Written by Scott Barnes on January 9, 2012.
Its 2012! Heres another step to a financial check-up. You probably know about AnnualCreditReport.com for free credit reports. But what about your credit score? If you want some relative comparison of your creditworthiness, here is a compilation of five different ways to grab that credit score for free without the hassle of annoying trial offers. I repeat: No free trial membership required, no credit card number required, nothing to cancel.
Remember, everyone has three credit scores, one from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion.
Credit Sesame
Every month, can offer you a credit score based on your Experian credit report. They also offer tips to improve your score and qualify for a mortgage.
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Written by Joseph Perry on January 5, 2012.
An initial public offering (IPO) is when a company offers shares of stock to the public for the first time. A company typically uses the services of underwriting brokerage firms or other companies experienced in picking the best offering price and timing for the offering. Initial public offerings can be a startup company looking for capital to bring products to market or it may be an established private company looking to be registered on a stock exchange and to sell stock to raise capital without borrowing. IPO’s can be excellent investments. However, buying stock in an IPO can also be risky as there is often a series of ups and downs in stock price after issuance of the IPO.
To find out what companies are making initial public offerings or have just made them a simple stop at the hoovers.com web site will provide a list as well as basic financials. When investing in or trading stock in IPO’s fundamental analysis is important but so are a firm grasp of Candlestick basics and Candlestick pattern formations. Add Read more…
Written by Joseph Perry on January 3, 2012.
Business expansion can be achieved through a variety of strategies. On the one hand, there’s organic growth, which refers to the gradual process of building sales and profits with minimal outside financing. On the other hand is a more vigorous, debt-driven strategy that relies on rapid growth and intensive competition. Both paths are suited to specific scenarios, and startups should understand their unique market conditions when d
eveloping their own growth strategies.
Somewhere along the way, however, you’ll need to strike a professional relationship or exchange of service with other organizations. Whether it’s a business development deal, an acquisition or an outsourcing service, it’s important to recognize a bad deal from the get-go. Small business owners should ask themselves: Does this deal align with my company’s goals? How will it impact our bottom line? Is it a necessary endeavor? Here are
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Written by Scott Barnes on January 3, 2012.
These books all tell you the same thing. Oh, they may have a different twist or two; something you’ve never thought about or they may use a new word they’ve made up and copyrighted. But one thing’s for certain, the principles of financial success haven’t changed much in thousands of years.
That doesn’t necessarily bode well for the financial gurus selling those books! But we can’t deny the fact that “there is nothing new under the sun” especially where it concerns personal finance. The main difference in each of these personal finance books is the approach each one takes and the motivations they provide. That is literally the biggest difference in virtually any generic personal finance book you read – the approach and the method of motivation.
- Spend less than you earn
- Learn to earn more
- Pay off high interest debt
- Build an emergency fund
- Max out your retirement savings
- Reduce your taxes legally
- Invest your money sensibly
- Live wisely
This principle is listed in virtually EVERY personal finance book and the reason? It’s the basic fo
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Written by Adam Sullivan on January 2, 2012.
Bancorp South strives to be the leading financial institution in their markets and to be close to the communities in which they serve. For over a century, Bancorp South has displayed excellent leadership and innovate qualities. Now serving an eight state-market area, they are able to reach more customers and be able to provide the right financial solution.
It all started in a hardware store in the then tiny Verona, MS. With the spirit of truly helping people, Bancorp South was able to spread east of Dallas to Saint Louis to west of Atlanta. In 1987, Bancorp South merged with First Mississippi National Bank. At the time, this was the first statewide bank that merged with another financial institution. Since the passing of the Federal Interstate Banking Law in 1992, Bancorp South has been able to expand to Tennessee, then into Alabama in 1998 with the merger of Highland Bank in Birmingham.
Another merger took place with the new millennium and that was with First United Bancshares of El Dorado, AR.
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Written by Joseph Perry on December 13, 2011.
I have a good handle on an asset allocation for my situation, but I’m not sure what to include in determining the value of my nest egg. Should I include the value of my Social Security as part of my nest egg by using the interest rate on a 30-year Treasury bond? Social Security is really better than the 30-year bond. I do not have a pension.
My home is paid for. Should I consider some value like the rent I don’t have to pay?
— J.B., Lakeway
You can calculate the imputed value of your Social Security income, but for what purpose? It won’t be part of your estate. It is only an income right, not an asset. Most people, when they do such calculations, find that their imputed assets — the assets they would need to have to replace the income they receive from Social Security or other retirement pension — are a lot larger than the actual financial assets they have.
The only use for this information is as a rough guide to asset allocation for the financial assets you do have. For i
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Written by Adam Sullivan on December 12, 2011.
Just as many experts support using second mortgages as those who discourage this option. Circumstances usually dictate whether getting a home equity loan or line-of-credit (HELOC) is a wise decision.
See also: Home equity loan vs. HELOC
First, determine and identify your purpose for this loan. When you compare refinance rates, you may determine that refinance loans may be a better choice. However, with stiffer qualification guidelines, first mortgage loans may be unavailable. A second mortgage or HELOC may satisfy your purpose faster, cheaper, and with little paperwork.
Second, learn if you qualify to make, not one, but two mortgage payments each month. For some, qualifying for current mortgage rates is already a challenge.
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Written by Joseph Perry on December 10, 2011.
- Core inflation is a concept that strips away ‘volatile factors’ from the usual Consumer Price Index.
Core inflation tends to be less volatile than the headline rate. E.g. a rapid rise in oil or food prices can push up CPI, but core inflation excludes this.
- Core inflation could involve – CPI – (energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices.)
Core inflation would also exclude mortgage interest payments which are included in the RPI (Retail Price Index)
Core inflation will be influenced by the underlying inflationary pressures; it is often closely ed to wage inflation. For example, in 2011, we had the experience of UK RPI inflation rising to over 5%, but this was mainly caused by temporary factors (energy, food, one-off tax rises, and impact of devaluation). Underly
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