Category: Money Matters

This 2019 it will be a tricky year for property buyers. Do you want to know why? It is because they will continue to vie for a lesser supply of properties.

Plus, mortgages rates and home prices are, believe it or not, likely to increase or move upward, peeving affordability. As we move forward to a new year, many home buyers are looking forward to the mortgage trends.

As a home buyer, it is imperative to know and learn the mortgage trends that will likely to happen in 2019. By that, you can prepare yourself for what’s to come. For a little help, here are five mortgage and housing trends to look out for in 2019.

2019 Will Be A Seller’s Market

For the past years, real estate has been, for the most part, a seller’s market. Meaning, there are more home buyers compared to the properties for sale. Thus, putting the negotiating power in the property seller’s direction.

And this 2019, it will still be a seller’s market. However, it will be a bad situation for property buyers if it will still be a seller’s market this year.

But, fortunately, there is a little hope for home buyers. In 2019, the supply of properties will rise. However, the problem is that the demand is also, for the most part, expected to exceed supply, even though there will be more properties for sale.

According to Realtor.com, although the housing situation isn’t getting worse for property buyers, it is also not doing good in most markets. Furthermore, according to Freddie Mac, unless housing construction improves, property costs will ramp up as well, limiting home formation and restricting a lot of people for homeownership.

Housing Costs Will Increase

Housing costs are, like it or not, expected to bring bad news, good news in 2019. So, to start off, the bad news is that the housing costs will keep ramping up. But the good news is that the housing prices will not increase as fast as they did in the past year.

According to the liege economist for the NAR or National Association of Realtors Lawrence Yun, housing cost appreciation will decline, but they will continue to increase. According to him, it is expected that the housing costs will increase in 2019, particularly 2.5 percent, with a median of $265,200.

If you compare it in the past year, it was about a 4.7 percent rise in housing prices, to a median of $258,700. Moreover, Realtor.com and CoreLogic also forecast a slowdown in housing costs in 2019.

Homes Tend To Get Smaller

From a house purchaser’s point of view, most markets require more houses available to be purchased, and they should be on the reasonable end of the value scale. All things considered, a lot of first-time property buyers purchase short-term homes rather than forever homes, with costs under the area’s median. There are indications that property builders are reacting by building more affordable, smaller homes.

According to Robert Dietz, expert for the National Association of Home Builders, proceeding with a multiyear trend, single-family home sizes diminished amid the second from last quarter of 2018. New home size has been slumping over the past three years because of a steady move to additional entry-level housing development.

As indicated by the U.S. Registration Bureau, the middle size of single-family homes began in the second from last quarter of 2018 was 2,320 square feet. That is 4.9% lesser than the middle size of new homes three years sooner, at 2,440 square feet.

Also, he said that home developers were centered around that $500,000-and-up market because the edges were more advantageous, but they’re beginning to discover now that there’s such a significant amount of repressed interest in the lower-end-valued market that they can economically offer networks and new development, and we’ve seen a ton of progress in that space.

Year-over-year average costs for new homes started decelerating in spring 2018. At $309,700, the average price of another home in October was 3.1% lower than the middle new-home value a year sooner. In any case, Fannie Mae and NAR foresee that new-home costs will ascend in 2019.

First-time Home Buyers Will Increase

The real estate and mortgage industries are centered around serving first-time home purchasers, and in light of current circumstances: first-time home buyers have overwhelmed the mortgage industry for as far back as ten years. And they are still increasing today as per an Urban Institute report distributed this mid-year, which includes, we won’t see this changing at any point in the near future.

Prior to the housing disaster, first-time home purchasers took out about 40 percent of procurement contracts, as per the establishment. Recently the novice share has been about 60 percent.

Tian Liu, financial analyst for Genworth Mortgage Insurance, says 80 percent of the development in home deals in the previous three years has originated from first-time purchasers. Do you want to know why? First-time home buyers represent years of repressed demand.

Home Sellers Could Struggle

As referenced previously, 2019 will remain a merchant’s market, where home buyers exceed supply. However, that doesn’t mean home dealers can anticipate offering wars from urgent purchasers.

That is particularly the situation with individuals who are moving homes that cost over the area’s median, Realtor.com financial expert Hale says. First-time purchasers command most markets, and they will, in general, shop for homes estimated underneath their area’s median. As a merchant, Hale says, in case you’re in that above-middle value point, you will need to value aggressively and offer motivating forces for purchasers.

Takeaway

So, 2018 was such a tease in the real estate industry. Will 2019 deliver more of the same outcomes? What are the trends that you should look out for this year? Whether you are staying put, buying, or selling, the above trends are the mortgage trends that you need to know. Keep your eyes and ears open for the upcoming trends by staying up to date with various mortgage groups such as Annapolis Mortgage Group.

College is expensive, but the cost of NOT going to college is even more expensive. Check out this list of the 9 most affordable colleges to find the best ROI.

There is no doubt about it, college is expensive. And it gets more expensive every year.

At the same time, the cost of not going to college is getting more expensive. According to the Pew Research Center, college graduates earn about $17,500 more annually compared to adults who did not graduate from college.

For a young person who is planning to attend college, it’s essential for them to make sure their education is worth it. To make sure earning a degree pays off, it’s vital to consider how to get the best ROI. In other words, you’ll need to compare the cost of a degree versus an estimate of the income you’ll later make.

To help you, we’ve put together a list of the 9 most affordable colleges in terms of ROI, making it easier to narrow down which affordable college is the best fit.

United States Merchant Marine Academy

If you get into the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and are willing to serve 5 years in the military, it is well worth the time and money. In fact, any military service academy is a great choice.

Students at the United States Merchant Marine Academy attend a rigorous academic program, but school is affordable because taxpayer dollars pay for it. Here’s a little bit more about USMMA:

• In comparison to other Federal service academies, USMMA requires more credit hours for a baccalaureate degree.
• Even though the coursework may be challenging, many enjoy the Academy’s Sea Year program which teaches midshipmen the skills they need to perform well on commercial vessels.
• Upon graduation, graduates are obligated to serve their country for five years. They have the most career options more than any other federal academy.
• After completing their service, grads are highly sought after by high-paying employers.

Colorado School of Mines

The Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO offers many engineering and applied science degrees that result in high-paying careers upon completion. It’s affordable for many students because it offers many student grants, scholarships, and loans.

However, the school is very selective about admissions. The average student has a 3.8 high school GPA and an ACT score of 31. Learn more about The Colorado School of Mines:

• Like we mentioned above, most students don’t end up paying full price to attend Colorado School of Mines. Financial aid makes up the difference so that students can afford school.
• Students who attend receive institutional aid, which means that fewer students have to take out loans.
• According to Mines, 85% of 2015-16 graduates (BS) started working in the industry right away or continued onto graduate school. What’s more, they also had an average starting salary of $67,229 (BS).
• To view the full cost of attendance at the Colorado School of Mines, visit this page.

Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology, also known as Georgia Tech, is one of the leading research universities in the United States. It is also a top-ranked public college, so if you want the experience of a large university, but with the academics of a smaller school, GT is worth consideration

• It ranks in the top 10 in the country for best undergraduate computer science programs and engineering.
• According to PayScale.com, Tech is ranked #1 for annual in-state return on investment.
• It provides education in a variety of fields from engineering and computing to design and liberal arts.
• According to Georgia Tech, as of Spring 2018, employers had already offered 66% of undergraduate students a job. Also, the average salary was $70,500 which doesn’t even include bonus offers! That’s pretty impressive!

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Out of state students can rejoice because The Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of the most affordable schools for students looking to cross state lines. In addition to being affordable, the degrees offered by Missouri S&T are well worth the investment.

Missouri S&T is one of the top engineering schools in the country and has made several lists stating that the university has some of the best ROI degrees in the United States.

You can view a full cost estimate here.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Not only is South Dakota School of Mines & Technology affordable, the cost of living in Rapid City, SD only adds to its value. After completing a bachelor’s degree, recent grads who decide to advance their education or start a career make around $61,346 as their starting wage.

• SD Mines is a STEM university, and the industry recognizes its students as very talented scientists, engineers, and graduates with excellent work ethics.
• They focus their research on advanced energy, materials for extreme environments, manufacturing, and more.
• A School of Mines education prepares students for high levels of achievement in engineering, and students can rest easy knowing their education and knowledge won’t compromise their financial future
• Students benefit from over $16 million in financial aid from multiple funding sources.

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is one of the least expensive schools on our list. Even though it’s affordable doesn’t mean the degrees aren’t valuable.

It’s true that other students who graduate from different universities might have a slightly higher-paying job after graduation. However, NMT is a smaller university (which means students get paid more attention in class), with an affordable location to boot.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offer valuable and high-quality education, making it one of the top engineering schools in the United States. The University, also known as Virginia Tech, provides some of the best STEM and business programs.

• Virginia Tech is rated as a top military-friendly school.
• In June 2017, Virginia Tech’s natural resources program ranked No. 1 in the nation for its third consecutive year.
• The student body is also known as one of the happiest in the country, but that doesn’t mean they’re afraid of hard work.

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Montana Tech is one of the most picturesque small schools on this list. Located in Butte, MT (population just over 33,000), this is the ideal school for someone who wants to be close to nature while receiving a world-class education. It’s also encouraging that during the 2016-2017 school year, around 86% of students received some type of aid.

Purdue University

Purdue has a long history of producing successful graduates, including 24 astronauts. US News ranks Purdue as the #1 Biological/Agricultural Engineering schools and they also have some of the top chemistry and pharmaceutical programs.

In closing, it’s nice finding a university where the education is affordable, but costs isn’t everything. It’s value that matters the most.

Students must weigh the cost of their degree with how much their income may be in the future. If tuition costs a lot now, but later you’re given the opportunity to work for a high-paying company, paying off student loans shouldn’t take long. And when the upside far outweighs the initial cost, the degree is definitely worth it.

A common motto is to “follow your dreams,” and you should. However, it’s still essential to make wise decisions in regards to which school is best to attend as well as which degree to get. Also, let’s not forget how crucial future job opportunities are.

The right university will open up endless possibilities, making the investment worthwhile.

 Author Bio:

Rachael Miesen has been with Continuum Partners since 2017. Rachael supports the Market Station leasing team and also works as project team support for the development team on the Market Station project in Denver, Westridge project in Midland Texas and Produce, LA in Los Angeles. Rachael previously worked as a project coordinator for a multifamily developer with projects in Denver and Phoenix.

Safety is a major concern on the Internet.  All it takes is one visit to a sketchy website to ruin your device.  But how do we protect our computers from potential harm?  Using common sense can save you from most troubles.  For example, you shouldn’t click a random link in an e-mail from someone you don’ know.

Unfortunately, we all make mistake from time to time.  An experienced system admin can still get a virus on his computer from a simple mistake, that’s why you should always depend on an anti-virus.What exactly is an anti-virus, and why is it important? Let’s start with defining the term “anti-virus”.

1.   What exactly is an anti-virus?

When your computer is infected with a virus, your computer itself doesn’t know.  Computers aren’t sentient.  Acknowledging this, companies have manufactured software known as anti-viruses.

These anti-viruses are tools that your computer can use to detect any threats to your system.  This is not to be confused with anti-malware.  While anti-viruses can detect malware, anti-malware CANNOT detect viruses.

2.   Ok, so how do they work?

When you download a program or click a sketchy link, your computer adopts a “no questions asked” policy.  While convenient, this method isn’t secure.  Anti-viruses adopt their own policies for your own good.

Programs or files that get downloaded to your system must pass a security check, done by the anti-virus.  The anti-virus will proceed to reference a database of known viruses and malware. If any of these are found in the files, the process in question is stopped.  This is when the anti-virus notifies you of the potential threat.

Now, you’re probably wondering how an anti-virus can protect you from unknown viruses.  The short answer is a process known as heuristics. Heuristics is a process where an anti-virus tests and spectates a file or program when it is opened.  If a file is infected, it will exhibit strange behavior.  Examples of this strange behavior include rapid replication, modifying unrelated files, and opening other files/programs.

Once the anti-virus notices this strange behavior, it treats the file just the same as known threats.  From then on, the now-known virus is reported to the company that owns the anti-virus so they can update security parameters.

Now, there are other ways heuristics are used,though these other processes are only used in more advanced anti-virus solutions.  These advanced solutions can isolate files in their own sandbox, so no harm can’t be done.  There are varying options depending on the type of anti-virus you buy, so be sure to research the anti-virus’ operations.

3.   Yes, but why exactly do I need one?

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, mistakes happen.  No matter how much common sense you possess, viruses and malware can hide in any program they want.

Certain video games on Steam have been known to possess spyware, and I highly doubt you planned on buying malware.  An anti-virus program will be able to detect what you can’t, making this tool invaluable.

On the other hand, some people question the effectiveness of anti-virus programs.  If you regularly spend time on tech forums, you might notice ranting about McAfee or Norton, two prominent anti-virus solutions. Not all anti-virus programs are equal to each other, that much is true. Luckily, we don’t have to play Russian roulette when it comes to choices, as many websites have documented success rates.  As long as you do perform proper research,you can’t make a bad choice.

4.   What if I Still don’t get one?

If after all this you still don’t want to download an anti-virus program, there are still other protective measures you can take to protect yourself from harm.

The first option is to keep your system updated.  Honestly, you should be doing this anyway.  Keeping your operating system updated will make sure any holes in security are patched.

Don’t stop updating at the operating system level.  Keeping your BIOS updated is extremely important as well.  A computer’s BIOS doesn’t require constant updating, but the few updates that coexist are usually for hardware and security vulnerabilities.  This is especially true on brand new hardware that hasn’t been tested properly.

One other form of protection you can use is turning Windows Firewall on.  The firewall is meant to keep threats from infecting your computer through network-related issues.  Think of a firewall like…a wall.  Pretty self-explanatory, right?  A firewall focuses on external threats, while an antivirus focuses on internal threats.  Having the firewall on is vital to your system.

Lastly, common sense is a lifesaver.  I’ve already mentioned it a few times now,but most threats can be avoided through logical thinking.  If a website looks sketchy leave.  If a stranger sends you an e-mail with a sketch link, don’t click it.  Simple, but effective.

5.   So, should I buy an anti-virus?

Maybe or maybe not.  The answer depends on how you plan on using the anti-virus program.  If you want the best of the best and plan on using it for company-wide operation, you might want to spend money on an anti-virus solution.

If you plan on using an anti-virus for personal computer use, payment isn’t really needed.  Many popular anti-viruses are free to use for basic operations.  Windows even comes with its own anti-virus solution, Windows Defender.

My personal recommendation is to install a quality anti-virus and pair it with a good anti-malware solution.  While an anti-virus can detect malware, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  I use Avast as my anti-virus, with Malware bytes as my anti-malware.

One thing to note is that even free anti-virus software can have paid options.  Avast will scan and take care of viruses for you but paying for a membership can give you access to more options.  An anti-virus is essential for any computer, that’s a fact. The only thing you must decide is which one you need.

 About the Author:

Jack is an accomplished cybersecurity expert with years of experience under his belt at TechWarn, a trusted digital agency to world-class cybersecurity companies. A passionate digital safety advocate himself, Jack frequently contributes to tech blogs and digital media sharing expert insights on topics such as whistle blowing and cybersecurity tools. https://www.techwarn.com/author/jack-warner/

Perhaps you’re considering buying an investment property in South Florida through a unit trust or company structure, or you could simply be wanting to buy land with a view so you can build a house. Either way, you’ve thought about investing into a property and in an ever changing buying and investment market there is always more to learn. If you happen to be looking at buying an asset such as an investment property for extra passive income or a potential tax benefit then you are on your way to a good start by doing research on investment properties first. It doesn’t make a difference on whether you are a brand new to properties investment or if you already own significant real estate and have a portfolio, the more you know about investing, the smarter you are about buying.

What makes property investments so special is that they are highly leveraged, by using leverage with not many funds available you can potentially magnify your return greatly.

The ‘right’ investment loan depends on an individuals financial goals. There are several different borrowing options and strategies available for an investment property loans provider in South Florida.

The issue with assessing a range of possibilities and opportunities is simply dealing with the large number of different outcomes. Understanding your own needs before starting your venture and working with a good finance broker can come in handy. Although each project has unique financial needs, it’s not hard to understand the simple fact that some products on the market have better features or a bigger variety of features than others. Some loans you’ll find will offer large amounts of perks and benefits, if the loan is cheap; banks are making their money through those perks. On the other hand, some loans are cheaper than others and don’t offer the amount of perks. If you have the time to combine these two ideas and look at all of the loans with the most features that have a good price range you should head over to https://www.investmentproperty.loans/.

 

One of the biggest challenge families face today are the conciliation of their job with their family obligations. We are not in the 50′s or 60′s anymore where the man provided the income for the entire family while the woman stayed at home to raise children and work on the household tasks. The economic factors has changed a lot since then and one income is not enough for the majority of American families. In today’s families, the mom and the dad have to go to work to support the cost of living, and it becomes a real race for the parents to manage the family tasks from the moment you put a foot out of the bed till you go back to sleep in the evening. Children to feed, dress, drive to school or daycare center, go to work, comeback on time before 5:00 PM (because most daycare centers closes), eat dinner, help children to do their school homework, bath time, put them to sleep, then maybe get a rest if there are no more household tasks to do. You see the big picture? In these different economic times we have no choice but to have two or multiple incomes to secure the future of the family.

New moms… get back to work

The point we want to emphasize in this article is the painful moment where the new mom has to go back to work. You went through pregnancy, gave birth to your baby and pass the last 6 to 12 months with your baby but now you have to put him in a daycare center so you can go back to work to bring back that second income. How do you feel about that? Many of you are probably happy to take back your respective career, and that’s very good. But I know that millions of moms would like to stay home with their little darling. Well, have you ever consider working from home?

Two Types of income exist: linear income and residual income

Linear income means trading your time for money. You work on a time basis. If you stop working, you stop being paid. Residual income or recurring income means being paid forever for a work you have done once. No matter what can of income you want, it is possible for moms to stay home and find a work that best suit your needs.

What kind of jobs can you do? Here is a list of simple ideas you could start with. We will not go deeper into everyone of them as we just want to give you a place to start. You can do your own research easily and gather the information on the one you prefer.

Internet Business – Most people will use the internet to create their home jobs. Earning residual income from affiliate programs is one of the most popular. Companies pay you for referring their products and services. If you google affiliate programs, you will find tons of information about the subject and how to start a home business on the internet.

Start a Childcare Referral Services – Thousands of parents need trustable childcare services. Many of them don’t know where to look or don’t have the time to search for the best one for their children. That’s where you could step in.

Start a Home Laundry Business – Take a look at your colleagues, neighbors, friends. How many of them are running after the clock. Maybe you could start a home laundry business and find many potential customers that need to unload their household tasks. You could easily earn a 100 dollars a day in short period of time.

Earn a Living With Your Writing – If you like to write, you could easily earn some good income writing for others. Many people need content for their websites but don’t have the time to write, so they outsource their works to others. A site like elance.com, gather the two parties. As a writer, you can find or submit to people who are looking for you.

Whether you are a small business or a big business, the importance of having business insurance is just as important as any other aspect of your company you are in. There are all types of business insurance policies available that any business should consider adding to their portfolio. Not only can these types of business insurance protect you and your company from unforeseen problems, but can also help offset any costs associated with problems that may occur.

Finding the best business insurance quotes depends on the insurance you are shopping for and how much coverage you will need for that particular policy. Many businesses need some kind of Worker’s Compensation insurance. Other businesses might need quotes for Business Auto insurance policies. Business Property insurance could be advisable for any business where people could get injured on the grounds where they are located. There is also Employment Practices insurance, Commercial General Liability insurance, as well as business insurance for Bonds. There are many things to consider for any business when deciding if one or all of these insurances can be beneficial to them.

This insurance is meant to help owners be able to keep the business intact even after the occurrence of an unfortunate event. There is nothing more frustrating, especially to a small business owner, than having to close up shop because of losing a battle in the court room. To know more about Insurance and its benefits you can read more here.

Small business owners beware

As a small business owner you don’t want to work hard for your business to get where you can be happy with it only to lose it because of some unfortunate event that you could have had protection against. Business insurance can help protect you and your business from financial ruin, as well as make you feel comfortable about not losing everything you worked so hard to build.

There are three types of insurance recommended for small business owners.

1. Workers compensation is now required by law for any business employing more than one person. It is also highly recommended that small business owners retain some form of
2. Liability and
3. Property insurance

While bigger companies may be able to handle some kind of lawsuit, getting sued as a small business could put an end to the business as a whole. Deciding against these types of insurance, especially in a society where people are more eager to sue than ever, could have dire consequences should a lawsuit come out unfavorable for the small business owner. In addition to workmen’s compensation, most businesses should consider some kind of liability and property insurance to protect themselves and their property.

Small business property insurance that can be purchased covers you in case of fire or other catastrophic occurrence. You will also be covered for any expenses to move an object to protect it from further damage. There are three ways to determine what amount the property insurance will cover. It can be based on an agreed upon amount, the replacement value, or the property’s actual cash value. The agreed upon amount usually applies to unique property such as artwork. The replacement value is determined by the cost of replacing an item, with no depreciation being allowed on the property. The actual cash value is the replacement cost minus the depreciation.

According to the Hartford’s “Business Owner’s Handbook” there are over 15 things any small business should have insurance for. Among these are your buildings and structures, leased equipment, inventory, and furniture. The rest are pretty much made up of everything that is used in a business. Don’t forget whatever you use to help your business needs to be insured or you could run the risk of having to start your business all over again. There are more affordable plans becoming available all the time, so check out some free quotes while you are here. It might just be worth your time.

Take an account of all the things you use in your business, and then come to a value on each. Depending on the amount you come out with you need to be sure there will be enough insurance coverage to replace those items if needed. Business owners who rent should be aware that their equipment by not be covered, no matter how good their landlord’s insurance may be. Make sure you don’t lose your livelihood because you thought someone else had it covered. Get a free business quote now and see what could be the best decision you’ve made.

Small Business Coverage Can Be Found

There are companies that actually specialize in small business coverage, and you can find them here at (GGGGGG). Some policies you will find can cover you if you also own the building or if the building you are in is destroyed. You can even be insured for damaged landscaping or any signs that you use for your business. Always keep these things at the forefront of any discussions about business insurance because many are not standard, so be sure to know exactly what your covered for so there will be no surprises. You don’t want to lose your tools in a storm and then be told they weren’t part of the policy. Be sure you cover what you need, because there will be insurance that could be worth the investment down the road.

The companies are not hard to find, and instead of chasing them have them chasing you.

Do I Need Liability Insurance?

Don’t lose everything because your business is being sued. You can protect your assets with liability insurance. Sometimes people sue businesses without even having a case. This insurance will cover your legal fees to defend yourself and your company against any fraudulent accusations. There are certain things liability insurance won’t normally cover, such as sexual harassment or wrongful termination cases, but this insurance can be purchased to include these options as well.

Specialized Liability Policies

1. Business Identity Theft
2. Employment Practices insurance
3. Professional Liability, can include Errors and Omissions insurance
4. Director’s and Officers Liability insurance

What you pay at the register seems to increase every time your visit the supermarket. Organize your supermarket shop around what you need, what’s on sale and where’s best to go.

• If you’re only doing a little shop, pick a small supermarket. You may pay a fraction more, but if you’re only after a few bits you’ll be less tempted to buy extras you don’t really need at a small basic supermarket.
• If you’re buying in bulk, go large. If you’ve a tribe to feed, you’re having a party or you’re a pro at freezer meals, buy what you can in bulk from the supermarkets when it’s on sale.
• Watch out for sell-by dates. Late in the day, produce that’s about to go past its sell-by date (not the use-by date) gets marked down. Have a look in the bakery section and you could save yourself a good few dollars, but remember it’s only a bargain if you can use the food up straight away!
• Always make a list. Buy what you need to make the meals you’ve planned and to restock your cupboards, not just at whim. Plan a few days ahead and pop back in for extras rather than buy food you end up throwing away.
• Shop around. You can save a lot at bargain basement supermarkets, even if you buy certain items elsewhere. It’s a jungle out there, so the golden rule is try everything once. Decide where you’d rather spend your hard-earned cash on quality items and where you can get hold of the same quality for less.
• Don’t be fooled by swish packaging and ignore your own prejudices. The supermarket’s own brand products can also be just as good as the pricey big brands and save you dollars, so road test them. Try out the different supermarket brands as well: once you’ve got the packaging off, it may be you can’t tell the difference between the glossy premium brand and the smiley budget brand…and you don’t need a degree in marketing to figure out which one the supermarket wants you to buy!
• Items like flour, rice, pasta, noodles, tomato sauce, milk, cream, paper towel are all great examples of home brand items that you don’t know the difference with. In fact, if you read the labels on some of them, they are probably made in the same factory.
• Compare the price per 100g only. The supermarkets are starting to show this on the price tickets. It’s the best measure for price comparison. Don’t forget – just cause the small box is on special, doesn’t mean the big box isn’t cheaper at the regular price.
• Don’t be a slave to supermarket gimmicks. There’s a reason why the chocolate and magazines are placed by the register, the children’s sweets are placed at their eye (and hand) level, and you have to spend hours cruising the aisles to find the few little bits you popped in for (you never find the bread, milk and eggs together in the first aisle). Another trick: take a closer look and you’ll see that the most expensive products are tactically placed on the middle shelf, at your eye level. Look up and down for the lower prices.
• Special offers, reductions, and other promotions can be false economics. Especially if the supermarket puts the price up just before reducing it, to con you into thinking you’re saving more. If the reduced item is on your shopping list, it’s in the bag. If not, look at the price per kilo, check how much you’re actually saving and only buy it if you’re sure you’ll actually use it.
• Shop on a full stomach. The smell of fresh bread from the bakery or the BBQ chicken’s from the deli is wafted over to entice you as soon as you walk in. If you’re full, you’re more likely to stick to what you need rather than filling your trolley with pricey, processed cakes, biscuits and chocolate.
• If you only need a few things, don’t get a trolley; get a basket. You are more likely to grab extra things you don’t need if you have a trolley.
• Get a loyalty card. Don’t tie yourself down to one supermarket just because you can earn points there, but by all means get loyalty cards for all the supermarkets you shop in and save up your points to use at Christmas or earn yourself gifts.

What type of business insurance is best for you? Do you even know what type of business insurance is available? If you own a company or are thinking about starting one, you will need to look into the different types of business insurance policies that are available. You may be thinking that you do not have the time to look into business insurance, but the fact of the matter is that you have to make time. If you do not you may end up getting your company into hot water. There are many different details that will determine the type of business insurance that you purchase.

First off, you will need to take your budget into consideration. Every company would love to have the best type of business insurance, but sometimes this is not possible. You may need to work within your budget to find a company that suits your needs. There is nothing wrong with buying a “lesser’ business insurance policy as long as you are getting the coverage that you need, and that you know exactly what you are getting.

Another thing to look at when determining what type of business insurance to buy is the structure of your company. The fact of the matter is that some businesses need a higher level of insurance because there is a much better chance that they are going to need to make a claim at some point in time. If you are not sure of your risk factor, an agent should be able to sit down with you to determine this.

Overall, the type of business insurance that you buy has a lot to do with your company’s situation. Since every company is different, each one will need a different type of business insurance. If you think that you know what type of business insurance you need to ahead and make a purchase today. But if you need some help you will be much better off speaking with an agent. This way you will get what you want, and not have to worry about getting stuck in a bad position.

Most WAHMs operate from their home.  One of your biggest tax deductions may be your home office, so it’s important to learn what expenses you can deduct.

If your home office qualifies, you may be able to deduct part of your housing expenses on your tax return. Your home office qualifies if it is your principal place of business, and you use it regularly and exclusively for business.

To pass the ‘place of business’ test, your home office must be the principal place you conduct your business, or a place where you regularly meet clients or customers, or it must be a separate structure not attached to your home.  If you store inventory for your home-based business, that may also qualify you for the home office deduction.

Regular and exclusive use means that you spend at least 10-12 hours per week conducting business in your home office, and that you don’t use this room for other purposes. For example, if you use part of the room as a laundry room or children’s play room, you may not qualify for the home office deduction (unless you segregate the separate areas and the ‘business area’ is used only for business purposes).

Expenses that can be deducted include mortgage interest, real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, repairs, security, and depreciation. Only the business use percentage of these expenses can be deducted. The business use percentage is calculated by dividing the square footage of the office space by the square footage of the home, or by dividing the number of rooms you use for business by the number of rooms in your home.

Direct expenses, such as repairs made solely to the room used for your home office, or telephone lines installed just for business use, can be deducted in full. Indirect expenses, such as mortgage interest and real estate taxes should be allocated between the home office deduction and your itemized deductions to get the greatest tax benefit.

Caution: Your business must earn a profit to take the home office deduction. If your home office expenses are larger than your business profits, you must carry the excess expenses forward to future years.