Sunday, September 28, 2025
Home Blog Page 35

What are the parameters to be observed for Choosing a Credit Card!

Muzahed I.
-
0
What are the parameters to be observed for Choosing a Credit Card!

Applying for credit card is so easy with the offers looking quite appealing. But, it is important to note whether a particular card is the right choice as per your needs. There are certain parameters for choosing a credit card. Before deciding on a particular card, you must see that your important queries are responded to. You can go through the disclosure associated with the card to get replies to most of your questions.

The type of the card:

Regular credit card, student credit card and rewards credit cards are some of the card types and it is necessary to know about each of these cards in detail before submitting the application.

The usage of the credit card:

You should first decide whether you are going to pay the card debts in full each month. If that is your plan, you can opt for a charge card. Excellent credit report is the eligibility criteria for this card. If you plan to use the card for balance transfers, you need to choose the card that comes with low rate of interest on balance transfers. You need to look for a credit card with a low APR if the plan is to carry the balance to the next month. The APR, that is, the annual percentage rate is the rate which is applied to the balance amount that is carried beyond the specified grace period. The APR purchases, cash advances and balance transfers differ from one credit card to the other. It is essential to know the details regarding this, while selecting a particular card.

About the grace period:

The grace period is the time one has to pay to settle the entire balance without the necessity to add finance charge. If you opt for the cards that come with longer grace periods, you can have more time to settle the bill without the need to spend for the convenience in the usage of credit. The grace periods are not for the additional purchases if there is already a balance in the credit card.

The fee structure:

The amount charged as fees and the types of charges are important details about which you should have some good knowledge. The ‘annual fee’, the ‘over the limit fee’, and the ‘late fee’ are some of the common types of fees charged for the usage of credit cards. Some of the credit card companies charge you for the payment on the due date over the phone, for the returned check, and also for additional copies of the account statement.

About the finance charge:

The amount of finance charge is based on the method that the company adopts in calculation of finance charge. While some of the credit card companies take in to account only the balance of the current month, there are some other companies that consider the earlier month balance along with the current month balance for calculation.

The credit limit:

This has much influence over the purchasing power of a credit card. It is advisable to make a start with a very low credit limit to get familiar with the habits to become a smart user of credit cards without incurring debts.

Some of the credit cards attract you with the offer of rewards for using the card. The reward structure varies for each of these cards and it is important to understand the reward structure of your card so that you enjoy the benefits to the maximum.

Image courtesy: License All rights reserved by demosphere

Small Business Tax Deductions And Write-Offs You Can’t Afford To Miss

Muzahed I.
-
0
Small Business Tax Deductions And Write-Offs You Can’t Afford To Miss

Missed deductions can increase a business’ tax bill unnecessarily, and claiming deductions you either do not qualify for or doing so inaccurately can trigger a stressful audit. Small business owners should know which tax deductions they qualify for and how to accurately claim them on quarterly or yearly tax returns. The most common small business tax deductions are easy to understand and important to consider before filing taxes.

Home Office

Many small businesses are run out of a home office by a sole proprietor. The IRS allows small business owners to claim a valuable itemized deduction for home office usage. There are strict guidelines that clearly define what is considered a home office and what expenses can be included in the deduction claim.

A home office that qualifies for the tax deduction will be a dedicated room in a home that is used exclusively for business on a regular, ongoing basis. The dimensions of that room are used to determine the percentage of household expenses, such as electricity and rent, that are deductible. To be clear, small business owners who opt for a “roving” home office by doing business in a number of temporary places around a residence cannot claim a home office deduction.

Employee Health Insurance

The expense paid by small business owners to provide employees with either free or reduced cost health insurance may qualify for a tax deduction. Much like the home office deduction, there are firm qualifications and guidelines for small business owners who want to claim the health care deduction. Business owners have to pay for at least half of employees’ health insurance expenses, have no more than 25 full-time employees, and the average annual payroll to employees cannot exceed $50,000. When these qualifications are met, an employer can deduct up to 35% of employee health insurance expenses using the health care deduction.

Section 179 Deduction

The full cost of certain business-related assets can be deducted under Section 179. Small business owners can deduct expenses paid for business software, hardware, vehicles, office furniture and other physical assets needed to run the business using the Section 179 deduction. A recent change has also added a provision that allows business owners to claim an extra 50 percent of certain business asset depreciation, on top of the standard depreciation deduction. Due to the complexities of Section 179 deductions and the commonality of changes made to such deduction qualifications, a consultation with a business tax professional is highly recommended.

Contributions to Charity

A contribution made to charity both in a business’ name and from that business’ finances can be claimed as a tax deduction. Small business owners should be careful how charitable donations from their business are handled. The best course of action is to keep a record of every charitable contribution showing the account the donation came from, how much was given, which organization benefited and when the donation was made. These pieces of information may be required by the IRS to prove the legitimacy of charitable donation tax deductions.

Inaccurately claimed deductions or those that are entirely missed can cost a small business hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. An understanding of important tax deductions and the rules for claiming them is something every small business owner should have.

Image courtesy : License Some rights reserved by StockMonkeys.com

8 Simple, Quick And Inexpensive Improvements That Really Increase The Value Of Your Home

Muzahed I.
-
0
8 Simple, Quick And Inexpensive Improvements That Really Increase The Value Of Your Home

When you are looking at the overall value of your home, there are many different aspects to take into consideration. You would be surprised at what a small tweaks will make to increase the overall value of your home. One of the most important parts is to make your house look more complete and homey. When you have pictures and family ties within your home it adds appeal to your home. When potential prospects come to your home, you will get a much higher bid when the bidders can picture their family living there through the layout of your home.

Kitchen

The kitchen has remained the heart and soul of every house for decades. It is the most important room and home buyers go straight to the kitchen upon entering the house. Depending on your budget, there are many options to spruce up the kitchen to add tremendous value. If you are on a tight budget, replace the cabinet handles and ensure all of the light fixtures are working. Upgrade the light fixtures to be used with energy efficient bulbs.

If you have the extra money, give the cabinets a complete face lift and replace the countertops if necessary. Paint over them and give the kitchen a new, clean look rather than a run down, mis-matched compilation of door handles and counter faces.

If you are fancy yourself a carpenter than do the projects yourself. Otherwise it is the best idea to hire someone to do the work for you. It may cost more up front, but they will not only be able to ensure that everything will look great, but they will also clean up the mess that it takes to put everything in.

Appliances

The appliances in the kitchen are also among the most important aspects in any household. When attempting to sell a house, one of the first things that prospective buyers notice are the appliances within the kitchen. If your refridgerator, stove, dishwasher, even the microwave are outdated, it is highly advisable to replace them. If they are up to date, make sure the face plates match. Unless it goes with the style and look of the kitchen, you should not have a black stove with a white refrigerator, and a gray microwave as well (in fact, those should never be in the same kitchen regardless).

Bath Room

After the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the most important parts of the house in order to increase the value of the home. Luckily, you can fully upgrade your bathroom without having to spend a fortune in the process. Simply by replacing a sink or a toilet cover, you can transform the bathroom into a modern marvel.

Unfortunately, if the bathroom tiles are dirty, it will take away from the entire room regardless of the renovations done. Strip the tiles or put them through a deep cleanse along with the grout. It can really bring the entire bathroom together.

Outside Appeal

The yard and outside of a house are the first impression you get to give to potential buyers. It is vital to make sure it is in tip-top shape. That does not mean you have to hire a landscaper to come in and completely redesign your gardens or trees in order to get a higher bid. It does mean that you should make sure the grass is cut and looking great. If you have your old car up on concrete blocks in the back yard, it is highly recommended to remove it before the next open house.

If you have extra money to spend on beautifying your house, you should reconsider hiring a landscaper to redesign your front lawn or hire a contractor like Storm Guard Roofing to fix anything that might have wear and tear. Typically your yard could receive a face lift for relatively cheap, and most landscapers are willing to work with you in terms of plants that are within your budget.

Front Door

After the potential buyers pass by the front lawn, they approach the front door. It is an incredibly cheap fix, but one that often gets overlooked by the residents. Most residents use their garage doors or back doors for entry into their own house against the front door.

Many people prefer the new basic steel front doors to the wooden doors of the past. They can be easily primed and painted to give them a blending look to the rest of your house. It is a solid door that will not be easily kicked down, but can be decorated to be elegant and beautiful. It is inexpensive to paint and can be done within a few hours. This is a good way to upgrade your home.

Make sure the door is painted and has a solid, stable door handle. You do not want to have ten locks keeping your door shut either. That will give off the wrong impression that you live in a bad neighborhood, or that you may have had bad intentions while living in the house.

Floors

The floors are one of the main consistencies within each home, and they need to be in good shape. Carpets that are stained and dirty give off more than one bad impression. It shows that the previous owners did not take good care of the carpets and that they will either need to be cleaned extremely well or replaced altogether.

If they are filled with mildew or other nasty smells, it will take more than a few candles and deodorizing spray to cover up the smell. You should consider either hiring a cleaning crew, or replacing the carpets yourself. They can be done relatively inexpensively and can show that the house is well taken care of.

Hire Help

Most people that are looking to purchase a house will hire electricians and plumbers to look at the “guts” of the house. They will point out all of the major faults and the price it will take to fix them. It is in your best interest to hire them and find out the major problems before the potential buyers do. If they are something cheap to fix, than they can be done relatively quickly. If the problems are major, than you can alert the home buyers of the problems before they find out for themselves.

Image courtesy of ddpavumba /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Best Paying Jobs In The UK

Muzahed I.
-
0
Best Paying Jobs In The UK

Not everyone will base their decision on what career to go into solely on the financial rewards. Many people fall into a career because they study certain subjects at school, or because they get a lucky break at the start of a career and work their way up. If you take a step back though and consider which careers are the most financially attractive then it could steer your life in a completely different direction.

Chief Executives and Senior Managers

It’s probably not surprising that the people who run companies and are responsible for turning in a good level of profits for their shareholders are the highest earners in the UK. Salaries of top officials regularly make the headlines when it is revealed that a bank or utility service boss is on several million a year, but the average salary across the chief executive board is a more modest £85k. On top of this, many senior managers and company directors have lucrative bonus schemes, profit sharing options and a benefits package including pension.

Pilots

If seeing the world is your idea of fun rather than sitting in a board room, then seek out a career in the aviation business. A qualified airline pilot earns on average £78k, and also gets considerable perks such as free flights for family and the chance to spend days off in exotic locations. It can however cost thousands to learn to fly a plane and then undergo all of the rigorous testing needed to fly for one of the major airlines. Competition is fierce, and as well as a good all-round standard of education, you will need to demonstrate superb hand to eye coordination and be good at engineering and maths.

Doctors

The average doctor earns £71k, although salaries for top consultants can be as high as £135k, plus whatever they earn from private medicine. Working as a doctor is rewarding and fulfilling for many, but qualification takes many years and only the most academically able candidates will be able to secure a place in University. The long hours traditionally associated with junior doctors are a thing of the past, but shift work and being called out of your bed in the middle of the night to treat a patient are all part and parcel of working in the medical profession.

Information Technology

The way in which businesses use and process information has changed hugely in the last couple of decades and even the smallest business needs to have a web presence, online ordering and a whole range of software packages to help staff do their job. A good IT director can earn up to £64k per year and many top IT staff regularly move around companies as they are headhunted for new roles. A background in computer science or maths is a good starting point for this sort of role, but it is more important that IT directors have good people and negotiation skills.

Finance Managers

Not all finance managers are accountants, but they will be responsible for both the day to day management of the company’s money but also strategic decisions about investments, costs and purchases. Accountants either study the subject at University, or do on the job training where they combine an office job with studying for accountants exams in the evening. More important than the exams though is the ability to analyse figures, spot trends and make tough decisions to keep the company on the right tracks. The average salary earned by senior accountants and finance managers in the UK is £56k, and many will also have bonus and profit sharing arrangements.

Image courtesy of PinkBlue /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How To Cosy Up Your Interiors For A Winter Retreat

Muzahed I.
-
0
How To Cosy Up Your Interiors For A Winter Retreat

When the temperature drops everything simply seems to dull up from your mood to the appearance of your house but that does not have to happen if you work on transforming your interior into something warm and comfortable. A warm and snug home will reflect on your mood and be a haven from the disastrous weather outdoors. Living room is the first room where the transformation should be focused on since it usually the heart of the house but following all rooms should be worked upon with slight, inexpensive touches.

  • Add A Fire

Fireplaces are the ultimate and traditional way to warm up a house and if you don’t have one installed then there are plenty of small, hanging or creative ones available. You don’t need real fire but even artificial fire will bring in the needed warm touch to your decor.  Other then fireplaces candles can always be used to add flames while even a wall canvas depicting a warm and cosy fire will do the trick.

  • Add Warm And Cosy Accessories

Thinking of winter accessories wool and plush materials come to mind and they are a must have for a winter decor to warm up the house. Simple cotton rugs should be replaced by plus materials which will also provide a makeover due to the addition of texture. Knitted throws and bed scarves can be laid around the house while even knitted table runners make complete sense!

  • Add Colour And Brightness

Since winters are completely dull adding vivid and warm colours such as yellow, orange, blue, green etc. can seriously perch up the environment a little and brighten up the mood of a room. Remember since there is less sunlight and you always want a room appear sunny and spacious, you must avoid very dark colours such as purple or navy blue etc. You can keep the overall theme or background color light but introduce pops of intense colors in your photo on canvas, lamp shades or using rugs etc.

  • Add Plants, Greenery And Life

For some life and freshness bring in fresh plants, you will need to do your research and take good care of them because even plants and greenery dulls out in winters. When everywhere outside is only bare trees and dead grass a bit of greenery indoors can be highly refreshing. Choose something fresh and long lasting because a brown or dying plant will only worsen the environment. If you are into pets, believe it or not but, a happy goldfish swimming around in a tank of aquatic plants can seem sunny enough for a decor.

The Importance Of A Structural Survey Before You Purchase

Muzahed I.
-
0
The Importance Of A Structural Survey Before You Purchase

The survey can be one of the most expensive outlays when you move – and surveys can consist of a basic report by a surveyor – to a full structural survey of a property which is used to investigate, detect or diagnose any structural issues which may cause a problem with the building.

Because structural surveys are so expensive, many homeowners are tempted to opt for a cheaper surveyor’s report – and in newbuild properties with a 10-year NHBC certificate, a surveyor’s report should be adequate if the property is still covered by the National House Building Council structural guarantee.

However, many lenders will not offer a mortgage if the property is older or a period property – or if there is a current issue with the structure or maintenance, or a history of disrepair. Insurers are also unlikely to pay out if there is problem with the house and you did not have a structural survey before buying – or may not insure your property at all.

What are Structural Surveys for?

Structural surveys are undertaken by chartered surveyors and go into much more detail than a report or letter survey – which might be a general overview of the property with some images.

A structural survey will investigate and observe all the structural aspects of the property and pinpoint any current issues – or aspects of the building which might cause problems in the future. Flat roofs which might have let in water in the past are an issue which might require a full structural survey, for example.

In newbuilds where there is an apparent problem like cracks in interior or exterior walls, a chartered surveyor will be able to confirm whether this is subsidence or not.

In older properties such as Victorian terraces, the property may not have been built on solid foundations – and whereas most houses experience a degree of movement after building, if this is significant or the house has had structural alterations made to it by the current owner, then movement could potentially be very serious.

What if problems are flagged up?

Propping up a house and reinforcing the foundations is one of the most extreme building projects you are ever likely to encounter – and the success of it often depends on the suitability of the ground below the house, as piles have to be driven deep into the ground before concrete can be poured underneath the house to reinforce the foundations. If the soil is sandy and will not support the procedure then you may have a very serious problem indeed on your hands.

Other problems which can cause structural issues are underground streams running under the foundations and unsettling them; or trees growing very close to a property – especially trees like willow which may grow rapidly and find their way beneath the foundations of a house in search of a water source. If a willow tree is growing well on dry land, it may be that an underwater stream is nearby or the roots have found their way into your mains water pipe or sewer pipe.

The more any type of tree roots grown under the property, the more likely it is the foundations will be disturbed. The only solution is to top the tree and cut out the roots, and replace any pipes which have been invaded – all expensive building projects.

Other issues which a chartered surveyor can help with involve the current trend for DIY, when homeowners may inadvertently or naively start digging into the structural foundations or move load bearing walls, causing catastrophic structural damage to a home.

Poor building skills – and this can be common if an extension has been added or the attic or roof space has been converted – can be dangerous; and so if your dream home has been altered or extended in any way, it is a good idea to pay for a full structural report before you exchange contracts, rather than opt for a cheaper type of survey.

If you are experiencing issues with your property purchase, always keep your conveyancing solicitor in the loop.

Image courtesy of njaj /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What is the process for a bank to evict someone from a property?

Muzahed I.
-
0
What is the process for a bank to evict someone from a property?

In general, the real estate foreclosure and eviction process can be a confusing one if you’ve never been through it. So, if you are going through this and need a little more information about the bank’s process to evict someone from a property, read on.

After a foreclosure, a bank or a private buyer has the right to take the property, but it may be a bit more difficult if the person living there has not found a new residence. To allow the previous homeowner to leave the property, you must go through a legal process of eviction, which usually takes upwards of 30 days. At the end of that process, you will have full access to the property. Here are the steps you need to know.

  • First, provide a written notice to the previous owner letting him or her know that they must leave the property as soon as possible. In most cases, the bank is responsible for drafting and delivering the notice. In very rare cases will you have to take on this responsibility.
  • If the person does not leave the property, a lawsuit must be filed against them. Just know that a suit cannot be filed unless you’ve given the person at least three days notice. To file the lawsuit, you will need to fill out a form at your county’s courthouse. This also may require a small processing fee.
  • After that, the former owner will have 30 days to respond before it goes to a judge. At this time, the previous owner may try to get the case thrown out by offering proof that his or her payments were on time and in the full amount. Should the case be thrown out, you will be unable to evict the person and should file a separate suit against the bank to reclaim any payments you made on the home.
  • Next is to provide evidence of ownership at the hearing. Bring the closing papers or a deed to the property proving you are the owner. After this, an eviction date will be set. The timing will vary from case to case and state to state, but it will be set and the former owner will be required by law to leave.
  • After the eviction date has passed and the person has left the property, it’s a good idea to have the house inspected. If the former owners are still living there, the police will be able to remove them at that time. And finally, after the eviction date has passed, you will be able to use the home freely.

 Image courtesy of -Marcus- /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3 things you should know about loans for people with bad credit

Muzahed I.
-
0
3 things you should know about loans for people with bad credit

Applying for loans is a stressful task not to mention extremely nerve wracking. There is so much to understand process and decide. The options available don’t make the task any less challenging. There is a good chance to drift away from what is important and pay attention to what is not important. If you have scouted the loan market before, you must have come across the option of loans for people with bad credit.

Before you jump the gun and draw any conclusion, you have to understand that hearing about loans for people with bad credit is totally different from applying for it. Applying for such a loan is an experience in itself because against common perception, bad credit personal loans present the borrower with more than what is normally discussed. In this article, we are going to talk about what you should specifically look for when you apply.

Success rate

It is true that loans for people with bad credit exist but, you should not be blinded by the fact that the rate of success in this proposition is not a 100%. When you apply for such loans keep other options open as well. Do not depend on this one option just because the market for such loans is good and ready to accommodate different funding needs. There is no reason to sway this way or that. That said it does not hurt to keep an open approach when it comes to looking for funding options.

Interest rate

Loans for people with bad credit usually come with a downside and that is high interest rate. You have to understand that when you have an ok credit profile, you are compensating for the quick access to funds by way of paying a higher interest rate. This rate will be usually higher than the ongoing rate in the market. This is something you have to think about before you plunge into applying for the loan. It is true that with the personal loans you get, you can attend to emergencies of all magnitude. But, this ability comes with the pitfall that you will have to pay more to get funding.

Application screening

When you apply for a loan, your personal details will be processed and then your loan chances will be determined. This will be done after the company you approached matches your profile with a lender. The lender after screening your application will then make an offer. So there is a good chance that if the lender is not prepared to take a risk with you, your loan application may be declined. Even if it is loans for people with bad credit that you are applying for, application screening will take place. There is no way you can avoid this process.

These are things you have to take into account before you apply for loans for people with bad credit. Making yourself aware of these details can help make the process easier for you to deal with.

 Image courtesy: All rights reserved by Bljunk

Tax And Your Business: 5 Great Online Resources

Muzahed I.
-
0
Tax And Your Business: 5 Great Online Resources

Owning a small business is no small task. Between balancing payroll, overseeing production and handling day-to-day operations, you might not have the time or energy to learn the ins and outs of tax law. You might understand the basics and even have a staff accountant, but in order to stay ahead of financial crises, you should keep up with the latest news that could affect your business. Here are five great online resources that offer UK businesses free tax information to help you stay ahead.

Goodman Jones
Managed by the accountant firm Goodman Jones, this website offers tax calculators, a blog on financial news and readily accessible information on business tax and more. You don’t need to be a client of this London-based accounting firm to take advantage of their advice. They’re ready to help you solve difficult tax situations by providing useful information on their comprehensive website.

Scopulus
Scopulus has been offering online resources for businesses for more than seven years, and their collective approach to free information earns them a place among great online tax resources. Providing legal documents, business articles and a plethora of financial information, Scopulus aims to offer business owners everywhere the tools they need for successful financial management.

Tax Cafe
Established in 1999, Tax Cafe has been offering professional tax guides to businesses, investors and anyone who wants to learn tax laws for over a decade. Their unique guides cover everything from VAT to property tax, which makes it easy for you to choose the guide you need for your business. If you need solid guidance in an easy-to-use format, then check out this great website.

Taxation Law @ Oxford University
The faculty of Oxford University have compiled an excellent resource that offers a wide variety of tax information. With links to external sites on every tax situation imaginable, Taxation Law @ Oxford University provides ample resources for all of your business tax needs. The site also features announcements on upcoming seminars so you can stay up to date on tax and other financial information.

Taxation Web
Led by a team of financial experts, Taxation Web compiles sources from all over to provide individuals and businesses the information they need on proper taxation. The website includes a blog for businesses as well as links to outside resources, and these features make it a go-to place to find accurate and accessible tax-related information.

Each of these blogs and websites offers a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help you manage your small business’s finances. If you want to stay up to date on changing tax laws and regulations, then check out any or all of these blogs for sound financial advice. You may not always have the time to become as tax-savvy as you’d like, but these online resources will help you stay sharp and alert when it comes to business tax in the UK.

Research:
http://www.taxationweb.co.uk/tax-tips/business-tax/
http://www.scopulus.co.uk/
http://denning.law.ox.ac.uk/tax/taxation_resources.php
http://www.taxcafe.co.uk/resources/
http://www.goodmanjones.com/tax-centre

Image License   AttributionShare Alike Some rights reserved by kenteegardin
1...343536...53Page 35 of 53

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

we are about helping you find financial freedom, which in turn will allow you to achieve higher financial and personal success. Writers and freelancers share their stories, expertise, experiences, and more on this website, to help people find the answer to any financial question that they may have.

Read More!

Contact us: muzahed@gmail.com

FOLLOW US

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv