More About Me...

I am Charles King(27). At Finance Classic I want to share my financial knowledge with the world. Here you can also find some good financial videos which are very interesting and very informative. If you would like to share your thoughts and knowledge with me and my visitors then please comment here or contact me at: charls413 [at] gmail [dot] com

Another Tit-Bit...

Let me share my hobbies with you. I like to play, wondering around. Another thing that I want to tell you is that, I want to be honest and I like honest people.

Warren Buffet at Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting 2007 CNN

Online savings account

There are many people who try to find out a bank with whom they can open an online savings account and get a high interest rate. They may have the information about different banks but they feel nervous of transferring the large amount of money to an online account at a bank that does not have any branch near to them. Is it safe to put the money in online savings account?
Well, the answer is yes. It is safe to put money in online savings accounts. Though there may be many advantages but you need to be very careful of the phishing schemes. The scammers will open up a fake website that will look identical to a website of a reputed financial institution. You will think the website to be legit but they are actually designed to steal your personal information and commit identity theft. Thus, you should be smart enough to protect yourself from any fraudulent emails or phishing websites.

Online savings account with reputed banks offer a variety of advantages and convenience. You will have the constant online access to your account with all the necessary information and attractive interest rates. Make sure that you have researched the bank who is offering you the facility of online savings account. Your deposits with the bank will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Before you open up an online savings account, it will be a good idea to browse through the website of the bank offering you the online savings accounts. Review the history of the bank, the location of its headquarters building, and information about its FDIC insurance coverage. You will find the FDIC logo on the website of the reputed banks with the wording like "FDIC insured accounts" or "Member FDIC." If you wish to research more on the bank, you will find them listed on the FDIC’s online database of FDIC insured institutions. It is not necessary that all the reputed banks have to be listed with the FDIC. There are some chartered overseas banks, and the FDIC will not insure your deposit with that bank.

Online banking is a safe, profitable and convenient method of handling your accounts with the bank. You don’t have to go to your local branch because everything will be possible at a single click of a mouse. Online banking is safer as well as faster than mailing a check. It is always suggested that you should print out the account statements regularly and review them thoroughly so that you are aware of any possible identity theft or any unusual activity.

What is a probate?

A probate is a service for a person who has died without a will and somebody has to deal with their estate including money property and possessions left by him. A person from the family of the dead person or someone close to made as “administrator” who is assigned to collect all the money, pay the debts of the dead person to his creditors and distribute the remaining balance to those people entitled to it. Probate is the court’s authority given to a responsible person(s) to administer a deceased person’s estate. The document issued by the Probate Service is called a Grant of Representation.

The Grant of Representation is usually required by the asset holders as proof. This will show out the correct person having the Probate Service’s authority to administer a deceased person’s estate.

You can take the help of a knowledgeable Probate attorney for the necessary legal actions. Search for a Probate Attorney Directory on the internet and you will be able to find a lawyer in your local area.

The Probate service forms a part of the Family Division of the High Court. It deals with ‘non-contentious’ probate business (where there is no dispute about the validity of a will or entitlement to take a grant), and issues grants of representation.

Construction liens

Construction lien is a security interest in the title to property for the benefit of those people who have supplied their labor or materials that improve the property. Construction lien is called by different names like mechanic’s lien, material man’s lien. It is termed as supplier’s lien when people supplying materials are referred. It is termed as laborer’s lien when people supplying labor are referred. It is also known as design professional’s lien when architects or designers who contribute to a work of improvement are referred.

Construction liens exist in every state with respect to the real property. The reason of its existence is because of a legislative public policy to protect the contractors. According to the state legislatures, contractors and sub contractors need a greater remedy for non payment for their work rather than having the rights to sue on their contracts. Without the construction lien, the contractor would have a limited option to enforce payments of the amount owed.

Construction liens exist to secure the payment for services, labor and material on both personal and real property. The law of construction liens on real property governs the creation and enforcement of these liens on items of personal property that are attached to the real property as fixture.

Steps to be taken when a family member dies without a will

Death of a family member can be a very painful situation to deal with. If that person has died without a will, it is important to contact the Probate court who will divide the assets according to the legal formula. The court will appoint a family member, friend or any close person in the family to act as the administrator and handle the probate. The court proceedings and paperwork requirements are very similar to those of a probate with a will. Contact a knowledgeable probate lawyer for professional and legal help.

When you are dealing in a probate inheritance case, it is important to find out that the person who died never made a will at any time while he was alive. Any will if it was made while the person was alive can be consider effective in the eyes of law.

If the person who died never made any will, file the necessary papers with the Probate court to start the probate inheritance process.

The person who acts as the administrator is responsible to pay the deceased’s debts, and notify the potential creditors, preserve, itemize and possibly have appraisals for property, and prepare and file the accounting documents. Once the papers have been submitted and reviewed, the property will be distributed to the legal heirs.

Every state has its own laws on probate inheritance when a person died without a will. Make sure that you go to the probate court of your state and find out the laws applicable in your state, or consult a knowledgeable probate lawyer.

How ergonomic products are helpful to human life?

Ergonomics is the process of mixing science with human needs. It is an application of scientific information that includes objects, systems and the natural environment for the benefit of human being. Different ergonomic products are available for the humans to increase their efficiency and quality at work. The term ergonomics comes into picture which involves work system, sports and leisure, health and safety and well designed ergonomic products should be widely used in all areas of life. The use of machines into human’s life is needed to be made as smooth as possible. It can enhance the performance of an individual, reduce the number of errors and increase the user satisfaction through comfort and aesthetics.

The use of well designed ergonomic products can maximize individual productivity and reduce fatigue and discomfort. It is a perfect combination of biotechnology, human engineering and the human factors engineering.

People doing the research on ergonomics study the requirements of a human being and try to increase their capabilities in relation to their work demands. The use of ergonomic products in a human’s life can largely increase the efficiency and make them compatible at work.

Searching a good car dealership

Before you purchase any vehicle, it is important that you find the suitable car dealer in your area. Most of the auto dealers come in different shapes and sizes. You need to be proactive while dealing with the car dealer and get the best car for yourself. Find the suitable car dealer on the internet. You will find many responsible websites that rate the auto dealers in your area as well as through out the nation on the basis of different criteria.

Trust is very important while you are dealing with different companies on the internet. Most of the auto dealers tend to use dirty tricks in selling their cars, especially that have been in wreck or suffered because if irresponsible maintenance throughout its lifetime. Find a San Diego car dealer on the internet.

The quickest way to evaluate any auto dealer is to shop for different new vehicles and see the type of treatment showed towards you. This way you will be able to know the cars of lower prices as well and you will be able to educate yourself thoroughly.

It is often suggested to stick with those auto dealers whose name and brand has earned a place in your community. There are many auto dealers that maintain a very high standard for decades and they will not use unsavory tactics that can lead to hidden costs down the line.

Applying for instant credit cards online

When you are applying for a credit card online, there are different websites that will tell you instantly whether you qualify for their credit card or not. When you are filling up their application form on the website, they are asking you to furnish some important information based on your credit history. You don’t have to wait for a long time after the information is submitted online. You will come to know in few seconds whether you have been approved or not. When you are applying for a credit card instant approval, make sure that you have your exact financial picture so that you get the best results in your favor.

Individuals with excellent credit history have a higher chance of getting approved instantly than those who have a good or even fair credit history. After you submitted the application form for the credit card offers instant approval, if you have not received an instant approval in few seconds, then chances that you may have to wait for 30 days to see if there is any chance left to get approved. Your credit history may not have been the way it was expected to be in their system. The credit card provider will review your credit information manually and see if your credit is good enough to offer you new credit or you seem to be a potential risk to their finance.

Generally, the credit card company will notify you by email within 5-7 business days that your credit history isn’t good enough to be approved.

If you were not approved instantly with one credit card company, you can’t be kept waiting by that credit issuer for the next five to ten business days and then apply with another company to see if you can qualify with them. The best way is to fill up the online application form on multiple websites and try your eligibility. Google the keyword “credit card offers instant approval” and you will get number of websites with the instant approval software.

If you have been turned down by Citibank, it does not mean that you will not qualify with Chase or American Express. Your credit history is definitely the key factor in getting approved instantly, but each credit card company has their own rules and policies of approving the application forms.

However, be aware that when you are applying for new credit with different credit card companies, they are reporting a soft inquiry on your credit report. Too many negative inquiries on your credit report will be bad because your future lenders will assume that you are not a good customer to extend new credit and that’s why you have been refused by the previous credit card companies.

How does a debt management program work?

A perfect debt management program will work on the basis of overall strategy for financial well being and then working step by step towards achieving the goals. People in debts are in a hurry to get out of all their debts and achieve financial freedom. Professional counselors advice that debts were not created overnight by an individual so you can’t get rid of that all of a sudden. It takes time and a lot of patience to be debt free. After all, there are consequences to overspending, and there are many ways to reconsolidate after an initial debt consolidation audit has been done.

Be aware that if you are taking a debt consolidation loan for a period of 20 – 30 years, you will be paying a lot on interests over the period of time. The representative who is offering you the debt advice will find out different ways for you to get the financial freedom. You are the person who best knows about your finance and understand the implications for your long term budget. You don’t want to mess up your future and run into asset shortage when it is the time for you to plan your retirement or paying for your children’s college education.

Debt management is the process where your present financial situation is analyzed after considering your income and expenses, your credit history is reviewed thoroughly. The person offering you the debt advice will see your future earning potential so that you are able to continue the program, developing different ways to resolve disputes or lender obligations, and budget your finance properly so that you don’t fall into debts again. Debt management program has surprisingly bloomed in the last ten years because American have fallen into massive credit card and home equity debts.

When you are shopping for a reputed debt management company, it’s important that you find someone who is backed up by accredited institutions, such as major banks, the better business bureau and dedicated trade organizations. Any company having no complaints with the law enforcement agencies should be your first pick. You can also contact your local attorney general’s office to find about any company in your area and their debt management programs offered to consumers.

A very good debt advice is to thoroughly review the program offered by the debt management company before you put your money. You should be aware of their fee structure and there should be nothing hidden in the contract signed up with them. It never hurts to get the program reviewed by an attorney and ensure that the tax consequences work in your favor. Savvy debt consolidation planning can boost your credit rating and you will be able to take care of many financial burdens in your life.

Step by step analysis – Debt management plan

Step 1: Assess your situation:

What will a lender think if you are having too much of debts and you are seeking new credit from him. Of course, he will deny giving you new credit or even if you have assured him that you would be a risk to his finance, he will charge you the highest interest rates on the new credit. You might already be deep in debts and the lender is digging you deeper into it. Have you figured out how you got into this mess in the first place? Calculate your exact financial position and find out how much you owe to different creditors and make ways to pay them back.

Step 2: Understanding the psychology of spending:

What are your thoughts on your spending habits? Do you spend more than required or do you get tempted at times and use the money from your savings to buy an unnecessary thing? If you are having such habits and attitudes towards money, then it’s leading you towards financial disaster.

Step 3: Create your own budget:

Effective debt management plan begins from that point when you are serious about your spending habits and set priorities. You can create an efficient budget plan and keep it documented. You will realize how your money is spent every day and which of the things are not very necessary on which you spent. You can even take the help of a proficient debt management company who can offer you a free counseling and show you how to get started.

Step 4: reduce your expenses:

You know your sources of income and necessary expenses. When you have reached to the end of the month and find little or no saving, you need to find out ways to cut your expenses and increase your monthly income.

Step 5: find a low cost credit card:

If you make it a habit to pay your credit card bills on time, you will often get good credit card offers and at cheapest rates. If not, you should always look for the lowest interest rate on the balance transfer check

Step 6: Consolidate your debts with a reputed debt management company:

A perfect debt management plan will reduce your monthly payments with your creditors. The debt management company can combine all your monthly bills into one payment and pay off your creditors at the lowest interest rates. Your accounts will stay current in the debt management plan. Stay in touch with your debt management company after you have enrolled for their services. They will keep you updated about your account status and show how your money is applied towards different creditors.

Step 7: Talk to a debt counselor:

There are several debt management companies who are willing to help people and reduce their debt related problems. You should talk to an expert debt counselor about your financial situation. He will give you the perfect debt management plan necessary in your situation. Enrolling in their program is entirely your decision.

Step 8: steps to repair your credit:

While you are learning ways to stay out of debts and managing your finance properly, make sure that you keep a regular check on your credit report. Your credit report should have correct information only from the information providers. You should be able to dispute any item if it is posted incorrectly by the credit bureau. They will verify the item with your creditor and if your dispute is found correct, the item will be removed immediately. Not being pro-active enough to check your credit report can hurt your scores.

Something about Micro Credit!

Microcredit is very small loans to the unemployed or to the persons who are living in poverty. This small loan can be given to the poor entrepreneurs also.

It can be called a new financial innovation to the developing countries. The people have accepted this concept mirthfully and they have started their life in a new way. Especially the women are very much encouraged by this small finance which is given to them to start their life in better way. In the developing countries most of the women are unemployed and they had to depend on others, but this project is giving them a light in their life and to believe themselves.
Micro credit system allows them to generate income, to build wealth and to avoid poverty. The UN declared 2005 is the “International Year of Microcredit”.

It can be seen in most part of the world that the women are the center of focus of many
micro credit institutions and agencies. There are some causes behind this trend. Loans to the women tend to benefit more to the whole family than to men do. And also giving loans to the women raises their socio-economic status. It is the positive change to the women of their current relationship of gender and class.

How credit repair scam generally works!

We have heard a lot in the magazines or in television that remove bad debt or erase negative entries from your credit report. But the truth is, negative information can’t be removed from credit report. Credit report will show the actual entries. So when you find any advertisement like that, you should understand that it is a kind of scam which is well known as credit repair scam.

  • How it works:

The company in which you have enrolled your name for repairing your credit, the company will contact various credit bureaus and tell them that negative information which you have in your report is false. As the credit bureaus want to show accurate information, they will temporarily remove negative information from your credit history. At this particular time the scammer will send you a copy of your credit and will show you that your negative information has been removed.

You may think that it is has been a miracle done by the credit repair company but after few days when the investigation have completed, accurate negative information will return back to your credit report and show accordingly. The important thing to note is that negative information can’t be removed and will show on your credit history for seven years.

Visit this site to gather more knowledge on Credit Repair Scam.

How to come out from Debt!

This is really been a major concern now a day that how can we come out from “debt”. Many of us are having this problem and searching the solution of this. Here I am trying to give some of the tips which may help!If you have problem in paying your debts to your creditors then you need to consult your sutiation with him and ask to give some more option to pay or to give more time. Some of the cases, the creditors accept the proposal of the debtor and agree to give some time to him. Here you are getting time to pay your debt off, but where the creditor is not agree to provide further time to you then you need to go to the professionals. The counsellors will be able to give you proper suggestions. He might take his consultant charges. There are some companies also who are giving free counseling.

Make yourself away from further loan. When you are in debt you should try to repay that first before taking any loan, otherwise the situation will become worst. It’s really very easy to get credit cards now a day and it is a fashion to have many credit cards. But you must remember your situation that you are in debt and further loan can push you in deep trouble. So say for “NO FURTHER LOAN”.

Present situation of Credit cards and Credit card debts!

This is the time when you will find people with full of plastic money (Credit cards) in their wallet instead of paper note. It is now a fashion to have more credit cards in your pocket. They are easily available also. But this availability is bringing you to the path of debt. Sometimes the amount of debt and interest is within your reach to pay and sometimes not. The problem starts then on. If you are unable to pay them on time it starts building rapidly.

  • Effects of credit card debts:

If you have a burden of debt in your life then it can make your life horrible. Suppose you are unable to pay your debts on time, then what may happen? At first the credit card company will ask you to pay your debts but if you are unable to pay them, they will ask the collection companies to collect the money from you at any cost. The collection companies may make your life even worse. They will call you at your home and harass you. Your family will not be out of their attack. Even they can call your office at the time of your work. It is really tough to work handsomely with these immense pressures. This situation will force you to do wrong work and then the pressure from your Boss. So think about your situation now, in your home the phone calls of the collection agencies and in the work the pressure of your Boss. You will feel that you are just pasting by both ends.

  • Solution of it:

The best solution is to control the use of your credit cards. The best thing is limiting your number of credit cards first. Use one or two at the time of any necessity. But if you already in immense amount of debt and unable to see any way to pay it in full with huge interest then “credit card debt consolidation” is the best way. There are lots of consolidation company available in the market, choose the best one and consolidate your debts. If you think that the consolidation is also not suitable for you as your condition is worse then you can choose “debt settlement” program. It may effect your credit report but it is far effective than to file Bankruptcy.

For further reading about credit card debt, you can visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card_debt


Types of Mortgage Loan

There are various types of Mortgage Loan available. You are to decide what is the need of taking the loan, and which one is best suited to you. For this reason you must need a fairly idea about all kind of Mortgage loans. Here I will discuss shortly about them and will try to give a fair idea.

Types of Mortgage Loan:

1) Fixed Rate Mortgages

2) Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)

3) Reverse Mortgages

· What is Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM) ?

It is that kind of Mortgage where you are to pay a fixed rate of interest. It will offer you security as during the term of your loan the rate will not change. It will also give you peace of mind and will allow you to plan ahead for your future.

It is good for the first time buyers and also for those who need stability on their monthly repayment. You can make your budget according to your plan if you opt for FRM.

· What is Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) ?

Adjustable Rate Mortgage, also well known as ARM is a Mortgage which is directly related or linked with Economic index. Your interest rate and payment will adjust periodically according to the change of the Index. The lenders use the Index as a guide to measure the changes of interest rate. Every ARM is linked to a specific index.

· What is Reverse Mortgages ?

It is a Mortgage which is used generally by the seniors ( 62 and over in the USA ). It is calculated on the basis of HOME EQUITY i.e. the value of home, minus the amount of any existing Mortgage. It can be given to the owners by the lenders either one payment or monthly cash payments. Repayment of this loan to be continued till the owner is alive.

Some important queries of Bankruptcy

We all know the problems a person face after filing bankruptcy. There are some questions which are in our mind when we discuss about filing bankruptcy. Let me discuss some of them:

  • What about the credit after filing bankruptcy? Would it be possible to get credit after filing it?

The answer is “Yes”. There are some companies that take chances to give credit to persons who filed bankruptcy in the past. The credit limit may not be high and also you may have to pay yearly fees for your credit.

  • Will it be possible to take mortgage loan after filing bankruptcy?

Yes, you will get mortgage loan but after one or two years when you are discharged from bankruptcy. But the key factor of getting a loan is to show the bank or lender that the money problem you had is past and you are very much determined not to have it in the future.

  • Can the Govt. take the pension to pay off tax debt?

Yes, the Government has the right to take your pension to pay off your tax debt. Not only that they can even take money from your other savings account.

Micro credit and its features

The extension of the small loans to the poor, who don’t qualify for the traditional bank loan, can be called as Microcredit. These small loans give the poor a chance to develop their business as well as to develop them financially. In microcredit system money is given to the people many times when they need it and for this reason it helps to generate monetary transaction. Ultimately the economy gets the necessary boost.

This program is better accepted by the poor women rather than the men because the women have proven to be the better manager of their loans; they pay them promptly most of the time. Naturally a woman is better controller of many things and it includes finance. Now they feel more confident about their future. They were suppressed either by others of by their husbands. Because most of the time they were dependent on them. Now as they earn their own livelihood and also help their child’s education, they feel comfortable and confident.

  • Some features of microcredit program:

1) Evaluating credit as a human right.
2) Helping poor families to overcome poverty by their own help.
3) Getting loans on trust.
4) Creating its own methodology for maintainance, not following the normal banking system.
5) Encouraging self employment.
6) Bringing the bank to the people to provide financial help.
7) Continuous flow of funds if paid in time.
8) Voluntary saving programs to the poor borrowers.
9) Availability of concurrent or simultaneous loans to the borrower.
10) Interest rates at lower than normal rate.
11) Giving high priority to establishing social capital and promotes education.
12) It also concern about the environment.

What is Credit Repair Scam?

All of us want to see a good credit score in their credit history. But only few can maintain scoring above 700. It’s not that much of a concerning matter how many people reach there but the problem is for those who are having really poor score. Some companies are taking advantage of this situation of those persons. They offer to improve your score with 100% guarantee. These companies have a great intention to take money out of your pocket. You need to be careful about some important thing before accepting the offer. Because according to law no one can remove or eliminate negative information from credit history. It will remain 7 years for negative information and 10 years for bankruptcy. Only wrong information can be fixed. So be careful about those companies that offer to eradicate negative info from your credit history. This is nothing but a scam and is well known as credit repair scam.

Before enrolling your name with any credit repair company why don’t you try by yourself? Why will you pay to these companies when there is no surety of your credit repair? There are so many online websites where you can find sample letters to report if there is any wrong information. Or you can fill up the form of wrong information in report which you can find in major credit bureaus.