Financial Literacy – Did You Learn This At School

Author: Damian Papworth  //  Category: Investing

One of my most enduring memories from high school is that in almost every class I attended, it didn’t matter what the subject was, there was always some smarty pants who would say to the teacher “I just don’t see how this will help me later in life”. Its funny how the teachers never really gave them a satisfactory answer.

It would be quite an experiment, if someone had a record of everything they used in life and which part, if any, came from classes in high school. Maybe the wise-crackers would be right most of the time, but we’ll leave that discussion for another day. There are definitely a few subjects which every student could use, and one of them is Financial Literacy. For whatever reason, the principals and education experts have never made this a requirement, though it is hard to think of a better idea.

Financial Literacy class would prepare students with the basics, giving students the opportunity to examine their possibilities and have some basis for making decisions regarding their finances. You want to give students a chance, as many make the most foolish mistakes and ended up mired in debt they are unable to service. Financial Literacy would try to counteract that; here is the way the class would progress.

Week 1. Is that a scam? How to recognize scams and not get involved in them. All they are, are people stealing your money.

Week 2. How to determine if you can take on a loan. Most young people have no conception of what it means to pay back a debt. The second phase of class would lay out the problems of taking on debt and when it should be done. Personal and business loans would be discussed, along with examining credit card statements and taking on mortgages. The positive aspects (tax-wise) will also be covered.

Week 3. How can you evaluate assets? Students would get an idea of how to size up their assets. Appreciating assets would be contrasted with depreciating assets. Consumables would be contrasted with earning assets. Students would see how purchasing different assets affects net worth over one’s life span.

Week 4. Investment strategies. Any investment you take has a number of consequences and risk potential. Students will be given the tools necessary to tell what a risky investment look like. Also, when the signs point to a winning gamble, they should be ready to pull the trigger. Although it takes a good amount of courage and a little recklessness, great investments can turn a life around.

Week 5. Should you leverage your investments. This lesson would run through the advantages and risks associated with leveraging investment portfolios. Tax would have to be covered to some extent in this lesson also as there are some definite tax advantages when borrowing to invest.

Final lesson. The final lesson of this course would be put it all together. The steps you should take to avoid the financial problems so many people face. How to structure yourself to maximize your legal protection and your tax position. And of course, how to use the money you have to most effectively create wealth and income, given your personal tolerance to risk.

Damian Papworth understands that you do not require mutual fund investments. With some easy strategies, you are capable of being your own investment manager. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

The Important Role of Building Inspectors on Pre-Purchase Inspection of Properties

Author: Alana Redmana  //  Category: Real Estate

Oftentimes, a novice potential real estate buyer would suggest skipping the “inspection” process with the intent of saving money. Or perhaps, if a buyer would take on this process, he would let someone, that he deems knowledgeable but really doesn’t know any better, do this painstaking task.

You have to know that the inspection is a necessary step to take prior to every real estate property purchase in Australia. It would be a big mistake to entrust this task to any Tom, Dick, and Harry.

The Australian Standard AS4349.1-2007 very well states the standard for inspections on properties. Therefore, it is important to have a person who is qualified to do this job.

Like any other ordinary person who wishes to buy a property, you have all the right to know, inside and out, the property that you’re supposed to buy. A licensed building inspector is the answer for this procedure.

Because most of the properties for sale look good up front, it is important to scrutinize what’s inside too, most especially the areas that we tend to neglect. Licensed inspectors or consultants see more than what meets the eye. For them, it’s more than just the aesthetics. The stability of the property on all aspects is what’s more important.

Ultimately, the building inspector is the one who will complete the “Building Inspection Report”. He must put in his notes all his observation. Even if he’s not a licensed professional on a particular area like the electrical aspect, he must have a say on whatever he finds faulty.

The pre-purchase building inspection report can be an ally when it comes to the negotiation process. If the reports show that there is much to be repaired on the property, you can request for a lower asking price from the seller.

Licensed Building Inspectors are the only ones fit to do this job as they have ample training and experience. Aside from that, they are there to protect your interest because, not anyone else’s interest.

The importance of pre-purchase inspection can never be stressed enough. It’ s a valuable step to take as it can save you thousands of bucks in the long run.

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Making Finances Manageable By Renegotiating Your Loan Terms

Author: Wendy Polisi  //  Category: Finances / Loans / Mortgages

With the current economic situation all too many people are finding themselves unable to pay their loans as they were written originally. No matter whether you have lost a job, become debilitated even temporarily, or have new expenses the situation can be nerve wracking. What makes it worse is not having tools to deal with it. It comes as a surprise to most debtors that they can renegotiate their loans. By working with their creditors they can negotiate reduced payments, a better payment schedule, and even have some fees removed so that they can again manage their debt situation.

In the absence of criminal liability for debt and debtor prisons, the lenders realize that their options are limited. If a debtor refuses to pay a debt, the lender only has a few courses open to them. Reporting the default to a credit bureau hurts the borrowers credit ranking, but does not necessarily result in repayment. A lender may also resort to seeking a remedy in court, but this process is time consuming and expensive and only makes sense for large loans. Further, a court remedy may not necessarily result in repayment.

Because they are aware of these limitations and the fact there is no guarantee of payment many lenders have become open to renegotiating loan terms and payments. They know that this route has a greater chance of having the outstanding balance repaid. Of course, lenders wish to regain as much as possible from the outstanding loan amount without losing any more money to courts and collection agencies. Negotiating reduced payments and loan terms can make it possible for the defaulting debtor to pay off their debt and begin rebuilding their credit standing.

Negotiating reduced payments and loan terms is in the interest of both parties; both the lender and the borrower. As much as lenders would prefer to have the loan paid as originally agreed, most realize that renegotiating is better than having the loan completely default. To this end, many companies and banks have established customer service departments to handle hardship situations. They are the ones who have the power to renegotiate loan terms so the lender is repaid.

Renegotiating is an uncomplicated process that starts with contacting the company holding the loan note that needs to be renegotiated. Asking in a straightforward way for the hardship department or for someone who can renegotiate loan terms will ensure that you are put in touch with the right person. As you talk with this person, carefully and clearly explain your situation in as much detail as possible, and make sure you have a plan you can offer for their consideration. Avoid becoming aggressive or threatening with this person in any way so that they know you are making a good-faith attempt at repaying your debt.

If you are truly incapable of paying back your debt you have nothing to lose by attempting to renegotiate your loans, and everything to gain. Remember that although the renegotiation process can be quite time consuming, and the lender may want documentation to substantiate your hardship situation, the result can be quite rewarding. Even if the lender refuses to renegotiate, you have put forth the effort and you are in no worse a position. There is satisfaction in making the effort.

Wendy Polisi is the founder of Credit Repair College and Finance the Dream. Finance the Dream is the nations leading provider of Rent to Own Homes,offering homes throughout the United States. For more information on fast credit repair please visit her at Credit Repair College.