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These Tips will Help you to Make your Very First Investment

Corey — August 31, 2020

Investing can be daunting to say the least. At the same time though, it can also be a very exciting experience. Investing can be a fantastic way for you to help other entrepreneurs reach their own goals as it helps them to have the necessary funding so they can kick start their campaign. If you are not sure about making your investment or if you want some help taking the next step then you can find out everything you need to know, right here.

Only Invest what you Are Comfortable With

It’s vital that you only invest or trade in what you are comfortable with. This may sound like an easy step, but you need to remind yourself that you should never bite off more than you can chew. Investing should be done with extra savings, and never with income that you actively depend on. As a standard rule, you need to remember that the portfolio you have should not be more than 10% of your income or net worth. Regardless of how many tempting offers you see, you need to keep in mind that most investments take some amount of time to give you a return. For this reason, you need to make sure that you are never spending more than you can afford. If you want to know more then see what the experts at bestpersonalloans.com say.

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Anyone can Invest

People really do make a generalized assumption that you need to have a huge amount of money if you want to invest and grow your savings. This is a very common misconception, because not having a lot of cash really is not a good reason for you to avoid investing. In fact, it’s actually a good reason for you to start your investment adventure. If you are not quite sure how to make the best investment then you need to make sure that you hire a financial advisor. When you do, you can then count on them to provide you with all of the support you need. They can also help you to know if there is anything that can be done to try and secure your investment, or for you to reduce the overall risk you face. Of course, some people think that by hiring a financial advisor, or a mentor, that they will be cutting into their own profits. This may be the case, but at the end of the day, they are going to boost your profits even more so the end result is well-worth it.

Do your Research

People tend to go straight into what they are familiar with. You may find that you invest in products that you are passionate about or even companies that you know that you have some degree of expertise in. This may be a good start, but just because you like something doesn’t mean that you should invest in it. Dig deep, do your research and also make sure that you know where you are putting your money. If you do this then you will soon find that you are able to come out on top and that you can also boost your investment experience.

Honesty is Always the Best Policy

It all comes down to being honest and ultimately realistic with yourself about the type of investor you want to be. Think about it, are you looking to become an investor for the long-term or are you trying to seek a fast return on your investment? What quantity do you want to invest? Decide on your limitations and also make sure that you don’t invest in something just because someone else is doing it. If you do then you may find that you end up faulting.

In Miscellaneous

Tips that will Help you to Buy a New Car on a Budget

Corey — August 31, 2020

Do you want to buy a new car on a budget? Maybe you just want to make sure that you are going to get the best result out of your purchase but don’t quite know where to start. Either way, you can find out everything you need to know, right here.

Do your Research

It’s important to know that holiday season is the prime time for people buying new vehicles. That being said, some people find all of the haggling a prime deterrent when they step foot into a dealership. This is understandable, but you have nothing to worry about. Car salesmen do have a bad rap when it comes to getting you in the car today, but at the end of the day, you also need to remember that this can work in your favour too. Make sure that you always do your research before you go to the lot and make sure that you know the lowest price another dealer is selling the car for. When you do this, you will soon find that you are able to come out on top, and that you are able to really save.

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When do you Shop?

Sometimes getting the best deal will depend on the time you go in the year and the state of the market right now. Car dealerships tend to be very keen about moving their vehicles off the lot towards the end of the sale quarter, as they have targets that they need to hit. The salesperson may agree to take a bigger hit to their finances if they know that you are willing to walk away with the car right there and then, so make sure that you keep that in mind as much as possible. If you want to help yourself here, then it may be wise for you to take out a timely finance deal. When you do, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get the result you’re looking for. If you want to get a good finance deal then click here.

Trade-ins

It’s very possible for you to use the value of your previous vehicle so you can get a much better deal on your new vehicle. If you trade-in your previous car then you will be able to shave a good amount of money off your new car. When you do this, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to save. You need to remember that car owners tend to over-value

the cars they have now because they think that they have an old or a faithful steed. This can cause you problems if you are not careful.

Savvy Buddy

It’s also very important that you bring a savvy buddy with you whenever you go to look at new cars. When you do, you will soon find that they can advise you on the car that you are buying, the value of that car and anything else you need to know. This is a fantastic way for you to save and you would be surprised at how easy it is for you to not only make sure that you are not being conned, but for you to also try and look into the various other upgrades that might be worth the money. The best thing about bringing a buddy with you is that they can also take some of the pressure away when it comes to the car salesmen in general, so keep this in mind the next time you look at a car in the dealership.

In Miscellaneous

How to Improve Your Small Business in the New Year

Corey — December 22, 2018

The new year means that it’s time to reflect on your business so you can assess what is going right and what aspects need a little work. Maybe you’re looking to set new goals for your company like a percentage of growth, an increase in net worth, or the number of clients you take on. Whatever the goal, you should sit down, make a plan, and execute it. Here are our tips to make sure that you and your small business start the new year off strong.

Pick great employees

Finding amazing employees isn’t always an easy task. First, you have to put up job postings on sites like Angie’s List or hope internal referrals bring in top-notch talent. Then, you have to sort through dozens, maybe hundreds, of resumes. Finally, you’ll have a batch of promising candidates who you’ll interview in person.

When those potential employees come in for an interview, this is the time to try to get a feel for their character and if they’d be a good fit at your company—both professionally and culturally.

Another important aspect of this process is properly screening your applicants. An employment background check helps to weed out people who are liabilities because of credit issues or a criminal history. This is an important step that can save you the hassle of having to fire and then re-hire.

Bundle your services or products

If you’re looking to increase your profits, bundling your projects can be more attractive to prospective clients. Customers may view bundles as savings, and even if the actual amount of money they save with a bundle isn’t very much, perception is everything. If you can afford to be flexible with what each bundle offers—for example, if you can swap out products or services—you may find more customers interested in buying what you’re selling.

Ask for referrals

Do you have a lot of happy customers? It’s time to tap into that valuable resource! Don’t be shy about asking your current and past clients for future customer referrals. In addition, you should also be regularly asking for reviews. Good reviews can be used as testimonials on your website or on marketing materials like brochures. Just make sure that you ask their permission first before using any quotes.

Up your social media game

If you don’t have social media for your company, make it your goal to get things going in the new year—it might just help you boost your sales. You don’t have to sweat about getting just the right hashtags or posting a photo with a particular aesthetic, you just have to get your name and brand out there.

Focus your social media strategy on four three concepts:

Consistency: try to post one post per week at a minimum. Make sure you use both hashtags and a geotag.
Follow similar businesses: one great way to build followers is to find people who are in the same industry. Who knows? Maybe it’ll lead to a collaboration of some sort.
Tell a story: nobody is going to want to follow you unless you share stories important to you and your company. Focus on a narrative when you’re posting. Maybe introduce key employees via social media posts.
Engage: ask questions, engage with customers, and encourage comments. Don’t forget to follow other accounts and comment on others’ posts as well.

If you don’t have a full-time social media strategist and don’t have the budget to hire one, consider hiring an intern to help out.

Have a promotion or sale

Having a sale might seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to raise your profits—after all, how are you going to make money by lowering the price of your products? You may be surprised to learn that sales can lead people to buy more than they would otherwise. Even if you’re offering a small discount, your product or service might seem more attractive to clients who are hesitant to bite the bullet.

Final thoughts

The new year brings forth a renewed sense of purpose when it comes to your small business. Use this time to invigorate your business with fresh ideas, innovative customer solutions, and maybe even some new employees. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and profitable 2019.

In Business

How to be a Stress-Free Landlord

Corey — April 15, 2018

If you own a rental property, you’re probably aware by now that being a landlord isn’t always as glamorous as it’s made out to be. This is especially true if you own multiple units, with multiple tenants, who have all sorts of needs. Whether it’s a flood at two in the morning, or a broken HVAC air conditioning unit during the dead of summer, maintenance issues can be difficult to attend to. Multiply that with tenant turnover, filling vacancies, scheduling showings, and soon you can find yourself severely overwhelmed.

In Business

4 Life Changes That May Affect Insurance Coverage

Corey — April 23, 2017

Buying car, life, and homeowners insurance are all ways to protect yourself from the unexpected. However, despite all efforts to prepare, life changes can affect your insurance policies in ways that may surprise you. No matter what types of life insurance policies you currently carry or how you insure your current vehicle, the changes you endure in life may change your coverage, and being aware of them can help you prepare and protect your finances.

1. A Change in Income

A change in your income, whether you are going to be making less money or more annually, can have an unexpected impact on several of your insurance policies. Depending on the change, you may qualify for new discounts, special incentives, and other perks. However, if your income will be dropping, you may want to report it to your insurance company right away, as your insurance agent may be able to adjust your premiums and make payments less of a burden.

2. A Marriage

Getting married can impact your life in many ways, but one area you may not consider right away is how this union can change your insurance status. For example, if you are a single woman and then get married, your name change and your marital status should be reported because you may have to merge your existing policies with those of your spouse, or it may be necessary to create new ones. If you and your new spouse plan to have a joint auto policy, this may save you money, so it is something to consider once you are married.

Getting married can also cause significant changes to your life insurance policy. You may want to change your beneficiary, or your spouse may want to add you. You might want to review your policies with a qualified agent to ensure they are modified in a way that will cover your both.

3. Birth of a Child

The birth of a child is one of life’s most blessed events, but it can also be one of the most life changing as well. Being responsible for the care and protection of an infant will now be a major priority for you, and as such, you may have to adjust one or more of your insurance policies to include your child as a beneficiary or include him or her under a blanket of coverage.

If you adopt an older child and he or she is old enough to learn to drive, adding him or her to your car insurance policy may cause your rates to go up because of their age and driving inexperience. If you live in Northern Ohio, you may want to contact a Cleveland insurance agency to assist you in reviewing your car insurance, as the experts there may be able to help you find discounts and more affordable premiums.

4. Buying a New Home or Car

You should notify your insurance carriers right away if you plan on buying a new home or auto. The size of home you buy or the type of car you choose could radically change your insurance coverage.

Life can change unexpectedly and change your insurance status as well. However, it does not have to result in higher insurance premiums or policy confusion, especially when you take steps to plan for the future.

In Insurance

Does God Want You to Drive a Hybrid?

Corey — March 12, 2017

While Christianity is filled with competing voices like anything else, there are many things that I see as common sense. One of these is caring for the environment. Maybe I am naive, but I think it only makes sense that God would want everyone to care for the world that God created. Why would any creator create something and not care if anyone destroyed it? To put it simply, God DOES care whether we preserve the environment that we are responsible for.

This may sound a little idealistic to many of my readers. And in many ways, it is. It is idealistic. It is one of those “perfect world” attributes. It’s idealistic because real life is much more complicated than caring for the environment or not. Most of us probably drove to work today, emitting CO2 along the way. It’s easy for someone else to say that you need to take public transportation, live within walking distance, or bike to work, but it’s much more complicated than that, isn’t it? We obviously need to work and earn a living for our families, but at what cost to the environment. Until recently, there was no easy solution to this dilemma.

What’s changed? The introduction of the hybrid or the eco friendly car. Along with the invention of hybrid or electric cars, we have seen the fuel efficiency increased of cars and the potential for decreasing the CO2 emissions. Today, I’d like to talk about whether the hybrid is a necessity for bible-believing Christians.

Green Bible Verses

For those who don’t agree with my basic premise that environmental concern is a Christian theme, here are several passages that illustrate the green theme within the Bible.

Genesis 1:31

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”

Numbers 35:33-34

“‘Do not pollute the land where you are… ³⁴Do not defile the landwhere you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.’”

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”

Revelation 11:18b

…destroying those who destroy the earth.

While I don’t have time to give the context of each of the above passages, suffice it to say that each one supports this idea of preserving God’s creation. Throughout the Bible we are told to preserve that which God has given us. Why would the earth be any different?

Why You Should Get a Hybrid

Getting a hybrid car may seem like an unnecessary expense (or too costly of an expense to justify the reward), but it is well worth it. In fact, there are a number of benefits for getting a hybrid.

Lower Fuel Costs – The obvious savings on gas is huge. If you look at the best green cars and see that they get 50% better MPG, that means your fuel costs are 2/3 of what they used to be.
Less CO2 Emissions – While this may also be obvious, people fail to realize how much lower Carbon Dioxide levels benefit them. It not only means less pollution to the earth, but also lower rates of environment-caused diseases/medical conditions.
Increased Focus on Hybrids by Manufacturers – Another benefit of buying a green car is that it notifies manufacturers that consumers want more fuel efficient cars. Manufacturers want to make a profit, so they will target their products appropriately. Think about how big of a change the car industry could have if consumers demanded more fuel efficient cars. It is starting to move that way now with completely electric cars, but it still has a long way to go.

While it may take a few more years for hybrid cars to become popular, it doesn’t mean that you should wait. The increased affordability and instant savings in gas should be enough. If it isn’t, consider your ethical commitments to preserve that which God created.

In Miscellaneous environmental care, green bible verses, green cars, hybrid, hybrid car

Why Hiring a Tax Professional Could Work in Your Favor

Corey — February 14, 2017

It is tax season again and you may be asking yourself, “Should I invest in a tax professional this year?” Depending on your life circumstances and the complexity of your taxes, the answer is probably yes. While we may like to cling to our tax software that allows us quick access and less face-to-face communication, sometimes there is nothing like the real thing. A tax professional can help you with a myriad of issues regarding marriage, divorce, new children, small businesses, deductions, and so much more. If you are still unsure as to whether you should hire a tax professional, here are the reasons why hiring a professional could work in your favor.

Save Money in the Long Run

In the beginning, it may seem not worth it—why pay money for something you can do yourself? The difference between you and a tax professional, however, is that they have spent many years studying the subject of tax law and refining his or her accounting skills. You may have to pay a $250 fee, but the deductions they can find will add up over time to create a much bigger refund in the end that far outweighs the cost.

Save Time

Let’s face it, in your busy life, you simply do not have the time to invest in your taxes. Or rather, you may have the time, but why do it yourself anyway? If you are an especially busy person obligated to your job, your family, or other priorities, you may be spread too thin to possibly take on one more task. Not only is doing your taxes actually taxing (no pun intended), but you are likely to make more errors if you are under additional stress.

Reduce Errors

As mentioned above, there is always a chance you will make an error. In all likelihood, however, a tax professional will be more adept at finding potential errors and either preventing them or fixing them. This will reduce the chance that the IRS contacts you with a discrepancy or that you suffer a penalty for some unintended reason.

Get Expert Advice

There are tax professionals, such as financial analysts and certified public accountants, who are more than qualified to give you his or her expert advice. This is something that tax software can’t do—put a human touch on the finance experience. Form a business relationship with a tax professional so that you can consult them in regard to you financial future. Whether you wish to fine-tune the finances of your business, ensure the financial security of your family, or plan your next vacation, there are many ways a tax professional can put you on the right path in order for you to achieve your goals.

Representation During an Audit

If you ever have a reason to be represented before the IRS, many tax professionals are qualified to do so. Attorneys, enrolled agents, and certified public accountants are all certified by the IRS to have unlimited rights to represent the tax payer before the IRS. Whether you received an undo penalty, an audit, or a Notice of Intent to Levy, a tax professional can ease your troubled mind by putting in the muscle-work for you. Their dedication to supporting you will prove to be instrumental as you navigate those times. In addition, audits have increased. You are more likely to get audited more frequently now than in the past. Therefore, you will want someone on your side who can gather all of your records or and represent for you. If you are having issues regarding your taxes, a professional can help you by helping you benefit from the IRS fresh start initiative.

Peace of Mind

At the end of the day, it just feels better to know that you are in good hands. A competent and ethical tax professional will work to give you the best out of your refund while remaining in the bounds of tax law. You can be confident that your trusted tax professional will look out for you and your financial wellbeing.

In Taxes

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