5 Tips For Purchasing A Car With A Credit Card

When it comes to purchasing a car, many people opt to use a credit card. While this can be a great way to finance your purchase, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to make sure you get the best deal possible. Here are five tips for purchasing a car with a credit card:

1. Make sure you have a good credit score. In order to get the best interest rate on your credit card, you will need to have a good credit score. If your credit score is not good, you may still be able to get a credit card with a high interest rate, but you will likely have to pay a higher annual percentage rate (APR).

2. Shop around for the best interest rate. Not all credit cards offer the same interest rate, so it is important to shop around and compare rates before you decide which card to use. In general, you will get a lower interest rate if you have a good credit score.

3. Read the fine print. Before you agree to use a particular credit card, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. You need to know what the interest rate is, what the late payment fees are, and any other fees that may apply.

4. Make your payments on time. One of the best ways to avoid paying interest on your credit card balance is to make your payments on time. If you do not make your payments on time, you will be charged a late fee, and your interest rate may increase.

5. Pay off your balance in full each month. If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, you will be charged interest on that balance. To avoid paying interest, try to pay off your balance in full each month. This may not be possible if you have a large purchase to make, but it is a good goal to strive for.

If you follow these tips, you can save money on interest and fees when you use a credit card to purchase a car. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions of your card carefully before you agree to use it.

 

The Importance Of Personal Finance For Your Retirement

It is never too early to start planning for your retirement. In fact, the sooner you start saving and investing for retirement, the better off you will be.

There are a number of important factors to consider when planning for retirement, but one of the most important is personal finance. Your personal finance situation will have a big impact on how much money you will have to retire on and how long your money will last.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to personal finance and retirement planning:

Savings: It is important to start saving for retirement as early as possible. The sooner you start saving, the more time your money will have to grow. If you wait until later in life to start saving, you will likely have to save more money each month to catch up.

Investments: Another important factor to consider is how you will invest your money. There are a variety of different investment options available, and it is important to find the right mix for your situation. You should work with a financial advisor to help you determine the best way to invest your money.

Debt: Debt can have a big impact on your personal finance situation and your ability to retire. It is important to pay off any high-interest debt before you retire. This will free up more money each month that you can use to save for retirement.

Retirement Income: When you retire, you will need to have enough income to cover your living expenses. There are a number of different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, and investments. It is important to have a mix of different sources of income to make sure your needs are covered.

Taxes: Taxes can also have a big impact on your personal finance situation. It is important to understand the tax implications of your retirement income and investments. This will help you keep more of your money in retirement.

Personal finance is an important consideration in retirement planning. By taking the time to understand your personal finance situation and make smart decisions, you can ensure that you have the money you need to enjoy a comfortable retirement.

How Personal Finance Can Help You Save Money

Money is tight these days. Whether you are struggling to make ends meet or you are just looking to save a little extra, personal finance can help. By learning how to budget, invest and save, you can make your money work harder for you.

Budgeting is the key to controlling your finances. By tracking your income and expenses, you can see where your money is going and make adjustments to ensure that you are spending within your means. A budget can also help you to identify areas where you may be able to save money, such as by eating out less or cutting back on unnecessary expenses.

Investing is another important aspect of personal finance. By investing your money, you can grow your wealth over time. There are many different ways to invest, so it is important to do some research to find an investment strategy that best suits your needs.

Saving is also essential for building your financial security. By putting away money each month, you can create a nest egg that can be used in case of an emergency or for future goals, such as retirement. A savings account can also help you to earn interest on your money, which can further grow your wealth.

Personal finance is all about taking control of your money and making it work for you. By budgeting, investing and saving, you can improve your financial well-being and secure your future.

Personal finance is all about making smart money choices in order to achieve your financial goals. It can help you save money by teaching you how to budget and manage your money wisely. By learning how to save money, you can put yourself in a better financial position and achieve your financial goals sooner.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to personal finance and saving money. First, you need to have a clear understanding of your financial situation. This means knowing what your income and expenses are, as well as your assets and liabilities. Once you have a good understanding of your financial situation, you can develop a budget.

A budget is a tool that can help you track your spending and ensure that you are living within your means. It is important to remember that a budget is not a diet; it is a guide to help you make informed choices about your spending. When you develop a budget, be sure to include a savings plan. This will help you set aside money each month to reach your financial goals.

In addition to developing a budget, there are other personal finance tips that can help you save money. One of the best ways to save money is to live below your means. This means spending less than you earn. Another way to save money is to make wise choices about your purchases. When you are able to save money on your everyday expenses, you will have more money available to save for your future goals.

Personal finance is all about making smart money choices. By learning how to save money, you can put yourself in a better financial position and achieve your financial goals sooner.

The Importance Of A Personal Finance Policy

It’s no secret that money is one of the leading causes of stress in our lives. And with good reason – our financial wellbeing is essential to our overall health and happiness. That’s why it’s so important to have a clear and concise personal finance policy.

A personal finance policy is a set of guidelines that you develop to help you make smart financial decisions. It should outline your goals, both short-term and long-term, and provide a framework for how you will achieve them.

Your personal finance policy should be tailored to your unique circumstances and should reflect your values and priorities. For example, if you place a high value on financial security, your policy might include a goal to build up an emergency fund equivalent to three months’ worth of expenses. Or, if you’re aiming to retire early, you might have a goal to max out your retirement savings accounts each year.

Developing a personal finance policy can help to reduce stress and anxiety around money matters. It can also help you to make better financial decisions, both in the short-term and the long-term. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you develop a personal finance policy that works for you.

It’s no secret that money is one of the leading causes of stress in our lives. Managing our finances can be a difficult and time-consuming task, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why it’s so important to have a personal finance policy in place.

A personal finance policy is simply a set of guidelines that you follow in order to make financial decisions. It can be as simple or as detailed as you like, but the important thing is that it gives you a framework to work within.

Your personal finance policy should be tailored to your unique circumstances and goals. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and what works for someone else may not be right for you.

Some things to consider when creating your personal finance policy:

-Your income and expenses

-Your short-term and long-term financial goals

-Your risk tolerance

-Your investment philosophy

Your personal finance policy will evolve over time as your circumstances and goals change. That’s perfectly normal, and it’s actually a good thing. As you gain more experience and knowledge, your policy should become more refined.

If you don’t have a personal finance policy in place, now is the time to create one. It will make managing your finances much easier, and it will help you stay on track to reach your financial goals.

How A Personal Finance Policy Can Help You Stay On Budget

It’s no secret that money is one of the leading causes of stress in our lives. Whether it’s worrying about how to make ends meet or trying to save for a big purchase, money can be a major source of anxiety.

One of the best ways to take control of your finances and reduce stress is to develop a personal finance policy. A personal finance policy is simply a set of guidelines that you develop to help you make financial decisions. It can cover everything from how much you save each month to how you handle debt.

Creating a personal finance policy can be a great way to stay on budget and make sure that your money is working for you. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Determine your financial goals

The first step in creating a personal finance policy is to determine your financial goals. What do you want to achieve with your money? Do you want to save for a down payment on a home? Pay off your credit card debt? Build up your emergency fund?

Once you know your goals, you can start to develop the guidelines that will help you reach them.

2. Automate your finances

One of the best ways to stick to a budget is to automate your finances. Set up automatic transfers to your savings account so that you’re automatically saving each month. Consider using a service like Mint or Personal Capital to track your spending and create a budget.

3. Live below your means

One of the most important aspects of a personal finance policy is learning to live below your means. Just because you have the money doesn’t mean you have to spend it. Start by evaluating your spending habits and see where you can cut back.

4. Invest in yourself

One of the best investments you can make is in yourself. Invest in your education and career so that you can earn more money and reach your financial goals even faster.

5. Make a plan

Last but not least, make sure you have a plan. A personal finance policy is not effective if you don’t have a plan for how you’re going to reach your goals. Make sure you know how much you need to save each month and have a timeline for reaching your goals.

Creating a personal finance policy can help you take control of your money and your life. By setting goals and making a plan, you can reduce stress and build a bright financial future.

How A Personal Finance Policy Can Help You Save Money

When it comes to saving money, having a personal finance policy in place can be a helpful way to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your finances in order. A personal finance policy is simply a set of guidelines that you follow in order to make sure you’re making the best possible decisions with your money.

There are a few key components to a strong personal finance policy. First, you need to have a clear understanding of your income and expenses. This will help you know how much money you have available to save each month. Second, you need to set realistic goals for your savings. It’s important to have a specific goal in mind so that you can stay motivated to save. Finally, you need to create a budget and stick to it. This will help you keep track of your spending and make sure you’re not overspending.

following a personal finance policy can help you save money each month, which can lead to a better financial future. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you create a personal finance policy that works for you.

When it comes to saving money, a personal finance policy can be a helpful tool. This type of policy can outline how much you plan to save each month, as well as what you plan to do with that money. Having a personal finance policy can help to keep you accountable and on track with your savings goals.

There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a personal finance policy. First, be realistic about how much you can save each month. It’s important to set a goal that you can actually achieve, otherwise you may get discouraged and give up on your savings plan altogether. Second, consider what you’re going to do with the money you save. Do you want to use it to pay down debt, build up your emergency fund, or invest for the future? Once you know how you’re going to use your savings, you can better tailor your personal finance policy to fit your needs.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you create a personal finance policy. You can find helpful tips and templates online, or you can talk to a financial advisor for more personalized assistance. No matter what route you choose, taking the time to develop a personal finance policy can pay off in the long run.

Why You Should Have A Personal Finance Policy

When it comes to personal finance, there are all sorts of different philosophies out there. Some people swear by frugality, others advocate for aggressive debt repayment, and still others believe in investing as much money as possible.

But there’s one thing that all successful people with sound financial habits have in common: they all have a personal finance policy.

A personal finance policy is simply a set of guidelines that you follow in order to make financial decisions. It can be as simple as a mantra that you repeat to yourself whenever you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase, or as complex as a detailed set of rules that you follow in order to manage your money effectively.

There are many different benefits to having a personal finance policy. First of all, it can help to keep you disciplined when it comes to spending and saving. It can also help you to stay focused on your long-term financial goals, and to make better decisions with your money.

But perhaps the most important benefit of all is that a personal finance policy can help to take the emotion out of financial decision-making. We all know how easy it is to make impulsive, emotionally-driven decisions with our money. But when you have a personal finance policy in place, you can make financial decisions based on logic and reason, rather than on emotion.

If you’re not sure where to start in creating your own personal finance policy, there are a few key questions that you can ask yourself:

-How much debt do I want to be in?

-How much money do I want to save each month?

-What are my long-term financial goals?

-What are my values when it comes to money?

Answering these questions can help you to create a set of guidelines that you can follow in order to make sound financial decisions. Remember, your personal finance policy is for you and you alone. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The important thing is that it works for you and helps you to achieve your financial goals.

The Benefits Of Having A Personal Finance Policy

are numerous. It gives you a clear roadmap to follow in terms of your spending and saving, it can help you stay on track with your financial goals, and it can help you avoid financial pitfalls.

But what exactly is a personal finance policy? Simply put, it’s a set of guidelines that you develop to help you make financial decisions. These guidelines can be based on anything from your personal values to your long-term financial goals.

The key to developing a successful personal finance policy is to make sure that it’s tailored to your unique circumstances. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to find what works best for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips to help you develop your own personal finance policy:

1. Define your goals

The first step is to clearly define your financial goals. What do you want to achieve with your money? Do you want to save for a down payment on a house, or are you looking to retire early? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start to develop the guidelines that will help you get there.

2. Consider your values

Your personal finance policy should also be based on your personal values. What is important to you? Do you value financial security or freedom? Do you want to leave a legacy for your family or make a difference in the world? Your values will help you determine the guidelines that you set for yourself.

3. Set realistic guidelines

It’s important to set guidelines that you can realistically follow. If you set guidelines that are too restrictive, you’re likely to find yourself breaking them. On the other hand, if your guidelines are too lax, you may never reach your financial goals.

4. Review and revise

Your personal finance policy is not set in stone. As your circumstances change, you may need to revise your policy. Review your policy regularly to make sure that it’s still relevant and effective.

Developing a personal finance policy can seem like a daunting task, but it’s well worth the effort. By taking the time to develop a policy that works for you, you’ll be on your way to achieving your financial goals.

How To Create A Personal Finance Policy For Your Family

It’s no secret that money is one of the leading sources of stress in our lives. And when it comes to our finances, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to creating a budget and getting our finances in order. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to create a personal finance policy for your family.

A personal finance policy is simply a set of guidelines that you and your family agree to follow when it comes to your finances. By creating a personal finance policy, you can take the guesswork out of budgeting and financial decision-making, and help to ensure that your family’s finances are on track.

Here are a few things to consider when creating your personal finance policy:

1. Determine your family’s financial goals

The first step in creating a personal finance policy is to determine your family’s financial goals. What are you hoping to achieve with your finances? Do you want to get out of debt? Build up your savings? Invest for your future? By setting some financial goals, you’ll have a better idea of what your personal finance policy should include.

2. Set some ground rules

Once you know what your family’s financial goals are, you can start to set some ground rules for your personal finance policy. These rules will help to ensure that everyone in your family is on the same page when it comes to your finances.

Some examples of ground rules that you may want to set include:

– No one should spend more than X dollars without consulting with the rest of the family

– We will only use credit cards for emergencies

– We will save X percent of our income each month

3. Create a budget

A budget is an essential part of any personal finance policy. By creating a budget, you’ll be able to track your family’s income and expenses, and make sure that your spending aligns with your financial goals.

4. Have regular financial check-ins

Once you’ve created your personal finance policy, it’s important to have regular financial check-ins with your family. This will help to ensure that everyone is still on track with your policy, and that any changes that need to be made can be discussed and implemented.

Creating a personal finance policy for your family can help to take the stress out of budgeting and financial decision-making. By following the steps above, you can create a policy that will work for your family and help you to achieve your financial goals.

What Are The Different Types Of Personal Finance Policies?

There are four main types of personal finance policies: debt management, investment, saving, and spending. Each type of policy has its own set of rules and guidelines that dictate how you should handle your money.

Debt management policies focus on helping you pay off your debts and avoid taking on new debt. Investment policies focus on helping you grow your money by investing it in stocks, bonds, and other assets. Saving policies focus on helping you put away money for your future goals. Spending policies focus on helping you control your spending and stay within your budget.

Which type of policy is right for you will depend on your own financial situation and goals. If you’re trying to get out of debt, a debt management policy will be most helpful. If you’re trying to save for retirement, a saving policy will be most helpful. If you’re trying to grow your wealth, an investment policy will be most helpful. And if you’re trying to control your spending, a spending policy will be most helpful.

No matter which type of policy you choose, the most important thing is to stick to it. Personal finance is all about making smart choices with your money, and the best way to do that is to have a plan in place.

There are many types of personal finance policies, but the three most common are debt, savings, and investment. Each one has different benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand all three before making any decisions about your own personal finance.

Debt:

Debt is often seen as a bad thing, but it can actually be a useful tool if used correctly. Debt can help you buy a home, start a business, or pay for an education. The key is to only borrow what you can afford to pay back, and to make sure that the interest rate on the debt is lower than the rate you could earn by investing the money.

Savings:

Savings are important for two reasons: to have money set aside for emergencies, and to have money to invest. The key to saving money is to make it automatic – set up a direct deposit from your paycheck into a savings account, and make sure you don’t touch it unless it’s an emergency.

Investment:

Investment is how you can grow your money over time. When you invest, you’re buying something – stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate – that you expect will go up in value over time. You can also invest in things that will provide you with income, such as rental properties or dividend-paying stocks. The key with investment is to start early and to diversify your investments so that you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Personal finance is a complex topic, but understanding the basics of debt, savings, and investment will help you make the best decisions for your own financial future.

5 tips for getting great deals on wheels

When it comes to buying a new set of wheels, most people are looking for the best possible deal. Here are five tips that can help you get the best possible price on your next purchase:

1. Shop around

The best way to get a great deal on anything is to shop around. This is especially true for something as expensive as a new set of wheels. Don’t just go to the first place you see and assume that they have the best prices.

2. Compare prices online

The internet is a great place to comparison shop. There are a number of websites that allow you to compare prices from different retailers. This can be a great way to make sure you’re getting the best possible price.

3. Check for sales

Many retailers have sales on wheels, so it’s definitely worth checking for these before you make your purchase. You may be able to find a great deal if you’re willing to wait for a sale.

4. Negotiate

Don’t be afraid to negotiate when you’re buying a new set of wheels. If you think the price is too high, try to negotiate a lower price. You may be surprised at how willing some retailers are to negotiate.

5. Use a credit card

If you’re using a credit card to finance your purchase, be sure to take advantage of any rewards or cash back offers that may be available. This can help you save money on the overall cost of your purchase. Also, read this for additional tips to help you get a great deal on your next set of wheels. Just be sure to do your research and shop around before making your final decision.

Buying a home is better than investing in gold. But how do you get started?

Wondering how to begin investing, but uncertain about how the economy is going to go, and therefore, how stocks will do? Gold and real estate are a couple of your investment options if you’re not too excited about stocks.

Gold is a hedge, one investors use as backup against the dollar. If the dollar doesn’t do well vs. other currencies, the logic says gold will be a strong commodity that fetches demand around the world. But, if the dollar does well, gold isn’t going to yield great returns. Essentially, gold and the dollar compete against each other. Real estate, on the other hand, is a long-term investment that many view as safer than gold.

There will always be a demand for real estate, no matter what the dollar does. True, you can lose on real estate. But that’s if you sell when property values are lower than they were when you bought the place. You can always rent your house out, creating steady income, until the right time to sell comes along. Real estate is your smartest investment, for one because it gives you positive cash flow. But if you buy gold when it’s valuable, there’s a chance the dollar won’t tank to the same extent again. But more than that, there’s good chance you would’ve made more money on stocks or real estate.

Need any more convincing? The housing market is healthy–it’s not in a bubble like it was when the Great Recession hit. In 2016, foreclosure rates were the lowest they’ve been since 2000, and June saw property values appreciate at a rate of 5.7%, which means there’s good demand. In general it looks like lenders and buyers have learned from mistakes that led to the housing crisis. Barring some sort of unforeseen housing market disaster, the recovery can (and should) continue. Even if there’s a big collapse, this guide will help you stay away from an investment that will ruin you.

If you’ve still got your heart set on bullion, people have discovered gold in their backyards with a metal detector. In one case, US Army postal inspectors used a military-grade detector to uncover $153,150 worth of gold. So if you buy a house, there’s always the chance you’ll strike two kinds of paydirt, the practical real estate investment kind, and the shiny yellow kind.

Evaluate what you can afford

Essentially, you want to find out which properties you can afford that are going to deliver the best long-term value. There are multiple types of real estate you could invest in, but since this is your first time, I’m going to concentrate on residential real estate. Invest in a home, and you can live in it and rent out the other rooms as well. That way, your tenants make your mortgage payments for you. Once you’re ready, you can move somewhere else and begin to really take advantage of your property’s full earning potential.

The other scenario is you have a family. In that case you’re still making a good investment, because down the line, once you’ve paid off your mortgage and hopefully made some improvements on your home, you can either sell for a profit or become a landlord. Either way, you’ve made a secure investment that will pay off.

Check your credit. If your credit history is bad, do your best to fix your credit score by paying off any outstanding credit debts and debts on other loans. Check to see if there are any errors on the report, and if so, dispute them. If you have any accounts in collections, set up a payment plan to get them out. If you’re in the position to do so, pay off a credit card completely and leave it open. Have a reliable friend add you as an authorized user on their credit card. Next, find a mortgage lender and get a pre-approval letter.

A property in need of renovation can be a solid investment for your money. An FHA Rehab Loan covers both the cost of the mortgage and the cost of renovations. To qualify for one, you must do the following:

  • Find a fixer-upper house in need of rehab
  • Find a qualified lender
  • Meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement, debt-to-income ratio requirement, and provide proof of income

After the loan is approved, your lender sets up a Repair Escrow Account, and you must begin renovating within 30 days of closing and complete renovations in less than six months.

Particularly if you have great credit and property values are high in the surrounding area, a Rehab Loan could help you flip a house (meaning you fix it then sell it) and make a great short-term return on your investment.

Research the market in your area

Your research into the right home can take multiple forms. A good realtor does all the research for you, and can lead you to properties in your price range in neighborhoods where value is likely to appreciate. Online, you can do all your own research first through sites such as Zillow and Redfin. Look into areas with low crime rates, less inventory than more, and access to desirable resources, such as shopping centers and parks. Once you’ve found an area you like, a realtor will help you get the best deal, and the seller will pay realtor fees. If it’s for sale by owner, ask if they will pay your agent’s commission fee.

Finish the deal

Once you’ve found the home for you, find out what documents your lender needs, provide them, get your loan, and make your offer. Sign a contract with the seller, complete your mortgage application, close the transaction–either through your agent or the seller–and get the keys to your new home.

Keep the place up over the years and make improvements. The value will go up, and you’ll have an investment on your hands that leaves you secure and ready for retirement.

Does It Take a Gimmick To Get a Job?

“Maybe the gorilla suit works if you’re looking for a creative job, but it’s probably not going to be a successful tactic with most on-campus job recruiters,” says Kara Jessup, assistant director at New York University’s career center, which offers one of the nation’s largest on-campus recruiting programs.

Here’s how you catch their attention:

“Plain, old-fashioned professionalism,” advises Andrea Christensen, college team leader at John Deere’s job recruiting program. “Certainly, creativity is always good, but what I want to see are the basics,” she explains. “I want good eye contact, a strong handshake, confidence, strong communication skills, and a solid résumé.”

She’s not alone. Job recruiters from USAA, Reebok, and Kraft agree they are looking for the same characteristics. So before you dream up a creative stunt to attract a potential employer, revisit these back-to-basic measures.

Put a face on your résumé.

Don’t just mail it and wait for the phone to ring. Take the initiative to go out and meet recruiters face to face when they visit your college campus. Christensen explains, “Two students recently impressed me with their interest and ingenuity. They were freshmen and couldn’t go through the interview process. Yet they attended an on-campus seminar because they wanted to get to know John Deere, and they wanted us to know them. That showed tremendous respect and initiative.”

Don’t drop the ball.

Get a business card and keep in touch.  Let the recruiter know you’re interested in the job and the company.  “Those two students got my card. They’re keeping me apprised of their status and inquiring about all possible avenues at John Deere, such as our co-op program and internships,” Christensen says. “They’re being proactive without being overbearing. That’s impressive.”

Get your foot in the door.

Most large corporations offer internships and cooperative education programs. Guess where they’ll look first to fill job openings? “We hire interns with the intent of training them to come work with us,” explains Michael Ellgass, a Kraft business executive who conducts on-campus interviews with graduate students.

Think globally.

Businesses are going international. If you’re a military brat who’s moved from town to town, if you’ve lived overseas, or if you speak a foreign language, you have something unique and marketable. Play that up. “Students who have studied abroad tend to be open-minded,” Christensen says. “They’re typically risk-takers. They’re flexible, adaptable, and willing to maneuver outside their comfort zone.”

Lead the way.

Are you active in your campus ROTC program? President of your sorority? Team leader on a class project? Captain of your university hockey team? Be ready to illustrate when, where, how, and why you’re a leader. “Tell me what you did and how you learned,” says Ellgass. “Talk about the setbacks and challenges you faced and how you overcame them to demonstrate you have the skills to learn, adapt, and grow.”

Call us, we may not call you.

Most corporations are happy to send representatives to college campuses to speak with and meet students. If you’re in the Society of Women Engineers, the finance club, or the Public Relations Student Society of America, for example, invite professionals to speak at your next meeting. Better yet, ask if your organization can visit corporations. “Year-round, we bring in groups of students to show them what life is like in corporate America,” says Carly Sanchez, who manages USAA’s college recruiting program.

Be prepared.

Before your interview, research the company and job. Talk to someone who works at the company or has a similar job, visit the company’s Web site, and read its mission statement. Ellgass explains, “We want to get a feel for you: What is your motivation? What made you want to interview? Do you want to work for Kraft because it looks good on your résumé or do you like the company and what it does?”

One student stands out to Farah Bernier, a university relations staffing specialist for Reebok. “When I asked him why he wanted to work at Reebok, he pulled out a presentation. He compared us to our competitors, showing the good and bad side of our company, and demonstrated how he could contribute.”

Leave your cell phone and flip-flops at home.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s not for some. “We had a candidate who made personal calls on his cell phone throughout the interview process, which included a tour of USAA and lunch,” Sanchez recalls. “Another showed up in rubber flip-flops.” Her advice: “Prepare for the expectation level of dress and etiquette for your goal – to get to know the company and for the representatives of the company to get to know you.”

It’s really not a numbers game.

More than grades, the recruiters say they look for someone who’s a good time manager, self-motivated, and well-rounded. “I look at the whole picture. I’d rather have someone recruited who can interact with people and has the ability to learn,” explains Bernier.

Make sure you’re remembered (in a good way).

Be enthusiastic and have confidence. “Whether by smiling or nodding your head, you want to keep our attention,” advises Bernier. “If you answer all the questions in 15 minutes and the interview is over, you haven’t had the chance to leave any kind of impression.

“Students coming out of school today have all the skills they need to do a job, but they have to have confidence in themselves,” she adds. “All you have is 30 minutes to show how prepared you are.”

Caution: There is a danger in being too confident or rehearsed, says Ellgass. “Rather than talking conversationally and naturally one student was so rehearsed that I couldn’t tell whether he was just well-coached or if he actually possessed the skills for the job.”

Before you go on the interview…

  • Select an appropriate outfit and check your appearance. Make sure:
  • Shoes are clean. No flip-flops.
  • Clothes are pressed and stain-free. A business suit is always acceptable. Don’t wear loud-colored clothing.
  • Accessories are minimal. Same goes for perfume and after-shave. Remember: Less is more.
  • Nails are clean.
  • Hair is neat.

What to bring

  • Carry a professional-looking messenger bag, briefcase, or portfolio folder that includes:
  • Clean copies of your résumé and letters of reference.
  • Notebook and pen. Leave the cell phone at home.
  • Breath mints (for use before, not during, the interview). No chewing gum.
  • The name and phone number of the person who is interviewing you.

What to do

  • Know how to get to your interview and how long it will take. If you’re unsure, do a drive-by.
  • Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes in advance. Don’t be late.
  • Know the names of everyone you are meeting, and how to pronounce them. Avoid using first names unless you’re asked to.
  • Review your résumé. Think about which aspects of your employment and academic history you want to emphasize.
  • Review the background of the company, job description and requirements, and how you can contribute.
  • Finally, relax. The interview will be much more successful if you’re not rushed or hassled.

How to shake hands

1. Extend your hand and grip the other person’s hand so that the web of your thumbs meet.

2. Shake just a couple of times. The motion is from the elbow, not the shoulder.

3. End the handshake cleanly, before the introduction is over. If you want to count, a good handshake is held for three or four seconds.

4. Be sure to offer a firm handshake and make good eye contact at the same time.

Source: Business Etiquette for Dummies

Job trends

  • Employers predict 3 percent to 8 percent more college graduates will get hired from the 2004 class than the 2003 class.
  • Who’s hiring? Retail, finance, services, and lodging.
  • Hot degrees: Bachelor’s in business, biosciences, and physical sciences.
  • Cold degrees: Bachelor’s in computer science and communication.
  • Where to look: South, Southeast, and Southwest.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers last year hired just over half of their co-op students and more than a third of their interns as full-timers from last year’s graduating class.

Generation Debt: Hope for Echo Boomers in Trouble

The children of Baby Boomers have many nicknames: Echo Boomers, the Millennial Generation and Generation Y. With birth dates ranging from 1978 and 1994, Generation Y makes up 60 million of America’s 300 million population.

They’re demanding, technically savvy, ambitious, question everything and, as a group, are in financial trouble. No group has ever started adult life so deeply in the hole, thanks to mounting college costs, dwindling financial aid and credit-card debt. Here’s how Generation Y became Generation Debt, and how they can turn things around.

1. Cushy Upbringings
Raised by Baby Boomer parents who wanted a better life for their children, Generation Y was pampered, nurtured and given everything they needed or simply wanted. It’s no wonder they grew up with a sense of entitlement.

2. Easy Access to Consumer Credit
Consumer credit companies handed out cards to Generation Y like candy, allowing them to instantly gratify their desires with the latest iPod, laptop or phone upgrade. As a result, Generation Y now faces a median credit-card debt of $8,200.

4. College a Must
Many Baby Boomers were the first in their families to earn a college degree. It was only natural they expected their children to follow in their footsteps. A recent survey found 70 percent of Generation Y felt a college degree was a necessity to compete in the shrinking job market.

5. Financing College
Many entered college just as tuition inflation set in and college loans became more difficult to secure, resulting in an average college debt of $20,000.

6. Poor Financial Skills
While they’re technically savvy, many of this generation are financially illiterate. The education system hasn’t kept pace with the increasing complexity of financial products and the easy availability of consumer debt. This attitude is reflected in the 52 percent of Generation Y who say, “Loans were always expensive; I’ll worry about them later.”

7. Necessity of a Degree
High school graduates face fewer jobs and a more-qualified workforce than ever before. Many employers, faced with an overwhelming number of applicants for each job posting, weed down these numbers by requiring a minimum of a BA or BS for even rock-bottom entry positions.

8. Unemployment Statistics
Roughly one-in-five young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 is unemployed, compared with a 7 percent unemployment rate for those over age 30.

9. Poor Debt Financing
With an entire generation facing underemployment or unemployment, many have turned to the bank of Mom and Dad or borrowing from friends to keep their heads above water.

10. No Bail Outs
Recession recovery programs rarely address Generation Y financial concerns. 80 percent of those still in college think the financial bailout won’t provide help with tuition or student loans.

11. Taking the Easy Out
When debt payments become insupportable, many Generation Y members think bankruptcy will provide an easy out. People between ages 25 and 34 make up 22.7 percent of all U.S. bankruptcies. Unfortunately, college loans aren’t forgiven through bankruptcy.

So what’s a generation to do? For those trapped in debt and struggling to get on top financially, Coupon Sherpa offers the following five strategies.

1. Adjust Expectations
Although the challenges facing young people are real, out-sized expectations are a large part of the problem. For example, most people historically don’t buy their first home until they’ve reached financial stability, in their late 20s and early 30s, yet many GenYs took on mortgages at a much younger age.

2. Track Expenses
There’s a reason the rich are rich. They treat their spending like a business and know exactly where each penny is spent. Create a budget and record every expense according to category. Are you eating out too often? Cell phone carrier bill too high? Tracking expenses allows you to see where it’s possible to cut back.

3. Use Online Financial-management Aids
• Yodlee helps you create a budget, track spending, monitor online accounts, create expense analysis charts, and track your net worth.
• Mint is a free money-management tool that allows you to analyze spending, savings and other financial habits. Best of all, Mint offers suggestions for improvements, including showing users how much money they could save or earn by using a credit card with a lower interest rate, earning higher interest from a bank account, buying a less expensive cable service, and more.
• Wesabe combines social networking with money management and tracking capabilities. Users can join groups, set financial goals, and share tips and information with each other.  Wesabe also allows users to create tags for expenditures and automatically label store purchases.

4. Finance College With Minimal Debt
The recession has made it more difficult to obtain private student loans, but government loan programs now offer more loans, more money, and better rates, while increasing tax breaks for parents. An expanded tuition credit for households with up to $160,000 in adjusted gross income could trim as much as $2,500 in taxes. Go Frugal offers five public and private ways to finance college.

5. Face Up to Collectors
Avoiding collectors’ calls or letters will just delay the inevitable and usually make things worse. It’s important, however, to know your rights. Collector may not harass you; falsely imply they represent the government or that you’ve committed a crime; or suggest you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay up.

6. Chip Away at Debt
Aggressively pay down your highest-rate balances while making on-time minimum payments on the others. Your budget will dictate how much you can devote to paying down your balances each month. If possible, use any savings, bonuses or overtime pay to buy-down debt.

7. Educate Yourself
There’s a lot of free help on the Internet. Financial Guru Suze Orman, MSN’s Money Central, CNNMoney.com, and, of course, Young Money are excellent, unbiased resources that don’t push specific products.

8. Don’t Give Up
You didn’t get into debt overnight and you won’t be able to climb out quickly. It takes time and patience, but you’ll find it worthwhile in the long run.


Quick Cash Loans, the Good and Bad

Many times you may come across many unavoidable circumstances in life when you will require immediate money. The reason may be various like paying the hefty credit card bills, going for foreign holidays, arranging for grand wedding party, buying a new car, renovating your house and several other reasons. The personal loan will become the best solution in such events. These personal loans are usually provided by the banks and finance institutes based on the credit ratings. These loans are offered for almost all reasons. This is ideal as you can avail this type of loan online and may also get immediate transfer to your account if required. You may opt for easy monthly installment repayment method and that too for the term you want. There are many companies offering this type of personal loans but you need to go through the terms and conditions of each company before availing the loan.

Many companies may offer payment holidays too. These payment holidays can be availed for some period if you have some other priorities to be taken care of. There are many other facilities offered along with these loans and you may really benefit with it. Thus, the personal loans will come with many perks but at the same time there are many hidden charges in the loans offered by some companies. The prepayment is not allowed by many companies though you can save lot on the interest part by the early repayment of the loan. They may charge penalty for early repayment and this penalty will settle out all the benefit that you availed due to the early repayment. Hence, check for the terms and conditions for the repayment before availing the Personal Loans. You may also check the administration fees charged at the time of granting the loan. The administration fees are common amongst the various finance companies but the amount may vary. This administration fee is usually charged as certain percentage of the total loan amount.

You can check the various available Personal Loans online. The companies also offer the facility of online application. The loan will be processed online and the amount will be transferred to your account online. It is recommended that you check the actual interest rate before availing the loan as this may be many times very confusing. If you wish you can also seek help from various informative finance websites or even from other finance experts.

To Lease or To Finance: That is the Question!

When it comes to buying a new car, you have three options: purchasing it with cash, purchasing it through a loan (also known as financing) or leasing it. For most shoppers, the decision comes down to buying or leasing.

On the surface, the differences between leasing and buying a vehicle seem fairly straightforward. Leasing a car means you’ll usually have access to a new set of wheels every few years; buying it likely means that you plan to drive the same car for a much longer period of time. Leasing usually includes a warranty that covers most of your repairs; buying means accepting larger repair costs, which are inevitable as the car ages. Leasing agreements can limit your mileage and your ability to customize your ride; buying means you can put as many miles as you want on the car and customize it however you’d like.

Looking only at the comparisons above, you might conclude that buying a car is a more practical and economical option than leasing a car—but if that’s really the case, why are monthly lease payments so much lower (often 40% lower!) than monthly loan payments? Why is leasing considered more expensive in the long term if you’re paying less on a month-to-month basis? To answer these questions, let’s take a look at the concept of depreciation.

Depreciation means a loss of value over time. New cars are a textbook example—you’ve likely heard that a car loses thousands of dollars in value the moment you drive it off the lot. That’s accurate, and that’s depreciation at work (and yes, it can be kind of depressing).

All cars depreciate in value over time, but the steepest drop happens in the first three to five years, as you can see below:

  • Brand new to 5 years old—the car depreciates by 15% to 20% of its value each year
  • From 5 years to 10 years—the rate of depreciation slows slightly to 10% to 15% of its value each year
  • 10+ years—the rate of depreciation tends to level out to less than 5% a year. By this time, the car is usually worth less than one-fifth of its retail price! 

Depreciation takes its toll on the value of every vehicle. However, your decision to lease or buy will have an effect on how that depreciation influences your finances. 

When you finance a car, you own it once you pay off the loan. This means that you personally take the hit on its depreciation, but it also means you also “own” its residual value. Although that value depreciates over time, if there comes a time when you’re ready to sell it or trade it in, you get the benefit of that resale or trade-in value.

By contrast, when you lease a car, you never actually own it. The company that leases the car to you is responsible for selling the car once you’ve completed your lease term. The leasing company also ultimately deals with the car’s depreciation in value. You get to drive a brand new car without needing to think about its loss in value. That sounds pretty great, right? In reality, even though the leasing company deals with the eventual sale of the car, you’re the one who makes up for its loss in value through your monthly payments. That payment includes an estimate of how much the car will depreciate by the time your term is up. Monthly payments are lower because you’re not paying for the entire car—you’re just paying for how much the car will depreciate in those few years that you’re driving it (a period of time when, coincidentally, the car depreciates the most).

When you finance a car, the monthly payments are higher because you are paying for the entire car, plus interest on the loan. When you pay the loan back, your monthly payments stop (unlike leasing payments, which continue as long as you’re still leasing) and even though your car will have depreciated in value by that point, you will own the remaining value. 

As with any major financial decision, there are also other factors that come into play. You need to be realistic about your budget and honest about your lifestyle, and you need to figure out what’s most important to you as a new car owner. How comfortable are you with the limitations set by a lease agreement? How prepared are you to pay for eventual car repairs? Will driving a new car every two to three years be worth thousands of dollars more in the long run? To some people, it might be—it all depends on a combination of your personal needs and preferences.

Young & Free Maine Team

Best Apps for Saving Money and Staying out of Debt

VentureBeat recently ran an article naming the five best smartphone apps for entrepreneurs – and some of them are pretty good even if you’re not in business for yourself.

The website’s number one pick should be everyone else’s, too: Google Voice, available for Android and iPhone OS, is a lifesaver for anyone who spends time on the phone. It gives you free call forwarding, voicemail, conference calls, blocking and text messages, all to your own personal custom phone number. Changing phones, changing providers – doesn’t matter, same number. And you’ll never go over minutes!

VentureBeat’s second suggestion, of Scan2PDF Mobile, isn’t bad either. How many times have you needed to send someone a document from a meeting or a conference? Scan2PDF let’s you make quick Adobe PDF files and email them in a flash.

Mint.com offers full-featured apps for iPhone and Android, including widgets that prominently display your bank balances and transactions, too help monitor your financial progress and help you stay and get out of debt. Just make sure you lock your phone if you don’t want people to see all your spending.

If you’re not using ING Direct for your online banking, you should be. No fees, no overdrafts, a network of free ATMs and integration with ShareBuilder make one of ING the best online banking systems. ING offers slick smartphone apps, and there’s even an ATM locator.

Finally, for the aspiring day-trader, Google Finance’s app lets you keep track of your holdings wherever you are, and integrates perfectly with Finance Portfolios.ADNFCR-3389-ID-19929193-ADNFCR