Things to Be Aware of When Getting Discount Auto Insurance

When we hear or see the word “DISCOUNT” of course we are all happy and excited upon seeing or hearing this wonderful word. Everyone wants to save a little amount so that you can be able to buy all of the necessary things that you need. Discount auto insurance is also included in these commercials or advertisements that we can see either in print media or television advertisements and they offer many benefits and sometimes these shout out are too good to be true. Especially for the first timers, it is very important for them to know what things to be aware of when finding discount auto insurance.We all know that the insurance industries are much more competitive than ever, wherein they are willing to reduce their rates just to grab your attention. However, some clever discount auto insurance companies will just promise you all the great deals. Nevertheless, after you have signed all the necessary papers, in the end you will be surprised that you are going to pay a larger amount than what you have previously known.Before you sign or agree on anything with the discount auto insurance company be sure to study the process and policies regarding the mode of payment. Likewise, you should know the payment terms, your mode of payment either through cash or credit card, know if they will allow you to pay by check or if you are allowed to pay on a monthly or yearly basis. These are the first things that you have to know before you get your discount auto insurance.Apart from that, there are also some discount auto insurance companies that will charge you an extra amount if you are paying annually. There are also some companies that will make you pay for monthly basis but they will also take some extra charge from you. The most terrible thing that can happen are the scam companies that will take your yearly payment then they will just go out of business. In the end, your discount auto insurance policy will surely be canceled.After knowing the terms and agreement of payment, the best thing that you should consider is to learn and study very well the policy and terms of discount auto insurance. It is very important that before you sign anything you should fully understand the contract between you and the insurance company, asking some important questions such as the deductible cost from your claims and the cost that discount insurance company will cover in the event like an accident. In addition, ask them also if they will they pay for the property or damages caused and most importantly ask them if they will pay for the hospital bills if there are injuries involved.There is nothing wrong in asking for important questions. It is very essential that you have to find out as much as many information that you can get about the discount auto insurance policy before making any payment. If the insurance company agent is unwilling to answer your questions, you can walk away and find the one that will fit your requirement. After all, it is your money, you have all the right in choosing the best discount auto insurance.Lastly, be sure that you are fully satisfied and happy with the terms and conditions between you and the discount auto insurance company. Be sure that they will cover all your claims in the event that you experience any problem in the road.

Posted in insurance | Tagged | Comments Off

Investing 101: Best Simple Way to Start Investing Money in Mutual Funds

Today’s new investors can start investing money in mutual funds the simple way, even before they learn to invest money and make investment decisions on their own. In fact, if you start investing in the right funds, you’ll likely do better than many folks who actually think they know what they are doing.The truth is that if most people didn’t start investing money until they really knew what they were doing, they would never get started. This is not rocket science, yet few Americans actually take the time to learn to invest money. That’s why mutual funds are designed for average or relatively uninformed investors. In other words, these funds are designed for the vast majority of people. For 2014, 2015 and well beyond things should be simpler than ever before for new investors who want to start investing money for retirement and other longer-term financial goals.Traditionally, the big advantage of mutual funds has been that these investor packages offer professional money management to investors at a reasonable (usually) cost. When you own shares in a mutual fund, you own a very small part of a very large professionally managed investment portfolio. Question: between now and the time when you actually get up to speed and learn to invest money, how do you select a fund?For 2014, 2015 and beyond it’s a lot simpler than you may think. Most folks do not really understand stocks and bonds, but one of the first things you will learn if or when you learn to invest money successfully on your own, is that you need to be invested in both stocks and bonds in order to have a balanced portfolio. The advantage of balance: long term growth with only moderate risk. The good news is that new investors don’t need to sift through a long list of stock funds and/or bond funds before they start investing money.Balanced funds are available through most major funds companies. These funds automatically provide investors with a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. They are the simplest and best way for new investors to start investing without losing sleep at night. If you find that you are losing money in a balanced fund, you can rest assured of one thing. The vast majority of investors out there (including the big investors on Wall Street) are likely losing money as well. If both the stock market and bond market get hit in 2014 and/or 2015, investors across the board will suffer.Both stock prices and bond values fluctuate as these securities trade in the markets… and often losses in one of these markets are offset by gains in the other. That’s the advantage of having a balanced portfolio. The traditional asset allocation traditionally recommended by Wall Street: about 50% to 60% going into stocks with most of the rest going to bonds. This simple formula has worked well for investors for over 30 years. That’s basically the same asset allocation traditional balanced funds maintain. So, until you learn to invest money and make your own choices, why not start investing money in a balanced fund to get your feet wet?Why is it so important to invest vs. simply saving money? And why should you learn to invest money when balanced funds have worked so well for the average investor?If you have a long term goal (like retirement) you need to put your money to work so it grows. Earning 3% a year it takes 24 years to double your money. If your money grows at 10% a year it doubles in 7 years. That’s why you should start investing.In 2014 and perhaps 2015, millions of average investors will look back at the gains (of about 150%) in stock funds that they missed out on since early 2009. At the same time, millions more will be holding onto the notion that their bond funds will continue to perform well, as they basically have for over 30 years. Don’t count on either of these trends to last indefinitely. The markets are dynamic and always subject to change. That’s why you need to learn to invest in any market environment.New investors: don’t be afraid to start investing money in a traditional balanced fund. Start small, and make sure you have a cash reserve to cover financial emergencies in your every-day life. This will get you involved without taking too much risk. Then, dig in and really learn to invest money. Search for “balanced funds” and how to “learn to invest money” on your favorite search engine. There’s plenty of info out there.What should you look for specifically? Look for a mutual fund under the general category of balanced fund. Then look at the fund description to get a handle on the fund’s asset allocation of stocks vs. bonds. You want a fund with an allocation close to 60% stocks and 40% bonds. Now you’re ready to start investing, with the best time-proven mutual funds around.

Posted in investments | Tagged | Comments Off

Comparing Credit Card Options – Which is Right for Me?

It can be very confusing trying to decide what types of financial accounts and financial devices are best for you as you go about taking the time to compare credit card options. In this regard, you may be wondering about the benefits of a debit card and the benefits of a traditional credit card. Indeed, you may be wondering whether a debit card or a credit card is right for you. You may be wondering whether or not you should have both a debit card and a credit card. Through this brief article, we present you with some points to ponder when it comes to a credit card versus a debit card and which card is right for you.As you do compare credit card options, you need to note that debit card has the look and feel of a student credit card — and in this day and age can be used in many of the same places and locations that do accept credit cards.However, a debit card does not function in the same manner as a student credit card. A debit card is connected to an account that normally is located at a bank, savings and loan or credit union. When you make a purchase with a debit card, the amount of that purchase is withdrawn out of that account. In addition, you normally can obtain money from an ATM with your debit card.On the other hand, a traditional, unsecured credit card does not require you to have funds held on account in order to use the devise. (Of course, the exception is a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you do need to post money with the credit card company. But, when purchases are made with a secured credit card, money is now actually drawn out of the cash that you have posted.That money is only accessed if you default on your regular payments to the credit card company.) With a traditional credit card, you can make purchases or obtain cash advances up to the credit limit that has been established by the credit card company.)In reality, depending on your circumstances, it actually might be wise for you to have both a debit card and a credit card. The fact is that having just a debit card or just a credit card really should be the exception and not the general rule.There are benefits that can be derived from having both a credit card as well as a debit card. For example, by having both types of cards, you can use your student credit card for emergencies and for major purposes for which you may not have all of the cash you need on hand for such a purpose. Your debit card can be used for smaller and for day to day purchases.By using these cards in this manner, you will be able to build your credit and raise your credit score — provided you pay your credit card bills in a timely and appropriate manner. In addition, you will be able to live your life on a reasonable and responsible budget by monitoring and controlling your spending with the aid and assistance of a debit card.

Posted in credit cards | Tagged | Comments Off