One thing certain when starting a business is that you will need some money. There are many finance solutions available to choose from – although not all will be appropriate for your individual needs.

A popular way to raise finance for a new or existing business is to take out a business loan. To apply, you will need to prepare a full and credible business plan to present to the bank. Their decision will be based on factors such as your business experience, how much you are investing yourself and the security you are able to offer in return for the loan.

If you lack security for your loan, there is a government-backed scheme called the Enterprise Finance Guarantee. In certain circumstances, the government will guarantee 75% of a loan against default. The borrower has to pay a 2% premium on the loan, which cannot be more than £1 million or longer than ten years.

Another option is to borrow from friends and family. In the right circumstances, this can be an ideal solution, but there are risks involved. Only you will be able to decide if your relationship with the person involved can withstand losing all of their money or them wanting to become more involved in your business than you would like.

Other sources of financing to consider are loans from the Prince’s Trust or government business grants. The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme is aimed at unemployed people aged 18-30. A basic loan of up to £4,000 can be granted along with ongoing business advice from a mentor. Government business grants are another option but the process can time-consuming and the grants hard to obtain.

There is also the option of finding an outside investor. This would normally apply to larger businesses with good prospects and the investor would want a share of the business as well as a share of the profits. The business can often benefit, however, from the investor’s valuable experience and advice. Business Angels are wealthy individuals who will sometimes invest in smaller companies or more risky ventures.

If you are unable to raise finance elsewhere, the only option might be to scale down your plans and rely solely on your own savings or personal borrowing. If you are starting up and initial outgoings are low, using savings or a small unsecured loan could be a way to cover your living expenses until your business is established, with early profits all going back into the business. Another way to keep going in the beginning is to continue in employment and run the business in your spare time, or live off your partner’s income.

For advice about financing a business, the government’s Business Link site has some useful information and many banks can offer assistance with business planning and financing.

If in the end you decide not to go ahead with starting a business, working freelance through an umbrella company can be a way to use your skills while retaining the freedom of not being tied to a single employer.

There is no doubt that the current economic climate is taking its toll on many different aspects of our daily lives. However anyone using a mortgage repayment calculator or loan calculator may have spotted that despite the doom and gloom in the economy, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Particularly for first time buyers who may have good credit ratings, now is the perfect time to be considering buying a property and getting onto the property ladder.

Nervy property markets have seen prices falling, or at least arrested, meaning that potential buyers are going to get better value for their money.

There is no doubt that the current economic climate is taking its toll on many different aspects of our daily lives. However anyone using a mortgage repayment calculator or loan calculator may have spotted that despite the doom and gloom in the economy, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Particularly for first time buyers who may have good credit ratings, now is the perfect time to be considering buying a property and getting onto the property ladder.

Nervy property markets have seen prices falling, or at least arrested, meaning that potential buyers are going to get better value for their money.Although more choosy about whom they will lend money to, banks are also under pressure to increase lending and are more competitive with each other. This means a plethora of products are available on the market for borrowers to consider.

Interest rates falling have meant that banks have had a better deal obtaining the funds they can make available to lenders. The direct result of this is that they are able to make mortgage offers that, to an extent, pass on these savings.

The combination of lower property prices and falling interest rates resulting in lower cost mortgages means that this is a good time to try and get a foot on the property ladder.

As with anyone considering a mortgage, first time buyers have a number of important factors to consider before taking the plunge.

The most important is, of course, how much can I afford to repay? Using a mortgage repayment calculator can ensure a borrower clearly understands the amount to be repaid every month.

The amount borrowers can afford to put down as a deposit can dramatically affect the interest rate offered to them by a mortgage lender. The higher the deposit put down, the better the rates on offer to a borrower.

Borrowers can enjoy some security if they investigate fixed rate mortgage deals. These give a guaranteed rate for a fixed period of years, meaning borrowers know the most they can ever be asked to pay.

Checking credit references before applying for a mortgage can save time later, allowing borrowers to ensure there are no errors on their records that might affect a lender’s decision as to whether to offer a mortgage or not.

There are various schemes and options open that can make getting onto the property ladder more affordable. Shared ownership, where a group of family or friends buy a property together, may be an alternative.

Buying to rent may also be considered, even by a first time buyer. Provided the credit rating is good and the deposit being put down is significant, the incoming rent on a property will offset the mortgage payment, making it more affordable.

HomeBuy schemes, where the borrower only buys part of the property and rents the rest, can also make property ownership a reality for lower household incomes.

Some lenders will offer exclusive deals that are available only to first time buyers. It is well worth shopping around for the best deals on the market.

Anyone considering a mortgage should consider the extra costs involved over and above the mortgage itself. Survey fees, arrangement fees and costs such as stamp duty all add up.

The markets are usually a good indicator of the future economic prospects and if the current volatility is anything to go by, we are indeed in for a shaky next few years.

Political leaders are struggling to come up with either the cash or the ideas to kick-start the global economies back into growth following the last recession and financial crisis.

Without either of those, the prospects are for flat line growth at best and double dip recession at worst. There are even doubts now as to whether China and India can continue to grow even at modest rates given the reduction in global demand.

So for the general public, that means uncertainty in just about every aspect of personal life. Job prospects are weak, wages stagnant or falling, inflation is rising fast and savings rates are at record lows.

This is not an appealing outlook for anyone, whether in the private or public sector. So, the domestic focus has to be on cost effective living and preserving whatever resources one has and saving money wherever possible.

Doing our bit to kick-start the economy means spending but doing that within a constrained budget means generating some cash from somewhere and getting the best value for money we can.

Financial products and services have changed significantly over the past few years. There are fewer providers offering less products but that does not mean that there aren’t bargains or deals to be had.

Just reviewing the credit cards at money supermarket will show what deals are available and how money could be saved. Whether it is a balance transfer deal or a new card, there are good offers available.

Even those with less than perfect credit histories may be able to benefit from some of the card offers available as lenders are still seeking some perceived higher risk account holders to balance their portfolio.

For investors, the outlook is less certain. Knowing when the market has bottomed is an art best performed in hindsight. Only invest in the stock market if you are prepared to lose some of the funds.

But for those with a long-term view, it could be a good time to buy shares or get into property. Both have excellent long-term growth records. Whilst some commentators doubt that the future growth rates will get anywhere near those enjoyed in the past, they may at least give a better return through rent or dividends than ordinary savings.

For those already invested in the market through pension funds or savings, there is little alternative but to ride out the turbulent times and hope for a better future.

Retirement planning has undoubtedly been severely hit and many pension funds will be under funded as a result. For those with more than a few years to go to the end of a working life, working hard and diversifying investments is probably the optimal strategy.

Politicians and governments need to be weaned off the debt habit and rein in public spending. There appears to be limited appetite for this approach as most fear electoral backlash.

But without credible fiscal plans that generate confidence and encourage businesses to invest and grow we are not likely to see favourable conditions for many years to come.

Everyone is feeling the pinch in the toughest economic times, particularly when it comes to mortgages, which tend to be the biggest expenditure for families.

Sadly, there is an increasing trend of people losing their homes because their debt has simply become too much to manage. With the right planning, it is possible to stop things before they go too far. Tools such as the mortgage calculator at moneysupermarket can help people determine what their repayments will be.

There is no doubt that the general economic climate has a lot to do with people losing sources of income, either from employment or savings, thus making managing the bills, including a mortgage, more difficult.

Underlying debt problems also play their part as different types of credit begin to spiral out of control, leaving a seemingly hopeless situation.

The fear of these types of situation has seen a reluctance to try and get onto the property ladder for new homeowners and a slowdown in the market in general.

In the majority of cases, however, debts and bad credit can be sorted out and should not stop people from owning their own homes.

The most important step is to acknowledge that there is a problem and not hide from a debt situation. The situation can never improve by itself without facing up to it.

Writing down total debt is a good place to start, however terrifying this may seem, so that the full extent of a problem is known. Recurring expenses should also be noted so that monthly outgoings are not forgotten.

This exercise can also show up unnecessary expenditure and make it relatively easy to see where cutbacks can be made. Any expense saved can be used to reduce debts.

Talking to creditors is also very important, including banks and building societies that provide your mortgage. It is not in a mortgage lender’s interest to see foreclosures and families losing their homes; often they will be able and willing to provide assistance.

For potential new borrowers, there are now a number of schemes designed to save money and make investing in property easier, which can be a real advantage to families or friends who cannot find a suitable deposit on their own.

Many lenders will offer help with arrangement fees and survey fees, especially if a potential new homeowner is able to offer a significant deposit.

With rents increasing, they can cost as much, if not more, than a mortgage and so not offer any long term saving or security financially to the tenant.

There are now schemes such as shared ownership that are designed to assist a group of people to purchase a property together and even part ownership, where the homeowner buys a portion of the property only.

Proper forward planning is the best friend of anyone potentially looking to invest in property and tools such as mortgage calculators ensure that someone knows exactly what they are letting themselves in for financially.

Although times are tough, it is still possible to buy your own home and get onto the property ladder without ending up in financial problems.

Everyone faces emergencies in one way or the other. To overcome the financial crisis one has to be secured with the family, business and the assets. A situation where one really is in need of money cannot wait for many days to be done the valid process manually. A better solution prevails and that is the Pay Day loans, which assures you with the money when one needs and in a very less time.

How Does a Pay Day loan work?

The concept of Pay Day loan emerges in case of an emergency payment or unexpected thing, which happens. Easy way is go online, you can find many sites listed in the Search Engine offering you Pay Day Loans. The process is very simple, details are to be entered in an electronic form, no credit check, no faxing, then will take you to a new window for confirming the details and you need to click on the submit button for the completion. Directly the form will be submitted to the concerned officer with no delay. The amount will be credited to you less than 24 hours to your bank account if you have requested for the direct bank transfer. The second mode of receiving the loan is check will be delivered to the address, which you have specified within the completion process.

Repayment and duration of the loan:

The loan amount can vary from ₤100 – ₤1000. Duration for the loan, normally lent for a smaller period like 30 or 31 days. The repayment schedule would be 28 days, 30 days, or 31 days depending on the company’s promotions. They charge some interest for the loan. This has to be repaid with the principal amount. The mode for repayment would be the same as mode of getting the loan, to be used or the other mode to clear the loan. For e.g. If the company pays you the loan through direct bank credit then one can use the same mode for repaying the loan.

If there is any extension of loan period, necessary updates has to be communicated to the lending company, with some extra fees and charges applicable. If there is any default in paying off the loan, necessary action will be taken to recover the amount with interest.

Sometimes, this can reduce the burden of long-term debt. The importance of payday loans is tremendously increasing every day. Take the advantages of online Pay Day loans and ease your life.

Inmates at the Norfolk County Correctional Center in Massachusetts don’t need President Obama’s new health insurance reform bill to prompt them to purchase a health plan. They’re being forced to choose a policy before getting released from jail. This is because the Manet Community Health Center and the sheriff’s office have formed an alliance to make sure all prisoners have health insurance coverage before they’re released.

The sheriff’s office sent out a press release in early July which stated that representatives from the Manet Community Health Center will visit the jail to sign up the inmates directly. The unique program is designed to make sure that the jail’s inmates are accountable when it comes to Massachusetts laws.

Michael G. Bellotti, the Norfolk county sheriff said nobody is able to fall through the cracks this way because the health center visits the jail to enrol the inmates just before they’re due to be released. The program also enables the inmates to continue the health and counselling programs that they were taking part in while they were imprisoned. Bellotti said if the inmates all have access to proper medical care then they all stand a better chance of being productive and law-abiding members of society once they’ve been released.

The mandatory health insurance plan is a part of a bigger re-entry program that has been established at the correctional center to help the inmates re-join the community and to help them from becoming repeat offenders. According to an article by Boston.com, it’s the second joint venture between the sheriff’s office and the Manet Community Center. They also collaborated on a program last summer that saw the health center implement an HIV prevention and testing program which took place at the Norfolk County Community Correctional Center in the town of Quincy.

The Manet Community Health Center also released a press statement which said it’s happy to be working with Sheriff Bellotti, the correctional center, and all of the staff. It added that the sheriff is an innovative person and an excellent forward-thinking partner for the health center, which has locations in both Hull and Quincy.

New automobiles come with just about everything you could imagine these days, but GM is taking that concept a step further as some of the company’s new vehicles are also going to include a year’s worth of free auto insurance.

After nearly going under, GM has bounced back with some decent sales numbers in 2011, but there are still some areas where it’s struggling, especially in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington. The new free-insurance promotion is available in those two states and is provided by MetLife Auto and Home. It's hoped to boost sales in these regions.

According to an article by Car Tech Blog, the free insurance will be offered with the purchase of Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs, and Cadillac trucks and cars. However, they have to be new models between the years 2010 and 2012. The offer is also good for newly leased cars in those two states up until September 6th.


The policies offered exceed the liability and collision minimum requirements in those two states and the coverage is extended to any driver who has been given permission by the owner to get behind the wheel, including teenagers.
According to Insure.com, the average annual auto insurance policy in Washington is about $1,585 and it’s $1,305 in Oregon. However, car buyers don’t have to take the free insurance as it’s optional. But it’s hard to see anybody turning it down, especially with some of the new GM vehicles coming out with some new electronic gadgets later this year. Taking a year’s worth of free insurance could help offset some of the other costs for customers who are looking to upgrade or add on some options.


GM has offered an insurance incentive in the past to sell cars as GMAC Insurance will offer mileage-based insurance premiums to buyers who use the OnStar in-vehicle security system. This is basically a pay as you go policy and the money saved will usually be enough to cover the cost of OnStar.

While a year’s worth of free insurance is nothing to sneeze at, cynics are wondering if the cost of the policy is being recovered in the price of the car though.

Most people realize and understand that their driving record, sex, and age are usually used by auto insurance companies when calculating their yearly rates. However, many drivers don’t know that their credit ratings are also being used as a factor by some companies when deciding how much to charge. It might not be fair, but in most American states it’s legal.

An article on MainStreet.com reported that a new study said there’s definitely a link between credit ratings and insurance premiums. In addition, CarInsurance.com reported that drivers who have a credit rating that’s above 750, pay about $785 less for their insurance each year when compared to same-aged drivers whose credit rating is below 700.

It’s estimated that a 25-year-old driver who has a good credit rating would pay about $22,800 less by the time they retire. However, the method of calculating rates by using credit scores isn’t used by all auto insurance companies. Many of them only use the practice when customers opt to pay their premiums in monthly installments.

Understandably, not everybody is happy about the inclusion of credit ratings when calculating premiums and some state legislatures have challenged it. Seven states have even passed legislation that restricts the practice. These include Texas, Michigan, and Maryland. If you’re not sure what the laws are where you live, you can check with the insurance commission in your state to see what methods are being used and if there are any restrictions.

If you’re going to pay your yearly premium up front you may not be subjected to a credit check. If you do find your state allows the practice you may want to try the pay-as-you-drive type of insurance policy to get cheaper rates.

Insurance companies can track your driving practices, such as speed and distance, by inserting a device into your automobile’s technology system. If the results are favorable, lower rates are often offered.

According to some experts, Americans might be buying their health insurance plans at corner stores in the future. With the Federal Government mandating public health insurance exchanges (HIX) be set up by 2014, it’s a distinct possibility. The exchanges are designed to give consumers more choice when it comes to health plans and as a way to create more competition. In addition, private insurers are likely to create in-store kiosks where consumers can compare plans.

The government has said that all states have to create and operate an HIX that has numerous points of contact. These include phone lines, online channels, and paper-based systems where people can purchase health insurance. The exchanges will also be able to answer questions on tax credits and things such as CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)

Some public exchanges are online already while others are in the building stage. It’s believed that most insurance companies will use an open-market system where any health insurer will be allowed to sell plans on the exchanges as long as they meet specific minimum-benefit standards.

According to an article by Computerworld, some wholesale and retail outlets are already providing healthcare technology. Sam's Club and Wal-Mart offer electronic medical records systems via an online electronic cart to doctors. It’s believed some of these types of stores will offer in-store kiosks as versions of a HIX. If this happens, it’s conceivable that these types of stores will suddenly become major players in the health insurance industry.

It’s believed that most private HIXes will provide customers with a selection of approved health insurance plans that are supplied by a variety of carriers. They should also provide comparison tools so people can find a plan that best suits their needs and budget. To sustain these exchanges, there will probably be a surcharge attached to them.

Experts believe the best places to locate these kiosks will be close to the stores’ pharmacies where they could be packaged in deals with things like prescription drugs. A recent survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers said most of the exchanges will be used by individuals who don’t have health insurance and that these policies could represent about $60 billion in sales and could grow to almost $200 billion between 2014 and 2019.

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. This includes damage caused by household pets.

Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners’ responsibility.

What is in a standard homeowners insurance policy?

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes four essential types of coverage. They include:
Coverage for the structure of your home.
Coverage for your personal belongings.
Liability protection.
Additional living expenses in the event you are temporarily unable to live in your home because of a fire or other insured disaster.
1. THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR HOUSE

This part of your policy pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disaster listed in your policy. It will not pay for damage caused by a flood, earthquake or routine wear and tear. When purchasing coverage for the structure of your home, it is important to buy enough to rebuild your home.

Most standard policies also cover structures that are detached from your home such as a garage, tool shed or gazebo. Generally, these structures are covered for about 10% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. If you need more coverage, talk to your insurance agent about purchasing more insurance.
2. YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Your furniture, clothes, sports equipment and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disaster. Most companies provide coverage for 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. So if you have $100,000 worth of insurance on the structure of your home, you would have between $50,000 to $70,000 worth of coverage for your belongings. The best way to determine if this is enough coverage is to conduct a home inventory.

This part of your policy includes off-premises coverage. This means that your belongings are covered anywhere in the world, unless you have decided against off-premises coverage. Some companies limit the amount to 10% of the amount of insurance you have for your possessions. You have up to $500 of coverage for unauthorized use of your credit cards.

Expensive items like jewelry, furs and silverware are covered, but there are usually dollar limits if they are stolen. Generally, you are covered for between $1,000 to $2,000 for all of your jewelry and furs. To insure these items to their full value, purchase a special personal property endorsement or floater and insure the item for it’s appraised value. Coverage includes “accidental disappearance,” meaning coverage if you simply lose that item. And there is no deductible.

Trees, plants and shrubs are also covered under standard homeowners insurance. Generally you are covered for 5% of the insurance on the house—up to about $500 per item. Perils covered are theft, fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, riot and even falling aircraft. They are not covered for damage by wind or disease.
3. LIABILITY PROTECTION

Liability covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter or dog accidentally ruins your neighbor’s expensive rug, you are covered. However, if they destroy your rug, you are not covered.

The liability portion of your policy pays for both the cost of defending you in court and any court awards—up to the limit of your policy. You are also covered not just in your home, but anywhere in the world.

Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. However, experts recommend that you purchase at least $300,000 worth of protection. Some people feel more comfortable with even more coverage. You can purchase an umbrella or excess liability policy which provides broader coverage, including claims against you for libel and slander, as well as higher liability limits. Generally, umbrella policies cost between $200 to $350 for $1 million of additional liability protection.

Your policy also provides no-fault medical coverage. In the event a friend or neighbor is injured in your home, he or she can simply submit medical bills to your insurance company. This way, expenses are paid without a liability claim being filed against you. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage. It does not, however, pay the medical bills for your family or your pet.
4. ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSES

This pays the additional costs of living away from home if you can’t live there due to damage from a fire, storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company. Many policies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on your house. You can increase this coverage, however, for an additional premium. Some companies sell a policy that provides an unlimited amount of loss-of-use coverage, but for a limited amount of time.

If you rent out part of your house, this coverage also reimburses you for the rent that you would have collected from your tenant if your home had not been destroyed.