If you are interested in keeping up to date with current events from around the world and love anything to do with business and finance, it might be a good idea to look into enrolling in an economics degree course in order to pursue a career in this field. There are numerous career options on offer for economics graduates, many of which are very lucrative and interesting. Economics might appear to be all about money, but it’s actually a very human-centered subject. It can be defined as the study of how people allocate and utilize financial resources on both an individual and a group basis. Because of this, the economics programs available to study can vary greatly.

What is Economics?

So, what exactly is economics? This social science covers a broad range of issues that tend to influence the financial decisions that we make. Economics explores how both individuals and organizations use, produce, consume, and distribute the goods and services of the world. Knowledge of money alone is not enough; a good economics degree will also examine several other areas including politics, psychology, sociology, law, history, geography, and more.

What to Expect from an Economics Degree

Whether you’re starting out studying economics as a freshman or want to get a Master’s degree in Applied Economics, it’s always good to know what to expect from an economics degree program like the one at https://appliedeconomics.bc.edu/. Economics degree programs offer students a wide range of seminars, lectures, written assignments, reports, projects, and sometimes even exams in order to ensure a broad and deep understanding of the subject. A bachelor of science in economics tends to focus heavily on statistics and math and will require students to have a very solid grasp of mathematical principles.

Reputation

One of the main reasons to consider studying for a degree in economics is the reputation of this subject. It’s a very well-respected degree that will certainly be noticed by both professors and future employers, whether you decide to go straight into the workforce or want to further your education even more. You can also often combine an economics major with several other well-respected subjects such as computer science, law, engineering, politics, and languages.

Career Prospects

A degree in economics will open up doors for you when it comes to several different career prospects. One of the best things about economics is that it can be applied to a huge range of different industries and fields, so there’ll never be a shortage of things that you can do with this degree. You might find yourself providing advice to politicians or lawmakers, or working for a bank or other large financial institution. Economists often also work closely alongside businesses as risk analysts, or you might take an interest in economic reporting and journalism. The options truly are endless when it comes to a career in economics, so it’s an ideal choice if you’re interested in math and money but not 100% sure of what you’d like to do – it leaves plenty of options open.

Economics is a well-respected, interesting degree with plenty to offer for those who study it.

Health insurance is confusing for many people. Most people think they understand it, but they really don’t.

About 74% of Americans say they know what health insurance deductibles are. Yet, only 51% were able to correctly define what they are. Only 4% of Americans understand all of the terminology related to health insurance.

That lack of understanding can be costly and leave you underinsured when you need coverage the most. Read on to find out how health insurance deductibles work.

What Is Deductible in Health Insurance?

You may have seen the term deductible in other insurance policies like your home or auto coverage. What does deductible mean? It refers to the amount of money you pay out of pocket for health care services before your insurance pays its share.

For example, if you have a health insurance policy that has a $5000 deductible, you’ll pay out of pocket for medical care up until the $5000. Once you reach that mark, then insurance will cover the rest of your health care costs.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Some policies only make you pay a co-pay for doctor’s visits or you don’t pay anything at all for preventative lab work.

This is why it’s so important to understand your health insurance policy before you sign up.

Premiums and Co-Pays

You pay a monthly amount for your health insurance, and you might be wondering why you have to pay more for your health care. Your monthly cost is your premium.

Your co-pay, or copayment, is what you pay at your doctor’s office. This could be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your bill. Some insurance plans will have a combination of the two.

You might pay $20 for doctor’s visits, $40 for specialists, and 20% for hospital stays. Again, you may have to meet your deductible before these payments kick in, which would leave you responsible for the full bill.

Shopping for Health Insurance

When you shop for insurance, you’ll find that most plans that have a low deductible have a high monthly premium. Plans that have a low monthly premium usually have a higher deductible to meet.

With the low monthly payment/high premium plans, you have to be prepared to pay a lot of money out of pocket if you’re in an accident or need to visit the hospital.

You want to make sure that you know what type of insurance you need. You can then look for sites that give you premium estimates as to how much you’ll pay every month.

For instance, if you need Medigap insurance in Alabama, you can check out a site like MedicareWire that lists the premium payments for different carriers.

As you shop for insurance, you need to look at the entire cost of health care, not only the premiums.

How Do Health Insurance Deductibles Work?

Health insurance policies have so many terms and conditions that it’s easy to get confused. When you shop for health insurance, look at the health insurance deductibles, premiums, and co-pays.

That will help you find an insurance plan that fits your needs that won’t leave you financially broke. For more financial insights, head over to the home page of this site for the latest articles.

There is always a good time to be trying to make more money, and this is even more of a focus these days because of the fact that the economic future of the country is so uncertain. That’s why you need to make sure you do as much as possible to improve the process right now, and it is something that will play a huge part in this process moving forward. 

You need to take steps to try to make sure you are as financially sound and secure as possible, and this means looking for some of the best ways of being able to improve your cash in the right sort of way. You have to put measures in place that will help you to make additional money, and this is something you need to think about right now.

Find Work Online

Make sure you take the time to get online and try to find as many different opportunities for work as possible. There are so many ideas you can use to improve and help you make additional money, and these are avenues that you should be looking to explore. There are a lot of things that you need to work on as much as possible, and things like blogging, completing surveys, and publishing ebooks are some of the best ways of being able to make money on the internet that can be used to supplement your income. 

Invest in Cryptocurrencies

If you are feeling bold and you have done the right amount of research, there are a lot of things that you’re going to need to think about when it comes to cryptocurrencies. Making the best possible changes to help you improve your financial situation is so important. Now, you need to make sure you focus on cryptocurrency investment, and think about what you can do to achieve this as much as possible. Make sure you do as much as possible to make the most of this right now, and there are a lot of elements that play a part in this right now. 

Generate Passive Income

One of the best and least intrusive ways of being able to make additional money is to generate some passive income. Now, there are a lot of things that you can do to try to make the most of this, and it is important to ensure that there are plenty of things that you can do to help generate the right sort of income. Check out this guide on CIT Bank Savings Accounts that you can use to grow your savings, but also try to look at things like monetizing a blog in order to help bring in passive income as well. 

As you can see, these are just a few of the key ideas you can use to help you when it comes to trying to make more money. It is so important to find great ways of doing this right now, and you should be looking to try to get this right as much as you can. Make sure you do what it takes to improve things right now, and these are some of the best ways of being able to make additional money on the side.

When you get started in dividend stocks, you can easily research and purchase worthwhile stocks in a few simple steps. From researching your choices to keeping an eye on the market, here’s everything you need to know about investing in dividend stocks.

What Are Dividend Stocks and How Do They Work?

Image via Pixabay by geralt

Dividend stocks are shares of a company’s earnings that give regular payments to shareholders. Well-established companies make shares in their growth available on the stock market, which investors can then take advantage of as the company continues to earn profits. Shareholders who have invested in dividend stocks usually receive quarterly cash payments.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks come with many benefits along with some drawbacks. To start, if you’re looking for investment opportunities that guarantee you a regular deposit, dividend stocks can certainly provide this. Another immediate benefit to investing in dividends is that there is less risk associated with the volatility of the stock market. This means that even with a downward trend in the market, your dividends will still pay.

That being said, there are a few drawbacks to dividend stocks to be aware of. If your dividend stocks are classified as “beta risk,” this means they are at risk because of the stock’s sensitivity to the movements of the market, and you could stand to see a reduction in your quarterly dividend payments.

Another drawback to dividend stocks is that if a company isn’t seeing much growth and stands to go into debt or another adverse market move, they may reduce the offerings in their dividends, or may eliminate dividends completely. So it’s important to do your research before investing in a specific stock.

1. Researching Stocks and Assessing Risk

Your first step should be researching all the dividend stocks you’re interested in purchasing. This includes analyzing the risks that come with each stock. Even though dividend stocks aren’t as risky as other types of stocks, you’ll still need to be aware of any effects the market can have on your investments.

2. Purchasing Dividend Stocks

Once you’ve done your research and evaluated the risk to your investments, you can purchase your stocks. You can do this through an online trading platform, where a broker will find the best options and make investment decisions on your behalf.

3. Tracking Your Performance

Once you’ve invested in the dividends you want, keep track of the stock performance. Keep track of market shifts and each time you receive your dividend payouts. This can help you make future decisions about your investment portfolio.

Popular Dividend Stocks

When you start your research into popular dividend stocks, consider the following options to add to your investment portfolio:

• Energy and fuel: Chevron Corp., TC Energy Corp., Duke Energy Corp., and DTE Energy Co.

• Technology and medical: Seagate Technology Plc. and National Health Investors, Inc.

• Finance: M&T Bank Corp., Principal Financial Group, Inc., and National Bankshares, Inc.

While these are several examples of some popular stocks that pay dividends, there are many more out there to look into. As you get started trading in dividend stocks, be sure to use your platform’s tools and resources to monitor and research every aspect of your stock portfolio so you can make the best investment decisions.

To many people, Disney and its theme parks are the means to make their fairytale dreams come true and it’s no longer for just princesses and castles.

With the acquisitions of Marvel, 20th Century Fox, and Lucasfilm, you can also see beloved Marvel superheroes, Jedi and stormtroopers, and soon maybe even the X-men at all of their Disney theme parks. What better time than this to visit Disney theme parks?

What’s more, you have the opportunity to be able to extend your happiness by being a part of the Disney Vacation Club. But what is it and how long does Disney Vacation Club last?

Where Dreams Come True

Firstly, Disney Vacation Club, also called DVC, is a timeshare opportunity operated by Disney. They offer the chance to stay at Walt Disney Resorts as well as other places like Hawaii.

The program is based on a point system. You are able to buy points (between 160 and 2,000) at the start of the contract, and the points can be used at the resorts as well as the parks.

If you find that the timeshare is not for you, the timeshares can be resold to others and be taken off your hands.

How Much Does The DVC Cost?

This is the kicker; you have to understand that this is essentially buying real estate. Therefore, Disney Vacation Club timeshares can cost $20,000 or more.

This depends of course on the number of points you purchase at the outset as well as other provisions that are provided in the contract

But just like any other kind of real estate, DVC financing is available to help set up convenient payment plans. You also can take out DVC loans to help with your purchase of a Disney Vacation Club timeshare.

However, considering how long they last and all the perks associated, the cost does not seem as bad

How Long Does Disney Vacation Club Last?

The DVC actually lasts a long time. Most contracts last around 25 years or more and others such as resorts like the Grand Californian may last about 40 years or more. You can expect to see your return on investment between five to seven years.

Other benefits of this include that you obtain a deed to your piece of the property, and you have the ability to pass the ownership to children when they become eligible and can also leave it to others in your will.

And as previously stated, you have the option to resell if you grow tired of the investment, or if you find it’s not the best fit for you and your family.

Be A Part Of The Mouse Family

Disney Vacation Club gives you the opportunity to be a part of the Disney Family: it gives you vacation relaxation, discounts and member-only exclusives, and investment opportunity that allows it to be passed down to future family.

How long does Disney Vacation Club last? It lasts as long as you need it to. Become a part of the Disney Vacation Club because it lasts as long as it continues to make your dreams come true. For more information check this website.

During your lifetime, you’ll encounter unanticipated events that can either bring good or harm. Whatever the circumstances are, it’s important to ensure your financial protection, and this is what insurance is all about. By purchasing an insurance policy, you have financial protection and compensation against unexpected losses, which can surely make a huge difference in your life.

Insurance policies exist in various forms: health insurance, life insurance, car insurance, and many more. As a policyholder, your responsibility is to pay the insurance fees monthly or annually depending on your negotiation with the insurance company. 

Since insurance premiums have to be addressed regularly, it’s important to include them on your budgeting for the following reasons:

1. Daily Exposure To Risks

The whole point of obtaining insurance is to keep yourself protected. Health and safety risks are present wherever you are, especially if you’re an active person who travels to a lot of places daily. For instance, having car insurance is paramount to car owners in the event a vehicular accident occurs.

Although car insurance policies are costly, you’ll need them for car ownership. You can try searching for cheap SR22 insurance for your vehicle, which can ease the financial burden of paying for your premiums.

If you drive through different roads every day, you should always include your car insurance in your budgeting as you’re always exposed to the risk of getting into an accident. In the worst-case scenario that you do get involved in an accident, you have something to fall back on, and you’ll be able to recover with assured assistance.

2. Limit Bad Spending Habits

Payday is probably everyone’s most awaited day of the month. People have different budgeting approaches and techniques once they obtain their hard-earned money. While you might be tempted to purchase those designer shoes you’ve been eyeing for a while now, you’ll have to reevaluate your financial decisions and prioritize the necessities.

To ward off those unnecessary spending habits, paying for your insurance is a better way to spend your money. Instead of buying products that you only want and don’t need, you should work on your insurance premiums that have more benefits once paid off. 

Think of your insurance as another savings nest. Most individuals follow the 50/20/30 budget rule. To spend less on your wants and add more for your needs, you can cut 5% of your 30% wants to add it into your 50% needs, making 55% of your income deposited for your “needs” budget. 

3. Make The Most Out Of Your Employer’s Health Plan

Health insurance is difficult to budget as there are several factors to it. Upon employment, you can receive a health insurance plan from your employer, but its coverage varies from employer to employer. Most employers provide a package of medical, vision, and dental plans while some may offer less, leaving their employees to work on the rest.

If you wish to maximize your employer’s health plan aside from having an individual plan, including your premiums on your budget allows you to fill the gap on your employer’s health plan. Since you’ll spend most of your time at work, obtaining insurance with broad coverage guarantees your safety and protection.

4. Ensure Peace Of Mind As You Age

While your employer’s insurance can suffice through your career life, you can’t guarantee its protection when you retire or transfer to a new career path. This is when individual plans prove their importance. An effective insurance budgeting assists you to pay for your insurance premiums consistently, thus bringing peace of mind. 

Building your life insurance is important at any stage of your life, and it will become extremely significant in your retirement. You can apply for capturing your insurance’s cash value in different ways, such as growing your nest egg as an addition to your retirement income. 

While it’s still early, assigning a portion of your budget on your insurance premiums can help you age comfortably and securely. Before tapping into your cash value, talk to your financial advisor about this. 

5. Worthy Lifetime Investment

It’s challenging to earn money from your career while trying to make ends meet, especially for middle-income earners with families. Fortunately, including your life insurance in your regular budget encourages you to pay for valuable investments that can benefit your family in the long run. 

Your family’s financial future is in good hands through insurance, as it assists you in effective financial planning. For instance, life insurance guarantees that your family receives financial protection in case of your early demise, and also helps for paying your burial and funeral expenses.

Moreover, if you have a cash value insurance policy, a portion of your premiums goes to a tax-deferred account, which slowly grows according to your negotiated rate with the insurer according to the policy’s terms. Earning cash value can help you in a variety of large-scale purchases for your family.

Bottom Line

Some people mistake insurance as something to prioritize once you start becoming an adult, but it should be the other way around. While you’re still young and can afford to have one, budget your money efficiently and don’t forget to save a slice for your insurance because of the essential reasons discussed in this article. 

Registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of $65,000 per year. That’s enough income for most lenders to approve your mortgage, provided you don’t have delinquencies and the amount you’re borrowing isn’t out of your league.

However, home loans for nurses consider much more than that. It becomes quite complicated when a nurse applies for a mortgage.

Can a nurse buy a house still? Of course, but as you know, the income of nurses can be greatly fluctuating.

This can be detrimental to your application, but don’t worry. Follow our tips below to increase your chances of getting a home loan.

1. Establish Your Employment History

While your current income is important in assessing your qualification, your work history is almost as important. Lenders use it to create a vague idea of your capability to pay in the future.

At the least, you should have 12 months of history. Although, your chances will have a significant boost if you have two years or more of experience.

Some lenders consider the nursing school as a part of your work history. But having experience isn’t all that matters when applying for home loans for nurses.

They’ll also look at your income for the past 12 to 24 months to assess its stability. To them, the more solid your employment history (and income) looks, the more likely it is that you’ll continue to work (and receive the same income) in the future.

While we’re talking about history, take a look at your credit history, too. You can get a free credit report once a year from any of the three credit reporting bodies.

2. Prepare Explanations for Employment Gaps

It’s somewhat common for nurses to change employers, pick up per diem work, or take a few months off. Employment gaps are especially common for travel nurses.

Lenders will question any gap they see in your history but don’t worry, they’re not deal-breakers. They’re not red flags, but they’re flags still. Exceptions would be some extended periods of unemployment.

You’ll only have to prepare proper explanations for such gaps.

Why are employment gaps such a big deal, anyway?

Like we said above, lenders use your past to see if you will continue to have a stable income in the future. Gaps indicate instability. If you were to have another gap while paying for a mortgage, you might not be able to pay on schedule.

Your income stability is what matters to them, so you might have to provide more than explanations at one point. For instance, you’ve only started picking up night shifts, which add to your income. The lenders would likely want to have the assurance you’ll continue picking up night shifts.

You might need to get a letter from your employer saying that this set-up will likely continue in the future.

3. Consider Your Current Debt

Your lenders will also look at your current debt and everything you’re still paying off. Before they do that, though, take a look for yourself.

Nurses rack up a lot of debt because of schooling and training. This is often why you might find it hard to get mortgages for nurses.

Calculate how much money you’re using each month to pay off debts. Then, get an estimate of how much you’ll be adding to that once you get a mortgage.

Do you think you can consistently pay for that amount for the following decades? Are you sure you can handle additional debt?

If you don’t think so, lenders will likely agree with you. That’s why you must assess.

If you’re struggling, it will show through your application. When you’re ready, you can show you’re ready by showing your savings and income sources, as explained below.

4. List Down All Your Income Sources

One of the mistakes you can do is listing down only your base pay. More often than, nurses get way more than their base pay each month. That’s because they still have night shift differentials and overtime pay.

The way that lenders consider these into your application, may vary. Some might only include them if you have a history of receiving these types of pay for two whole years. Some might not even use them when calculating for how large of a mortgage you qualify.

Still, it’s a good idea to include them all in your application. Lenders often include variable income in other occupations, so there’s a good chance you can use your extra pay to qualify.

Fringe benefits are common for nurses, too. You might be getting meal allowances and such, but relevant?

It depends on the lender, but if you can, find one that adds such benefits to your income.

Gather your pay stubs and any documentation about all your extra income. Get a letter from your employer stating your whole package, including night shift differentials and fringe benefits. Give the lender a name and contact number of your HR, as well.

They may not be a requirement, but they might help your case.

5. Ask for Help

You can talk with lenders directly, sure. But, if you want to increase your chances of getting approved, it’s best if you work with a third-party instead.

Mortgage brokers can help you prepare your application and everything you’ll need.

They have a more important role than that, though, and that’s to find the right lender for you. As a nurse, you want to find a lender that understands all your special circumstances to increase your total borrowing capacity.

Brokers would already know which lenders are the right fit for you, so you don’t have to find them. They’ll take care of the whole process, which is a whole lot off your shoulders. View more info to know more about how they can help you.

Know Your Home Loans for Nurses Options

Nurses may not be the ideal employee on paper, but getting a mortgage isn’t impossible. Lenders are now quite aware of what a nurse’s application looks like. Still, you have to do your part to prove you are (and you’ll be) a good payor.

Look around for the best home loans for nurses, and talk to brokers to improve your chances of getting approved. For more financial tips or career guides, check out our other guides right now! For more informative articles check this websites.

Finding yourself under the spotlight and being subjected to an IRS tax audit can be an uncomfortable experience and it can be all too easy to make rash decisions in such stressful circumstances.

One thing that would help your situation would be to have tax attorneys with decades of experience on your side as they will know what steps to take, and when its the right time to launch an appeal.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about the appeals process when you are subjected to a tax audit.

Three different types of audit

The first relevant point to consider is what type of IRS audit you are being subjected to, as this can make a difference to the approach you take and the process you follow.

A field audit will involve a visit from an IRS employee and this is normally the type of audit that businesses are subjected to.

Correspondence audits are the usual method of investigation and this is where the IRS requests information from you but does not require a meeting.

An office audit is where you are asked to attend an IRS office in order to meet an agent to discuss your tax affairs.

Don’t ignore the notice

The most important point to remember when you are notified of an IRS audit is to not ignore the notice.

You have 30 days to acknowledge receipt of the audit notice and it is critical that you respond within that timeframe as your options will become limited if you simply ignore the notice or take too long to reply.

The IRS could automatically adjust your bill and make their own assumptions in the absence of your response, so reply within 30 days so that you have time to gather information and get professional help if you need it.

Get your documents in order

Before you even consider appealing the notice and disputing the figures it is essential that you work on organizing your records and presenting your documents in a way that makes it easy for the auditor to find what they are looking for.

Being organized with your documents also helps the auditor to make the assumption that your tax records are in order, which means the audit could be concluded more swiftly.

Take your time and know your rights

It is often best to only provide the information requested and see if you can reach an agreement about what is owed at this stage before launching an appeal.

It is worth noting that if you do decide to appeal your file will be transferred to someone who is more senior than the agent you are currently dealing with. This means they are more experienced and knowledgable when it comes to finding ways to support their claim for extra taxes to be paid.

The bottom line is that it is often better to be patient and try to resolve the issue at the first stage before launching an appeal. If in doubt, seek professional help with your taxes as they may be able to get you out of a tight spot and get you out of the spotlight as soon as possible.

People worldwide dream of becoming successful and wealthy, but some are just not keen to achieve that. Most of them look for easier ways to get rich. They call their faith to help, so they bet or play the lottery, hoping to win the grand prize.

People with both feet on the ground, work on making their dreams come true. You’ve probably heard of many billionaires and successful business people starting from nothing. That path is the only way to make it. 

The chance of becoming a millionaire or even a billionaire doesn’t fall from the sky. Not all wealthy people were born rich, nor their journeys to success were smooth. In order for you to enjoy what you’ve gained, you have to work hard on it. And if you want to be fulfilled, make the world a better place. 

Each of you can help society in some way. Yet, the wealthiest individuals of every community are expected to help the most. Although it’s not obligatory by any laws, the moral code doesn’t allow them to avoid doing it. Successful people like Lee Beaman pay a lot of attention to the well-being of society.

Beaman’s Path to Success

Lee Beaman is one of the people who fulfilled their dreams many years ago. Things weren’t always easy for him, although he had a pretty stable background (his father was an entrepreneur). But having money didn’t get any shortcuts to Lee.

Alvin Beaman was Mr. Lee’s father, who passed away in 1997. Beaman senior was an incredibly capable man and an excellent role model for young Lee. He knew he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps of becoming an entrepreneur throughout his school and college years. Here is a list of what successful people do.

History Repeats Itself

Alvin tried to succeed in Nashville since he moved from Knoxville in the mid-1930s. Some years later, he started a successful business of bottling soft drinks. The company did so well that he bought a local radio station and the Dodge-Plymouth franchise in 1945. Mr. Alvin continued on his business rampage and taught his son how to achieve his life goals.

Beaman Jr. dedicated his life to becoming as successful as his dad. Today, he speaks of his father with utter respect since he wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for Alvin. Becoming successful is much easier if the path before you is clear and set. Lee knew how to use the cards he was dealt with.

Ever since he achieved the goals, Lee Beaman has been helping his community every way he could. Beaman’s primary business, ‘Beaman Automotive Group,’ is the largest dealership franchise in States.  This company brought him fame and fortune. And Lee Beaman has been giving it back to people every chance he gets.

Hard Work and Engagement Earn Respect

The famous saying mentioning lemon, life, and lemonade is familiar to everyone. Lee Beaman took it to another level. Metaphorically speaking, when life got him lemons, he didn’t make lemonade for himself. Lee made a fruit punch and invited the entire Nashville community to enjoy. That is an accurate description of how generous Mr. Beaman was and still is. 

Mr. Lee is active in numerous fields that help the Nashville area grow and become better. His corporate social responsibility portfolio includes building neonatal intensive care in Nashville’s hospital, campus library, and student center for local universities. He’s funding organizations like Red Cross and Salvation Army.

More on the importance of socially responsible business read below:

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4679-corporate-social-responsibility.html

Personal Involvement

What sets Lee Beaman apart from other humanitarians is his personal involvement. He’s not just there to sign checks. This businessman believes that his engagement should be followed by others as much as they can. By being a board member or chairing various organizations of importance to the community, Beaman Jr. is changing the society for the better. Being involved in many life-changing projects makes him the most influential person in Nashville.

Ever since he became a rich man and a popular figure in Tennessee, Lee Beaman has been doing a lot of good. Following his example, earning the community’s respect can only be achieved by giving back with whatever you can. The status and fame came long before that, but it wasn’t earned until he decided to do something about it.

Charity Projects and Funding

Wise people learn a lot from their past. And what’s most important, they never forget their roots. Lee Beaman is really close to his family history and community. Born and raised in Nashville, this philanthropist is using his accumulated wealth to support causes important to him.

When Beaman Jr. got into a successful businessman’s position, he decided to share his success with society. He joined numerous non-profit organizations. Their purpose is to help them build up the Nashville area and make it more appealing for the people.

Mr. Lee has been giving incredible funds for many projects. One of them worth mentioning is the donation he gave to the organization to help war veterans. With all his compassion, Beaman Jr. provided rehabilitation to these people and settled their lives back to normal. 

Providing green areas to his hometown is also one of the things Beaman did with all his heart. A memorial park named after his late father was a project that Lee supervised by himself, from scratch to final works. Today, this green area is one of the most beautiful spots in Nashville, with hiking trails and playgrounds. To know more about the benefits of green space in cities, read this article.

Regardless of how successful and wealthy anyone is; sharing your fortune with less fortunate is what distinguishes great people from mediocre ones. Lee Beaman knew this from his very beginning, and he never flinched when the community needed something. Becoming great is not depicted by the numbers on your bank account but by the number of good deeds you’ve done for others.

If you’re interested in trading in stock futures, there are several things to know before getting into heavy trading. From the benefits and drawbacks to the way traders calculate risk and speculate on commodities, futures trading can offer a lucrative income stream when done right. Here’s what to know when betting on stock futures.

What Are Stock Futures?

Image via Pixabay by Gerd Altmann

Stock futures or futures contracts are financial transactions between a buyer and a seller that set a specific price for the commodity for a predetermined date in the future. This predetermined date is the expiration date, and on this date, the seller is obligated to sell the stock and the buyer is obligated to make the purchase of the asset. Futures contracts enable traders to buy stocks at lower prices and sell them at higher prices.

Benefits to Trading in Stock Futures

One of the benefits of trading stock futures is that they are highly liquid. In other words, you don’t have any limits to how many stock futures you can make within a day, and you can make futures contracts at high rates. In fact, day traders frequently use futures contracts to liquidate quickly and create profit gains.

Another great advantage of trading in stock futures is that of leverage. Futures contracts enable traders to gain leverage by only needing to provide the initial margin of the stock’s purchase price. The margin may vary between 3% to 12% of the commodity’s value, but this means that traders can potentially expose themselves to assets with much higher values than the margins they provide at the time of purchase.

Stock futures are also a great way to diversify your investments. Unlike the volatility of different stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, futures contracts enable you to lock in a specified price that these assets will sell for in the future, no matter how the market moves.

Drawbacks to Trading in Stock Futures

One of the drawbacks of stock futures trading is related to the high leverage of futures contracts. Even though the high leverage can offer higher gains, it can also mean drastic fluctuations in the stock’s future value. Since futures contracts are set to expire on a specific date, as this date gets closer, the specified prices for the commodity can appear less attractive to investors. This can be because of more profitable investments or another reason, but this can sometimes lead a futures contract to expire with little to no value.

How to Get Started Trading in the Futures Market

Ultimately, it is fairly easy to get started trading stock futures. For one, you can get started through an online trading platform where you can find full-service brokers and discount brokers who can analyze, research, buy, and sell futures on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started with stock futures trading, look for platforms that provide learning resources and research tools. You can even use trading simulators to help you practice trading before getting into the actual markets.

As you learn more about futures trading through resources, tools, and experience, you’ll have what you need to truly make futures trading a viable way to make investments.

Becoming a certified public accountant means passing the CPA exam. A passing score on the exam leads to a license to practice. Even though the CPA exam may seem intimidating, taking the time to understand the concepts and types of questions on the exam can produce a successful result. The exam contains four sections and three different types of questions.

Types of Questions

In each section of the exam, the questions are structured as either multiple-choice, task-based simulations or short answer or essay. Although the multiple-choice format is fairly self-explanatory, the task-based simulations involve case studies that replicate real-life accounting scenarios. The short answer or essay format involves writing a response, sometimes in the form of memos or other means of business communications. Taking live cpa review courses can help someone become familiar with the three formats.

Four Sections

Within the CPA exam are four different subject areas that test a person’s accounting and business knowledge. Auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation are the subject areas every test taker will need to study. Each of these subject areas covers various sub-components to different degrees.

The first subject area of auditing and attestation covers accounting ethics, principles, and responsibilities. A test taker will also need to be familiar with concepts such as risk assessment and risk response, obtaining evidence and conducting deeper investigations, and reaching conclusions and writing reports. The majority of the test deals with risk assessment and conducting further investigations.

Business environment and concepts deal with general business knowledge, including corporate governance, economics, information technology, financial management, and operations management. Each of these sub-components is covered relatively equally within the CPA exam’s questions. Those who have taken general business courses or gone through a business administration degree program will already be familiar with these concepts, but it is a good idea to take a refresher course.

Subject matter related to financial accounting and reporting covers several key areas. Basic conceptual reporting frameworks, financial statement accounts, transactions, and state and local governments are all included in this section of the test. The bulk of the material involves financial statement accounts, with the smallest percentage devoted to state and local governments.

The final section deals with regulation. This area covers ethics and tax procedures, business law, property transaction taxes, individual taxes, and entity and business taxes. Taxation of entities and individuals represent the majority of the material.

Taking the Test

Registering to take the test involves submitting an application to the Board of Accountancy. Once someone’s application is approved, he or she will receive a notice to schedule to take the exam within six months. A person does not have to take all four sections of the exam in one sitting, but can. However, to achieve a valid passing score on the exam, all sections must be taken with a passing score within a consecutive eighteen-month period.

Deciding to take the CPA exam can be an important step in beginning an accounting career. Due to the rigor of the test, months of preparation are recommended. Self-study, as well as in-person and virtual course options, are available. Some choose to supplement previous business education with additional continuing education courses or test preparation courses. To achieve the minimum score of 75 in each section, thorough planning and preparation are highly recommended.

Most of us are taught the Golden Rule by kindergarten: Treat others how you want to be treated. And most of us follow it as much as we can. But there is often one person whose feelings we forget to think about: our future self. 

Who gets it worse than him or her? If I want some chocolate cake now, it will be Future Me’s responsibility to hit the treadmill. If I want to binge out on Netflix this evening, Future Me can work double time to finish that report tomorrow. We freely abuse our future selves in ways that we never would if it was anyone else.

No more! Future Selves have rights too! And since Future You really is just you, it really will pay to start trying to make his or her life easier.

How do you do it? Do you have to abandon dessert and never procrastinate again? Some discipline will help in those obvious areas. But a lot of it starts with taking steps now that will pay off for years to come. Specifically, work on the following three areas today and you can start protecting your future self forever.

1. Be More Social

There are a ton of studies that show how much more healthier people are when they are surrounded by family and friends. In particular, we know the opposite can be very detrimental, with more and more research revealing just how harmful it can be when people isolate, especially in their older years.

According to the National Institute on Aging, an agency within U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, loneliness and isolation have been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression. To avoid all this, the best medicine may be community, so you should make efforts now to widen and deepen your circle.

2. Take Your Medicine

Our medical advancements in recent decades have been nothing short of miraculous. While we all need to steer clear of scams, overpriced placebos, and potentially harmful substances pushed as wonder cures, there are so many ways to make taking THC simple and other pharmaceuticals available today that allow you to live better and prevent diseases from progressing.

For those at retirement age, this makes signing up for Medicare Part D as soon as possible almost a no-brainer. It supplements the core Medicare plans and gives seniors access to a wide range of drugs for free or a very reduced cost. And since it is so affordable, getting access immediately can significantly help your older self stay healthier longer.

3. Live Within Your Means

Few things are worse for your future self than drowning in debt. Overspending now is a classic case of pushing a problem down the road so that you don’t have to deal with it now. Everybody thinks that they will be making more next year or that they can just tighten their belt a little when it comes time to pay it off.

But you are setting your future self up for failure if you cannot live within your means. What happens when you get laid off or injured and can’t work for eight months? What if your home is damaged and insurance doesn’t cover it? What if any number of emergencies hits? Sure, there are some legitimate reasons to take on debt (mortgage or student loans being good examples). But if you’re just putting a vacation you can’t afford on a credit card, you’re only creating a burden for Future You.

Looking Out for Number One

We all want to be successful in the future. But it can be hard to think about it in concrete terms. The concept of the future is just so nebulous and hard to envision. If you start thinking about your Future Self as someone you can help, however, it may become easier to do the right thing today.

Start by trying to cultivate more of a community with your family, friends, and social groups to stay healthier and more engaged later in life. Take your medicine and start practicing preventative care before ailments progress into serious issues. And don’t create debt burdens just because you can’t be patient enough to save up for a new shiny toy.

There are no guarantees in life, and even the best laid plans often go awry. But by applying the golden rule to Future You, there is a great chance that you both will be able to enjoy yourself more down the line.

Purchasing a commercial building is a huge investment. You want to take the necessary steps to protect your asset. Fire damage, lighting strikes and theft can occur at any time. Insuring your property is key to protecting both your building and physical assets in the case of such unforeseen eventualities. That means picking the best possible insurance commercial building owners can find.

To arrive at this decision, there are a few considerations you must factor in. If you’ve never insured your property before, it’s easy to find the task overwhelming. No need to feel intimidated by the legal jargon associated with commercial property insurance. We’ll clearly highlight the main factors you must keep your eyes peeled for before deciding which policy to go with. A registered agent service can remove the obligation of a registered agent for a business in a hassle-free way. These services can allieviate the need to constantly be physically present in the work place. For more information consider this list of the best registered agent services.

What Does the Policy Cover?

The very first thing you need to consider is what exactly you’re paying for. What does the policy actually cover? Know that there are different types of commercial insurance available. The first mistake you can make is to assume that your commercial property insurance policy covers your building and everything in it—including your workers. Read up on the following examples of insurance coverage types so you can make the necessary differentiations:

• Commercial auto: This policy covers your motor vehicles that are used in any manner which is business related.

• General liability: This type of insurance ensures your employees are protected from bodily injuries that are triggered by property damage under this policy.

• Workers compensation insurance: This type of insurance covers workers who are injured while conducting their duties on the premises.

• Commercial property: This type of insurance protects your building and its assets from damage or loss caused by fire and theft.

The last type is our focus below.

Theft of Property Which Isn’t on Your Premises: Is it Covered?

We mentioned how commercial building insurance covers theft of your assets. But it’s important to realise that there are certain conditions to this clause such as:

• Only items that are stolen while on your property at the time of theft are covered. 

• With most building insurance policies, items that are 100ft away from your premises won’t be covered.

• You may need to take a separate policy that’s designed to cover your business assets that are in transit from one place to another.

How Much You Should Pay?

Your budget plays a huge role regarding the type of commercial insurance you pick. You simply need to be aware that the premiums you pay will depend on a number of factors such as:

• Condition of your building: If the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems on your premises are in good condition, your premiums are likely to be lower.

• Your industry: Certain industries such as the construction sector are considered to be high risk industries. This may push your premiums up.

• Business location: If you’re operating in a high risk location, your premiums may be higher.

• Safety procedures: Do you have adequate safety measures on your premises such as fire alarms or sprinkler systems?

• Size of your business: The larger your business, the higher the premiums. 

Pick the Right Agent

It’s imperative that you pick the right agent to represent you and provide you with the best possible coverage. Make sure that insurance agent you pick meets the following criteria:

• Is licensed and registered by the respective insurance board.

• Has ample knowledge regarding your business industry and operations.

• Have the necessary credentials.

• Is reputable. Research the company by visiting their website and also reading a few reviews on the company. 

• Are readily accessible, professional and responsive. The last thing you need is to pick an agent that’s difficult to get hold of. Such situations are bound to get worse once they have your contract secured. This doesn’t bode well, especially when you need them the most—like when you want to claim your insurance. Pay attention to the small details. Do they respond quickly to emails? Do they call you back when they promise to? Do they pick up your calls?

Final Words

Picking insurance commercial building owners will find valuable is no easy task. The wrong policy will leave your company exposed and unprotected when it matters the most. 

You’ll also need to establish whether the policy covers more than just your building. Does the policy cover non-payment of rentals from tenants in the event that you lease your building? Some policies will compensate you for the rentals, but never assume. Always ask for particulars. 

Pick a professional and reputable commercial insurance agent that has your business best interests at heart. And even so, we advise you to consult with your lawyers before signing on the dotted line. They’ll look over the policy and explain to you what exactly it covers & what you’re paying for.

Did you find our tips helpful? Let us know.

Life comes with unexpected events, and there’s no question about that. But when the accidents happen, whether you have insurance or not will matter a lot. Read more information about insurance when you click here.

Insurance will act as a buffer for unexpected expenses and emergencies. Most people know that having this kind of security means that they will be prepared in times of crisis. However, not everyone knows that there are different types of assurance plans available out there and how these can impact their lives.

Some of the most popular types available are the following:

1. Health Insurance

Everyone needs a health plan to pay for hospital bills and medical expenses in times of unexpected illnesses. Healthcare is costly, and when you add maintenance and prescribed medicines, the bills can become overwhelming. When you factor in surgeries, daily hospital stays, and routine check-ups, expect everything to pile up in no time.

When you are a policyholder, the good news is that you can walk out of the hospital free from bills and debts. This is because your insurers will pay for the costs of your hospital stay. For some people, they don’t even have to pay anything from their pockets for the duration of their stay. But not all insurers can cover all costs, but some pay for at least a considerable portion of the bill. You may want to read first the terms and conditions before signing into anything.

2. Vehicle Insurance

Your vehicle is prone to unwanted accidents every day. When you are insured, you will have the peace of mind that any damages can get repaired in no time without you needing to spend anything. Most policies cover theft, collision, vandalism, and accidents, so you may want to get an assurance plan before these things happen.

If you got your car under a loan, you would not have to continue paying for it once it got stolen – which is an unfortunate situation for anyone – but this is an excellent example of how insurance can help you. The coverage can include trucks, motorcycles, cars, and other vehicles that are under your possession. If you also get into an accident resulting from driving the vehicle, getting medical assistance for your injuries may get covered if it’s part of your agreement.

3. Life Insurance

People who have dependents need life insurance so that their loved ones won’t struggle financially even if they can no longer work or they have an accident. In extreme cases, the policies cover funeral expenses, estate planning, and other unexpected costs that resulted from death.

Life assurance plans are contracts between an assurer and the policyholder. The assurer promises to pay a fixed amount to the beneficiaries upon the death of the insured family member. These are all in exchange for a monthly premium. Other events, such as critical illnesses can trigger the payment of the plan.

4. Mortgage

Assurance plans on mortgage protect the titleholder in the event of default payments from the borrower. When the borrower dies, the heirs are protected even if there’s still money owed on their apartment or townhouse. The plan can either pay the heirs or the lender depending on the agreed terms.

These types can have typical pay-as-you-go premiums, and other companies require lump sums. Different types will protect the borrower in cases of title invalidation. There are cases when two people own the title for the property, and the sale is invalidated. You can know more about mortgage insurance on sites like low.ie, where you can choose the best types of plans that you need for your property. The title insurance protects the beneficiaries from possible losses.

Possible Scenarios where Insurance are Needed

Life

You may have a neighbor that suddenly met an accident and died. He left behind a wife and three kids, plus two older parents in his household. Your friend doesn’t have enough savings to cover the needs of the family. He barely has money in the bank to pay two months of food and rent. Life insurance will have ensured that his family will receive enough money to spend every month.

Health

You might have caught the flu in the office. However, you can’t put off work as you are looking to close a big deal this month. Eventually, the flu worsened, and it escalated into pneumonia. You went into the hospital to be admitted, and they say that it will take at least two weeks for you to recover. 

The total expenses were over $800 for the hospital stay and about $150 for the treatment. A $50 health coverage could have saved you from paying all of these, and the total out-of-pocket expenses that you may have incurred was $0.

Vehicle

You drove to work like any other day. However, there’s an unexpected oil spill on your way to work. The car near you suddenly became out of control and hit your vehicle. The headlights and the bumpers were damaged. 

The bumper repair costs are about $132 and for the lights, you may need another $92 for replacements. The average price of $99 of auto insurance a year should have paid for the repairs and replacements if you have one.

These are not the exact figures, but it will give you an idea of why you need insurance. When you are protected, everything gets easier. You have cushions for accidents, emergencies, and health problems. You know that you can afford to get the best possible treatment in case of health issues, and your family will have a financial backup that will help them get back on their feet when you pass away.

The year 2020 will go down in history as one of the worst economic years for small and large enterprises alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought business processes to a standstill. Without a doubt, business owners are only trying to keep their businesses afloat. Whether there will be a repeat of this in the future, people do not know. In any case, entrepreneurs need to be well-equipped for any unprecedented business crisis

Let’s look at the different ways that a company can remain profitable to ensure they hold business processes together even in tough economic times.

Financial planning

Accounting and financial planning is the first step towards proper management of company funds. As a start-up, failing to take into account how much capital is needed and how it is spent is detrimental to the business. Understanding a company’s finances and the policies surrounding business loans ensures business stability, which goes a long way in helping an enterprise remain profitable in good and bad economic times.

Furthermore, accounting and financial planning allow a business to make worthwhile business expansion programs, which are instrumental in the long-term survival of the business.

Eliminate redundant tasks

Start-up companies are especially notorious for the rapid inclusion of various business processes. Over time, some of these processes or tasks may turn out redundant. Bearing in mind that a company should be constantly striving to maintain profitability, entrepreneurs should make a habit of cutting out redundant tasks as soon as possible. 

Doing so saves money hence increasing the value of the company. These cuts, no matter how small, affect the company’s bottom line in terms of value addition and profits.

Great customer service

Great customer service is the spinal cord of any successful business. Customers should be given exceptional customer service at all times. Not only does this make them feel valued but it also ensures brand loyalty. Maintaining high levels of customer service significantly minimizes the need for consumers to seek the services of competitor brands. 

Business owners must realize that a satisfied customer is more important than happy to share their shopping experience. They are a ‘free’ marketing tool that should be safeguarded at all costs. The business they offer and their loyalty is enough to keep a business afloat amidst an economic recession.

Generate more leads

Lead generation is one of the most effective ways for a business to remain profitable. It may mean employing effective marketing strategies to ensure both local and international prospects are familiar with the brand. 

The goal is to drive profit margins a record high, entrepreneurs must embrace cost-effective marketing tactics. For example, they can use various social media platforms to alert clients of their products and services. Additionally, there is a need for offline networking. Going to corporate parties and hanging out with fellow businessmen is the first step. Doing so places an entrepreneur in a position where they are likely to rub shoulders with prospective investors.

These are some tactics businesses can leverage to beat economic crises. Adopt them today to ensure you remain competitive in this cut-throat business environment.

There is a lot of caution in the business world, especially when the world economy is in a crisis. A risk management plan is an excellent measure of protection in case of business problems. But sometimes, it is not enough. 

Small businesses must be one step ahead. They have to anticipate the dangers that lurk and avoid them. Or, at least, diminish their consequences. That reflects the importance of insurance for companies of any size.

Every insurance provider offers many options. There are various types of coverage policies that you can pay for your small business. Some are necessary because they are regulated by law. Others are optional. 

On the link below, see what types of commercial policies exist:

https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/small-business/articles/what-are-the-different-types-of-commercial-business-insurance.

But before you look at what insurers offer, inquire about the company itself. You can opt for a single insurer or several of them providing different services. A reliable associate will mean a lot to you in case of any risky situation.

Look for Providers Experienced in Business Insurance

If you are responsible for yourself and your loved ones, you probably have life insurance. And if you are a small business owner too, it makes sense that you will contact your insurance agent first when you want to ensure your company. It is a smart move if you need more information. But your insurer must have experience in providing adequate commercial coverage.

But in case the insurer has little to none experience in business insurance, you should not consider them. Companies without an adequate background and experience in this niche can put you at risk. Not directly, but may cause you financial damage by not providing fair coverage.

Find Adequate Liability Provider

What every small business needs, is general liability insurance. It means that one policy covers many risks related to your products or services. It’s desirable to learn more about it. These policies cover the health and well-being of your customers and service users. They can be compromised due to anything related to your company.

Every business has specific insurance needs. However, what is common is the importance of quality, reliable, and safe products (or services). You never know when something can happen to a customer because of your products. If you do not have adequate liability coverage, it can jeopardize your business. It can bring you financial losses and a bad reputation.

State Licenses

A state license is mandatory for all insurance providers that operate by the law. This document is required for all states in which companies sell their policies. Every type of coverage they offer must have an exclusive license. 

Don’t be confused – an insurer can have many daughter companies dealing with all types of commercial coverages. Each of them can have their own permission. But all these subsidiaries work under the auspices of a primary insurance company.

The Internet allows you to find whatever information you want. All that matters is that you know where to look for. You can usually find license info on the insurer’s website. But if that’s not enough for you, check the national insurance regulator’s site. Licensed insurers are listed there.

Way of Providing Services

You will usually buy commercial insurance through an agent representing the company. As representatives of the insurance providers, they must show interest in you as a client and meet your requirements. 

Courtesy and discretion are a must, and these agents must answer your questions. But the most important thing is that your insurer does the job right. What can be vital to you when choosing a provider is how they respond to your claims. If they are known by solving these issues fast, they are the real deal.

You can hire an independent agent to do a quick research of available providers. They will check which one has the best reputation and what’s more important, which of them provides the best service. You can also ask colleagues from the industry or trade association to recommend an insurance provider to you.

You are paying insurance for the safety of your business and anyone involved with you in this way. Business owners that don’t have coverage are considered irresponsible. They are not desirable as associates or someone whom buyers will trust.

The best character trait you can have is admitting when you don’t have a lot of knowledge for a particular subject. It’s not shameful to admit this. After you have done this, you can quickly start looking for help.

 This is especially true when it comes down to big decisions like getting a mortgage. Everything may look confusing at the beginning. That is why it’s really important for you to have some help.

 Not a lot of people are familiar with the concept of buying houses and taking out loans. The real estate business can be quite tricky. For some helpful info, click on the following link http://dcrefined.com/the-home/mortgage-experts-reveal-the-5-questions-they-hear-the-most-and-answer-them-for-you. 

How does this process work exactly?

A mortgage is where you ask the bank or some lender to help you purchase your dream home. You will have to set a down payment first. This is a considerable amount of money. 

But you need to have this to make it work. From that down payment, the bank will decide how much money they need to give you.

 After that, you get to decide on a loan program. This is the part where you can use an expert’s opinion. For example, having a lower or average credit will reduce the quality of loans afforded to you. Credit repair specialists like Credit Sage or Lexington Law are notable agencies to help set your credit score on an upward trajectory. This would potentially save thousands of dollars over the length of the mortgage loan being repaid. You will choose how much you’ll pay each month.  

Why would you need help?

The thing that’s so confusing in this process is that there are so many programs and prices. There are also some things written in fine print. You need an expert to explain all the things you don’t understand.

 When should you ask for help?

The real answer to this question is that it’s never too early. Even if you have just started considering the option of mortgage, you need guidance. This will come in handy when you are set on buying a home. 

 What kind of loan should you get?

There are a couple of things you should consider here. The first is your income. Your monthly wage is essential when it comes down to your mortgage. Then, you have to calculate your debts and assets.

It’s best to do this calculation with a professional. There’s a lot of math. So, you won’t be able to do this alone. So, get down to business and look for someone trustworthy to guide you. Maybe Derwent Finance is the right choice for you.

How to find the right mortgage expert?

You can easily do this the old-fashioned way. That is by word of mouth. Maybe your close friends or family members have dealt with this when buying their house. So, they might point you in the right direction. If you don’t have any success this way, search online.

The Internet will leave you with many options to choose from. The most helpful thing here is the clients’ reviews. People leave their opinion based on their experience. So, you can actually see how these professionals act in the real world.

It’s really tricky to leave your money home and your whole future in the hands of someone you don’t trust. So, you can’t really rush this decision. Take some time to reconsider your options. Your whole future will depend on this.

What kind of advice should you ask for?

The truth is there are no stupid questions. This whole process is difficult to understand without some help. So, feel free to ask anything that is on your mind. Don’t be scared. It’s your money, after all.

You shouldn’t feel pressured to make a choice you don’t want. You shouldn’t decide on a rate that’s too high for your wage. You could take some control over the situation if you set your mind on learning about this whole thing. 

How can you get educated?

If you want to be more independent, you can actually do something. There are free courses for first-time buyers. You can find the course available all over the country. Don’t be put off by the word course. This won’t last long. 

In truth, the course lasts for a few evenings for approximately an hour. If you don’t like this option, you can browse the Internet for some helpful articles. You’ll quickly find them. You can read all about the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a professional here.

What will a mortgage expert do for you exactly? 

First off, a professional can try to get you the lowest interest rate possible. A bank will offer you a few options. You won’t have much to choose from. But with an expert, you will be able to get the lowest rate. 

What they do is they comb through thousands of programs to find the right one for you. No one else will do this for you, really. You’ve got nothing to worry about. You are in capable hands.

What other services can they provide? 

Mortgage experts have a lot of inside information that normal homebuyers don’t have. So, it’s natural that they know so much. If they are in the business for a long time, you can trust them. They’ve gone through lots of customers and loan programs. They know what they are doing. 

You’ll be able to adapt to the length of your loan. Don’t be surprised to learn that you have some special features added. This is all because of your expert. They might include a redraw facility and an offset account.

What are those special features? 

A redraw is a process where you can easily withdraw or deposit some extra money in your loan. There’s no wrong time to do this. It all depends on you. You can do it whenever you want. This gives you so much flexibility.

An offset account is when you link a savings account with your home loan. With this, you actually lower your interest rate. It will all make a difference in the end.

With all things taken into account, you probably already know why hiring a mortgage expert is the right choice for you. Don’t try to do this by yourself. No one will look at you differently if you admit that you need help.

One of the biggest industries affected by Covid-19 is surely the travel industry. Not only was it not a good idea to risk infection by traveling, but many countries closed their borders. And now that many nations are coming out of the woods when it comes to the contagion, many people simply don’t have the money to travel.

The industry has been hit on all fronts and is certainly a challenge for anybody in the industry. So, where does this leave travel bloggers? After all, they likely don’t have any employees or physical business that they are in danger of losing.

The issue is this: Will there be anybody who wants to read your blog or watch your vlog? It bears repeating that even with countries opening up their economies to tourists, there likely will be far fewer travelers than ever before.

Clearly this means that you should forget your plans to be a travel blogger. Or, does it? If you are dead set on becoming one, or are already a travel blogger wondering how to come out of this mess and continue to do what you do, then you need to understand some things.

In this article, I will go over several tips on how you might be able to be successful as a travel blogger in a post Covid world.

Travel as cheaply as possible

This tip is not entirely new as all travel bloggers were trying to get deals to fly cheaply even well before the coronavirus. Now, though it takes on increased importance as the returns you’ll likely get for your efforts are going to be a lot lower.

Since advertising on travel blogs and Youtube channels are at an all time low, you’ll need to cut your operating costs. So, not only should you be looking for cheap flights and flying off season, you should also be doing things like looking at how to earn miles rather than interest when opening a bank account. Savings accounts pay such low interest that there is no reason to not do this anyway.

Become an expert in one location

If you are choosing to be a travel blogger because it seems like it is a fun way to make money and you want to see the world, then you’re going to have a bad time. These days, it is going to be very difficult to make money as a general travel blogger.

Instead, approach this like you would as a teacher. You want to teach people about travel to a specific location and want to help them with their travel questions. Instead of globe hopping, become an expert in one location. This could mean simply making a travel blog about where you live. You may not think it’s very interesting, but some travelers will be looking for some offbeat places to go to and that may include your hometown.

Or, you could set up in one location as a permanent, or at least long term, move. Immerse yourself in one place that people want to travel to and become the person that is known for their informative blog about it. You’ll definitely get more traction this way as local sponsors will see the value in paying you to attract tourists to the area since you are making a connection with the people who would want to come there.

Find your niche

Kind of in the same vein as picking a location, you should also pick a type of travel to focus on. Some people call this narrowly focused topic a niche.

General travel is not going to work well in the new normal of travel blogs. In fact, they were already phasing out as people were less likely to follow a blogger looking to simply make professional looking photos of places where most people are never going to travel to.

If you focus on a certain type of travel then you will become the expert in that field. Think of things like ski travel where you focus on the best ski destinations. Or, it could be a travel blog for handicapped people if you have a disability. Maybe even a travel blog made for people looking to connect with indiginous people.

The possibilities are endless and the more niche you go the better as it will help you stand out.

Be patient

It takes quite a long time to grow any online business and being a travel blogger is no different. From when you start it may take several years before you can make a living at it anyway.

Take advantage of this as people are not looking to travel at the moment. By the time people are ready to travel again as the pandemic retreats, then you will be well positioned to come up first in many searches. Especially if you are going to take the advice to focus on one area.

Try to be ahead of the curve of any travel trends that are looking to happen as a result of the coronavirus. People will be changing the way that they travel and you can make sure that they find you as you are focused on their needs. Since SEO can take a long time and building an audience is a years long process, then by the time the travel bug hits people, you can start making money.

Conclusion

Even if you follow the advice in this article, it is not going to be easy. It takes years of dedication and focus to be successful as a travel blogger even in the best of times. With the new challenges you’re going to face because of the pandemic, you will need to make sure that you have all of your efforts focused in the right places to make it.

Don’t approach this as an adventure and use the world as your playground because that is likely to fall flat with many audiences. Information is what people are looking for, so make sure you provide it in the best way possible.

Many people are worried about being audited, so they opt to use a tax professional to help them out. Even if you’re not worried about an audit, there are other important reasons you might want to hire a CPA to help you.

If you’re asking, “Is it worth hiring a tax professional?” you might be trying to figure out if you can scrape by doing things yourself. We’re here to help you decide.

Continue reading this article to learn whether tax professionals are worth the money and the benefits of hiring a CPA.

1. Peace of Mind

When you work with CPA tax advisers that help you with your taxes and other important questions, you can rest easy. When you are trying to do everything yourself, you might fall behind, miss deadlines, or misunderstand forms.

Having people that do this all the time and are trained properly to take care of your taxes and important documents can make it easier to sleep at night.

2. Save Time – Your Time Is Worth Money

Time is money, and if someone can take care of your taxes faster than you can, it’s often a good idea to let them take care of it. If you want to do your own taxes and take care of all things taxes for your family, it’s likely that you’re going to take up a big chunk of your time.

If you track the time it takes for you to do your own taxes and how much money you could have made with your business or work, it’s likely more than what it would have cost you to hire someone.

3. Smarter Tax Saving Decisions

There may be ways for you to save money on your taxes, but if you don’t know about them, you won’t be able to get those savings. A CPA is trained and continues to train on the latest laws. When you have a professional on your side, you’ll know you aren’t overpaying on taxes.

Working with a professional throughout the year will make it easier for you to make decisions that are going to positively impact your bank account and keep you safe.

4. Help Understanding Investments

If you aren’t working with your CPA on your long-term goals, you’re missing out. Understanding how to make your money work for you instead of you working for your money all of the time will change the way you live.

You may already have investments, but talking to your tax professional about your best course of action can allow you to reap maximum benefits.

Is It Worth Hiring a Tax Professional? – Now You Know

Now you have the information to answer your own question of, “Is it worth hiring a tax professional?” Only you know what their services are worth to you, your business and your finances. Now you can make that decision for yourself.

Do you want to learn more about taxes and other important topics? Continue through our blog for even more great information.

Home Insurance. Everybody’s favorite topic, right?

Probably not, but the fact of the matter is: it’s part of adulting. So stop crying about it.

The weird thing, though, is it’s one of those things that everybody has but nobody knows anything about. The only thing people do know is: when I get a house, I should get insurance.

The people that probably know the most about it are the ones that had to make a claim.

Home insurance is an everyday part of our lives, and we pay the premium every month. But how is homeowners insurance calculated?

Let’s find out, shall we?

What Affects Your Rate

Most people know enough about homeowners insurance to know that it depends on the state you live in. But what you didn’t know is that more than that goes into it.

The state you live in is just the beginning. In addition to location, insurance actuaries(the people that calculate insurance premiums) look at the location within your state, the condition of the house, and personal factors like marital status, credit score.

On top of evaluating the person obtaining the insurance, actuaries also take into account any discounts or deductibles, and the type of coverage plan you’re looking to purchase.

Types of Plans

There are a number of different types of plans to choose from when you’re shopping for home insurance:

• Dwelling Coverage: This covers the home itself and any additional structures like garages, sheds, workshops, etc

• Personal Property Coverage: This covers any of your belongings inside the house like clothes, furniture, beds, baseball trophies, and cat scratching posts

• Personal Liability Coverage: This is used in the event someone tries to take you to court over an injury they received in your house/on your property

• Medical Payments Coverage: This is used in the event you have to pay for the medical expenses of someone who has sustained an injury on your property.

Rates Around The Country

With home insurance being such an individual purchase, it’s hard to say exactly what you can expect to pay. However, here are some rates from around the country to give you an idea of what it may cost you to insure your home.

The cheapest neighborhood in the U.S. to obtain home insurance is Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu’s annual premium rates come in at a modest $490 per year.

The most expensive location in the U.S. to obtain home insurance is Islamorada Village of Islands, Florida. The annual home insurance premium for this area comes in at a staggering…wait for it…$6,295 per year. Wow! Does that come with a butler?

Factoring in the cheapest rate, and most expensive rate, the national average for annual home insurance premium is $2,305 per year.

Bringing It Home

How homeowners insurance is calculated differs from state to state, city to city, and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Although we couldn’t give you an exact price you could expect to pay, we hope that giving you an idea of the lowest, highest, and average rates helps you to budget the cost of your insurance.

What else can we help you with when planning to buy a home? Let us know in the comments! For more articles visit our website.