Tol Records Finance and Money Management Tips

Archive for June, 2010

The stock market is an untamed animal, a wild beast. Sometimes, it is a raging bull that lifts and throws all stocks upwards into the sky. Sometimes it is a marauding bear that beats all stocks into the ground with brute force. And if you are entering the stock market, you have to ride this beast. It can be a rough ride or it can be smooth one depending on how you handle yourself. But, hey, you can take your precautions and plan your investments well if you keep these five factors in mind:

1. There is always a limit: Every player on the stock market must not play beyond his means. The bottom line is that if you play beyond your financial capacity, and something goes wrong, you will end up with a loss of face and your family will feel the aftershocks. It’s better to control risk appetites and adventurism while playing the stock market – after all, it is a market, not a jungle that needs to be explored.

2. There is no room for emotions: Never ever get emotionally attached to any stock. Stocks are an asset class and you must look at them as such. If you don’t, and you keep holding a stock no matter what, then you will lose out on many opportunities to make money.

3. Book profits, stop losses: Profit is like a burglar – if you don’t catch it, it will run away. Loss is like an insurance salesman – if you don’t shake it off, it will stick to you. Therefore, you must always book profits and cut losses in the stock market – all the big guns have done it and they’re human beings, just like you. So, why shouldn’t you? Get the point?

4. No one can time the market: You have to be God to predict the market movements, which you aren’t. So, be happy when you get in, be happy when you get out, don’t regret, don’t fret and SMILE no matter what you do, provided you do it right.

5. It pays to know: It will pay you well if you understand the stock you are buying into. What are its finances? Is it making profits or losses? Is the market price right? Is the management clean or are they sons of Enron? Does the industry have a bright future? Look, you will make a load of money if you know what you are doing in the stock market. So, get savvy with figures and with the economic and global trends. Analyze all the factors affecting a stock and then act.

Well, these are some basics you have to understand before you enter the stock market. Obviously, you will make mistakes, but that’s normal – every stock market player does. Just take care to play the market by the book and that will ensure that you will ride on the booms and weather the busts.

Buy Life Insurance – Although life insurance is not a requirement for most mortgage lenders, it is definitely something that many lenders will take into consideration when evaluating your mortgage application. By demonstrating that you have enough life insurance to cover the mortgage, there is a higher likelihood that they will approve your application, because they know there is less of a chance they’ll have to go through the difficult process of handling your mortgage if you were to suddenly pass away.

Don’t Close Any Accounts During the Mortgage Process – Since lenders are evaluating your present financial situation, the closing or canceling of any existing accounts, regardless of balance, may trigger a red flag with the lender. If you want to close any accounts or cancel any contracts, do this either before or after the mortgage application has been approved.

Request That Credit Bureaus DO NOT Accept Unauthorized Credit Checks – If you’re like many average Americans, you receive countless “pre-approved” credit card solicitations and loan ads in your mailbox every day. This is because these companies have software that scans consumer credit reports based on criteria that they feel will result in a list of good potential new customers. Although these inquiries may not directly lower your credit score, it does show up when a mortgage company pulls a copy of your report. Your best option is to prevent these companies from accessing your credit report altogether.

Don’t Move Your Money From One Bank Account To Another – Any transfer of money from one account to another generates a paper trail that will require further explanation when the mortgage company receives copies of your account statements. Even if the transfers are within your own accounts, try to avoid moving the money if at all possible. This is especially true when moving money from a savings account to a checking account because it may appear to the lender that you’re preparing to use that money.

Avoid Using “Credit Repair” Services – Many people with credit that is less than perfect are attracted to organizations that offer to fix your credit in record time and improve your overall score. This is not always the case. When lenders see on your credit report that you are working with a consumer debt counseling company they actually look less favorably upon such notations. To the lender, the only way to interpret this information is to assume the borrower cannot pay the existing bills, therefore how could they possibly afford a mortgage payment? Your best bet is to work directly with the credit card or loan companies to arrange a repayment plan.

If you need or want a credit card for those emergencies in your life when you have no cash, you need to be careful what credit card you apply for. It is important that you look over credit card offers carefully so you can make an educated and wise decision on which credit card to choose. If you merely choose the first credit card offer you receive in the mail, you may find yourself in trouble with a card you do not want. The following are some things to look for when you are trying to choose the best credit card for you.

0% Interest Rates
When you are looking for the right credit card, keep your eyes open for cards that offer 0% interest on purchases. Interest rates can cost you a great deal of money if you do not pay off your credit card, so finding a card that charges no interest can save you a great deal of money. If you do choose a 0% interest credit card, take note of when that interest rate may expire because often that rate is only for 6-12 months.

Look for Hidden Fees
If you are choosing a credit card, you want to be sure that you look for hidden fees that may be involved with credit cards. Some come in the form as annual fees, processing fees, and even maintenance fees. Even if the card looks like a great deal, these fees can go on your card and will cost you a great deal of money. It is usually best to avoid cards that have hidden fees associated with them. If you keep on the lookout for hidden fees when you are looking for a credit card, you can avoid paying more than you need.

Rewards Programs
Another thing to look for when you are choosing a great credit card is any rewards programs that may come with the card. Many credit cards offer rewards that are dependent on the purchases you make using your credit card. Some companies offer cash back on your purchases while others offer chances for free vacations. A rewards program that offers cash back can be a great idea when you are using a credit card often.

Cash Advance Option
If you are getting your credit card to use in emergencies, you may want to choose a credit card that gives you a cash advance option. This option allows you to get cash from an ATM if you need it. While the interest rates on this cash can be quite high, there are times when you may need emergency cash, so this is a great option to look for when choosing a credit card.

Online Payment Options
If you are constantly on the go and lead a busy life, you may not want to constantly worry about sending bills in on time. When choosing a credit card, you may want to look for one that allows you to pay your bill online each month. This is very convenient and can be helpful if you forget to pay until the last minute. This option can save you a great deal in late fees as well.