Is an ARM Right For You?
Let’s start by taking a look at 7 key elements of an adjustable rate mortgage:
1) ARM defined: While a fixed rate loan is constant and never changes throughout the life of the loan, an adjustable rate mortgage changes periodically. The interest rate of an ARM goes up and down based on whatever external index it is tied to. Add the lender’s "margin" to that, and you’ve got the rate. Add costs to that, and you’ve got the APR.
Other considerations include the fixed period, the adjustment date, and the adjustment interval. There are built in risk management devices such as caps, conversion clauses, rate ceilings, rate floors, periodic payment caps, and periodic rate caps.
So, while fixed rate loans stay constant and are fairly straightforward, future payments on ARMS is an unknown, and they go up and down depending on a variety of variables.
2) Index: An adjustable rate mortgage is tied to an external index. If you look in the financial section of the paper today, you might see a chart posted for the 1 year constant maturity treasury index, also called the CMT, otherwise known as the 1-year "T-bills". You might see a graph, showing the T-Bills rising and falling in value over time.
Craving For Financial Freedom
Have you ever felt trapped in a Rat Race and wished to retire quickly but rich?
Have you ever felt that you are spending way too much time working with your boss at your office instead of with those you love? Your spouse, children, friends?
Have you ever felt frustrated because you are so deep in debt that you think you won’t be able to retire because as soon as you do, the money will stop coming and thus you won’t be able to pay off your mortgages and credit card?
Have you ever felt that you have no control over your life anymore in terms of time? Think about it: can you take a vacation just anytime whenever you want/ need it and as long as you want/ need it?
Have you ever wished that you can work whenever you want and wherever you want?
You are not the only one!
Too many people are trapped in a Rat Race because they have to. There are too many bills to pay, and too many dreams to fulfill. To them it seems that there is just no way to quit their job and enjoy life, travel and see the world with their loved ones.
Credit Card Rates - Negotiating Rates with Your Credit Card Company
Ok, let’s face it, everybody hates high credit card rates, and they drain hard earned money out of your wallet. As a valued consumer, it is apparent that you learn how to negotiate to get the absolute best rate that you possibly can. The good news however is that it doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming process. In fact, it can be very easy indeed if you know what you’re doing. In this article we will discuss the ins and outs of credit card negotiating to ensure that you get the best possible rate with the least amount of effort.
1. First and foremost, you should figure out if you even want to continue using your current credit card company. Are you pleased with the overall service that you are receiving? Do you like their benefits? If the answer is yes then you can proceed. If not, you should stop reading this article and start looking for a better company.
2. Second, you should evaluate your paying history and make sure that it is positive before you call to negotiate. If it is positive then you have power and if it isn’t then you’ll be negotiating from a position of weakness and that might not be good. Instead, you should wait until it is more positive before you call them to negotiate rates.
What is a Commercial Business Loan?
A commercial business loan is designed for a wide range of UK small, medium and startup business needs including the purchase, refinance, expansion of a business, development loans or any type of commercial investment.
Finance is the lifeblood of a business. Without it you cannot grow.
Commercial business loans are generally available from £50,000 to £50,000,000 at highly competitive interest rates from leading commercial loan lenders.
A commercial business loan can be secured by all types of UK business property, commercial and residential properties.
Commercial Business Loans can offer up to 79% LTV (Loan to Valuation) with variable rates, depending on status and length of term.
Commercial business loans are normally offered on Freehold and long Leasehold properties with Bricks and Mortar valuations required. Legal and valuation fees are payable by the client.
Commercial business loans are available for Self-Declaration with CCJ’s & Mortgage Arrears.
Commercial Business Loans cover most types of UK property, including:
Development property, new & redevelopment
Country properties
Retail / offices / factories / warehouses
Investment & owner occupied
Leisure buildings (Hotels / Pubs)
Professional practice premises
You may freely reprint this article provided the author’s biography remains intact:
Little Known Secret: Eliminate your Mortgage in 23 years or less!
Wanna know a little secret? There is an ingenious method you can use, to pay off your 30 year fixed rate loan, in 23 years or less. It’s straightforward, simple, and easy to understand. In this article, we’re going to explore this little known secret, and we’ll provide several examples of how it works, a few methods on how to implement, along with some information on where to go and how to get started.
1. Accelerated Payments:
By accelerating the payment structure on your loan, the life of the loan is reduced:
- In a normal 30 year fixed rate loan situation, your monthly payment is applied towards principle and interest. It is amortized over the course of 30 years.
- So any money above and beyond your normal payment is applied solely towards the principle of the loan.
- By reducing the principle of the loan, you are reducing the total amount of interest that must be paid, and that equates to an early loan payoff.
2. An Illustration:
Investing Offshore for Retirement
As an expatriate you are in a privileged savings and investing position. Make the most of the options available to you while you can, consider investing offshore for your retirement.
While you reside overseas you are legally entitled to make use of any tax savings in the country in which you reside, furthermore you are most likely in a position to save and invest offshore to fund and fuel your retirement.
Not enough expatriates make use of their offshore advantage when living and working abroad. Don’t make the same mistake!
Do you already have a domestic pension plan in place from your home country that you established prior to working abroad? Have you found that this policy is not as mobile as you are? Does it make sense to continue with the savings policy?
Have you been considering switching from retirement savings plan to savings plan as you change from country to country? Did you know that by doing this the income you end up with in later life will be fragmented and may be whittled away by foreign exchange costs, charges or even a cash-strapped government?
Some Truth About Credit
Credit is currently and has been historically an integral component of our economy. Credit contribute a person’s net worth, and financial power. No matter who you are or what type of business you are considering, credit is a vital component to be considered when developing your business idea and business plan.
Your credit history and status will always be a factor when lenders consider financing your entrepreneurial endeavor. No matter what type of loan, even loans for those who may struggle to acquire traditional financing, such as the SBA funded micro loan, will consider credit as one of the underwriting factors.
Because your credit history and status greatly impact your bankability and ability to acquire business funding, it behooves you to spend a significant amount of time developing and creating positive credit status and repairing poor credit history.
== personal note ==
When I got married I gifted my wife with a huge debt load and a toilet level credit status. Through diligence, patience, and time, I’ve been able to repair my history and develop credit status that has allowed us to finance vehicles, mortgage and refinance homes, and acquire construction financing. So I know you can repair your credit history and develop positive credit status but it takes patience, diligence, and a willingness to reprioritize your financial outlook.
Knock-Knock-Knock
Knock-Knock-Knock
Who’s there?
The IRS!
The next quarterly payment of estimated income tax for the self-employed is not far off. Network marketers who receive a form 1099 at the end of the year, and/or who are expected to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, must file a form 1040-ES Payment Voucher quarterly to avoid paying a penalty.
When it comes to paying income tax, I’m like Arthur Godfrey who said, “I am proud to pay my taxes. I’d be just as proud to pay half as much.
Like most network marketers, I work hard for what I earn and do not savor sending the government any more money than what I legally owe. So you can imagine how I felt four years ago, when I learned I had overpaid my income tax by some $9,800 over three years.
I had trusted the guy who did my tax returns. After all, preparing tax returns was big part of his business.
But guess what, I fired him.
Once I learned what the law provides home-based business owners to deduct, I went back through three most recent years of returns, revising my 1040 to claim deductions my tax guy didn’t have the foggiest notion existed. Or if he did know, he failed to ask me about them.
Organizing Your Finances - Thinking Outside the (Shoe) Box
If you’re like most people, your personal financial records are most probably kept in less than "Good Accounting Practices" standards. For example, stashing old ATM receipts and hanging on to a stub showing what you paid for a pack of mints two years ago (cash, of course), might be filed with your paycheck stubs, credit card statements ? paid and unpaid alike ? as well as a few tax forms, a stray paper clip and a penny. Anything from an old shoebox to a toolbox would do you for this method of personal financial tracking but you can do better than that.
Not to worry. Here’s how:
1) Plan for a few hours of "alone time" with your financial records. This is a dandy time to pack the kids off to the mall, put up a pot of excellent coffee and a little snack (preferably chocolate), as a treat when you’re done.
2) Supply yourself with ample space, such as a large dining room table. Make sure you have enough organizing supplies close at hand: sticky notes, file folders, a tub to hold them with hanging file folders, large envelopes, a check file, ring binder/s and a three-hole punch if you like, an open stacking file, and an organizer/sorter. A trash can by your side is a must.
Mortgage Free In 15 Years!
Imagine paying your mortgage off in 15 years! Think of all the great things you could do with that extra money. What would you do? Retire early? Buy an R.V.? Travel around the world? If you could eliminate your mortgage in half the time, then your options would be wide open.
Let’s take a look at 3 benefits and 3 considerations when evaluating whether or not the 15 year fixed rate mortgage, is right for you:
1. Lower Interest Rate:
The 15 year amortized fixed rate loan carries a lower interest rate.
- The interest rate is usually about ½ % the rate of a 30 year term.
- For example, as of today’s date, the average 30 year fixed is going for about 5.67%, while the average 15 year fixed is going for about 5.10%.
- That’s a savings of .57%!
2. Huge savings on Interest Paid:
Do you want to save a ton of money? A 15 year fixed will accomplish this for you.