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Monthly Archives: June 2014

Business loans – spruce up your business

24 Tuesday Jun 2014

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With this kind of loan, you can buy raw materials, equipment or office furniture to stay ahead in this highly competitive business world, where various businesses of the same nature crop-up every other day. These loans are a sure-shot way to survive here and emerge as winners. In addition to this, you can hire more employees to offer quality customer service to all clients and promote your business like you always desired. Whether it is cash that a borrower need desperately or you simply wish to spruce up your current business, these loans can do it for you without delay.

More often than not, a young business entrepreneur approaches either money-lending firms or banks for a loan needed to start a business. However, in this day and age, you can apply for it from the comfort of your home. It is the online mode of application that has enabled a large number of people to fetch instant funds. The Internet is just the right tool to search for such loans. Ever mounting competition midst online money-lenders has proven beneficial for borrowers, for they have a range of options to choose from. You can choose the one that fits your existing business needs and is available at reasonable interest rates.

Even those who have a faltering credit background can finance their new business with these loans. Obtaining this financial assistance is not at all an easy job if you are living with tags like insolvency, county court judgments, arrears, foreclosures, non payments or late payments, individual voluntary arrangements or defaults. However, with these loans even they can grab funds without giving a second thought.

Business loans tend to carry a high rate of interest. It is, therefore, suggested that you only get this loan after conducting the proper research. Make sure that you spend the acquired amount carefully so that you have sufficient funds at the later stage. Compare online quotes before making any decision. Funds to start a new business are just a few clicks away.

by: James Addevsen

Family-friendly tips to save energy at home.

24 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Saving money and reducing your home’s energy usage are a priority for many homeowners these days. Some energy-saving actions such as switching off lights when leaving a room and turning off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your hands are simple and cost effective.

 
This summer, try a few of the following energy saving tips to save your family some money while keeping the environment in mind:

 
* Only run dishwashers, washing machines and clothing dryers when they are full. Running two half-loads uses double the amount of water, and only half the clothes get cleaned.

 
* Wash your clothes with cold water. Washing laundry with hot water means the heater has to run, accounting for up to 80 percent of the energy used per wash load, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. If a household switched to cold-water washing for a year, enough energy would be saved to watch TV for 1,363 hours or charge an iPhone 4S 30,861 times. So by switching to cold water washing, you can cut down on household energy use and save money while doing something good for the environment. On a larger scale, if everyone in the United States switched to cold-water washing, the energy saved could power the streetlights of New York City for 71 years. Tide Coldwater detergent is specially formulated to provide a deep clean in cold water conditions while helping families save up to 50 percent of energy per wash cycle.

 
* Keep cool this summer by closing curtains to block out the hot sun during the day. Blocking the sun will help protect your flooring and furniture from fading due to UV rays. Also try setting your thermostat a few degrees warmer. Run ceiling and standing fans to keep the air circulating to help family members stay comfortable. If nobody is home during the day, turn your air conditioner off, and have it timed to restart when family members return.

 
* When shopping for new appliances like a refrigerator, stove and oven, dishwasher, washer or dryer, look for models with an ENERGY STAR label. Adding just one of these energy-efficient appliances to your home can help you live a more energy-conscious life.

 
* Evaluate your light bulbs. Technology has improved light bulbs so more energy is used toward making light, not heat. Finding the appropriate bulb for each socket in your home can save your family between $50 and $100 a year, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

 
With just a few simple lifestyle changes, your family can make your home more energy and save you money. Get your family started today with these quick energy savings tips and watch the savings add up.

Four hot, new-home trends that can work for your remodel

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

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(BPT) – Builders are back in business, and new-home construction is up in areas across the country. So is remodeling, as plenty of Americans choose to stay put and upgrade their current homes rather than tackle the challenge of buying and moving into something new.

If you’re planning to renovate your home, you can tap some of the hottest trends showing up in new-home designs. Here are four new-home trends that offer strong returns on your time and money:

1. Creating a view – Americans continue to embrace all things green and that trend is showing up in new home construction in a number of ways, including an emphasis on energy-efficient windows that bring the outdoors inside with a great view.

If your home has older windows, they’re likely not as energy efficient as newer options, so replacing them can improve your heating and cooling efficiency. Window replacements typically provide a high return on investment at the time or resale, too – more than 73 percent for wood windows and 71 percent-plus for vinyl, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

While you’re replacing your windows, you also have the opportunity to open up your home more to outdoor views. Work with your architect or designer and contractor to determine where the best views are, and how much additional glass you can incorporate into your renovation to capitalize on those views.

2. Adding a bathroom – When it comes to renovations that improve resale value and enhance a home’s usability, adding a bathroom is at the top of the list for many homeowners. While today’s new smaller homes often have less square footage, demand for multiple bathrooms has not changed.

In existing homes, adding a bathroom can sometimes pose plumbing challenges. Up-flush plumbing can solve a lot of them. Up-flush systems pump waste and water from a toilet, sink or bathtub up and out, instead of into a below-floor sewage pit.

Up-flush toilets enable homeowners to easily and cost-effectively install a bathroom virtually anywhere without breaking through the floors – a special advantage when those floors are made of concrete. That means adding a basement bathroom doesn’t require cutting into a home’s concrete foundation, and you can easily add an attic bathroom without tearing up the first-floor ceiling. According to Saniflo, makers of up-flush plumbing products, adding a bathroom using this type of plumbing can cost about $5,000 less than one that uses conventional plumbing.

3. Defining the kitchen – Kitchens are another popular renovation that pays off in a number of ways. Architects are fine-tuning the popular wide-open floor plan concept, and the change is showing up in the kitchen. Favored designs now open the kitchen on one side to an adjoining room, such as the family room, but enclose the other three walls to create a more defined space, as well as more storage and cabinet options.

This trend works particularly well in older homes where you frequently find a completely separate kitchen. Now, rather than ripping out three walls to create an entirely open flow, you can tap the latest kitchen design trend by opening up just a single wall in the kitchen. This leaves the space well-defined, but also adds the open, social feeling that is so appealing in many new home designs.

4. Maximizing every inch of space – With smaller floor plans gaining popularity, making the most of every inch of space is vital. New-home design employs entertaining nooks, breakfast alcoves, built-ins, pocket doors and other tricks to use every inch of space wisely.

It’s a trend that also works well in older homes that may have smaller rooms and less square footage than the McMansions popular a few years ago. For example, it’s easier to add a built-in desk to a spare corner and create an office alcove than it is to add an entire office to your floor plan.

If you crave a fresh environment and the latest home design trends, you don’t have to give up your old home and tackle the hassles of moving into something new. With some planning and creativity, it’s possible to translate some of the hottest new-home design trends into your renovation project.

Courtesy of BPT

Five tips to help chart a path toward financial success

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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(BPT) – A strong credit profile can help you qualify for credit at the lowest rates possible. Yet, consumers often wait until they need credit to think about their credit situation. In fact, 62 percent of people have not reviewed their report in the past year, according to a recent National Foundation for Credit Counseling survey.

Understanding how to build credit and how to use it responsibly helps consumers make decisions that lead to financial success. And making responsible decisions that can help you chart a path toward a successful financial future is easier when you’re well informed. Free tools from sources such as the American Bankers Association, National Foundation for Credit Counseling and Wells Fargo’s free, online Hands on Banking program can help consumers of all ages increase their credit know-how. These five tips can help you take control of your finances, manage your money and build a stronger credit history.

Five steps to strong credit

1. Check your credit report: Once a year, consumers can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and Transunion – at AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228. Review the reports carefully and correct any errors.

2. Understand the factors that affect your credit: Whether you are new to credit or have been using credit for some time, your credit score gives lenders a snapshot of your credit risk. By understanding what impacts your score, you may be able to improve it.

3. Raise your credit score: Managing your credit responsibly over time is one of the best ways to build, maintain, and improve your credit score. Five key criteria are generally used to calculate a consumer’s credit score:

  • Payment history: Information about whether you’ve made on-time payments has the most impact on your score.
  • Credit accounts: A balanced mix of different types of credit can help improve your score.
  • Credit usage: Owing a lot or being near your credit limit on multiple accounts negatively impacts your score.
  •  Length of credit history: Reviewers check to see if you can responsibly manage credit accounts over time.
  • Credit applications: Opening multiple new credit accounts may represent a greater risk for lenders.

4. Create and monitor your budget: A budget gives you more control over your finances and helps you eliminate unnecessary expenses.

5. Know what lenders look for. When consumers apply for a loan, lenders assess their credit risk based on a number of factors, often called the Five Cs of Credit:

  • Credit history. Have you established credit and is your credit score high enough to qualify you?
  • Capacity. Is your income sufficient?
  • Collateral. Does the collateral you’re borrowing against have enough value?
  • Capital. Do you have assets set aside as another source for repayment?
  • Conditions. Does the current economy or purpose for the credit make it a risk?

Wells Fargo offers a variety of free tools designed to help individuals at any life stage learn ways to manage their finances more responsibly. For more information and resources about how to use credit sensibly to achieve financial goals, visit http://www.wellsfargo.com/creditsmart.

Courtesy of BPT

College graduates: Six financial survival tips for the working world

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Six%20financial%20survival%20tips
If you are a recent college graduate, there is much to be optimistic about as you leave campus and head out into the real world. No one ever says life on your own will be easy, but post-graduate financial bliss can be a reality. These six tips from Thrivent Financial offer a starting point for recent graduates who are ready to put their education to work for a secure financial future.

Get real about your paycheck

 

Compared to the minimum wage jobs you survived on through college, the annual earnings at your first post-graduate job may give you dollar-sign eyes. Don’t be fooled though; after taxes, benefits, living expenses and student loan payments, your remaining monthly spending money could amount to less than half of your gross income. Being realistic about your paycheck doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun, though. That new car may have to wait a while, but with smart budgeting you can still enjoy the finer things in life with a clear conscience.   

 
Your credit score matters

 
Thought you were done worrying about test scores? Think again. Whether you want to get an apartment, mortgage, car or a new job, your credit score says a lot about you and can make or break these important investments. Free credit reports are available at http://www.annualcreditreport.com, and for a small fee you can also obtain your credit score. Examine your report regularly for accuracy, and pay off any existing credit card debt as soon as possible. Credit card interest is wasted money, and outstanding debt can hurt your credit score. 

 
Take care of yourself first

 
After expenses and taxes, your paycheck may look too slim for comfort, but protecting your assets, health and income is worth the additional cost. If you have an apartment, renter’s insurance is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your possessions. Health insurance is also a must, whether you get it through your employer or stay on your parents’ plan. Your paycheck is worth protecting, too. Disability income insurance is not just for those with physically demanding jobs, as most beneficiaries are on disability from illness, not injury. Preparation for the unexpected comes at a small price considering the costs associated with the alternative.

 
Save for the fun stuff

 
Again, being responsible with your finances doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. You have worked hard to start your career, and deserve to reward yourself. The best way to spend smartly is simply to spend less than you have. Diligent saving allows for the occasional splurge without having to feel guilty or anxious about your decision to spend. Consider directly depositing a certain amount from your paycheck into a savings account for a “fun fund.” 
Save for the grown-up stuff, too.

 
Your parents’ nagging may start to quiet now that you’ve graduated, but their retirement planning advice is worth listening to. Start investing now, you won’t regret it. As you barely scratch the surface of your career, retirement seems a long way off, but successful investors understand that the longer your assets remain invested, the greater their potential for growth. The cash you forfeit now will pale in comparison to the amount you’ll end up getting back at the end of your career if you start as early as possible. 

 
Don’t pass up free money

 
Many employers offer pretax savings through their retirement accounts. Because your retirement contributions come out before taxes, your taxable income is decreased, saving you money. For example, a $100 contribution from your earnings to a pretax retirement account would reduce your paycheck by only $75 if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket. If your employer matches a percentage of your retirement contributions, it is wise to contribute the maximum amount of their match so as not to pass up on “free money.”

 
Money is just one of many aspects of adulthood that college graduates must meet head-on to start living independently. Personal finance may seem daunting, but don’t be discouraged. The above-mentioned tips boil down to common sense: spend less than you earn, stay protected through proper insurance, maintain good credit and save for the short and long-term, and you will be off to a great financial start in the next chapter of your life.

Courtesy of BPT

Essential insurance you can’t live without

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Essential%20insurance%20you%20can%27t%20live%20without
Cutting back on vacations and entertainment is a wise move when money is tight, but don’t be tempted to forego car and homeowners insurance to make ends meet.

 
Some people appear to be doing just that. Statistics from the Insurance Research Council, for example, indicate 16 percent of American drivers are uninsured. Nearly half of those say the reason is they can’t afford insurance. And three out of every five U.S. homes are underinsured, with homeowners skimping by paying less for insurance, but running the risk they won’t be able to rebuild their homes if disaster strikes. 

 
You should resist the urge to eliminate car and homeowners insurance in tough times, advises Charles Valinotti, senior vice president with insurer QBE. “Not having insurance may save on premium payments, but it can cost you much more when the unexpected happens,” he says. “Insurance premiums are a bargain compared to the financial issues that could pile up if you have an accident, your house burns down or someone is injured on your property.”

 
Valinotti notes the insurance protections you can’t do without:

 
* For your auto – Laws in all states require drivers to either have auto insurance or be able prove they are financially able to pay for an accident. In addition, if you have a loan on your vehicle, your lender typically requires that you carry comprehensive insurance – which covers loss from theft or damage from something other than an accident – as well as collision insurance as part of the loan agreement.  

 
Valinotti says if you don’t carry minimum amounts of insurance or can’t provide proof of financial responsibility, you might face fines, license suspension or even jail time. “Make sure you know what you need to meet the minimums for auto insurance liability, bodily injury and property damage required in your state.”
If your budget allows, consider uninsured and underinsured driver coverage. “In these challenging economic times, chances are you could get hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance,” Valinotti says. “If that happens, you need to protect yourself.” 

 
* For your home – You can legally own a home without insuring it. But Valinotti says going without insurance is a huge risk you don’t want to take, especially in a bad economy. And, if you have a mortgage, your lender will most likely require you to carry insurance – and in some regions, additional flood and earthquake coverage – to protect its investment.

 
A standard homeowners policy comes with the coverage you need built in: for your home’s structure if you need to repair or rebuild it, for your personal belongings if they’re stolen or destroyed, for liability protection against lawsuits, and to pay for additional living expenses if you can’t live there due to damage from an insured disaster.

 
Valinotti says instead of thinking of dropping your homeowners insurance, look at ways to lower the cost. “Raise your deductible, or see about getting discounts, such as buying your homeowners and auto insurance from the same company,” he says. “You can also keep your premiums in line by reviewing your policies and the value of your possessions at least once a year.”

Courtesy of BPT

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Ben Rodriguez

Triangle Real Estate LLC

Triangle Real Estate LLC

SETX Events

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