Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Tax Services Offered Online

With the advancement of computer technologies, taxpayers no longer have to leave their home to get advice on filing Federal and State tax returns. As the tax season approaches, many taxpayers are relying on online tax services to give them answers to all sorts of questions about taxes, and they know that the internet portal will also help them file the tax forms electronically and then deposit any refunds into a checking account where it can be withdrawn any time.

Online tax services programs make filing tax forms a simpler process. The taxpayer is in control of the information that is entered into each section and the online forms are editable if errors are found before the forms are sent electronically to the Federal or State government tax offices. Amended tax returns can be completed online too which gives taxpayers a secure feeling about filing the fax forms through the internet. Amended returns are rare because the online tax services check for errors.

Through online tax services, taxpayers can check the status of the return and the refund that they will receive. Filing tax forms electronically allows the taxpayer to verify that the tax information for the Federal tax return reached the Internal Revenue Service, and the tax service website will also verify that the State return was sent to the correct location. The ability to perform online filing and the verification of refund status is one reason filing taxes electronically is so popular.

The software used for filing tax forms electronically will be updated annually to reflect the latest changes to tax law. Taxpayers will be alerted by these online tax services to new credits, deductions, or changes to deductions that were claimed in a previous tax year. The online tax programs will also allow taxpayers to consult with tax professionals while they are in the process of filling out the various blocks for the Federal tax form, and the answers will speed the completion of the form along.

Many tax service organizations online provide a service but do not charge the public for that service. Taxpayers can use the online tax preparation software to create tax forms for filing individual tax forms. Some people will not qualify to use these forms because they are restricted to people who own businesses and those that earn an income in the $50,000 range. The tax service organizations provide advisors to help low income families find every deduction to qualify for a larger refund.

People that use online tax services find discounts on the cost of having taxes prepared because the individual taxpayer does most of the work and not by a tax professional who works by the hourly wage at a business address down the street. Taxpayers have the option of buying many different brands of tax software programs and discount coupons are usually included to make filing taxes more affordable. Most online tax services allow users the option of filing Federal returns free if they file the State return for a nominal charge.

James Brown writes about http://www.latestcouponcodes.com/

Online Low Fee Payday Loan: Secure A Fast Cash Loan

You can count on securing online low fee payday loan no matter what your credit history, thereby making life much easier. You may relax when you find yourself short of cash once you know you have a reliable source of credit.

Cash advance can be borrowed for 7 days-14 days or until your next payday. You may be eligible to secure a these loans if you are an US citizen above 18 years of age. You need to have a permanent job or a regular source of monthly income above $1,200. You also need to have a valid savings or checking account.

Solve Your Financial Problems
Life can be tough when you exist from one paycheck to the next. There are many single moms, military personnel as well as those who are extremely hardworking but earn less than $50,000 annually and find themselves in need of fast cash loans frequently. They secure these cash advances until their next payday to even buy daily essentials during the end of the month.

Sometimes the tight budget that they follow goes bust when they face an unexpected expenditure. It may be a major repair that cannot be put off, a medical emergency, an accident, a death in the family or an unplanned sudden trip that you have to take.

Secure A Loan From Your Home
You may easily secure a faxless loan from the comfort of your home. No longer do you have to hunt for the local payday store. Instead, you can log online and apply for a loan. You need not hunt for a fax machine or worry about getting the documents ready. In fact there are several stores that offer payday loan with no fee but you need to research such offers carefully before you sign a deal. You must opt for a reliable firm that offers low interest payday loan.

You need to think about repaying the instant cash loans on time as it may not work to your advantage to keep extending the loan as the APR is very costly. But if you can manage your finances well and make repayments on time, the loan may be a very convenient credit option.

There are so many firms offering of online payday today that you actually have a choice as the rates and terms are competitive. You may rely on the firm to bail you out of any temporary financial crisis.

Online low fee payday loan is appreciated by those individuals who work hard and live from one paycheck to the next.
For more information, please visit http://www.lowfee-paydayloan.com

Fast Payday Loan Money: Quick Cash In Your Hands

Fast payday loan money can take care of your emergency expenses and put you back on the road to recovery. You need not lose sleep over loss of your credit ranking. This is normal and it happens in every household. You should know what is good for you and take the right steps at the right time to get out of trouble.

You can easily take a quick payday loan on your paycheck to solve your financial crisis. All you have to do is submit an online application for loan to the lending company and collect your cash. There is hardly any documentation involved like in a bank. Moreover, you get your money within 24 hours.

Your Loan Depends On Your Income
Fast payday loan money can make you richer by several hundred dollars. You can then pay off all those debts that are worrying you. Commonly, for the first time you can take a loan of $500 to $600 on the guarantee that you will pay back your Moneytree payday loan on receiving your salary for the month.

However, you have to measure up to the requirements of taking payday loans. You have to assure the lending agency that you have the capacity to return the borrowed money through your salary. Moreover, you should have a bank account or a checking account to receive your loan amount that is wired directly into your account, once your loan is approved.

You can get your fast payday loan money even if you have spoiled your credit status by non repayment of bills on time. Most of the credit companies offering payday loans do not press for a credit check if you have a good job and you are asking for a loan well within the limits of your current monthly salary. You just have to give proof of your age. Loans cannot be given to a minor. You obviously have to pay some consideration to the lending agency in lieu of the loan taken. All companies charge a small fee for loans forwarded. The fee charged is usually very high in comparison to other forms of loans since it is a small loan is given instantly and is extended for a small term only.

And since the Annualized percentage rate of fast payday loan money is as high as 20% in some cases, it makes sense to repay your loan in time, on the due date. Although you have the facility to extend the term of your loan for another cycle till you are comfortable to pay your loan, it is not advisable at all. With every extension you have to pay an additional interest, which is added to your principal loan. If your interest amount is 20%, your loan amount will become double in 5 extensions. So it is wise to pay off your loan as early as possible.

Fast payday loan money gives quick redress in a financial emergency. Moneytree payday loan is a cash loan against your paycheck.
A quick payday loan is given without documentation.
For more information, please visit http://www.moneytree-paydayloan.com

Faxless Low Fee Payday Loan : Problem Free Credit

Faxless low fee payday loan is being sought after by more and more people as it is one of the most convenient forms of credit. It can be tough when the traditional credit options are unavailable and you need to make payments immediately to avoid a late payment penalty.

At such times you can consider a simple and easy to secure online low fee cash loan. This is because this loan is available to even those with bad credit and even to people who have been through a bad bankruptcy. You may wonder how come, well it is because there are no credit checks.

Advantages Of Faxless Payday Cash loans
When you opt for a low fee payday loan you are selecting a service that offers you a lower rate than other firms that offer a standard rate. You just need to fill in a simple application form online, providing a few detals such as your name, address, email address, phone number, as well as details about your work such as the name, address and telephone number of your work place, name of your employer, your job designation, your monthly salary etc. The information you provide is verified electronically so you do not need to fax in documnts as well. The faxless low fee cash loan is approved within a few minutes, after the details have been verified. The loan will then be deposited in your bank account within a day.

Popular Low Fee Payday Loans
Many firms offer the lowest fee payday loan and as they are indeed very helpful their services are much in dmand especially during the holiday season. People borrow as much as they can afford to repay within their next payday and make merry buying and doing things they desire. There are also firms that offer payday loan with no fee but while some are genuine there are indeed some unscrupulous firms that you need to steer clear of.

You may secure a faxless low fee payday loan from anywhere at anytime as these stores operate 24/7 online. You may secure a loan while you are away on a holiday and have run short of cash and get the cash deposited into your checking account within one working day. You need no collateral and you need not worry about asking anybody else for a loan. It is much better than facing the penalty of a bounced check and it is highly confidential; nobody needs to know about it but you.

Faxless low fee payday loan can be secured almost instantly as the amount of payday loan with no fee is deposited in your checking account within a day of applying for it. Visit http://www.lowfee-paydayloan.com/ for more information.

What Are the Risks in Rent to own Real Estate?

Rent to own property investments and lease purchase options have inherent risk factors that cannot be removed. These, as with risk factors involved in any type of investment scenario, are just the nature of the beast. However, in order for a real estate investor to be able to profit from such a venture, these risk factors must be acknowledged and addressed to minimize potential loss. What are the general risk factors in rent to own and lease purchase options?

Consider that the tenant buyers with whom you will be working are those with whom standard mortgage companies and banks are unwilling to work. This is usually due to insufficient credit, lack of steady work, high debt to income ratio, and other factors that are considered high-risk for a mortgage loan. This means that you are automatically signing up to accept a form of credit,through a contract, with someone that is not able to receive formal credit approval elsewhere. This is one of the risk factors that must be taken into consideration.

There is a chance that your tenant buyer will not continue payments as agreed in the lease purchase contract. You may find that, at the end of the contract, your tenant has decided not to purchase the property, at which point you again have a property on your hands to sell. Perhaps it turns out that, once the tenant buyer is in the home, he or she leaves it in a state of disrepair that is unacceptable and refuses to pay to repair it. That means you now have a property that is not only in your hands awaiting a new tenant but also must be repaired before being rented out again.

In order to minimize these risks, you need to have all aspects covered in the initial contract. Be sure you make it clear that the tenant buyer is responsible for regular maintenance of the property and that it is too be kept in acceptable condition. Cover the monthly payments in terms of amount, terms of the lease (how long payments must be maintained), and consequences of nonpayment. Make the tenant buyer gets renter's insurance and you have a rental policy on the property.

Have a lawyer attend to the documentation so that everything is legally binding, and make sure all parties have signed and dated copies of the agreement. Make sure you have a copy filed with the county as well so that the entire agreement is on record and there are no disputes as to what the original agreement was. This will also cover you in the event that the tenant buyer wants to reduce the offer on the amount for which the house was to be purchased.

Be prepared to take over your leased property if the tenant buyer decides not to make the purchase so that you are not surprised or negatively affected if they simply move out. It may be their choice, or they may still have insufficient credit to qualify for the mortgage loan they need. Make sure you have the means of advertisement to get the real estate property back out on the market quickly so you can find another tenant; there are always those who are looking for this kind of alternative buying method.

Most of all, keep track of the paperwork and make everything legally binding. You cannot remove the risk factors from rent to own housing options, but you can reduce the amount of risk by taking the necessary precautions.

Charles W. Moore is a U.S. Army Veteran who began Real Estate investing in 2001. He's now a Successful Investor, Webmaster, Speaker and Author.
Get a Free Report on Rent To Own Real Estate at: http://www.Rent2OwnExposed.com - Learn More about Real Estate Investing visit: http://www.REIeBooks.com

Why Lease Options are Excellent for Real Estate Investing

As the real estate market evolves and changes, there are fewer mortgage loans available and fewer people who qualify as the factors for qualification become more stringent. Having less than perfect credit puts, a cramp on the ability to obtain the necessary financing for a traditional home purchase, but that does not mean that fewer people want to settle into a home and become a homeowner. Real estate investors are learning that they can benefit from this situation and make a profit by offering nontraditional means of obtaining a home to those with credit that is not well established or is less than satisfactory to a mortgage lender.

Lease purchase options, or rent to own homes, are a great source of income for the creative real estate investor who wishes to make money while helping those who cannot get into a home with their own credit to realize their dreams of owning a home. Lease purchase options work much like a leasing a vehicle, only on larger terms. It benefits the tenant buyer who cannot obtain a mortgage to purchase the home by offering them the opportunity to build their credit and make the choice to purchase later while also assisting the investor by maintaining an additional source of income for the duration of the lease period.

When a car is leased, there is a nonrefundable deposit paid to the dealership that equals a percentage of the car's value. This is also done in a lease purchase or rent to own agreement and is referred to as the Nonrefundable Option Payment, securing the tenant buyer's ability to choose whether or not to purchase the home at the end of the lease contract agreement. As with a vehicle, there is a lease contract signed in which the tenant buyer agrees to make a payment of a certain amount each month for a predetermined length of time, usually 12-24 months. This can be done in a manner that includes payments to be credited toward the purchase of the house or not, depending on how you want to set up the lease.

Finally, at the end of a car lease, the driver has the option to finance the remainder of the "balloon payment" owed on the vehicle in order to purchase it or to turn it back over to the dealership. In real estate, when working with a rent to own or lease option contract, this is referred to as the Option to Purchase contract, in which the tenant is given exclusive rights to purchase the real estate property without you offering it to the highest bidder first without obligating them to purchase when the lease is up.

If the option contract was signed so that the payments made during the lease period were credited toward the purchase of the home, the tenant buyer will need to obtain a mortgage loan equivalent to the remainder of the purchase price originally agreed upon. If there were no rental credits, the tenant buyer will need to obtain the entire purchase amount.

Lease purchase options and rent to own housing are excellent ways for a real estate investor to make a lot of money because there are three different sources of money coming in, all of which add up to a sum greater than the original investment by far. You put little money into the purchase, and in exchange, you receive an up-front payment, monthly installments, and finally a purchase payment equal to an amount greater than you paid.

Charles W. Moore is a U.S. Army Veteran who began Real Estate investing in 2001. He's now a Successful Investor, Webmaster, Speaker and Author.
Get a Free Report on Rent To Own Real Estate at: http://www.Rent2OwnExposed.com - Learn More about Real Estate Investing visit: http://www.REIeBooks.com

Bad Credit Instant Payday Loans: When You Have No Other Option

Why do not think about bad credit instant payday loan, when you have no other option to get some quick money. Everyone in his or her life faces situations, when quick money becomes the need of the hour. Medical emergencies are a typical example of such situations. If no one is ready to help you with a lending hand, you can always rely on a bad credit payday loan.

For Getting Money Instantly
Poor credit instant payday loans, as the name itself suggests, are the loans that you can get instantly. Modern science has made it possible to get these loans at an amazing speed. There are companies that can provide you requested funds in your bank account, within hours of receiving application.

A low credit score cash advance company does not differentiate applicants based on their credit history. No matter, whether you have good credit history or bad credit history, you will get equal treatment when it comes to approval. Your ability to repay loan on time is most important factor in the minds of lenders.

Understand Negative Features Also
Although, it is easier to obtain these bad credit guaranteed cash loan, yet you should gather all relevant facts before you apply. First of all, you should understand clearly that these loans carry a higher interest rate as compared to any other loan. Moreover, you may have to pay heavy penalties, if you are not able to repay loan amount on time. A roll over option that allows you to extend loan term is available at very high costs.

How To Qualify
Getting these loans is really easy, as by filling online application form you can aplly for these loan. To get quick approval for the bad credit instant payday loans, you have to fulfill following requirements
  • Your age should be above 18 years
  • You must be a citizen of this country
  • You should have a bank account in your name
  • You should have stable job that fetches more than 1,000 dollars per month

You should go for the no fax bad credit payday loans, when a real emergency arises. Never avail these loans to buy things like a sofa set or personal computer. Make it a habit to avail these loans in the dire need, otherwise you can end up with debt burden. In addition, do not make it a habit by borrowing every month, as the higher costs associated with it may lead to a bigger financial disaster. Use this service judiciously to handle unforeseen events.

Bad credit instant payday loans are in existence to take you out of financial troubles. Any misuse of bad credit payday loan might cause further trouble.

Since these loans entail a high fee, take a bad credit cash advance when it is necessary. For more detail visit http://www.badcreditpaydayloan.com

Monday, January 28, 2008

Common Financial Leverages

Now that you have realized how important managing your finances is and know what it takes to change for the better, financially and personally, you will need a form of leverage to get to a higher financial level.

By this, I mean that you need to do more and more with less and less. In the financial sense, you need leverages that make you more money in return without exerting any or too much effort on your part.

Here are just some of the common financial leverages you can use in order to achieve your financial goals, may it be for security reasons or a strong desire for comfort and luxury:

  • Savings
    Savings is a form of financial leverage, because there is some magic to be found in “compound interest”. Compound interest is earning interest on the total of an original principal sum and interest already earned. Obviously, one great thing to tell you here about compound interest that all the money requires no extra and work on your part. Once it has been deposited into your bank account, your money is the investment play field – where money works for you to make more money! But remember that compound interest can only work its magic if you give it time. So, start saving now, if you have not started yet!
  • Insurance
    No, insurance is NOT a money-making vehicle, and you might find it strange that I consider this as a financial leverage. But think about it: if you (the bread winner especially) die today or you have lost a VERY BIG money-making asset to a natural disaster, theft whatsoever, you will be begging your insurance policy to help insure the losses!

    In a nutshell, insurance help transfers the financial risk from one party to another. We trade a small loss to avoid catastrophic ones! Some perceive this as a sort of bet between the insurer and insured on a loss or death, but this could not be further from the truth.Insurance can be divided into two general categories: life insurance and general insurance.

    Life insurance is defined as a contract which pays an agreed sum of money on the happening of an event, dependent on human life. General insurance, on the other hand, covers individuals and third parties against risks of damages or loss on events on based on human life. They may protect an individual, property or business.

    For more information on insurance, you will do well to consult your personal financial planner.
  • Business
    The returns from a business can be phenomenal. This is strongly recommended for you if you want to join the ranks of the rich. If you dream of making big bucks, then you have to be in business.

    It does not matter what KIND of business, but as long as you are in business, you can join the ranks of the rich. What matters, though, is how you perform in business.
  • Real Estate
    Now, here is yet another proven, time-tested leverage that the rich use since ages ago to become very rich. Leveraging finances using real estates date way back to the times of royals and dukes.

    It makes “cents” anyway, because you are probably living in a leverage yourself, you can use it in your favor to help leverage your financial position.

    A word on leverage: while there are several leverages to be used in order to elevate financially, you should treat leverages two-ways. Leverage can be great if used correctly. On the other hand, leverage can also be used against you if you misuse or abuse it. Simply put, treat leverage as a double-edged sword!

What is Financial Planning, Actually?

When you go to the bank, unit trust or insurance company, financial planning seems to be the new buzzword among customers, clients and people in the finance field. But, what is financial planning, actually? Is it strictly for the rich or people who have money to invest? Or is it for those who want to buy insurance and unit trusts?The truth is that whoever has financial challenges to solve or financial goals to achieve needs financial planning.

Regardless of how much money you are making, financial planning will help you achieve both greater wealth and financial security. Inadequate or poor financial planning can obviously lead to unimaginable financial disasters like nightmares come true. For instance, an uninsured loss can wipe out all your accumulated wealth.

Insufficient savings for retirement can force one into a reduced, low lifestyle or even worse, the postponement of retirement and many other financial catastrophes that are far too depressing to be named!

So in a nutshell, financial planning involves taking a broad view of one’s financial affairs covering many areas of wealth management and then going through a step-by-step process to solve financial problems and achieve financial goals.

Financial planning is also about making choices such as:

  • Do I want to spend all my income today? Or should I save a portion of it?
  • Should I clear all my debts right now? Or should I increase my savings for retirement instead?
  • Should I plan for my child’s education? Or should I let him seek his own scholarship applications and apply for a student’s loan?

So, what is Included in Financial Planning? If you were to wonder what areas wealth management would cover, here are some examples:

  • Cash flow management
    This involves assessing your current net financial net worth (what you own minus what you owe). This will generally tell you whether you are on your way to financial freedom… or financial disaster.
  • Investment planning.
    Once you have determined the amount of money you would like to save, you should consider where to put your savings with the aim of receiving a higher return than your usual savings account. Forget the 2% p.a. interests for saving. You need something more sophisticated than that! An investment strategy has to be mapped out so that you will have greater success in meeting your desired financial goals.
  • Insurance planning
    Insurance planning is required to in ensure that all your assets are protected and that your family members are well shielded by having sufficient insurance coverage.
  • Tax planning
    The subject of tax planning affects everyone who receives income, yet it is an area that is largely ignored or forgotten by most people. Therefore, this area involves strategies making the most under the local tax regime in the area of your income, stocks, real estate, and property.
  • Retirement planning
    You are not going to work your whole life, are you? When old age symptoms start to kick in or you have reached the mandatory retirement age, you will need to retire. Hence, having a retirement plan regardless of your age is essential!
  • Estate planning
    Having an estate plan or a will shall ensure that your wishes for the future are carried out. In addition, an estate plan or a will can provide financial security for your family, ensure your property is preserved and avoid dispute among family members.

    All in all, an ideal financial plan does not focus on one aspect or product only, but it involves taking all areas of planning into consideration when making financial decisions.

Personal Finance Advice for Teens

Learning to manage your personal finances should start when you are a teen. This is importance because parents can help their teen learn about personal finance and learn how to treat it with respect so it works for them not against them.

Many teens have a job and therefore, have personal finances. Some parents make their teens pay for things, like recreation or even bills like auto insurance. When a teen has money coming in they should be guided into the world of personal finance. By starting early in the teen years, parents can help to teach their child about the importance of managing your finances and about what can happen when you fail to do so.

It all starts with making a budget. Teens should understand what money they have coming in and where it is being spent. They should learn to keep it balanced and not live beyond their means.

Teens should also be taught the importance of saving. They should have some type of savings set up. This should be controlled by them so they can see what happens when they save and what happens when they do not.

One of the best things a parent can do is avoid bailing their child out of financial problems. Teens need to learn that personal finance is important. They must learn this before they are setout on their own and have to rely on themselves to keep their personal finances in check.

With the problems with consumer debt in this country, teaching teens to be smart with their personal finances is one of the best lessons a parent can teach them. Avoiding problems with credit and debt is something every parent wishes for their child and something that can be done with teaching personal finance at an early age.

Personal finance for teens is something many parents simply do not think about. It is, however, something parents should think about. Teens can learn so much and avoid so many problems if their parents just sit down and teach them abut personal finance.

When they turn 18 and become responsible for their personal finances they will be ready and they will be armed with the knowledge needed to make it on their own.Learning to be financially responsible is a gift. It doesn't take a lot of time and once you get your teen started, they can be in control. It will help them to learn about managing money and being responsible with it.

Free Course To Keep Personal Finance Management Simple

Many people are financially ‘illiterate’ and to learn what is personal finance management will mean money out of pocket. They can now take heart, because a new, no-nonsense approach to personal finance has just hit the web. “Easy Personal Finance” is a new website that is created by Joseph Then. The website offers a layman perspective of personal finance management.

Many people are financially ‘illiterate’ and to learn what is personal finance management will mean money out of pocket. They can now take heart, because a new, no-nonsense approach to personal finance has just hit the web. Easy Personal Finance is a new website that is created by Joseph Then.

The website offers a layman perspective of personal finance management.
According to a formal study, 90% of the American population will remain poor at the age of 65. The main reason behind their plight is usually poor finance management skills which many people do not learn in their school days.

“Easy Personal Finance” attempts to provide a straight forward materials that layman can understand. It covers many topics including topics that people took for granted like “What is Wealth?” and “What is Money?”

“The goal of Easy Personal Finance website is to show people that Personal Finance Management is not only for the rich,” Then said. “It is catered for the masses that are living from paycheck to paycheck. I hope that from this website, I can help many people to better manage their money and hopefully, to build enough wealth for their retirement.”

“It will not be a static website,” Then added. “From time to time, I will add in new, updated materials that I feel will help people in areas of finance management.”
The “Easy Personal Finance” series is now available at newly-launched web site,
http://www.EasyPersonalFinance.com.

Source - PRWeb

Friday, January 25, 2008

Top Personal Finance Software Sites Listing part.3


  • Patermaster's Checkbook Balancer - Balances both manual and computer checkbooks directly in 3-6 entries.
  • Personal RecordKeeper - Keep track of business records, create a home inventory, generate net worth reports and organize estate planning documents.
  • PiggyBank - A set of 45 financial calculators.
  • Præmium Pty Ltd - Online Australian portfolio management program. Calculates and optimises capital gains tax liability.
  • Quicken.com - Financial planning software for personal finance, small business finance, debt management. Track and manage financial information.
  • Retirement Calculator - The Retirement Calculator determines the maximum money you can safely withdraw from your retirement savings account.
  • RichOrPoor - Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP. Site includes software description, FAQ, ordering and download pages.
  • SetupABudget.com - Sells software that arranges bills in a timetable and gives instructions on paying them off.
  • Sharescope - UK Investment Software - UK stock market data and analysis package. Tracks your portfolio and analyses market trends.
  • Simple Joe - Offers personal information software for financial planning and organization.
  • Simply Budgets - Personal budget software for home and small business.
  • SmartMoney - Balances checkbooks, keeps track of credit cards, manage bills and recurring deposits and other personal finance related tasks.
  • Soaring Eagle Software, Inc. - Developer of calculators and financial software that helps manage monthly credit card payments and interest.
  • Specialty Software - Financial software for professionals or home users.
  • SpeedResearch - Web browser with a collection of automated stock data links and research browsing wizards. Customizable for any market.
  • Sybar-Hit - Offers the Simple Accounting software for autonomous workers. Download on 30-day free trial.
  • Time Value Software - Offers Web-based financial calculators for financial planning, mortgages and investing.
  • Topshare Portfolio Manager - Portfolio management software specifically designed for Australian share investors. Helps understand portfolio performance and simplifies tax returns.
  • WaverlyStreet Easy Money - A personal income and expense tracking program. Unlimited number of user-defined categories. Generates simple reports and exports data. Macro utility for recurring entries.
  • Whizbal - Bank reconciliation software works directly with computerized or manual checkbooks.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Choosing The Right Credit Counseling Service

By: Glenn Prialde

If you are reading this article then you have already made a step in the right direction. Admitting you need help takes a lot and having financial problems can create a strain on you and your relationships. Credit counseling can help get you out of debt and back on track. Many people struggle to find the right credit counseling service.

Profit versus Non-Profit
When looking for a credit counseling service, a person needs to find a non profit service. These organizations are in the business to help people, not to profit off of their misfortunes. They don’t normally have fees and if they do, they are small, and there is more one on one attention.

Getting the Credit
If a service is reputable it will be a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA), and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). In order to be in these two groups services must have there ISO 9001 certification or Council on Accreditation. These are accreditations that mean that they are complying with all rules of their industry. If a service does not have these or is not a member of these groups, they are probably not the right service for you.

Counselors
The counselors at these services should be certified by groups such as the Associations for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. It is also important that your counselor did not receive a bonus for signing you up for the service. If you wanted a salesperson you would go to a car dealership!

Cost
Most services do not charge, but for those that do, never pay more than fifty dollars for their service. Also make sure that your first month’s payment actually goes towards your bills and not the service. This has been the problem with some companies in the past.

Debt Free…when?
Finally, a good credit service will have you debt free in five years (in most circumstances). Make sure you are aware of how they plan on doing that, and request monthly statements showing your progress.

Author Resource: Visit Debt Sanity to view our
Recommended Debt Consolidators online.

[Article taked from
www.articleintelligence.com]

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Top Personal Finance Software Sites Listing part.2


  • ICash - Full featured and multi-purpose personal finance and money manager tool for Macintosh and Windows.
  • Inesoft: Cash Organizer - Software for financial managing, planning, prognosis and analysis.
  • In2M Corporation - Financial software and services company and the developer of Mvelopes Personal, an online spending management system.
  • Investment and Accounting Solutions - Shares and financial.
  • jGnash - jGnash is a free cross platform personal finance application written in Java. jGnash is a double entry system with support for multiple currencies. jGnash can import Gnucash and QIF files. jGnash works on Linux, OSX, Solaris, and Windows.
  • J&L Software - Retirement and financial planning software. [Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP] 21-day free trial. Three versions available.
  • Liquid Ledger for Mac OS X - Personal finance solution for Mac OS X.
  • Loan Applications - Software for applying for FNMA/FHLMC home loan mortgage applications.
  • Loan Spread Calculator Pro - Loan calculators.
  • Makes.Cents - Checking and checkbook management.
  • Maracor Financial Advisor - Windows shareware calculators.
  • Medical Bills Plus - Keeps records of your family medical costs and ensures that your insurance claims have been paid.
  • MMR Software - PC software for tracking U.S. Savings Bonds. Also provides statements of value based on lists of holdings faxed or mailed to them.
  • MoneyBox - Financial management.
  • Moneydance - Financial management (Java cross-platform).
  • Mortgage Manager Software - Free mortgage analysis software to help build equity and pay off mortgage quicker.
  • My Budget Planner - Personal and family budgeting software.
  • MyFinancialSoftware - Range of programs to help with budgeting, money management, retirement planning, small business bookkeeping.
  • OmniValue - Investment tracking software.
  • Online Home Inventory - Store all your asset details and home inventory online.
  • Organize your finances - Ebook contains information on managing finances including budgeting and saving money using coupons and rebates.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Managing Your Debts: Tips For The Beginner

By: Glenn Prialde

Getting out of debt seems like the impossible dream to some. But in actuality, managing your debts is really not that difficult. It can take a little time, and quite a bit of self-control, but if you learn to organize, budget, and manage your debts reasonably, you will be well on your way to financial freedom.

It is essential to contact your creditors as soon as possible in your effort to erase your debts. Usually, if you make most creditors aware that you are trying to improve your financial situation, they will decrease credit card interest rates for you. Also, if you are unable to make your monthly obligations, let the creditors know; usually they can design a special arrangement for you.

Debt consolidation is another top option you should consider when choosing to manage and eliminate your debts. Do you own a home? If the answer is yes, think about applying for a home equity loan or putting a second mortgage on your house. This may seem extreme, but consider this. If you have numerous high interest credit cards, bills, or loans, in reality, you are paying more for these materials than they were worth when you bought them.

There can be a downside to these kinds of high equity loans, however. Most of these loans require that you use your real estate as collateral. So how does this affect you? If you fail to make a payment you are in danger of losing your home.

Another excellent way to manage your debts is to make larger payments on your monthly credit card bills. If you pay a little bit more than the least amount required, a more significant monetary figure is added towards your overall account remainder. Eventually, this will cost you a smaller sum of money in interest.

If you add just a few extra dollars to your payment each month, it will steadily reduce the number of payments of all of the loans and credit cards you have accrued. When you lower the amount of payments that are made, this also decreases the balance a person will eventually end up paying in charges, interests, and fees.

So, you think you might need counseling? Credit counseling actually may be your answer. This type of service will assist you in determining a reliable form of action for help you manage and demolish your debts. These organizations provide a wide variety of programs such as, advice on debt management, and have workshops that are devoted to things like, managing money and budgeting. Lost on which way to go with your debt problems? Try credit counseling.

Budgeting is an essential step when trying to manage and eventually clear your debts. Budgeting also assists you in seizing power over your money, and realizing your current financial position. You first need to make a listing of all of your set monthly costs such as, utilities, insurance co-payments and premiums, mortgage, and rent payments.

Then compose another list of things that are for other expenses such as recreational activities. You must learn how to prioritize costs. You then need to decide how much extra cash you want to set aside monthly to be contributed to your debt relief fund. The more money you give back, the quicker your debts will be settled.

Author Resource: Robert Michael is a writer for
Yo Debts which is an excellent place to find debts links, resources and articles.

[Article taked from http://www.articleintelligence.com/]

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Top Personal Finance Software Sites Listing part.1


  • Account Xpress - Personal finance management and budget planning software.
  • Accounts & Budget - Bank and budget accounts manager for Microsoft Windows.
  • Benedict Group, Inc - For commercial, consumer, multifamily, and student loans.
  • Bent Tree Software - Mortgage and personal finance shareware, useful for financial planners and attorneys.
  • Brent Shelton's Software - Offers checkbook management software.
  • Budgeting, Saving and Financial Software - Microsoft Excel based spreadsheet tools for personal finance.
  • CheckBook - Stores, balances and prints checking account transactions. Available for Windows 98, NT, 2000, Me, and XP.
  • Chipcount Financial Management - Secure online management of your money includes many financial planning functions.
  • Debt Reduction Software from ZilchWorks - Helps you avoid bankruptcy and get control of credit card debt. Aimed at consumers, credit counselors, and debt counselors.
  • Debtonator - Debt reduction and planning.
  • ESPlanner - Financial planning.
  • Essentia Software Corporation - Payroll program that calculates nanny taxes.
  • ExpMan - Keep and track your expenses online.
  • Fin Vision - Financial organizer.
  • Financial Advisor - Large suite of financial calculators including monthly budget, analyze your retirement, optimize your mortgage.
  • Financial Calculators - Financial calculators for auto loan, mortgage, interest rate, bond, lease, investment deposit or withdrawal including taxes (USA).
  • Financial Literacy Software by Remtech, inc. - Interactive financial literacy software for educational, mass market, and military arena's.
  • fnCentral - Online accounting.
  • FolioSoft - Financial and shares.
  • Fund Manager - Stocks and shares portfolio management. Demo, tutorial, reviews and FAQ.
  • Gbonds - US savings bond inventory program for GNOME/Linux.
  • GnuCash - Personal finance for Linux/Gnome.
  • Handy Finance Lite - Money management and expense tracking for Palm. Reports, analysis, planning.
  • Home Bookkeeping - Accounting program that keeps track of personal finances. Features exporting of data into Paradox, DBase, text file, HTML, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access, Lotus 1-2-3, QuattroPro formats, and MS Windows clipboard.
  • Home Budget Planner Software - Free download of household and personal budget planner software.
  • Home Buyers Calculator Suite - Calculates the financial scenarios related to the purchase of real estate. Includes 13 calculators and printable forms.
  • Home Money Manager - Free software to help budget, track and control credit cards and home finances. Windows and Java platforms only.
  • HomeWorks - This site illustrates the use of, description, screen shots, and order information for the HomeWorks software package, a home finance record keeping and reporting software application. [Mac OS 9 and OS X]

Top Investing Sites Listing


  • ABC Stock Investing - Covers stock and mutual fund investing including how to do your own investment research.

  • About.com: Investing for Beginners - Offers advice and links for beginning investors.

  • The Academy of Young Investors - AYI is a nonprofit organization that teaches investors how to start investing in mutual funds and stocks.

  • American Association of Individual Investors - Nonprofit offering information on stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Free membership required to access all content.

  • Arizona Corporation Commission, Securities Division - Information to reduce the possibility of falling victim to scam artists and unscrupulous financial professionals.

  • AskMen.com - Investing. - Provides articles and tips on investing.

  • The Average Joe Investor - Offers stock and investing advice.

  • 16 Basic Principles of Investing - Offers practical investing overview, links to other investing overview sites.

  • BasicInvest - Free research, easy to understand definitions, links to top mutual fund companies.

  • The Coffeehouse Investor - Advocates an investment strategy of meeting, not beating, the stock market. Free quarterly newsletter.

  • ConsumerSearch.com: Online Brokers - Reviews, analyzes and ranks online brokers.

  • Discount Broker Reviews - Comparative lists of online discount brokerages and their rates and features. Includes personal experiences. Customer comments accepted.

  • 22Dollars - Articles covering consumer information on investing and finance.

  • How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams - Securities and Exchange Commission information about investment fraud.

  • Income Profiles - Investment advice for those interested in more conservate investments, including real estate and bonds.

  • Indextracker - Information about the workings and advantages of index investing, asset allocation and re-balancing.

  • InvesTools - Delivers investment advisory services. Investors can enter a ticker symbol and generate a list of advisor recommendations and model portfolios. Registration required, but is free.

  • Investor Education Fund - Tips for individual investors in six languages from the Ontario Securities Commission - risks, scams, fees, tools, investment strategies. Includes videos.

  • InvestorGuide - Free comprehensive guide to investing and personal finance.

  • The Investor's Clearninghouse - Service provided by the Alliance for Investor Education offers resources to the individual investor and consumers.

  • Jasonzweig.com - Zweig is a senior writer for Money magazine. This site seeks to help investors maximize the odds of reaching their goals. This site preaches the virtues of investing patience and condemns bad logic and bad behavior.

  • LearnInvesting.com - Learn about investing in stocks and commodities.

  • Marketwatch - Getting Started In Investing - Introductory material about mutual funds, stocks, bonds, options, futures, and a glossary of common terms.

  • MarketWatch.com - News, market data, portfolios, mutual funds, personal finance, and discussions.

  • MsFiscallyFit.com: Investing - Articles on getting started in investing.

  • MSN MoneyCentral - Quotes, stock research, portfolio tracking, news, and online bill payment. Keep informed and plan for retirement, college, taxes, insurance, real estate, and savings.

  • Mutual Fund Education Alliance - Features pricing and performance information on thousands of mutual funds plus news and educational information about fund investing.

  • NASAA - Investor Education - Advice on protecting oneself from scams and con artists while carefully screening investment opportunities.

  • Seniors Against Investment Fraud - SAIF - Statewide outreach campaign under the California Department of Corporations to alert and educate seniors about investment and telemarketing fraud crimes.

  • SmartMoney University - Investor education site with articles appealing both to novices and to veteran investors.

  • Stock and Investment Guide For Beginning Investors - Information for beginning investors including investing terms, an introduction to the stock market and buying stocks, and DRPs.

  • Stock Jargon - Provides definitions of investment terms.

  • Stocks Quest - Stock market game teaches the basics of investment through a market simulation, investing basics, lessons, and real life examples.

  • Teen Analyst - Educational guide to investing targeted at teenagers and other young adults.

  • A to Z Investments - 200+ page online book about investing.

  • Writing about Money - Financial commentator Fiona Place explains the world of investment. Included are many of her columns which were published in the Australian Financial Review and the Australian newspapers.

  • Yahoo!: Beginning Investing - Articles give an overview of investing as well as specific types of investments.

Accelerate: The Fastest Way To Pay Off Debt

By : Glenn Prialde

When people are in debt, their main focus is getting out of debt and as quickly as possible. However, many people have so much debt that they don’t know where to begin. People often start off strong and then find themselves making little progress on actually paying down the debt. There are ways to jump start your debt reduction plan, and best of all, they don’t take long at all to complete!

Slash your rates

I’m sure you have heard this before and questioned whether or not it could possibly be true. Well it is; you can call your credit card companies and ask them to reduce your interest rates. Provided that you pay on time, most credit card companies will reduce your rates a little bit. Tell them that you have been a customer for a while and have enjoyed doing business with them, but would like your interest rates lowered. Don’t try to negotiate for too low rates; it will never happen. Instead shoot to lower your rates about 5-7%.

Cut them up

That’s right, cut up your credit cards. Leave one for absolute emergencies, but the rest can be destroyed. Make sure you have your credit card numbers and other information in case you need to contact your credit card companies, but as long as you can’t carry the card around, you can’t spend on it either.

Low Limits

Another way to accelerate your debt is to call the credit card companies and ask them to lower your spending limits. Obviously you can’t make them lower than the balance on your card, but the lower they are the less you can spend.

Pay more than you have to

Many people just get by and pay the minimum balance due. This will get you nowhere! You are only paying interest and hardly paying anything off the actually balance of the card. Pick the card with the highest interest rate and work on it first. Pay as much as you can to that card every pay period. Pay a little above the minimum on the others until the first is paid off and then move onto the next.

Author Resource: Visit Debt Sanity to view our Recommended Debt Consolidators online. Also, visit Debt Sanity for more information on Accelerated Debt Consolidation.

[Article taked from http://www.articleintelligence.com/ ]

Personal Loan For Consolidating Debt - Using An Unsecured Personal Loan To Improve Your Finances

By: Glenn Prialde

With poor credit, you can reduce your loan costs and monthly payments by consolidating debt with an unsecured personal loan. Even without collateral in the form of property or assets, you can find lower rate loans. The key is to look online for special offers that fit with your financial plan.

Consolidating Small Balances With 0% Transfers.For accounts with balances of less than $10,000, applying for a credit card with 0% on transfers is a great way to get a jump on eliminating your debt. Before signing up for one of these offers, be sure you investigate the claims carefully. It is very easy to get misled, especially if you have a bad credit record.

Start by asking how long the 0% transfer is good for. Dates can range from six to eighteen months. Next, ask what the interest rate will be after the incentive period. Here is where you can get caught paying a higher rate than your original loan. And finally, request a quoted rate based on your credit standing. This written estimate will protect you from future changes.

Merging Larger Balances With A Personal Bank Loan.If you want a longer payment schedule or to tackle a larger debt, apply for a personal bank loan. With rates lower than most credit cards, you can easily reduce your monthly payments. Of course the drawback is that over the total life of the loan, you may end up paying more interest.

Bank loans usually have adjustable rates, but you can find fixed rates. With a fixed rate, you protect yourself from unpredictable rate hikes and an extended loan period.

Be A Smart Credit Shopper .No matter which type of personal loan you pick, check a number of lender sites to guarantee that you are getting the best available rates and fees. Ask for a loan estimate, especially if you don’t know your credit standing. This will protect you from any surprises and give you numbers to make a real comparison with.

It just takes a little bit of time to start saving yourself money and improving your credit.

Author Resource: Visit Debt Sanity to view our
Recommended Debt Consolidators online.

[Article taked from
http://www.articleintelligence.com/]

Top Personal Finance Sites Listing

  • AARP - Money and Work - Discussion of money matters in considerable depth, especially those related to people who have retired or are planning to in the near future.
  • About.com: Financial Planning - Information on personal financial planning, including budgeting, savings, investing, retirement, insurance, and taxes.
  • The Actuarial Foundation - Seven Life-Defining Financial Decisions - 64-page PDF-format booklet. Covers "big decisions" that are made, consciously or unconsciously, that can affect one's income and life's goals.
  • American Savings Education Council - A coalition of government and industry institutions to educate people on all aspects of personal finance and wealth development, including credit management, college savings, home purchase, and retirement planning.
  • AOL Money & Finance - Personal Finance - Offers personal finance advice, credit report information and debt management tips.
  • Bankrate.com - An online publication that provides consumers with financial data, research and editorial information on non-investment financial products.
  • BusinessWeek Online: Personal Investing - Stories, statistics and tutorials about topics of financial interest.
  • CBS.MarketWatch: Personal Finance - Tips and stories for managing your personal finances.
  • CCH Financial Planning Toolkit - Information to manage one's personal finances, including investments, insurance, risk and asset management strategies, and tax, retirement and estate planning.
  • CNBC - Headline news, articles, reports, stocks and quotes, message boards, and a stock ticker.
  • CNN/Money - Combines practical personal finance advice, calculators and investing tips with business news, stock quotes, and financial market coverage from the editors of CNN and Money Magazine.
  • CNN/Money: Personal Finance - News and advice on money issues.
    ConsumerReports.org: Money - Information about adjustable rate mortgage, investment tools, and personal finance tips.
  • Epinions: Finance - Consumer-generated reviews, buying tips and advice, ratings, price information, and searchable in a variety of ways from price to product type.
  • Federal Reserve Board: Consumer Information - Centralized home for articles giving advice and warnings about financial topics, products, and scams.
  • The Financial Pipeline - Information for the individual investor, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement planning, real estate, investment strategy, and general financial knowledge.
  • FinPlan - Tool Menu - Links to various kinds of useful financial calculators.
  • Forbes.com - Personal Finance - Financial information previously published in the print version of Forbes.
  • Fundamentals of Financial Planning - Provided by FSU to educate consumers in the fundamentals of financial planning.
  • H&R Block - Planning and Learning - Sections include Tax 101, life events and stages, budgets and saving, college, retirement, and calculators and tools.
  • Inflation Calculator - Adjusts a given amount of money for inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index.
  • Institute of Consumer Financial Education - Offers financial education for all age groups with a special section devoted to teaching children about money.
  • International Foundation for Retirement Education (InFRE) - A not-for-profit educational foundation dedicated to empowering working Americans with the motivation and capability to save and plan for a successful retirement.
  • Is Your Financial Security at Risk? - Provides information and a guide to developing a plan for managing financial risks.
  • The JumpStart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy - Purpose is to evaluate the financial literacy of young adults; develop, disseminate, and encourage the use of guidelines for grades K-12; and promote the teaching of personal finance.
  • Kiplinger Online - Investing, personal finance, calculators and financial advice.
  • MarketWatch.com: Personal Finance - Tips and stories for managing your personal finances.
  • Money Instructor - Tools and information to help teach money and money management, business, the economy, and investing.
  • The Motley Fool - Investing information and an enjoyably useful site. Updated hourly.
  • MsFinancialSavvy.com - Offers personal financial topics geared towards women.
  • MsMoney.com - Resource for women to learn about financial planning, personal finance and investing.
  • Mymoney.gov - Financial Literacy Education Commission - Starting point for information intended by the US government to help improve the financial literacy and education of persons in the United States.
  • MyPrimeTime Money - Offers stock market tips, investment guidance, retirement planning resources, tools and calculators.
  • National Partners for Financial Empowerment - Coalition of groups dedicated to helping improve personal finance skills, including money management, saving, investing and credit in United States today.
  • The New York Times - Your Money - Articles and features on investing, pensions and retirement plans, mortgage rates, mutual funds, the stock market, bonds and notes. Also has company research, earnings reports and market insight.
  • The Salary Calculator - Compare the cost of living in hundreds of U.S. and international cities.
  • Smartmoney.com: Personal Finance - Links to articles covering a range of topics where monetary planning is or should be involved.
  • Wachovia Planning Guides - Educational material on retirement planning, financial issues for women, college planning, home buying and relocation planning, investing basics, money management basics, and tax planning.
  • Women, Men and Money - Ruth Hayden teaches money management principles to women and couples.
  • Yahoo! Finance - Personal finance, investing tips and news.
  • Your Money Page - Online calculators for financial planning and personal finance.
  • Your Money Your Life - A comprehensive public education initiative designed to help families and individuals learn the basics about personal finances and peace of mind. It is the result of a partnership between private sector groups and the Florida Department of Financial Services.