How to Decide between Leasing and Buying a Car

How to Decide between Leasing and Buying a Car

The choices when you needed a new vehicle used to be limited to purchasing new or used. Today, leasing has become the third option and one that more people are taking. Leasing is one way that you can drive a new car at a lower monthly cost. There are a few differences between buying and leasing, with the greatest one being you don’t own the car at the end of the lease.

Sometimes people choose to lease a vehicle for nearly the same reason they will buy a used one. Purchasing a car that is two or three years old allows them to spend the same amount of money that they would on a new car of lower value. Buying used gives them the option to drive a car in the brand and model of their choice and with the features they want whereas purchasing new might require them to sacrifice some of these qualities to fit the payments into their budget.

Leasing a car also lets you drive a better quality car for less, but without the ownership. Most of the time, when you lease a car you will need to make a down payment. There are also times that car dealers will run specials where you do not have to pay anything down. Although this may sound like a great opportunity, you should realize that you will probably have to make higher monthly payments just as you will when you purchase a vehicle and make only a small down payment.

The goal of anyone who wants to buy any new item is to get the best quality at the lowest possible cost. You also want to get a vehicle that accommodates your driving needs and comes with payments that you can comfortably afford. Checking out car reviews will help you learn more about a certain model’s features and learn from other drivers’ experiences.

If you choose to lease, you can give a certain type of vehicle a try before you make a commitment to purchase it. If you decide you want to buy it at the end of the lease period, you will get it for the difference between the selling price new and the depreciation that occurred over the lease period. One reason that leasing may not be a good choice for you is the limitations on the mileage that you are given. If you make a lot of trips or drive a long way to work, leasing could end up costing you a lot in fees for exceeding the mileage limit.

Any time you make a significant purchase, you need to take time and do your research to determine the best way to invest your money. Getting a car is one of the most significant purchases most people make during their lifetime. Make sure you have the information you need to help you make an informed decision you will be happy with.

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26.01.2015 0 comments / Read More /

Five Key Things You Need To Work From Home

Five Key Things You Need To Work From Home

In virtually every profession, a professional needs tools to get the job done. For a roofer, a hammer and nails are a must. For a chef, kitchen knives and other cooking utensils are necessary. Truck drivers cannot transport cargo without their trusty vehicle, and so on and so forth.

This holds true even for remote-working entrepreneurs. Over the past few years, more and more people have embraced this role as they step away from traditional jobs in favor of being able to do their work from almost anywhere – even their own homes. But to accomplish this, certain tools are needed. What are some of the things you need to work from home? Let’s look at some items that make the list.

• A functional computer. Many work-at-home occupations will involve tasks that involve typing, processing and the like. Needless to say, nothing gets this done quite like a reliable computer. For best results, you may want to have a laptop to give you mobility – but if processing power is a big factor and you will operate mainly from one particular spot, a desktop may be more of what you need.

• High-speed WiFi. The world revolves around the internet, and the work market of the twenty-first century is no exception. You will likely need to send and exchange large files, email or chat regularly, and even take part in calls online, so you will need access to high-speed internet. WiFi will help make things easier, allowing you to be almost anywhere inside your home or whatever building you’re working from.

• A work schedule. This may seem to be the antithesis of why people want to leave the traditional workplace, but a solid schedule will help keep your business on track. It is very likely that you won’t have much oversight in getting your work done – meaning it will be entirely up to you to see it get done. A schedule can help you maintain a clear picture of what should happen at what time, as well as help you stick to getting it done.

• A wireless phone headset. Have you ever talked on the phone while holding it between your neck and shoulder because you were busy washing dishes or doing something else with your hands? Yes, it’s tricky. Now imagine doing that regularly, sometimes for hours on end. This is why you should invest in a hands-free headset that will allow you to talk to colleagues and clients while you work. Your neck will thank you.

• You. Wait, you’re thinking, of course I’ll be there because I’m doing the work! In all honesty, the reason you make the list is because you must be totally invested in what you do. The only way you will succeed in this is to believe that you can, and to act accordingly. Just because you may work from home, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it seriously.

You may be able to find other things to include in this list, but this covers the basic things you will absolutely need to successfully work from home. If you can check off this list, chances are you are in shape to get started as soon as possible. To that end, start by checking out some work opportunities that are waiting for you now!

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22.01.2015 0 comments / Read More /

Could Renting Be A Better Option Than Buying A House?

Could Renting Be A Better Option Than Buying A House?

Many years ago, conventional wisdom said, it made a lot of practical sense to buy a house as soon as you can because it’s a great investment. If you were newly-married, you also needed a nice home to raise a family and establish your roots.

In the last decade or so, this pre-conceived idea has been turned topsy-turvy because the economics of owning a home have changed significantly. Take a close look. Then, the decision on whether to rent or own, mostly had to do with living in an apartment or a house. This is not true anymore. The situation has changed. Condos nowadays allow ownership of a multi-family residence. At the same time, opportunities to rent a stand-alone house in various places are greater now than ever before.

If you’re fancying moving from your small apartment and buying a house, you can expect this to be naturally more expensive. You are, after all getting more area per square foot and a yard.

But, Can Buying A Home Still Be A Good Investment?

Surveys say that since 1980, the average appreciation of real property was 3.0% annually. After adjusting for inflation, the experts say it’ll just be a hairline that will separate it from zero. In an investment-oriented scenario, stocks meanwhile has had a long-run average return of almost 10% including dividends.

During good times, a house purchase would seem like a smart idea. It’s pretty much leveraged. With a … say … 20% down payment and a price increase of only 3%, the equity of the owner turns into a 15% increase (you can do some math with a hypothetical US$100,000 home). The downside happens when there’s a, say … 20% price drop in the real estate market where the same 20% down payment, can mean a major loss in an owner’s equity. And this is not an exaggeration as was seen in some cases from the price decline in the recent housing bust.

Interest on home loans are tax deductible. Great! This deduction though doesn’t erase the fact that you’re still paying interest to somebody. It’s an outright expense and outweighs any reductions from your taxes.

The Real Dividends

The true dividends coming from a home purchase is that you can live in it without paying rent. You can do with it what you want. You can have your bathroom designed in purple, have your daughter’s bedroom walls painted with Brad Pitt murals or even have a rainbow-colored gazebo set back in the backyard. Owning a home also allows you flexibility. When extra money comes in from work, you can put in a hot tub. Renters do not have that option. In fact, if you’re a renter, you should remember you don’t have much say on your housing situation. If the landlord decides to sell the property, off you go. If he decides to raise the rent, either you go along with it or you start looking for a new place to stay.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about taxes, maintenance, insurance and sometimes utilities. The landlord takes care of all that. When you buy a house, you’ll have to crank your head when the roof leaks or when the water heater needs to be replaced… things you don’t really want to be concerned about while pursuing your pressure-heavy career.

Some people may see the advantages of renting and unless you and your family plan to live for a real long time in a “dream home”, purchasing one may not be the best option. What do you think?

Sources:

NYTimes.com

Forbes.com

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19.01.2015 0 comments / Read More /

Planning a Budget for 2015

Planning a Budget for 2015

What is the best way to manage your money for the coming year? With the economy looking so “iffy” in so many areas, setting a budget may be difficult, but even more important. For anyone looking to make a major investment, such as buying a house or car, the current low interest rates and the potential for that situation to change could make a big difference in whether it is the right time for you to buy.

The value of the dollar has crashed and it is weakening. Right now, low rates are causing more people to invest in home construction. The problem with that is that the future interest rates could go up and cause the payments to be unaffordable for those who were just covering their expenses at the current rates. In contrast, automobiles are expected to continue to grow less expensive each year. Coupled with lower fuel prices, this could be a good time to invest in your own car.

Long-term loans are low but unpredictable, making them a bigger risk for the future of your credit. At the same time, short-term and consolidation loans are still consistent with regards to interest rates and lending opportunities because they are not as likely to be impacted by an uncertain future.

Along with the predictions for finances for the coming year is the news that wages are either growing slowly or declining. This could lead to an increase in available jobs but at a lower wage to existing and new earners. As more people try to adapt to a tighter budget, short-term loans and consolidation loans are likely to become a necessity for more people who are trying to make ends meet with less money coming in.

To create a flexible budget for the year, a good place to start is by maintaining a minimum 5% deposit of your overall income into savings. The more you can prepare for any loss of income now, the better able you will be to adjust your budget to meet all of your needs later on. Any purchase that prevents you from being able to do this should be postponed if at all possible until the future is more secure.

A good way to budget necessities like food and clothing is to look at how much you spent on each area last year. If there are any major differences in the costs this year, adjust the budget accordingly. Once you have everything down on paper, you can determine how much more income you have coming in that you will need on the necessities. Remember, any financial commitment you make now that requires you to “buckle down” should be considered a big risk for your future. The end result of your efforts should be a comprehensive, working budget that you can easily follow.

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19.01.2015 0 comments / Read More /

Australian Financial Services Loan Options For Debt Consolidation

Australian Financial Services Loan Options For Debt Consolidation

Although the need for loans has increased in recent years, it hasn’t become any easier to get one. Due to banks struggling to make money off of loans, the requirements to qualify for a traditional loan have become so strict, few people can get one. If you have less-than-perfect credit, you might have to look at less conventional loans to help you out of your financial crisis.

You might want to start by getting a copy of your current credit report. There are three major credit reporting agencies and it is a good idea to get a report from them all. These scores will help you determine if you qualify for a payday loan or for debt consolidation.

Payday loans are generally loans that help in the short term. Usually they are to tide you over to the next payday although they can usually be extended beyond that date. There are many companies that offer them, sometimes as instant cash loans. Be sure to research if they are in good licensing status with Australian Financial Services.

Pay special attention to the interest requirements and the amount needed to pay it back so that you don’t get yourself into a worse situation than you started with. Some people find themselves taking out these short-term loans, only to have it backfire when they cannot pay them back in time.

Automobile loans are another option. These are sometimes referred to as title loans. This is not a loan to buy an automobile but a loan in which you use your car as collateral to get a loan. Of course, if you don’t prefer walking, it’s important that you know you can pay off this loan so you don’t lose your vehicle in the end.

Debt consolidation loans are often a better fit for the long term issues. Typically they will pay off your other debt by giving you a loan for all of the other debts. Then, you can pay back just one loan instead of dealing with all of those creditors. This can be way easier to keep track of and will reduce the people you need to call if you find yourself in a temporary crisis again.

If you have found that you need a loan, bad credit is probably an issue at this point. Most of the companies offering debt consolidation loans realize that and make their requirements accessible for most people looking to get out of debt. Some of these lenders even have special agreements with certain companies to get the loan amount reduced. You might find that you can pay back much less interest than you would have been by contacting the companies individually.

Being in debt can be intimidating, humiliating, and stressful. Know you are in good company with millions of others who are struggling to make it. There is light at the end of the tunnel when you realize it is time to seek out help with your finances. Making some good plans to get out of debt in a manageable fashion is the next step to take on the road to taking control of your own finances.

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12.01.2015 0 comments / Read More /

Saving Australia’s Credit With Bad Credit Loans

Saving Australia’s Credit With Bad Credit Loans

More Australians than ever are suffering with very high debt, low credit scores, and even lower income. Unable to obtain loans due to their negative credit history, most of these Australians will give up, claim bankruptcy and often, lose everything. However, there ARE options for people with low credit, bad credit, even NO credit! Many Australians are not aware of the unsecured personal loan bad credit programs available. These programs can help you obtain the cash you need quickly and easily.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, consumer debt is on the rise at a staggering rate. Up 16 percent in the past 18 years, debt has become an epidemic in Australia. Although many people will not qualify for  a traditional loan, the unsecured personal loan bad credit programs provide hope. Whether the money is needed for home improvements, medical emergencies, or debt consolidation, these loans are easy to apply for and well within reach no matter your credit situation.

Traditional unsecured personal loans often require a high downpayment, very strict guidelines, and much higher overall credit score requirements, making them much more difficult to obtain for people who have credit issues. An unsecured personal bad credit loan usually will have a higher interest rate but will be much easier to qualify for even with bad credit. The higher interest rate reflects the amount of risk involved in giving people with bad credit a loan. These short term loans, with their high interest rates, are a highly effective solution for people who need immediate cash but would not qualify for a traditional loan.

When searching for the right loan program, you need to consider a few important factors including, credit score  requirements, interest rate, loan fees and loan amount needed. Researching and understanding the rules and regulations of these loans will ensure that you are well educated about your financial state. In order to start reducing the debt in Australia, people should try to become more aware of their credit situation. These unsecured personal bad credit loans help people gain control of their credit situation, raise their overall credit score, and get their payments back on track. It’s easy to apply and usually does not take long to receive a decision.

Many people will find themselves with financial trouble at some point in their lives.  Unsecured personal bad credit loans offer a reasonable option to help consumers to get out of the sea of debt. Decisions for these types of loans are often made quickly and many applications can be found online. It may take just a few moments or hours to reach a qualifying decision. Funds are usually available fairly quickly and are directly deposited into the bank account that you provide in your application. Some loan companies can take 3 days to one full week before funds will be available, making research important when deciding which company to use for an unsecured personal bad credit loan.

Whether you are looking forward to a vacation with the family, a kitchen remodel or just need to consolidate bills, an unsecured personal bad credit loan could be just the thing you need. Here are two more resources that discuss this type of loan in detail:

Despite the higher interest rate, this type of loan is ideal for paying back quickly and reducing your debt altogether.

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12.12.2014 0 comments / Read More /

3 New Workout Ideas

3 New Workout Ideas

Working out can be like a bad book. You’re reading it and you want to finish, but it’s just so difficult to stay focused and get through it. Sometimes, though, all you need to do is turn the page to reinvigorate your reading, er, workout.

When developing a workout plan, sometimes a little spruce up is needed. Below are three new ideas for your workouts:

  1. Bodyweight Exercises

This is seemingly obvious, but with modern advertising it is all the rage to lift as much weight as possible whenever you can. Bodyweight exercises in high repetitions are still an effective way to exercise. As an added bonus, you can do them anywhere! At work, your friend’s house or the park.

There are a lot of awesome simple examples of bodyweight exercises online, so there is no excuse for saying you don’t know any! You can even get baby involved with some if you’re a stay-at-home mom.

  1. Rowing Machines

While not a new invention, rowing machines are making their way back to the forefront of fitness. Not only are they an alternative to the normal cardio routine, like elliptical machines and treadmills, there are plenty to choose from and they’re far more affordable. Reading reviews about rowing machines is a great way to figure out what’s best for you and see the options out there.

If you’re looking for an extremely efficient cardio workout that also tones and sculpts, look no further than some of the best rowing machines. Some of them are even small enough to fit under the bed or in a closet!

There’s nothing stopping you if you’re not a rower, either. The machines are simple to use and highly self-explanatory. A few videos on form might be recommended, but other than that hop on and start rowing!

  1. Kettlebells

If machines aren’t your thing and you need something more dynamic, kettlebell training is currently booming in places like New York City. Using kettlebells has been shown to be an amazing, low-impact exercise that develops core strength quickly and tones just as fast.

They’re a great option for any body type and fitness level, as you have a lot of option over pacing and moves. The bells themselves are a smaller investment than the rowing machines, but a completely different workout, as well.

These are just three ways to change up your workout routine. There’s nothing stopping you from from getting into any of the above workouts! It’s as easy as setting your mind to it. You can be a professional rower or kettle bell champion in no time. Who knows, maybe you’ll start your own at-home fitness exercise regimen?

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24.11.2014 0 comments / Read More /