Evaluate Your Home Improvement Financing Options By Rebecca Welch

Although as the saying goes,'There is definitely no place like home!', the time will come that your home could use some rennovations, upgrades or improvements. Does your kitchen need more cabinets? Do you need more space in the living room? How long have you had the crack in the bathroom tile floor? When was the last time you had your roof repaired or replaced? If any of these situations give you reason to pause, it could be time for some home improvements.

If money is a concern, you should first evaluate your home improvement financing options. A home improvement loan can help finance the project or projects of your choice without paying for the whole project in one large chunk. The terms of a home improvement loan vary with each lender and also with the credit score of the borrower. Home improvement financing can be broken down into monthly or quarterly payments just like other types of loans. These loans can be extended for 5 to 10 years, but bear in mind that the longer the repayment period is, the higher the interest rate is likely to be.

Why should you bother to evaluate your home improvement financing options if you can make the repairs yourself? There are some home improvements that should not be done by non-professional persons and having your home improvement financed can ensure that trained professionals can be hired and enough money exists to get the job done properly. A home improvement project properly executed by trained professionals will greatly increase the value of your home.

A word of caution for you, financing professional home improvement projects isn't cheap. There is, however, a value to financing your home improvements in this manner. The plus side is that you have the opportunity to stay in a home you always dreamed of and you have the ability to pay off the loan on more flexible terms.

As you begin to evaluate your home improvement financing options, look for home improvement financing interest rates that are lower than others on the market. Consider the value of your property, also called the equity. The more equity your have in your home the better your starting position. You can find home improvement financing in such places as your local bank, loan brokers, and society co-ops.

There are requirements for home improvement financing you must meet. You should be prepared to answer all of the following questions. Most places will ask if you have financial issues. Do you have exisiting credit loans from other companies? What is the status of those existing credit loans? What is the current status of your house mortgage? Do you have a regular income? Every company has its own rules and regulations. Those are just a few areas to consider begin the application process. The more preparation you can do beforehand, the better off you will be during the loan application and approval period.

Taking the time to evaluate your home improvement financing options can eliminate a lot of confusion. Do as much comparison shopping as possible and pick the lender that offers an affordable loan rate and legal credibility.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=92789&ca=Finances

Helping Your College Student With His Or Her Visa Card By Robert Michael

Teens and those in their early twenties are very savvy these days, but not necessarily about money. So when Visa comes calling, they snatch up credit card deals (often aimed at the university market) and start piling on the “deals”, only to find themselves in debt later.

You can help your child by giving him or her some helpful tips on using a Visa card for good, not evil.

Visa card tip #1: Only use in emergency situations

For many students, an “emergency” equals the need for a new pair of shoes. Of course, this not an emergency at all, and a Visa that’s already maxed out should never be used for a luxury item. Instead, tell your teen that if the answer to the question, “Can I live without this?” is “yes”, the Visa card shouldn’t be used. On the other hand, if the teen finds him- or herself in a bind (such as on a date with a loser or someone violent and thus needing a quick ride back to the dorm), the Visa can be used without question.

Visa card tip #2: Pay off all the balances

Many young Visa users think that they can just pay the minimum amount due and never worry about paying the piper later. Consequently, they get into all kinds of debt later. Make sure your child understands that the best thing he or she can do is to pay the entire Visa bill every month. And if he or she makes a purchases that cannot be paid off within two or three months, it probably isn’t necessary.

Visa card tip #3: Check your bill

Even big companies like Visa make errors at times, so it’s imperative that cardholders check their statements every month. Thus, they won’t wind up paying for a charge that shouldn’t have been attributed to their accounts. Younger Visa holders (and even some seasoned ones) are known for ignoring this rule, and it’ll only cost them time and money later when (and if) they figure out they were charged in error.

Visa card tip #4: Report stolen cards immediately

If your student has a Visa card, make sure he or she understands that, should it become lost or stolen, it must be reported ASAP. Otherwise, someone could use it to steal his or her identity, which happens far too frequently in today’s economy. If he or she is fearful that mom or dad will get angry, assure him or her that although you might not be overly pleased, you’d rather find out from him or her that the Visa card was stolen.

Visa card tip #5: Don’t be afraid of a credit card

Finally, make sure that your kids understand that credit cards are not some terrible form of monetary exchange. Actually, they can be quite useful, especially for building a credit history. Again, it’s all in the way your Visa is used; if you are savvy, you can start on the way to a very high credit score, which will be helpful later.

With your help, your child will become knowledgeable about how to use his or her Visa appropriately.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93012&ca=Finances

Got To Get Away: Stretch Your Vacation Dollars By Joseph Kenny

With the dollar receiving an old fashioned beating from the euro right now, vacations to popular European destinations like England, France and Spain have become quite pricey. Not to fret though, with a little planning, you can still enjoy your European vacation without breaking the bank.

Not flying across the pond for some R&R? You can still save cash by traveling smart, regardless of your vacation destination. Read on, oh wandering soul.

Prevent your wallet from getting euro-trashed

If you’re heading to Europe, prepare yourself financially. While Paris and London are must-sees for the vacationing Yankee, they can put a hurting on your billfold. Vacations in Western Europe today cost 35 to 40 percent more than they did as little as two years ago. Why? It’s all about the exchange rate. The euro rules the day over our weakened dollar, meaning you’ll have to pick and choose your spots when it comes to traveling abroad.

Before you book, research your options. Purchasing a vacation package (airfare & hotel) through an online travel broker like expedia.com or travelocity.com could save you big bucks. If you’re planning on staying long-term in one place, look into renting a house or apartment. It’s cheaper than a hotel room, sleeps more, is roomier, and you’ll be able to cook your own food instead of eating out every day. Also, many vacation packages will allow you to “lock in” a rate well before your travel dates. If the dollar continues to fall against the euro after you book, you’ll save big and look like a genius. If the dollar rallies, however, you lose.

Remember, Europe is more than just England and France. Consider visiting some of the Eastern Block countries like Hungary, Poland or Lithuania—you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Gone are the Cold War misconceptions of these countries. Instead, travelers will encounter friendly natives, stunning views, and vibrant nightlife. What’s more, these countries have yet to adopt the euro, meaning your dollar will go a lot farther.

But if it’s Western Europe or bust for you, you can still ease the pain that the mighty euro brings. Book your trip early to ensure you get the flights and hotels you want. If you want to see a lot of Europe, consider a cruise. If you’re on a budget, consider a short three or four day stopover and tackle only the sights you absolutely have to see. Finally, when traveling about the European countryside, always set a daily limit on your spending.

Destination: anywhere? Money saving travel tips.

Regardless of where you vacation, following a few simple rules will minimize the impact on your bottom line while maximizing your fun. Always remember to:

1. Shop around. Just like anything else, deals are to be had if you know where to look. Check online resources for the best deals.

2. Only use a travel agent for big trips to far away places. You can handle the details of a weekend getaway.

3. Travel in the off season. Find out when your desired destination’s peak tourist season is, and don’t go then. Off season prices are much more acceptable.

4. Flexibility is key. Changing your travel itinerary by just a day or two can save you big.

5. For cruises, book early to take advantage of big savings. If using an agent, get one who’s a cruise expert. She can save you money and probably secure a few perks along the way.

6. When renting a car, only get the smallest possible one you can handle. It’s cheaper and so is the gas. At the counter, ask for a free upgrade; it doesn’t hurt to try. Always refuel your rental before you return it to avoid getting gouged by the return lot. Never rent a car at the airport, rates are better elsewhere. Finally, if you can understand the city’s public transportation, use it instead of renting a car.

7. When on the road, carry a cooler full of drinks and snacks. By stopping at a grocery store and loading up on supplies (e.g., aspirin, water, sunscreen, film) before you wander the countryside, you’ll avoid being taken to the cleaners by roadside tourist traps.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=94187&ca=Finances

Is Consolidating Your Student Loan A Good Idea? By Bill Dufrane

Some students leave college and you expect them to heave a sigh of relief because at long last the long hurdle is over. No more sleepless nights studying for lessons, no more academic books to read, no more exams to take and most of all no more tuition fees to be paid. But what if the student just relied on student loans all throughout his or her studies? That must have been a lot of loans to pay. Fortunately there is a thing called student loan consolidation.

Student loan consolidation is combining all previous loans into one loan to make it easier for the students to pay the debts. If your loans are consolidated, you need not pay multiple loans every month, you only have a single loan to pay and this makes it less confusing and burdensome.

Through consolidation, a student or a graduate can have some sort of relief. Most student fret and think of their loans while still studying and often miss out on their education. On the other hand, fresh graduates that are in debt could not focus or advance in their careers because they have this huge debt to pay.

You may be wondering if student loan consolidation is a good idea. Here are a few reasons why you should consider consolidating your loans -

It lowers your monthly payment

Often times if a student has multiple loans to pay, it means paying higher as the student is paying for interest for multiple loans.

Lower interest rates

Consolidation offers students a fixed monthly interest that is usually lower than the interest rates of their previous loans.

New interest rates

Consolidating your loans will most likely mean that you are going to have a new interest rate. You may get lower interest rates because interest rates these days are decreasing.

More convenient payment scheme Because all the previous loans are combined into one, payment is easier and more convenient when student loans are consolidated.

Helps you save more money

Typically, consolidating your loans can help you reduce your monthly payments to as much as 54 percent depending on the interest rates. But no matter what the interest rate, bottom-line is your still going to save money.

Extends repayment period

Usually consolidation gives the students more time to pay their debts. This is a good thing so students wont feel pressured to pay their consolidated loans because it lowers the monthly payment.

Different types of loans can be consolidated

Student consolidation is not only limited to one or two types of loans. There are actually a lot of different types of loans that can be consolidated. Some loans that can be consolidated are direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, federal insured student loans, federal Perkins loans, national defense student loans, etc.

While student loan consolidation provides a lot of advantages, there is also a negative side to it. You may want to consider these disadvantages before deciding to consolidate your loans.

Increases overall total amount paid Because consolidating all your loans extends repayment period, it will lower your monthly payments but this will result in an increased overall total amount paid.

Lose incentives

If you consolidate all your loans you may lose several incentives that are offered to you by your lenders.

Lose benefits for Perkins loans Consolidating Perkins loans means cancellation of your benefits and losing interest subsidy.

Reading the pros and cons of student consolidation may have given you an idea on whether or not consolidation is a good idea. The advantages obviously surpass the disadvantages but it is still up to you if you want to consolidate your loans.

Before indulging in the consolidation scene, you need to do research on that consolidation companies offer the best deals and will really help you lower your payments.

The best way to research is through the internet because you will be able to compare different plans conveniently. You can find information and news on consolidation. Some sites even offer quotes and this makes it easier for you to compare and choose among different companies.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93575&ca=Finances

Three Easy Ways To Pay Your Way Through College By Garrick Banks

Education today is more expensive than it has ever been. In order to even be able to consider taking some post-secondary education you need to have the financial backing to do so. In fact, many students plan on working part or even full time while they go to school, but this can quickly lead to disaster because the student will be so busy that they will suffer burnout and be unable to juggle their responsibilities.

1. Money From Parents

The oldest, tried and tested method of paying your way through college is by getting money from mom and dad. Of course, nowadays this is more and more uncommon. Some parents invest in educational plans to surpass the heavy burden they might encounter later on.

2. Passport To Education

As a special incentive for having a B or better grade point average (typically, 75 percent or better overall GPA) you may be rewarded by your highschool by a grant that does not have to be repayed. The good news is, it's free money but the bad news is that it is usually for very small amounts of money, $300 or so - barely enough to cover one class and the cost of one textbook. Still, something is better than nothing and you can't argue with things that are free.

3. Scholarship Grants

Scholarship grants are a great way to finance your way through your post secondary education as they can pay for up to the complete amount that you require to go to school. The downside is that you will have to adhere to strict rules or else you might lose the scholarship entirely. College scholarships may be in a form of academic scholarship, athletic scholarships and other forms. There are also college scholarships that are funded by the government.

4. Ask Your Academic Advisor

Both your highschool academic advisor and the advisors at the post secondary school you plan on attended should be consulted. They are often a wealth of information and will be able to provide more information concicely about the subject that you are interested in than you would otherwise be able to achieve by yourself, given the same amount of time. Plus, theyre always free to consult and a simple consultation might save you lots of trouble in the long run.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=93574&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