Author: Staff Writer

Categories
Financial Loans Real Estate

Pros and Cons of Automatic Mortgage Payments

Pros and Cons of Automatic Mortgage Payments

When it comes to automatic mortgage payments, there are numerous benefits as well as drawbacks of this feature. Here we have mentioned some common things that you need to know before opting for automatic payments.

Pros of Automatic Payments

Automatic mortgage payments are the most common method people use to manage mortgage loans. Here are some benefits of online payments that encourage people to opt for this approach.

Timeliness

The biggest advantage of using this method is peace of mind, as you don’t need to worry about late payments. Instead of remembering to make monthly payments online, you can let your bank take care of your payments. Besides, automation can help you boost your credit score and develop a record of on-time payments.

Sustainability

If you are one of those who prefer eco-friendly methods, setting up automatic mortgage payments is ideal for you. This is because by using automatic payments you don’t have to use more paper, as you have to write a few checks and buy few stamps. Hence, you will use a paperless billing method that is safe and secure for the earth. Not to mention, you will also contribute to reducing emissions by receiving and sending fewer emails.  

Security

Although some people fear that automatic payment methods are not safe, there are many reputable institutions that use secured methods for payments. These organizations use advanced security measures for online payment mechanisms. In fact, you choose a risky method when you use an unsecured mailbox to send a payment via checks. These paper bill payments also include your financial information, such as your credit card number or account number.

Cons of Automatic Payments

While automation offers many benefits, it also has its drawbacks.  Here are some cons that you need to know about online mortgage payments.

Overdraft Fees

In some cases, payments can fluctuate in amount, and if you don’t notice, you might experience an overdrawn account. Overdraft fees can greatly vary, but the average fess is $34. In this case, it’s important to track your bank account and only leave enough money that can cover your automatic payments.

Unsubscribing Problems

This is the most common problem that people face. If you find the method invaluable and want to unsubscribe it in the future, you may experience several problems. For instance, the institute that offers you an automatic mortgage payment option may not respond to your request. In other cases, the process is too lengthy and complex that it takes days to unsubscribe automatic online payments.

Costly Mistake

Another problem is that automatic payments can do lead to costly mistakes. For instance, your home mortgage company can accidentally withdraw monthly payments twice at the same time. Although these mistakes are rare, they can still happen. You also need to know that recovering this amount can also be a headache for you.

Automatic Payments Bottom Line

So, now you may decide whether you need to opt for automatic mortgage payments. It is important to note that possible problems greatly depend on your chosen organization that makes payments on your behalf.

Categories
Financial Loans Real Estate

Are There Downsides to Refinancing Your Mortgage?

Are There Downsides to Refinancing Your Mortgage?

Thinking of refinancing your mortgage? If so, then you should know that it’s not a great idea. Wondering why? Here we have mentioned reasons why you should avoid opting for this approach.

Savings Become Challenging

You will not be able to save money if you refinance your mortgage.  If your financial conditions have not changed after you have taken the first loan, then you may don’t have any greater change in monthly payments or interest rate.  It is important to note that there are fees of refinancing that you need to pay at the time of applying for it. Thus, you need to determine how much money you have to save to pay for the fees instead of weighing how much money you are willing to spend monthly.

High Costs

The most unpleasing disadvantage of refinancing your mortgage is the amount you need to pay to avail of the new loan. Generally, it ranges between $3,000 and $6,000 or more. This also depends on the amount of the new loan, your lower interest rate, and your discount points. Not to mention, this expenditure shows what you have paid on the first mortgage. In a nutshell, you will be paying again to purchase the same thing.

Delayed Mortgage Payoff

In typical refinance conditions, you get more time on your loan. For example, in your 30-year loan, you have paid for five years. When you refinance your mortgage, you will add five years back on your loan term.  This means you will own your home for five more years unless you have to make additional principal payments. But if you stay with your current mortgage and pay your requisite payments, you can become loan-free in 25 years.

Refinancing Your Mortgage Takes Time

If you think that your application for refinancing will get approved the same day you apply, then you are wrong. Refinancing your mortgage is not a task that you can do in a single day. You will need time, resources, and money to secure a lower rate before applying for the loan. Some lenders also refuse to give more loans on your mortgage. There can be several reasons for it. For instance, a person who always makes delayed monthly minimum payments can get refusal on their refinancing application.

Bottom Line

Refinancing your mortgage simply means making your financial situation more unstable than before. You need to pay more premium payments for your new loan. Apart from this, you need to use all your savings to pay the fees of the mortgage loan. This is why it’s better to avoid refinancing and try to pay your current mortgage loan.

Categories
Financial Insurance

How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on my Record?

How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on my Record?

Those shopping for car insurances right now can surely expect a low rate. But, only if they’ve maintained the cleaning driving record one can have. It is a fact that the safest drivers are the favorites of insurance companies while those with shifty records may end up with big costs.

However, the good news is that car records do not last on your records forever. You’ll be able to reduce your premium once you understand when accidents clear off your history.

When Accidents Leave Your Records

There is no doubt that car accidents are very scary and stressful. Not only physically, mentally and emotionally but also financially. In addition to dealing with the other entire trauma surrounding your life and body from an accident, you also have to bear the financial burden resultantly.

Your insurance premiums simultaneously increase when you suffer an accident. Can you guess why? Simply because the insurance company now views you as a “high risk” for its business. But you do not need to lose heart just yet: accidental blemishes will disappear from your record with time. You only need to be patient.

The length of time it takes for records to clear depends on how severe your accident was. It also depends on which state you met the accident in. Car laws vary by state and many states have a pint system where they follow traffic violations.

So if you’re a driver that committed an egregious vehicular crime God forbid, you’ll be getting more point for it. In the case of too many points, chances of license suspension altogether are also high. The problem in some states is that their points system is not the kind that indicates the length of time your records will show the accident.

For example, if you’re in California and you commit a DUI offense there, then you can forget about low rates for straight thirteen years because that’s how long your car accident is going to feature in your records. But if you’re in Michigan, the car law is going to be slightly easy on you and they will only hold your accidental offense for two years on your records.

Here is a helpful table to see how long your accident will feature on your records:

  • Minor Accident – For three years
  • First minor accident – For many insurance companies, this is a forgivable incident. If you have had a minor first-time accident, it may likely not show on your records at all.
  • DUI – This offense stays on your record for ten straight years.
  • Hit-and0run – Another accident that occupies a place on your record for ten years.

The best idea is to refer to the local guidelines of your state or get in touch with your local motor vehicle department for specific information regarding your case.

If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault

Not every accident will by purely your fault. Sometimes you just are the victim of another driver who caused it and you simply got unlucky. In such a situation, the accident does enter into your driving record and stays there for the stipulated time but it does not impact your insurance premium.

All you need to do is get your police report copy to serve as evidence of your innocence in the accident.

Categories
Financial Insurance

Car Insurance: Tips & Ideas for Cutting Costs

Tips & Ideas for Cutting Car Insurance Costs

When you’re behind the wheel, you need car insurance to protect you. But how can you make the liability insurance or car coverage more affordable for you?

Here are some tips and ideas for cutting your car insurance costs:

  • You must remember that insurance companies offer multi-car discounts and make it your goal to take advantage of that. Hence, if you try obtaining a quote from an auto insurance company for a single car, they will surely give you a higher quote.

But if you asked them for quotes for several cars or drivers at one time, you will get a more discounted bulk rate. Do you know why? Because they’re willing to give you a deal if they see promises of more business from you.

You can gather your family members, neighbors, friends etc and then ask for a collective quote.

  • Insurance companies are smarter than you think. They conduct studies to prove that people with good credit scores are less like to make insurance claims. Hence, try paying your bills on time and clearing your credit card debt before purchasing your car insurance. You could win lower premiums this way.
  • Being a safe driver is one easy way to cut car insurance costs. It’s common knowledge that safe drivers are the favorites, especially for car insurance companies. Try to maintain a good driving record and you’ll win safe driving discounts in return on your insurance, almost up to 10% to 23 %.
  • Insurance companies insure different people and cars differently, which is why you will find a difference in thousands of dollars between their quotes. This is why we suggest you first shop around well to see who’s offering what. With three or four quotes in hand, you can settle for the most reasonable one.
  • There are some insurance companies who award discounts to those who undergo defensive driving course. With this course, you can the number of points on your license. You may even opt for accident prevention or similar course to win this discount. Not a bad idea it seems!
  • Bundling your insurances can lower your costs too. You may already be having a homeowner’s insurance or some others and if you wish to purchase more than one policy, it would be a great idea to ask your agent to bundle these. In return, your insurance provider may give you a discount, which they often do on bundle insurances.
  • Using mass transit will shower fewer miles on your insured automobile in year and that is sure to reduce your costs too. You see, it is typical for an insurance company to make you fill a questionnaire before signing up for discounts. If you are commuting for three to four hours daily back and forth from work, you will surely be paying more premiums that those who only drive a mile a day.

Hence, a good idea is to ask your insurance company about their mileage thresholds. That way you can plan your mileage accordingly to win a discount.

Categories
Children Family

9 Unique Father’s Day Gifts You Can Find On Etsy

9 Unique Father’s Day Gifts You Can Find On Etsy

We know Father’s Day is just around the corner and you’re surely frantically searching for the most unique gift ever to give your dad this year. And why not, considering how Father’s Day 2021 is going to be extra special and difference since we didn’t really get to celebrate it well enough last year.

Whether you’re planning to gift him something in person this year or delivering it to him through a service, it is right find the perfect gift ever. Why look far away when Etsy has the best options for you? We’re listing down 9 unique gifts you can find for your special man this Father’s day only on Etsy.

Top Gift Items

  • Jumbo Coffee Mug

If dads cannot fix it no one can. We’re not saying it, a jumbo coffee mug does but we agree wholeheartedly with each word. This mug is the perfect gift to remind him each morning that he’s your superhero.

  • Handcrafted Orcio Jar

This Orcio jar comes in a beautiful organza bags, containing hand-rolled notes inside. Each note contains tons of love, humor, gratitude and warm thoughts in the form of lovely messages to brighten each of his days.

  • Bonus Dad Keychain

Nothing like an adorable keychain with a personalized message on the back, to remind your dad everyday just how much you love him. You can even add a customized bottle opener with this gift.

  • Customized Chronograph Watch in Black

This customized gift is a perfect keepsake for life for your dad. It has a calendar function, three-eye decoration, scratch-proof vessel and a luxury pointer. The vessel is water-proof and the back of the watch can accommodate a love-filled personalized note from with 20 characters per line.

  • Personalized Cufflinks

Your dad will love personalized cufflinks in 925 sterling silver, rose gold plate and 18k gold bearing his initials.

  • Personalized Docking Station

Gift him a personalized docking station that can accommodate both android and iPhones too. This product also includes an engraving option for a picture or logo and the result is absolutely stunning. Your dad will surely love it.

  • DAD Picture Frame

How does a picture frame cut out in the word DAD sound to you? A handmade premium item like this one is sure to be a winner with your dad. You can also put a special picture of your in the top D. plus, the acrylic jig for cutting out your pictures is a great feature too.

  • Custom Engraved Hammer

If your dad loves knocking away, then give him a hammer that is sure to become his favorite tool for life. Laser engraved hammers are well-balanced, weighty and a great tool for homes and displays. You can add a sweet note on it to make it extra special.

  • Bottle Opener- Custom Baseball Bat

Baseball bat openers will charm every man, even your dad. So, you can customize your gift with specifications, including text colors, stain colors and a lovely note. A bat mug will also pair well with this product.

Categories
Credit Financial

Questions All First-Time Investors Have Answered

Questions All First-Time Investors have answered

Being a first-time investor can feel quite daunting, especially if you feel you have inadequate financial knowledge. The fact is that not all of us have studied business or finance related degrees and we all learn essential things along the way, so you really have nothing to fear.

Here are top 11 questions that first-time investors have answered.

Is Paying Off Debt Necessary Before Investing?

One needs to take stock of their personal risk tolerance, goals and financial situation. There is no answer to this question and you can only draw your conclusion by seeing your personal debt size, interest rates and how you will balance your investing goals with debt repayments.

Can You Define Risk Tolerance & How To Figure Out Mine?

Risk tolerance is merely how much you are willing to stake. You can figure out yours very simply. If you stay up at nights fearing that a down market may bring down your investment portfolio, then honestly, the risk is bigger for you.

If instead, you worry about missing an earning potential then you are making conservative investments. The best way to quantify your risks is to work with a financial advisor.

Where Do I Begin My Investment Knowledge & How Do I Increase My Confidence?

Most investment education is honestly self-taught and you can find a plethora of materials now for educating yourself. From online resources to scholarly journals or a single book like Bogleheads Guide to Investing, you can learn all you need here.

Basic knowledge and joining communities like Public can help will broaden your financial literacy and confidence.

What Will I Get By Investing In The Stock Market?

No market is risk-free. You must note that natural disasters, political events, consumer emotions, terrorism, earnings etc. can impact the markets. Over the long-term, you can enjoy annual return rates, corporate bonds, cash equivalents/cash and treasury bonds too.

When Is The Right Time To Invest?

The simple rule is to invest your money when you believe it will grow over a period of time. your goal must be to invest it into something that will appreciate over time, like stock shares, real estate, index fund, art collectibles etc.

Can I Lower My Risk Of Investing?

Being well diversified is one sure way of minimizing investment related risks. This method involves investing your portfolio in various assets, including cash, bonds, stock and real estate etc. Economic events have a different impact on how each of these assets will react.

Diversification is the way to ensure you get higher returns with lower risks.

How Much Should I Start With?

The truth about investing is that single stocks can cost you thousands of dollars. If you’re not up for that just yet, you can find several platforms that have removed account minimums to facilitate the beginners in investment. At the very least, you will surely get to enjoy fractional shares.

This way, even starting out with a $20 investment, including a small stock portfolio will give you hands-on experience, some returns and flexibility for your comfort level.

Categories
Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

12 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month

12 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month

June is almost here which means preparations for Pride month celebrations are in full swing. How are you planning to honor the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in your vicinity? If you haven’t made plans yet, here are top 20 ways in which you can celebrate Pride Month this year.

1. Charity Fundraiser

One of the best ways of celebrating Pride Month is by either organizing a charity fundraiser or participating in one this year. The initiative will ensure your money goes to worthy contribution and that you’re making a genuine impact on this important segment of society.

By organizing a charity fundraiser, you’d also unite your workforce under a noble cause and raising awareness.

2. Ally and Activist

Another great way of celebrating this important event in a meaningful way is by becoming ally or activist for the LGBT community. You’d get to advocate for their rights, being a listener to their stories and playing an essential part in supporting the LGBT community. If nothing else, you can at least raise your voice to put an end to the derogatory remarks and anti-LGBT jokes.

3. Pride Parade

Many popular events, parades and festivals happen to celebrate the Pride Month. You can participate in or attend one this year.

4. Inclusion Workshop

You can host one for your workforce or conduct a hands-on training session to teach about LGBT equality and inclusion. This would be a step ahead in ensure your LGBT employees, peers, colleagues etc. get equal rights and benefits in the organization and more inclusivity.

5. Flag Art

If you want to celebrate the Pride Month in a way in which your children can particularly participate and learn, then making rainbow flag art is a great idea. You could make posters, dream catchers, banners, jewelry pieces of even rainbow headbands with them.

6. Design Pride Month Outfits

You could organize a fun event within your company. Gather the workforce and have them design t-shirts or any garment piece to honor the LGBT community.

7. Revise the Inclusion Policies

If you are an employer, the Pride Month is a great opportunity to improve diversity and discrimination policies of your organization. Make improvements and changes where necessary or introduce new constitutional rules to encourage inclusivity and equality for the LGBT employees.

8. Donate For Pride Month

Run a donation drive in your neighborhood or company and encourage the people to raise money for a foundation that serves the LGBT community.

9. Decorate

You could decorate your home, office, backyard, front yard, driveway etc. with rainbow banners and flags. It will show your solidarity with the LGBT and raise awareness for them too.

10. LGBT Seminar

You could organize a simple seminar in your backyard, the neighborhood park etc. for young kids and teens to talk about inclusiveness, gender identity and homosexuality with the young. Raise a healthy discussion that honors the LGBT men and women.

11. Advocate

Take an oath to advocate for the Pride peoples network. Take a step forward in creating an inclusive and safe neighborhood, workplace and society for the LGBT community.

12. LGBT Speaker

One excellent way of raising awareness this Pride Month is to engage a bureau to send an LGBT speak to your company or neighborhood. The orators will shed light on the struggles of LGBT people and their lives and raise awareness.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

My Experience With A Lymphatic Drainage Massage

What Happened At My Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Out of all the therapeutic massage treatments, lymphatic drainage has been quite popular since a while now. There’s a reason why all of us love to rush to a practitioner, as soon as the opportunity presents itself. The rhythmic strokes in gentle, long motions and the light pressure feel almost magical as the lymph nodes flow more easily and the toxins begin to leave our bodies.

Our immune systems naturally contain the lymph systems inside, which helps us fight against infections. In nature, the lymph is a slightly yellowish, clear fluid that plays a vital role in transporting oxygen and nutrients to our cells. While it is performing this task, it keeps collecting the toxins from our body and flushes them out through lymph nodes.

Within our bodies, the lymph vessels exist in a quantity that is twice more than the blood vessels in us. The lymph system does not have a pump like that of our heart, which pumps blood in our body. What the lymph system does instead is that it uses pressure from the blood vessels and the muscle movements to run our lymphatic fluid around.

How I Felt After My Lymphatic Drainage Massage

My personal experience of a lymph drainage massage began with an appointment at the local massage center in my neighborhood. Before proceeding, I verified that the masseuse had professional training in this and was proficient at lymphatic massages. I also made it a point to discuss my personal health issues and let her explain how the treatment would be beneficial for me.

My ultimate goal is seeking a lymphatic drainage massage was to get some relief for my chronic back pain and injuries as a result of sports. When we had discussed at length what method the masseuse would use and what I could expect as the outcome, she began the massaging process.

Like every other massage, this one also requires you to undress and lie atop a heated table. After that, you experience light and repetitive strokes on your legs, back, stomach, armpits and arms. It is nothing like the deep tissue massages you get in other treatments, but lighter and more calculated movements.

At the end of the massage, I had to rest aplenty and also drink a lot of water, but like masseuse had mentioned, I experienced the full benefits only a few days later. My steps had an extra spring to them, I felt like a spurt of energy in my body and lightness in my physique. I no longer could feel any bloating or water weight weighing me down.

Rather, my body felt less inflamed, mid section lighter and a constant feeling of contentment and comfort surrounding me. If I keep regular appointments with a lymphatic draining massage expert, I’m sure my health is going to improve even more significantly.

Here are some of the top benefits of a lymphatic drainage massage:

Top Benefits

  • Increased weight loss, due to the higher calorie-burning efficiency of your body from the improved metabolic rate.
  • More reduction in water retention
  • Decreases chances of viruses, including minor flu bugs and cold. Strengthens your body against infections and sickness, and improves the healing process.
Categories
Health & Home Home Improvement Tech & Media Technology

5 Innovative Tech Tools To Upgrade Your Home

5 Innovative Tech Tools Upgrading Home Improvements

Now that we’re all spending more time in our house than at work and out socializing, we’re spotting all the niches and spaces where our homes could use some tech tool upgrading. Besides, we’re a highly tech-powered modern world and staying ahead of the trends definitely feels far more satisfying.

If you’re planning to catch up with some much-need home improvements, here are 5 tech tools to add to your living space.

1. Smart Thermostat

Getting smarter with things is the way ahead and homeowners are the best to benefit from this. Besides, saving up on energy bills while the family is more at home these days sounds like a brilliant plan. All you have to do is trade your old thermostat with the smarter and intelligent models. It’s the perfect tech tool for an easy upgrade!

You can find a range of options now that can sense whether or not someone is in the room and adjust the temperature accordingly. A smart learning thermostat also meets your temperature requirements for the day automatically, by aligning the heating and cooling temperatures with the weather of the day.

2. Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Robots are overtaking our housecleaning too and why not let them to conserve more of your energy? You now have a range of robotic vacuum cleaners to choose from in the markets.

These smart cleaning solutions have smart technology inside that helps detect and maneuver around obstacles while cleaning. You don’t even have to empty their bins since the technology automatically does that too. For every type of flooring you have, there is a mode option to clean it.

The best feature of these is how you can clean your home even when you’re away. You only have to preset its intelligent time scheduling feature and then your floors get what they need- thorough sweep in your absence. If you had cleaning woes before, now is the time to bid goodbye to them. Go get this tech tool today!

3. Bediator

Nothing can beat a night of warm, cozy and comfortable sleep, even during the coldest winter days. Here we recommend the Bediator intelligent device that heats up your room with advanced technology, to the ideal temperature settings. From being energy efficient to saving significant amount of money on your electricity bills, this stylish radiator is a must-have for every modern, high-tech bedroom now.

4. Thermal Leak Detector

Ever wondered where your energy is going when you’re not looking? The culprits could be your ducts, fireplaces, windows and other insulation spots that could be leaking precious energy away. Thermal leak detectors would prevent this from happening and are also a great assistance in monitoring your freezers and refrigerators.

5. Smart Faucet

If we’re getting smart with everything else, why should our faucets be any different? Time to focus on saving gallons of water per year and we have just the right high-tech home-improvement gadget to recommend for this. Smart faucets come with innovative technology that help you save approximately fifteen thousand gallons of water yearly.

The intelligent design further conserves energy and reduces carbon footprint too. Besides, considering the current health crises, no one can resist the contamination-free, high hygienic functions of this touch-free tool.

Categories
Health & Home Home Improvement

DIY Home Improvement Projects To Do This Summer

5 DIY Home Improvement Projects For Summer

Summer typically calls for lazy times in the pool but it’s also a great time for the much-needed home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. DIY home improvement ideas are literally the best because they save time and money and your home too gets a lot of TLC.

In this blog, we’re going to share five fantastic DIY home improvements for this summer and how you can upgrade your home without much effort.

1. Improved Window Treatments For Your Home

Have you ever thought of window treatments to beat the summer heat and keep your house comfortably cool despite the blazing sun outside? The best part is that installing advanced window treatments is not a complex job at all and it’s an easy DIY thing. You only need simple things like a blackout curtain or two, some motorized roller shades or even greater options from the market variety.

You’d probably even enjoy installing these, not to mention how outfitting the windows with shades will protect you and your family from harmful UV light and blind glares. Rid goodbye to scorching summer heat indoors with this DIY idea.

2. Bring Summer Into Your Home With More Plants

Summer may be hot but it’s a beautiful weather nonetheless. How better to enjoy it than bringing in some more greenery right in your house? This summer, give your outdoor area, a balcony or a designated corner in your home a fresh makeover with vibrant summer plants.

If you can afford it, try to spruce the area with a bright paint color too or landscape it if you’re feeling a tad more adventurous. Gardens have a magical ability to transform the aesthetical appeal of homes and perennials, hydrangeas, lupines etc. make the best choice.

If you’re not up for braving the summer heat and venturing outdoors, then you can stay in, give your interiors some glam makeover and still enjoy the season. A wall gallery sounds like a very creative idea and it is the best ways of livening up a home. You can look at creative DIY ways of converting a prominent wall in your home into a gallery wall.

Decorate it with family photos, some colorful artwork or even blend the two for a more striking end result.

4. Give Your Home’s AC Filters a Good Scrub

This might not be a lot of fun but it is necessary nonetheless. Replacing or at least cleaning your AC filters will make the summer more bearable and especially important if you have not done it for long.

The filters of any HVAC unit can accumulate tons of dirt, when we fail to clean them in a couple of months. You could make this DIY idea your summer project and thankfully, it does not take very long. You only have to locate the furnace vents on your AC, unscrew then and clean the filters thoroughly. If they’re beyond rescue, replacing them would also be a good idea. You can rid the filters of the mold, dust and tons of allergens living on it and ensure your family will only be breathing in cleaner air through the season.

5. Give Your Floor Some TLC This Summer

We’re usually focusing so much on statement walls, light fixtures, kitchen hardware etc. that we fail to realize the floor could do with some makeover too. This summer, you can give your floor some brightness and make it the highlight of the summer season.

You can go for an all out black and white tiling, neutral light tiling, matte tiles or those with graphic patterns or even settle for some hexagonal beauty. If you want something simpler, perhaps a darker stain to your existing hardwood or pulling up the carpet would do the trick too.