5 Must Watch Business Movies

Do you think any commercial movie can influence young business students or entrepreneurs to build their level of knowledge or skills? If you not, you are wrong. There are such wonderful movies which can motivate anyone in the sense of business success or pass some wonderful ideas. Here is a list of 10 movies in this kind that anyone rolled out from business schools or entered as new in business school must watch.

1. Gung Ho (1986)

Directed by Ron Howard and starring by Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe, Gung Ho was made when Japan start showing the world about how to make better products.A Japanese auto company is persuaded to take over an abandoned factory--and abandoned U.S. workforce, in a small rust-belt town in Middle America. Alas, this wonderful idea for a culture-clash comedy goes pretty much to waste in Gung Ho. There's a trumped-up crisis in every reel, and a great deal of double talk about whether the Japanese are workaholic freaks or the new, true inheritors of the old American get-up-and-go. This movie recommended by Joseph Thomas, Dean of Johnson Graduate School of Management.

2. The Social Network (2010)

Directed by David Fincher and starring by Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, The Social Network shows how the colleagues of Mark Zuckerberg laughed at him when he came with an idea for social-networking site which later made him a billionaire. This movie shows the true mindset of millionaires. Zuckerberg presents the most intriguing personality in the movie. This movie recommended by Bob Dammon of Tepper School of Business along with James W. Dean Jr., Dean of Kenan-Flager Business School.

3. Wall Street (1987)

Directed by Oliver Stone and Starring by Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Wall Street is a story about an impatient young stockbroker tries to rise to the top by adopting the credo "greed is good" from his mentor, only to find his life falling to pieces in the process. This movie recommended by Bob Dammon of Tepper School of Business.

4. The Godfather (1970)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and Starring by Marlon Brando, James Caan, The Godfather is one of the greatest business films ever made. It is about Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece features Marlon Brando in his Oscar-winning role as the patriarch of the Corleone family. Recommended by Paul Danos, Dean of Tuck School of Business and Robert F. Bruner, Dean, Darden School of Business.

5. House of Strangers (1949)

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring by Edward G. Robinson and Susan Hayward, House of Strangers is a movie about Microfinance. Based on the novel "I'll Never Go There Again" by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist Jerome Weidman, who wrote about the immigrant experience in New York City in the early 20th century, particularly the Jewish immigrant experience. "House of Strangers" is sometimes called film noir, probably because of Max's subjective, introverted perspective of the corrosive Monetti family dynamics. But this isn't even a crime film. Its strongest elements by far are Greek Tragedy, but "House of Strangers" is also part immigrant experience and part romance.


Sherin Dev, a financial writer, investor and editor of Investinternals.com and moneywithmoney.net financial blogs. Follow him on Twitter or in Facebook. Any queries on articles, guest posts, contact at investinternals@gmail.com

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Next Sensation - No Higher Honor: A Memoir of Condoleezza Rice

From one of the world’s most admired women, this is former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s compelling story of eight years serving at the highest levels of government. In her position as America’s chief diplomat, Rice traveled almost continuously around the globe, seeking common ground among sometimes bitter enemies, forging agreement on divisive issues, and compiling a remarkable record of achievement.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama who overcame the racism of the Civil Rights era to become a brilliant academic and expert on foreign affairs, Rice distinguished herself as an advisor to George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential campaign. Once Bush was elected, she served as his chief adviser on national-security issues – a job whose duties included harmonizing the relationship between the Secretaries of State and Defense. It was a role that deepened her bond with the President and ultimately made her one of his closest confidantes.

With the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Rice found herself at the center of the Administration’s intense efforts to keep America safe. Here, Rice describes the events of that harrowing day – and the tumultuous days after. No day was ever the same. Additionally, Rice also reveals new details of the debates that led to the war in Afghanistan and then Iraq.

The eyes of the nation were once again focused on Rice in 2004 when she appeared before the 9-11 Commission to answer tough questions regarding the country’s preparedness for – and immediate response to – the 9-11 attacks. Her responses, it was generally conceded, would shape the nation’s perception of the Administration’s competence during the crisis. Rice conveys just how pressure-filled that appearance was and her surprised gratitude when, in succeeding days, she was broadly saluted for her grace and forthrightness.

From that point forward, Rice was aggressively sought after by the media and regarded by some as the Administration’s most effective champion.

In 2005 Rice was entrusted with even more responsibility when she was charged with helping to shape and carry forward the President’s foreign policy as Secretary of State. As such, she proved herself a deft crafter of tactics and negotiation aimed to contain or reduce the threat posed by America’s enemies. Here, she reveals the behind-the-scenes maneuvers that kept the world’s relationships with Iran, North Korea and Libya from collapsing into chaos. She also talks about her role as a crisis manager, showing that at any hour -- and at a moment’s notice -- she was willing to bring all parties to the bargaining table anywhere in the world.

No Higher Honor takes the reader into secret negotiating rooms where the fates of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Lebanon often hung in the balance, and it draws back the curtain on how frighteningly close all-out war loomed in clashes involving Pakistan-India and Russia-Georgia, and in East Africa.

Surprisingly candid in her appraisals of various Administration colleagues and the hundreds of foreign leaders with whom she dealt, Rice also offers here keen insight into how history actually proceeds. In No Higher Honor, she delivers a master class in statecraft -- but always in a way that reveals her essential warmth and humility, and her deep reverence for the ideals on which America was founded.


Sherin Dev, a financial writer, investor and editor of Investinternals.com and moneywithmoney.net financial blogs. Follow him on Twitter or in Facebook. Any queries on articles, guest posts, contact at investinternals@gmail.com

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Effective Advertisement Ideas for Small Business Owners

Present days, lots of people comes to start small business by foreseeing its potential revenue generation capabilities. Those who have real interest and time to build small business have lots of opportunities to succeed. One of the unavoidable factor to any small business is the effective advertisements to pass the message to public and potential customers to establish the business.

There are various methods to advertise a business. Television ads, news papers and signboards are the preferred methods among it. However, it would be merely difficult for a small business owner to spend huge money to launch advertisement campaigns through costly medias or signboards. In order to meet this difficulty, small business owners should find less cost but highly effective methods to advertise there business or products. Here are some very simple yet powerful solutions to advertise your small business with little money.

1. Utilizing the newspaper circulation in your area or city

Through utilizing the circulation you can advertise the business to a good number of public. Contact the local news paper agent and influence him to put a notice of you business with each paper he supplies. If agrees, you are getting a beautiful chance to make your business reach into the hands of all kind of people in your city or area. The only cost is printing the notice and little money to the agent. You can also do the same with the help of newspaper boys.

2. Simple Banners and stickers to selected places

Identify the placed where people generally gathering in your area. Put a simple banner or some good stickers in that areas where people's attention reaches. This is generally a well doing activity by business owners. One of the factor is to take care is, should not violate any rule and/or proper approval required to place the banner or stickers. Getting approval from shop owners and putting your sticker in the shop would also be a fantastic method to get your business popularize. However, your business should not be a direct competitor to the shops where you plan to put the sticker and get approvals.

3. Free stickers in vehicles

Identify the options to put stickers in the vehicles. Yours, friends, relatives vehicles can be utilized to do such. This would give moving visibility to business in a good manner. Coca cola vans can be considered as the best example. One should take care to create very attractive, beautiful stickers for this purpose and it should not give any negative impression when stick in vehicles.

4. Communities and friend circles

Communities, clubs, friend circles, meetings such as family, friends gatherings, would provide best opportunities to introduce your business. You can use temporary banners or stickers in such occasions to promote your business well.

5. Social networks and e-mails

You can of course use the social networking sites to promote the business. Identify and join as many local online groups as possible. Many allow new members to introduce themselves.Groups and forums belongs to your area/city/community are best to promote your business effectively. Add a signature in your each e-mail to people know about your business. Have a nice, simple web page that people can simply visit and get all the information about your business including possible contact details.

6. Local Television and News Paper Ads

If you have a local television channel, it would be fantastic to advertise your business. This would cost you very little compare with mainstream channels and news papers but it can ensure the information passing to the right community and customers.

7. Free Yellow Pages

Never forgot to give your business advertisements to the yellow pages that accept free advertisements from business or take few buck to advertise. This is a good opportunity for you to get unexpected business from unexpected customers.

If you want to advertise your business in a low cost or no cost way, there are lots of options available. One of the best options is, how others doing the same. Take some of the business and identify their advertising practices and ideas. Combine the best possible ideas and start the advertising campaigns. Hard work always wins.


Sherin Dev, a financial writer, investor and editor of Investinternals.com and moneywithmoney.net financial blogs. Follow him on Twitter or in Facebook. Any queries on articles, guest posts, contact at investinternals@gmail.com

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

5 Things Your Credit Card Company Doesn’t Want You to Know

Editor's note: This is a guest post from Evan Fischer

Credit card companies are notorious for their fine print, which can often leave you paying outrageous interest rates and fees that you haven’t anticipated. Sure, they’ll promise you the moon with low introductory rates and rewards programs, but when push comes to shove they’re looking to take your money in any way they can. This means interest hikes and fees for everything from overages to late or missed payments to black mark on your credit report (that have nothing to do with your credit card account). Here are a few things your creditors don’t want you to know.

1. The CARD Act protects you. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act is aimed at protecting consumers from some of the unfair practices that creditors have used in the past. According to this act, creditors must inform you of any changes to your account a minimum of 45 days prior to implementing the changes. Further, changes can be applied only to future charges (not retroactively). Don’t let them tell you any different.

2. Rates may change based on your credit score. If you fail to pay a creditor and it results in a black mark on your credit report, other credit card companies may try to raise your rates. Although they have to inform you of this change, most people simply don’t realize that this is even a possibility.

3. You can say no to changes. Many people don’t realize that signing up with a credit card company constitutes making a contract. Because of this, the company needs your consent to make changes to your account. You absolutely have the right to say no if your creditor tells you that your rates are going up for reasons not covered by your contract (although they have the right to raise rates or charge fees for items listed in the fine print). Of course, they also have the right to terminate your account, but at least you won’t be on the hook for a higher rate.

4. You’re at risk for identity theft. Your creditors will never tell you this; they want you to believe that they’re the only ones that can guarantee protected service. Unfortunately, any credit card you open is at risk. You can do a lot to protect yourself, of course, but if your identity is stolen, you want to know that you can count on your creditor to reimburse the charges. So make sure to ask about any fees associated with clearing up such an issue (most companies have them but often opt to waive them) and make sure that they’ll never send you emails or cold-call to request personal information.

5. You can get cards to improve your credit. Although few companies advertise for adverse credit cards with no annual fee, many creditors offer these cards for people looking to improve their credit score. Of course, they’d rather have you racking up interest charges (that’s how they make the lion’s share of their money, after all). But if you’re a bad credit risk, they probably won’t offer you a card at all. However, if you ask for a card with a balance that must be paid monthly in full as a method of proving that you are willing and able to take on credit again, many companies will help you in the hopes of securing later business from you.

About the Author: Evan Fischer is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.


Knowledge base resource: The Skinny on Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

How a 529 Plan Affects Financial Aid

From Editor: This is a guest post from Pat Singer

Saving for your child’s higher education can be difficult. Even if you make enough to safely stash some away for their college years, it’s hard to decide on a savings plan. A lot of people opt for a 529 savings plan because of the tax advantages. However, there could be repercussions, because having a 529 savings plan could possibly affect your child’s chances of getting financial aid. Following are a few tips on how a 529 plan affects financial aid.

What Is a 529 Savings Plan?

Basically a 529 savings plan is a way to put money away for a college education. The plan is generally managed by a state government or a college or university. A 529 savings plan is available in all 50 states. One benefit of a 529 plan is that you don’t have to go to school in the state in which you paid into the plan. There are two basic types of 529 plans. The first is a savings plan that works very similarly to a 401k or an IRA. When you deposit money into a 529 plan it is invested in mutual funds, or something similar. Your account goes up or down in value according to how your investment plan performs. The second type of 529 savings plan is a little different. Instead of investing the money, you simply pay a college of your choice all or part of a future tuition at a fixed rate. If your child decides not to attend that particular school, you can roll over the money into a 529 savings plan at a fixed interest rate of 2%.

Needs-Based Financial Aid

Although having a 529 plan in effect seems like a sensible thing to do, it could affect your child’s chance of qualifying for need-based financial aid. Because every facet of your finances are taken into consideration when it comes time to apply for financial aid, having money in a savings account could prevent your child from getting a substantial grant or loan. Because the available money is set aside for those who truly need it, the funds in a 529 plan are considered a parental asset. Even so, it’s far less of a problem than if the student had that money in their own name, because a percentage of those assets are considered available for paying for a higher education, and thus are deducted from the amount of potential aid.

How Potential Aid Is Assessed

The potential for your child to receive financial aid is assessed through a complicated method that determines how much money a family will be able to contribute toward tuition and other college expenses. The less money a family is deemed to be able to supply toward their child’s higher education, the more money will be available through loans and grants. Because money in a 529 plan gives your child a leg up on the competition, they may be considered to have more money available for school than others, thereby reducing their eligibility to receive financial aid.

Parental Assets

Because the funds in the 529 savings plan are in the parent’s name, they are considered to be parental assets as far as the federal government or a college is concerned. When your child fills out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the assets of the family are listed. A percentage of those assets are considered to be available for paying for your child’s higher education by the federal government--generally no more than 5.6%. If there is any money listed in the student’s name, it is assessed at a rate of 20%, meaning that parental assets in a 529 plan will cause much less difficulty for your child to receive financial aid than if the money were in their own name.

Low Income Families

If your family has a low income level, but has managed to set aside some money in a 529 savings plan, it could work to your child’s determent regarding financial aid for college. Because lower income families are considered first when it comes to financial aid, having that money in a 529 plan could cause your parental asset assessment to be higher than other low income families without a 529 plan, thereby allowing them to receive preference for financial aid.

Classic reference: The 529 Collage Savings Plan

About the author: Pat writes about online colleges for AccreditedOnlineColleges.com.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

4 Steps to Investing in Property

From Editor: This is a guest post by Sachin

When looking for an investment property in Sydney there is a vast amount of options which you could take. This short guide will look at some of the methods which you can follow to judge the value of a property and make the right investment.

When looking for an investment property in Sydney there is a vast amount of options which you could take. Sydney is a vast and sprawling city with many diverse areas and a multitude of types of property. This short guide will look at some of the methods which you can follow to judge the value of a property and make the right investment.

1. Which suburb

When looking to invest in Sydney, you will find yourself facing a tougher challenge than in other major cities. This is because of the vast size of Sydney, which means that there are large differences between many of the areas in which you could buy a property. Each suburb has a reputation of its own as well as a particular demographic and style of housing. It is important to consider the market to which you hope to advertise your property and be sure that the building you purchase will meet their needs. Be sure to consider the proximity of amenities such as schools and public transport when investing in a property to rent.

2. What you want from the property

Deciding what it is that you want from your property is one of the most important stages before making any decisions. If you wish to rent then this will affect the location in which you aim to buy and if you seek to make a quick profit from your investment then an off the plan purchase may be the most sensible for you. Depending on your aims and how long you wish to keep the property for, you will find there are different routes which are more sensible for your needs.

3. Property valuation

Before buying any property it is important to ensure that you know what the property is really worth. Either get a property valuation carried out or utilize property valuation software which will give you an overview of the property. When looking at multiple properties for investment, using the software option will save you large sums of money and provide you with reliable results which you can use to make an informed and intelligent decision. Make sure you consider potential changes to the area, like the expansion of a nearby airport, because this could have a negative effect on the value of your property. It is also worth considering developments which could increase the value of your property such as the construction of a new shopping mall within easy reach.

4. Benefits of investment

Investing in a property offers you many benefits if it is conducted wisely. Be sure to gain a good knowledge about property investment before embarking on it and be sure that you know the property you are purchasing inside-out before you make an offer. Once you are sure that the investment is sound you will be able to watch your investment grow over the years and reap the benefit of tenants aiding the payment of your mortgage bills. Property investment will provide you with all the benefits of a growing investment without any of the serious risk of market investments.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Citi Diamond Preferred Card - A Friend For Unhealthy Wallets

You may or may not have heard about the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. Here is an option for you to know more about the features and highly affordable fee structure for this innovative card from the reputed Citi Cards to have a look and recommend to your friends and relatives. My first look on the features of this card attracted me a lot and that is the reason this article has been generated.

Core features of Citi Diamond Preferred Card:

Annual Fee: No Annual Fee

Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases for 21 months; after that the variable APR will be 11.99%-21.99%, based on your creditworthiness

Balance Transfer APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months; after that the variable APR will be 11.99%-21.99%, based on your creditworthiness

Included Services

Personal Concierge Service

You can access your concierge services through VIP desk by either calling 1(800) 741-5359 or visiting https://citidiamondpreferred.vipdesk.com. Program details will be provided upon cardmembership.

Access to Special Events and Discounts

With your Diamond Preferred card, you will have access to exclusive events and experiences available via Citi PrivatePass. You can access Private Pass online at http://www.citiprivatepass.com/home.html. In addition, you will receive discount offers through your statements and emails. Thus, it is important to update your account information with your email address at www.creditcards.citi.com. Program details will be provided upon card membership.

Price Protection

If you buy something with your Citi® card and then see it advertised in print for less within 60 days, you will receive a refund for the difference up to $250 (excludes Internet purchases and certain items).

Retail Purchase Protection

Provides coverage for most items you purchase with your Citi Card if damaged or stolen within 90 days of the date of purchase.

Extended Warranty2

The terms of the original manufacturers' U.S. warranties (of one year or less) may be extended up to one additional year on most items purchased on your card.

Travel & Emergency Assistance2

You're protected when you’re traveling in the U.S. and abroad. Travel & Emergency Assistance services include medical and legal referrals, lost luggage assistance, emergency transportation, translation services and more. Included in this service are MasterTrip® Travel Assistance, Travel Services Medical Assistance and MasterLegal® Referral Service.

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance

Use your Citi card for your common carrier tickets and you may be eligible to receive reimbursement, up to $1,500, if your trip is cancelled or interrupted for a covered reason.

Lost Luggage Coverage

Provides up to $3,000 in lost luggage coverage for you and your dependents when you charge your entire common carrier fare with your Citi Card. This benefit covers permanently lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal articles checked with a common carrier.

$0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges

Shop anywhere and never lose a penny on unauthorized charges. With $0 Liability you won't pay for any unauthorized charges made with your card.

Flexible Payment Terms

Choose to pay your bill in the beginning, middle or end of the month. Enjoy the flexibility of paying your full balance or just the minimum payment due each month.

Additional Cards

Getting additional cards is easy. Just call the number on the back of your credit card. Please allow 3 weeks to process your request.

Automatic Travel Accident Insurance

Charge plane, train or bus tickets to your Citi® card and you, your spouse and eligible dependent children are automatically covered for Common Carrier at no additional cost.

Auto Rental Insurance

Pays for covered damages (physical damage and theft) to a rental vehicle when your Citi Card is used to initiate and pay for the entire rental transaction and you decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver.

Convinced? Then why to wait? Apply or recommend.

A full comparrison of cards can be available here

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Five Important Investments for New Home Owners

From Editor: This is a guest post by Ryan Sandberg

Purchasing a new home is an important and exciting step in everyone's life. You have finally moved beyond living with your parents, a group of roommates, or in a cramped studio apartment and are ready to take on the responsibilities of an adult. Owning your own home is not as simple as just paying your monthly mortgage bill and mowing the lawn. Many other factors go into home ownership that are not covered by high schools and colleges. Here are five of the most important investments you can make for a new home:

Savings Accounts

At a moment's notice, you could find yourself out of work with a serious mortgage you still have to pay off. Keeping several month's worth of salary in a savings account will allow you to breathe a little easier when financial problems strike. If you are planning ahead for the future, it is important to open an IRA so you can invest in your retirement while still being able to withdraw money in case it is needed.

Insurance

Just like losing your job can be an unseen catastrophe, Mother Nature can pull some nasty tricks out of her bag at any given time. When Hurricane Irene hit the east coast in August 2011, many home-owners had to pay for repairs out of pocket because they hadn't purchased flood insurance. In Joplin, MO, homes were flattened and some people could not afford to rebuild because of a lack of insurance. Purchasing a plan with good coverage and reasonable premiums can save you from becoming homeless during severe weather patterns.

Appliances

In order to properly get things accomplished at home, you are going to need a series of common household items and appliances. Purchasing a washer and dryer will eliminate annoying trips to the laundromat and save you money in the long run. Purchasing new appliances for your kitchen with Power Saver options will reduce your electricity bills. In addition to saving you money, purchasing appliances will decorate your house and fill in empty spaces.

Energy Optimizers

Heating, electricity, and gas bills can start to add up over time. In order to save on your bill budget, it is necessary to install items around them house that will reduce the payments you have to make to utility companies. If you install new windows and doors throughout your home, you will save on your heating bills. Installing light dimmers, timers on your appliances, and unplugging electronics will save you money on your insurance bill.

Pets

If you are moving into a big new house by yourself or with one other person, there is a good chance that that the only company you are going to have at times is the warm glow of the television screen. By stopping by your local humane society, you can rescue an abandoned or stray cat or dog and give it a new opportunity to stay in your brand new living space.

Before purchasing a new house, make sure you have enough money saved for these important addendums to your home-ownership list. Going into a serious investment like this would be ill-advised if you are unprepared and can not afford vital parts to increase your lifestyle and comfort level.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Ways to Save Money on Your Rental Car

From Editor: This is a guest post by Beth Montgomery

When you’re on a relaxing vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is your rental car expense. The fact is many people don’t understand which fees are and which fees are not necessary, so the rental car company ends up charging them for services that they do not need. To avoid some of the hassle that can go along with renting a car, here are a few tips to help you get out of the rental car office and on your way.

Before you commit

Before you start searching for a place to rent your car, think about what you will need in this car. What size will you need? How many days are absolutely necessary? How much are you willing to spend? Asking yourself these questions will help you avoid making a decision too quickly. If you aren’t careful, you could end up choosing the most expensive alternative and regret your decision.

Once you know what you need, start your research. Begin this search as early as you possibly can, and look for coupons to help you stay on budget. Call or go online to get many price estimates from companies, and ask about specials they may provide. If your plans are flexible, you will be more likely to find a great deal that will save you a lot of money. However, make sure you know all of the terms and restrictions on these special offers before you make your decision.

When you finally decide on a rental car company, make sure you ask about any extra charges to be placed on your bill. The following charges could greatly increase the advertised base rate: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) fees, a deposit or refundable charge, airport surcharges and drop-off fees, fuel charges, mileage fees, taxes, additional driver fees, underage driver fees, out of state charges, and/or equipment rental fees (for items such as car seats or ski racks). You will want to know which of these fees will be necessary for you and which fees can be avoided before you make a decision and sign a contract.Also, make sure you look for any other discounts offered by the company. Members of AAA, AARP, as well as many other organizations may be eligible for further discounts with rental car companies.

Upon arrival

When you reach your destination and go to the car rental counter to fill out your paperwork, make sure you look at the contract and estimated bill carefully. By this time, you should know exactly what each fee is for and what you will not need, but if there is any question, make sure you ask. The casher will probably try to get you to spend as much as they possibly can.Don’t fall for their sales tactics. Make sure they give you the facts, and then you can make your own judgment. Only you will know if you need extra insurance or a GPS system in the car, so don’t let them trick you into paying for something you don’t need.

Before you leave, double check with the clerk that you have unlimited mileage. It probably won’t save you money initially, but if you are only allowed to drive a certain number of miles, the fees they charge you at the end of your trip could really hit your budget hard.

Take care while driving

While you are on your trip, you may figure out that you really don’t need a rental car. Paying for parking alone could cost you a lot more than you expected, and many places in large cities provide public transportation. You may decide that it will not be necessary or practical for you to keep the car after a few days. Research the early return policy of the company, preferably before you even rent the car, and see if the cost and convenience of keeping the rental car outweigh the expense it would take to return it early.

My final piece of advice is a bit obvious, but worth saying none the less. You should always fill up the car before you return it to the rental car company. Some companies require this anyway, while others say that it will not be necessary, but those who say you shouldn’t fill up the tank will probably charge you a fee way higher than the amount it would cost you to buy a few gallons of gas.

Renting a car can be a confusing and expensive experience, but if you research the terms and stay informed, you can definitely save yourself some cash.

About the author: Beth Montgomery is an author who writes articles for her company. They strive to inform the general public about personal finance and credit options.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Understanding Credit Scores Isn’t That Hard

From Editor: This is a guest post from SmartCredit.com

You just need to understand the percentages

Prior to making a big purchase, such as buying a house, you should obtain and understand your credit score. You should also make sure to understand how your score plays an important role in the process of obtaining a loan.

Simply put, your credit score is a number that lenders use to determine risk – specifically, they use it to decide not just if to loan you the money you seek, but also to determine whether you will repay the loan. A high credit score means you are less of a risk, while a lower score reflects the opposite.

Credit scores are determined by taking data from your credit reports and, after running it through some software, getting a number. You should be aware that there will likely be variances in your scores for each credit bureau, since they all have their own criteria in determining your scores.

Your credit score is made up as follows: 35 percent payment history, 30 percent debt you owe, 15 percent length of your credit history, 10 percent types of credit used, and 10 percent new credit.

To break this down even further, your payment history includes the number of accounts you’ve paid to terms, negative public records or collections, and delinquent accounts. The debt you owe includes how much you owe on accounts, how much of your revolving lines of credit you’ve used, amounts you own on installment loans versus original balances, and the number of zero balance accounts.

Your length of credit history is precisely that: the length of time you’ve had credit. This includes the length of time since each account was opened, and the time that has passed since the last activity on the account.

As for types of credit, this means the mixture of different types of accounts you have – a mix is best. Creditors will look at this to determine if you can handle various types of debt; if you only have one type, it’s a red flag.

Last of all, your new credit includes the number of accounts you’ve recently opened, and the proportion of new accounts to total accounts. Creditors look at this to determine if you’ve overextended yourself. Too many recent credit inquiries is a huge red flag.

Everyone wants to have a good credit score. But what’s good. Scores usually range from 340 to 850. The higher your score, the less risk a lender sees. You’ll also get better rates and terms with a higher credit score.

A score over 700 is considered good, but if your score is lower, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck and you won’t be able to establish better credit. It just means it may be a bit more difficult.

This guest post provided by SmartCredit.com. Learn how credit monitoring can help protect you from identity theft.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Top 5 Twitters That Every Trader Needs to Follow

From Editor: This is a guest post from Itay Drory

Every one is quite well acquainted with the word Twitter, though the sad part here is that people are not generally acquainted with what it is used for or what does it do. Twitter, the phenom thingy, we all have heard about is the 36th most visited internet site as per the census conducted in the year 2006 and is continuously climbing faster and faster. Experts suggest that Twitter will hit the top 10 most visited websites by this year. That is the absolute reason for a sane human to sign up there, for free, and be entertained with the humongous traffic over the site. What ever you are using Twitter for, it is the best source for both casual and official use. Students here can make new friends and socialize more, while professionals or working class have everything they seek on Twitter.

Twitter is not a typical social media website where people stay in touch and have fun with their friends and family, rather it is a micro-blogging service provider that allows its members, especially traders, to read and send other users’ posts or updates which are known as tweets. These tweets are the text-based updates or posts of a predefined character length that is up to 140. These tweets are exhibited on the profile page of the user and distributed to other users who are listed as subscribers to that user, known as followers, similar to the day to day blogs which traders have on Word press, Blogger and/or ActiveRain. Members, who are traders, also have the facility to create their personal brand in their respective niche to promote their business, furthermore traders have the immense option to show and grow their expertise in their field and they also can help informing and educating potential prospects on their profile.

All such tools, options and facilities are rendered just to help people link with the right Twitters that can give them business or open ways of more traffic and higher search rankings. The only thing that traders or any other business owner has to look for is the top and right Twitters to follow so as to generate elevated search engine rankings. So we have jot down a number of top twitters that could be best to follow for all traders, be them gigantic tycoons or infants into their business. Following such Twitters will really change the way you get your business socialize.

Guy Kawasaki: This is an incredible user who holds 130,000 people as his followers and besides that he is the managing director of ‘Garage Technology Ventures’ and is also a columnist for ‘Entrepreneur magazine’.

Dave Snyder: This guy is the co-founder of Search and Social. His posts regarding marketing and business for traders are really worthy of reading.

Anita Campbell: This lady is the editor in chief at Small Business Trends, she writes too much for entrepreneurs and traders.

Fred Wilson: He is the managing partner of Union Square Ventures. The tidbits of trading and business this guy posts are a must to spare plenty of time.

Christine Perkett: She is the CEO and the founder of Perkett PR, she has been entitled the PR Executive of the Year award in the year 2008. Business week also follows this trade-blogging woman.


The fastest growing market in the field of trading is forex trading. For more information on trading with forex please visit http://www.avafx.com/


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Account Now Gold Visa Prepaid Card - An Ideal Solution to Control Your Money

Prepaid cards are always best to put control over your money and spending. A prepaid card with less charges and best support would spice up things to a higher level. World face recession and unnecessary and thoughtless credit card spending put you in deep trouble of huge debt. It is of course the time to think about a best pre-paid card that help you to add necessary controls over your spending.

Here is the Account Now - Gold Visa Prepaid Card for you to take a look on the feature and apply for one if you feel it is good.

Advantages of the card includes:

- It would accept everywhere where the visa debit cards get accepted
- No credit check or cred bureau check required
- No late or overdraft fees
- No minimum balance fees
- No bounced checks
- Pay your bills online free
- Direct deposit pay checks free
- 100% approval
- $25 bonus with free direct deposit
- Purchase rewards
- 0% Activation fee
- $10,000 balance limit

Power of Prepaid Visa Card, Prestige of Gold

It required to complete a short online form which took less than 60 seconds to complete and submit! AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used wherever Visa debit cards are accepted. Your deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000.

To qualify for the $25 direct deposit bonus, within 6 months after being approved to receive a card you must deposit at least $500 per month via recurring direct deposit in two or more consecutive months.

Best features of this card includes:

- Power of Prepaid Visa Card, Prestige of Gold - Use your AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card at millions of locations worldwide - to withdraw cash, make everyday purchase shop online, or pay bills. Flaunt the gold privilege you have earned.

- Exclusive VIP Customer Service - Get preferred customer service treatment when you sign up for Direct Deposit.

- Higher Limits - Money Load & Withdrawal - Experience the privilege of Gold with higher daily and monthly limits on all withdrawals and purchases on your prepaid card when you enroll in Direct Deposit.

- Pay No Monthly Fee - Deposit $2,500 or more in a month on your card and you pay absolutely no monthly service fee on your AccountNow Gold Card.

Faster and easier access to your money

How It Works ?

Deposit money to your card, use it wherever Visa Debit cards are accepted and stay in full control with online account access and free Mobile Text Alerts. Unlike a bank account or a credit card, you only spend the money you load onto your prepaid card. With no more costly overdraft or interest fees, you get the peace of mind you deserve.

- Deposit Money - Direct Deposit your paycheck or government benefits check to your AccountNow Gold Card and say goodbye to check cashing fees and waiting in lines. It’s fast, free and easy, plus you get a $25 bonus. You can also add cash at any of our retail partner locations. With over 135,000 locations nationwide, there is always a place near you.

- Shop Anywhere, Get Cash - With the power of a Visa in your wallet, you can use your AccountNow Gold Card to shop online, pay for gas, reserve rental cars, hotels, and airline tickets and shop everywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted. Plus, you’re covered by Visa's Zero Liability** coverage, protecting you from unauthorized purchases**.

- Withdraw cash at millions of locations - You’re only a minute away from your money because you can withdraw cash at more than one million ATMs worldwide. Even better, you can skip the ATM fees all together by using your AccountNow Gold Card to get cash back at your local grocery store.

- Pay Bills - With our FREE Online Bill Pay service it is easy to stay on top of all your monthly bills like rent, cell phone, cable and utility bills. Plan ahead and set up Bill Pay to have all your monthly bills automatically paid from your prepaid card account every month. No more running around town to pay a bill with expensive money orders or cash. Expedited (same day or next day) Bill Pay is also available for nominal fees.

Apply now to get this highly featured card:

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Balance Transfer Fees: The Sting in the Tail of 0% Deals

This is a guest article from credit card comparison site, UK

Over the past few years, 0% balance transfer fees have been the credit card industry’s goose that lays the golden eggs.

The offer both builds a better reputation for credit card providers among consumers – a credit card which actually helps people with high-interest debts! – and it’s popular among providers for the same reason any credit card deal is… because it makes them plenty of money.

Yes, he deals are by no means the kindness that they appear to be.

High rates of credit card debt after the 0% deal after notoriously common, either because cardholders have failed to pay off the balance transfer or because they just go on to run up another debt, but the most obvious, yet least understood, portion of 0% balance transfer credit cards’ profit margins are balance transfer fees.

Balance transfer fees

The fees tend to range from 2 to 4% and are charged as a one-off payment when cardholders move their balance from the high-interest credit card to the introductory offer. They can cost new credit card holders, already paying out large amounts in monthly interest, hundreds of pounds.

Because the interest rate looks fairly low, many credit card holders don’t consider how paying that one-off fee compares to a standard credit card interest rate. If a balance is fully repaid by the end of an introductory 0% balance transfer period, a fee of 2% is equivalent to the cardholder paying a 7.0% annual interest rate over six months.

Consumers must walk a tightrope if they want to make a 0% balance transfer deal worthwhile.

On the one hand, fees must not exceed the amount they save by moving from a high interest to a 0% deal. On the other hand, the lowest fees are often offered alongside the shorter 0% balance transfer periods, increasing the risk that the cardholder will end up paying interest on the balance that they moved.

Comparing products carefully is the only defense against yet another sneaky move from credit card providers.

References: Balance Transfer Magic by Lawrence D. Goldberg

About Author: This is a guest post from credit card comparison site, Choose. This site specializes in 0% balance transfer credit cards.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

4 Tips To Finding Real Estate Hot Spots

From Editor: This is a guest post from Sachin

You’re thinking of buying a property but not sure where to look. Here’s a guide to finding the best real estate hot spots.

You’re in the market for a solid property investment but are unsure about which area to buy into. It’s always difficult to keep tabs on the changing property landscape so here are some tips on how to determine the real estate hot spots.

Tip 1 - Know How To Read The Trends

Luckily with the internet there’s more information on property sales and trends than ever before. Even financial sections of newspapers carry detailed breakdowns of property hotspots and which suburbs are performing well and which are struggling. But be careful how you analyse the data. One tip is to look at how the suburb has performed not just over the last year but the last ten years. This will give you a much better indication of whether it’s truly on the rise or if this is just a sudden spike or an abnormality. If it’s been steadily climbing over ten years then you’re probably pretty safe to assume it’s a solid bet. When looking at the overall property sales, always evaluate the mean – in other words the rounded out sales figure. Also be careful to watch that the area hasn’t reached its sales peak and is now about to hit a slide.

Tip 2 – Research The Local Area

Sometimes investment property prices can be affected by all kinds of external factors. For instance, are there big development plans for that suburb or area? A good place to start is the local council website. If a park or reserve or cultural attraction is planned, this will usually affect local prices in a positive way. But if the council is planning on building housing commission apartment blocks or allowing developers to build an industrial plant, this could well affect property prices adversely. All development and council plans have to be publicly announced a long time before they happen. So you’ll find all these answers on council websites. If a hospital or science research facility is about to be built this will create hundreds of jobs and will mean that many more people will now want to move to the area. Also if an area is about to have major new infrastructure added to it (such as a train station or light rail) this will also make it desirable to live in. These are all long term factors that will lead to the suburb appreciating in value.

Tip 3 – Environmental Assets

Some areas will have their own natural assets. For instance coastal regions will have the ocean; some suburbs may have superb bushland; others may have lakes or rivers. These kind of environmental features will always add value to any area and consequently ensure that it will remain an attractive place to buy property.

Tip 4 – The Next Growth Areas

Don’t just look at where the current hot spots are: look at the suburbs next to them. These will quite likely be the next areas to take off. So if a suburb 10ks from the CBD is performing extremely well then it’s probably wise to look at the next suburbs just beyond them. As the hot suburbs reach a very high ceiling then consumers will start moving out slightly further. Economists refer to this phenomenon as a spreading cloud where the hot areas slowly move out in an even circle. So, if you can detect this trend then you can buy into the next hot spot before anyone else.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Credit Cards & Teenagers: How to Make Sure Things Stay in Control?

From Editor: This is a guest post from Alban Smith

You are not the only one worried about how to maintain control over the health of your teen’s credit as in February 2010 President Barak Obama the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act which makes it harder for credit card companies to prey on teenagers and suck them into using a credit card they can’t afford or control.

However, while the new laws state that a teen must have a job or a co-signer, it is still not impossible for your teen to get and use a credit card, so should you be the one helping them as co-signer, or should you take the law into your own hands and just say no?

Remember Being a Teenager?

According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, 19% of all people who filed for bankruptcy in a year were college students – that means that one in five people who are filing for bankruptcy have yet to even start their career, or probably even move out of home.

Before you can help your teen control their credit, you need to remember what it was like being a teenager. There are friends and dates to impress, clothes to buy and parties to go to, and the last thing you wanted as a teenager was your parents’ advice. Therefore, you need to help your teen stay in control of their credit, without actually controlling them. At the same time, you wouldn’t hand them a bottle of spirits to teach them how to drink responsibly, so instead, use the following tips to responsibly and effectively help your teenager manage their credit.

How to Help Your Teenager Control Their Credit

Teaching abstinence rather than contraception doesn’t decrease teen pregnancies and nor will forbidding your teenager from having a credit card stop them from having financial troubles in the future. Ignorance in matters which are a part of life that your teenagers are going to come up against sooner or later is not giving them a valuable start in the world. This is why helping your teen get a credit card and helping them learn how to use it responsibly is less likely to lead them into financial trouble than if they first run across credit in their 20s when they have their first job and they think they have enough money to do anything and don’t need to know the intricacies of their credit contract.

Therefore, use the following steps to help make sure your teenagers credit card use doesn’t get out of control:

Limit the number of credit cards. This may be a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ moment for you and your teen as you probably have three or four different credit cards in your wallet. However, to help your teenager learn about credit responsibly, and maintain control, make sure they apply for just one credit card in the beginning.

Choose a debit card. If you want to ease your teen into credit card use, start them on a debit card which looks and acts like a credit card, but which accesses the money they have in their account, without running up a balance each month. This means they don’t have to worry about making credit card payments each month or how much interest they’re charged, but they can use their card to shop online and choose ‘credit’ and sign when they pay in stores.

Additional card on your account. You could also add your teenager to your own credit card account, and get them their own card, with their own limit. This allows you to keep a very close watch on their spending. Some credit card providers will even allow you to take out a credit card for your teen from your account but with a different account number so if they lose their card you don’t have to cancel your account too.

Make sure your teenager has a job. Even if this is just a part time job, your teen needs to understand that they can’t spend the bank’s money without having some reliable plan to pay it back. This is also legislated in the new Act.

Budget and planning. You know yourself how tempting it is to keep spending when you have all of that credit available on your card, but you need to help your teen change their perceptions about what they can really spend. This means helping them work out a budget, so they know how much they can afford to repay each month, and therefore know how much they can responsibly spend on their card each month. This will help ensure they don’t carry over a revolving balance, and can avoid high interest charges.

Understand the terms and conditions. This is an opportunity to explain to your child about how credit card interest is applied, where your payments go when you make them, and the dangerously expensive consequences of compounding interest. You’ll also be able to check for any hidden fees or charges in the credit contract.

Regularly review credit card use. Make a time every three months or so to meet with your teenager to look at their credit card spending. Collect their statements and look at whether they are regularly paying off their balance in full, and how they are managing the rest of their finances, for example their savings plan. This is especially important around peak spending times such as Christmas.

Choose a low interest credit card. Look for the credit card offer with the lowest interest rate as this will mean minimal additional charges to your teen’s account if they don’t manage to pay off their balance in full each month.

About Author: Alban reviews term deposit rates at Savings Account Finder. When he is not working, he loves sharing his thoughts on personal finance.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Should I Try to Pay Off Old Debt?

Editor's note: This is a guest post from SmartCredit.com

The process can be frustrating – but it’s worth it in the end

Lots of people have questions regarding credit scores – and few people really understand how this all-important number is calculated or how it works.

One of the most commonly asked questions is this: Will paying off an old or bad debt raise your credit score?

When you have a charge off or a negative mark on your credit report, it will remain them for seven years. This means that when you pay a debt in full, the mark will not be removed from your credit report. This is incredibly frustrating when you are trying to clean up your report.

But just because it is frustrating doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to pay off your debts. It’s better that you do pay them in full whenever possible. Potential creditors will want to see that for the debts listed on your credit report, there is “paid in full” next to the charge off or negative mark. It shows you took responsibility for the debt.

But what if you can’t pay the debt in full? You may need to negotiate a settlement with the creditor. If you do so, your credit report will reflect this and, although it won’t change your credit score as much as paying the debt in full, it will have a positive effect.

When paying off your old debts, it is best to pay them off one at a time. If you try to spread the payments out, putting a little toward each debt, you may find that your creditors will start chasing you for full payment. It really is best to pay one then focus on getting the next one paid. You should be sure that each time you pay off a debt, you contact the creditor and make sure the creditor contacts the credit agencies as soon as possible to report the repayment.

It is important to note that as you work on repaying your old debt, potential creditors will take note of your more recent activity than your past handling of debt.

How do you go about paying off your old debt? First of all, you should get a copy of your credit report. Look at each old debt, and start with the one you can afford to repay. Contact this creditor only when you are ready to repay the debt. Once you’ve paid that debt, move on to the next one. You may find that the process doesn’t go as quickly as you’d like, especially if you must save up money to repay each debt, but bear in mind that the outcome is worth the time it takes – and your repaired credit history and improved credit score will reflect that.

This guest post provided by SmartCredit.com. Check your credit report and credit score with a click of a button.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...

Save Money on Your Communication Needs

From Editor: This is a guest post by Noreen Ruth

Keeping in touch with family and friends has never been easier. With innovations in communication technology coming fast and furious, opportunities for more people to have cell phones and access to online social networks and services has opened up. But with all those available options, many people find it a daunting task to choose the ones that meet their needs. Don’t let the fear of new technology keep you from communicating whenever and wherever you are and save money at the same time.

Bundled Services

If you currently have cable, phone and Internet services, one easy way to cut on the cost of all three is by signing up for a bundled package. When you purchase multiple services from one company, your loyalty will be rewarded with lower rates. In addition, you’ll keep bill paying to a minimum with one statement and payment each month.

When Loyalty Doesn’t Pay

Competing cable companies will offer the customers in their area the terrific savings for switching services. But before you make the move, be sure you know whether you’re getting a great deal. Are you comparing apples to apples? The Internet speed, number of cable channels and unlimited long-distance calls are just three of the factors to consider when choosing a bundled package. Does the bundled rate provide a respectable discount?

Cutting Back on Services

Most people sign up for the highest end package they can afford only to find out that they don’t use most of those services. For instance, most people cannot discern the difference between 12 Mbps and 20 Mbps Internet speeds; so why pay for it? Here are some other downgrades that you may never notice.

# Eliminate Cable Channels - Take a look at your current channel line-up and cut sports or premium packages for a month and see if you really miss them.

# Lower Internet Speed - Unless you rely on Internet speed for work or competitive computer games that require speed, you probably won’t notice the difference between 12 Mbps and 20 Mbps.

# Disconnect the Landline – Dropping your home phone is a great way to save money, but only if family members have access to a cell phone. If you want to maintain it for security reasons, reduce the service to a minimum.

# Cut Phone Services– Check for features that you don’t use; cancel them to reap savings every month.

# Lower Mailing Costs – Pay bills online or by automatic billing systems to save gas, paper, postage and time. Connect with friends and family via email, texting or social networks. Use the Flat Rate or Priority Mail Services of the US Postal Service - if it fits in the box its one flat rate!

Buy Discounted or Refurbished Hardware and Software

Discounted deals on refurbished cell phones and computers can save you hundreds of dollars and eliminate the need to sign a cell phone contract. They were previously owned and returned by the customer within the warranty period, overhauled to be just like new and sold as refurbished. You can find great deals from reputable online technology merchants that include the same warranty protection as many new purchases.

# Use Open Source software – The price for many popular programs is cost prohibitive for anyone looking to save money. Take advantage of some great free programs that do just about everything the big guns do. Check out Gimp for photos, Open Office for word processing.

About the Author: Noreen Ruth writes for several popular finance websites. She is interested in educating consumers about using credit responsibly and about legislative action that will affect their ability to borrow the money they need. She has contributed hundreds of articles to various online sites that provide content to educate consumers on credit card offers, debt consolidation, loans and other finance related topics.


Like to Add Your Guest Post here?
This post was written by a guest writer mentioned above. If you'd like to add a guest post in Money Hacker, please check out Write for Us page for details about how YOU can share your knowledge with our community.

>> Read This Article...

Read more...