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4 Tips to Help You Survive Financially When You’re Out of Work

October 14th, 2021 Posted in Jobs and Careers, Money Tips
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Being unemployed can be extremely stressful in many ways, but it is fair to say that money worries are at the top of the list.

If you are out of work right now, or you simply want to plan should you ever experience unemployment in the future, here are a few tips that can help you to survive (and be less stressed) financially:

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1. Check if you’re entitled to any help

Depending on where you are located, you may be entitled to various government unemployment benefits that will help to keep you afloat when you are out of work. Local government sites are usually the best places to find information about this kind of thing, so be sure to check them and apply for any financial assistance you may be able to access.

If you are out of work because you have been injured, if it was not your fault, you may also be able to claim compensation, and finding an injury lawyer with the qualities you need to make your case would be sensible. If you are entitled to money, then right now you need to do everything you can to access it.

2. Draw up a budget

When you’re out of work and your income has dropped, it is even more important than ever that you draw up a budget that clearly outlines all of your incomings and outgoings. Once you know what you have coming in and going out each month, go through everything to see if there are any areas you can cut down on. Ending subscriptions you don’t need or use, switching to a cheaper utility provider, and shopping at a cheaper grocery store are all simple changes you can make that will help to keep you afloat, but there are many more to consider too.

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3. Look for temporary work

It’s not always easy to find, but if you can try to look for a part-time role, temporary contract or even a few freelancing gigs, this will really help to take the pressure off. Sure, it might not be a secure job in your chosen industry, but it will help you tide you over. The gig economy is pretty strong right now, so it could be the ideal solution while you apply for something more permanent.

4. Declutter your home

If, like most people, you have accumulated a lot of stuff. Much of which you do not need, over the years, then selling some of it to tide you over is sensible. Just don’t sell anything that is actually useful to you because you will just end up having to buy it back eventually and the temporary cash injection will not be as beneficial. Selling locally is typically a better idea than using sites like eBay because you can shit stuff faster and you don’t have to pay any fees, but eBay is fine if you don’t have an easier way.

Surviving unemployment can be tricky, but hopefully, these ideas will make it, at least, a little easier for you.

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Considerations When Choosing the Right Property

October 13th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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Finding the right home to suit your needs can be a long and difficult journey. There are countless properties available out there, but at the end of the day, not every property will be ideal for you. You’re going to have to get to know exactly what you want to find one that ticks all of your boxes. Now, don’t be hasty with this process. Remember that your home is likely to be one of the most expensive things you’re going to purchase in the duration of your entire lifetime. At the same time, your home is going to be the space that you spend a lot of time. You’re going to want to make sure that not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but that it is practical for your day to day use too. Finally, you’re going to want to find the right property the first time around if possible. Purchasing a home and moving in requires a lot of time, effort and money. You don’t want to realise that the property isn’t meeting your needs soon after moving in, as this would mean going through the entire process again. Here are some things to consider when it comes to choosing the right house for you!

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Location

Let’s start with one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a house: location. Where do you want to live? Locations needs to be a really practical decision. Sure, you might want to live somewhere stunning, like overlooking the sea or at the foot of a mountain. But will you be able to get on with your day to day life in these locations? For some people, the answer to this will be yes, or they’ll be willing to adapt their life to be able to live here. But for the majority, the answer will be no. Many people want to live near their work to minimise their commute, near their family or friends to be surrounded by a support system or near good schools for their children. Some people will need to prioritise being near good public transport links or road links. You should also consider safety. You want to live somewhere with a low crime rate if possible. Then, consider price. You’re likely to find a great location in expensive neighbourhoods easily. If you have a stricter budget, this search may be a bit more difficult.

Property Features

Once you know where you want to live, you can start looking at property features of available properties in the area. Your search will have whittled down a lot, but you’re still going to have to compare individual properties to find the one that best suits you. Let’s take size as an example. How big do you want or need your home to be? If you live alone, you can browse anything from studio apartments upwards. If you have a family, however, you’re going to need more bedrooms and living space. 

These are just the starter steps towards securing your own home. Hopefully, the information will help to guide you onto the path for this exciting journey!

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4 Imperative Things To Consider Before Moving Home

October 12th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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Moving home is one of the most significant moments in your life. You’re taking your existence and taking it to an entirely new, different place. Whether you’ve only ever done it once or you consider yourself to be somewhat experienced in this field, you can’t deny that it holds a lot of importance. There are so many personal and financial connotations surrounding a home relocation, so it’s something that really should be thought about a lot. 

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Because it holds so much weight and value, moving home should have a considerable amount of questions around it. You’ll have plenty of personal and recreational thoughts going into something like this, but you also need to take into account your finances and how your professional life will be impacted. The world will continue to spin and you’ll need to stay in control of your life when something as significant as this is undertaken. Here are a few questions that you need to ask (and talk about) before you commit:

Will You Be Able To Sustain The Home For The Long-Term? 

Whenever you move house, you aren’t really looking for a one-month stopgap – it’s going to be something that you are hoping to work on for years. If you don’t feel as though this can be something you can handle for close to a decade (or more), then perhaps you should rethink your decision. When the time comes to make a decision and if you are looking for a mortgage, you’ll be advised in all kinds of aspects. You’ll then be tasked with making a decision that could impact your personal and financial future. 

How Far Are You From Your Workplace?

Working is important, obviously. If you are moving to a place that impedes your ability to get to work and back, then perhaps the move isn’t right. If you work from home, then this kind of thought shouldn’t even raise your eyebrow. The same idea should be pondered if you have kids, though, as they’ll need to get to school.

How Are Your Underlying Costs Looking?

In terms of your overall finances, you’re going to have to look at your current regime and evaluate things. You’re going to have a lot of overheads already taking their toll on your bank balance and your savings. Whether we’re talking about basic needs, car insurance costs, debts you may owe, or anything of that nature. Take a look at this aspect before you make a significant decision.

Is It Situated In A Location Suitable For You?  

Whenever the topic of property or real estate is talked about, people always go straight to the location, location, location point. Where the home is situated matters an awful lot. If you (and your family) would like to be in a wonderful location with all of the right people, then you need to put in a little work and do the research. The location also matters due to the accessibility – people will need to be able to reach you and you’ll need to get to important places comfortably. 

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Different Types of Lawyers You Might Consider Having

September 4th, 2021 Posted in Business, family finance
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Occasions will arise when you require a lawyer, although it doesn’t always mean you’ve done something wrong or want to sue someone. Lawyers are helpful for a wide variety of purposes. 

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Although sometimes you might not need a lawyer, hiring one makes a lot of difference. It can even simplify processes and give you an advantage over your opponents or partners. Here is a list of different types of lawyers you might need at some point and what they do. 

Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury lawyer deals with personal injuries caused by accidents that were either the fault of another person or a company. When injured, a personal injury lawyer can help you file for insurance claims and try to negotiate with the opposing party to settle out of court instead of going through a tedious lawsuit.

A car accident lawyer will take care of accidents cases that occurred while driving, cycling, or by any other means of transport. For a successful personal injury lawsuit, look for a lawyer specializing in the type of injury you’re dealing with.

For instance, such as a brain injury lawyer for cases where the accident caused head trauma. Medical malpractice lawyers deal with medical accidents and errors that include surgery and medication.

A Family Lawyer

Family law is divided into many sections. The most common issues handled by family lawyers are:

  • Marriage dissolution
  • Child custody and support
  • Child adoption and surrogacy
  • Domestic violence and restraining orders.
  • Division of family property

A divorce lawyer deals with cases where couples plan on parting ways and issues like alimony, child custody and property division. A family law attorney can help you file for a separation or get out of an abusive marriage. Child custody lawyers protect the interests of children in divorce cases where there are disputes over whether a parent should have sole custody or share it with the other biological parent. Child support lawyers handle cases where the non-custodial parent is either unable or unwilling to pay child support.

A Criminal Lawyer

Criminal lawyers can either be defence or prosecution lawyers. If you find yourself in a criminal case, whether as a victim or an accused, you’ll need to work with a criminal lawyer. Public defenders work on behalf of those charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. 

In some cases, the person might be willing to pay for a defence attorney instead of taking the public defender option. Other times, people want a team of lawyers to get them acquitted or have their sentence reduced, or charges dropped.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI crime, you’ll need the services of a DUI lawyer who will argue your case in court by providing evidence or proof. A defence attorney may be able to help get your case dismissed or get you acquitted by proving that the police made errors during the investigation.

An Estate Lawyer

When you or your parents get older, an estate lawyer will come in handy. The attorney will ensure that everything is divided according to your will and avoid disputes amongst heirs. 

They can also handle cases where someone was wrongfully left out of a will or wants to contest it. Estate lawyers are experts in probates, wills, and trusts. 

A Tax Lawyer

If you have tax issues, you’ll need a tax lawyer conversant with your local tax laws. The lawyer will help you file for income tax returns, claim deductions, and pay your taxes on time so that you can avoid penalties or interest charges.

Creditor Bankruptcy Lawyer

A debtor may need a creditor bankruptcy lawyer’s services if they face financial difficulties and can’t meet their debt obligations. The lawyer will help the client file for bankruptcy and deal with lawsuits that affect their repayment ability.

A Real Estate Lawyer

Real estate legal issues such as buying and selling property, renting out properties, and paying property taxes are all handled by real estate lawyers. If there is any violation of the agreement terms between buyers and sellers, the lawyer takes care of the dispute. 

Business Lawyers

When it comes to financial or business matters, you can seek advice from corporate lawyers who work on behalf of companies. They also deal with contracts, mergers, acquisitions, mediation, and much more. Business lawyers help startups incorporate their business, protect their intellectual property rights, and assist them with regulatory issues.

Lawyers also help settle cases out of court before they go to trial. This saves time, money, and even the environment because less energy is spent fighting in the courtroom. They negotiate a settlement between parties avoiding going to court to get a verdict.

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5 Sneaky Ideas For Cutting Car Insurance Costs

September 4th, 2021 Posted in Money Tips, motoring
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Car insurance is one of those things you hate to pay but can’t avoid. You need to have car insurance to drive your car on the road, but it can be painfully expensive. Certain factors influence the costs that can’t be changed by you at all. For instance, your age and gender will play a huge role in how costly your premiums are. Younger drivers tend to have higher premiums because they present larger risks, as do men. 

Having said that, there are plenty of other factors that can be influenced by you. Here are some sneaky ideas for cutting car insurance costs:

5 Sneaky Ideas For Cutting Car Insurance Costs - couple driving an old car
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Become a more cautious driver

Does this mean you have to drive everywhere at a snail’s pace? No, it means you start driving with a bit more caution and sense. Avoid speeding all the time, don’t get distracted while you drive, and certainly, never drive while under the influence. Cautious drivers have cheaper insurance premiums because, guess what, they get into fewer car accidents. Car insurance providers see this squeaky clean record, recognize the driver is not a risk, and provide a cheaper premium. 

Avoid making insurance claims

Speaking of insurance providers and car accidents, the number of claims you make will impact your premium. Claiming compensation will mean your premium increases. This is simply because car insurance providers don’t actually want to provide you with compensation. It’s money out of their pocket, so they’d rather not give it to you. To compensate for this, they will charge a higher premium for people that keep on making claims. In their mind, if they have to keep forking out cash, so should you!

Furthermore, insurance providers often give people a no claims bonus. Effectively, for every year you’re with the provider and don’t make a claim, you get a bonus, lowering the cost of your premium. So, what should you do if you get into an accident? Instead of claiming through your insurance, it is better to find compassionate car accident attorneys that can handle things for you. By making a legal case, they can help you get compensation while protecting your no claims bonus!

Drive less

The more you drive, the more expensive your car insurance will be. Yes, this sounds ridiculous, and it’s another insight into the crazy psyche of the insurance provider. In their heads, people who spend more time driving will have more opportunities to be involved in accidents. It kind of makes sense, but it’s yet another reminder that car insurance providers really aren’t your friends. 

So, if you drive less, you present yourself as a lower-risk driver. Therefore, insurance providers will give you a lower premium. The more miles you have on your clock every year, the more your premium will increase. If you work on decreasing these miles, the opposite will happen. 

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Change your car

Some cars are much cheaper to insure than others. This is down to a series of factors, such as how expensive the cars are to repair or replace. Sports cars are also very expensive to insure because they’re really fast and therefore more dangerous. The larger the engine, the more costly the vehicle tends to be to insure. 

On the other hand, smaller cars with less powerful engines are the cheapest cars to insure. This is because it doesn’t cost too much to repair or replace the parts, and they are generally lower-risk vehicles. 

Add another driver to your policy

This one is for the younger people out there who have just passed their test and started driving. You’re probably comparing insurance quotes and wondering how on earth you can afford anything. As a young and new driver, your premium will be expensive. 

To counter this, you can add another named driver to your policy if they are going to use the car as well. A more experienced driver will be able to lower your policy as the insurer goes oh, okay, there’s someone responsible driving this car as well. You can only do this if the other person is going to drive the car as well as you. It is a form of fraud to name someone else on your insurance policy if they aren’t driving your car. 

To sum it all up; drive sensibly, avoid making insurance claims, spend less time driving, choose a more suitable car to insure, and add another driver to your policy. Do all of these things, plus the obvious tip of comparing quotes from different providers, and you will cut car insurance costs. 

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