Friday, August 29, 2008

Money Thus Saved And Lent Is Capital

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

Finance, in the sense in which it will be used in this article, means the machinery of money dealing.



Finance becomes international when our money is lent to borrowers in other countries, or when people in England, who want to start an enterprise, get some or all of the money that they need, in order to do so, from lenders oversea. That is, the machinery by which money which you and I save is put together and lent out to people who want to borrow it. The biggest borrowers of money, are the Governments, in most countries, and so international finance is largely concerned with lending by the citizens of one country to the Governments of others, for the purpose of developing. their wealth, building railways and harbours or otherwise increasing their power to produce. So finance is the machinery that handles capital, collects it from those who save it and lends it to those who want to use it and will pay a price for the loan of it. Money thus saved and lent is capital. This price is called the rate of interest, or profit. Sometimes borrowers want money because they have been spending more than they have been getting, and try to tide over a difficulty by paying one set of creditors with the help of another, instead of cutting down their spending.


The borrower offers this price because he hopes to be able, to benefit himself, after paying it out of what he is going to make or grow or get with its help, or if it is a Government because it hopes to improve the country s wealth by its use. This path, if followed far enough, leads to bankruptcy for the borrower and loss to the lender. Since capital thus seems to be the subject- matter of finance and it is the object of this book to make plain what finance does, it will be, and how better to begin with clear understanding of the function of capital. If no price were offered for capital, we should none of us save, or if we saved we should not risk our money by lending it, but hide it in a hole, or lock it up in a strong room, and so there could be no new industry. All the more because capital is nowadays the object of a good deal of abuse, which it only deserves when it is misused. But let us recognize that capital, when well and fairly used, is far from being a sinister and suspicious weapon in the hands of those who have somehow managed to seize it.


When it is misused, let us abuse it as heartily as we like, and take any possible measures to punish it. But is in fact so necessary to all kinds of industry, that those who have amassed it, and placed it at the disposal of industry render a service to society without which society could not be kept alive.

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The Interest Rate Will Change Your Mortgage Interest Payment Each Month - Finance and Financial Planning:

When you decide to buy a home, getting the best possible loan is important.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

You Are One Of Just A Few People Who Have The Foresight To Think About Retirement This Early In Life

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

Perhaps it is looking toward the future in terms of insurance, planning for college and other issues such as this also gets your mind moving on how you will be ready when retirement gets here. Retirement planning experts tell us that if young people in their twenties or even teens can start putting a little bit back toward retirement, the rewards when they reach their golden years will be phenomenal.



But if we were able to step back above our lives, the best time to start preparing for retirement is not the middle age years. If a youth in his early twenties or teens were to just put one percent of what they make back, and that money stayed in some form of investment vehicle that would grow into a retirement account, the growth between the time of investment and retirement at 60 or 65 can be explosive even at a modest interest rate. That is a time when the transition from teen years to family life is pretty all consuming. Unfortunately, few young people are looking that far ahead when they are in their early adult lives. So it might be the responsibility of parents and older advisors to help youth see the value of starting to work on their retirement savings well in advance so they have a well developed program when their retirement years come along. Now, in the last decade, many businesses have eliminated retirement benefits where the company pays for the retirement. One of the best places for a young person to start their retirement program is with the 401k or retirement benefits at their job.


But if the young person works for a company that offers 401K, they can set aside a percentage of their income and it will be put into a retirement fund before taxes. The outcome is a healthy and rapidly growing fund that starts out with an immediate doubling of the invested funds and then grows steadily over the years as more is put into the fund with each paycheck. Moreover, often the company will match the funds up to dollar for dollar and the company will manage the investment of the funds as well. The young worker gets used to the retirement money coming out so they adjust their budget to live without it. If you are a young person and you are considering if you might think about starting a retirement account, congratulations. And without giving retirement much more thought than that, within a few decades, the 401K can evolve into a very impressive retirement account to be sure. You are one of just a few people who have the foresight to think about retirement this early in life.


Because if you only put a little bit back, that can grow and grow and grow and become a sizeable retirement nest egg for you and your spouse even if he or she is the spouse off in your future. And by starting now, you take advantage of the thing that is your greatest asset is time.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Is It Possible To Screw Up Retirement Planning

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

But short of the worst case scenario of an early demise, everyone is going to get old and its far better to do so with a plan then to let it sneak up on you.



Is it possible to screw up retirement planning? This is something you do not want to screw up. Of course it is. So it is good to know the common mistakes people make so you can avoid them. If you speak to senior citizens who did not start planning in advance and got to their senior years with nothing to fall back on and no funds to use so they can step out of the working world and enjoy a more leisurely retirement lifestyle, that is an example of people who screwed up their retirement planning. Probably the biggest mistake that you can make in your retirement planning is to wait to start it until you are pretty close to retirement. Then just let that money continue to accumulate and grow and before you know it you are sitting on top of a pretty substantial nest egg.


If you want to retire at 60 and you do not start getting ready until you are 55, you will not have nearly as well prepared a retirement package as if you had started when you was 25 or 3By starting early, you can set back a small amount each month and put it into an IRA, your employer 401k or some other retirement vehicle. Speaking of sitting on top of a nest egg, the second big mistake people make is not leaving that nest egg alone. Above all, resist this temptation. When that retirement investment fund starts to get big, it is really easy to look at it as a way to get you out of credit card debt trouble or to borrow against for some new plan or possession you want. If you lose that retirement fund due to foolish use of the funds in your middle age years, you are back to square one with nothing to show for your years of hard work developing that retirement nest egg. This is step one but its not a good idea to never go back and review your retirement plan and see if how you are going about getting ready for retirement well in advance. The plan of setting up withholding from your checkbook or a direct deposit to your retirement account of retirement savings allows you to go about your busy life knowing that your retirement planning is underway.


Make it a regular ritual to sit down and review what is going on with your investment funds. Remember, just because your retirement funds are being managed by the company you work for does not mean the money belongs to them. Look at the way your investments have been performing and if you are not getting a good return on those money, make some changes. It is yours so be responsible and manage it. And by taking good care of your retirement before you need it, you are guaranteeing that it will take good care of you when its time to depend on that fund for a happy and prosperous retirement lifestyle. Starting early and staying proactive about your retirement is your best approach to retirement planning and one that will result in a much bigger retirement fund for you to start your golden years with.

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Brokerage Houses Generally Have Subprime And Private Equity Exposure, As Discussed Above - Finance and Financial Planning Articles:

The stock market is gyrating like a yoyo, and with each down stroke it s heading lower.

What Is A Probate Conservatorship - Finance and Financial Planning Articles:

What is a probate conservatorship? This differs from the guardianship appointment, which involves an appointed adult and a minor child.

Hence, It Is Very Easy To Start Charitable Trusts - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Businesses can gain immensely from charitable trusts, though these trusts are nonprofit organizations that are set up for the benefit of some other party. It is not too difficult to set up a charitable trust either.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

That Is What Retirement Is All About

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

So if you bought a home with the conventional yard, neighbors, fence, dog and all of the trappings of suburbia, you no doubt have many happy memories that you had back at the farm as you may have called it. Probably to your kids, the house you raised them in will forever to your home and the idea of anyone else living in it is heresy of the worst kind.



Many people even go so far as to name their home something like Happy Acres to give their homestead even more personality and add that sense of ownership to it. But as you begin to move toward retirement age, you may see the value in selling that home and getting into something smaller, cozier and with less overhead. You may have many happy years ahead of you where you are plenty able to get around and have no need of assisted living. Retirement does not always mean moving into a nursing home or retirement center. But selling the house as you enter into your retirement years makes a lot of sense for a lot of good reasons. If your home can finance some of the trips you have been dreaming of all these years, that is a good payback for being so careful with your money during your working years.


For one thing, you may have that house paid off and there may be a lot of equity in that home that you can use to get into a cozy little condo or apartment and have plenty of money left over to pad your retirement savings or afford a bit of travel with your spouse. You can take a one time tax exemption that we all are allowed to use which permits you to sell the house and not have to pay taxes on the proceeds even if you do not sink the money into another house. While you cannot sell your memories, if the house is not serving your needs as a family any more, why bother with it? That means that all of that equity money is sitting there waiting for you to put it to work. Many times when you get done raising the kids and no longer are tied down to a job, it might be time for you and your spouse to get out there and enjoy life and travel. But if you live in a small place that is not difficult to lock up and walk away from, you have the freedom that you always dreamed of when you thought of the word retirement. Retirement is often a time to get rid of a lot of your material possessions and get lose to get out and enjoy your freedom and see some of the world that you could not do when you were raising children.


Another great reason to get out of your house as you move toward retirement is that a house with a yard and all of the other trappings of ownership is a constant ownership problem. If you sell the place and rent or move into a smaller place such as a condo, a huge amount of that maintenance if not all of it disappears. You are responsible to fix the fence, get the plumbing fixed, a garden and, grow a yard keep up the house year in and year out. Now when the appliances break down, just call the man and let them deal with it. That is what retirement is all about. You deserve to have those worries taken off of your back.


So getting rid of the homestead might be a great idea for your retirement planning. You did not clutter that place up in a week and you would not get out of it that fast either. But be prepared for the move and the work that getting the old place ready will entail. But by going through your stuff and streamlining your life now, that is something your kids will not have to do later. And when you are moved out and another young family is getting started in your old homestead, you can congratulate yourself on a great move to put yourself in a perfect place to enjoy a happy and fun retirement with the love of your life.

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The Policy Has A Large Loan - Finance and Financial Planning Articles:

Most people do not know they can sell an insurance policy. Even term insurance, which has no cash value, is a candidate for purchase.

Federal Loans Are In Great Demand In The US - Finance and Financial Planning Articles:

No student in modern times is unaware of the benefit of student loan consolidation.

Nobody Likes To Pay Taxes - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Nobody likes to pay taxes. Knowing some simple rules will reduce your tax bill and allow you to keep more of what you inherit.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

These People Or Foundations Are In The Business Of Investing

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

If you are looking to get started in the small business world, chances are you will need some outside start up capital. Fortunately, there are a plethora of available avenues for you to secure some funds to get your small business off the ground.



Few, small business owners, if any got their start up money out of their own pocket. Of course, to get these loans you will have to show a business plan indicating you know what you are doing and have a good chance of turning a profit within a recognizable time frame. They will want to see a verifiable return on their investment. Neither banks nor the small business association nor outside investors are looking to simply give their money away. Of course, no business is a sure thing but you will want to make it seem like yours is. Here are some of the available outlets for procuring that all important capital. If you have a smart business plan, some collateral to put up and a business degree, getting a loan should be possible.


First of all, if you are looking to buy into a franchise, you will want to look in a different area than you would if you were starting your business from scratch. For instance, if you want to open up a McDonalds, you will want to research the company to see if they offer plans for paying off your franchise loan. There are franchise financing plans and these are often times provided by the franchise company itself. These plans are often cheaper, better and easier to procure than loans from an outside source. If franchising is not your thing, you will want to look at the available loans to start up small businesses. If the franchise company you are buying into has no such program, see if your local lending institutions offer special loan programs for those looking to start a. franchise. One of the first places you will want to look is the small business association or SBA.


They offer several different categories of loan programs and you will want to look at each of them and see what meets your requirements. This government program is specifically set up to help young entrepreneurs such as yourself. These programs do require a certain amount of collateral, though sometimes the small business itself can be counted toward this. Another good place to start for a small business loan is your local bank, meaning the one you do business with. The small business association does not actually provide the money itself but will rather recommend you to good lending institutions through which you can secure. financing. Banks are more apt to offer loans to qualified customers with whom they already have an account in good standing. Often, the financing and interest rates through your own bank will be better than you can find at other institutions.


They will not have to do a lot of credit checking, as they already have most of your financial information at their fingertips. Finally, avail yourself of venture capitalists and angel investors. More than any of the other options, however they will be keenly interested in how your business can make them money. These people or foundations are in the business of investing. If you have a good business plan, seek out these investors for some capital to start your company.

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Why Seniors Don T Buy Long Term Care - Finance and Financial Planning:

In the next few minutes you will learn about a new insurance industry product that provides long term care insurance coverage if you ever need it, but requires no policy, premiums or health qualifications. In my experience, over half the people who shun long term care insurance do so because they feel they will never need it.

Also, Your Joint Tenancy With Another Person May Prevent Your Children From Inheriting Such Joint Assets - Casey Colston's Finance and Financial Planning blog:

If you are a woman, and have assets, are financially secure that you expect to pass on to people you love and care for, you must make a suitable estate plan.

The Trust Would Then Sell The Property To The Real Estate Developer - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Charitable remainder trusts can increase your income, avoid capital gains taxes, lower or eliminate estate taxes, serve as another type of retirement plan, serve humanity and put a warm feeling in your heart. In the Path of Progress.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A Texas Mortgage Loan Can Be Yours For The Asking

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

A Texas mortgage loan can be yours for the asking. Remember that a mortgage broker can only make money when he or she finds you a loan, and assists in the state of Texas of acquiring a Texas mortgage loan.



Just do your homework first, make sure you have a decent credit score, get a down payment in hand for the home you wish to buy, and then contact a good mortgage broker. If you live in Texas, and you are in the market for a home, visit with a mortgage broker and he or she will help you determine what Texas mortgage loan you currently qualify for. Brokers may work independently, be associated with a lender, or actually be employees of lenders. A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between you and mortgage lenders, helping you find the right mortgage product for your needs. A mortgage broker or any other lender will generally have paperwork for you to fill out and questions to answer to see how they can best help you. If you have questions, be sure to ask for assistance. Many times they will allow you to go through this process online.


A good place to start looking for mortgage brokers in Texas is in your local chapter of the Texas Association of Mortgage Brokers. At this time the mortgage broker will also run a credit check, explain it to you and show you how you can make improvements in your situation in order to better obtain a Texas mortgage loan. Getting a Texas mortgage loan for you are financially beneficial to the mortgage broker or lender, so they will use their experience to help you fill out the forms properly. Texas mortgage programs will still ensure you can take advantage of the home value appreciations currently on an upward trend in this state. A mortgage loan company would be able to offer suitable loan options like lower rates for clients with excellent credit rating or no- income verification loans for self- employed individuals having good credit history. Texas mortgage loan companies can be agents between the client and the lenders or they can be the lenders also. Texas mortgage loan companies also offer refinance mortgage loans for clients who are planning to decrease their current loan burden.


However, many people get preapproved for a loan, either online or offline before they are ready to buy and that expedites the process of getting a Texas mortgage loan. There are several kinds of mortgage loans available in Texas: FHA( Federal Housing Administration) loans, land loans, consolidation loans, conventional loans, balloon loans and special loans like hard equity loans, 100, interest only loans% cash out refinance, commercial mortgage loans, construction loans, farmers home loans, no PMI( Private Mortgage Insurance) loans, vacant land and acreage mortgage loans and cross- collateralization of properties. Saving time is always a good thing. Whatever method you choose, getting a Texas mortgage loan is easier than ever, so enjoy your new home.

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Also, Your Joint Tenancy With Another Person May Prevent Your Children From Inheriting Such Joint Assets - Finance and Financial Planning Articles:

If you are a woman, and have assets, are financially secure that you expect to pass on to people you love and care for, you must make a suitable estate plan.

The Policy Has A Large Loan - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Most people do not know they can sell an insurance policy. Even term insurance, which has no cash value, is a candidate for purchase.

One Spouse Cannot Make Financial Decisions For The Other Spouse - Dianna Pouncy about Finance and Financial Planning:

Are you a gambler?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Debt Settlement Or Negotiation Can Severely Damage Your Credit

Category: Finance, Financial Planning.

Debt negotiation, commonly referred to as debt settlement or debt elimination, is considered a specialty service mostly offered to people who" fall out" of a debt consolidation program, can t make the minimum payment of a debt consolidation program, or have large outstanding debts on which they haven t paid in the past 3 months. Once you sign up for a debt negotiation program you stop making payments to your creditors( if you were making payments) .



The main benefit of a debt negotiation service is that client s usually only pay around 50% of the amount they owe to their creditors. No payments are made to your creditors during your participation in the program. During this process of accumulation, the debt negotiation company is handling your creditor calls and negotiating with your creditors for a lower payoff amount. The debt negotiation company then either takes monthly payments from you, whom it stores up in a holding account, or it has you store up the money in your own account. Debt settlement or negotiation can severely damage your credit. Even though it is rare, if the creditor never agrees to settle, you end up with bad credit and in worse shape than where you were before. Many creditors will immediately forward your account to their legal department for collections and clients may find themselves faced with judgments, and even garnishments, liens.


To offset the bad credit problem, there are some settlement companies who include a credit repair service for a fee that will remove the negative items which were caused by the program. Fees for this service vary significantly from company to company so do your homework. Like bankruptcy, debt settlement may have a lasting impact on your credit report which will affect your ability to get credit at favorable interest rates.

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The Policy Has A Large Loan - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Most people do not know they can sell an insurance policy. Even term insurance, which has no cash value, is a candidate for purchase.

Their Attorney Was A Generalist - Tara Mayne's Finance and Financial Planning blog:

Ned almost lost the farm that had been in his family for 8 generations! Make sure you don t make the same mistake Ned did.

Many People Fail To Understand The Importance Of Estate Planning - Finance and Financial Planning Blog:

Many people fail to understand the importance of estate planning.