge drain on your future success. Financing a brand new auto may feel great right now, but you just lost $10,000.00 when you pulled out of the lot. Do you need to spend $200.00 a month on a cell phone, or $50.00 a month on fancy coffee, or $150.00 a month on cigarettes or beer? We all have our weaknesses, things we can't do without, but let's look at the big picture. Pretending you are a low paid 19 year old, working at a box factory like I was, you manage to save one dollar bill each day, plus .78 cents in the jar. Even if you save it in the bank at 4% interest you will have over 14,600.00 at age 35. You are not rich, but you have enough for a down payment on a nice house. What if you were a saint and managed to save only 8% of your $6.95 an hour. If you never got a raise, you would have $26,050.50. by 35. Still not rich, hopefully you will get raises! Even still, if you did only this until age 68 - more than 175,000.00. would be in your bank account. Even those of moderate means can amass considerable amounts of wealth. Let's say you make 35,000 from age 25 to 55, and save 6.85% of it at 4%. Before age 55 you have around 140,000.00. In your low tax bracket you would keep it all.

These examples are fun to play with, lets take the same 19 year old, he finances a car he likes for 5 years at 8%. The car's price was 12,500.00. He pays $250.00 a month for five years, at the end of five years, he is $15,200 poorer, and it is time to buy another car. Bank the same amount over 5 years at 4% - 16,875 in your pocket, then you can buy the car in cash, invest the difference at 4%, and after 5 more years you are over $40,000.00 ahead of the guy who financed his cars. Obviously, these are just examples, but it proves the power of taking action in life. You can add to your future success, or detract from it. By holding off on immediate gratification, we can leverage small amounts of money into huge fortunes. Simple steps in budgeting and saving can lead to the life we want in the future.

One last example. Start at age 21 earning 20,000 a year. 5% raises each year, savings rate 7.5% @ 4% annual return, compounded monthly until retirement; age 66. The math gets tough here, but you will have well over 1,000,000.00, saving less than ten percent of your income. If you could master the discipline, becoming successful is only a matter of time and numbers. The good part is you get decide what numbers you want to input into the equation. The sooner you can start saving, the better. Higher returns on investment (ROI) are always good to seek out. 4% is a very low number, with a properly balanced portfolio, yields over 6% should be easily attainable, with little risk.

For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, vast amounts of money can be made through business ventures. Ordinary people like you and me have found a way to get the life they want. Get rich quick schemes aside, the internet provides the quickest way to reach an enormous customer base and generate multiple streams of income, perhaps creating a millionaire in the process. The only limits are your imagination, and your willingness to take decisive action. All people whom have generated massive fortunes, have one thing in common, they all took powerful action towards their goals. For more tools related to your financial success, be sure to visit http://www.mycreditbusiness.com.

Imagine that one day you open your wallet, gasp and think where did my money go? Now the questions really start rolling and you ask yourself when did all these credit cards get in there? Your head starts to spin as the reality sinks in. How much debt am I in? Can I afford to eat or feed my family? What happens if I lose my job? Do I have any savings for retirement? Then, suddenly you go blank, you start to feel anxious and the sleepless nights begin. You have financialitis.

Denial has served you well up to this point. Now you are able to see it for what it is - the truth. However, this did not occur overnight but was growing over a period of time. Now, take a good look at your wallet. It is floppy and gasping for air each time it is opened and closed, it is probably thinner in the cash section and has aged tremendously. The edges are frayed and worn and there may be nicks or scratches noted. The pockets may be lax or stretched from overuse or bursting with too many plastic cards and paper receipts. All of these reflect poor habits and are some of the telltale signs of financialitis, which is a pervasive, invasive and often destructive dis-ease of your personal finances.

How Did This Happen?

Perhaps, like most people, you have been listening to the news or one of those favorite financial channels telling tall tales about how the economy is recovering, how the unemployment rates are improving, or worst yet blaming some political party for all the problems. You went on with life as if it would not affect you personally but now see that it has in a big way. By not being honest, the media provides everyone with a false sense of security that everything will get better. But, it is not going to happen. In fact, it will probably get much worse which is what you are now finding out.

As previously written, financialitis can occur quite suddenly with a natural or catastrophic event, but most often it is due to long standing abuse, negligence or apathy regarding financial health. For example, most Americans during the 1980's experienced a time of growth and increased spending. As a society, we became much more materialistic as depicted by a popular Madonna song, "Material Girl". A whole generation grew up thinking that money was no object and spending can occur without any repercussion. Just charge it.

During this same time, we were brainwashed on the idea of saving for retirement in mutual funds and saw the explosion of an entirely new market for Wall Street and the financial world. Most people just handed over their money without really understanding all the ramifications of having other "experts" manage their money. The thinking was if the money was taken right from our paychecks, we would not miss it. The problem is we lost control of what happens to it and took no responsibility as to where the money was invested. It was a "too hard to learn, let someone else do it" mentality.

Adding Insult to Injury

Then in the 1990s and early 2000s, we saw the boom on real estate. The housing rush was everywhere and people went crazy for real estate with some areas affected more than others. New housing developments were going up in many parts of the country. Creative financing was started allowing more buyers than ever purchase homes, many above their means. But, everyone was happy - the financial firms, the banks, the builders, and of course the home buyers.

When the bubble broke and the financial bloodshed began, that is when everyone asked the question "how did this happen?" No one took responsibility. Not the financial market, not the banks, not the government regulators and not the general public. Everyone was guilty. Apathy, greed, money, and power all contributed to this current state and created widespread financialitis starting at the top and crashing onto the bottom.

When the stock market had its mini-crash in 2008, everyone lost. Well, not everyone... Seems the major banking firms received an enormous amount of money from the government which was to be used to stimulate confidence in the market and provide loans to the public. However, there was one big problem - they did not use it for what it was intended. There were no restrictions placed on how the money was to be used and these institutions were free to do whatever they wanted. Some were brazen enough to use this money to provide huge bonuses to employees, one planned a large party-atmosphere conference which was cancelled after public outrage, and the rest clamped down on mortgages and loans further adding to the real estate collapse already in progress. Government bailed out the banking industry with our tax money and we did not see a dime, but they received millions.

Why do I Have to Suffer?

What we are seeing now is the trickle-down effect of a complex, multi-layered nightmare devoid of any sense of responsibility or accountability on the parts of all the participants. Rising unemployment, increase cost in utilities and commodities, elimination of services, municipalities and states going bankrupt, and so on. In hopes to continue the charade and prevent massive public outrage, the Federal Reserve is printing paper money with dropping value in hopes to fool the world that all is well. They are fooling some, but not all. Those who are getting educated are seeing this for exactly what it is: a set up for the next big crash. What you must realize is someone has to pay the price.

The best thing people can do right now to lessen or eliminate the painful experiences of financialitis is to take responsibility and become educated. Do an in-depth analysis of what your expenses are, evaluate what you can afford and make responsible choices in how you spend and save your money. Be honest with yourself to determine how you arrived at your current financial state, learn how to eliminate your debt, and obtain knowledge on creating wealth. There is hope but you have to take action now and have unwavering conviction in resolving the problem. Commitment, responsibility and wealth education are the keys to success in overcoming financialitis.

I have just finished reading "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. The main idea of the book is to change your way of thinking about money in order to find more fulfillment in your life. Take the example blowing 50 pounds at the casino. After reading the book you should not only think about the 50 pounds you have wasted but also think about the 10-15 hours you have worked to make that 50 pounds in the first place. Time and Money down the drain.

The part of the book I found most inspiring though was the notion of finding your "Crossover Point". The Crossover Point is basically the month when your income from investments (or I assume Passive income streams) is enough to cover your expenses.

By following the rules of the book you will start a wall chart which shows your monthly total income, your monthly outgoings and your monthly investment income. Now as the months progress your monthly outgoings will initially drop (as you become more frugal) and then level out as the number of savings opportunities fall. Your monthly investment income however will continue to increase as compound interest kicks in. By extrapolating the two lines acrss the wall chart, you will eventually reach the stage where the investment income line passes through the expenditure line. That point is the Crossover point and is described in the book as "the pot of gold at the end of the wall chart". This concept of building residual income whilst lowering costs is the mainstay of all good financial titles. The ethos is also echoed in another book I am currently re-reading, "The Four Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss.

Please take a second to work out how far off your Crossover Point is. You may find that it is decades (or even centuries) off. if this is the case then now is the best time to start the two pronged attack. Slash your expenses and start putting 10% into investments, or else your Crossover Point may also coincide with your last breath!

Online entrepreneurship seems so divorced from the real world at times that we sometimes forget basic tenants of good business practice. By using the same rules that would fit any traditional business, the odds of success are greatly increased. Here are some general rules of business that carry over into the online world:

• Keep overhead low: Overhead for online may not be as steep as a the warehouse or heavy machinery you might find in the “real world,” but content and hosting dig into your bottom line, whether you realize it or not. Shop around and keep the prices as low as possible – never dismiss the costs. This goes hand in hand with the next suggestion…

• Keep good records: Good records help you assess strengths and weaknesses quickly. Calculating earnings and Return on Investment (ROI) is necessary to take your business to the next level.

• Find and keep good staff: If you decide to increase your exposure, both in terms of product and capital investment, you may be contracting out work. Whether it be a web designer or a writer, keeping track of the workers you can trust is essential. Build a reputation with your freelancers and treat them with respect, but don’t tolerate bad work.

• Build a brand: Make sure the customer can identify your product/online real estate with a very specific role or message. By having an easily identifiable message, customers will return to you. If the brand is very successful, you will become associated with you niche immediately, which is immensely valuable.

• Appeal to the customer first: Knowing what your customers want and constantly shaping content and products (not to mention message) around that need will keep you focused and successful.

• Invest in yourself: Once you know you can be profitable, be sure to invest some revenue in ways that will boost the effectiveness of the company. Whether it be a design overhaul or a new marketing campaign, don’t be afraid to roll profits back into a website to help it grow with more revenue.

While an online business may require less time to get off the ground, sound business principles should never be too far from any online entrepreneurs thinkinh. By being mindful of standard business practice, a savvy webmaster can keep their business efficient and profitable.

Amid the latest round of cooling measures in January 2013, which is one of the most comprehensive to date, Singapore's investors are turning to overseas real estate markets to profit from property investments.

Lured by news of a high-speed rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by 2020 and the rise of Iskandar Malaysia just across the Causeway, property investors are ever more eager to sink monies into Malaysian properties.

Farther away, across the European continent, Singaporeans are attracted to their former colonial master - Britain - as an investment destination. Specifically, London properties see warming buyers' interest with recent launches registering brisk sales. Just into 2013, and already several London property launches have made their way into Singapore, including Highwood House, Fulham Riverside and Chelsea Creek.

The attractions of London properties lie in their rising rental yields and strong capital values.

Thus both investment destinations (Malaysia and London) Singaporeans are eying have strong historical ties with Singapore, and now it looks like their investment ties are strengthening as well!

Interested buyers hoping to jump into this property investment bandwagon will likely finance their property purchases with a bank loan. Capitalising on this, banks are already rolling out mortgage packages for London and Malaysia exclusively.

One bank introduced 3-month SIBOR-pegged loans in Singdollar for property purchases in both places.

Borrowers have to be Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) only. For the latter who are also Malaysians, the added criteria is that they must not be residing in Malaysia.

Specifically, the bank's London mortgage package allows borrowing of between S$300,000 to S$3 million, with a maximum of 70% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.

On the other hand, its Malaysia's package allows for loans starting from S$200,000, with no upper limit. The LTV ratio is also 70%.

Both loan packages come with a lock-in period of only a year. During this period, partial or full repayment will be subjected to a penalty charge of 1.5% of the outstanding loan amount.

Loan cancellation will be subjected to a penalty of S$1,000 or 1.5% on amount cancelled or undisbursed, whichever is higher.

Loan tenure can be anything between 5 to 30 years with a cap of 70 years.

Similar to Singapore home loans for the island-city's properties, the two packages are available for building-under-construction projects, but only a progressive payment scheme is allowed.

However, for refinancing the property must be completed.

Very importantly, do take note that there is a call on margin if the LTV rises to 80% and above. When this happens borrowers will be asked to repay part (above the monthly installment amount) or all of their loan.

The success of any restaurant lies more on its equipment. The restaurant equipment includes cooking stoves, dining hall furniture, oven, bar equipment and so on. There can be number of different models of restaurant equipment. In fact Italian style restaurant equipment would not suit a Japanese style restaurant. However investment on any type of restaurant is very high and so financing restaurant furniture is often essential.

Bar equipment is essential for a classy restaurant with attached bar. The storage and display cabinets, bar furniture, excellent lighting systems etc are essential for the success of the restaurant. Due to their special nature, they are highly priced and so bar equipment financing is the best option to acquire them.

Bakery equipment is essential for a restaurant and it includes dough sheeters, mixers, baking ovens and so on. It also helps in bread and rolls production, pastry production and so on. Though essential, they can be expensive and many restaurant owners find it wise to go for restaurant equipment financing to acquire them.

Refrigeration equipment is essential to keep the food items and raw ingredients fresh. It comes in different models. Walk in freezers, walk in coolers, convenient store coolers etc are vitally important for a restaurant. The refrigeration system uses latest technologies to keep the food items fresh. Hence they carry high price tag and it is essential to look for refrigeration equipment financing.

Ice cream vending machines are also essential for a restaurant since many restaurants wish to prepare ice creams on their own. These machines assist in the preparation of various types of ice creams automatically. Hence it is priced high and restaurant equipment financing is the best option to acquire them.

Cooking grill is yet essential equipment in a restaurant. It is made up of heavy duty aluminum and it is easy to use. There are many varieties of cooking grills. They can use either gas fuel or charcoal to cook. Nowadays electric cooking grills are becoming more popular. Since cooking grills add taste and flavor to the food that are cooked with them, many restaurants use cooking grills in addition to cooking stoves and ovens. They are highly priced and so restaurant equipment financing is often desirable to purchase them.

Pizza oven is becoming more popular in fast food restaurants. People have alluring taste for pizzas nowadays. Hence pizza oven provides important contribution for generating profits in a restaurant. Many smart restaurant owners find it wise to go for restaurant equipment financing.

Restaurant equipment financing requires an expert approach. Hence it is important to seek reliable financing companies that have vast experience in handling food service equipment leasing. This helps to get fast approval of the desired amount. These financing companies provide assistance to the restaurant owners to acquire essential equipment at low interest rates. Hence the restaurant owners prefer financing restaurant equipment. A simple online application is enough to acquire financial assistance from such genuine financing companies. Therefore it is possible for almost all restaurant owners to buy the essential equipment.

Most times, the common complaint with people who have ideas is the problem of finances. Most peoples' dreams eventually die because they are waiting for and expecting one big money to land on their laps so that they can pursue their passions- that only happens in movies.

There are numerous ways by which you can raise funds for your business, if you are hungry enough to pursue it. But firstly, you need to have a plan; the month of April will be dedicated to developing a business plan.

SELF FINANCING:
I call this self financing as a way to raising funds for your business on the premise that you understand you are different from the business. What happens when you bring money out of your savings or save money towards starting your business is that you are borrowing the business some money or investing in the business to start.

To self finance, you could determine when you want to leave paid employment, or when you want to start and then begin to save gradually towards it. Self financing is the most common methods, but then lots of people get into trouble when using this system because the feel they own the business and the money and as soon as the first signs of money begins to roll in, they eat it up. But it remains the safest method.

INVESTMENT: sales & liabilities
This is like the first where you sell what you have to secure what you want to achieve. There are times when money may not be available but we have investments or liabilities stored somewhere. If you are truly passionate about your dreams, one of the things that will test your commitment is what you are willing to give up for it. I know people who went into businesses and gave up cars, lands, which could be an asset or a liability depending on the expense and cost. But if you see farther ahead of the present assets and enjoyment, nothing will be too small to give up for the business.

PARTNERSHIP :
This occurs when you usually realize the dream may be bigger than your funding which is usually the case. But then a note of warning; sharing your idea exposes it to duplication or poaching, but then if you want your vision to grow, you've got to share it. Partnership is the coming together under agreed terms on the various issues; roles and functions, funding and profit sharing.

When your dream is bigger than you, or your interests, partnership might be the next thing on your mind. You might want to engage the services of a stronger company, or some one with a lot more cash than you presently have.
But then like I said, be careful of sharing your ideas with poachers, in further editions we will be discussing protecting your intellectual property.

FRIENDS & FAMILY:
Another avenue is to leverage on family leanings and relationships to develop the amount you need to start your business. This is using other people's money (OPM) to finance your ideas. There are friends and family members who have the cash you need to start your business. if your plan is convincing enough, and very viable, it is sure to receive the amount of resources needed.

HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS
This is using other people's money (OPM) to finance your ideas. There are high net worth individuals who have the money and are looking for people who have ideas and need funding. These people are willing to look at your ideas and help you fund it, some may seek to partner with you on the business, while some have funding companies as part of their own ways to giving back to their communities.

INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS
This includes investment banks, venture capital companies, SME funding organizations and Microfinance Institutions. There are numerous institutions, even supported by the Federal Government that have been empowered to support growing businesses at reasonable interest rates that even banks will naturally not want to provide. There are lists of microfinance banks and SME companies on the internet and in the press.

In a bid to fulfill my God- given assignment, I had on different occasions talked with people with great business ideas, but lacking in the necessary funds to kick- start the business ideas.

Any viable business idea will need certain amount of finance, to put in place things needed not just for the take off of the business but also the smooth running of the business.

As an entrepreneur who is just starting out, you might not have the capacity to bank roll the take- off of your business idea. But as it has being said, "Where there is a will, there is a way." There are avenues to raise such funds.

One truth the rich know, that has and is still making men rich today is what is called OPM- Other Peoples' Money. This is one secret the rich have leveraged on to arrive in their places of affluence.

Basically there are two ways by which you can do this:

Debt Financing: The business owner borrows the needed money from the bank or other financial institution to kick-start the business and pays back over a period of time at a set rate of interest.

Corporations also sell debt in the form of bond. Companies that rely heavily on debt financing are described as highly leveraged. You can also borrow from friends and family to finance your business ideas. The advantage of this is that you might not necessary pay interest.

Equity Financing: The business owner gives up a certain percentage of ownership of his business for money. The equity investor receives a percentage of future profit from the business, based on the percentage of ownership purchased.

Corporations sell equity in the form of stock.

You cannot sell stock unless your business is incorporated, but you can sell equity.

Large companies are usually financed by both debt and equity.

Advantages of debt financing

The lender has no say in the future, direction and running of the business as long as the loan payments are made.
Loan payments are predictable and do not change with the fortune of the business.

Disadvantages of debt financing

If loan payments are not made, the lender can force the business into bankruptcy to get the loan back.
To settle a debt, the lender can take the home and possessions of the owner of a sole proprietorship or a partner in a partnership.
It often takes a long time for a new business to show a profit. The risk of debt is that failure to make loan payments can destroy the business before it gets the chance to prove itself.

Advantages of equity financing

If the business doesn't make profit the investor does not get paid.
The equity investor has an interest in seeing the business succeed, and may, therefore, offer helpful advice and valuable contacts.

Disadvantages of equity financing

Through giving up ownership the entrepreneur or business owner may lose his control over his own business to the equity holders.
Equity financing is riskier for the investor, so the investor mostly wants both a say in how the company is run and a higher rate of return than a lender.

Now, you have to decide between debt financing and equity financing. The choice is yours!

To Your Prosperity

Sharon Akinoluwa

This is the number one question that I am being asked every day. When will they return, and start to lend money again, when will credit be freed up, when will it trickle down to us again?

I have no idea! But the important point is that everyone I talk to is waiting for that magic event to happen, Free up Credit. Credit may never be freed up again the way we have seen it over the last couple of years. If you were breathing you could get a loan.

I am here to share that there are certain boutique lenders that are still doing business opportunity loans for QUALIFIED borrowers. The best advice at this point I can share with you is stick to the 5C's +E , pre-qualify everyone and when you have a strong borrower Don't Give Up, there are lenders out there that still want good deals.

Loan packaging and presenting of the loan has never been more important than it is now. Deal with a qualified loan developer/packager and you will get your deal done, if it makes economic sense to the lender as well as to yourself. Lenders still have their prohibitive lists so stay away from those areas that most lenders do not like, ie Start-ups, Restaurants, Rolling Stock based companies.

If you are thinking about purchasing a business and are going to be looking for Gov't Assisted Financing programs like the SBA, then buy a business that is manufacturing rather than service oriented. With manufacturing there is more collateral and usually less goodwill.

Banks do not like to finance goodwill, they consider it pie in the sky, and they want the seller to carry the value of the goodwill.

Money makes the world go round, as they say, and while the whole world is full of those crisp or wilted paper bills it seems that they like to slip right through our hands so quickly.

People who know how to make a dollar or two with ease enter the world of finance, which is the business of managing your money and your other assets. If you've got a bank account, finance is involved.

If you're considering an investment to support your future, you're thinking in terms of finance. Maybe it's on our minds 24/7. After all, we need money to survive, and most of our lives is spent on making it. Not just stockbrokers or bankers or investors, the so-called money-jugglers of society.

The thing is, finance is really for everyone. If you've got money, then you have to involve your brain in the act of finance or money-managing to get the most bang for your buck. Otherwise, you will splurge and you will wonder where in the world the money went.

The best time to start learning about finance is the time you start to receive money. Think about it. When you received a check in the mail from your grandma as your birthday present, weren't you already thinking of what you were going to spend it all on?

That is the essence of finance, although that very act may have been insensible and financially disagreeable; hey, you were just a kid, after all.

Maybe you were a smart kid, one who knew how money goes. Maybe you've stashed it in your secret hiding place. Maybe you started to go into business by selling lemonade (although maybe you drank more than half of it too). Maybe you gave some away to your favorite charity. Yup, that was finance too. We all know better now, don't we?

It hasn't changed much; we go out to make money, we spend some, we save some, until we have enough to make a couple of major purchases such as homes or vacations. Only we know a bit more. And we've understood more of the finance jargon that sometimes rolls on the tongue.

Investments. Assets. Loans. Benefits. Mortgage. Insurance. Knowlege is power, as they say, and knowledge on how to finance will lead you to finance greater amounts of money in the future. So study up. Take finance management classes. Follow the stock market. Listen in on discussions.

Finance also includes self-discipline. Sometimes you have to keep yourself from small pleasures in order to attain the bigger more important things. Finance means that you need to set your priorities straight. Sacrifice may seem like a lot at the moment but the end will justify the means.

Finance is planning ahead. For your future. For your future's future. For your financial safety and stability. Because it is a very difficult thing to get by in this world without the proper resources. It is preparation for the unknown. Managing your finances mean decreasing the number of worry lines on your face.

So if you've got money, if you're planning to make money, or if you're thinking about money, well then, you're thinking about finance. Just keep in mind not just to think about finance, but to think about it wisely, too.

Over recent months the number of loans available on the market has dropped whilst the cost of borrowing has increased, and this has all stemmed from the global credit crunch that hit the nation last summer. Some groups have suffered more than others when it comes to being able to get affordable finance, and one of the groups to suffer most is those with damaged credit. Over recent years even those with bad credit have enjoyed relatively easy credit conditions, but the onset of the global credit crunch means that lenders are far more careful about who they lend to.

An unsecured loan is a loan that is based on contract, and often lenders will only consider those with a good credit rating for one of these loans. Unsecured loans are available from a wide range of lenders, but many people with bad credit may find that they are rejected for an unsecured loan because the risk to the lender is far greater, and in the current financial climate many unsecured lenders will not consider lending to those with damaged credit. However, there are one or two unsecured lenders that will consider those with damaged credit for an unsecured loan, although the interest rate charges on the loan is likely to be very high.

In many cases the most suitable and affordable option for those with bad credit who need to take out a loan is to opt for a secured loan. A secured loan is a loan that is secured against an asset, which is normally the home, which means that you will need to be a homeowner, usually with some level of equity in the property, in order to be eligible for one of these secured loans. Because these loans are secured the risk to the lender is not as great, and this means that more secured lenders will consider extending finance to those with bad credit. The interest rate charged will still be higher than on loans for those with good credit, and you need to remember that the loan is secured against the home, which means that you could end up losing your property if you default on your loan repayments.

If you are looking to take out finance on a shorter term basis just to tide you over for a while then you may find that a payday loan is more suitable. These loans are very short term loans, and need to be repaid in a month or so, although they can be rolled over for a fee. You can borrow small sums of cash, from around £100 to £1000 depending on the lender, your income, and your financial and employment status. There is no credit check with these loans, so there is no need to worry about rejection base on your credit rating. However, the charges and interest can be quite high.

Many people with bad credit make the mistake of turning to doorstep lenders and loan sharks in desperation, but it is important to bear in mind that these lenders charge extortionate levels of interest on their loans, and can make things very difficult in the event that you struggle to make the repayments.

As far as clever businesspeople are concerned, Steve Jobs is at the top of the new CEO heap. After all, he's a man whose company once asked him to please leave after green-lighting projects that didn't quite work out, only to beg him to return and re-launch their products. He definitely knows something about innovation, and because of this, it's no surprise at all that his savvy and know-how was behind the latest hugely successful Apple product: its fantastic iPhone.

When it comes to keeping up with the Joneses, these days the struggle is more about electronic devices than fancy new sports cars or other more opulent and over-the-top purchases. And this is where devices like the smartphones Mac sells come into play. Plenty of people out there were swept up in the wave of needing to upgrade to a smartphone, one that could make calls and order pizza through a free App. But when the Apple Stores managed to sell iPhone 3Gs in record numbers, the company itself was working on making big changes. And the big changes meant rolling out a new model as soon as possible, one that would be even better than the third generation version.

For anyone who is serious about gadgetry, an Apple announcement is a striking blow and a sign of the future. There are entire corners of the world wide web devoted to the exquisite pain and pleasure that comes with knowing that Steve Jobs just made a current device, probably one that is bringing the information in the first place, moderately irrelevant. And since Apple managed to sell iPhone 3Gs so quickly, it's no wonder that the 4G model would be flying off the shelves just as quickly. The only trouble is that for anyone who wanted to ditch the old and get with the new, the price tag made the choice a bit more difficult. With a shaky economy, after all, the impulse buy is a bit more difficult to pull off than it might have been just years ago.

The easiest solution to make getting on board with the latest model a reality, not just a dream for tech-savvy commuters and those who simply enjoy great design? Becoming entrepreneurial, too. Because it's not just Apple that can peddle their smartphones: anyone can sell iPhone 3Gs that they were once using to finance the change to a newer model. Whether it's putting a phone up for auction on eBay or simply talking to friends and seeing who needs a new phone, figuring out a way to make some money back to invest in the latest Apple toy is a breeze.

Even those who are using phones that might not work as smoothly do not have to fret: it's possible to sell a broken smartphone to someone who is only buying them for parts, and then to know that an old phone is actually powering multiple others from the same generation. It's definitely a step in the right direction, where consumers are able to help each other out while helping themselves, too.

Approximately three weeks ago I talked to a lady who did not have money to buy food. She was not a street person, or someone who wasted her life. She was an educated person who worked hard. But through no fault of her own she faced a difficult financial situation. Perhaps you have noticed this is becoming more and more a reality in our present economic situation.

As you would expect financial problems can place great stress on a marriage. When a couple goes through a financial storm there is a tendency to blame one another. When this happens like a hurricane tearing apart a boat a financial storm can destroy your marriage.

But I have good news for you. You can go through a financial storm, and come out on the other side with a stronger marriage. Let me share with you three things you can do to make a stronger marriage during a financial storm. These three steps are not always easy to put into action. But it can be done.

First, make an honest assessment of your finances.

It is so easy to become angry during a financial storm. It is easy to point the gun of anger at your spouse, and pull the trigger. "If you would have searched for a better job then we would not be in this mess. If you would have not used our savings to go on your hunting trip then our situation would be a lot better."

The important thing is not to blame each other, but to make an honest assessment of your financial situation. Look carefully to determine if there are areas in which you have been over spending. If you are over spending in an area then take responsibility for your actions. Don't blame your spouse for the things they cannot control.

Recently a man in my church lost his job. It was not his fault. He was a hard worker, and an excellent manager. It was simply the economy. It would be a terrible thing for him and his wife to start blaming one another. During a financial storm. You and your spouse need to support one another rather than destroy one another.

Second, determine what you can cut back on.

Now this is the mistake most people make. When they find themselves in a financial storm they keep trying to live at the same economic level. They do this by going into debt. They then find themselves in a worst condition. And when this happens they experience a greater level of stress.

The key is to make changes in your budget as quickly as possible. You don't know how long you will be in a financial storm. The sooner you make the changes in your budget the sooner you can preserve your money. I am not saying do away with everything fun in your life. But together as a couple make a strong assessment what you can reduce or take out of your budget.

I have friend who is now going through a financial storm. He loves to read. But when he saw the storm coming he cut back immediately on buying books. He bought one book per month. When the storm got worse he cut back to one book per quarter. He also cut back on his visits to Starbucks.

Third, learn how to raise extra cash.

Now this might surprise you. There may be money in your house. No, I am not talking about taking out a second mortgage. But most people have things they are no longer using in their closet, basement, shed, or barn. You can sell those things and make money.

Where do you sell these things? I am glad you asked. Let me give you a short list.- eBay, yard sells, Greg's list, and flee markets. What you do not sell you can then give away to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. And what you give away you can ask for a receipt and take a tax deduction.

I know a family that has gone through a financial storm. During the summer the whole family works together by staging several yard sells. They make around $200 on a Saturday between 8 am to 2 pm. That may not sound like a lot of money. But when you are struggling to pay your bills, $200 a month can make a big difference.

Conclusion

The most important thing is to draw close to Jesus through personal Bible reading and prayer. And do not neglect listening to the preaching of God's Word on Sunday morning. If you are both growing strong in Christ Jesus then you can help each other stay strong.

But there's something else you can do to help your spouse. You can help each other by talking gently, openly, and honestly with one another about your finances. You can help each other by letting each other know this important fact. No matter how rough the sea may get you will be there for your spouse.

Within time the storm will disappear. The clouds will roll away. Once again the sun will appear. And you will discover that your marriage is stronger rather than weaker. By God's grace and help the storm will not destroy your marriage. It will only made your marriage stronger.

Searching through glossaries and chapters of finance book pages can be frustrating if you are looking for a quick reference or definition to a common personal finance term. To be sure, the financial world has enough jargon to make even a lawyer's head spin. Terms like adjustable rate, amortization, appreciation, balloon mortgage, term loan, fixed rate, net income and more all spin around in your head and cause a headache for many individuals and families just trying to get ahead in the game of life.

To make matters worse, financial ebooks can make the web of words even more cluttered up and confusing. There are some books that offer practical tips and suggestions on how to get loans, find the best deal for large purchases such as cars and homes, put away the right amount of saving and pay off debt, stay out of bankruptcy and more. These books on finance can be a hit or miss sometimes because every individual's financial situation is different. There are so many variables from credit scores to debt to income ratio, economy, collateral, income, expenses and the list goes on. No single book can cover the financial fix it all for every person but there are some books that get the ball rolling in the right direction. The best place to begin is to understand what all those books are even talking about.

The average person should know the meaning of these terms so that he or she may make the most informed decision and one that will benefit them the most. To begin, you should know the difference between fixed rates and adjustable rates. Ebooks financial advice will point out the pros and cons of each rate. Adjustable rate loans have a fluctuating interest rate that often uses an underlying variable and may include a cap on frequency and maximum interest increases. Fixed rate loans keep the same interest rate throughout the life of the loan. An adjustable rate may look more appealing in the beginning because the interest rate may be lower than a fixed rate; however, you are taking somewhat of a gamble with the adjustable rate. Most individuals who take an adjustable rate plan on refinancing the loan within a few years, as a fluctuating interest rate is not ideal for long term loans such as 30 year mortgages.

Other common words that are widely unknown are all the rules and guidelines and terms and conditions on the back of those credit card statements. Finance ebooks can help you shed some light on all that compound interest jargon and may also offer a few tips that help you secure better credit card offers. It's important that you educate yourself on the terms and conditions of your lines of credit, no matter what the source. This can help you avoid a costly mistake.

There are oodles of mortgage and loan terms that each references a specific interest calculation, lifespan, clause or term within the loan. The best advice to take is to know exactly what the terms of any loan you take out are and to understand the meanings of all that jargon. By knowing and educating yourself about the financial world ahead of time, you will be able to shop around and find the best deals in the market for your circumstance.

As a newlywed couple, my husband and I made the same mistake many young couples do when they first get married - we had no budget plan. At first, it didn't seem necessary because our income was modest, and our living expenses were very simple. I was finishing my last year of college and worked a part-time job and my husband was finishing his doctorate and had found a nice full time job in his field. We lived at the bottom of a hill right next to the University in a one bedroom apartment that cost $350 a month, utilities included. We didn't even have a car payment. So we didn't even think about a budget, but just doing our best and getting through school.

Soon enough, about three months into our marriage we started to notice something. Where was all our money going? It was all going out the door every month, but it was a large enough chunk was that it made us take notice of the way we were spending on simple things like groceries, eating out, household expenses, and gifts.

Then, we were told about a very easy personal finance system called "The Envelope System." It is so simple and flexible that is can be used by and tailored to any person or lifestyle.

First, you start out by buying some plain envelopes - any kind will do.

Second, on a separate piece of paper, list all your main discretionary expenses such as: dining, entertainment, groceries, household, gifts, vacation fund, etc. Basically, any expenses in your life that you have control over, not loans, or insurances, utilities, and such. When we first started The Envelope System six years ago these were our discretionary categories that we came up with: Groceries, Dining, Entertainment, Household Expenses, Gifts, Vacation fund, and Gas.

Third, label each envelope with one category and decide how much money should be put in each category each month, bi-weekly, or week - however you decide is best for you. We decided to put our funds in each category on a monthly basis. At the beginning of the month, when our paychecks came, we took out a certain amount in cash and divided it up into our envelopes. How much you put in each envelope is entirely dependent upon your own lifestyle and income. Some choose to put $100 in their monthly dining out envelope per a month while another may need $400. The key is setting a budget that is within your means, but gives you a little room at the same time; and if you don't use all the money from one envelope category that month it can roll over and add to the next month's envelope. It took us a few months to find the right categories and the rights amounts for each envelope. For example, shortly after starting, we realized that Gas was not really a discretionary expense for us. We also realized that I needed some money to spend each month on things I need without having to make justification and without feeling guilty.

Fourth, and last, adjust your envelope system as needed. After a couple of months you may discover you need a little bit more or less in a certain envelope category than you first realized. You may also discover a new category that you need. Review your system every so often as inflation takes place, the economy changes, and your living situation changes. Make sure it isn't overly tight or way too loose.

We've adjusted our system over the years a few times. As jobs change, children show up, or as inflation at the grocery store never seems to end. Now after six years these are our categories: Groceries, Dining, Entertainment, Household expenses, Gifts, Vacation fund. We also have a separate envelope each for my husband and I to use at our discretion without guilt or scrutiny.

The principles of the envelope system are that discretionary money is controlled as cash. The benefits are that when paying with cash, we are more aware of how our money is being spent, plus, there is a physical limitation to overspending, when the envelope is empty, then we have reached our budget. Some months it is easier than others to have cash left over; and when money rarely makes it to the end of the month, it usually means it is time to make adjustments either to the budget or ones habits.

Our situation has changed a number of times through the years. We now have significantly more income than expenses but still use the envelope system not necessarily to restrict our spending but to keep us aware of our spending. As our situation has changed, our situation will continue to change and we will adjust our envelopes as necessary. This system has simplified our finances and kept our spending where we think it should be (according to our needs and lifestyle) for six years now. If you're looking for a new way to budget, try this out and realize the money and stress it could save you.

Examine your finances and shop around before you apply for a mortgage. Shopping for a mortgage is the first step toward owning a home and perhaps the most daunting, especially if you are not prepared.

Once a simple task that meant comparing fixed rates from among perhaps a dozen or fewer savings and loan companies, the mortgage hunt today is like finding your way through a maze.

There are dozens of loan types and hundreds of loan programs available through thousands of mortgage brokers, bankers, lenders, finance companies, credit unions and even stock brokerage firms.

Contrary to popular belief, finding a mortgage doesn't begin with an application.

Education is a better first choice. Mortgage information sources are as vast as the number of mortgages available: Web sites, topical newspaper articles, mortgage books, consumer seminars and workshops, financial planners, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders are all available to assist you along the way.

First and foremost, you must determine how your mortgage payment will fit your current budget and, to some extent, your future obligations 15 to 30 years down the road.

If you discover too late that you can't afford your mortgage, you'll not only face the possibility of losing the roof over your head, but you could also damage your ability to purchase a home in the future.

Step 1: Examine Your Finances

If you can afford to buy a home, you must then determine how much mortgage you can afford. Lenders are apt to put your loan application in the best light and qualify you for as much as they are willing to lend, which can be more than you can afford.

It's up to you to take stock of your income and expenses, both current and projected, to determine what you can comfortably manage each month. Along with your mortgage payment, don't forget related insurance, taxes, homeowner association dues and any other costs rolled into the mortgage payment.

Step 2: Shop for a Loan

When you are ready to shop for a loan you have two basic types of mortgage stores to shop from: direct lenders and mortgage brokers.

Direct lenders have money to lend. They make the final decision on your application. Lenders have a limited number of in-house loans available.

Mortgage brokers are intermediaries who, like you, have many lenders from which to choose. Brokers shop from many lenders, each with their own offering of loans.

If you have special financing needs and can't find a lender to suit them, an experienced broker may be able to ferret out the loan you need. Mortgage brokers, however, are paid with a slice of the amount you borrow - some more than others, so it pays to compare rates. Internet brokers today perhaps receive the smallest cut, sometimes none at all, and can prove to be a real bargain.

Along with shopping the source, you'll also have to shop for loan costs, including the interest rate, broker fees, points (a point is an amount paid to the lender and is charged at one percent of the amount you borrow), prepayment penalties, loan term, application fees, credit report fee, appraisal and a host of others.

Step 3: Apply for a Loan

The application process is the easy part - provided you've gathered the documents necessary to prove claims you make on the application.

The application will ask for information about your job tenure, employment stability, income, your assets (property, cars, bank accounts and investments) and your liabilities (auto loans, installment loans, mortgages, credit-card debt, household expenses and others).

The lender will run a credit check to determine your credit status, but you'll have to supply additional documentation including paycheck stubs, bank account statements, tax returns, investment earnings reports, rental agreements, divorce decrees, proof of insurance and other documentation. A lender that deems you creditworthy will likely hire a professional appraiser to make sure the value of the home you are about to buy is truly worth your loan amount.

There are enormous numbers of would-be entrepreneurs with great ideas but no capital to launch a business. While it is unrealistic to expect to develop and start up your idea for free, there are ways to keep the costs down through the early stages of developing a business.

Most entrepreneurs tend to envision the big picture of their ideas. An innovative product that will change the way the world gets things done, a new service that will become a standard in everyday life, or some other version of the next big thing. They picture a startup that takes off rapidly and alters their own financial position for the better within a matter of months. They are absolutely confident that if they can just get their product to market, success will be inevitable.

Unfortunately, success doesn't usually happen accidentally, and even the greatest products don't sell themselves. No matter how good the business idea, it takes time, dedication, and, yes, money to get it off the ground. However, the best companies can be started smaller and cheaper, and built into the thriving venture the entrepreneur envisions. Whatever your business idea, consider ways to modify the big idea into smaller pieces that can be started individually or added on as the business grows.

If your idea is to sell a retail product, consider starting with an online-only store. If you plan to manufacture a product, consider outsourcing production during startup. If you want to open a restaurant, consider catering events using a rented kitchen (churches are a great option for short-term kitchen rental) to build capital for expansion. Modifying your idea means it will take longer to get your big idea rolling, but at least you will be on the right track. And, it is far easier to scrape together a few thousand dollars than tens of thousands, especially when you are just starting out.

Starting out smaller increases the necessity of developing a clear road map of where you want your business to go and how you plan to get there. All startups should be thoroughly researched and planned before launch, but those with plans for growth won't get far without the effort. In order to build a microbusiness into a thriving company, every decision for the business should push closer to that goal. Set clear, aggressive objectives that are based on solid research. Understand the purpose each objective serves for growth. This will result in a relatively quick road to your goals.

With good planning, you also greatly increase your chance of securing outside funding. Starting small will allow you to build the business's track record in terms of credit worthiness and sales growth, and a good plan will get you in the door with potential investors. Even better, if you can show that your business is following a well-developed plan and has met multiple milestones, your potential investors will likely have increased confidence in your ability to accomplish your future plans. And, risking your own assets to get that far is an important factor that most investors consider -- if you won't invest in yourself, why should they?

Developing a solid road map and getting any sort of business, no matter how small, off the ground requires some cash. For most ideas, a few thousand should be more than enough, if spent effectively. You will need the tools to plan and set up your business the right way from the start. The trial and error method of building a business will cost far more in the long run than getting expert help in the first place. Start saving now and think about ways to modify your big idea into a manageable startup. Starting small is better than waiting, and you will build your dream business in no time at all.

Cash advance and payday loan companies have formed a niche in society that caters to anyone needing money on the fly with no place to turn to get it. Borrowing money when you have an emergency can be time consuming and difficult. When small issues arise many people can rely on family or friends to help out, but in some cases people just don't want to inconvenience others with their problems. If you have bad credit, a loan from a bank might be difficult to obtain, but a quick cash loan might be an alternative solution to a cash crisis where a substantial amount of money is needed and you have no place else to turn.

I did some research on payday loans and this is what I found out. The first thing I discovered is that there are hundreds of payday loan companies to choose from both online and offline. I did not notice a big difference between the two. Online companies generally do not require credit checks or faxes and many do not require references. The online forms are short, one to two pages. An active bank account is required and the money is direct deposited into your bank account upon approval and can take anywhere from one to two business days before the money is available. If you need immediate cash, you can usually pick it up from a local lender within a few hours after completing the application, which usually requires more information than online lenders and references are required as well as check stubs and in some cases a recent utility bill. The local lenders also require a bank account in good standing, meaning no bounced checks in the last 30 days. This brings us to how it works.

When you apply for a payday loan from a local lender, you will get cash in turn for a post dated check that the lender will cash on your next pay day. If you are unable to pay your loan back then, you would need to notify the lender so you don't end up with a bounced check. Interest does accrue each time you extend the payday loan and therefore can become very costly. Online lenders have a similar process, but the loan process is a little more convenient as the whole transaction takes place online. Online lenders do not require credit checks or references and the money is direct deposited into your bank account, then drafted out on your next payday. Online lenders automatically roll your loan over, so if you can't pay it back, it automatically extends to your next payday. The loan fee can range from $10.00 to $30.00 for every $100.00 borrowed
and continues to go up each time you roll your loan over. It is important to understand how a payday loan works before applying for one. If you borrow one hundred dollars and the fee is $20.00, you will pay back $120.00. If you roll the loan over one time you will end up paying back $140.00 and so on. The more reputable payday loan companies have a limit on how many times you can roll your loan over.

I found this to be the case with http://www.cashadvancecentral.com. After talking with one of the representatives there, I discovered that Cash Advance Central runs a check to see if you have payday loans out elsewhere. If so, your application could be denied. Cash Advance Central works to help people with bad credit get money when they need it and does not want to see people get in over their heads. "It is costly and time consuming for the lender to chase down a borrower for money they owe on a loan." This seems to be the case with many of the major lenders. They will allow you to take out as many loans as you want, but you must pay off your previous loan(s) first.

A payday loan can be an advantage to you and less costly than insufficient fund fees on bounced checks or the fees you might pay to have your utilities turned back on because you could not pay your bills on time. The best way to utilize a payday loan is to borrow only the amount you need and pay the loan back as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the sector, maturity, or staff sophistication of the nonprofit organization, these four board committees are essential to the health of the organization and well-being of the board itself. Share this article with your board today and discuss how these four nonprofit board committees can help you do a better job providing oversight and support for your nonprofit. If your board lacks the expertise to support the activities outlined below, decide which board skills are needed, and start recruiting board members with these skills now.

Board Development Committee - This committee preserves the quality of your board's future because it is responsible for determining what skills are required on the board, and for recruiting and orienting all new board members. While many boards have one-time orientation sessions, better boards continuously exposure their members to the work of the organization and the quality board governance they are trying to achieve. Along with the Board President, members of this committee communicate with your board members to ensure that they are making a productive contribution and they are satisfied with their board experience. The design, administration, and interpretation of your annual board self-evaluations is done by the Board Development Committee.

Finance Committee - The finance committee is often the most highly-functioning of all board committees. This committee supports the development of the annual expense budget, tracks the actual spending vs. budget, watches monthly cash flow, and interprets the overall financial health of the organization on behalf of the board. This committee supports the development of the longer-term strategic plan as well as next year's annual plan. All of the financial policies of your organization should be reviewed by the finance committee prior to board approval. The Audit and Investment Subcommittees help round out the board's involvement in the financial affairs of the organization.

Fundraising Committee - While the Executive Director is responsible for the organization's fundraising, well-run organizations engage the support of the board in various part of their fundraising plan. This committee oversees the development of the Annual Fundraising Plan - and tracks the planned vs. actual results during the year. They encourage, train, and thank other board members for their involvement in the fundraising activities. They explore potential, new fundraising activities as part of the strategic planning process. Special Events Subcommittees can be established as part of this committee when appropriate.

Personnel Committee - Contrary to popular thinking, even small, young nonprofit organization need personnel (or human resource) expertise on their boards. Even if there is only one part-time employee working for your nonprofit, this committee helps make sure that all state and federal laws and regulations that affect employment are followed. This committee ensures that the wages you are paying are comparable to wages in other, similar organizations - and that each employee has a current job description, documented annual objectives, and yearly follow-up reviews that include training and career path planning. Employee Handbooks, Human Resource Policies, Staff Planning, Benefits Selection, Pension Considerations, and Vacation/Holiday Schedules for full-time and part-time employees are all within the responsibility of this committee.

Get the ball rolling by sharing this article with your fellow board members and your Executive Director. If your board does not have a well-developed committee structure, start by assigning some board members to these committees now. If your board has committees but they're not particularly effective, re-invigorate these four committees first. They are by far the most important to the effectiveness of your board and the success of your nonprofit.

Study carefully the auto outlet business if you are interested to put up one. Focus on just one kind of outlet if possible. It can be a bike, car or trucks outlet. It is important that you are knowledgeable and passionate in the kind out auto outlet you want to pursue.

Franchising is recommended if you want to sell brander cars. Consider a company with a good reputation and is performing very well in the market. It will be beneficial if the company has many models to give more options to prospective buyers. Know its service network because potential car owners will need car services for their purchase.

Location is key to any business. Putting up an auto outlet needs a spacious lot to accommodate many car models. Choose an area with high car traffic. Intersections and busy roads are lucrative spots, exposing your outlets to thousands of people everyday. A decent and accessible business site can save you thousands in advertising and marketing cost, and can bring you bigger profits.

Always think like a consumer. Discover the popularity and trends that customers are looking for in vehicles. Know exactly what the best selling vehicles are. Learn what is hot and what is not. Your inventory should be in-demand in the market to be able to sell them more easily.

To start the ball rolling, register your business to get a license. You will be given a dealers plate to display in your outlet. Learn the trade well, like the requirements in conducting off-premise sales, wholesaler's licenses and the fees charged to dealers.

Most car buyers would want to get insurances for their purchase. Tie up with popular insurance companies to making the bonding process easier.

Understand and learn the transportation laws that can protect you and your business. As customers like to be treated well, train your staff regarding customer service and good rapport. Hire sales executives that are clever, conversant, and well-mannered. Give attractive offers to your customers like free test drives, easy financing services, and lean season discounts. Value customer reviews. These are cheap and effective marketing means.

One of the easiest ways to build up your sales is to foster relationships with Fleet Management Companies. Through these affiliations, they will consider you as an outlet for their customer's vehicles when the time has come to cycle them out of the customer fleet. You might need to know the Fleet Management Schedule from these companies and their vehicles so that you can make in-time vehicle inventories you want to acquire without the need to purchase it immediately.

From these lists of vehicles, you can ask possible buyers and determine what types of vehicles they are looking for. Create a database of purchasing prospects. Discern your market, what kind of vehicles they want, and when they can purchase.

Bridging finance can be taken out on a first or a second charge basis. Some lenders use the term 'closed' bridging loan, meaning there is a fixed term to the contract usually applicable when completion dates for buying a new property and selling one are known. An 'open' bridging loan is where there is no fixed term to the contract.

Bridging loans are available for all types of client from limited companies to individuals; from those with excellent credit status to those who have found it difficult to obtain mortgages and loans, including businesses, self-employed and those with a poor credit history.

All types of security can be considered, from residential, semi-commercial and commercial properties or land. Properties can be fully or partially developed, in perfect condition or need of renovation, plus of standard or non-standard construction. A bridging loan can be taken out across a number of securities and / or a number of clients.

Uses

The traditional use for a bridging loan is to purchase a new home before a buyer has been found for the current property. This type of chain-breaking finance became popular in a buoyant and fast-moving property market. As well as increased demand from housebuyers who need to prevent a house purchase falling through, the different uses for bridging finance are now extremely varied.

Bridging finance is used for property development including site purchase, self-build projects and property conversions. In the property investment market bridging loans can be used for completing purchases quickly; for example, when property has been secured at auction clients usually only have up to 28 days to complete. They can also be cost-effective for clients wishing to acquire property for refurbishment and re-sale.

In circumstances where a re-mortgage is taking too long for whatever reason, a bridging loan can pay off the initial mortgage whilst a longer term re-mortgage is arranged - helping to fulfil any further requirements and bridge the gap.

Bridging loans can also be used for non-property related reasons - businesses may need short term funds to meet business obligation payments or to fund a special business opportunity. In fact, bridging finance can typically be used for any genuine purpose as a short-term measure.

Cost-effective and versatile

For the majority of clients the most important initial questions are: "Can you finance me or not?", "When can I have the finance?" and; "How do I go about getting it?" They need to know the answers to these questions quickly to be able to plan ahead and make informed decisions.

Bridging loans are available from high street banks as well as non-mainstream lenders. However the latter will be much quicker to answer your questions and complete the finance in time. Typical turnaround for completion is about 7 working days (normally depending on how quickly the conveyancing is processed by the client's solicitor or agent).

Misconceptions

A common misconception about bridging loans is that they are expensive and the client is confused about payments. The fact is, that with a bridging loan the client is aware at all times of the balance outstanding and what the redemption value will be.

There should be no up front fees and rates normally start around 1.25 per cent per month. Rates are normally chosen on the merits of the application, client status and the speed of completion required. A valuation is required in most cases and is paid for by the client. Typically, the lender will charge a completion fee of 1-2 per cent.

Payment Options

Bridging loans offer a high degree of payment flexibility. There are three main payment options:

- Predetermined monthly interest payments

- Interest payments which can be rolled-up for a set period, acting almost like a payment holiday. After this period, monthly pre-determined interest payments resume.

- At the client's request a number of monthly interest payments can be deducted upon completion.

A useful feature of a bridging loan is that the client can repay capital at any time, thus reducing the outstanding balance and monthly instalments.

Understand the consequences

The most important consideration for introducers when advising clients on bridging finance is to understand the consequences of taking out, or not taking out, this facility for each individual case. In today's markets a client can lose substantial sums, for example deposits, by not moving quickly enough. Also businesses can earn or lose money when a potential deal is on the table. Introducers need to be sure the client has provision to pay back the loan in the timescale envisaged. Lenders can offer a large amount of flexibility with repayments, and some lenders will convert a bridging loan into a term loan if the need arises.

In summary, bridging finance is quick and simple to arrange, giving introducers and clients a cost-effective short term funding option to meet their needs, plus it's a useful addition to an introducer's portfolio.

In today's tight mortgage market there is no many loan products were you can buy a home with no down payment. The good old days were anyone with a pulse could get a mortgage with no money down. But there is still one great program left that has 100% financing and that program is for rural home loans by United State Agriculture Department.

Although this type of home mortgage loan has been around for years but most people are aware of it. Mainly because it was though to be for farmers only, it was known as a "farmer loan". The USDA home loan program guidelines permits people to purchase a home with 100% financing at competitive interest rates, 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and mortgage insurance (MI). Does this sound too good to you to be true?

Yes, this great program does exist but it is not for everyone. There are some restrictions and guidelines both on household income and property eligibility. You household income can not exceed certain income limitations and the property has to be located in certain areas (mostly rural areas). These rural home loans are guaranteed by USDA and are not available in high population areas like big cites and towns. If you like in New York City then you are out of luck. But if you live in a city or town with population of less than 25,000 people then you may be able to find a home that is in an eligible area.

There are a lot of benefits to the USDA Rural Home Loans program besides the no money down feature. One is the closing costs can be rolled into the loan or you can ask the seller to may all of the closing costs including prepaid items such as property taxes and homeowner's insurance. This means it is truly no money out of your pocket type of mortgage loan.

In comparison with a conventional mortgage if you do not pay at least 20% down then you will have to pay mortgage insurance thus increasing your monthly mortgage payment. The rural home loans of USDA do not have this private mortgage insurance requirement. This is one of the best financing methods available if you are eligible.

The USDA Home Loans Program is even better than FHA mortgage loans. FHA home loan requires a 3.5% down payment and they have an upfront private mortgage insurance cost plus a monthly mortgage insurance (MI) charge. If you want to buy a home in an area that is eligible for this program and you are also within the income guidelines, this would at least made sense to check into this program.

So what do you do now? This article only provides a brief description of the USDA Rural Home Loans Program. You need to get more information to see if you qualified and if you live or the area you want to buy a home is in a property eligible area. This is a great way and may also be the only way you can buy your dream home!

At some point of time in our lives, we all have borrowed money from someone, a Company or a Bank. Anytime anyone borrows money, the record of re-payment goes on public record. Bad credit rating usually results from failure to pay off outstanding debts or other credit payments on time. Credit history is based on information retrieved from sources including Public records such as electoral roll information, court judgments and bankruptcies; and Information provided by financial institutions and other lenders such as banks that provide credit accounts and lending facilities. In order to calculate the potential risk in providing loans to the person, most lenders use independent credit reference agencies to gather and assemble this information since they are permitted by law to review a mortgagee's credit report before granting approval.

It is almost impossible for individuals with bad credit history to get conventional loans but there are financial solutions known as bad credit loans, specifically intended for these people. The number of agencies and organizations that offer bad credit loans has significantly grown in recent years due to the increase in the number of individuals experiencing financial problems, debts and bad credit ratings. According to a recent survey, one fifth of all adults are not able to qualify for a standard mortgage as a result of a previous or current bad financial situation. This has also given rise to stiffer competition between creditors, and better deals for borrowers. Although getting a bad credit loan has become now fairly easy, there are a few basic rules that you need to follow in order to make sure you'll be granted one.

You'd want to make sure that you can comfortably cover the bad credit loan payment and get an exact idea of how much you can afford to pay. So start by taking notes, review and make a complete list of personal living expenses such as automobile maintenance costs, house rent, expenses on dependent family members, pension contribution, household expenditures, and other living expenses such as food, utilities, clothing etc.

Since there is no collateral pledged by the borrower against the loan in a non-secured bad credit loan, the creditor relies solely on the borrower's signed promise to repay the debt. Therefore, most lenders will impose very high rates to compensate for this risk. And if your credit history is extremely bad, your application will rejected without much explanation. So your best bet is to consider a secured bad credit loan. If you have any collateral to offer the creditor as a pledge of payback, the interest rate on a secured bad credit loan can become significantly low in comparison to non-secured bad credit loan, due to the security provided by the collateral.

Like all other loans, you'll have to pay more interest on a bad credit loan if you extend and delay the duration of the loan. So, make your payments in time, and as soon as you can, because this, ultimately, becomes very important in maintaining and controlling the amount of interest you pay for the loan.

If you haven't already heard, Google rolled out their own Finance site today to rival that of Yahoo's and Marketwatch.

After spending a few minutes using the site, I have to say that I am very unimpressed. The design of the site is far inferior to that of Yahoo's or Marketwatch, with a clunky layout that makes finding what you are looking for rather difficult. They display a few financial stats, but not any wheres near what the others offer their users. The portfolio tools are very rudimentary and outdated feeling, and their charts are nothing special. The whole site just feels rushed in my opinion.

One feature that I do like is the inclusion of real-time quotes, something that the others don't offer. Also, they display links to blog posts on the respective companies. Unfortunately, it doesn't display links tovery many blogs, none of my posts on specific companies are indexed nor are those of many of my peers. The majority of the links are to the Seeking Alpha Network, to which I am a contributor, but these are merely repubishings of other's works. If Google can figure out a way to include a more extensive list of blog submissions, it would be a nice touch, but unfortunately I don't forsee them devoting the necessary time to accomplish this.

I will give Google the benefit of the doubt here, as the site is only in beta, but Google Finance is nothing to write home about. Reminiscient of many of their most recent offerings, such as Google SiteCreator and Google Video, the site appears to be lacking the innovation and quality that used to set Google apart, a disturbing trend if you are a Google shareholder. Unless they are able to make some extreme improvements, I don't see many Yahoo Finance users or Marketwatch users converting. Not only is Google late to the party, but they left the gifts at home as well, nothing fashionable about their entrance here.

With its dark cherry red color and stunningly beautiful design, certainly this 2009 Hyundai Sonata South Carolina will find a new owner soon. Will it be you? If you look at its engine design, accessories, and features you will certainly agree that it is a best buy.

The 2009 Sonata got lots of upgrades from its 2008 predecessor including exterior and interior updates, with new headlights, taillights, bumper fascias, body-side moldings and alloy wheels. Inside, drivers get an updated center console, a new instrument panel, and an upgraded audio system with USB auxiliary inputs and an available GPS navigation system with a high-resolution display and touch-screen interface.

Check out the engine configuration: it is 2.4 liter engine with a torque of 168 lb at 4000 RPM. The engine has I-4 cylinder with variable valve control and 16 valves with 175 hp at 6000 RPM. It comes with an automatic five-speed transmission. This front-wheel drive car has fuel capacity of 17.7 gallons and gets 22 MPG in the city.

The car is fitted with 16" wheels and 215/60VR R16.0 tires. Both the rear and front wheels have anti roll bar with independent suspension. Power steering, powerful four-wheel ABS disc brakes, and a tilt steering wheel are featured. The Sonata offers a smooth ride whether driving in rainy conditions, cruising in hilly terrain and driving a highway.

Sonata offers maximum comfort for the occupants including an efficient air conditioning system, six speakers playing your choice of music from the MP3 decoder, CD player or AM/FM radio. To make your journey more comfortable, the front seats are bucket seats with armrest. The back seat has a split folding design for extra hauling capacity and a fold-down armrest for passenger comfort. Door bins, illuminated entry, front reading lights, vanity mirrors, and beverage holders are other features of this car.

Safety features include power windows, remote keyless entry, panic alarm system, ignition disable, speed control mechanism, front, side, and overhead airbags ensure that the passengers have maximum safety. For safe night driving there are powerful headlamps.

Additional features include an attractive meter panel with tire pressure warning system, tachometer, intermittent wipers, and rear window defroster.

Power steering, powerful four-wheel ABS disc brakes, and a tilt steering wheel are featured. The Sonata offers a smooth ride whether driving in rainy conditions, cruising in hilly terrain and driving a highway.

The back seat has a split folding design for extra hauling capacity and a fold-down armrest for passenger comfort. Door bins, illuminated entry, front reading lights, vanity mirrors, and beverage holders are other features of this car.

It is now possible to obtain unsecured funding for company payroll, PAYE and NI. The specialist lender who provides this service gives 60 day rolling credit on your gross monthly payroll, with a provision to allow for growth.

It is a well know fact that lack of cash flow plays a significant part in holding back the growth of small and medium sized businesses. Its not that you don't have a steady and reliable income. It's just some customer's don't play as promptly as they should and of course, the one payment that has to be made each week or month is the payroll.

The key benefits of Payroll Financing for your business:

No security required by company directors

The funding appears as a normal trade creditor on a company's P&L, enhancing its credit rating

It can be used alongside other traditional financial solutions including factoring, invoice discounting and overdrafts

It does not impact on an organisation's secured funding arrangements

There's no set up fee

A flat rate on-going monthly facility fee

An interest rate of base plus 3% on the outstanding balance

If you can answer yes to the following questions, then you will probably qualify for Payroll Finance Funding: 1.Do you have a trading history of 1 or more years? 2.Is your annual turnover more than £100,000? 3. Do you have more than 5 employees?

Clients who have already gained assistance of payroll financing:

A large printing firm have been accepted as clients within 4 days from the application. They were offered a credit facility of £200,000 per month on 60 days revolving credit, base plus 3% on the outstanding balance and a monthly facility fee of £2,500.

A plastics manufacturing who applied for a facility of £50,000 per month. They were accepted on 60 day credit terms, base plus 3% interest charge on the outstanding balance and a monthly facility fee of £635.

A firm of architects looking for funding of £30,000 per month. They were processed within 3 days and accepted on 60 day terms, base plus 3% interest on the outstanding balance and a monthly facility fee of £400 per month.

If you are planning to make a unique presentation of your project during a Science fair in school, do it in a way that can attract people. You can put the facts of your project on a banner or tarpaulin to be displayed to the public rather than just printing it on paper and putting the compilation on the table. People are more attracted on unique presentation. Use a roll up stand to display the banner for everyone to see.

A roll up stand is easy to use when displaying a banner that will not be posted or hung in the wall. It is because there are not many materials needed on a banner stand display and there is no need to climb on something just to set it up. When one buys the stand, it usually comes in a kit that includes the rest of materials that are needed during set-up. There are advantages when one will use a banner stand in display booth rental or when advertising something.

The stand can be carried anywhere because of its portability and light weight. It is foldable so it can be stored anywhere without taking up much space. Users will not be hassled in bringing it because it is not heavy.

Another benefit when using the stand is it doesn't take up much space. It is created to fit in any size of space and it will depend on what angle it is placed. During trade shows where the spaces between booths are small, the banner with its stand can fit in.

One more advantage with using the portable stand is it is available in many sizes. Tall or small stands are sold in the market to suit the needs of consumers. Small stands are good for use when one needs to display the banner on tabletop so it will be visible. There are also various colors of stand available so that one can choose which color fits the display motif.

There are many stores that sell the stands and to be able to easily find one, check the bookstores or print shops. They sell many stands in various color, sizes and brand. It is important that one must carefully check the brand because there are other cheaper brands that do not make durable and quality stands.

When one canvasses well in the market he or she can get a durable stand. There are so many brands out in the market but only few are reliable. To find a good brand, one must check on the company's feedback or ask around from people who have a purchased a stand on a specific brand. It is important to get a sturdy stand so it will not be damage easily when used.

When you want to get more people to check on your project always try to be unique. Don't stick to the conventional method of printing the project in paper and putting it on the table while waiting for some audience to pick it up. Rather, try something new like printing it on a banner or tarpaulin and hang it in the portable stand. That way, you are sure to attract more people with your unique style of presentation.

In buying a roll up stand, always consider the importance of canvassing. You do not only get durable and sturdy stand but you also get to have the one with a reasonable price. Start giving the head-turning project presentation without spending too much in putting it up.

You're having the usual fight - you know, the one where he bought something you consider totally unnecessary with the money you were saving to buy something truly necessary, thank you very much:

"But a new car rack is necessary!" he exclaims, "Where are we supposed to put all the gear when we go camping with the kids and your aunt and uncle next month?" "Oh, sure," you say, "something we're going to use one time! Is worth throwing away the money I was saving for a new garbage disposal, which we use every day. And besides you like my relatives."

You cross your arms firmly over your chest, ready for the onslaught. Here it comes: "Oh, for crying out loud," he says, "It's not that big a deal." "Not for you," your voice rising, "You're not the one having to cope with scrapings and leftovers every day." "I'm the one who rolls out the garbage!" he slings back. "Once a week!" you cry. You barely manage to yell out "You never think of me, it's all about you, you're so selfish!" before you burst out of the room and into tears.

Eventually, you'll make up--there's just too much else going on to keep fighting--what with work and kids and chores and all the rest. And let's face it, you do love each other, it's not that, but you really wish you'd stop have the same old fight!

Start by turning towards each other instead of away from each other. In other words, look at each other as partners, work together towards a common goal. Let the problem be something you attempt to solve together, rather than reasons to beat each other up verbally in the name of "I'm right, you're wrong."

1. Plan ahead

Business have to have long, medium and short term goals. So should you.
For example, at the beginning of each year, sit down together and create a "wish-list" of what you'd like to accomplish financially that year, what you see as those things you'd both like to buy or repair or expand. Talk about it, discuss your thoughts and feelings around each item and come to mutually agreed-upon decisions. Then, plan roughly how your "wish-list" might break down, month to month, in realistic, manageable, practical goals. Be sure to factor in some money for savings so you're equipped for the unexpected (at least to some degree) and won't have to forsake your "wish-list" in the name of emergencies.

2. Set yourselves up for success

At the beginning of each month, take a hour or so to review last month's goals. See how you did. Congratulate yourselves for your successes and look forward to the next month's goals. Are they still realistic? Are they still something you want? Did something new come up that now needs to be incorporated into your monthly goals? Make adjustments as necessary, always discussing things until you arrive at mutually agreed-upon decisions.

3. Follow through

A plan isn't worth anything unless you stick to it. Your initial planning sessions and your once-a-month reviews will involve some time and effort, but it's far less than the time and energy you presently spend fighting and being upset with each other - not to mention the emotional toil of your arguments.

Of course, there will be times when one or the other of you make a purchase that's outside of the plan. Rather than attack your mate, take a moment to settle yourself, then say "OK, let's see how that changes the plan," and together figure out how to work it out. Resist blaming the other. Treat your disagreement as a practical matter to be sorted out between two people who care deeply about each other, not an excuse to dredge up past hurts, grievances or perennial sore spots.

The more you deal with the business side of your relationship in business like fashion, the more time and desire you'll have to deal with the romance, companionship and fun parts.

Introduction:

The ultimate goal of any business is to be profitable at all times and earn money; it is money that helps a business to grow and expand. In order to be successful, an organization needs to able to manage money in a sophisticated manner and so all organizations have a finance department that takes care of different monetary transactions.

The financial department in any company consists of various sub-departments or teams to take care of many functions, apart from buying and selling of products, thus business finance is the broad term that describes all functionalities of the finance department of a commercial enterprise.

The two main functions of business finance:

Investments: Functions include finding investment options for the company such as, creating new products, asset acquisition, increasing local purchase of securities or shares, etc. Also the decisions of investing in mergers and acquisitions for the expansion of the company have to be scrutinized by this department before the Board of Directors can finalize them.

Financing: This team deals with seeking funds for the company from various sources like banks, financial institutions, investors, share holders, capital market etc. and then assessing the funds so that the company can get borrowed capital at the lowest interest rates possible and with minimum liabilities.

Additional Functions:

Accounting: This team keeps a track of all monetary transactions in the form of accounts so that the expenditures of an organization can be tracked, to calculate the net profit at the end of the year. Keeping a track of the expenses helps the company to set the prices of all the products and the services offered, in a way that the net expenditure should be less than net income.

Payroll: They handle the salary payments of the all the employees of an organization; functions like calculating yearly bonuses, salary increase and also rolling out pay structure for new joiners are accomplished by them; this is done by working in coordination with the recruitment team.

Billing: This sub-department takes care of the billing process and prepares an itemized bill, which is sent to the clients at the end of the month, for the purpose of payment. It is of enormous importance in the service industry where an error in the bill can strain commercial relations with clients.

Thus, effective management of business finance is necessary for the smooth functioning of an organization and this can only be achieved by having a well-defined goal for the finance team.