Sometimes it makes more financial sense to rent instead of own while saving for your debt settlement negotation. While homeownership is a great part of life. People are sometime overwhelmed by the financial burdon that goes along with manntanence and upkeep of a home. Below are a few tips to help those who rent.
Don't Alter The Property
The lease should also state what the landlord's rules are on making alterations to the property. One of the downfalls of renting is that most property mangers do not allow tenants to paint walls or make permanent changes to rental property without written permission. Even if you do receive written permission to paint, for example, you will usually have to change the color back to the original before you move out, which can be a hassle. Before you make improvements, such as install an air conditioner or a dishwasher, consider the fact that you may not be able to take these items with you when you move. This can be an especially costly endeavor if you do not plan to live at the property very long.
Take Care Of Your Property
When moving in, note any damage that is already visible on the property so you do not get charged for the repair when you move out. Upon moving out, make sure you leave the rental property in the same condition as when you moved in. For example, clean, vacuum, and fill small holes in the wall with spackle. Many apartment complexes also require that you have the carpets professionally cleaned before moving out. You are more likely to receive the majority of your security deposit, which is usually equivalent to one month's rent, if you follow the move-out instructions.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Protect your debit card from thieves
Protect your debit card from thieves.
As economic conditions have worsened, there's a noticeable increase in all types of card fraud. People who create counterfeit ATM or debit cards by stealing your PIN and other account data can simply pull cold cash from your bank account. Using a technique known as skimming, they set up equipment that captures magnetic stripe and keypad information when you put in your PIN at ATM machines, gas pumps, restaurants, and retailers. The editors of Consumer Reports Money Adviser offer three tips on how you can protect yourself:
Don't type in your PIN at the pump. Gas pumps are notorious for skimming because they're produced by only a couple of different manufacturers. If you must use a debit card, choose the screen prompt that identifies it as a credit card so you don't have to type in your PIN.
Stick with ATMs located at banks.
Use machines at banks rather than in convenience stores or any other isolated locations. A thief has to be able to attach and retrieve a skimming device to see the data gathered, and that's more likely to happen in non-bank settings where there's less traffic and no surveillance cameras.
Closely monitor your bank accounts.
Federal law limits your liability for fraudulent debit-card charges to $50, but only if you report the theft or loss of your card or PIN within two business days of discovering the problem.
In these trying economic times becoming a well educated consumer will help you in your quest to save toward debt settlement. If you are a victim of skimming please contact yiou local authorities.
As economic conditions have worsened, there's a noticeable increase in all types of card fraud. People who create counterfeit ATM or debit cards by stealing your PIN and other account data can simply pull cold cash from your bank account. Using a technique known as skimming, they set up equipment that captures magnetic stripe and keypad information when you put in your PIN at ATM machines, gas pumps, restaurants, and retailers. The editors of Consumer Reports Money Adviser offer three tips on how you can protect yourself:
Don't type in your PIN at the pump. Gas pumps are notorious for skimming because they're produced by only a couple of different manufacturers. If you must use a debit card, choose the screen prompt that identifies it as a credit card so you don't have to type in your PIN.
Stick with ATMs located at banks.
Use machines at banks rather than in convenience stores or any other isolated locations. A thief has to be able to attach and retrieve a skimming device to see the data gathered, and that's more likely to happen in non-bank settings where there's less traffic and no surveillance cameras.
Closely monitor your bank accounts.
Federal law limits your liability for fraudulent debit-card charges to $50, but only if you report the theft or loss of your card or PIN within two business days of discovering the problem.
In these trying economic times becoming a well educated consumer will help you in your quest to save toward debt settlement. If you are a victim of skimming please contact yiou local authorities.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Green Financial Tips
Conserve Energy
Simple tasks such as turning off lights when you leave the room and installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your utility bills and overall energy consumption. in turn lowering your monthly expenses making it easier for you to save toward your debt settlement negotation. When it comes time to buy new appliances, you may consider Energy Star models, which use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models, according to the Energy Star web site. You can visit this site at www.energystar.gov for more tips on conserving energy.
Drive Greener
Most green articles urge consumers to purchase a hybrid car. As you strive to settle your debts, buying a new vehicle may not be an option. However, there are other ways that you can "green" your car and save money on transportation costs. For example, you will burn less fuel if you roll down your windows in the summer instead of using air conditioning. Performing routine maintenance on your car may also reduce gas consumption and prevent costly car repairs. According to Treehugger.com, if every driver's tires were properly inflated, approximately 2 billion gallons of gas would be saved each year. You may also consider relying on your vehicle less by walking short distances or carpooling. Sites such as www.erideshare.com allow you to search for fellow carpoolers that want to travel in the same direction as you.
Green Technology
Some people may associate living green with abandoning all personal possessions and modern technologies to live on a commune. In actuality, some technological advancements can actually help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Consider the options below. Keep in mind that the following tips are meant to help you get the most use out of items that you may already own; we are not encouraging you to purchase brand new equipment.
Go paperless! You can pay bills online, use electronic scheduling software, and send free electronic cards. Before you print, ask yourself if you really need to have a paper copy. Take advantage of organizing important documents using email programs or document folders in your computer system software. You will use less paper and will not have to purchase expensive ink cartridges as often.
MP3 players come in all price ranges and allow users to download single songs instead of buying expensive individual CDs. You may consider transferring your CD library to MP3 format and resell your CDs on sites such as www.ebay.com and www.craigslist.org. Resell stores such as CD Warehouse may also give you cash for your CDs. Visit www.cdwarehouse.com for a location near you.
Remember to properly dispose of your electronic equipment, also known as e-waste. If you can not use it, sell or donate the item. You can also visit www.earth911.org for a recycling or donation center in your area.
Simple tasks such as turning off lights when you leave the room and installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your utility bills and overall energy consumption. in turn lowering your monthly expenses making it easier for you to save toward your debt settlement negotation. When it comes time to buy new appliances, you may consider Energy Star models, which use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models, according to the Energy Star web site. You can visit this site at www.energystar.gov for more tips on conserving energy.
Drive Greener
Most green articles urge consumers to purchase a hybrid car. As you strive to settle your debts, buying a new vehicle may not be an option. However, there are other ways that you can "green" your car and save money on transportation costs. For example, you will burn less fuel if you roll down your windows in the summer instead of using air conditioning. Performing routine maintenance on your car may also reduce gas consumption and prevent costly car repairs. According to Treehugger.com, if every driver's tires were properly inflated, approximately 2 billion gallons of gas would be saved each year. You may also consider relying on your vehicle less by walking short distances or carpooling. Sites such as www.erideshare.com allow you to search for fellow carpoolers that want to travel in the same direction as you.
Green Technology
Some people may associate living green with abandoning all personal possessions and modern technologies to live on a commune. In actuality, some technological advancements can actually help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Consider the options below. Keep in mind that the following tips are meant to help you get the most use out of items that you may already own; we are not encouraging you to purchase brand new equipment.
Go paperless! You can pay bills online, use electronic scheduling software, and send free electronic cards. Before you print, ask yourself if you really need to have a paper copy. Take advantage of organizing important documents using email programs or document folders in your computer system software. You will use less paper and will not have to purchase expensive ink cartridges as often.
MP3 players come in all price ranges and allow users to download single songs instead of buying expensive individual CDs. You may consider transferring your CD library to MP3 format and resell your CDs on sites such as www.ebay.com and www.craigslist.org. Resell stores such as CD Warehouse may also give you cash for your CDs. Visit www.cdwarehouse.com for a location near you.
Remember to properly dispose of your electronic equipment, also known as e-waste. If you can not use it, sell or donate the item. You can also visit www.earth911.org for a recycling or donation center in your area.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Seniors Beware of Financial Scams
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services reports that the elderly population easily become victims of a number of schemes. Common financial crimes against the elderly usually involve home repairs, investments, telemarketing, false charitable contributions, sweepstakes, and lottery schemes. Seniors should be very wary about divulging financial information over the phone or online. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You may file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov if you feel you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam.
Take advantage of the recent stimulus. Older Americans may see some benefits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation will offer a $250 economic recovery payment for individual older persons and $500 for couples. According to the web site for the Social Security Administration, recipients will not have to do anything. Funds will be delivered in the same method that they receive Social Security benefits. Retirees who do not receive Social Security may also qualify, but may have to file a tax return. Payments are expected to be disbursed in late May.
The unemployed may also receive an extension and an increase in benefits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to AARP, the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen 65% during the past twelve months.
At Credit Answers we strive to inform our customers to help build a long lasting relationship for our client base. We realize the road to living debt free is a tough one. We are there for you every step of the way.
Take advantage of the recent stimulus. Older Americans may see some benefits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation will offer a $250 economic recovery payment for individual older persons and $500 for couples. According to the web site for the Social Security Administration, recipients will not have to do anything. Funds will be delivered in the same method that they receive Social Security benefits. Retirees who do not receive Social Security may also qualify, but may have to file a tax return. Payments are expected to be disbursed in late May.
The unemployed may also receive an extension and an increase in benefits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to AARP, the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen 65% during the past twelve months.
At Credit Answers we strive to inform our customers to help build a long lasting relationship for our client base. We realize the road to living debt free is a tough one. We are there for you every step of the way.
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