Buying a home, especially for the first time, can be an exciting process. However, it will inevitably also be a stressful experience. One of the first things you will need to determine is what price of home you can afford. Especially since the recent mortgage industry implosion, responsible borrowing is an important part of buying a home. This means buying a home you can afford. It is easy for home seekers to get out of control and over budget.

There is no set of rules for what a person can afford. Ideally, every person would be able to buy a home outright. However, most people do not have this luxury. Fortunately mortgages exist to help people finance and eventually own their homes.

Determining a Price

The general rule of thumb is to keep your housing costs to less than one-third of your expenses. Research mortgage interest rates that you qualify for and work out what cost of a home you can afford. Make sure to work in the costs of homeowners insurance and maintenance fees into the total housing costs.

When you are determining what price of a home you can afford you also need to consider other factors. If you have a lot of debt, you need to debate whether you can afford to take on a mortgage. A great amount of debt also has consequences on your credit score. If your credit score is low, you will likely not qualify for low interest rates. In the worst of cases, you may not be able to qualify for a reasonable mortgage loan at all. It is not advisable to try to buy a home with a large amount of debt or with high interest rates. Instead you should put off owning a home temporarily while focusing your efforts on repaying your debts and improving you credit score. This will put you in a more favorable position when you eventually do proceed to own a home.

There is another general rule of thumb to use in trying to determine a price range for your future home. Calculate your total annual household income, multiplied 2.5 times. For example, if your total annual household income is $100,000, you should be looking for a home that is $250,000. This may seem unreasonable, especially in areas of the country that have high costs of living, but it is a responsible approximate estimation.

Affording a Mortgage

Most financial institutions and mortgage lenders require a significant down payment on a home. This is usually about 20-25% of the home’s cost. If you are looking for a home that is $250,000, this would mean a required down payment of at least $50,000. If you are unable to make this significant of a down payment, you may be required to attain private mortgage insurance in order to qualify for a mortgage. Some financial institutions have mortgage programs that bypass the down payment.

It is important to be reasonable and responsible when looking for a home. Going beyond your means will put a great strain on your finances.

In 2012, the number one most complained about consumer issue to the Citizens Advice Bureau between April and June were consumers buying used cars from independent dealers which were rife with problems and not fit for sale. They registered more than 12,000 complaints, of which 8% were dealt with by the Citizens Advice Bureau. The majority of complaints were consumers that bought from private sellers and franchise dealerships. 1 in 10 complaints involved misleading information about the vehicle given by a salesperson. This and other issues amounted to the Citizen Advice Bureau callers spending a shocking £55 million on used cars through bad dealers and shoddy cars. So how can this big problem in the motoring industry be avoided?

Be cautious

When buying a used car from an independent dealer, always stand your ground and don’t be easily swayed into a deal as many dealers are also great salespeople. If the dealer wishes to meet in a remote location rather than at their home or business then it is likely that they have something to hide. Before you get too deep into a deal, ask to see some recommendations from past clients and don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal if you feel that something is not right. Do a vehicle history check such as an AA Car Date Check and also check that the VIN numbers match. This will ensure that the car isn’t stolen or cloned, written off from a past incident and simply stuck back together or if there are any outstanding finances. If there is any money owing on the car from another party, the car will belong to a finance company and not to you. Lastly, always take the car for a test drive to see how it handles and if the car is unlikely to break down after it has been purchased!

Problems to look for

If you feel that you aren’t car savvy enough to make a clean cut deal by yourself, bring a qualified automotive person or mechanic to check the overall condition, focusing on expensive items such as the engine, emissions system, braking system and transmission. Because an extensive check on the whole of the car is timely and expensive, having someone to just verify the overall quality of the car will be sufficient.

Check for strange noises when taking the car for a test drive. Noises can occur when breaking, steering or going along a bumpy road. For example, hearing an unexplained rattling whilst simply cruising along a pedestrian road is not a good sign. Ask yourself if these problems (if they do arise) are deal breakers or bargaining aids when negotiating the asking price.

It is also best to check for signs of general wear and tear such as fluid leaks and rust build up, especially if it is an older car. Get right into the small nooks of the car where rust is likely to build up. Fluid leaks could be a sign that the car has experienced a critically damaging incident and should be treated as a concern.

Another area to look at is the cars drivability. Check for over and under steer and if the tyres are all aligned correctly.  If the car doesn’t handle well on the road, the problems which cause this are difficult to repair as well as costly.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake that people make when buying a car is rushing into a deal. Used car finance issues can stack up so take time to consider factors past the initial purchase such as insurance costs and maintenance and repairs, especially when buying a problem prone classic car which are more difficult to repair due to outdated parts. Another big factor is how much gas your new car is going to guzzle. You are probably planning to run and use your car for quite a while so gas consumption can be a large factor when using your car on a daily basis. Finally, I know it is boring but it is important to think about practicality when buying a car. A shiny sports car may be want you want but it could disrupt your finances and you may end up having to sell it at a lower price a few months down the line.

As summer approaches and gas prices climb you may be considering ditching your car for your bicycle but we all know that there are some things that the bike just can’t do like getting you to your early morning meeting in the rain and still looking like the professional you are. It can’t store your groceries two car seats and pick your mom up at the airport. So even if you choose to drive less there are still times when driving really is the only option. In those cases you want to do all you can to make sure you are using your gas as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Make sure you are giving your care the love and attention it needs. A car with a well turned engine burns less fuel. Take it to get its regular scheduled turn ups and not only your car will think you but your wallet as well. Tire care is also important in protecting your gas mileage. Keeping your tire pressure at the correct level and also getting your tires rotated and aligned will help increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Check your gas cap each time you fill up. If the cap doesn’t fit tightly you may be losing gas to evaporation.

Does your trunk still contain the ice chest you dragged to the beach last summer and the workout weights you bought at that garage sale last month? Well it’s time to clean it out. Extra weight in your vehicle can have a significant effect on the cars fuel performance. If you have extra items just laying around in your car or in the trunk that aren’t needed then make sure you get them out as soon as possible this will help you to stretch that tank of gas just a little further.

By Betsy Fallwell

It’s your first day on the job, but instead of putting on your best suit, you’re dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans. You make your breakfast, grab a cup of coffee (homebrewed), but your next stop isn’t to the garage to rev up your car, because you don’t have a morning commute anymore. Now, you work from home, for yourself… because you are a mortgage broker.

What a Mortgage Broker Does

More and more homebuyers are turning away from their financial institution’s lending services and opting to work with a mortgage broker instead. These professionals act as the middle-men (or women!) between lenders and borrowers. When you work with a mortgage broker, you can shop for a wide variety of mortgage products all in one place, saving you time and energy. Plus, this service won’t cost you any extra; most mortgage brokers are paid by commission from the lender you ultimately choose for your home loan. That leaves you paying absolutely nothing for their expertise.

Work from Home: It’s More Than a Fantasy

Mortgage broking is one of the many business ideas that allow you to work from home. Although you can opt to work in an office, there are no industry restrictions forcing you to do so. For this reason, many mortgage brokers choose to work out of their residence.

The advantages here are numerous. No more office politics or drama; you can eliminate your morning commute and everything that comes with it, from the cost of filling up your gas tank to traffic to the toll it all takes on the environment; you set the tone for your work setting, deciding on everything from the lighting to the temperature to the noise level without input from anyone else. Plus, you get to dictate not only where, but when you work. Your working hours are dictated by the needs of your clients as well as your personal preferences.

Franchise Opportunities in Mortgage Broking

Although you can opt to enter the mortgage broking industry on your own, many potential brokers prefer to sign on with an existing mortgage franchise. Franchise opportunities abound, with a variety of price points. Because mortgage broking requires little overhead, franchise buy-ins are very low, typically just a few thousand dollars. Beyond that, you’ll owe your parent company a small royalty fee – a percentage of your commissions – on every sale you make. In return, you’ll receive training and resources from your franchisor; you’ll also be able to capitalize on the positive reputation of the parent company, which can help you quickly grow your client base.

Work from Home, On Your Own

If you decide to leave the franchise after a few years, the valuable experience you gained with the parent company isn’t the only thing you’ll take with you. Any certifications you earned will also follow you post-franchise. Although some states – Alabama and Colorado, to name a few – don’t impose any regulations on mortgage brokers, the vast majority require brokers to maintain some type of liquid capital, have a certain amount of experience in the industry, or pass an exam to be licensed. Your franchise may pay for you to meet these requirements to earn your license, and you can keep this license active even after you leave the franchise to pursue other business ideas and opportunities.

Whether you’re a motorist in the US or an expat in the UAE, you need car insurance. It’s the law.

Many consumers, though, simply renew their insurance policy with the same provider once they’ve taken it out.

That’s because it’s easier. However, it’s smarter to shop around for a new provider. Switching to a new provider can save you money. You’ll find that in certain circumstances, the rates between providers vary a lot. The savings come to those who wait, or in this case who shop around.

Here are some of the reasons you may change your insurance provider.

• An increase in the insurance premium
• Marriage
• Divorce
• The addition of a new, younger driver to the policy
• Buying a new car or planning to buy a new car.

How do you shop around for insurance?

Providing information at your fingertips, the Internet is an easy way to find out more about insurance. Visit comparison websites to find out the best insurance deals.

Contact various providers for the best quote. Go to their website and check insurance policy terms and conditions for hidden extras.

Alternatively, you can visit one of the insurance provider’s branches and do this in person.

How do you change your provider?

When you’ve decided which provider to take out your insurance policy with, contact them and pay for the policy. Once you’ve done this, contact your existing insurance policy to inform them you wish to cancel the policy — doing things the other way round could land you in trouble with the law. You can contact them by mail, phone or by visiting one of the insurance provider’s business branches.

Normally, you’ll need to sign something to officially confirm that you wish to cancel the policy. Send any forms you need to send by special delivery to ensure they arrive. Whatever you do, don’t let your policy expire without requesting your wish to cancel it. This can incur extra charges, not to mention blemish on your credit history.

How can you lower your premium?

• Pay a higher deductible — this is the money you must pay before your insurance provider will pay out any expenses. Pay more at the start and you can lower your premium in the long run.
• Take a refresher course — some insurance providers are willing to offer you a lower premium if, despite being an experienced driver, you take some driving lessons as a refresher.
• Keep your mileage low — some insurance providers offer discounts if you only make short journeys in your car, such as to work, the supermarket or to pick the kids up, etc.

Whether you own a car in the US or the UAE, it won’t stop life taking turns that may affect your finances. Car owners should shop around in the run-up to their insurance policy’s expiry date, or even before that. Convenient as it is to leave your policy to run with your current provider, the smart choice is to look into options with other insurance providers — and give yourself the option of saving money.

Aplicor considers itself the next generation cloud software company.  Aplicor has developed a seamless cloud-based business suite that’s main mission is to dramatically improve the way organizations operate.  By listening to the people on the ground level, Aplicor looked at how their jobs and workflow could be made more efficient.  The result is a true cloud CRM and Financial business suite that streamlines your workflows and enables you to evolve to meet different demands.

Business Day with Terry Bradshaw looks at how Aplicor has transformed the CRM and Financial software business, by not only created a great cloud software solution for companies, but also by making it affordable for organizations of all sizes.

Customer Relations Management (CRM)

The first aspect of Aplicor’s success has been to develop a cloud CRM application for business that is fully integrated with all other workflows as well.  The CRM application has full salesforce automation, marketing automation, a project office, and customer support functions, all in a single solution.

Furthermore, the Aplicor CloudSuite dashboard is fully customizable to meet your unique business needs.

Financial Tools

Business Day TV looks at how the financial tools, like ERP, are also streamlined into the same cloud suite for the entire company.  Aplicor was able to integrate CRM capabilities with basic financial services, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, order entry, inventory control, job costing, and handling fixed assets.

By integrating both CRM and financial tools, managers can make more informed decisions about what they need to do going forward.

Streamlines Workflow

By developing a single solution, Aplicor calls it the Single Pane of Glass, anyone can view, edit, and take action in one solution.  No more having different software for different parts of the company and no communication.  Everything you need is automatically unified on a single dashboard depending on your business needs.

Plus, the pricing structure and security structure of Aplicor’s suite of programs allows for a streamlined workflow.  They have a base user, a power user, and an administrator.  Each level has more privileges to make sure that they have the tools they need, but companies also only have to pay for what they need, and nothing extra.

Business Day on Social Media

Beyond the basics of financials and CRM, Aplicor takes it to the next level by letting employees on social media and integrating it with the CRM solution.  Business Day television series has previously highlighted the importance of social media in building connections with customers and vendors, and Aplicor understands that.

The Cloud Suite Central gives employees expanded resources to connect with customers and prospects through social media and other internet resources while remaining within your business software.  This improves the control you have over your customers and clients, while letting your sales force connect with them in modern technology how they want to be interacted with.

Services

Beyond the software itself, Aplicor also offers a wide variety of services to go along with its application suite.  First, it offers great technical support to customers.  They are available 24 hours a day, and will provide an effective solution to any customer challenge.  They also empower users to reach out if they need anything, no matter what time.

Furthermore, they offer training for all their products.  Aplicor understands that customers use their products in many different ways.  By having a professional training team offer training solutions, from a general overview to a detailed plan for your specific needs, you can be sure that you teams are equipped with the tools they need to be successful.

Finally, Aplicor has a full professional services team that are available to plan and implement solutions that match your business requirements.  Their professionals have extensive industry experience, and are ready to help your company come up with an efficient and reliable solution.

Family vacations are a wonderful time regardless of where you go. They are an opportunity for bonding, and a break from the rigors of work, school, and the stresses of everyday life.  This is exactly why you shouldn’t be adding any stress with a vacation, like spending a lot of money and leaving yourself with financial worries. The cost to fly you and your brood across the country can destroy your budget and in some cases even lead into debt.  Then there are those who purchase expensive timeshares, only to be restricted by too many guidelines and left unable to use them.  Lastly, you have the people that play it smart and purchase or rent caravans.  Whether it’s a towing caravan, or a motorhome, this is essentially a home on wheels.  You can save money by avoiding costly airplane tickets, and hotel stays.  Let’s not forget about the cost of eating at restaurants each day when you reach your destination.  Some caravans have kitchens inside that allow you to save even more money by cooking your own meals.  Then there are the non-monetary benefits of spending quality time with your family in a comfortable and close knit environment.  While there are countless financial benefits to owning and vacationing in a caravan they are not free, and they do come with some costs that you should make yourself aware of.

First and foremost, these caravans don’t run on vegetable oil, but you may wish that they did.  The cost of gasoline to run a caravan depends on many different factors; size, weight, engine type, gear ratios, wind resistance, and the overall driving habits of the person behind the wheel.  A motorhome is just as it sounds, a house with a motor.  These are caravans with their own engine and steering capacity, and the fuel type of these vehicles can vary.  More times than not they take diesel fuel, which depending on your location can be quite costly.  Then there are the towing caravans, which don’t necessarily have an engine but can still put a drain on your fuel consumption regardless.  Due to the heavy nature of these vehicles you need a vehicle large enough and with enough horsepower to tow them along.  Also, their added weight places more stress on the vehicle and thus the usage of more fuel.

Another cost that you should be aware of is caravan insurance.  These caravans need to be insured just like any other vehicle you own.  Also, the vehicle itself is only one part of the insurance needs, you also can insure the contents within the caravan, as well as the additional equipment.  The most important part of obtaining quality and affordable insurance is to seek out a reputable company like Caravan Club.  They offer both touring, as well as motorhome caravan insurance.  The best part is that their services include pet, car, and home insurance, which makes it a virtual one-stop shop for all of your insurance needs.  Caravans are susceptible to the same road hazards as any other vehicle, so make sure you givfe yourself peace of mind by insuring this investment.

You might be excited to purchase a new vehicle, but at the same time, question how to handle the sell of your current vehicle. Different options are available, such as trading in the car and selling the vehicle yourself. There are pros and cons to both options. And if you need to act fast, you need to consider what it takes to sell a car. 

Some may argue that it’s quicker to trade in a vehicle. This is when a dealership purchases your old vehicle. It’s a straightforward and simple transaction, but not necessarily the best choice. Talk to anyone who has traded in a car and they’ll tell you that dealerships don’t give top dollars for trade-ins. And if the dealership’s offer is less than what you owe on the car, the negative equity is attached to your new car loan. 

Selling the car yourself in one way to avoid this hassle. Sure, it’ll take longer and you’ll have to meet with several people. But in the end, this can equal more cash in your pocket. But don’t sell a car without knowing a few tips and tricks. Educate yourself on how to sell a car to increase your chances of a quick sale. 

What Is Your Car Worth?

Knowing the actual value of your vehicle is the first step to selling your car. Whether you decide to sell yourself or trade in the car, you’ll sell yourself short if you don’t understand the car’s value. Granted, this isn’t easy to determine. However, several tools can help you acquire an accurate figure. 

You might go online and check websites like www.kbb.com and provide basic information about your vehicle. This includes your make, model, year, mileage and condition. This website also provides information on trade-in value – in case you decide to go this route. 

Additionally, you can contact dealerships to learn the value of your car. Several dealership websites, such as www.kengarffused.com, feature online forms where you can request a trade-in appraisal. If the resale or trade-in value of your car is less than expected, understand that cars depreciate differently. Certain cars hold their value longer than others. These include Hondas, Toyotas, Cadillacs and Acuras. 

Tips to Maintain the Value of Your Car

Your car’s worth determines how much you’ll receive from a sale. The more you profit, the better. You can put this extra money toward the down payment on your new car, or save the cash. 

Here are a few tips to help your car hold it’s value.

• Limit customizations. Make the car your own, but don’t go overboard. A custom interior and exterior might suit your taste, but not others. This not only turns off future buyers, but lowers the value of your vehicle. 

• Fix repairs. Scratches and dings can hurt your car’s value. Make needed body improvements before selling the car, and only use trusted auto body repair shops. Preferably shops that can provide factory parts. 

• Keep it clean. A nice exterior wash and a detailed inside can add value to your car. Besides, people are more likely to purchase a car that’s been well maintained. 

The decision to sell yourself or trade in the car also depends on your availability and desire. If your schedule doesn’t allow constant test drives, or if you don’t want to handle the transaction on your own, a trade-in is your best bet.

OK, for those of you that are looking to get the most out of every single gallon of gas that you buy the Tips below are the very best.  Follow them and you should increase your mileage by about 20%.

1. Plan your trips. Do all your chores, pick-ups and everything else in 1 big trip rather than several smaller trips.
2. Lighten your car. Take all the junk out of it except for vital equipment.
3. Don’t fill up the entire tank and don’t wait until it’s empty to get gas.
4. Slow down.  Above 60 mph your car will use 15% more gas.
5. Use cruise control.  The more you speed up and slow down the more gas you use.
6. Accelerate smoothly and evenly from a stop.
7. Short shift.  Skip from 2^nd to 4^th gear on the highway to save fuel.
8. Plan your route to be the shortest or have the least amount of stops.
9. Instead of braking just take your foot off the gas and coast when you can.
10. Inflate youth tires to their proper PSI always and check them often.
11. Keep your engine tuned.
12. Change your oil regularly.
13. Change the air filter or clean it regularly.  Your engine performs better when it has oxygen.
14. Replace the fuel filter when the manufacturer suggests it.
15. Don’t idle for more than 30 seconds.
16. If you can handle it don’t use the AC in stop and go driving conditions.
17. Use overdrive on cars with automatic transmissions except when towing.
18. Keep an eye on the road and see what’s happening so that you can stop and go less.
19. When you enter a parking lot find a spot and park rather than looking for a ‘better’ spot.
20. Maintain a large enough following distance so that you don’t have to keep stopping and starting.
21. Use the narrowest possible tires for your make and model of car.

There you have them.  These are the absolute best Tips for increasing your mileage and using less gas.  If you can even manage to follow half of them you should see a significant increase in your mileage.  The fact is, you should be able to do almost all of them except maybe not using the AC in stop and go traffic.  Hey, what can we say we hate sweating and breathing in that foul air.  Best of luck with getting your mileage up.