Category: Budgeting

FHA 203k loan-Benefits and limitations

FHA 203k loanFHA 203k loan can be borrowed to purchase a home or to improve the home if needed. A clear understanding of the offer is necessary to understand whether you will be benefited by the offer or not. The eligibility criteria and the extra costs for the offer should be understood before you opt for the loan. The interest rates for FHA 203k loan are higher than charged for other types of FHA loans. This makes the borrower pay more for the loan than its real worth. The lenders do not have much risk as there is guarantee for the loan.

The costs involved in the offer

This all in one mortgage loan is backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the loan is offered by the mortgage personal loans bad credit lenders. Since the loan is insured by the federal government, the approval does not get delayed. There are closing costs for the loan which you can pay eventually. With the origination charges and the insurance for the loan, the lender is protected though the borrower does not repay the loan as specified in the loan agreement. The charges due to the improvement work should be considered.

The plans of improvement are reviewed by one of the approved consultants of FHA and the approval is granted as per the review. The repair work is also supervised in every stage which increases the cost of the loan. The borrower is required to bear the cost due to the appraisal as well. All these should be considered while you estimate the cost of the loan and your ability to make repayments due. Safety and health issues are to be addressed and they should adhere to the building codes specified.

Electrical problems and lead points are some of the important items that are included in the project list. There are restrictions to the offer and you cannot get approved for the loan if you wish to make some profit out of your investment in the property. You need to be a owner occupying the house to be eligible for FHA 203k loans. The offer cannot be obtained for the purpose of investments. If you decide to make additional structure to your house that you have rented out, you can get the offer of FHA 203k loan.

There is the minimum amount specified for the personal loans no credit check and the borrower is supposed to complete the mentioned renovation or repair work within the set time. The loan is initiated to support in the purchase of a home or to do the renovations that are essential. You cannot think of using the loan amount for luxury items. However, you should also remember that you cannot get the needed loan amount if you underestimate the cost of the renovation work. Besides your financial counselor, it is important to consult a good contractor to get the required financial support from FHA 203k loans.

Retired? How best to earn some extra cash

retirement moneyIt’s extremely unfortunate, but with rising living costs, many people who’ve retired are discovering they have to take on work to make ends meet. Sometimes pensions may just about cover expenses, but not provide people with the cash to enjoy things they’ve always wanted to do. In other scenarios, retirees’ income isn’t even enough to pay for food, heating and the plethora of other expenses associated with modern day life. Often, discovering they have to go back to work can be very upsetting for people. But there is a great range of options available if individuals need to make some extra cash.

One great way to earn some extra money is to utilise the skills people already hold. For example, nurses can find an abundance of work by picking up a few temporary shifts here and there. Home care services also require nurses, and a variety of shift lengths allow people to choose the best working pattern to suit their needs. Likewise, retired accountants can find work bookkeeping or helping contractors fill out their self-assessment forms. Other retirees who have plumbing or carpentry skills make the ideal local handyman for neighbours to call on, whilst those who have creative expertise, such as photography, could turn to wedding and event photography to make some extra money.

Another great option for innovative and entrepreneurial retirees’ is to set up a small home business. Those with good English and writing skills could become copywriters, creating content that can be used for websites and press releases around the world. Individuals who love crafting could set up an eBay or Etsy shop and sell their work, whilst keen bakers and cooks can turn ingredients into artisan products to be sold at farmers’ markets or to local restaurants.

For those not wanting to set up a business, part-time work might also be found close to home. Many supermarkets and high street stores have policies encouraging the hiring of older people, so it’s worth visiting these shops and taking a moment to speak to a manager to see if any vacancies are available. Local newspaper and newsagent windows are also a great source of wanted ads, and part time or temporary work can often be found listed there.

It’s important for anyone wanting to take on extra work to pay very close attention to their finances and ensure they don’t start to earn too much. Whilst many people want to earn a little money to supplement their income, earning too much could put pensions into jeopardy, so it’s crucial to do a little research and discover the personal income limits before undertaking work. Unfortunately, there are also a few unscrupulous individuals out there waiting to take advantage of older people, so individuals wanting work should never send money to agencies claiming to find jobs for a fee.

Taking on a small job when retiring can actually be very enjoyable, not only providing a little bit of extra cash, but also giving people an entirely new social circle; and, with retiring being an ideal time to make a career change and try something new, getting a job can bring about a new lease of life.

5 Tips for Developing a Personal Financial Plan

Financial JourneyKeeping a personal budget is not difficult in theory, but it becomes much more difficult to stick with it throughout the month. As a result, it is a good idea to write up a list of tips, as they can keep you focused on the goal at hand. If you can remember these rules, staying within your personal budget becomes much easier.

Avoid Debt

This is the main goal of developing a personal finance plan and it is also the most important thing to remember. You should never spend more money than you earn, as this puts you behind on your quest toward financial freedom.

Once you get yourself out of debt, you can start spending money again. Taking the first step is important, however, and it will take a great deal of discipline.

Pay Yourself First

This might sound like it prolongs your period in debt, but what it truly does is make the situation more livable. Paying yourself does not mean that you go out and blow all of your money right away, but it does mean that you should put money in your savings and retirement funds before you pay your creditors.

By paying yourself first, you ensure that you will always have money around, which can help you to prevent more debt in the future. If you run into an emergency, but have not put enough money into savings, you will end up right back in debt if you do not follow this plan.

Track Expenses

Another difficult aspect of personal finances is tracking your own expenses, but it is very important because it allows you to develop a plan. Save your receipts for everything for a few months, so that you can see exactly what you are spending.

This makes it easier to see where you can cut spending, which allows you to pay off your debt at a faster pace. You would not drive in a strange city without directions or a map, so you should not try to navigate your financial situation without a clear idea of where your money is going.

Stay Within Your Budget

Making a budget is easy, but it is much more difficult to stay within it. If you are committed to saving money, however, a budget can become your best friend.

By giving yourself a monthly allowance, you can be certain that you will never spend more than you make. Of course, that might mean that you have to pass on the Mustang apparel that just went on sale at your favorite store, but it is important as you attempt to reach your financial goals.

Try to Avoid Paying Interest

When you purchase something on credit, you end up paying much more than the sticker price. Therefore, it is always a good idea to save up and pay cash for something, especially if you are making a major purchase.

Of course, it is probably not possible to pay for a new home out of pocket, but you can probably afford to pay for many of your day-to-day expenses without going further into debt.

4 Great Ways To Cut Down Your Household Spending

Cost cuttingAs you’ve probably heard, the economic climate is harsh at present. Due to the rising prices of many goods, lots of families are feeling the squeeze and putting a lid on their spending. With all this going on, the last thing you might be thinking about right now as a young family is putting money aside for your children’s future – but there’s no guarantee that things will be any easier by the time your child leaves home to go to university, or search for work. No matter how bad things may seem, it’s always a good idea to at least consider putting money into a Children’s ISA.

But with an already squeezed budget, you might be asking yourself: How can it be done? How can I trim our household outgoings any more than I already have?

Here are some ways you can free up money if you’re finding it a struggle to put funds aside:

Cut Down on Unused Luxuries

We all have them: gym memberships we never use; digital channel packages we don’t watch; subscriptions to cookery or gardening magazines we never read but which seemed like a good idea at the time; the list of extraneous luxuries goes on. So, before you make a purchase or a commitment to something which requires a monthly payment plan, stop and think: Do I really need this? Can I live without it? There’s nothing the matter with indulging yourself every now and again, but if you’re going to spend money on a hobby, make sure it’s worthwhile. Remember that this is money you could be putting to better use elsewhere. 

Be Thrifty With Your Utilities 

You might think that switching off the lights in the rooms you’re not in, and not leaving the TV on standby overnight might not make much of a difference – but it all adds up. Being clever with your energy use will not only help to reduce your carbon footprint but will also reap you rewards when you receive your next utility bill – and in turn free up more money to put into your savings.

Eat In More

We all deserve a nice meal out every now and then, especially after a tough week. But it can be easy to cave in to temptation and let this become a regular fixture. Having a meal in a restaurant can seem like such an appetising prospect that we’re often blinded to the cost of it – which doesn’t hit us until we’ve got the check after a round of desserts. If you find yourself eating out regularly, this is a cost you can easily cut out. Treat yourself to a nice meal by all means – but remember that taking out and eating at home, or even cooking a special meal yourself instead of eating out regularly will almost always be cheaper. 

Take Advantage of Deals

In your household, a holiday might be a non-negotiable fixture of your year – and understandably so. We all need to take time out from our busy lifestyles every now and then. But if you’re looking to save money, it pays to seek out deals and offers and get in there early. If you’re booking a summer holiday, try and plan it in January or even before if you can, and the chances are there’ll be a host of early bird price deals on offer.

The Benefits of Seeking Professional Debt Assistance

Debt problem & assistanceFacing debt alone can be a challenging and frustrating experience. Unfortunately, getting into debt happens a lot quicker and easier than getting out of it, and the journey to becoming debt free can sometimes feel unsurmountable. The hardest step is admitting that you might need to seek help, so here are a few of the great benefits that you can experience from seeking professional debt assistance.

Assessing the Situation

A professional consultant will be able to take stock of your financial situation and give you an honest appraisal of your debt. The amount may be more or less than you initially thought, as people often don’t look at the sum of their debts as a whole. The next step is often to discuss your current budgeting strategies, and work out ways to help you immediately make small changes to improve your situation. Having an objective opinion on your debt is an invaluable benefit of seeking professional debt assistance.

Preventing Further Damage

Another important advantage of accessing expert help is that they can assist you to cease potentially damaging habits right away. Protecting your credit rating is a very important financial goal, and your consultant will be able to ensure that you retain the best possible ranking. In addition, they will be able to negotiate with your creditors, often forming agreements that will allow you to pay reduced amounts every month until you are back on track. This allows you to start working off your debts without worrying about defaulting on your loans.

Strategies that Work

Perhaps the greatest benefit of seeking professional debt assistance is that you will be presented with a range of strategies and solutions that are proven to work. Everyone’s financial situation is different, so a good consultant will tailor their solutions package to best suit your needs.

Peace of Mind

By accessing professional assistance, you can be confident that your debt is in the right hands. The most important thing to consider when selecting a debt solutions specialist is ensuring that they are reputable and professional. Unfortunately some companies simply aim to take advantage of your vulnerable financial situation, and can leave you with even worse debt than when you started. Choose a widely recognised and trusted name, such as Australian Debt Reduction. With great customer testimonials and acclaim from the media, you can be comfortable knowing that you are being looked after by a true professional who has your best financial interests at heart.

Stress Less, and Enjoy Life Again

Financial stress is one of the worst things to have to experience. It sits in the back of your mind every day, producing feelings of guilt, frustration and helplessness. Imagine getting your life back without having to worry about your debt every single day. By seeking professional debt assistance, you know that you have taken a big positive step towards eliminating your debts, and can start to focus on enjoying life once again.

Don’t let debt ruin your life, take control of your financial situation and get help today. By seeking professional debt assistance, you are proactively combating your issues with debt. It’s not easy, but with some expert assistance, you will be well on your way to a debt free life sooner than you might think!