Planning for retirement is a crucial part for individuals of every age. If you are nearing retirement, you might assume that your life will slow down, and you will be able to make room for leisure. However, in order to maintain the lifestyle, you need to do effective retirement income planning so that you need not worry about the finances and the money. Here are a few essential tips for retirement planning.
Pay off the outstanding debts
If you have debts of any kind, it is important to ensure that you retire debt free. Do not carry on the burden of debt to your retirement years. Being debt-free should be your primary goal during retirement. You need to start early and target the consumer debt first. Consider the number of monthly payments you will have to make to go debt free and act upon it immediately.
Select primary accounts
If you have different bank accounts, you need to simplify them by choosing one or two accounts and moving all the balances there. You should limit the finances to a single checking and savings account. Liquidate the other accounts so that you do not have to maintain a minimum balance in the same. It will also make it easier for you to manage the funds at all times.
Consider annuity
Annuities are financial instruments that are perfect for retirement income planning. They offer fixed income to retired individuals and they come in a range of variations. You will receive a fixed income payment over the period and the payment will be stable. Hence, even if you think annuities are difficult to understand, they are worth the time and investment.
Consolidate your investments
Your investment account might have too many stocks or funds. It could become difficult to handle in the long term. Hence, if the funds overlap each other, you should not diversify the portfolio any further. Simplify your investments by consolidating the portfolio. You can achieve the right diversification in your investment portfolio with lower fees and fewer funds.
Consider these tips for retirement income planning and start working on them as soon as you can. Always keep in mind that you need to have a stable source of income during your retirement, hence, consider investment products that offer fixed income and are low in risk. During retirement, it is all about simplifying your accounts and investments.
There are numerous reasons why you might need financing. Whether it is for your personal needs or for business needs, financing options are always available for you. As you explore your options, you need to understand the features and the terms of the same. A cash loan is one such option that you should be aware of.
What is a cash loan?
Cash loan is a short-term loan, which is taken against the credit card line. It will allow you to use your credit card and get a loan. It is different from a cash withdrawal because a cash advance has to be paid back. Basically, you are using your credit card to buy cash instead of goods and services. It is a convenient form of borrowing money instantly.
How can you get a cash loan?
If you are someone who uses a credit card extensively, you might find it difficult to manage a “cash only” situation. In this case, a cash loan might help you. Many people apply for a loan against their credit card if they do not have enough money in their bank account. You can use the credit card PIN for the purpose of the loan or you can take your card to the bank, which offers advances on the payment network of the card. You will be required to show an ID for the same.
You need to keep in mind that credit card companies will not allow you to take the entire credit in the form of a cash loan. Hence, you cannot rely on the credit card for all the funds that you might require in the case of an emergency. You will have to have a substantial balance in the account for the same.
Things to remember
You need to do proper planning if you seek a cash loan. Primarily, you need to have adequate balance in the credit card account and ensure that you make the repayment on time. For many borrowers, the loan has turned out to be expensive when compared to other loan options. You are only taking money against the card and you have to repay the same on time.
Many salaried employees prefer the loans to make their payments by the end of the month and when they receive their salary, they repay the loan amount borrowed against the credit card. It is a quick method of raising funds for your needs.
Silver has always been a lucrative investment option. It is considered as an ideal choice for those who want to park their money in a precious metal for a few years. It is possible to buy silver bars online and have them delivered to you. Read on to know the best places to buy silver bars online.
APMEX
APMEX offers an extensive collection of silver bars for you. They sell top quality silver bars, which are available in sizes from 1 oz to 100 oz, and you will be able to shop from the diverse mix of top quality manufacturers. The bars are hallmark stamped with the purity of silver from the issuer.
J M Bullion
One of the best places to buy silver bars, J M Bullion is known for the top quality metal it sells and the wide variety of styles available with them. This portal has a high customer satisfaction rate. The silver bars are available in different designs and there is a simple and secure buying process.
Money Metals Exchange
The cost-effective and secure seller of metals has silver bars in 1 ounce, 5 ounces, 10 ounces, and100 ounce sizes. You can buy them within a few minutes at the lowest premium. This online portal offers a quick delivery of your purchase in good packaging.
GoldCore
GoldCore allows you to buy gold and silver in the form of bars and coins. You have the option to decide whether you wish to own your bullion in bars or coins. You can buy silver bars in 100 ounces and 1000 ounce depending on your preferences. It is completely safe to purchase the precious metal from GoldCore. You can also open a bullion trading account with them.
SD Bullion
You can purchase gold, silver, and platinum from SD Bullion. Silver bars are available in varying sizes, which range from 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, kilo, and 100 oz. SD Bullion has a customer-friendly service and it has catered to more than 80,000 customers in the past.
Before you decide to buy silver bars, you need to determine the quantity you intend to invest in. You will have a range of sizes and designs to choose from. Always make a wise choice and purchase from a reliable and authentic seller in the industry. Do not make a hasty decision; otherwise, you will end up losing your money. Purchase silver bars that are hallmarked so that when you sell them in the future, you receive a good price for the purity of the metal.
It is a known fact that an outstanding balance on a credit card which is not cleared beyond the due date is bad. A high rate of interest is charged on these balances, which may eat your money with each passing day. Over a period of time, your credit card balance could lead you into bankruptcy and you could be in deep trouble.
Therefore, it is best to choose a low APR credit card which will make it easier for you to carry the balance month on month. This is especially true if you have a habit of carrying an outstanding balance every month. Here are the best credit cards with low APR that you may consider.
Barclaycard Ring® Mastercard®
This card is known as the first social credit card which is built around a user community that shares financial tips amongst members. It has a low APR on purchases as well as cash advances. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. However, there do have a balance transfer fee. There is no sign-up bonus. The card has 0% APR on balance transfer for one year from the opening of the account. You may also get access to your FICO score through your online account.
Discover it® Chrome
Considered as one of the best credit cards with low APR, Discover it® Chrome has a low purchase APR as well as a low balance transfer APR. The credit card comes with a 0% introductory APR period and has a cashback rewards program too. Cardholders who pay the balance in full every month may benefit from this program. The card has a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfer for a period of 14 months. Neither does it have a balance transfer fee nor an annual fee. There is also no late fee charged for the first late payment.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
This card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases as well as balance transfers for a period of 21 months. There are numerous benefits you may avail of the card which include exclusive deals at retailers and perks such as a 24/7 access to personal concierges in order to book flights, hotel rooms, as well as concert tickets.
Doing a study on all low-APR credit cards before deciding to apply for one will help you save a substantial amount of money in the long-term.
Today, thanks to the technological advancements, the process of opening a bank account has become extremely easy. You no longer need to visit the bank for the same. Even if you wish to open a bank account online with no deposit, it is not any different. However, there are only a few banks that let you open an account with zero deposit. These banks allow you to earn interest on your savings without having to maintain a minimum deposit.
Before you open a bank account online with no deposit, it is recommended that you compare the banks and shortlist the ones which meet your requirements. Once you finalize on a bank, you will need to fill in the online or the physical application form and furnish details such as that of a government-issued ID and your personal details like the social security number.
To make your job easier, here is a list of five banks which allow you to open a bank account online with no deposit.
It is now possible to open an online bank account without having to physically visit the bank. With the online platform, you can open a bank account in an easy manner. However, your credit history will play a significant role in the same. It is a legal requirement for the opening of a bank account.
Documents required
In order to open an online bank account, you will be required to submit the necessary documents. This requirement could vary from state to state; hence, gather information about the same before you set out to fill the application form. You could speak to the customer representative before you open the account and get an idea about the information you need to ensure that your application is successful.
The basic documents required for the purpose of opening the account include your passport, driving license, or an identity card. Furthermore, you will need to provide proof of address and your social security number. Some banks may also require additional documents, but this varies from one institute to another. If you are a student, you can provide your address through the enrollment form and also provide details of your school.
Application process
The process of application is fairly quick and simple. Once you decide on the bank you wish to open an account with, you need to visit their website and click on the online bank account. You will then be asked to log in with your credentials and the account opening form will materialize. The form will have to be filled by you and it should carry your personal details.
Furthermore, unless it is a no deposit account, you will have to make a deposit through wire transfer. You will have to deposit the minimum amount as required by the bank. There are a number of banks that have a no deposit requirement as well for your benefit. In the next step, you will be required to submit your documents, which will complete the application process.
The most important decision is to choose the right bank and account type as per your needs. You will have to carry out market research and consider the banks that offer the best features. You can then make a choice between a checking account and a savings account. The application process for them will be quite similar and the documentation requirement will also remain the same. You no longer need to visit the bank for this process.
A personal loan offers a complete solution to the requirement of cash during a financial crisis. It is a lump sum borrowed from a financial institution, which carries a fixed or a variable rate of interest. It is repaid in the form of equated monthly installments (EMIs) over a period of time. The loan will allow you to cover for something urgent right away. You may also use the loan to repay a high-interest debt. The monthly installments are fixed after considering the amount you may comfortably afford to pay each month.
These days, when it comes to personal loans, although there are many players in the market, you may apply for LendingClub personal loans as this online peer-to-peer lending portal has been fulfilling the loan requirements of borrowers for many years.
Eligibility criteria for a LendingClub personal loan
A LendingClub personal loan requires you to make an application, providing details about the type of loan you seek and your credit history. The loan is ideal for individuals with an excellent credit score. A minimum score of 600 is required to qualify for the loan. Anybody above a credit score of 700 may easily avail of a loan from LendingClub.
LendingClub personal loans are preferred by borrowers who have a high annual income with an average of $78,764. Additionally, borrowers with a low debt-to-income ratio, preferably below 30%, may also enjoy the loan. LendingClub accepts joint applications for a single loan. If you wish to file a joint application, your multiple incomes will be considered and you may be sanctioned a larger loan amount.
Terms of lending
Personal loans from LendingClub are sanctioned in the range of $1000 to $40,000. They carry a fixed amount of interest which is anywhere between 5.98% to 35.89%. Based on your profile and your application, you will receive a quote. They go through your credit history, loan amount, desired tenure, debt-to-income ratio, repayment terms, and the amount you owe to your creditors before deciding on the loan amount. You have the flexibility to choose 36 months or 60 months to make the repayment of the loan.
If you are in need of urgent cash and do not want to go through the long approval and application process, it is best to apply for a LendingClub personal loan. However, borrowers with a bad credit should not consider this loan option as there are high chances that your application gets rejected.
If you are looking to opt for a home warranty company, it is important to go through the fine print of a home warranty contract before you put your initials over it. There are small specifications that determine what will happen if something goes wrong. To prevent any unpleasant surprises in the long run, it is advisable to choose a reliable home warranty company. Below is a list of the four best home warranty companies that you may check out.
American Home Shield (AHS)
This is a top pick for multiple reasons. It offers a generous coverage and has a flexible plan. Further, it is known for its exemplary customer services. It has transparent policies and customizable plans that cater to different consumers. This means you may choose to avail of coverage only for those appliances which you think are more prone to breakdowns. AHS has online tools to simplify bill payment and claim filing processes, thereby making it one of the best home warranty companies.
Sears Home Warranty
With a 180-day workmanship guarantee, the Sears Home Warranty offers the most expensive coverage but is worth every dollar you spend. With the workmanship guarantee in place, you will not have to bear a single penny in terms of service fees for any follow-up work done for a period of 180 days. Moreover, there is a cover up to $10,000 per item, and you have an option to choose between an appliance plan, a systems plan, or a whole house plan.
TotalProtect Home Warranty
Known for generous liability caps, the TotalProtect Home Warranty has no caps on most of the appliances as well as systems. It has a workmanship guarantee that waives the service fees for the follow-up work for up to 180 days. But it does not offer customization of the plan. Some of the appliances covered under it are dishwashers, built-in microwaves, refrigerators, and garbage disposals.
First American Home Warranty
The home warranty provider has a flat rate service charge of $75, which is the lowest out of all the service providers. However, there are additional charges for an AC coverage. Some of the reasons why people prefer to go with this provider are its flexible payment options, a team of professionally-qualified technicians, and its 24/7 service.
Choose a home warranty company keeping your requirement and preferences in mind. However, do not decide simply based on the cost associated with it. It is important to consider the coverage offered by the service provider. If choosing an expensive plan gives you a comprehensive coverage and a high liability cap, it may be the best option for all the appliances in your home.