Bridge To Gold

Archive for the ‘Finance’ Category

When dealing with an investment, there comes a point when we need the assistance and expertise of a Broker dealer especially when it is our first time and we don’t have the right connections to deal with.  Now here’s what we should know about dealing with a broker.  There are actually two types of a broker.  The first is the one who generally execute trade on our behalf via other broker dealers usually big companies that are well known and reputable in the industry.  One great advantage is that the investment is highly secured since they are handed by an acclaimed company.  The downside, however, the advice may be too general or fixed as set by the company and may not be tailor suited to your needs.

The second type is the Independent broker dealer who is not affiliated with any company or other brokers.  As he is not tied with any other company, he gives good advice and the service (as it is just small) is very personalized.  Many investors prefer this type and always in the pursuit of the best independent broker dealers who are well known for their goodwill and reputation.  Before making any decision, it’s always a good practice to do background and broker dealer rankings check for a safe and secured investment.

With tough times, how can you save money for unplanned events and emergencies? Even if your pay isn’t that big, you can still manage to save half or even a quarter of your pay in a savings account. For those who think that saving even a small amount of your salary is impossible, think again. Here are 3 easy money saving tips for you to put into practice.

1. Save your small bills and coins.

Whenever you buy something or break a big bill, you should save anything lower than P100 in a piggy bank or another form of storage. When you’ve filled your piggy bank up, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve saved.

2. When buying something, shop in different stores.

Practice comparing prices in other shops before making a purchase to help you save money. This also gives you the opportunity to look for better deals and discounts in other stores. You should practice this all the time especially when you’re buying something.

3. Make a list of your expenses.

Make a list of your regular monthly expenses like house rental, any cable/internet bill, an estimate of your electric and water bill, phone bill, etc. Then, plan how much you’re going to spend for food and aim to save at least half of your salary.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime, not only in America, but in the whole world as well. The scope of the damages of identity theft can range from poor (if not damaged) credit rating to bankruptcy with enormous debts on the side. A lot of consumers are not aware of how identity theft can impact their life nor how it can affect their future mobility. For these reasons, a lot of people are getting careless which provides a lot of opportunities for identity thieves to steal their information. As a consequence, facilities that offer credit monitoring and identity theft protection are needed to protect people from identity theft but the question is, can they really provide sufficient protection?

Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection: The Works

Credit monitoring and identity theft protection facilities specifically offer their customers the following services:

1. Credit monitoring from the three major credit reporting agencies. Your Credit monitoring and identity theft protection facility will be the one responsible to monitor your credit report from the credit bureaus. Some of them will monitor your account quarterly, which means that they will request for your credit report four times a year. Once there are dubious entries, you will be contacted the soonest time possible.

2. File for fraud alert on your identity. The fraud alert is often active until 90 days. At this point, credit card companies and other financial institutions including banks and loan facilities, will first contact you before anyone can open an account under your name.

3. Guidance throughout the recovery process. This is another perk that you will receive when you sign up for credit monitoring services. Some even offer budget management services which will help you come up with a realistic budget that will best suit your current financial situation.

4. Compensation for lost work hours. The process of recovering from an identity theft crime can take months while some took years. During these times, depending on the package that you subscribed into with your credit monitoring facility, they could pay you for the lost work hours that you will incur as you process your identity theft case.

5. Lost cash reimbursement. Again, this is a feature that will be offered to identity theft victims depending on the package that they subscribed into. Some would companies offer reimbursement features that for whatever amount the identity thief got from you, you will be reimbursed with the amount that you lost.

6. Computer protection. This is a very basic move but something that can really help you keep identity theft criminals at bay. Some credit monitoring facilities will install their own recommended antivirus programs in your computer so that they can encrypt your data and prevent it from being intercepted online. This antivirus program will also prevent spyware from installing themselves into your computer.

These are just some of the services that most credit monitoring facilities offer. What you should take note of, though, is the fact that the features that will come with your subscription would often depend on the security package that you will select.

A credit card is a small plastic card you can use at major malls and stores to purchase goods and pay for services without the need for physical money. However, a lot of people are afraid to apply for a credit card because they fear they will be stuck in debt as a consequence.   So long as one is cautious of his spending behavior, he will never fall into the pits of debt.  Some tips include:

1. Paying the total amount due whenever possible.

2. Paying on or before the due date.

3. Using credit card only when needed.

A follow up rambling on my previous How To Save Money post.

Another special advice is to cut off the expenses and maximize savings by living wisely. For example in your house, switch off the lights and appliances when not in use. Unplugging the appliances at night can also bring you great savings. Minimize the time spent on diners and restaurants. If possible, cook your own meal at home and bring some to the office for lunch. Almost every office has its own pantry or cafeteria, and you can eat your home-cooked meals there.

There are times when you will be forced to borrow money from a loan broker or use your credit card. It happens most of the time during emergencies. Whenever you acquire some debts for a very reasonable reason, make sure to pay your debts on time. Procrastinating on payments will only increase the amount of your debts, and you’ll end up paying the double amount of what you’re supposed to pay.

Debts are like cancerous cells. The longer it is not eliminated, the faster it will multiply. There are many tips on how to save more money and all you have to do is to have the great willpower to start changing your lifestyle and avoid drowning with debts.