Determine Your Debt By Creating A Simple Budget By Connie Barker

Debt is very stressful to many people. In fact, millions lose sleep, have difficult relationships with their spouses and are unable to buy the things they need because of debt. If you have found yourself deep in debt, don’t despair, one tool to use to determine the amount of debt you are in and how to lower it is the budget.

Create a Budget

Creating a budget can’t be stated enough. For something so easy to do, a budget can easily open your eyes on your current financial situation and give you easy insights on things to do to save more money and climb out of debt. A budget is simple to create; you just need a pen and a piece of paper. Create two columns with one side for all the income you take in each month and the other side for all the expenses you have for the month. Total up each column and then compare.

When you are able to compare your income to expenses column you will instantly see your current financial situation. If you have more income than expenses, you are in good shape. You can probably look at your expenses and streamline them a little better to save even more money, but for the most part you are not deep in debt and should not stress out.

For those that find themselves with about as much income as debt, you should be concerned. You will need to cut excess spending each month so that you can save more money to pay off creditors and to save for a rainy day or to save for a big purchase. Look at your expenses column and figure out which expenses are unnecessary. You might notice that you are spending too much on entertainment, eating out or clothing. These expenses can usually be cut with just a little bit of discipline, enabling you to live more comfortably saving more money in the long run.

If you look at your budget and your expenses are more than your total income, you should be very concerned. This means that you are living beyond your means and are racking up debt that can threaten your future. In order to stop digging yourself deeper in debt, you will need to cut spending or raise your income immediately. Since most people don’t usually like to take on a second job, it might be easier to first try and cut back on expenses. You can do this simply by looking at your monthly expenses and determining which ones are non essential. In fact, you can look at all your expenses and determine which ones you really don’t need or use. It can be as easy as eating out 2 times per week instead of four, cutting back on your entertainment costs, cutting back on your cable plan, etc. Internet access can be free from the library cutting an expense there. Groceries purchases can be saved by purchasing off brands. There are many ways to cut expenses, just look at your budget and see what you can live without.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=240434&ca=Finances

A Review Of The Fund Of Profit Hyip Income Opportunity By Brian Garvin

The Fund of Profit HYIP is the perfect income opportunity if you are looking for a long-term investment for your money. There are also certain things that you should understand about the opportunity. Always remember investing through any HYIP is risky.

The Fund of Profit HYIP is a long-term online investment opportunity that allows you to deposit funds into in amounts from $20 to $1000 at a time. Your money is perfectly safe with this investment. Interests vary and they are payable once each month.

You can make a deposit into your account any time you like. You don’t have to wait for certain dates for the monies to go in. The finances are relocated into funds, shares, and Forex and you are guaranteed to break even or make a profit. There are no losses with the Fund of Profit HYIP program.

Another benefit to the Fund of Profit HYIP income opportunity is that you can generate extra income by referring people. For instance, for each referral that you send to the program, you can earn a 5% profit of a bonus for each of your referral profits. This is not something you see with any long-term investment opportunity and you can increase your investment substantially with referrals into the program.

The way that the Fund of Profit HYIP works is that your money that you deposit into your account is invested into stable and long-term HYIP funds and other income opportunities guaranteed to make you money. The investing is managed by the administrator of the Fund of Profit HYIP program.

Because of the wise investments, people are paid interest on a monthly basis. However, because of the success with your money and the work of the administrator, each investment account pays the administrator 20% of your profits. That means if you make a profit of $2000 in a month, then you will pay the administrator $400.

The Fund of Profit HYIP guarantees to all of the people who invest in the long-term income opportunities that they will not lose any money. This is a no loss investment and anything you put in you will get back. Worst case scenario is that you get all of your money back.

When you do make profits on your Fund of Profit HYIP account, they will deposit automatically into your account and you can withdraw funds at any time. There is not a specific date that you can request money. You can make direct deposits from your account balances if you like.

This also makes it easy for you to put money into your investment account. The rates that you will pay on your account will vary each month. You are paid 70% revenues on the account and the administrator gets 20% and there is also a fund replenishment fee of 10% you will be required to pay.

The Fund of Profit HYIP income opportunity is the perfect long-term investment that will allow you to make money with your investments. You will be able to see your money grow. You can deposit and withdraw money at any time and not be penalized like you would other accounts.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241257&ca=Finances

A Review Of The The Fresh Start Live Hyip Program By Brian Garvin

We really were wondering what exactly the Fresh Start Live HYIP was when we first saw the name because it is definitely an eye catcher. Many individuals will be interested as well, so we thought instead of you looking into everything, we would give you an unbiased review on it and see how everything turns out. You never know, we may end up getting involved ourselves by the time this review is over.

The Company Info

Right off the get go, Fresh Start Live HYIP rubbed us the wrong way with its inabilities all over their website. We aren't sure if they were trying to redo their website, but the only thing that seems to be available is the home page and the signup area. This put a damper on a lot of our research with this company because at the bottom of the page they have an F.A.Q., affiliate program, a guarantee, testimonials, and a couple other areas where the links aren't accessible.

However, Fresh Start Live HYIP as a company covers credit repair issues, but we aren't sure how this really ties into a high yield investment program. Unless they are talking about the money that can be taken off your credit reports and things of that nature because most of the other companies we do reviews on have investment programs.

How To Join

Personally we wouldn't suggest joining any company, let alone Fresh Start Live HYIP, when the website is only half finished. Even if this is their full fledged site and they won't add anymore, there are too many questions that still need to be answered, especially when you see all the information that must be given in order to get involved with their company.

We'll stress this again, but it's important to not give any information out to a company that is presented like this, but they ask you for your social security number, bank name, account number, and routing number which really is not something anyone should feel comfortable doing. Do keep in mind that they have an 800-number which you can call and ask questions, but think of things that will give you informative answers. For instance, let Fresh Start Live HYIP tell you where you can find reviews on their company.

Overall Feedback

No. No. No. Fresh Start Live HYIP is probably one of the most uninformative sites we have ever covered before online. If you come across this article and go over to their website and there is all kinds of information, it just means what we suggested above was happening and we caught them in the middle of changing over their website.

However, if you go over there and it's exactly like we said, try again in about a week and see if anything has changed. If it hasn't, then you know it's time to look somewhere else for a more secure and comfortable HYIP. In fact, if you see it like that the first time, we would still suggest that you to try another company. In the end, it's better to be safe then sorry.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241256&ca=Finances

A Review Of The Flip Invest Hyip Program By Brian Garvin

Deposits over $16,000 and withdrawals exceeding $11,000, the Flip Invest HYIP company has done well since they opened on October 31st, 2007. Almost two hundred and fifty accounts in the first five months, people have shown they're interested in taking their high yield investments and depositing them into accounts with this business. Something definitely worth looking into a little more.

While the Flip Invest HYIP business opportunity is being used by several people along with other high yield programs, we always stress that these are high risk ventures and there is the strong possibility that you will lose money. For experienced people in this industry, that will not make a difference. But for those of you who are new to the field, it is wise to try something with a lower risk until you get a better understanding of the process.

Company Overview

Flip Invest HYIP deals in purchasing land and construction in countries that are developing, according to their website, especially in third world countries where land is extremely inexpensive and can be profitable. They also give examples such as Thailand where living expenses are low and development has grown over the last decade. A different area of HYIP that we haven't seen much of, at least not advertised within the businesses.

Accepting E-gold and e-currencies is normal for any high yield company and the Flip Invest HYIP isn't any different. We found a good analogy to the company profits on the high yield investment program main website where they invested $160 with a return on investment (ROI) running 73%, but next to it in capital letters it says, 'not in profit.' You can look at it yourself at http://hyip.com and compare the notes to other companies.

Investment Plans

The Flip Invest HYIP opportunity offers two plans that deal with fifty days deposited without a return principal. The first is called Flip Available that offers a low investment of $10 and the high end hitting only the $100 mark. A plan many people could be interested in dealing with with low amounts of money receiving that big of a daily profit percentage.

The second plan Flip Invest HYIP gives you the opportunity to invest in is the Flip Capital which is just larger investments. The minimum is $101 and the maximum reaches $1,000 which is small for many companies in this industry. We aren't suggesting that is bad, it's actually good for those who want to be involved, but only want to invest small amounts of money giving off the company specializes in low risk programs.

Final Review

Using E-gold and Liberty Reserve may be enough for them to build upon the two hundred plus accounts they've accumulated already. We believe the fact that they have done well, shows that many people feel they are capable of handling personal funds and make a profit in the process. It just depends on what you want to do as far as their plans, which again is based on how much you want to invest with Flip Invest HYIP.

After looking into the company, it's possible that by the time they hit their year anniversary almost $25,000 more will be invested if they keep up with this rate along with another sixty or so accounts. Whatever it ends up being, they look as though their business is well liked by several people and might just be by you. All these programs involve major risk so only put in what you can comfortably afford to lose.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241250&ca=Finances

A Review Of The Forexcorp, Private Investment Program By Brian Garvin

If this is the first time coming across the Forexcorp, Private Investment Program, you'll be happy it's this article. We feel it's only fair to offer you the best reviews on all kinds of businesses on the internet, including high yield invest opportunities like this one. Everything is based on what we see when searching their website and the facts that we find.

With that being said, we do want to tell you that we do not endorse the Forexcorp, Private Investment Program or any other HYIP because we feel there is too much of a risk involved with your money. So keep that in mind while reading, but if this is what you know then just invest at your own risk. Any newcomers reading this, it may be wise to start out with a low risk program first and get a feel for how things work.

The Company

Fortunately, the Forexcorp Private Invest Program company gives us more information about their business other than providing full service investment solutions. Anyone that has read our reviews before knows that this usually throws up a red flag because doubt has been placed in our minds regarding not only the company, but the safety of our money. Those are definitely two things you don't want to have to worry about in your new adventure, but this company offers a snippet on the front page.

The Forexcorp, Private Investment Program offers Pecunix and Liberty Reserve as their deposit accounts, but there is no serious information like a social security number or anything of that nature they ask for which gives us a little relief. Using both stock investments and Forex trading, this company has enough knowledge to possibly make you money.

Money Programs

The beginning stages of the programs don't give you a lot of choices, but they are placed in plain view on the home page, which we love to see. For a minimum deposit of $25, you can receive a 1% daily profit from through their first plan. If the Forexcorp Private Investment Program has the opportunities you seek, investing more money is an option in Plan 2 that offers 2.25% daily profit for a minimum of $101. Then of course, the third plan gives a 3.25% return rate for people who invest $1,001 or more.

As far as the Forexcorp, Private Investment Program offering a referral program, this was the first one we've seen go four levels deep. The first level you can receive 8% and then the second and third levels after that is 1%, but the fourth moves up to 5%. Best of all, this information is all found right on the home page along with a $1,000 or more weekly program that offers a 33% return.

Final Review

While the Forexcorp, Private Investment Program didn't make us jump out of our seats, they seem to be organized which is always a bonus, but the company lacks in the F.A.Q. where they have the same answers as other companies, and not enough question/answer role playing in that area. We understand there are several companies with the same issue, but there are other companies in the same industry that do a much better job.

This would be a company we would look into a little more just to be safe, especially since $25 is the minimum. We only say that because most other companies are $1-$10 minimum investments and any newcomer may not be too sure of investing $25 upfront. Remember, whatever you choose to do, HYIP companies are high risk opportunities and could cause you to lose your investment. If you know that going in, it's easier to start off slow.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241252&ca=Finances

A Review Of The Fresh Earn Hyip Program By Brian Garvin

When you become an investor with the Fresh Earn HYIP program you can take advantage of different investment plans that might suit you. You can also take advantage of different referral programs that will earn you more and more money for each person you refer to the company and they become an investor.

When you become an investor with Fresh Earn HYIP and create an account you can immediately take advantage of online trading. There are three different plans you can choose from to begin trading with depending on what type of trading you are looking for and the amount of money you are willing to spend.

The first plan with Fresh Earn HYIP is Plan 1. This plan allows you to begin trading with as little as $5 deposited into your account. It has a maximum amount of money you can put into your account of $500. The plan lasts for 100 days at a 2% interest profit you will make on your deposited money.

Plan 2 allows people to invest from $501 up to $1000 and this plan also lasts for 100 days. When the 100 days expires, your money will automatically be withdrawn and put into your online financial account that you use with Fresh Earn HYIP. All plans are set up this way. Plan 2 also offers a 5% interest rate of return when you invest this much money.

Plan 3 is for people who have a little bit more money and who are willing to take a bigger risk with their money. Your minimum deposit for this plan with Fresh Earn HYIP is $1001 and maxes out at $5000. The nice thing about this plan is that there is a 10% return on investment for this investment plan.

The Fresh Earn HYIP plans are low dollar investment plans. If you are looking for an HYIP that allows you to invest large amounts of money then this is not the investment company for you. They have been working with investors from all over the world for 2 solid years and have an excellent track record for their investment. They just do not do high dollar investing.

There are also referral programs which give you the opportunity to make even more money with Fresh Earn HYIP. When you become a member investor then every person you refer and become a member you will earn profits from their deposits. That’s right, not just their first deposit, but their deposits.

The first 1-50 members you refer as members and they become investors you can earn a 10 % commission from their deposits. When you refer 51 to 100 people then you have the opportunity of earning 20% commission on their deposits into their accounts. The third referral program allows you to earn 30% for 101 investors and more. Your business with Fresh Earn HYIP can be making a ton of money on referrals alone.

Investing with Fresh Earn HYIP is an excellent opportunity for you to become an online investor and you can earn a lot of money. Keep in mind these programs are ALL extremely risky.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241255&ca=Finances

A Review Of The Goa Investment Hyip Program By Brian Garvin

There are many things you should consider with the GOA Investment HYIP program. There are many reasons you should become an online investor with them. They have four different investment plans to choose from, two different account options, and much more.

If you would like to become an investor with the GOA Investment HYIP, then you can. Anyone can join and become a member and you can do it on the Internet. Unlike many investment companies that require you to fill out forms and then you have to wait to see if you have been approved, all you have to do is give a bit of information and you have an account. There is not an approval process and there is no waiting. You can instantly become a member and start trading right away. There is no waiting either.

There are four different investment opportunities with GOA Investment HYIP. All plans are for an investment of 150 days. The lowest plan requires a minimum of $5 up to $500 with a 2% daily interest accrual rate. The second plan begins at $501 deposit to $5000 and earns an interest rate of 2.2%. The next plan you can invest in begins at $5001 up to $20,000 and has an interest rate daily of 2.4%.

The biggest plan is for larger investors who have more money to invest. This plan has a minimum deposit of $20,001 and there is no maximum balance. This is a big benefit for many private investors. Many online investing companies have a maximum amount you can invest and they don’t let you open additional accounts. When companies do this, it limits your earning potential. With GOA Investment HYIP there is no earning potential cap. This plan also has a daily interest accrual of 2.7%.

You can track your earnings on the Internet. You can spend and make purchases online also. All of your investment needs can be done online. You must have an e-gold account or a Liberty Reserve account to be able to invest with GOA Investment HYIP. This allows for the feasibility of the Internet.

You don’t have to worry about working with physical banks that might not be available or are closed on holidays and weekends. These financial online accounts allow you to make transactions every day of the year at any time of day. You must have one of these accounts and if you don’t, you can open a free one to get started with your investments.

You may not have more than one investment account with GOA Investments HYIP. If you do have more than one investment account and they find out you can have all of your funds frozen and inaccessible. You don’t need more than one account anyways because there is not a cap on the amount of money you can invest. This way, you can put it all in the same account.

Investing with GOA Investment HYIP is an excellent opportunity for trading online. You don’t have to worry about being approved and anyone can become a member for as little as $5. As a caution remember there is always a high element of risk associated with any HYIP program.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=241260&ca=Finances

ETFs, Funds And Shares: What Are They And What Are Their Benefits? By John McElborough

Exchange Traded Funds, better known by many investors as iShares, the brand owned by Barclays Global Investors ('BGI') have been around in the UK since April 2000, with the launch of the iFTSE100 on the London Stock Exchange. From a slow start, by the end of 2005 (the latest figures available), some 125 billion was held in assets under management. Generally, when you look for your share price information, you'll find them grouped in the extra MARK section, where you'll now find some 45 different ETFs on offer. Although they have been around for sometime, let's just remind ourselves how ETFs work. They are listed on the stock exchange, providing the flexibility and trade ability of a share, including the fact that the price is continuously quoted, but that one share can provide instant exposure to an entire Index, giving you the diversification benefits of a fund. ETFs are also a flexible way of achieving cost-effective market exposure. Because the funds are registered in Ireland, there is no stamp duty to be paid on purchases. Management costs are taken from dividends that are accrued by the fund, and any excess income is then distributed to shareholders: unlike unit trusts, there are no initial fees to pay on the original purchase. The price of the fund is always close to the 'Net Asset Value' (NAV) of the underlying investments and will usually have tight spreads, unlike some unit trusts and some investment trusts. Also ETFs will disclose their holdings everyday, whereas traditional funds usually disclose their holdings twice a year.

What can I invest in?

ETFs offer a wide range of opportunities for investment with varying levels of risk: as at mid-December there were 45 different markets/indices to invest in, ranging from corporate bonds to the Taiwanese market. Starting at the lower end of the risk spectrum there are several corporate bond ETFs, as well as some Gilt-based investments. Moving on to the medium risk level, you can choose from global funds to ones that are more specific to individual regions, such as the US or Asia. There's also the option of investing in individual indices: 'index trackers' are available for the UK's FTSE100 and 250 Indexes, the US S&P 500, or Europe's Euro first 100 & 80, spanning the top European companies. For those wanting a higher level of risk, there are also ETFs which will give you exposure to emerging markets, such as Turkey, Korea, Taiwan and Eastern Europe. ETFs don't offer the same wide variety as unit trusts, but for investing in the countries and sectors they do cover, their charging structure and trade ability make up for this. As such, they provide a good, low cost, easily-traded route into the market, with the flexibility to move up the risk ladder as your experience and capital grows.

Finally, if you've an appetite for an even spicier approach, the London Stock Exchange also enables you to invest in commodities, through ETCs (Exchange Traded Commodities). Although like ETFs they are traded in the same way as shares, and are eligible to be held in a PEP or ISA, they do work in a completely different way. Whereas ETFs actually buy the underlying investments, ETC managers don't buy and store tons of wheat and copper, stack-up barrels of oil, or herd livestock into pens. Rather, they buy options on these commodities. As a result, ETCs are classed as more 'complex' investments by the FSA and you'll need to complete a special 'risk notice' confirming you understand the additional risks of investing in them. So take a fresh look at ETFs - you might just find they offer you more than you thought!

Funds: take your pick of the best

Unit Trusts and Open Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) are investments that let you pool your money with lots of other 'retail' investors. This money is invested on your behalf by a wide range of specialist fund managers, investing in, for example, Government gilts and bonds, commercial property and equities. Investing in funds gives you access to a highly-diversified range of investments at a reasonable cost. You will also have easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to invest in and benefit from the Fund Manager's contacts, knowledge, experience and expertise. Funds come in many shapes and sizes from 'trackers' to specialist or 'themed' funds.

An index-tracking fund (often referred to as a 'passively managed fund') aims to match or 'track' the performance of a given market index, such as the FTSE All Share or the FTSE 100. They do this using computer programs to work out how much of each individual company they need to buy and sell to mimic the performance of the Index as a whole. But not all 'tracker funds' match the Index they are tracking that well - so be sure to check their record. An 'actively managed fund' on the other hand employs researchers to study and engage with companies in which they plan to invest, and to keep abreast of the prospects for companies in which they already invest. They'll compare their performance to a 'benchmark' index related to the investment objectives of their fund, with the expectation that the extra work they put into tracking down the 'best' investments will literally pay dividends through higher growth than that of their benchmark.

Choosing your funds

When you pick your funds, be sure to rate them against other funds that fish in the same waters. Don't expect a 'value' fund and a 'growth' fund to have similar track records. Only by comparing funds with their true peers will you make a good choice. Whilst past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance, past performance does matter when comparing like with like. Chasing winners however, is as dangerous as day-trading. Not surprisingly, all five of the top-performing funds at the end of 1999 were technology sector funds. Sector funds have a place in many a portfolio, but for the majority of investors they belong at its edges, not at its heart. An individual fund will give you a wider spread of underlying investments: by investing across a number of funds you're better able to smooth out the ups and downs of the market overall. But that won't work if it turns out that your funds hold virtually the same investments. So have a look at each fund report to see their top holdings and make sure you've got a good spread overall.

Individual Company shares

When it comes to the individual shares part of the investment model, the lowest risk entry point has always been recognised as companies in the FTSE 100. However, you should always bear in mind that the Index evolves over a period of time, changing its overall make-up. Consider, for example, that over the last 6 years technology shares have fallen out of the Index, while mining companies, on the back of booming commodity prices, have dramatically increased their presence. Yet, because of the volatility and cyclical nature of the sector, individual mining groups can't be classed as low risk. Other 'big names' have gone from the Index due to take-over activity - companies like P&O, Abbey National & BAA - all of which have to be replaced.

Today, some 80% of the make-up of the overall value of the FTSE100 comes from just 5 sectors - Banking, Mining, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, and Telecoms (fixed and mobile). So, if you're looking to the Footsie to form the bedrock of your investment in individual shares, where should you start? Companies involved in essential, everyday products and services, such as the water and electricity utilities and broad-based retailers often provide a solid backbone to any share portfolio. You could argue, however, that the classic 'defensive' nature of utilities has recently been undermined by the number of take-overs within the sector. The share prices of the remaining companies have climbed to all-time highs, potentially increasing the level of risk.

There is without doubt an appetite for the assured cash flow that utilities provide, and it's fair to say that a growing number of analysts agree it's hard to justify the current prices. Despite this, get your timing right, buying at the right price, and these sectors should still provide a strong base on which to build your individual holdings. To extend your scope, whilst still staying within a lower risk profile, your next ports of call should be into the banks, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and beverages sectors.

Move on up to the intermediate, 'medium risk' level, and you've an increasing choice, including the remaining FTSE100 companies, dominated by the mining sector. The majority of shares in the FTSE250 would also fit into this 'medium risk' category. Still relatively large companies, it is these shares that have seen some of the biggest gains over the last 3 years, helping push the 250 Index to record levels in 2006. One noticeable difference between the FTSE250 compared to the FTSE100, is that companies here generally have less international exposure. When it comes to the consideration of risk, you can play this one of two ways: some argue that having the majority of profits coming from the UK provides for less risk, while others (including us) favour having fingers in as many regions as possible.

Finally, at the higher end of the risk scale you find smaller companies and AIM quoted shares. These tend to be more volatile and less liquid than their larger cousins, factors that generally lead to wider bid/offer spreads. The AIM market has seen considerable growth over the last 10 years, partly because companies don't have to comply with the same stringent requirements of the main market.

Often, private investors don't get a look-in as part of the flotation, having to wait until the shares start trading, so do pick your time and use stop-loss limits - that early flush of success isn't always carried through. One of the fastest growing sub-sectors within AIM is small mining and exploration groups, many of which are based abroad but have chosen to list in the UK. Because their prospects include a significant amount of 'hope' value, such companies will represent the very highest level of risk. Equally classified as higher-risk, though as a result of different factors, are shares in overseas companies.

Household names like Volvo, Coca Cola and Johnson & Johnson are big names and big companies. The additional risk they bring for investors comes from the fact that the majority of their earnings are from overseas. So you face the added risk of changes in exchange rates. Over recent months, for example, the fall in the US$ would have had a big impact on the sterling value of dividends from US shares And when the companies you invest in are smaller ones, it's often harder to find reliable research and analysis, harder to track and compare performance, and harder to follow the news that affects the share price. True, most big UK names also trade globally, but as 'home market' companies they are well-researched, much commented upon and regularly feature in the UK business finance pages. That's not to say you shouldn't venture outside these shores - far from it - but you need to do so with your eyes open. That's why we see overseas shares as being more appropriate for investors as they move up the experience ladder and once they've built a balanced portfolio. And it's also why, in general, we'd advise investing in market trackers and funds before moving into individual overseas shares.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=240397&ca=Finances

Credit Repair And A Lost Wallet By Jim Kemish

Have You Lost Your Wallet?

Have you lost your wallet? You will need to cancel your credit cards and get a new drivers license, but it may be more involved. You should take steps to protect your identity too. A nationally recognized credit repair expert explains your options.

Getting Started

If you have lost your wallet you should take defensive action as soon as possible. Make a list of everything that was in your wallet; credit and debit cards, identification, insurance cards, movie rental cards, etc. The first order of business should be to contact all credit and debit card issuers, and inform them of your loss. They will deactivate your cards and discuss your options. Most credit card companies will provide a new card immediately to minimize your inconvenience. Once you have contacted everyone it’s time to consider additional precautions. If you need help, most credit repair professionals will be familiar with your choices and should be happy to provide guidance.

Fraud Alert

A fraud alert is a message on your credit report notifying potential creditors that your personal information may be used fraudulently, and requests them to contact you by phone prior to extending new credit. An initial fraud alert will remain in place for 90 days, and can be cancelled anytime. You may place a fraud alert on all three reports by calling just one of the three bureaus as they are required to contact the other two. You may also initiate your fraud alert online at the bureaus websites. Once the 90 day period is past, you may place an extended fraud alert on your report which will last for seven years, if you feel that your identity is still at risk.

Credit Freeze

A credit freeze is a more dramatic step you can take to insure that no new accounts are opened in your name. Once a credit freeze is active potential creditors will not be able to access your report. There are exceptions which allow a variety of pre-authorized parties to view your reports. This includes your current creditors who have the right to review your credit, collectors that work for current and past creditors, and companies that offer pre-screened credit. You may lift a credit freeze if you wish to apply for new credit. Unlike fraud alerts, which are available to anyone, credit freeze laws vary from state to state and may not be available in your state. In many cases there are fees associated with placing and lifting a credit freeze. Again, if you are uncertain, ask a credit repair professional for assistance.

Free Credit Report

Once you have placed initiated a fraud alert or credit freeze you may access each of your credit reports one time for free. In the case of an extended seven year fraud alert you may access your reports two times for free within the first year of placing the alert. Keep in mind that everyone has the right to access their reports one time per year for free at annualcreditreport.com. This is a federal law intended to facilitate the identification and repair of credit reporting errors. Instances related to the implementation of a fraud alert or credit freeze do not count against your right to your free annual reports.

Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring is a fantastic high-tech tool which can add an extra layer of protection and comfort for anyone whose identity may have been compromised. It is also nice for anyone in a credit repair program wishing to track changes in their reports. Credit monitoring is offered by all three credit bureaus for a small monthly fee. At the time of this writing the cost is under fifteen dollars per month. Once enrolled, you will receive an email whenever there is a credit inquiry or any material change in your credit reports. You will also get unlimited access to your reports. Each bureau has an option that provides you with monitoring from all three bureaus simultaneously.

Social Security Card Replacement

If you have lost your Social Security Card you can get a replacement at no cost. You may get up to three replacement cards per year and up to ten in your lifetime. Just go to your local Social Security Administration office with personal identification and proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or passport, and you will receive a new card in approximately two weeks. You will also get a Social Security Number Certification letter on the spot which can be used in place of a card while you wait.

The Social Security Administration does not get involved in resolving identity theft issues, but if you inform the Social Security Administration that your Social Security number may have been used by another person, they will review your earnings to make sure no one else is using your identification for work purposes.

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

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How Viatical Life Settlements Work By Daniel Millions

Viatical life settlements are the latest craze with investors. It seems making money off of one's death has become even easier with viatical life settlements- and for investors it often pays out fairly well under good circumstances. But not everyone can be the winner- someone has to lose- but the question is who.

How to Profit From Viatical Life Settlements

Viatical life settlements work based on terminally ill patients. When a terminally ill patient receives the news that they are going to die within an allotted amount of time, it's quite likely that their family will be receiving a health insurance check on their death.

But companies have found a way to get in on the money, by offering terminally ill patients cash in exchange for making the company the beneficiary of the health insurance that is collected on death. This way, the company may get a return on investment while the terminally ill patient gets extra money to enjoy their last days with.

But all isn't golden in the equation. If everyone won in the situation, that'd be just dandy. Sadly, the family members of the ill patient will lose out on money they may need for funeral expenses and taxes. Outstanding health costs and court fees can also arise in the case of a death- all of which the family will have to pay without the help of the patient's health insurance plan.

The viatical life settlement plan, thus, works great for patients who are responsible with their money. It enables terminally ill patients to stop paying premiums, while at the same time enabling them to pay bills and enjoy life while they can. Many life insurance policies can reach as high as $100,000 for the average consumer, so there would be plenty of leftover money for death-associated expenses.

Other forms of life settlement plans exist, yet viatical life settlements are the most popular among investors. They offer the quickest return on investment, and give good payouts and lesser risk than other forms of life settlements. (In which case other life settlements include the elderly who are of poor health, but aren't necessarily going to become deceased anytime soon.)

A Note on Viatical Life Settlement Fraud and Risk

Viatical life settlement fraud is popular among crime rings in today's world. Criminals may act as terminally ill patients, forging documents that state they have very few days ahead to live. When investment companies buy their plan, they make off with the money. The investors then lose the entire investment, making fraud the biggest risk on the industry.

Otherwise, viatical life settlement is a relatively risk-free business if performed correctly. Companies either tend to make a profit, or make a majority of the initial investment when the patient dies. To help their chances, companies will often pay clients much less than what the payment on death is worth.

Final Thoughts on Viatical Life Settlements

Viatical life settlements are great for investors and patients, but care should be taken so as to not put family members in a tight bind upon one's death. It comes down to the basic reason on why health insurance exists in the first place: to help aid loved ones through the financial and emotional stress of a death in the family. Viatical life settlements, thus, should be carefully considered before impulsively accepting the check from hopeful investors.

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Van Insurance - Getting A Good Deal

Nobody wants to miss out on a good deal when they get one. However, there are instances when the deal is there but one has to search around for it. This is especially true if you want to get a good deal on insurance for your van. There are many organizations that offer van insurance and a casual search of the net will provide you with many results, so how can you differentiate the good ones from that bad and how can you know that the deal you are getting is the best one? Remember, if you are a new client, there are many insurance agents (also known as brokers) who will go out of their way to give you a better deal.

There are many brokers and there is lots of competition and each broker wants to secure the maximum business, hence the offers. There are special schemes like no-fee financing, first year discounted rates etc. you might even bundle up your van insurance with your other insurance like life, auto and home to get special discounts. Added up, these savings can result into savings of hundreds of dollars. If you find a good broker stick with him and let him handle all your insurance. If you are employed with an organization check out if they have corporate discount schemes for vans, this will help you with a tidy sum. If you are a student, nothing can be better since there are discounted rates just for students and you should try to avail of them.

You will be offered insurance quotes only after they are worked out by the company by taking into consideration the various factors such as proximity of your home and work, safe neighborhood, driving conditions, van usage, mileage and model of the van. You can find a cheap van insurance deal according to your age, report card or student status. So, you can compare and match the insurance quotes of different insurance companies before signing up a van insurance policy.

When you go online you can find cheap van insurance offers that suit all your needs. By using an online calculator, you can also get an instant insurance quote free of cost. The online companies offer you insurance advice about the policies which suit you and inform you about the discounts available when you approach them.

All businesses offer special discounts on referrals and this works with insurance too. Your friends and relatives might also be on the lookout for good insurance brokers and if you help your agent get their work, he or she will pass on special incentives to you. All this adds up to more savings on your van insurance. Just keep on securing more business for your broker and see how it benefits you. Keep on comparing. Just because one broker tells you that the deal he is giving is the best in the world, do not take his word for it. Always check out with different brokers and go in for one that offers you the best scheme at the lowest rates. Getting low rates is good, but that should not have an adverse effect on your van insurance.

Income Tax Help By LeeAnna

There are many websites on the Internet today that gives much needed income tax help for those who have no idea of what's going on during tax time. Income tax is a tax paid on income, unfortunately no matter how little it is. It's paid by employees and people who are self-employed and may also be payable if you are not working but you have an income, such as a retirement pension or an occupational pension. Not all types of income are taxable and it will seldom be the case that all of your income is taxed. There is no minimum age at which a person becomes liable to pay income tax. What matters is your income. If this is below a certain level, no tax is payable. There is actually no single definition in tax law of income. Income tax law divides various types of income into schedules. If an item comes within a schedule it counts as income and income tax must be paid on it. The way the tax must be paid will depend on which schedule it falls into. The most common schedules are Schedule E for employees and Schedule D for the self-employed.

There are five main steps in calculating income tax:-

Step 1: Add together all your yearly income, including social security benefits, income from renting out accommodation, wages, occupational pension, interest from bank and building society accounts.

Step 2: Take off any income which is exempt from tax. Calculate whether you can claim tax relief on any of the money you have spent over the year (tax relief usually applies to people who are self-employed and have to buy items for the business). Deduct this tax relief. This leaves income on which tax may be payable (taxable income).

Step 3: Work out which tax allowances you are entitled to. You will be entitled to a personal allowance (plus age related additions if appropriate). These allowances are deducted at this stage in the calculation.

Step 4: Multiply the taxable income by the correct tax rate. This gives the tax due to be paid that year, unless you are entitled to married couple's allowance for over 65 year olds.

Step 5: If applicable, deduct the appropriate percentage rate of married couple's allowance for over 65 year olds.

Some income is exempt from income tax, which means that tax is never paid on this income. This income should therefore be put to one side before any tax calculation can be done. Examples of income which is exempt from tax include premium bond prizes, housing benefit, child benefit and profit-related pay. It is therefore necessary to check whether any income is exempt from tax before doing a tax calculation. For more income tax help, all the help you need in on the internet. The IRS itself can give you income tax help and answer any tax questions you may have.

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