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What You Should Know About Foreclosure

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Many of us are facing tough times right now, as the economy continues to struggle. With higher unemployment rates, people are finding it harder and harder to pay their mortgages, sending them into foreclosure.

Foreclosure is one of the scariest words a homeowner can hear, but many people aren’t properly informed about it. When you are unable to continue paying the debt on your house, or your loan, the person or place who gave you the loan has the opportunity to try and get some of their money back by taking back the property bought with their money.

While it may sound simple, foreclosure has a few steps that all homeowners should know about.

Step 1: Missing payments

The first step on the road to foreclosure is when the homeowner doesn’t pay a month of their mortgage payment. Missing one month of payment sends up a red flag to the lender, typically your bank. The bank will then send a letter saying that you missed a payment and will possibly charge you a late fee.

The real danger comes if the homeowner misses two months of payment. At this point the bank will become very worried that you might go into foreclosure, but will probably still work with you to get a payment. It is much less expensive for the bank to work with you than to put your home up for foreclosure.

Step 2: Notice of Default

If after 90 days the bank doesn’t receive any mortgage payments, they will send you a notice of default, informing you that you are in danger of foreclosure. This means that the bank will give your loan to a foreclosure department, and they will put a notice on your front door to make you aware. They may still be willing to negotiate payment at this point, but if no action is taken your home will be foreclosed on.

Step 3: There’s a Sale in Town

At this point, your home now belongs to the bank. The bank doesn’t want to keep your home, however, they want to get back the money they loaned you to buy it. To do this the bank will make it known that a trustee sale will take place at your property. The lender will publish information about your home in the local newspaper letting people know it is for sale.

Step 4: The Day of the Sale

Once the bank has made it known that there will be a sale, your property will be placed up for public auction. The bank will set a minimum dollar amount on your home to try and cover their expenses, such as the cost of your loan and the taxes owed on your home. Whoever bids the highest will receive the deed to your home.

Once the highest bidder receives the deed to your home, they will officially own it. This means that they can then do with it as they please.

Step 5: Owned by the Bank

If for some reason your home doesn’t sell at the auction, the bank will try to sell the house by itself. They might even work with a real-estate company to try and sell the home faster, because the longer the property is on the market, the less money the bank will receive. To try and sweeten the deal, the bank might even cut down some of the expenses to buy the property.

Step 6: Being Kicked Out

Though the bank will want to take the property back from you, they will often let you stay in the property is sold. Once the property is sold you will receive an eviction notice, which means you will officially have to leave the home. After a few days’ notice, local law enforcement will come to escort you and your personal belongs off of the property.

No one wants to go through foreclosure. The process is not only expensive but it is also heartbreaking. In order to avoid going through foreclosure, you should be sure to know as much as you can about it. Also it is very important to talk to your lender to try and negotiate your loan. Don’t let foreclosure happen to you!

Featured image used under creative commons license 

How to ‘Go Green’ and save money at home in 10 simple steps

There are a number of easy ways to make your home more eco-friendly, which while you save your conscience will save money on household bills to. Take a look at our simple steps to improving energy efficiency in the home, which with a little practise will start you on the road to saving the environment:

Save Water

Opt for showers instead of baths to save your water bill as well as your time! A faucet aerator attached to each faucet will also conserve heat and water, whilst keeping your water pressure high.

Consider your diet

Meat, as well as being expensive, is bad for your health in large quantities. It is also of course bad for the environment when you consider transportation and raising methods. Why not eat meat once or twice a week, and make tasty vegetarian dishes the other days? Buy high quality rather than large quantities of meat; locally raised, organic meat will be so much tastier on the days you do eat it!

Avoid bottled water

Buying a water purifier rather than bottles of water will save you money in the long run, and is much better for the environment, as plastic bottles cause a lot of container waste.

Make your own cleaning products

It’s actually very easy and inexpensive to make you own cleaning products at home. As a bonus, they’re kind to the environment and non-toxic! Find some simple recipes here, using ingredients like vinegar, lemon, baking soda and soap.

Avoid unnecessary car journeys

It can be tempting to jump in the car whenever you need to do a bit of shopping or drop the kids at school, but if the destination is in reasonable walking distance walking it will save fuel consumption as well as your money. When you do take the car, try to combine as many errands in one trip as possible. You could take up bike riding for a fun and speedier alternative!

Pay bills online

The amount of paper wasted on paper bills each month can be shocking, and finding places to store them can be pretty irritating! Why not opt for online bills instead, and when you need to refer back to them it’s as simple as checking your emails.

Switch your lightbulbs

Switching to energy efficient light bulbs may be a little costly initially, but over time will save you money on your bills as well as saving the environment.

Line dry where possible

Although this obviously isn’t an option in rainy weather, line drying your clothes saves money on pricey tumble drying and the irritating noise from this as well! If you live alone it is worth considering skipping a tumble dryer altogether, and drying your clothes on drying racks indoors when the weather’s bad outside.

Unplug and switch off!

It’s an obvious one, but switching off the lights when you leave a room and unplugging any electrical items that aren’t currently in use save energy and money in the long run.

Cut down your paper use

As well as paper bills, there are many ways you may be using paper in your home unnecessarily. Consider cloth napkins instead of paper ones, and dish cloths to clean up spillages instead of paper towels. Over the course of a year think about how much paper you will save.

Featured image flickr.com/photos/51747066@N08/6503006553/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Gear Up Yourself To Face Earthquakes With a Financial Plan

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According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS),  about 1194 significant earthquakes measuring 5.0 or more have been recorded in the year 2013. The name of earthquake itself reminds of horrendous images of loss and pain and instill fear. Unfortunately US is among the top 10 most earthquake witnessing countries.

Have you ever wondered how safe are we being on one of the most seismically sensitive areas? In the past few years, we have witnesses numerable natural disasters from floods, tornadoes to earthquakes. Yes , we cannot fight the nature but we can be prepared. Out of the natural disasters known to man, predicting an earthquake is relatively easier. The areas most prone to seismic activity have already been found and we should take proper measures to safeguard ourselves.

There are several states which are on the red list. These states are:

  • Alaska
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Nevada
  • Washington
  • Idaho
  • Wyoming
  •  Montana
  • Utah
  • Oregon

If you are the inhabitant of one of these states  and have not yet taken precautionary measures than you are on the most vulnerable list. And when I say precautions, I just don’t mean the safety drills and exercises and earthquake proof homes. Of course these steps will reduce the impact of the calamity. But is also very important to ensure that your loss is covered. Your homeowners’ insurance does not cover loss due to natural calamities. In this scenario, the best way to minimize your loss is to buy earthquake insurance.

Earthquake Insurance – The Basics

For some states like California, your insurance company will offer you earthquake insurance as well. This insurance will protect your home and its content from the damage caused by earthquake. This insurance will help you when you are hit by an earthquake by covering the damage to your home and belongings and the cost of rent while you are living somewhere else while your house is being repaired.

What Does The Insurance Cover

A basic form of earthquake insurance covers :
The damage to your house : There is a limit on the amount to be paid as compensation on the damage to your dwelling.
The damage to your property:  This would cover the damage to your belongings inside the house. The limit of this part is generally low. Also read the offer document to find out the exceptions which are not covered under the policy.

Your living expenses while you are living in a rented accommodation till the time your house is under maintenance. This would include the rent, meals ,a temporary telephone line; moving and storage costs, rental charges for furniture and laundry charges.

Premiums

Your insurance premiums depend on various factors like the location and age of your house , the type of soil of the area, cost of repair or rebuilding your damaged house, the type of construction including the materials, number of stores,etc.  and the deductible .

Earthquake insurance are a small price to safeguard yourselves. Don’t delay it anymore.

Featured image flickr.com/photos/mirkazemian/75491689/sizes/o/in/photostream/

In What Situations Should Or Should Not Call Your Lawyer?

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Legal fees in the U.S. are criminal. People have bankrupted themselves over carrying out legal action. To put it simply, it’s not worth it in a lot of situations. The key to using the power of the law effectively is hiring a lawyer only when you absolutely have to. Sometimes, you’d be better served putting the money towards a vacation in a tropical location of your choice.

Here are some of the situations where you should and shouldn’t hire legal help.

Handcuffs

Always call a lawyer in any situation that could involve handcuffs. If you’ve been arrested for something, it’s time to seek legal help. And it’s also time to find help when you’re at risk of finding yourself in handcuffs. Keeping yourself out of jail is always a worthy cause for your legal fund.

Death

Dying wasn’t as simple as it once was. When someone dies, there are costs to take care of and estates to pass on. It’s complicated and getting it wrong could mean losing out on inheritance. There are always taxes revolving around the untimely death of a loved one. Make sure you aren’t caught out by any of them by hiring a lawyer instead.

Divorce

Divorce is always an interesting subject, because a lot of people believe you don’t need to hire a lawyer. In a minority of cases, you can handle a divorce by yourself. People who don’t have any property or significant funds can simply walk away without any problems.

The issues begin when there’s a house to share and savings to split. It’s even more complicated when there are arguments over who gets to keep custody of a child. Unless you want to potentially lose everything you’ve worked for, get some legal help.

A Matter of Principle

It’s amazing just how many people will try to sue someone over what they call “a matter of principle”. The fact is spending thousands of dollars on a lawyer to prove someone wrong isn’t a good use of your time and resources. If you have no chance of getting something more than the cost of employing legal help, it’s a complete waste of time.

Don’t let your emotions rule your decisions. Walk away from the phone and let the issue go.

Job Losses

If you’ve been cheated out of employment benefits because you’ve been fired for no apparent reason, hire a lawyer specializing in employment law on behalf of employees. On the other hand, if you never had any benefits incoming, walk away and chalk it up as life experience.

Employers will know if you’ve sued someone in the past. They’re often apprehensive about hiring people who have sued their employers previously. Many will see you as a risk, and therefore pass on you.

In short, this goes back to the argument about principles. You might think you’re fighting the good fight, but all you’re doing is making it harder for you to get another job going forward. It might not be fair or just, but it’s the best option open to you right now.

Featured image flickr.com/photos/marinolegalcle/8080595407/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Using Effective Call Centers To Grow Your Customer Base

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When you own a business, it’s important to get as much exposure as possible for your company. Not only are you responsible for the marketing, when you are starting up, you must also attract new customers while fulfilling orders for your product or services. Your time will be infinitely stretched.

When you gain some success, the demand for what your business offers will have the phones ringing off the hook. This is what you have been working for but if the demand for your product or service goes unfulfilled because you lack the manpower, you need to reassess your business operations, and look for resources, such as virtual call centers, that will help smooth over any rough edges in your business.

For the past decade, call centers have taken the pressure off of small business owners who need help answering telephones, taking customer inquiries and orders over the phone, following up with customers’ concerns, processing credit card orders, making cold calls to attract new customers and conducting surveys. In some instances, call centers have multilingual agents.

Today’s Call Centers

Traditional call centers are found in brick-and-mortar buildings while agents in virtual call centers, also called “cloud-based” call centers, work in their homes. In both cases, call center workers go through a rigorous hiring process and those with previous customer service work experience are more than likely to be hired.

Workers must possess good customer service and business skills, be adept at typing and have some data entry skills. Workers undergo training to learn about the products or services of the businesses for which they work.

What’s more, agents at virtual call centers have their own home office equipment, which usually includes a computer, fax machine, printer, and a telephone and headset. Because of the software used, virtual agents can stay connected with call center staff and managers while they work. Managers are also available to help agents who may get stumped with customers’ concerns.

Modern call centers operate using VOIP, which is voice over internet protocol, allowing for international calls without expensive toll charges. Using a service, such as VOIP solution Avoxi, can widen your customer base incrementally, because there are no down times when your office would be closed to a potential customer who is half way around the world.

Call Center Reviews

According to TopTenReviews.com, small- and medium-sized businesses that use call centers save money because they do not pay direct employee costs and call center workers bring in new sales and new clients. Call centers are used by a wide variety of businesses, from banks to bakeries, credit unions to car repair companies, and from health care to telecommunication companies.

In addition, the review said that call center services are available around the clock, which makes it less likely for customers to have to leave messages on voice mail or listen to a “voice tree” with a mechanical voice directing them to “Press 1” for a particular service. Having agents available at all times help companies to grow their business.

Today’s technology now allows small- and medium-sized companies to operate on a global scale, which is why it’s important that business owners be accessible to their customers and clients easily, and at any time. Make it easy for your customers to ring your bell!

Featured image source flickr.com/photos/huaweipress/4798036091/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Increasing the reach of your small businesses

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For those individuals who run small businesses, there’s almost always a desire to bring about improvements. This may well be something that you are familiar with, whether you are looking to increase income levels, improve customer satisfaction rates, or simply to ensure that your employees are happy.

In this particular blog post, I’m interested in thinking about how we can go about making more sales. Specifically, I want to examine how it becomes possible for us to dramatically increase revenue levels.

There may be a tendency to concentrate on your local, or domestic market. I wouldn’t ever say that this is a bad tactic, particularly given that it enables you to really create a footprint within a particular niche. There is certainly something to be said for being a big fish in a small pond.

In essence, the opportunity is created for you to really dominate and generate a significant income as a result. If you can stave off other local rivals, then you have that chance to clean up. But how far will such an approach really take you? I’ve mentioned the idea of generating a substantial income, but it seems clear to me that you won’t be able to establish a massive corporation by acting in this way.

The problem that you’ll face is that there will always be a limited audience available to you. Within your local area, it’s likely that some individuals will never actually become customers. There may be a variety of reasons why this might be the case, some of which will reflect the specific nature of your own business and what you are looking to offer.

Within your business plan, you may have expected to pick up a greater proportion of business within the region. It’s the time to be honest, however, allowing you to appreciate that there will certainly be a limit in place on your plans. This is the time for you to start thinking about an overseas expansion.

There are companies like Paymentbase who clearly offer services that will help in this area, although it would be unfair to suggest that an international approach isn’t daunting. You’ll need to think carefully about marketing and carry out a full appraisal of the target market. At the same time, however, you can see that it’s possible to gain exposure to a considerable audience. What this means is that you can start adding customers and increasing revenue levels.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to expand in this way can be said to be one of confidence. Do you feel that you have the right qualities to be able to drive your business in this direction, or are there fears surrounding inherent weaknesses?

It’s amazing how much any business eventually becomes a reflection of the business owner. If you’re prepared to demonstrate that you have real vision and confidence, then it’s my belief that you’ll be able to get some great results.

You will, of course, need to retain that sense of focus. If you’re unable to achieve that, then it’s very difficult to see how you will ever get the results that you desire.

Featured image source flickr.com/photos/67755992@N03/6188633776/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Why Everybody Needs Personal Checks

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Once upon a time, personal checks were commonplace.  Our grandmothers would send us $5 birthday checks, or we would regularly get stuck in a long grocery store line behind three people who insisted on writing checks as slowly as possible.  Today, however, we are more likely to see someone pay via credit card, PayPal card, or even with their phone.  A large majority of purchases are made online, without the need for a single piece of paper, or even a signature.  This leads us to wonder: are we now witnessing the last dying throes of the personal check era?

Despite the fact that you can now swipe cards on cell phones and buy an entire new wardrobe with the click of a button, at some point in their lives, everybody will come across a situation where they need to pay with cash and they don’t have any.  Whether you need to pay the babysitter or your teenage son wants to borrow some money right away (and you know better than to lend him your card!) personal checks fit into any of these scenarios perfectly.

Another more lasting reason to make sure that you have a checkbook somewhere about you is the simple fact that it will be easier to keep track of where your money is going.  Few people keep receipts from every purchase they make with the swipe of a debit or credit card; even fewer write down every penny they spend.  When you write a check, however, you get to keep the yellow copy right in your checkbook.  This makes balancing your checkbook so much more manageable, especially when you use your personal checks for major payments such as rent, phone, or electric bills.

Consider also that while your card may not be accepted everywhere, most businesses will take personal checks.  Even if you make a habit of keeping some cash in your wallet most of the time, you could still be in for a shock at the register if you discover you had less cash than you thought you did, and the cashier is waiting for you to pay up.

So before you start scanning the obituaries for a sign of your long-unused personal checks, consider digging those babies up and taking them for a test run.  If you don’t have any, you can get checks from your bank, or you can order personalized checks from one of dozens of stores or websites.  Order yours today and see why over 30 billion personal checks are still written every year.

Featured image en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sweet_success.jpg

Denied Disability? Fight Back for Your Money!

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Most individuals understand the necessity of getting out and working for a living, but every so often, a person will suffer an injury that prevents them from doing this. This is a common occurrence that can prove financially ruinous, but when an injury turns into a long-term disability, the consequences can be especially disastrous. Luckily, an individual has the ability to file for disability benefits, but this isn’t always a guarantee that they’ll receive them. This is why every disability applicant should know the appropriate steps to take after a denial of benefits. Don’t get Discouraged

The biggest mistake that people often make after being denied disability benefits is simply giving up. The belief that a denial is a final decision is pervasive, but it is completely inaccurate. In fact, more than 70 percent of all disability applicants are denied when they first apply for benefits. The majority of these individuals give up, but for those who continue to fight for the benefits they deserve, 60 to 70 percent are granted them at their hearing. The moral of the story: never give up.Find out the Technical IssuesThe Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t just deny benefits on a whim. There’s no doubt that they deny plenty of applicants, but they always have a very specific reason behind these denials. An individual must find out the exact issue that caused their denial if they want a chance at successfully fighting it. A person should understand going in, though, that there are a variety of reasons for a denial.

  • Applicant’s income is too high
  • Insufficient medical evidence
  • Refusal to cooperate with investigation
  • Disability won’t be long-term

The aforementioned list is in no way all-inclusive, but it does represent some of the most common reasons for denial. Once an individual knows why they were denied, it’s up to them to find the appropriate evidence that will assist in their being granted benefits.

Speak with an Attorney

One of the best steps that a person can take after being denied disability is to speak with an attorney. Many individuals believe they can handle an appeal to denied benefits on their own, but in reality, if a person had all of the evidence they needed in the first place, they likely wouldn’t be in the position where they had to file an appeal. An attorney with extensive experience in this area, however, can pinpoint exactly why an application was denied and the appropriate way of going about remedying the situation.

File Appeal

Filing an appeal is the single most important aspect of fighting against a disability denial. Unless the denial is appealed, a person has zero chance of receiving financial help. It’s also imperative for them to file this appeal in a timely manner. This is because there is a set deadline on how long a person has to file their appeal. Ensuring that all evidence that can prove eligibility for benefits is gathered at this point is also essential since a hearing will soon be approaching. Luckily, a person’s attorney can gather most, if not all, of the information needed for a successful appeal.

There’s no doubt that successfully filing for disability on one’s own can be a difficult process, but it is by no means impossible. The SSA has to deal with fraudulent claims on a daily basis, and unfortunately, their attempts to prevent this often cause innocent individuals who really are eligible for benefits to be denied. Luckily, a denial is not the end of a disability claim story. With the appropriate evidence and good legal representation, an individual is far more likely to be granted benefits.

Featured image source www.flickr.com/photos/sunworldpictures/8049571185/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Debt vs Equity: Making the Right Choice for Your Business

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Most small businesses seeking to raise extra capital will be look to weigh up the question of debt vs. equity. Is it better to borrow money in the form of a loan, or seek investors who will provide ready cash in exchange for a slice of your business? As always, there are pros and cons to both options so it’s important to consider all the angles before making the right decision for your own business.

Debt Financing: The Pros

The main advantage of debt financing through a loan from a bank or other business finance lender is that you don’t have to give up a share of your business, meaning you remain 100% in control. Taking out a loan is strictly a money arrangement and your lender will have no say in how you run your business – provided you make your payments on time! Once you’ve cleared off your debt, you have no more ties to the lender – this is very different to the extended business relationship you have with an investor.

In addition, choosing a fixed rate and knowing the term of repayment will allow you to budget accurately – and you can write off all your interest as a tax deduction!

The Cons

The main problem with relying on debt is, of course, if you have problems paying it back. Cash flow can be a serious problem for small businesses with big loans – and being saddled with debt will make you less attractive to investors, should you seek equity financing later.

With a loan, you’ll need to make your repayments on time whether business is good or bad – and you may have to personally guarantee any borrowing. If sales nosedive, that could leave you personally liable for all your business debts. Be sure you don’t borrow more than you can realistically afford.

Equity Financing: The Pros

If you think you might struggle to repay a large business loan, equity financing can provide your business with a relatively risk-free cash injection, as there’s no requirement to repay the money back. Without having to make burdensome loan repayments, you’ll have more cash available to grow your business and most investors won’t seek returns too soon.

The Cons

However, opting for equity financing means giving up at least some control of your business, and some investors may want a major say in the running of your operation. While you share risks, you also share rewards – so if your business is a success, you’re likely to pay out far more in profits than you would making a loan repayment.

If you’re used to being your own boss, you might not enjoy having to consult with your investors on business decisions, both big and small, and in the worst case, your equity partners may even seek to wrestle control of the business from you.

Be sure to come to an arrangement with the investor that you are comfortable with, don’t give up more of your business than you would like to just for the cash!

In borrowing, there’s no such thing as free money with no strings attached, so opting for a combination of debt and equity financing may provide the right balance for your company.

Featured image used under creative commons license

Reasons for outsourcing legal transcription work to the professionals

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Nowadays, there are all sorts of different jobs and tasks that companies may choose to outsource to various companies. The companies that provide these services will be specialists in their particular field; with a wealth of experience in carrying out the roles and jobs that they are hired to do.

One such job that many different companies, individuals or bodies may require outsourcing help for is in the field of legal transcription. When it comes to legal transcription work, it is absolutely imperative that a high standard of quality and accuracy are achieved, and outsourcing it to specialists in this area of expertise is a good way of ensuring this.

There are all sorts of people for whom legal transcription services can prove beneficial. These include the likes of solicitors, lawyers, police, court proceedings, judges, court clerks and attorneys. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the reasons that these sorts of people should consider outsourcing their legal transcription work to the professionals.

The work can be outsourced to experienced professionals in the field

In a similar way to the field of medical transcription, when it comes to legal transcription, it is important that the work itself is carried out by people who are professionals in the field, and who have an excellent working knowledge of the terms and language that is used. This is something that a good quality transcription service should be able to provide to their clients,

The work will be completed quickly and efficiently, and getting the job done quickly can mean saving money in the long run

Using a professional outsourcing service has the major advantage of taking the job off of the shoulders of an in-house member of staff. This frees up the time for them to get on with and complete other pressing jobs and tasks that they may have. As the saying goes, and it is particularly prevalent when it comes to business, time is money, and so saving time in a way like this means that a company will also therefore be saving money in the long run. It is also worth remembering that accuracy levels in the transcription work are likely to be much higher if the work is being completed by someone who completes that sort of work every single day, rather than just a secretary or other member of staff who may not deal with that kind of job all that much.

Legal transcription professionals are capable of dealing with a range of different formats and transcripts

Some companies looking to outsource their legal transcribing work may worry that the format of the transcripts could have an effect on whether or not the work will be able to be completed. This is most certainly not the case.  A good legal transcription service should be able to provide solutions for all different formats. These could include PACE tapes, legal-medical reports, witness statements, minutes, court proceedings, Land Registry applications, Instructions to Counsel, leases, wills, contracts, tribunals and bankruptcies amongst many, many others.

Summary – This is an article that takes a look at some of the reasons that companies and businesses should look to outsource their legal transcription work. Leaving it to the professionals can save companies time and therefore money.

Featured image: www.flickr.com/photos/100021049@N03/9468284725/sizes/z/in/photostream/