Money

The real estate market is complex and intimidating at the best of times. When selling property, it helps to have an experienced agent at your side.

Doesn’t it?

Not everyone thinks so. In fact, FSBO (“for sale by owner”) transactions are fairly common as many sellers prefer to forgo the cost of hiring an agent in favor of braving the market on their own. The question is, do these people have the right idea or are they putting themselves at a disadvantage?

The truth is that there is no easy answer. Whether or not working with an agent is right for you is affected by a number of factors, not the least of which is your own knowledge of and experience within real estate, as well as your financial situation and how much time and effort you’re willing to expend on learning in the ins and outs of the market.

Some will say that a real estate agent can help you sell your home for a higher price, while others will say that going it alone allows you to make more money by cutting out the middleman. A study by researchers at Northwestern University, however, suggests that both FSBO and agent-facilitated transactions produce roughly equivalent profits. In other words, neither seems to really have an edge in terms of netting you more money.

The real cost of either approach, then, is found not in the bottom line but in the fine print.

Hiring a real estate agent costs money. That much is obvious. Most commonly, an agent makes 6% of the sale price for whatever property they helped you sell. That may seem like a lot, but that 6% is not set in stone. Different agents take different percentages, some more and some less, so it pays to shop around when looking for an agent.

What’s more, negotiation is always an option. An agent might be willing to lower their percentage considerably depending on the sale price of your property, or if you can guarantee them repeat business, either by having them represent you as a buyer or as a seller of another property.

The benefits of having an agent are, of course, the experience and resources that they bring to the table. Some of the services which agents provide, and which are covered by the percentage they make off the sale of your property, would cost you considerable amounts of money to undertake yourself. Listing a piece of real estate and advertising it in the relevant markets is not cheap and might not be something every seller has the knowledge, or the time, to do on their own.

Calculating the cost of selling a house can be surprisingly easy, but there are other obstacles that can trip up an inexperienced seller making a go at doing it themselves. From being familiar with the legal intricacies of real estate to keeping track of fluctuations in property values to setting up open houses to wading through piles of paperwork, there’s more to being an agent than putting a “for sale” sign out on the front lawn.

That’s not to say that any of these things are beyond the capabilities of the average seller. Rather, it’s to say that these are some of the things that selling any property requires. Determining whether or not you need an agent mainly comes down to determining whether you prefer a more hands-on role or a more hands-off one.

In other words, the only person who can truthfully answer the question “Is a real estate agent worth the cost?” is you.

A natural disaster can strike at any time and even if you do get a little bit of fair warning, it is still vital that you have done all that you can in advance to keep your home protected. We have seen the devastation which has been caused in California because of the wildfires and in Florida following a hurricane and if you live in a zone which is prone to natural disasters you have to do all that you can to maximize your protection, and here is how.

Home Warranty

Home warranty will protect the large items in your home such as your HVAC system, cars, electronics and the plumbing system in your home, all of which could be at risk after a natural disaster. When searching for the best home warranty you need to check out reviews, it was the First American Home Warranty reviews that helped to choose those guys. Compare pricing and different plans for buyers of home warranties to get the best cover and the lowest premiums.

Home Insurance

Home insurance will protect the structural integrity of your home, as well as the damage which is caused by a disaster such as water and fire damage, as well as theft. Look for a home insurance company with great reviews, solid customer service, and experts who can help you to get the right deal based on the value of your home, and the risk of an ‘act of God’.

Earthquakes – If you live in an earthquake zone then you should ensure that your building is structurally sound and solid enough to withstand an earthquake up to 9.0. Also ensure that your TV, cabinets and items in the home are well secured so that they don’t fall when an earthquake hits.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms – Hurricane shutters are a must buy item if you live in a zone prone t hurricanes and storms, so too is a solid garage door and hurricane straps which will support the structural integrity of the property.

Wildfires – You can’t fire-proof your home and so the obvious solution here is to make sure that the fire cannot get to it. If you are able to then you should clear an exclusion zone around the property. This zone should be clear from anything like foliage that can catch fire, which in turn could set fire to the property.

Another option which you could consider that will protect you and your family from the effects of a natural disaster is to build a safe room outside the home. This room should be like a concrete shelter which will protect everyone inside it. The room can be multi-functional and you could use it for storage or as a utility-style room.

The key here is in the preparation, do that well and you can ensure that your home is protected.

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Working capital is the amount of money required to meet the everyday expenses of an organization. It includes all the routines and unexpected expenses such as inventories, debts accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

It is essential to keep a strict continuous check on the working capital for maximizing the profit. To calculate the working capital, you need to subtract the current liabilities of your business from the assets. You can also calculate the working capital ratio, which tells you how much assets you have compared to the obligations. If your rate falls between 1.1 and 2.0, your business is going strong and healthy. You might need to understand this better through some examples of net working capital.

For the company to run smoothly, you need to have at least an adequate working capital, which means you can run day-to-day business operations with minimum difficulty. Hence, sufficient working capital means you at least have a ratio of 1.1. Moreover, enough working capital allows you to improve the number of your assets and lessen your liabilities apart from its myriad benefits.

Here under are the tips to making the most out of your business to ensure the improvement of your working capital:

• Boost the profits

The idea to come up with ways to boost the profits needs a lot of creativity which is why businesses opt for a much easier one that is debt. Debt is suitable for a while and can help working capital if you can use it well. However, if you don’t use it well, the interest over the debt becomes one of the primary reasons for the fall in your working capital. You need to focus on boosting the profits with as few deficits as possible. You can do that by increasing your revenue and eliminating the overall everyday costs.

• Be smart about the receivables process

The accounts receivable are the amount your customer owes you for the products or services you have already delivered to them. To pay this cash to you, the customer takes 30 to 90 days. It can cause cash flow issues, and if you take too much debt to cover it up, your working capital might end up falling in the end because of interest and fees. It is essential to opt for debt, but you also need to come up with ideas to make your customers pay early. This way, you will rely on mortgages as less as possible and have no cash flow issues. You can give discounts or long-term benefits to your customers who pay early. Moreover, make sure you only have trusted customers so that you can stay away from a massive loss in assets.

• Some of your projects need outsourcing

As an owner of your business, you can neither do everything on your own nor rely on your top team members for everything. You need some support from the outside. For example, your business might need a warehouse, so if your business cannot afford to have one, you will need to hire warehousing services. Just like that if your business is unable to maintain working capital, you don’t have to stress out. Instead, you’ll have to hire the help of professionals who can help your business improve its working capital. There are many customer success stories to help you put your trust in the outside sources.

• Come up with ideas to liquidate your unutilized assets

If you possess any asset which is out of use for a long time, you can turn it into cash to help you manage your working capital. For example, if you have some equipment that your company has not used at all or in a long time, you can sell it. You might have some extra unused space in your office building which you can rent. If you have this option, you can immediately get some cash out of it to improve your working capital.

• Administer your debts

Debts are primarily useful for the business, but with the lack of administration, they can cause severe financial strain on the company decreasing the working capital. To minimize the amount of debt, you need to make sure that you keep giving incentives to your customers so they can pay you as early as possible. Moreover, you need to lower your debts by taking less of them and paying them right on time to avoid penalties and extra interest.

• Say no to stockpiling inventory and uneconomical decisions

Though stocks are your assets, the most precious asset is actual cash. You will get better loans and vendors if you have more money than stocks. Make sure you only get the equipment that you can sell in a specific amount of time. Moreover, since business is all about making and saving cash, make sure you don’t spend wastefully anywhere. For example, you might have some old heavy equipment which is not working fine. So make sure you replace it instead of getting it repaired time and again to save yourself from the decrease in working capital. Remember that even the little choices matter in the business.

• Strengthen ties with your vendors

It is imperative to gain the trust of your vendors. If you pay them within the time frame for their equipment, you can have a long term relationship with them which adds to the efficiency of your business. Also, a strong relationship with your suppliers can land you huge discounts and great deals. Taking care of your accounts payable is one of the chief elements to improve your working capital.

As per research, proper management of working capital has a remarkable impact on the profitability of the business. Achieving the ideal working capital ratio of 2.0 should be the goal, and for that, you need to come up with quick and creative ideas because to reach the top in this game you need to be distinct first.

Bitcoin is the most popular and well-known cryptocurrency, and it is frequently featured in the news due to surging and falling prices as well as the sometimes controversial nature of cryptocurrencies in general. Cryptocurrencies are, put simply, virtual currencies that are generally paired with social platforms or content purchasing platforms. They operate on blockchain based systems, which are basically electronic ledgers that record information about cryptocurrency transactions. Most internet users have likely at least heard of Bitcoin following its huge price increase in 2017. Trading in cryptocurrencies can be highly lucrative, and there are plenty of modern self-made millionaires to prove it.

Naturally, like all other investments, cryptocurrencies aren’t without their risks. They can be extremely volatile in price, and it’s near impossible to predict which cryptocurrencies will become popular and which will fade into obscurity. Some skeptics of Bitcoin are concerned that its blockchain has set the maximum amount of Bitcoin that can be made to 21 million. With well over 17 million Bitcoin already in circulation today, this raises some concern over whether the cryptocurrency can be scaled for widespread use. An advantage Bitcoin has over other currencies, however, is that a single Bitcoin can be divided as much as the owner wants. If you’d like to transfer simply .01 percent of a Bitcoin, that is possible, which makes the 21 million limit more of an abstract concept. Of course, before you can start really considering any bitcoin investment strategies, you’ll need to know how to first obtain it.

Set up your Bitcoin wallet

The first step to buying and trading Bitcoin or any similar cryptocurrency is setting up your digital wallet. There are many different wallet options which range in their features, security, and compatible platforms. Generally speaking, it’s best to have an online wallet set up with your exchange site and a backup offline wallet. An offline wallet is good in case your exchange site either goes down or is flooded with traffic so you can still access the Bitcoin your already have. These are some of the best bitcoin wallets available for use.

Find a Bitcoin exchange

Once you’re able to store Bitcoin, you’ll have to find a way to acquire it. While it is possible to mine your own Bitcoin, the process is complicated and requires a great amount of resources. Most find it simpler to just purchase already existing Bitcoin. There are several cryptocurrency exchange platforms out there, and some are much more limited or less trustworthy than others. Coinbase is probably the most well-known platform, but there are Bitcoin exchange comparison sites where you may find better platforms for your goals.

Signing up for these platforms will require some form of identification, such as a photo ID, and there may be additional rules for security purposes. If you’d prefer a more direct route to purchasing Bitcoin, it’s possible to join peer to peer services that allow you to purchase directly from a Bitcoin seller without the exchange platform. Accepted payment methods can vary based on your platform or peer network. Most will accept traditional currencies in exchange for cryptocurrency, but there are some platforms that only allow for different cryptocurrencies to be exchanged.

Whether you plan to sell your Bitcoin at a profit once you have it or you’re looking to exchange or spend it, you should be prepared to move at a moment’s notice. The value of Bitcoin can fluctuate quickly and drastically, so you need to have a plan of action well in advance to avoid making mistakes in a panic. There are many online stores where you can spend Bitcoin, but be sure to do your research to make sure they’re safe beforehand.

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Many people today find it difficult to pay their bills each month. In fact, a lot of people face mounting bills with no solution in sight. It is, indeed, stressful living from paycheck to paycheck. Thus, people today ask the same question:

“Is financial freedom even possible in today’s world?”

Know How to Manage Money

One of the ways you can achieve financial freedom is to be a good money manager. It is important to plan a budget each month and do everything to stick to it. If the money is not in your bank account yet, avoid ordering online or buying items you can’t pay.

Clean up Debt

Many people need to repair the mess they made before they can think about financial freedom. Do you find yourself in a credit card mess today? The first thing you have to do is get rid of all your credit cards. Although having credit cards is not necessarily a bad thing. It only gets you into trouble if you don’t know how to use them wisely. Pay cash instead of taking out more credit. Make sure to pay your debts every month to lower down the balance.

Take Charge

Taking charge simply means being responsible. Know exactly how much money you have coming in and how much money you will need to pay bills every month. You can’t just live a life without knowing if you have enough or not. Other than this, you also need to check out the following:

• Check your credit score. Individuals who have a higher credit score will get the best rates on car insurance, car loans, mortgages. Consumers who have low scores should try to increase it.
• You also need to check the interest rates you pay with your credit cards and other loans. If you have multiple credit cards with higher interest rates, you might want to consider consolidating those cards with one rate and with a lower monthly payment.
• You also need to control what you spend. Even though it is tempting, people do not need to take out more debt. They should not keep getting loans that they cannot afford.

Check the Checking Account

Most banks today have online access where customers can check their balances anytime they choose. You need to know exactly goes on in your checking account and what goes out. Online banking today is a great way to get on top of your finances as you get real-time access without a hassle.

Pay off Secured Debt

Studies show that the mortgage is the largest bill that most consumers have. Also, many people have one or multiple car payments. If this is you, it would be wise to pay extra on the principal amount of your loan each month. By paying extra, you can save lots of money on interest, and it will allow you to pay off your debt sooner.

Cut Back on Luxuries

It is very tempting for people to see a movie or buy that perfect shirt. It can be tempting to go on holiday too. If your goal is financial freedom, you can enjoy shopping, go on holidays and other luxuries when you have extras saved.

Open a Savings Account

Unexpected expenses can be a huge problem after a person make a budget. Car repairs, medical bills, home repairs can get expensive. Therefore, people need a savings account if they need to use some expenses for some emergency expenses that pop up. Most financial experts would advise you need to pay yourself first. It is a good idea for individuals to check their employer’s payroll plans to see if they can automatically deduct money from the checking account. Consumers need to have the money come out as soon as they get paid to make sure it gets in the checking account.

Invest

It is a good idea for people to seek the advice of a financial advisor to look at investment opportunities. Individuals want to start saving for retirement and college expenses. Experts would recommend that individuals save between 10 to 15% of their income. However, if that is not possible, decide on how much you can possibly put aside each month. A little amount saved will grow and come in handy when you need it the most.

 

See a Financial Advisor

A financial advisor can help individuals make the right decisions. He will know the best investments available. Here are a few things an advisor can help with:

• Direct to the best investment opportunities

• Help choose the safest and less risky

• Help set up an automatic withdrawal

Individuals now are overwhelmed with bills, unexpected car repairs, and other emergency expenses. The good news is that financial freedom is possible. People need to take control of their finances so that they can live comfortably without the burden of debt.

 

In between paychecks but need money now? Have a bill you need to pay but don’t have enough to cover the full amount? Needing money but not knowing where to get it can make you feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. You could call your lenders and ask them to waive the fee for paying late, or you could ask for a one-time extension so that your electricity doesn’t get cut off. But what if there was an easier option?

A committed job isn’t the only way to make money. In fact thanks to today’s digital and highly connected world, there are all sorts of ways that you can make money quickly. Let’s turn your “I need money” into “I have money!” with these 4 simple ways to make some cash this weekend.

1. Drive for Uber or Lyft

If you own a newer four-door vehicle and have a license and insurance, you can quickly make money by becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft. With your car, you’ll be responsible for picking up passengers and taking them safely to their destination. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are especially popular in the city, though the services are truly available anywhere.

Even if you only have a few hours available over the weekend, you can still pull in some cash by becoming a driver. Depending on when you work and for how long, you could easily make $10-$25 an hour. The more rides you complete, the more cash you’ll make.

Another nice perk of driving for Uber or Lyft is that you earn tips. Any tips that you receive from passengers are yours to keep. This means you’ll want to drive safely and be as personable as possible so that passengers enjoy their ride with you.

2. Deliver Food

Not a fan of having strangers in your car? Don’t have the right vehicle to work as a rideshare driver? No problem! There are other ways you can quickly earn money. Food delivery services are growing in popularity. As a food delivery partner instead of transporting human passengers, you’ll be transporting meals.

Food delivery apps like Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats hire drivers who are licensed, insured, and who have a year of experience behind the wheel. As a partner, your job will be to pick up food and deliver it in a timely manner. Similar to rideshare apps, you earn money for each delivery that you make. You also receive tips from customers.

Depending on how many deliveries you complete, you could make up to $35 an hour. Working on the weekends and evening hours is sure to land you the most cash.

3. Sell Stuff

For a seriously quick way to make money, sell things! If you’re like most people, you’ve got unworn clothes, shoes, and accessories that are in good shape. You may also have old electronics like an iPhone or gaming consoles. You can also make money selling antiques, collectibles, and valuable coins.

There are many ways you can get money for items that you’re looking to sell. The quickest option is to stop by a local collector’s or pawn shop and to get cash for your items. If you have a bit more time, you can list your items on an online marketplace such:

• Ebay
• Craigslist
• OfferUp
• Amazon Marketplace

For quick cash, you’ll want to sell to a local buyer. Otherwise, you’ll have to factor in the time needed to package and ship the item. No matter how you choose to sell your items, the bottom line is that you can make cash pretty quickly.

4. Rent Out Your Car

Do you have an extra car that doesn’t get driven often? Could you go a few days without your car? If your vehicle is in good condition and is insured, you can make money by renting it out. Apps like TURO allow car owners to rent out their car to interested drivers. Most car owners rent their vehicle out for $30-$80 a day, though if you have a luxury or rare car, you can charge a higher daily fee.

When renting your car, be sure that it’s clean both inside and out. You’ll also want to provide an accurate description and trip photos so that potential renters know exactly what to expect when picking up the car.

Conclusion

Making money quickly isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it isn’t possible. If you’re in a financial crunch and need money this weekend, try one of the 4 options on this list to put some cash back in your pocket.