money talk

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Payday loans

A payday loan is a type of loan whereby you can borrow money against your upcoming pay check. In the Australia, anyone with a job can avail of a payday loan. A payday loan Australia is quite convenient when emergencies arise in the middle of two paydays. Imagine this situation - you are somewhere in between the last pay check and the next one. Your car suddenly breaks down and you have extra costs that your insurance won't cover. You absolutely need your car. You don't have extra money in the bank to pay for its repair. What will you do? You can either wait for your next pay check or take out a payday loan.

As you may have surmised by now, a payday loan is a quick way to get cash as long as you have a means of paying it back in the near future. It is basically a short term loan. That also means that you would probably have to pay a higher rate of interest on it. That is why financial experts advise that you do not take out a payday loan unless you are sure that you can pay it off within a short period of time.

There are a few considerations before you can apply to a online payday loan for short term financial assistance. To be specific, you would need to meet the following criteria. First, you must be a resident of the Australia. This doesn't mean that you need to be a citizen, just that it is your place of residency. Next, you have to have a job. More than just any job, you have to be able to show that you receive a regular monthly income. The more stable your income is, the better chances of your getting a ozpayday loan. More often than not, there is a stipulation as to how much you should be earning in a month. In order to avail of your loan, you would need an active checking account. This is where the loan provider will be depositing your money when the loan is released. Last, but not the least, you have to be at least 18 years of age to apply for a payday loan.

You can borrow any amount from 100-1000 GBP using a payday loan. However, you should remember that you have to pay off this amount in a short period of time. So before you commit yourself to anything, make sure that you can afford what you are borrowing and that you have read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, April 12, 2007

5 Tips For Avoiding Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is something that's on the mind of consumers across the globe. It transcends age, gender and socioeconomic status. Anyone, anywhere can become a victim. Fortunately, these five tips can help you protect yourself from the crime.

1. A Need-To-Know Basis

Treat your credit card number like the confidential information that it is and only provide it on a need-to-know basis. Are you making an appointment at your local salon or doctor's office and they want your credit card information to hold the appointment? Even though you plan on paying cash? Flat out refuse to provide it.

Nowadays too many people have access to the average person's credit card number. If you want to protect yourself from credit card fraud, reduce the number of people who ever know what your credit card number is. Sometimes that will mean putting your foot down and maybe even being stubborn. As they say -- it's better to be safe than sorry.

2. Watch For The "S"

For most people, online transactions are inevitable. Fortunately, credit card fraud doesn't have to be.

Sooner or later, you're going to make a purchase online (if you haven't already). Before you enter your credit card number into any online payment form, make sure the form is hosted on a secure site.

The best way to prevent credit card fraud online is with secured web pages. You can tell a secured web page from an unsecured web page by the little telltale "s" locate at the end of the "http" letters. If a web page is secured, it will say "https" in your browser bar. If it's not, it will just say "http" and you'd better not put your credit card number in.

3. Use Virtual Numbers Whenever Possible

Because online transactions are becoming more and more popular, credit card companies are now offering "virtual" numbers to help reduce credit card fraud.

If your credit card company offers "virtual" or "one-time-use" credit card numbers, you will be able to access the feature by logging in to your online account. Simply sign in using your personal information and then prompt the website to generate your temporary credit card number.

Once you have been given the temporary credit card number, you can use it for your online transaction. This way, you are able to pay for your purchase with a credit card, but no one really has your actual account number which greatly reduces your chance of credit card fraud.

4. Don't Use Public Computers for Financial Transactions

If you use public computers that other people have access to, don't ever enter your credit card number into them. If you do, you may signficantly increase your chances of credit card fraud.

There are programs that people can use to track everything typed into a computer. If someone has installed one of these applications into the computer you are using and you enter your credit card number into it, they'll gain access to the information.

5. Shred Those Statements

Perhaps one of the most important ways you can reduce the risk of credit card fraud is to properly dispose of your monthly credit card statements. File your statements for as long as you want to, but once you decide to dispose of them, put them through a cross-cut or diamond-cut shredder.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Payday Loans equals fast cash

If you have ever found yourself in need of cash due to an unexpected expense, a payday loan is often a great way to provide emergency financial assistance until your next payday. The money can be used for anything you choose. Whether its for rent, a car payment, forgotten bills, or just personal shopping, the money is yours to spend how you choose.

Most banks will take a few days to setup an appointment, and a couple more days to process your request, making a payday loan your best option when you need fast cash.

Applying for a payday loans in the UK is another popular type of short term loans. Payday loans in the UK are similar to a cash advance and basically serve the same purpose. When you find yourself in a financial crisis in between pays, UK payday loans are perhaps the best option for you.

The main advantage of a payday loan in the UK is that you can get them very quickly. The normal cash release takes only 24 hours from approval, sometimes available the same day. The approval itself takes a few hours or even less. Online payday loan lenders in the UK do not run credit checks nor do they ask for numerous paperwork. You can also apply for your cash advance loans in the UK and process it from the comforts of your home. All you need is your computer and a connection to the Internet.

Of course, there are some vital pieces of information that you need while applying for a payday loans in the UK. The most important thing you need to have in hand is your pay stub; more specifically, pay stubs. You need to be able to prove that you have a regular source of income. You’d also need your driver’s license, Social Security card, bank account number, and perhaps a few references.

Once you have all you need, you are all set to take a few minutes to fill out that application form and wait for the decision. Very few people are turned down for this a payday loan, especially if they have a job. Remember though, short term loan or long term loan, there is no difference – you still have to pay up at the due date. Borrow only what you need and what you think you can afford to pay back when the time arrives.

Labels: , , ,

Monday, December 18, 2006

Smart Ways to Trim Your Budget

.Cut your budget without cutting the fun from your life

Summary: Find out how to reduce your total expenses and still have enough to have fun and enjoy the things you love. Know which ones you can cut down and know which ones you can’t.

You know it’s time to re-evaluate your spending habits if: after you’ve settled all your bills when you receive your paycheck, you find that you barely have enough to last until your next salary. You live on your credit cards and can’t seem to figure out where all your money goes. When this happens, you may be living beyond your means. You need to get yourself out of the red, and you can start your arduous climb back into the black by redoing your budget.

You can do this by first evaluating all your expenses and trimming the fat. Determine which of your expenses are needed, and which aren’t. When you do this, you will see that housing and payment of utilities eat up a great big chunk of your money. If you think that it is impossible to adjust the cash outflow when it comes to utilities, you are mistaken.

If mortgage payments cost you an arm and a leg, you can request that your loan be refinanced. To reduce utility bills, use electricity wisely. Do your laundry once a week (instead of twice weekly), hand wash dishes, limit the use of heaters (and air conditioning units) by wearing more sweaters (or utilizing shades, blinds or drapes). These may seem insignificant, but you would be surprised how much these can help.

Be diligent in using your cars. Accumulated gasoline charges add up, and if you can ride with friends, take the train (or bus) or just walk to the office, you will see that, not only will your expenses be reduced you’ll also be healthier. If you really need to use your car, schedule other activities such as picking up the groceries, or the laundry to make the most out of your gas mileage.

Food also takes up a big chunk of your budget. No, reducing your budget does not mean you should not eat, but you should try to limit your dining out activities. This goes for lunch as well as dinner. Bring sandwiches or fruits to work. Drink more water and less juice or cola. Again, not only will you save money, but you will be healthier too! And if you’re healthier, there will be lesser chances of you rushing to the hospital for costly medical treatment. In case this is necessary, buy generic drugs instead of the branded ones.

Finally, check your shopping history. What kinds of clothes do you wear and how often do you go out to buy garments. If you are intent on reducing your expenses, you may have to limit your shopping. If shopping is really “essential” to your lifestyle, then re-evaluate your purchases. Instead of buying trendy expensive items, select classic clothes that will never look out of date. Evaluate your wardrobe too, and purchase items that will complement whatever you already have. You can also buy clothes from factory outlets, where you can get an original item at a fraction of the price.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Google to Offer Variation on Stock Options

In a move that will enable its employees to earn more money from stock options — and perhaps motivate them to settle for fewer of them in pay packages as a result — Google said yesterday that it would create a system allowing options to be sold as well as exercised.
Under the program, Google will grant employees a new type of option, called a transferable stock option. The company will work with Morgan to set up a market that will enable financial institutions and other investors to bid for those options.
Experts briefed on the plan were divided on whether it might provide a useful model for other companies. But the move appears likely to reinforce Google’s reputation for financial innovation. When it went public in 2004, Google priced the initial offering through an auction, allowing any investor to get in on the offering, rather than granting assured allocations to preferred investors.
That led to an offering price of $85, which was below what some had expected. Those who bought have prospered, as the share price has risen to a high above $500. Yesterday it closed at $481.78, down $2.15, before the options plan was announced.
Google said the plan was aimed at showing employees the full value of their stock options. In addition to giving options to most new employees, Google also issues options annually to many employees who have been with the company for more than a year.
Stock options give their owner the right to buy stock for as long as 10 years at a price set when the options are granted. Google officials said they believed that employees typically underestimated their value.
“It is very difficult for employees to understand what their options are worth,” said Dave Rolefson, Google’s equity and executive compensation manager, in an interview. “If they can see what others would pay for them, then option valuation would become simple for employees.”
The new options, which will have lives of 10 years, will have the same vesting schedule as existing options, with some options vesting after 12 months and all vesting within four years. Once the options are vested, employees will be able to hold them, exercise them or sell them. They are likely to reap greater gains from selling than from exercising them.
For example, an employee who holds a vested option permitting him to buy shares at a strike price of $460, assuming the stock is trading at $482, can currently exercise the option and pocket $22. The new transferable stock option could be worth a lot more than that, because of the expectation that the stock could rise further.
Google said any options that are sold when their remaining life is greater than two years would immediately become two-year options. In those two years, the financial institution or investor buying them would not be able to sell the options in a secondary market, but would be able to use various financial instruments to hedge against fluctuations in Google’s stock price.
The financial institution is likely to pay less than it would if the option life was not reduced, but much more than the employee would receive if he or she exercised the option and sold the stock. In trading yesterday, an option to buy Google for $460 a share in January 2009, a little more than two years from now, sold for $123.50 in trading at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, far more than the value that would have come from exercising it now. A financial institution that bought such an option now from an employee probably would pay a price below that level, but not too far below it.

By Miguel Helft andFloyd Norris

Labels: , ,

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Cash Advance Loans - The Truth

Because many people in the world suffer from bad credit for one reason or another, people everywhere are turning to cash advance loans for their immediate needs. However, while cash advance loans might be the answer for a temporary fix, there are many things you should understand about cash advance loans before you run out to obtain one from the nearest loan center.
Cash advance loans are available for immediate cash. Many who obtain these types of loans use them for various reasons, such as tiding them over until the next paycheck, car repairs, emergency travel, preventing bounced checks, paying an overdue bill, or even medical needs. While cash advance loans provide a temporary fix to a problem, they might also cause more unneeded stress and debt than you bargained for, if you are not careful.
In cases of dire need and emergencies, cash advance loans might be the best option for you. However, you must be extremely careful in all aspects of the loan. First, make sure you understand all of the requirements for the cash advance loans, the interest rates, as well as the contract you need to sign. The first thing you will need is a job and a checking account. These are generally the requirements for any cash advance loans.
You will then need to take proof of both to the company specializing in cash advance loans and provide them with a check for the amount of the cash advance loans plus any fees and interest charged by the company. Typically, you are looking at interest rates of twelve to twenty-five percent for cash advance, which is much higher than typical loans. When you obtain cash advance loans, they will typically be short term, lasting only until your next pay period. They do offer up to three rollovers, meaning you can pay only the fees three times, before you need to pay on the loan.
It is important that if you do decide to obtain cash advance loans that you do so only if you are certain you can afford to pay the fees. The government now governs the fees; however, they are still extremely high, and sometimes unaffordable.

By Blake C. Hendrickson

Labels:

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Need of money

Sometimes in our lives, we all reach at a point where we have no pay left before our payday date. But why more money is needed?
I Need Money to Buy a Car
If it’s a new set of wheels you’re looking for, you’ll need an loan. Be sure to manage your budget here because people tend to get themselves ‘upside-down’ quite easily using auto loans. This means that you owe more than your auto is worth, and it’s hard to get out of this mess.
I Need Money to go to School
Banks usually consider education loans to be a pretty good risk. The US government is eager to help the students and check with your school’s Financial Aid department for additional resources.
I Need Money to Buy a Home
The place to start is the Mortgages page at About Banking. You’ll find out how to get the best mortgage for that home of your dreams.
I Need Money to Pay Other Debts
Some borrowers benefit from a debt consolidation program. Of course, these only shift your debt – they don’t eliminate it. Nevertheless these programs can help.
I Need Money to Fund my Business
Entrepreneurs can accomplish anything with the right funding. Start your search for seed money at the small business loan section.
None of the Above, I Still Need Money!
This can be a little bit more difficult and more expensive. Whatever it is you want to buy, there’s a good chance you can borrow for it somehow. I would encourage you to visit About.com’s Credit site for more information on credit cards and consumer loans.

Source: about.com