Banking For Students And Graduates By Peter Kenny

If you are a student or have recently graduated, then there a large number of bank accounts and financial products designed specifically for you. Although students used to be much derided for the large government grants they received, those days are long gone and students today have to be financially astute in order to avoid large debts. If you are a student or recent graduate then here are some tips about the types of accounts to look for.

Why so many student accounts?

Student and graduate accounts are more and more common, and they usually have a wide range of features and good rates. Although students are generally fairly poor and cannot pay back money they borrow, banks want to offer these accounts to students in the hope that they will remain loyal to their company once they are earning good money.

Student accounts

When you go to university you might have a simple current account, but the best thing to do is to open a dedicated student account. Student accounts offer a wide range of benefits, including vouchers and discounts for clothing and record shops. However, the most important part of your student account is the interest-free overdraft

Overdrafts

When you are at university it is likely that at some point you are going to need an overdraft facility to handle the fees whilst not bringing in a lot of money. Therefore it is essential that you pick an account with a good interest-free overdraft limit. Try and find the bank that has the highest level of interest-free overdraft, because any unauthorised borrowing will cost you a lot of money.

Overall package

Although the overdraft limit is important, you should look at the overall account package. Look at other fees and charges that the bank applies to your account, as well as the extra benefits on offer. Some student accounts will offer students a credit card with their account amongst other benefits. Try and find the best overall account package for your needs.

Dedicated support

In addition to the account benefits, you need to make sure that the student account you choose has dedicated support, as this can help you when times are tough. An even better option is a bank that has a branch on your campus, because a dedicated student bank manager is more likely to be sympathetic to your financial difficulties. Online banking is also something to look out for, as this can help you move funds and pay bills quickly when you need to, as well as helping you to closely monitor your spending.

Graduate accounts

Once you have finished university, many banks will offer you an upgrade to a graduate account. It is worth looking at these when you get your student account, as the right student and graduate package can really help you to move smoothly from student to worker. Whatever package you choose, don’t be afraid to move accounts and banks, and shop around before you make any decision.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93383&ca=Finances

Finding The Right Brokerage Firm For You By Robert Michael

Are you looking for a brokerage that fits your style? Have you hesitated because you’re not sure how to begin? Check out this guide for some hints to uncovering the right brokerage firm for you.

Brokerage Firm Hint #1: Decide what you want/need before shopping around.

Before you ever begin looking for a brokerage firm, make sure you understand your own personality when it comes to finances. For example, how risk averse are you? Do you throw money at potential investments with gusto, or are you hesitant to even play a $1 slot machine, thinking that your buck could buy a candy bar? You must know who YOU are before you can ever schedule an appointment with a broker; otherwise, you’ll never be satisfied and it will actually be more difficult for him or her.

Brokerage Firm Hint #2: Shop around.

Even if you fall in love with the first brokerage you visit, you really need to evaluate at least one or two more brokerage firms before deciding with whom to work. This is for your own benefit as well as the benefit of the brokerage firm. After all, if you start working with one brokerage firm and suddenly come to the conclusion that it doesn’t reflect who you are as an investor, it’ll be difficult and even costly to remove yourself. It’s better to investigate many brokerage firms when you’re just starting out; then, you can make an informed choice.

Brokerage Firm Hint #3: Ask for references.

When you decide on the brokerage firm with whom you’d like to work, ask for references before giving them any money. Then, follow up on whatever lists or names they give you. Ask their clientele how satisfied they have been and whether they would choose that brokerage firm if they could do it again. Listen for hesitation or any phrases that appear to be “canned” or even outright lies. And if your gut tells you something is wrong, it probably is.

Brokerage Firm Hint #4: Ask questions and be honest.

Once you’ve chosen a brokerage firm, you need to make sure that all your meetings with your broker (or brokers) are efficient. Be open and honest and ask plenty of questions right off the bat. Any broker worth his or her salt will be happy to answer any inquiries and will follow-up over the phone and via email. Remember that if you’re not forthright, it’ll be tough for your broker to make the best suggestions to you. Instead, be upfront from the “get go” and you’ll reap the benefits.

Brokerage Firm Hint #5: When you find one that works for you, refer your friends.

If you find a brokerage firm that absolutely knocks your socks off, you’ll want to share your find with others. Make sure you do so frequently; not only will that be good for the brokerage firm, but they might give you a discount on some future service if you bring a lot of business through their doors.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93003&ca=Finances

Tips For Getting A Home Improvement Loan Grant By Rebecca Welch

Living on a tight budget doesn't mean you can't improve your home. A home improvement loan grant from the government may be the perfect solution and most American citizens are eligible to apply for one. Here are a few tips for getting a home improvement loan grant from the government that you should keep in mind.

Some home improvement loan grants are based on income level and ability to qualify for a loan. Many low income families may meet this qualification. Other grants may be based on geographical location and many times rural locations are given preferential treatment. Some home improvement loan grants require that you own your home and that you will not be selling it for a minimum of three years. Elderly home owners may qualify easily if their home needs improvements or renovations to adapt the home to a medical condition. Always read the qualifications of the grant for which you are applying to save yourself time, effort and unnecessary paperwork. You don't want to apply for a grant if you don't meet the basic qualifications.

Some grants require that the home improvement to be done be in a certain area of the home or that the improvement is designated to a certain aspect of the home. A valid reason must be given for the home improvement in question. Home improvement loan grants for the elderly are a good example of a valid reason to do a home improvement. Other valid reasons for receiving a home improvement loan grant may include making your home more energy efficient or to have old and dangerous construction supplies such as lead paint or asbestos removed from your home.

Find a grant for which you feel you have the best chance of qualifying. There tend to be many rules and regulations for compliance, but following those application rules to the letter will ensure you the best possible opportunity for receiving your home improvement loan grant. If you have questions concerning the application process, don't be afraid to ask for help from the appropriate governmental agency or local government.

One useful tool is a grant guide that can be borrowed from the library or purchased from your local bookstore or through the internet. A grant guide will give detailed instructions and information about home improvement loan grants, but it will also give you ideas of other grants for which you may qualify. In order to make the most from your grant guide purchase, be sure to buy the most current copy available as they may be updated every 6 to 12 months.

These tips for getting a home improvement loan grant could have you well on your way to the home improvements you want or need to make. Although grants are free money and do not require repayment, you can't afford to be sloppy with the application process. Attention to detail is vital. Most home improvement loan grants don't require contracts like loan companies do, but thoughtful and careful documentation is necessary for success. Be confident, plan carefully and a home improvement loan grant could be in your future.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93268&ca=Finances

Budgeting For Charity By Morgan D. James

Money is tight, but you know that you should be supporting charities. How do you plan your budget in a way that gives a little back?

Choose your Donation Style

There are a few different ways that you can choose to donate for charity. You might choose one charity and donate every month using a pre-authorized payment plan. You might choose a set amount each month and donate to a different charity each month. You might even decide that instead of making regular payments to any charities, you will instead make a donation every time you are approached at the supermarket or at the office. Although this last one sounds like it might be less expensive, it often ends up costing you more because you do not keep track of how much you spend.

Regardless of how you choose to allot your charitable donations, be sure to budget in a little extra. You might want to buy a chocolate bar from the kid at the door, or you might want to pick something up at the bake sale.

Track your Donations

Keep your donation receipts. This will allow you track how much you’re spending, which can help you decide if your current amount of donation is too much or too little based on your earnings. Traditionally, people allotted 10% of their income to charity, but you can judge how much or how little you feel is appropriate.

Research your Charities

You want the money that you give to charity to be well-spent. Some of the large world-wide charities have overhead expenses of as much as 60%. Go to your charities’ websites to see their budgeting. You want to choose charities with a low overhead cost, so that you know your money is going directly to help those in need, or directly to research, rather than to administrative or advertising costs.

Donate Alternatives

Maybe you don’t have enough money to pay your bills, let alone donate to charity. Consider donating your time instead. You could volunteer to collect money, or to organize paperwork at a local charity. Often, charities will be more pleased to have your time because they need people to help out.

You can also donate clothes, furniture, and even old cars to charity. Find out what kind of collections happen in your neighbourhood. It might even be useful for you if you are doing spring cleaning to have someone come to take away your old things. Donate things that are no longer useful to you, but don’t donate garbage. If something is useless, throw it out. You would be surprise at how many items can be donated: soup labels, grocery store receipts, pop can tabs, and even eyeglasses.

Do it for Fun

Often, charities organize events that will be fun. You can go to a charity dinner and have a wonderful evening, especially because you know that you are doing it for the right reasons. You might buy a ticket for a 50/50 draw, because chances are when they call your number you might win. If a charity is selling something that you might not need, consider if you might be able to get it as a gift for someone else. Your friend might be pleased to have a newly knit baby-blanket, even though it would have been no use to you.

Choose Charity Options

Sometimes you need to spend money, so why not choose to spend it through a charity? For instance, if you need to get your car washed, you might consider doing the charity car wash rather than the gas station car wash.

Sometimes schools or churches do fundraising where they sell cheese or oranges. Instead of buying your cheese or citrus fruit at the grocery store, you can buy them from the charity and feel good about how you are spending your money.

No matter how much or how little you earn, you can always provide something for those who are more in need than you. You will feel better about yourself by doing small things can make a big difference.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=94428&ca=Finances

Foreclosure Houses Search These For Your First Home By Adam Masterson

Many people are flocking to the foreclosure home market. In it, you are able to buy homes that are quite inexpensive, fix them up, and sell them for a profit or use them for yourself. There are a few good reasons that foreclosure houses are great for people that are looking for their first property. It is much easier to get one of these homes mortgaged than any other home.

The price is the big drawing feature of these homes. Be on the lookout for foreclosed homes in your area. You can save thousands of dollars by purchasing foreclosure houses instead of more traditional properties. There is a good chance that you will find more than one home in your area that is discounted up to half of the actual market value.

In addition to the great price that you can get up front on foreclosure houses, they are also great investment properties. If you buy a foreclosed home as your first property, and pay it off in 15 or 30 years, you will have made quite the profit. When you go to resell the house you will be able to sell it for thousands more than what you paid for it initially. And all you have to do to take advantage of this profit is simply live in your house, and make the payments.

Foreclosure houses are also good properties to look into because there is a large selection available all over the country. Regardless of where you live, you will never have any problem finding foreclosure houses in your area. This means that when you are picking out your first home that you will not be restricted in the least bit. All you have to do is locate the foreclosure houses in your area, and then go through all of them to decide that one best suits your needs.

Dont discount foreclosed homes just because they may be real fixer-uppers. If you make sure the home will suit your needs, who cares if its not the palace you invisioned? Your first home hardly ever is your last home. Chances are that if you are buying your first home that you have other things to purchase as well. This can really free up a lot of cash and let you buy more appliances and other things of that nature that you need.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93543&ca=Finances