Money

With energy bills reaching an all-time high in the current energy crisis, more and more people are looking for ways to save money on their gas and electricity bills. Keep reading for some money saving tips.

Review your energy bill

The vast majority of cheap energy deals have disappeared over the last few months so it’s not a great time to switch energy providers in hopes of saving money. However, given that prices will be rising yet again when the October price cap comes into effect, it’s worth watching to see if your provider comes up with fixed deals that could benefit you.

According to Ofgem, the price cap on non-contract tariffs rose by 54% for the typical user on 1^st April 2022.

Opt for energy efficient appliances

Although buying all new appliances isn’t recommended if you’re trying to save money, if you’re already replacing an appliance, you can cut your electricity bills by choosing models that are especially energy efficient.

You can check how energy efficient a product is by checking its EU energy efficiency rating.

Consider insulation

If you have a loft and cavity walls, you can save hundreds a year by getting them insulated. Take a look at cavity wall insulation near me to see the latest available deals and work out how much you could be saving.

Insulation works by trapping the heat in the winter and releasing it during the summer to prevent the need for air conditioning or heating – two of the most expensive features in modern houses.

Replace your boiler

With your heating alone being responsible for at least half of your yearly energy bill, replacing an old boiler with a newer and more energy efficient one will make quite the difference to your bills. However, buying a new boiler isn’t the cheapest. A new one can cost a couple of thousand pounds when you consider installation costs, so if you’re looking to save money immediately, consider whether the cost will be beneficial to you right now.

Replace lightbulbs

You won’t believe how much energy-saving lightbulbs can help to cut your electricity bills. An LED light bulb lasts a lot longer than traditional halogen ones and can save you a significant amount over its lifetime.

LEDs in particular are the most energy efficient of the lightbulbs available out there and use almost 90% less energy than traditional incandescent ones.

Invest in a smart thermostat

With a smart thermostat, you have the ability to operate your heating remotely using an app on your smart phone or other device. Some of the newer ones can also learn your routine and adjust your settings accordingly.

Whether a smart thermostat will save you significant money largely depends upon your lifestyle and how efficiently you control your heating already.

As you can see, there are tons of ways that you can save on your gas and electricity bills. By taking a few extra minutes to implement some of the tips mentioned above, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’re able to save yourself some money.

The housing market is doing nothing but making renters exhausted right now. It almost seems impossible to gain a mortgage today, but it isn’t. It simply takes a lot of prep work. But the huge goal of owning a house can be made simpler when we break it into smaller pieces. Take a look at our guide to life goals that you can achieve now to be able to afford a home in the future.

Be debt free

If you are looking to buy a home, the first thing a lender is going to look at when reviewing your finances is your debt-to-income ratio, which shows them how much of your income is going to minimum monthly debt repayments. They typically like under 36% of your income going to the debt, but some go for more.

But your best state of affairs is to simply wipe the debt, allowing for a bigger mortgage. Being debt free should be a life goal in itself. You can get into debt for simple human rights like being ill or wanting an education, but it shouldn’t follow you around forever. It’ll get in the way of bigger financial decisions, like taking out a loan or buying a home.

You want to pay off that debt as soon as possible, so it’s in your best interest to pay more than the minimum monthly repayment amount as many times as possible. The longer you take to pay off the debt, the more interest will accumulate. In fact, you might be finding yourself in a cycle of only paying off the interest every month with your minimum monthly repayments.

You can make paying off the debt easier by transferring all your debt into the one balance transfer card, which doesn’t have interest for a certain period of time, or by paying it all off with a personal loan, so you’re only paying one round of interest rather than different debt at different interest rates.

While you’re dealing with financial things that need to be handled in order to get a home, look into your credit score. Your lender definitely will. Your credit score gives the lender an idea of how reliable you are at making your repayments on time and in full. If it doesn’t look good, you can improve it in a number of ways, but they all take time, so it’s best to start now.

Debt bogs down your credit score, so that’s one thing out of the way, but so can, obviously not paying your bills on time. If you’re paying everything fine, you can look into a credit builder card. Spend less than 30% of the money in the card for a lender to look favourably on you and make the repayments on time and your credit will rise over time. You can also look into getting an auto loan to build your credit.

Get a higher-paying job

That’s obviously easier said than done and depends on where you are in your career. You might need to go shopping around for a more ambitious role, or get a qualification to get a promotion for the company that you’re currently in.

You might need to brush up on your interview skills. Make sure you are ready for everything they throw at you. Read Placement’s guide to get yourself ready.

If you think you are in the position, you can always ask for a raise. It’s a scary concept, but with justification, complete with hard evidence, and confidence, you can talk your employer into offering you a better salary.

The goal of struggling

It’s time to save up. Create a budget and cut out anything you can so that you can put more money into your savings. Get friendly with all the comparison websites and look for better deals in everything from your heating to your broadband.

And then stick to your goal. Remind yourself what you are working towards with a photo of your dream home on the mirror or something. It’s too easy to dip into the savings at the end of the month when you’re down to your last cash note, so you’ll need motivation to get out of there.

It’s a sign of the times that we’re in that there is a lot of people moving back home for a year or so. This obviously isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have a good relationship with your parents you could ask to move in for a year so that you can save enough to get out again. It will fast-forward your savings to put all your current rent rate towards your home deposit.

And if you’re someone who believes that struggling builds character, you can let that rock you to sleep in your childhood bedroom.

 

If you or your family member got severely injured in a road accident and that too, because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek an injury claim for all your losses. During the event of an accident, you might not have the emotional energy to think about filing injury claims; but it is important to compensate for all your monetary losses.

Before reading the general guidelines about getting your injury claim, you must know that every injury case is different, and so is its timeline. Factors like the severity of the injury, the defendant’s cooperation, and the case’s complexity play a major role in deciding how long the case will be running.

Read on to know the various steps you need to take in order to successfully get your personal injury claim.

Step1: Seek Immediate Medical Care

As soon as your family member gets into an accident, make sure to take them for immediate medical attention. Though sometimes you might think the injury is not severe enough to be taken to the hospital, many injuries appear quite later than the time of the accident. So, common sense would suggest you take them for a quick medical examination. Additionally, all your medical records will also serve as evidence later at the time of filing a personal injury claim.

Step 2: Document all the Medical Records

If you happen to take multiple treatments and medications from your healthcare provider, make sure you document all the medical records related to the injury. Be it all the medical bills, test reports, over-the-counter medications, or anything that could be used as evidence to dominate your claim application.

Step 3: Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Though you might skip taking the help of a personal injury lawyer, they can actually help you get potential rewards for your requested claim. However, please note that there will be different attorneys for different injury cases. For instance, if you got into a rideshare accident, it’s best if you seek help from a rideshare accident lawyer. Similarly, if you got into a truck accident, you should contact legal professionals who deal with truck accident injury cases.

A lawyer will interview the victim and the family about the details of the accident and will ask for all the potential medical records. He/she may also collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists to help build the client’s case well. Hence, it is crucial you keep all the information and medical records that can serve as potential witnesses during a settlement case.

Step 4: Serve Notice of Claim

Whenever a party wishes to file a personal injury claim, they have to go through the ‘service of process’ where they need to professionally inform all the involved parties of their intent to file suit. In most cases, the notice of claim is delivered personally by a professional process server, court official, or law enforcement officer.

Step 5: Talk About Settlement Deal

As soon as you hire a lawyer, they will try to make a settlement deal with the defendant’s lawyer or insurer before the case even goes to court. In most cases, both the defendant and the claimant agree to a settlement deal, and the case doesn’t lean forward, but in some cases, it’s not exactly the case. Also, make sure that you, as a victim, present your arguments well as it affects your claim to a significant degree.

Step 6: File a Lawsuit

The last step is to finally file a lawsuit against the defendant party when both the parties disagree to come to a mutual settlement price. This will mark the beginning of the discovery phase, where both the parties will do a complete investigation into each other’s represented case. Moreover, they are expected to provide truthful and transparent information about each other’s cases so as to help the jury come to a fair conclusion.

Apart from that, the lawyers also get another opportunity to settle the case with the help of a mediator. This phase involves the meeting of both the parties with a neutral third party ( a mediator) who helps both the claimant and the defendant come to a mutual agreement. However, if the mediator process also proves unsuccessful, the case then goes to trial.

The Bottom Line

The entire period of personal injury and getting its claim can be truly daunting. Hence, it becomes crucial that you have a legal professional by your side who can represent your case well and get you a rewarding deal.

 

Want to buy a house but don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage? You might want to consider owner financing. Owner-financed homes are uncommon, but they have some advantages for specific buyer and seller situations. When the seller acts as the lender, owner financing avoids the need for a traditional mortgage, but there are some risks. Let’s look at how owner financing works and when it might make sense.

What’s Owner Financing Loan

Owner financing, also known as seller financing, is a transaction in which the property owner acts as a lender by financing the buyer’s purchase. This type of financing avoids traditional mortgages by allowing the seller to extend credit to the buyer to purchase a home. It is common to hire real estate professionals or lawyers to delve deeper into the specifics of using a home contractor in owner financing.

Buyers’ payments are usually amortized over 30 years for a lower monthly price. Still, a large balloon payment is frequently at the end of a shorter period (usually one to seven years). Owner-financed loans are based on the assumption that the buyer’s finances will improve over time or that the property will appreciate to the point where the buyer will be able to obtain a home loan from a traditional lender.

Owner financing options

There are numerous types of owner financing. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Second mortgage

If a homebuyer cannot induce a conventional mortgage for the real damage to the house, the seller may offer the client a mortgage to make up the difference. The mortgage is commonly for a shorter term and at a much better charge per unit than the first mortgage obtained from the lender. With a shorter period, you would like to be able to pay it off when the time comes; otherwise, you will be forced to refinance.

Lease-purchase

A lease-purchase agreement requires the homebuyer to rent the property from the owner for a specified period. At the end of that period, the buyer has the option to purchase the home at a predetermined price. Typically, the buyer must make an initial deposit before moving in and forfeit the guarantee if they do not buy the house. If you are the buyer in this situation, negotiate the option price and make it subject to financing, clear title, and other contingencies, just as you would if you were purchasing a home the traditional way.

Wraparound mortgage

Wraparound financing is available to home sellers who still owe money on their homes. In this case, the owner agrees to sell the house to the buyer for a down payment and monthly loan payments to the owner. The fees are used to pay down the seller’s existing mortgage. Frequently, the buyer pays a higher interest rate than the seller’s existing mortgage. The risk is that you will lose the home if the seller defaults on the underlying loan. It is critical to have an experienced attorney on your side for this arrangement.

Land contract

The homebuyer makes agreed-upon payments to the seller in a land contract agreement. The buyer receives the deed to the property once the payment schedule is completed. Because a land contract typically does not involve a bank or mortgage lender, it can be a much faster way to secure home financing. However, there is a significant risk because many states allow sellers to foreclose if you miss a payment.

How Does Owner Financed Loans Work

The buyer and seller agree on an interest rate for the financed portion and the loan’s monthly payment amount, schedule, and other terms. The buyer signs a promissory note with the seller agreeing to these terms. Because the promissory notice is generally recorded in public records, it protects both parties.

It makes no difference if the property already has a mortgage. However, the homeowner’s lender may accelerate the loan or call it immediately upon sale due to an alienation clause. The seller usually keeps the title to the house until the buyer has fully repaid the loan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Owner Financing to Buyers

Pros

• Terms can be flexible
• The down payment is negotiable
• Closing costs are lower
• The closing process is moving more quickly
• Qualifying may be much simpler

Cons

• In exchange for financing, sellers can demand higher interest rates
• If the seller has an existing mortgage with an alienation clause, the seller’s lender may foreclose
• The loan term may be brief, culminating in a balloon payment

Pros and Cons of Owner Financing for Sellers

Pros

• The monthly cash flow has been improved.
• In exchange for financing, sellers can request a higher-than-usual interest rate.
• Offering seller financing distinguishes them from other available inventory.
• Sellers can demand the full list price.

Cons

• The sale proceeds will almost certainly be taxed at ordinary income tax rates rather than capital gains rates, which can be lower.
• If the buyer defaults on the financing, the seller will be forced to handle foreclosure proceedings.

 

Many investors think that when they are an expert in stocks and other paper assets, they might be able to handle precious metals and other alternative assets as well. However, this isn’t usually the case as there are a lot of subtle differences to know about when diversifying one’s portfolio. If you’re one of them, you might want to research more about precious metals before investing in them.

One thing that many people do is to read reviews and ask the experts about their knowledge of gold and other precious metals. You can gain valuable insights in just a few hours when you have a mentor who has proven his expertise in the subject you’re interested in. This will be more valuable than losing a lot of money in the next few months just to learn valuable lessons about investing.

This is where companies can help you out. They have a team of experts who have been in the precious metals industry for years, and they can guide you about the different products available in the market. Check out the Bullion Star review about these companies and see if they are legitimate. Most of them will also offer services like introducing you to trustworthy dealers in the industry, arranging shipment, and managing paperwork for more hassle-free investing.

Helpful Tips to Know About

1. Only Part with the Money that you don’t Need for at Least Five Years

You don’t necessarily know when the entire system and stock market will collapse. People kept saying that the stock market would crash in the following years, so you’re forced to buy assets that you don’t need. Never believe in speculation and only part with the money you don’t need for at least five years.

Anything can happen during this time. During the pandemic of 2020, everyone learned that their lives could change in just a few months. While it will be more likely that the precious metals will retain their value in the next few years, it will be harder to see if this will happen in the long or short term.

If you want a reasonable return, wait for at least five years and never use the money you’ll need in the next six months. The price for the short-term is something that you can’t predict, and the fiat money’s value generally fluctuates over time. Regardless of the results, there’s a higher chance that you’ll be happier with the results if you’re willing to wait for at least five years. See more rules about investing here.

2. Be Compliant with the Laws when you Buy Precious Metals

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, you need to buy small amounts of gold coins. The investors won’t be able to buy in bulk, but this can work to your advantage. Make sure to buy privately and in small denominations. There’s a chance that you don’t have to disclose any personal information or prevent your personal data from going out there. This is entirely legal, and in time, this gives you more privacy and security.

If you’re the average buyer, buying in small quantities is highly advisable. You need to follow specific laws for bulk and more significant purchases. Have the right motivation when buying. Don’t assume that the government will never find out if you hide the gold because it definitely will in the long run.

Play by the rules and laws of the game and be compliant at all times. If you’re always compliant, you can prevent the money from being confiscated. Others store their gold in jurisdictions of Liechtenstein and Switzerland to be extra safe.

3. Storage should be Outside of the Bank

The physical gold bars and coins are considered the antidote to the current system. Most banking systems are based on computer digits, paper, fiat money, and credit. These factors contribute to a crisis where investors are protecting themselves. If you decide to store physical bullion and bars, you might find it logical to avoid banks.

Most banks’ property rights are temporary. In the past, these banks were known to confiscate cash and physical gold, and there was always the possibility that you could lose your assets without a moment’s notice.

Others might argue that it’s safer to have the coins and bars in deposit boxes, but they are not generally insured. When the banks face a harsh crisis, they can close down, and they don’t have the amount they claimed in the past.

It was a problem that started in 1980 when mathematicians became involved with the banking system. Most of them argue that the banks didn’t have enough gold on hand, and they began making speculations that only about 25% is present and the rest of the 75% is being sold.

Others have invested it into bonds that make a guaranteed return, and most of the precious metals disappeared. The bottom line is don’t put too much trust in the bank when it comes to your gold.

4. Always have Coins Accessible to You

You should always have access to some of your gold, even if you have to bury it or put it in a safe. See more reasons why you should own this precious metal on this page: https://www.bankbazaar.com/gold-rate/top-8-reasons-invest-gold.html. You just have to make sure that you can find it if something happens.

However, it’s not advisable to store ALL of the gold nearby. You just want some that’s enough to get you through a crisis. Others are also advised to have some insurance in other countries if there’s confiscation. Switzerland is a country that was the last to go off the gold standard, and they always have a currency present in their countries, even during wars.

Most politicians also don’t have the power to stop the people from confiscating one’s assets in the country. As a good rule of thumb, if you can invest more than $50,000, it might be safe to

store it in another jurisdiction. Otherwise, if it’s less than this amount, you can keep it nearby so it will be more accessible.

 

Research shows that about 40 percent of educators in the United States aren’t covered under the social security system. Often, this brings many challenges for private and public school retiree teachers. Having a retirement plan can be a great way to ensure success after years of service imparting students, and it’s never too early or too late to get started. Here are some tips to help you plan your retirement whether you teach in a private or public school.

Seek expert advice.

Retirement planning goes beyond buying a pension plan. This sort of service demands technical financial and investment knowledge to manage your pension funds for optimum gains. The education sector is a different ball game, and professionals may have to obtain specialized training to qualify as educator retirement planning experts. Several investment options exist to leverage for retirement success. But seeking expert advice can be a great way to zero in on an investment account that works best for you.

Consider other multiple sources of income.

Teaching is a fulfilling career, and many educators are passionate about their jobs, and doing it for a very long time can be an accomplishment that never leaves the mind. Given this, many teachers may prefer to participate in active service even after retirement. Luckily, several online education platforms exist for teachers to do what they know best from the comfort of their homes and at their own pace.

Alternatively, retired educators with their experience can engage in less demanding responsibilities like being a National Honor Society High School patron. Patrons are often non-executive members, and such roles may not require day-to-day operational schedules. Patrons can advise on strategies to help outstanding high school students with areas of scholarship. With the teaching experience gained over the years, they can also partake in oversight responsibilities of coaching student leaders towards success. Generally, working convenient schedules can be a great way to manage multiple income sources.

Financial benefits can be one of the primary purposes in working such jobs. Still, after their retirement date, many teachers like to reflect on their careers and determine how best to leave legacies for the school community. Therefore, some educators may opt to add volunteering to their schedules, and they may spend this time leveling the field for students disadvantaged based on race.

Other essential school activities worth mentioning can include college admission counseling for eligible juniors and adult education through live webinars. For the most part, retired educators may appreciate the volunteer hours as much as they do their pension investment earnings.

Save beyond pension.

Beyond the money, all these other factors can determine how fulfilling educators can feel during retirement. But saving beyond pension can be a great way to finance your retirement. Many U.S teachers are beneficiaries of defined-benefit pension schemes, which means that both employers and teachers contribute to your pension fund. Typically, the government guarantees life retirement payouts, which may vary for teachers depending on specific financial information like an educator’s earnings.

Teachers in states like Florida earn even less pension than New York colleagues, and the disparities across states are mainly due to the underfunding of teachers’ funds. Therefore, opting to supplement your pension with savings can never be a miss for your future. Teachers can choose from many contributor plan varieties for optimum investment earnings.

Know your social security options.

Some teachers may not know their options for creating wealth until it’s too late. About 15 states across the U.S. don’t participate in social security contributions. So, knowing the status of your school district can be a great wake-up call to streamline your pension plans.

Generally, planning a retirement is common among teachers and other professionals. Having a retirement plan can help you become a beneficiary for several financial gains making your retirement journey smooth.

Buying a car can be an overwhelming experience financially. Whether you purchase a new or old vehicle, deciding the best way to pay is heavily influenced by your current financial situation. For those who have the funds to buy a car, financing a vehicle can be a better option at times.

Across the states, more Americans choose to finance a car than purchase it outright. In the first quarter of 2021, 81.24% of Americans with new vehicles were paying for them through finance. Instead of paying for them outright, financing vehicles are becoming a more popular choice.

One reason for the rise in popularity is the greater choice in option. Those that choose to finance their car can pick a more luxury model and make that they might not have been able to afford if they paid for the vehicle in full. Another reason is paying off the cost of the car in monthly instalments. Having this option allows people not to lose a large sum of money in one transaction. They can spread the cost of the vehicle over a set number of months. Additionally, they can factor the monthly cost of the car into their monthly financial budget.

If you are looking to invest in a new car for yourself, whether a second-hand newer model or a brand-new car, here are a few things to consider before choosing to finance it.

Ability To Afford A Car

Paying for a new car on monthly instalments rather than upfront can sound like the more viable option. This is true in theory. However, financial situations can easily change with little notice. Before you move forward with financing a car, consider your current financial situation. Ask yourself if you are in a position where you will have steady employment for the foreseeable future. Think about if you will be working and earning an income for the time it will take to pay off all monthly payments.

Any late payments will be subject to a fine. For those who are struggling already with making payments on time, it can be easy for their debts to rise with more expenses needing to be paid. Before you choose to finance a car, ensure that you are entirely confident in your financial situation and can afford the card.

Aside from monthly payments, there will be additional costs to factor into your monthly spending. These factors can quickly become costly, from maintenance to the car to running costs. Savings can be a tremendous help in the beginning. However, if you were planning to depend on your savings to help cover the costs of the car, consider if you are willing and happy to have your savings reduced once all payments have been made.

Check Your Credit Score

Checking your credit score before moving forward with financing a car is crucial. Aside from deciding if you will be accepted, it will also impact the amount you will have to pay back. Those with higher credit scores will likely be offered better deals, whilst those with lower scores might suffer from paying back at higher rates.

In addition to checking your credit score, it is also worth checking to see if financing a car can help build credit. Fortunately, this article answers the question ‘does financing a car build credit’ in-depth.

How Long Do You Want The Car

When financing a car, you need to know how long you want to be driving your chosen car. You may prefer to have a vehicle with the latest technology and are likely to want a newer model. Alternatively, you might want to own the car for the foreseeable future. If you have an idea of how long you want to have a vehicle, for will help you decide if financing a car is the best option for you.

See If You Need A Car

The convenience of having a car is an attractive quality. The ability to get between destinations whenever you want without relying on public transport is appealing. It is worth asking yourself if having a car is a genuine necessity in your life. If you are looking at investing in a vehicle to use for commuting to work, consider if you will be using the car enough to justify its cost.

When deciding if you need a car, look into the difference in cost and time compared between driving a car and commuting using public transport. Depending on how long your commute to work is, you may find that it could be more expensive long-term to run and maintain a car compared to using public transport. On the other hand, you may find it better to finance a car than to use public transport. If you plan to use the vehicle for reasons other than getting to work, it is worth factoring those into your final decision.

In Summary

Choosing to invest in a car is a significant decision. Deciding how to pay for it is the next hurdle to overcome. If you decide to finance a vehicle, ensure your choice has been made will full knowledge about your financial situation. It includes everything from the final costs through to your income capability. It will help you decide what route is the best option for you and which makes the most sense. If you are buying your first car, consider all the facts and responsibilities of owning a car.

Before moving forward with a car and dealer, make sure that you look at all available options. Ensure that you are not missing on a better deal from another dealer. If you do find a better option but prefer a different dealer, you can use the alternative deal as a negating tool. You might be able to get the car you want at a price best suited for you from your preferred dealer.

Spending time before you make your final decision will help to ensure you choose the best option for you.

 

There’s a common misconception that filing for bankruptcy is the end of the world for homeowners. However, millions of people file bankruptcy every year and survive to tell about it, and many of their stories have great endings!

We’re not trying to con you into thinking that bankruptcy is a thrill ride or anything of the sort. It’s a serious process with consequential implications for homeowners. However, filing for bankruptcy could be the best solution to your debt problems. Continue reading to learn some of the consequences of bankruptcy for homeowners.

All collections must stop.

The moment you begin considering bankruptcy, you should begin doing research to find the best bankruptcy attorney in your area. Some attorneys offer a free consultation with your first phone call, allowing them to tell you what to expect from your bankruptcy case.

One of the first pieces of legal advice you’ll get from your bankruptcy lawyer is that your creditors must halt attempts at debt collection. However, this stay is only temporary to allow the bankruptcy court to review your bankruptcy petition. In many cases, homeowners can keep their houses and have their mortgage debt discharged. However, bankruptcy forms can be tricky, so it’s a good idea to have a trusted law firm help you with your bankruptcy filing. Do your due diligence to find the right bankruptcy lawyer and learn as much as you can through each free consultation.

The bankruptcy trustee could sell your home.

It’s important to choose the right type of bankruptcy to ensure you get positive results. Most people file chapter 7 bankruptcy if they can’t afford to pay their debts. This puts their assets in the control of a trustee who sells them to cover as much of the debt as possible while discharging the rest. If your home equity is greater than the exemptions for which your home is eligible, the trustee could sell your home to pay some or all of your debt. You’ll get the portion of the home sale that the exemptions covered.

Many property owners choose to try selling their homes themselves to get the best value for their homes. Of course, it’s a good idea for your house to undergo some renovations to increase its market value. Installing a new roof or deck is a great way to boost your property value. Google “top roof repair in Phoenix” to find the best roofing contractors in the metro area.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to catch up on mortgage payments.

Some people file chapter 13 bankruptcy if they’re in serious debt but can afford to repay their creditors. In essence, they’re able to end wage garnishment and foreclosure by proving their ability to repay their creditors and adhering to their agreement with the bankruptcy court.

The bankruptcy process isn’t the ideal way to overcome financial hardship, but sometimes, it’s the best option available. Once you get through this stressful time, you can get a fresh start. One of the good things about filing for bankruptcy is that all debt collectors must immediately cease actions against you. You might be able to enter into a repayment plan with your mortgage lender. You could also have your mortgage discharged, and you could even keep your home, depending on your equity. Filing for chapter 13 will give you a chance to catch up on mortgage payments and keep your home as well.

Many business owners have had to go through bankruptcy proceedings only to bounce back and become wealthier than ever, and your financial difficulties don’t define you either. As long as you follow the terms of your debt settlement agreement, filing for bankruptcy can be the right choice for regaining your financial freedom.

 

Internet revolution in the world today has led to increased online activities, including online shopping. It has proven to be convenient and applicable in the vast lives. Many businesses have adopted this business model, and it has injected a lot of benefits to the businesses. Hence, most things you require in your day-to-day life can be purchased over the internet. For those who have not yet hopped on e-commerce, there are several benefits that you should know.

Increased safety

In the era of the current pandemic, the main goal of every person and family is to remain safe and healthy. E-commerce helps limit our interactions with the outside world hence reducing the possibilities of catching the virus.

When you choose a secure e-commerce platform like iPantry, you can stay in the comfort of your home and fulfill your household needs and all the purchase you need like groceries, food, and cleaning materials. The only thing you need is to set up an account in the chosen platform, know the appropriate payment methods, place all your orders, pay, and wait for your purchased items at your doorstep.

Great convenience

Among the significant benefits of online shopping is convenience. You only need to identify a reliable and trusted site, mobile phone, or any computer and a stable internet connection. Paying with cash is not a must as you can pay for all your purchased goods using your credit or debit card.

You will enjoy discounts

Most people have turned to online shopping; hence, most companies focus on giving great online discounts to increase their client base. Then as a client, you may enjoy free shipping, discounted products, occasional online sales, and discounts on bulk purchases. Hence, you will enjoy significant savings compared to physical store shopping.

Ease of usability

See, when in a physical store, you have to spend most of your time moving from one aisle to the next, looking for all your specified items. Well, with online shopping, you only need to type in the search box what you are looking for, and it appears in a snap of a finger. You are free to scrutinize all the products that appear close to making your final purchasing decision. You will save a great deal of time.

Wide product varieties

When looking for a specific item, not in your local store or a hard-to-find product, you may have to move from store to store. But with online shopping, you have all the possible leads. And when you find the item, you only need to talk to the seller and buy it online.

One can buy different items from another country without leaving the comfort of your home. Of course, you will be extra shipping fees. And in the end, you will have the product you always wanted.

In conclusion, online shopping offers an alternative to physical shopping and enhanced safety, especially during the pandemic. It helps save on time and money while still enjoying quality products. Make sure you choose a safe and certified e-commerce platform to avoid being conned.

 

Plan for your retirement as early as possible. Save as much money both personally and through dedicated retirement plans. These plans allow you to build up interest that contributes further to your retirement fund. Take a look at this article to learn more about the options available to you.

Utilize An Employer Program

Speak to your employer to determine if they are running any retirement plans. Save yourself the time and effort involved with directly running a program. Know that an employer could pay towards your retirement as well as a small portion of your income. This is one of the most popular form of retirement plan available. Realize that there are other retirement plans available for you to work with.

Contribute To An IRA

Use the most popular form of retirement savings accounts available to all Americans. Reap the rewards of an individual retirement account. Know that this is a personalized plan that comes with tax advantages. Use this to invest long-term, which will build up your savings. Schedule some time in your day to learn the difference between different IRAs. Examples include Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs.

Move your current retirement plan to a self-directed IRA. Do this to help protect your savings from the volatile stock market. Work with financial experts such as IRAR Trust Company to provide an IRA rollover service. Diversify your investments to give them the best chance to develop. Stay on track with your retirement goals and keep them in line with your plan. Move retirement funds from an employer-sponsored plan

Utilize an IRA transfer if needed. A transfer is when you move an IRA to a different IRA with another provider. Move funds or assets quickly to receive benefits. They come in the form of a direct rollover or an indirect rollover. Know that both will have advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances.

Invest Into A Retirement Community

Look into investing in retirement communities. Consulting and working with these retirement communities beforehand could help secure you a spot. Retirement communities can offer you the chance to socialize with people like you. Engage In social events to help combat loneliness and keep your mental health strong. Contact a community center early to find out how to book a place in the future.

Work With Charities

Conduct charitable events that could help sponsor your IRA. Know that working with some charities makes you eligible for programs. Ensure you know the difference between gifting your retirement assets to charity and naming the charity as a beneficiary of your retirement account. Consider the issues involved with including charitable contributions in a charity account.

Understand 401(k)s

Know that a 401(k) is a qualified retirement plan. This means it is eligible for specialized tax benefits and breaks. Invest a portion of your salary up to an annual limit. Allow your employer to take control of your retirement plan. Understand that an employer may be eligible to match an employee’s contribution up to a certain limit.