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6 Tips For Efficient Student Loan Management

Higher education entails availing student loans and these are not clubbed as “bad” loans by management gurus. However every student needs to plan finances such that they get out of debt as soon as possible. The planning of a achievable repayment schedule should be the primary aim, this will lay the foundation to a strong unshakeable financial future.

Financial planning is the cornerstone to a safe future. So, read up on organizing your finances and create a workable plan. The internet is a wonderful resource for planning tips and will be the ideal place to begin.

1. Create a record of your loan liability. File all documents carefully and make a note of what you have agreed to: interest rates, payment schedule and so on. Create an easy to use record on your computer. File details of your loan applications, promissory notes, disbursement and disclosure statements and loan transfer notices.

2. Plan your expenditure carefully. Sit down and determine how much money you need for day-to-day expenses. Try and minimize expenses and avoid borrowing while a student. Even if you do use a credit card make sure you are able to pay the bill in full when it is due.

3. Learn how to curtail expenses. Share living expenses and food costs with another student, minimize eating out, and learn how to cook quick nutritious meals, wash your own clothes. Minimize clothing expenses by learning to mix-n-match clothes.

4. Get part time work to meet your money needs. Try and save a portion of your earnings to tide over hard times.

5. Study hard and win prizes and scholarships that will reduce tuition fees or gain you credits.

6. Request family members to give you gifts as cash instead of kind for birthdays and festivals. This will help you meet your expenses instead of owning many watches or sweaters.

It is when you are a student that you need to learn the importance of credit reports and scores. It is important to begin building a “shinning” credit report and score from when young. You must ensure:

o That the monthly payments are paid on time every time.

o You try are minimize costs by paying a higher monthly installment.

o Use the deferment and forebearance options only when you need them.

o That you consider loan consolidation only as a last resort.

o You inform the lender whenever you change your address or job.

o That you check all statements concerning your loan carefully and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the lender immediately.

o You inform the lender if for some unavoidable reason your payment is delayed or about to be defaulted. Be professional always and keep the bank or financial institution in the know.

Student loans can be managed efficiently if you: borrow only what you need; you do not use the loan to lead a “high” life but to educate yourself; and you learn the art of controlling your expenses.

Life must be lived to the …

Solutions to Fix My Credit Rating

A lot of people are unaware of the fact that they can fix their credit rating themselves and the truth of matter is that that no one shares the information openly. The reason is that there are many people making money from the situation but I will show you how you can get your credit on track by doing it yourself.

The key to getting your credit rating on track is understanding the different negatives on your credit report and how to approach each one. You may have collection accounts on your report, which simply means that the original credit sold the account to a third party, this company now has the right to try and collect payment from you.

These third party collectors purchase the debt for a fraction of what you owe and try and collect as much as of the original amount as possible. By law, collection accounts can stay on your report for only seven years after which time they need to come off.

If you have collection accounts on your report and they have not reached the seven year mark, then you can try negotiating with the collection company a lesser amount in exchange for them deleting it from your report.

This is a great way to clean up collection accounts on your report. Another way to start improving your credit rating is to begin to rebuild new credit. The formula used to calculate good credit includes new accounts that are in good standing. You need a couple of these accounts on your report to show that you are a good credit risk.

The best way to do this even if you have bad credit is to start with a secure credit card as well as cards that are designed to help you rebuild your credit. There are a number of these cards out there and I can show you how to get approved for them. …

Three Fundamental Tips On How To Succeed In Business

Do you want to be successful in business? This seems like a silly question to ask. It is like asking a hungry person whether he or she wants food to eat. Who does not want to be successful in business? Let us see some simple tips that can ensure success in your business endeavors.

Open a Bank Account:

Of course, there are various ways of receiving money. People can pay in cash, check, through debit or credit cards, or even through the electronic method. You will need to have a bank account to collect the funds. Therefore, opening a bank account is the first thing you have to do in business. You can start with a simple current account. As your business develops, you can ask for a line of credit from the bank.

Hire a good accountant:

You have done the first step. Now, you need someone to keep track of your billing and payments. There are two ways of doing it. One way is to handle things on your own. The second and more sensible way is to hire an accountant to do the job for you. Naturally, he or she should be adept at preparing financial statements, tax returns, etc. There are software programs to take care of these aspects. A good accountant should be able to manage the software programs as well.

Have a good budget:

Driving a boat in a calm sea is very easy. Anyone can do it. Maneuvering the boat in choppy waters requires tremendous skills. Similarly, every cash management plan may have holes in it. You never know where and how your money starts leaking. At the end of the day, you should have enough money in the bank as savings. You will have to have a neat budget to enable this. Without a budget, it is like driving a car blindfolded. You never know where you will crash.

Bonus Tip: Money Management:

In business, people measure success by the amount of money you earn. Hence, money management becomes the most important aspect of becoming successful in business.

You might be a product manufacturer or a service provider. It does not matter at all. It all boils down to the fact that you have to receive money for the value of your products or services to complete the chain. The challenge on hand is learning how to receive the money and how to grow it when you receive it.

Conclusion:

You have seen three simple tricks on how to effectively manage your resources better.…

A Business Speaker Discusses the Challenges of Change

Handling any kind of major changes for a group can be difficult, but not for the business speaker. The reactions by many people are not what you might expect and you are introduced to many new problems. This is the time when you need to lessen the possibilities of errors that could come about by looking into a few tips.

Putting forth the assertion of your authority is the first step that you will need to take. While you can still get along with people, they need to be aware of your leadership and respect that level. If there are rules that need to be set forth, then make those rules known to everyone, not just a few. Showing authority will hold your group together, instead of causing chaos.

Also, consider that the time you spend is very valuable and you want to make sure that everything runs smoothly within it. There is less room for errors at this point so everyone must keep to their schedules and meet every deadline. The keynote speaker knows that having a committee run a group will only lead to deformations in the ranks. One person with full authority is the best option to consider for maintaining order with large groups.

Respect is a huge part of being able to have people look up to you. You need to make sure that you are credible to all who work under you so they feel a sense of trust with you. Now this should not be taken as trying to win a popularity contest with those around you. Show your authority by keeping the focus on the goal and doing whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

You can rule as a leader over a group where not everyone is going to like you, but remember what you are trying to do. Control is the key and keeping a good level of it without being too controlling is the best option. Listen to what others have to say and know that you may not have all the answers to their questions. It is okay to not have every answer, but they will respect you for the fact that you took the time to listen to them.

Setting priorities is the basis of everything that you need for your group to stay on task. When you have these straightened out and assigned to those that can complete them, the results are positive. Remind your group that when problems arise, this is not the time to start losing the focus. There may be confusion among many, but remind them of their exact tasks that they need to complete.

While you are the leader among the masses in the group, you will have to deal with those that will not agree with the change. Make a plan to stop the problems before they start by showing your leadership skills and mapping out the changes. With the business speaker you will be able to lead your group to excellence …

Money Mastery – Three Easy Steps to Mastering Your Financial Destiny

When I was a kid I was constantly told, "We can not afford that; we can only get this; ask your dad if you can have that; you must save your money for a rainy day; start saving now for retirement." Do not get me wrong, I understand the intent of some of these messages and that they may even hold value for some people but I also have learned that these statements can lead to potential financial paralysis.

By hearing those statements over and over again, I developed what could have been my Money Destiny. That Money Destiny led me to believe I would never have enough money, that I must always save and never spend, and that I was not financially safe. These messages repeated themselves in my mind every time I needed to make a money decision or anytime I thought about money. Soon thereafter I found myself resenting the "mean green" and at times wanting to rebel against it. Thank goodness I realized one day that should I continue down this same Money Destiny road, I was destined to have just enough (not plenty) or none at all for that matter or worry about money constantly, and stay in the middleclass.

When I noticed how I was making decisions that would keep me in the same place and never propel me forward financially, I knew it was time to bust my old patterns, break debilitating money-habits, and create a new money system, a new Money Destiny. Doing this was going to take some mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical work, oh yeah, and financial work as well! It meant I was going to have to stop listening to what I had been told all my years growing up as a child as well as stop playing the "tape recording" of these messages over in my mind. It also meant I was going to have to buck this old system every time it flashed before my eyes! My intention in sharing this article with you is to help you break down your conditioned mindset and build it up with a new one that actually works with you and not against you. This is a mindset that YOU are going to create, nobody else will be creating it for you. Is not that exciting?

So what does mastering money look like? Mastering your money literally boils down to one thing: your mindset. Have you ever noticed that when your bills are paid off for the month and you have some extra "bread" in savings, you are just bouncing around the planet like you are rich (even if you are not)? However, on the contrary, have you noticed that when you do not have enough to make ends meet and you're struggling to figure out where the next dollar will come from to pay your rent or mortgage, you never seem to see the light ? And, have you ever noticed that you actually decided, either consciously or subconsciously, which …

Making Money Sports Betting Requires A Plan

Millions of people the world over bet on sports. Most of them have no idea what they are doing. They bounce from one system to the next hiring for some miracle that will win every time. Or they spend hours looking at stats hoping to find some intuitive edge they can bet. They would be better off flipping a coin, or not betting at all.

Making money betting on sports requires a plan. And that plan should not include reliance upon a betting system that promises you will never lose. Even the best picks lose about 40{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} of the time. Accepting your losses should be part of the plan. The goal is not to never lose, just to win more than you lose.

Winning requires that you pick the winner 53{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} or more of the time. That requires you bet only on games that have at least a 53{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} probability of going your way. In the NFL and NBA, known edges can be found in certain point spread situations. In other sports you must be able to identify motivated teams to bet on in advantageous situations.

However you decide to do it, making money betting on sports requires a plan to be successful. You can not do the impossible, so why waste your bankroll trying when all it really takes is smart betting?

Your plan should be to bet only on games where you either have a known edge, or very good reason to believe an edge is there. The best sports pick is nothing more than a guess that has at least a 40{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} chance of losing. Those guesses are not beyond the average bettor with a plan. …

Small Business Insurance – Who Needs It?

Who Needs Small Business Insurance, Anyway?

You do! Small business insurance is one of the most critical components of planning for your new venture. Whatever your business involves working in a high-risk environment like heavy construction, or a relatively low-risk one such as running an in-house consulting business, you are constantly exposed to the liabilities that can put your business and your future at risk.

Some business owners are required to maintain insurance coverage. Restaurants, hotels, health care facilities … they all have minimal limits that are imposed upon them by their industry, municipal entities, or their landlords. But what about your small business? You may be retired or just starting out, maybe you're considering using your knowledge of antiques or your talent as an artist to start your own shop or gallery. How risky can that possibly be?

Assess the Risks

In today's world, risk management is no longer the exclusive domain of large corporations. Every small business is different, with a unique set of risks. An experienced small business insurance agency can advise you on what your present and future needs may be, and keep you up to date on any Federal, State, or Local regulatory requirements you may be subject to.

A good insurance agent will review your company needs; an excellent one will take the time to visit your company and discuss your requirements with you directly.

Be Prepared!

As your business grows, your small business insurance coverage should grow with you. It's easy to get cooked up in the excitement and activity as success begins to take root, and insurance is the LAST thing on your mind … until you need it. Make sure when you choose an agent, you are getting someone with your best interest in mind, who will continuously monitor where you are and make suggestions when necessary.

Are you taking on employees? Opening another shop or office? Considering additional human resource programs? Taking on additional risk? You may need to look at several types of coverage:

  • Workers' Compensation
  • Contractor's Liability
  • License Bonds, Court Bonds, Performance or Fidelity Bonds
  • Employee Benefit Administration

The Benefits – Because Things happen

The benefit of having good small business insurance is most obvious when the unexpected happens.

Do not be cut off guard … without proper coverage your business liability can extend to your personal life as well. Knowing you have the right coverage up front offers you both peace of mind and security. When and if you have a loss or a setback, you will be able to continue moving forward with confidence, and the tools you need to stay in business!

There is no doubt about it – Insurance can be complicated. There is so much to understand and so many details that it can quickly become overwhelming! The very best option? Find a qualified small business insurance agency you trust – one that is familiar with you, your local community and is responsive within the insurance industry as well. …

Protecting Man's Best Friend With a Good Dog Insurance Policy

Anyone that is a dog owner knows just how important that pet is to the family. This is why it is a good idea to look into dog insurance. What this does is actually ensures that there will not be an issue with high costs of medical procedures that your dog may require. The simple fact is vets can be very expensive. While we all know how costly medical treatment can be for humans, people often become shocked when they see a vet bill.

If you love your pet and wish to enjoy them for as long as their natural life will permit, then you should do both of you a favor and look into this type of policy. Your dog will thank you, and you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you are there for them.

Costly Surgery

Usually one of the most expensive situations that a dog owner could face is that the dog may require surgery. If this is the case you can expect that it is going to be a cost bill to protect the dog in your life. If you have a good dog insurance policy, you can sleep easy knowing that your best friend is safe and well taken care of. The policy of this type usually will also cover boarding of the dog and any medicines or prescriptions that the dog may need to heal. This will keep the cost down and you will not have to fret wondering if you were doing all that you can to help them.

Even a small procedure on a dog can become a very large vet bill. How do you say that you would not pay a bill like this with a clear conscience? Take some time to look into dog insurance and make sure that you are never left with a tough decision.

Boarding

Boarding of a dog when you need to leave town can become a nightmare at times. The cost of having your dog in a Shelter while you are on a trip can become very high. With dog insurance, you can get the care and shelter you want for your dog while you are away. This coverage is excellent for someone that simply can not come up with the money within short notice to board their dog. The insurance company will help get this all sorted out, so you have one less stress to deal with before you leave.

If you can prove to the insurance company that the trip is an emergency based trip, you will more than likely not be required to pay the deductible for the cost of the shelter. This is where the dog insurance is going to be helpful. They will cover the costs and you will not be paying out of pocket for the care of your animal. This alone is an excellent reason for you to look into this type of insurance policy for your dog. …

New York Personal Injury & No-Fault FAQ

Every personal injury claim is different and there are no guarantees. Below are rough answers to some questions we hear frequently about personal injury. Further below is a specific FAQ on No-Fault in New York.

Personal Injury FAQ

Q: How much do lawyers charge?

A: For most personal injury claims, there is no fee unless you collect. Most lawyers in New York charge a one-third contingency fee. When the claim is resolved, the lawyer gets reimbursed for expenses out of the award. Next the lawyer takes the one-third fee. For example, if a claim settles for $35,000, and the lawyer has $2000 in expenses, the fee is $11,000 (1/3 of $33,000). The client would get $22,000.

Q: Does the lawyer always pay the expenses up front?

A: Usually, but not always. There are two major situations where we don’t. First, some personal injury claims are not very strong, but we might still be willing to work on a contingency fee basis. In such claims, we will tell the client that they will have to pay the expenses. The other situation is when there is a good offer and the client refuses to accept it against our advice. In these lawsuits we require the client to cover all future expenses.

Q: What are typical expenses in a personal injury lawsuit?

A: In New York personal injury lawsuits, filing fees usually total less than $500. Deposition transcripts also usually total less than $500. The biggest expense is when a lawsuit goes to trial and we have to pay doctors and other experts to testify. We have paid anywhere from $300 to $7500 for a doctor’s testimony, and some doctors charge as much as $5000. Other expenses include process servers, investigations, medical records, and meals. In some cases you may need other experts. In one big case we spent about $10K on an accident reconstructionist. The other side spent about $40K on theirs.

Q: What is the process?

A: First most lawyers negotiate with the insurance company. If negotiations are unproductive, the lawyer files a lawsuit. For a few months the lawyers exchange paperwork with the insurance company attorneys. Next come depositions, where they question the plaintiff client and the plaintiff lawyer questions theirs. Then the insurance company might have the plaintiff examined by their doctor in what’s known as an IME – Independent Medical Examination. Plaintiff lawyers prefer to call this a Defense Medical Examination. Last is trial. A lawsuit might settle at any point along the way, even while the jury is deliberating.

After a trial the losing side can appeal. Sometimes even the winner can appeal. Cases sometimes settle during the appeal process.

No-Fault FAQ

When you are hurt in an automobile accident in New York State, No-Fault insurance can help with many of your costs. The following frequently asked questions (FAQ) will help you to understand when and how No-Fault pays, what it pays for, and what you have to do.

Q: Am I eligible for No-Fault benefits?

A: …

Building On A Difficult Terrain

Adjusting the house to the landscape is the first task to be solved when building on difficult terrain. If your block of land has slopes up to 20{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} – it's rather regular terrain. The difficulties start to appear on slopes that are steeper than that.

Main problems can be divided into 3 categories:

1) Some additional research to determine the danger of dirt slipping down should be done

2) The foundations and plumbing will require some additional work

3) Some additional work to level the soil might be necessary

And of course any of above translates into additional expenses.

If the allotment is in a real danger of soil slip, for example the soil has a steep rocky slope underneath and gets lots of rainfall or has ground water – it makes no sense to build on it.

However, if that's not the case, then building on steep slope might produce very interesting output. History has many examples of people, who had to deal with difficult conditions, created the most magnificent structures, some of which we can still see in these days. They include the Machu Picchu city in Peru, great castles of Europe, Svan's watchtowers in high mountains of Georgia, and fort Metsada in Israel.

To make the idea of ​​building on difficult terrain a reality, several things need to fall together:

1) The wish to build on this particular block of land and the ability to finance the process

2) A talented architect and engineer who can fit the house into the relief while making it secure, safe and sound

3) Qualified builders who can implement everything according to the plans

So what are the advantages of building on a slope? First, nothing compares to the panoramic view from your terrace. Also, it is possible to create several levels: the garage on the upper level, the bedrooms and living areas below and the back yard and garden on the lowest level. The best thing about this setting is that the road and the driveway – with all the noise and the dust – are left on top, while the house is located below. More of the house is now exposed to the sun light. The garden can have many picturesque features such as little terraces, steps, miniature walls, cozy spots.

The whole presence of the house is improved, as this unique facade is created. The interior of the house benefit from larger windows and various open staircases, they look "weightless" and mix in harmony with the nature.

Another issue to address is the soundness of the house built on a slope. In many ways it depends on the soil underneath the foundations. If the soil is mostly sand or mud, then it makes sense to create terraced foundations, made of concrete bands and retaining walls, anchored in the soil.

If the foundations are to be built on rocks, concrete piles are better. The necessary diameter of a pile for 2 -3 level house is 35 – 40 cm, …