Taking Full Advantage of Senior Savings with the More Obscure Car Insurers

Edward Oberg has retired from the insurance game and now spends his time reading cheap genre novels, shaking his head in dismay at the state of movies these days, haunting yard sales and hunting for the monster brook trout that delights in mocking him. He has vowed to defy the accepted wisdom regarding boring insurance reps by being extremely interesting.

I have a friend who told me recently that the best thing about getting up there in years is the assumption of wisdom people attribute to us, the finely-aged. Age-bringing-wisdom sounds good to me so I certainly won’t be disputing that particular assumption any time soon. Especially because sometimes that kind of thinking is worth more than the joy it brings us when we get to tell younger people The Way Things Are; sometimes it has practical benefits- like saving you money. Car insurance is a perfect example. For the particulars, read on.

Things Everybody Should Do

Some of the most pragmatic money-saving solutions are more universally-applicable than age-specific.

· Shop Around. Doing research to determine the best car insurance for you seems like a no-brainer, right? But sometimes people are swayed by the convenience of provider’s enrollment process or by the impressiveness of a talking gecko, streak-haired woman with a price gun, etc. Age has also given us patience, or so they say, so look around a little bit. There are a number of good search tools and smart-device apps that can aid you in your search.

• Don’t be Insurance-Complacent. I can’t count the number of times on the job I’d talk to people who stuck with terrible auto insurance coverage for years because that was the insurance they’d always had, and/or that their parents, friends, siblings, whomever had had. Even (perhaps especially) if you have insurance and have had the same policy for years, it can’t hurt to do some comparison browsing.
• Prevention and Preparation. If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, a nickel of insurance is worth a dollar of out-of-pocket. Go over your insurance package, even if it’s one you’re content with, and look over your coverage choices. Do you have rental insurance? It’s almost never worthwhile, particularly if you don’t plan to rent a car. Do you have towing insurance? That can come in handy but if you’re also a member of AAA, can change a tire in a flash and you keep your vehicle in tip-top shape- in the event of a crash, towing is almost always covered anyway.
• Request a Higher Deductible. This one can be a gamble but the higher your deductible, the less you pay a month. Of course, if you do have to file a claim, you initial out-of-pocket is more. But that can pay for itself pretty easily if you go ten years without a crash and have paid in less each month for you insurance.

Consider Using Pay As You Drive Coverage

Depending on your driving habits, looking into a pay as you drive (PAYD) policy, also known as “pay as you drive”, can save you a good deal of cash. Since (some of) us older folk have slowed down a bit and (some of us) probably won’t be cruising the main, bar-hopping, drag-racing or in some cases, not driving to work every day. Some PAYD policies not only lower your monthly rate the less you drive, it also tracks driving habits with an internal driving-habit-recording doohickey. If you don’t drive all that often and/or drive carefully when you are out and about- PAYD might be for you.

The Senior Discount and the Less-Known Insurers

Those earlier-mentioned huge insurance houses with their anthropomorphic geckos and disaster-personified spokespeople and whatnot have a huge share of the market. They’ve also gotten some bad press recently for their customer service and rather calculated, sometimes outright cruel-seeming habit of doing what it takes to pay as little as it takes. Some of that is just the nature of the beast- when you're one of the top three huge with millions of clients between you, it’s hard to pay attention to the needs of that many people.

That’s good for you though because some of the well-established but lesser-thought of insurers have responded by appealing to more niche markets… like us! I’ll give you an example: although The Hartford isn’t exactly an unknown insurance house, they’re not often thought of for auto policies. However, they consistently rank as one of the top providers. In 2012 they topped JD Power and Associate best car insurance provider list and came in at number three on MSN Money’s ranking, plus ranked among the top five on virtually every other list of the kind. Most often cited was their pricing and the helpfulness and amiability of customer service people.

What’s most relevant to us though is their teaming up with the organization previously known as the American Association of Retired Persons to provide hybrid AARP insurance. Again, that’s just one example but feel free to look into this stuff yourself if you’re interested in keeping more cash in your pocket for expensive meals at great restaurants and fine wine… er… and by that, of course I mean Lawrence Welk albums Matlock DVDs.

Great Tips on Dependable Credit Card Usage

In order to get a good deal on your credit card, it’s very important to know few things about credit. But if you ignore to know then it might be very costly for your finances as well as your credit ratings. Even if you know the minimum of the basics then that will also help you a lot. If you have the knowledge on how credit and credit card works then it will be easy for you take the right decision on selecting and using your credit card. In this article we’ll present few great tips which will help you to select the right credit card for you and also guide you through the usage.

Types of Credit Cards:

Though all the credit cards look similar, but as far their terms and conditions are concerned they are different from each other. Many varieties of cards include standard or plain-vanilla cards that contain only standard components. These types of cards don’t offer you cash-back, rewards etc. Student credit cards are intended for young college students. Reward credit card for those people who buy most of the things on a credit card and clear the balance each month. Secured credit cards are for those people who have got into credit card trouble in the past and not eligible to quality for the traditional credit card. Once you are familiar with the different types of credit cards then it will be very easy for you to choose the right credit card for you.

Stick to a budget

The ease of using a credit card could result in the economic downfall since you may wind up paying more than you possibly can afford. That’s why it is very important for you to stick to a budget. If you have started to use a new credit card then, maintain a regular monthly control for the expenses.

An alternative way to monitor the paying would be to register the contact number while using credit card. Each time you swipe the card, you will get a notification in your cell phone, stating your expenditure amount and your remaining balance in your card.

Monthly statement of credit card:

Every month you’ll receive a billing statement of your credit card. Billing cycle is normally between 21 to 29 days. Each month your bank issues a transaction statement and sends the detail to you of that current billing cycle. If there is an outstanding balance in your account then you need to make a minimum payment to reduce the balance or else you can clear the total outstanding balance as well. If you don’t use your credit card for several months then you might not get a billing cycle.

Start with a minimum credit limit and don’t increase:

When a bank provides you with a credit card, it will eventually set a credit limit based on your pay. You may tend to boost this limit to advance more costly expenses. But it's preferred not to do so, at least till the time you are more confident on credit card usage. Though bank may increase your credit limit but at the end of the day it's you who have to pay the amount.

So, unless your monthly earning is increasing stick to a minimum credit limit. Once you realize that you have reached the credit limit then it’s preferred to use cash rather than using your credit card.

Pay back the amount on time:

It is very important to pay back the full credit amount on time. Excellent credit rating is made on on-time payments along with excellent financial debt management. Hence, you should use your credit card to a certain extent which you can easily afford to pay back.

The above mentioned great tips will surely help all the credit card beginners to know about the credit cards and its usage.

Developing A Financial Plan for Getting Out of Debt

Although the average person does tend to have some debt, ridding yourself of debt is the best way to achieve financial prosperity. For many people, getting out of debt can seem very challenging. One of the best ways to help eliminate your debt is to develop a financial plan that addresses the personal problems that you may face along the way. By learning how to develop such a plan, ridding yourself of debt and starting fresh should be achievable in no time at all.

Prepare A Physical Budget on Paper or Your Computer

The reason that many people end up in debt in the first place is because they didn't take the time to sit down and prepare a budget. It is all too easy to let yourself fall into debt without giving yourself a reality check on the true numbers. Add up all of your debts, money in the bank and investments to see where you truly are financially. Once you have all your ducks in a row, it is time to develop a strategy that helps you go from the red to the black.

Snowball Your Debt Into A Lower Interest Rate

While many people may question the logic of trading one debt for another, paying off a debt with a high interest rate in trade for a debt with a low interest rate is one of the best moves you can make when you are in debt. Many people will complain that they are unable to get out of debt because of the excessive interest rates. The best way to set yourself on a course towards repayment is to simply pay off excessively high interest rate debts.

Consolidate What You Can't Afford To Pay Now

Consolidation can cause you to pay more over the long-term, but in times when your income is low, it is the perfect way to avoid more drastic measures such as bankruptcy or a lower credit ranking. This process extends the period of time that you have to pay off your debt, making the monthly payments smaller and more manageable. Combined with the above process of snowballing your debt, consolidation can put you into a position where it is possible to start saving up the required money to pay off what you owe.

Pay Down Your Smallest Debt First

In some instances, you may not be able to consolidate or snowball your debts. The best strategy in such a situation is to pay off your smallest debts firsts. According to All Womens Talk, "Instead of trying to tackle the biggest debt you have since it is hanging over your head the most, switch your focus to paying down the smallest debt first. Why so? It is eating up interest just like the larger debt, yet because it is a smaller bill, you'll be able to pay it off quicker, freeing up some money per month, and freeing up an extra interest rate."

Loans With Private Entities Should Be Dealt With First

Loans with private organizations can often be hazardous to say the least. If you are unable to keep up with payments, private lenders can easily take the money straight out of your paycheck. This situation occurs most frequently with those who have student loan debt. Always focus on eliminating the debt that can cause the most financial problems first.

Peter Smith is a professional blogger that provides financial advice and tips to consumers. He writes for TitleMax, a title loan company.

4 Common Money Mistakes That New Businesses Make

So you've started a new business venture and you're no doubt feeling on top of the world. After all, nothing is more exciting that quitting your nine to five and becoming your own boss. However, it means that you now have responsibility for handling your own money matters, and although there's plenty of advice available from professionals, the ultimate decisions are up to you. Here are a few common mistakes that new business owners make in the early years, and how you can avoid them.

1. Being too optimistic

You may be keen to turn a profit in just a few months, and you may have the projections to back up your plans, but projections are just an estimate. There's no guarantee that they will come to fruition, so you can't base all your financial decisions on these goals. 
When writing projections, you need to take into account:

• How your expenses will grow as the business does 
• That some clients may not pay on time 
• There may be a lull in activities 
• Other products could make yours obsolete 
• Some staff and resource problems are beyond your control 

It's not all doom and gloom, but it's important to think about the kind of issues that might come up, and to build a safety net into your projections to soften the blow. 

2. Growing too fast

When the orders start pouring in, it's no doubt tempting to hire extra staff, upgrade your machines, or even open a second branch. However, it's important that you think through major decisions, and don't be swept up in the momentum of your success.
If you feel that it's time to grow, make sure you get solid financial and business development advice before you proceed. This can help you sort out the business finance you need, as well as helping you draw up a strategy for the short and long term success of your company. 

3. Hiring permanent staff straight away

Staff loyalty is important, but hiring people on permanent contracts is expensive, and it can be restrictive for new firms. It's also very hard to get rid of people if they aren't performing well, and you may discover you don't need them a few months down the line.
Whether it's industry specialists, or people to answer the phones, consider options such as using a temp agency or outsourcing work in the early days. This may seem pricier, but it can save you money as you don't need to shell out for holiday or sick pay. The best idea is to draw up a comparison of the two costs, or to get specialist HR advice. 

4. Spending too much

It may seem like an obvious one, but it's amazing how much small businesses owners can pour into their idea in the early days. Many businesses can be setup with minimal expenditure, and you often don't need top of the line tools and equipment, second hand will sometimes suffice until you have money coming in. Some business owners choose to buy a business lock and stock from someone who is moving or retiring, and this can be a great way to get everything you need for one price.
Making mistakes is all part of the process of building a business. However, it's wise to take advice from those who have come across obstacles in the past, as they will be able to tell you they overcame them. This will allow you to avoid those common mistakes, and take risks with more confidence, knowing that you've had the best advice around.

Contemplating a 'Free' Checking Account? Four Red Flags to Watch For

Free checking accounts seem to be offered by every bank, but few of them are really free. While many of them come with hidden fees, other supposedly “free” checking accounts come with a lot of restrictions. If you're considering a free checking account, make sure that you answer these questions first.

1. What are the restrictions on the account?

In order to provide you with free checking, a bank has to make its money from somewhere. In most cases, this money comes from the fees they get from direct deposit or the fees they get every time you swipe your debit card. For this reason, most free checking accounts require you to have direct deposit and/or make a certain number of charges on your debit card each month. Make sure you can meet these requirements before opening the account.

2. Are you sure you can keep the minimum balance?

Banks are legally allowed to advertise free checking even if those accounts come with fees if you break one of the rules. The most common rule that customers break is a minimum balance requirement. These requirements set an amount of money that must be kept in the account at all times. If your spending ever forces the balance in the account to drop below this line, you get charged a fee. I some cases, the minimum balance on a free checking account is $15,000 or higher.

3. Do you have to order your own checks?

If you can meet the other requirements but the checks you need have to be purchased separately, one of these accounts might still be an all right deal if you don't use a lot of checks each month. Ordering a basic supply of Disney checks from http://www.checks-superstore.com/ is just a one-time fee, and the cost of ordering checks is often a lot less than paying fees on the account. Of course, if you go through a lot of checks each month, you might want to keep looking for other accounts.

4. Is there a time limit on “free”?

Even if you meet every other requirement, the fine print on many free checking accounts states that you will have to start paying fees once a time limit is up. If this is the case for the account you're considering, then it might make sense to either switch checking accounts frequently or look for a low-cost account that you can use for years.

3 Fun Ways to Personalize Inexpensive Wedding Favors

Bottles of wine, Swarovski crystals, even custom fondue pots - some people spend way too much money on personalized wedding favors. It's not necessary to spend $100, or even $20, on every person who attends your wedding, and most of your guests truly don't expect you to. 

Wedding favors are considered an optional, but if you choose to include them, they shouldn't cost you more than $5 a person. You'd be surprised how many options are available for that price, including many personalized favors that display your names and the date of your wedding. These kinds of favors will be particularly memorable, and they add a fun, unique touch to your reception. Here are 3 popular examples of items that will look great but cost you next to nothing.

1. Use Candy

Personalized candy is a way to look like you spent more than you did while keeping your wedding favors fun for everyone. Who doesn't love complimentary candy? There are plenty of sites online which specialize in personalized Hershey kisses, lollipops, and buttermints. You can even get personalized m&ms straight from the factory. They can print a message and even a photo on each individual piece of candy. These can be handed out to guests in tins or simply displayed in candy dishes on every table. 

If you're looking for something even more affordable, get some personalized plastic totes and make your own candy bags, filled with old-fashioned or themed sweets and tied with a ribbon. Of course, with any edible wedding favor, you'll need a plan for how to properly store them. You don't want to hand out lots of chocolate at a sunny, outdoor reception! The great thing about candy favors is there are all sorts of variations and ways to create them, from elegant to whimsical. You're sure to find the right confection for your kind of wedding.

2. Add Stickers

Stickers can be fun on their own, but youll most likely want to use personalized stickers to embellish other favors, like tins of candy, knick-knacks, or other small items. Simply embellishing a plain wedding souvenir with a custom label will instantly make an inexpensive favor look really special. The stickers can include a photograph or just a custom-designed message in your wedding's color scheme, usually saying thank you to guests for attending. You can even place them on a piece of cardstock and include a trinket like a pin or magnet to go along with them. 

These same stickers can be used for your guestbook, decorations, or thank-you notes for gifts. They're made of remarkably durable material, and many sites offer a wide variety of design options, so it's possible to get really creative. Many brides and grooms sometimes question if they should give wedding favors to younger guests at the reception, and stickers would be one idea that the children are sure to appreciate.

3. Try Key Chains

Key chains as wedding favors might not seem all that upscale at first, but it really depends on what kind of key chain you're thinking of. There are plenty of ways to personalize elegant silver key rings by engraving your names and your wedding date, but for cheap and easy wedding favors, you'll probably want a clear key chain that you can slip a photo or message into. That's where your personalized labels could come in handy. 

Chances are, very few people besides your parents will be interested in a key chain with you and your future spouse's photograph, but keychains featuring pictures of your wedding location or labels that commemorate your wedding like any other big event can often look really stylish. For fancier key chain favors, you might want to embellish with a charm or other trinket. Even consider giving out picture frame key chains with your label on the back side, so that guests are invited to slip their own photo from the occasion in later.

Your choice of wedding favors will entirely depend on the number of guests, location, and style of your wedding. If you've splurged on a big-budget affair, you can still save money on wedding favors by choosing something that looks tasteful and more expensive than it really is. If your wedding is casual or unconventional, you have a lot more room to come up with fun and unique ideas for favors. 

Personalization is the quickest way to make your favors memorable, even if they're not especially fancy. It doesn't take much to show your appreciation to those who took the time to share in your special day.

Amy Chandler is a guest blogger for DiscountBannerPrinting.co.uk. You can follow her on Twitter @DBPamy.