Making Professional Projects

Many marketing and business professionals may find that developing professional looking projects can be a daunting task. In order to make the most effective impact with printed marketing materials they need to be designed well. With some valuable tips and the aid of printing companies Pickering, the process will not only be smooth, but enjoyable as well.

1. Define the audience. One of the most important factors when designing a professional project involves understanding whom the business is communicating with. This includes demographics and the purpose of the message as well as the market's purchasing habits. All of this information will be used in designing the most logical strategy in order to attract attention effectively.

2. Devise the creative approach. After determining the target market, decide how to best design the project. Include in the process how the message of the project and specific products or services should be represented. For example, what issue there is to solve. This will define the concept of the project.

3. Design motivating copy. Decide which type of action best conveys the issue in the most powerful way. Remember that action is at the heart of a good story. Many projects can be particularly challenging to develop. To best accomplish this, consider engaging the services of professionals at printing companies Pickering.

4. Ensure that the copy and all of the design elements are supported well by adequate illustrations, photos and other appropriate fundamental and descriptive characteristics.

5. Imagine that you are the desired customer and look at the professional project logically. To do this most effectively, engage the services of a graphic design and print company for the best results. Only qualified designers can ensure that the context and information is also believable and compelling.

6. Regardless what approach is used, use communication techniques designed to facilitate the process. For example, try storytelling, humor or incongruous images. Methods chosen will depend upon writing and design skill which is why the aid of a professional printing firm can be so critical at this stage.

Always keep in mind the brand identity and contemplate various ideas prior to making decisions. Ensure that all of the following aspects are covered completely:

a. That the concept gets attention
b. The story arouses interest
c. Desire is created
d. Action is inspired

Rather than hurriedly designing a professional project, take the time to ensure that customer interest will be stimulated enough to motivate interaction. The purpose of every professionally designed project is to convey the desired message effectively. Whether the purpose is to make a presentation, design a brochure or other creative marketing piece, keep in mind how the most important aspects of the project should be included.

Most often, there is only one chance to make a first and possibly lasting impression. This is why only fully trained, qualified graphic designers are capable of ensuring that projects are well designed enough to create the greatest impact.

Regardless of the type of project, engaging printing companies Pickering will provide the kind of creative solutions necessary to produce the best results possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7364355

Why Personal Loans Are Different and Why You Cannot Get One

Have you recently tried to get a personal loan and found your application was not accepted? The reasons are many for your inability to obtain a personal loan but let me start with what a personal loan actually is.

Financial institutions for the convenience of borrowers have created personal loan products that generally have a lower interest rate than that of credit cards and a finite length of time to pay back. They are a better alternative to credit cards for this very reason.

Personal loans can be used for a broad range of purchases and may also be used to consolidate other existing debt and credit cards into one single payment at a lower interest rate.

Unlike other loan types personal loans are unsecured. This means that the lender will look at your credit history prior to considering offering you the finance you require. This can make it tough for some borrowers particularly if you do not have a credit history, that is, you have never borrowed money before or had a credit card or you have defaults or bankruptcies on your credit file.

Lets consider this example. You want to go on a holiday however, to obtain the funds for this holiday you would need to save for 5 years. You go to your chosen lender or advisor to arrange a personal loan so you can have the money now. The lender will consider a number of factors regarding your financial situation including what you are requiring the funds for. They will be tough in their decision making because if for some reason you default on your loan they will have nothing to sell to get the money back.

A common reason why personal loans are often not approved is because the borrower has made too many inquiries/applications recently. Every inquiry/application for funds is marked on your credit file and the more inquiries/applications you make the less chance of obtaining personal finance. The lenders see this as a negative because they will assume that you have not been successful in obtaining funds previously.

Do not confuse personal loans with car loans. They are two different kinds of loans. Car loans are often offered with a lower interest rate as they lender can use the car being purchased as security.

If you are uncertain about how to obtain a personal loan you should use a lending specialist. Lending specialists have personal relationships with lenders to ensure they get the right information from the borrower and can discuss the lending requirements on a personal level to the lender. It provides the best chance of a borrower obtaining funds. In saying this the lending specialist can only assist when the borrower is up front with the information they provide.

Personal loans are perceived as being easy to obtain but don't be fooled by the marketing hype. With lenders tightening their lending policies they are much more difficult to obtain particularly if you try to do it without the help of a lending specialist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7356781

Greatness With Your Credit Cards - Always Be Responsible

Now this is going to be very short and sweet. If you can't be responsible, then don't get a credit card. Simple as that. I could end it there but I want to elaborate a bit. I see all these companies promoting their secured credit cards and offers, but then again these other entire people think it is a way for them to go crazy and just start buying whatever they want.

Are you one of these people? Are you someone who really thinks that all you need to do is just get a card and shop? I would hope not. These are the people who are not responsible and wind up getting into huge financial problems because they are NOT responsible

Also they are lacking the education needed for that credit card. Common baby... let's get real. Hear me out. I am not just trying to preach to you and tell you something you already know, I don't do that stuff. What I am trying to do is see if you are really the person who should be carrying around a card that can possibly buy you anything you want.

Think about that for a second. That little piece of plastic in your hands can get you ANYTHING you want, well as long as your credit limit allows you too of course.

You can learn about a credit limit here.

If you have a really big credit limit, then you must be the most responsible.

The great thing though is that I see young people who are taking courses on money and actually know what to do when they get that plastic card in their hands; They know that it is NOT a toy. It is a tool to help build their credit so in the future they can go out and get things like cards, houses etc.

You build equity in yourself, which is what is most important. Now do you see how important this is. Man this is real talk.

The Credit Card Scariness - Don't Be Too Scared

Many people are scared of their credit cards. They don't know how to handle them. It takes true responsibility to be able to handle what it takes to manage and go through life with one of these plastic cards.

Do you have a credit card that you want get? Are you looking into the big credit card companies to pick one. Just make sure that you are getting into a legit company that you have heard of. Well you know what I mean, the card companies that are advertised all over the bill boards and are showing commercials everywhere. You don't really have to worry about like a Chase Bank card scamming you because they are so well know. All they want to do is make their customers happy.

Get more of these amazing money spending tips and financial advice absolutely FREE at this amazing and resourceful site below!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7362938

Things You Should Know About Credit Cards And Extra Tips

If you want to get a credit card from any company, whether it's Chase, Bank of America, or any other big bank you probably have noticed that I usually say the same common sense things. The reason why you may feel I am saying the same common sense things is because this is what works. I always like to talk about being responsible when it comes to your credit cards.

People who start going crazy and begin spending in big amounts don't understand the risk that comes with getting any type of credit card. There are different forms of credit cards.

If you are not comfortable to use a credit card then you should seriously consider using a debit card. Why? Well because you will have the control of what you spend because what you spend will purely be based on what you currently have... makes sense?

With a debit card, if you have $50 in it, then there is NO WAY you can spend more than 50 buck. I hope that makes some type of sense.

BUT when you get a credit card, then your freedom with the card expands. You don't need to have the money right now, per say. You can just pay them back later. This is what begins to get addicted and you need to stay away from this.

Make sure you have some sort of funds to be able t pay these credit card companies back because trust me; they WILL MAKE YOU pay them back.

They are not lending you money just to be nice; they are lending you the money so you can pay them in interest. The interest that you accrue will add to the overall balance and then you need to pay that principle balance off.

Does that make sense?

If not then you need to get educated when it comes to this because it is very important.

Use Your Credit Cards Points BABY! What You Waiting For?

Are you one of those people who are NOT for some weird reason NOT using their points that they get on their credit card. I use to have various cards but then I decided to go with a chase card, because I like the options that they gave to me.

Make sure you are comfortable with the options. When I say options you should be looking for would be

1. 0 Interest. If you can find a card that has 0 interest for several months that would be awesome. The reason this would be awesome is every time you pay your bill you will paying the full bill principle balance. Instead of paying all of that interest you won't be adding to it.

2. Make sure you can trust the bank. This is kind of common sense. In my case, I feel like trust Chase. That doesn't mean that you have to but it means that you should pick out a bank that you believe in. Maybe one that you currently have. Maybe they have a credit card program that you can enroll in. It's possible.

3. Look for nice point rewards. Many cards have reward points that you can use to get free things. Just by you using your card, they give you opportunity to get some free stuff.

Did you find this information helpful? Do you want to continue your financial education?

If so then make sure you check out more of my exclusive tips at my website below! Thanks in advance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7362931

QuickBooks Running Slow?

There are many reasons why your QuickBooks could be running slow. Sometimes the slowness can be due to your computer or your network but sometimes it's due to the QuickBooks Data File itself. One of the things in QuickBooks that can slow down performance is all the Lists. Customers, Vendors, Items, Chart of Accounts, etc. Here are some tips to try and speed up your QuickBooks!

Some symptoms of slow QuickBooks performance:
The Customer Center, Vendor Center or Employee Center are slow to open.
Opening, editing or saving a transaction (including paychecks)is slow.
The Find window opens slowly.
Quick-zooming to open a transaction from a report is slow.
Creating an invoice from a sales order is slow.
The History Window is slow to open after clicking the History button on a transaction.

Some list characteristics that can reduce QuickBooks performance include the following:
Your lists are long and contain many elements that you no longer use.
Your lists have a large number of inactive elements.
Your customer list has many jobs underneath customers.
Your account list has many sub-accounts.
Your item list has many sub-items.
The Customer, Vendor, and Employee centers have custom-sorted name lists.
How do you fix it?

WARNINGS Before doing any of the steps below:
1.Create a backup of your data file.
2.Create an archive copy of your file. If you merge together any list elements, you can open the Archive copy to find the history of the unmerged elements.
3..Be aware, that once you merge together two elements, you cannot unmerge them.
Custom sorted lists:
1. Open the center that has performance issues.
2. To the left of the Name column, ensure there is no diamond column.
3. If there is a diamond column, click the diamond to remove it. You do not need to be in single-user mode to remove the diamond.
4. Close the center and reopen it.

Chart of Accounts
If you are using sub-accounts to track source of income or use of expenses, merge sub-accounts together or into the parent accounts and set up Classes to do the tracking.

Item List
Merge together old and/or inactive items that you no longer sell. The merged items lose their identity; be sure you have an archive copy with their individual history.

Customer List
If your Customer: Job list has several, old jobs underneath Customers, merge them together. If you have old, inactive Customers to whom you no longer sell, merge them together. The merged customers and jobs lose their identity; be sure you have an archive copy with their individual history.

Vendor List
If you have old, inactive Vendors from whom you no longer purchase goods, merge them together. The merged vendors lose their identity; be sure you have an archive copy with their individual history.

Employee List
If you have old, inactive Employees whom you no longer employ, merge them together. The merged employees lose their identity; be sure you have an archive copy with their individual history and be sure that you have all of their tax forms up to date, printed and submitted to the appropriate tax agencies.

If these still doesn't work, there are other things that can be done to try and improve speed before having to possibly start a new QuickBooks Data File.

We offer a full range of business accounting services. We specialize in set-up, clean-up, and disaster recovery of accounting software systems. Whether you need QuickBooks recovery, QuickBooks inventory or any other QuickBooks software, CIAS provides the best service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7348758

Adding Icons to the Icon Bar - Shortcuts in QuickBooks

The Icon Bar (QuickBooks 2012 and earlier) and Shortcuts (in 2013) is a uniquely customizable area to help you work a little quicker. Many of our clients didn't realize you could add and take icons away from this section to help you access the areas you use the most. Here's a quick lesson on how to make the most of your icon bar.

For the most part you are able to add icons using the "Customize Icon Bar" or "Customize Shortcuts" functionality in that area. Unfortunately not all areas and transaction types are listed in this section (we'll address this next). The best way to get to this customization screen is to place your cursor in the Icon Bar/Shortcuts and Right Click. In QuickBooks 2012 and earlier version there is also a double arrow on the far right of that bar that you can use to access this area as well. Once in the Customize Icon Bar screen you can add new, edit a label or icon or delete unnecessary icons.

To add new icons:
• Select Add
• Scroll on the left for an area or transaction you wish to add
• In the center section, the default icon for this area will have a box surrounding it. You can make an alternate selection if you would like
• On the right the default Label and Description will appear. This can be altered as well
• Once you have make your selections click OK

If you want to move icons up/down (2013) or left/right (2012..) click on the diamond to the left of the icon and reorder. This is the same as other list items in QuickBooks software

To delete icons simply highlight that section and click delete.
Now for the stuff that is not listed in the Customize screen. Open the window for the transaction or area you wish to add to your Icon Bar. One idea is the Calendar. For some reason this area is included on the icon bar when you first launch a new company but not available to add in the customization area if it were mistakenly deleted.

For this example let's open the Calendar from the Company Menu
From the View Menu select Add "Calendar" to Icon Bar
Once this is done you will have access to it in the Customization area to change it's location and/or label.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7348879

What Is the Official Unemployment? Are Internet Marketers Skewing the Data?

The US Government released some startling official unemployment numbers for the month of September. Are those a reflection of the real unemployment situation? Or, are those unemployment statistics highly misleading?

Firstly, let's review the actual reported official unemployment data for September, exactly as they were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):-

Number of people employed - 155.1 million

Number of unemployed - 12.1 million

Unemployment rate - 7.8 %

How did these numbers compare to the official unemployment data for August?

Here is a look at the official unemployment data for August:-

Number of people employed - 154.6 million

Number of unemployed - 12.5 million

Unemployment rate - 8.1 %

If we compare the official unemployment data for September versus August, we see the following delta:-

Number of people employed - 0.5 million more in September than August

Number of unemployed - 0.4 million less in September

Unemployment rate - 0.3 % decrease in September

Compared to recent history, this delta is extraordinary and certainly lends itself to question, or at the very least a raised eyebrow. Some very influential business magnates and thought leaders have publicly questioned the data and are themselves suspicious of the sudden change in the official unemployment data.

Some deeper investigation into the reported data, shows that there has been a sudden and influential change in the survey. Government researchers have been instructed to change the angle of the research questions so as not to enquire whether interviewees are not working in their chosen career field, but rather, and very simply, are interviewees not doing any work, of any type, whatsoever. This subtle, but yet misleading question, has resulted in many interviewees admitting that they are doing something, at least, in order to bring in some income for their families. The interviewees are not asked whether the activities that they are engaging in are bringing in sufficient revenue to pay the bills. Thus, many respondents are, very honestly, replying that they are not doing nothing about their unemployment, but are trying to start a home based employment opportunity for themselves. And, yes, you guessed it, a number of folks have resorted to exploring the world of internet marketing in order to attempt to generate income to replace the income they were earning before unemployment struck them.

Thus, internet marketers, and similar folks, have now been included in the government's official unemployment data definition as "employed", irrespective of whether they have made a single dime or not.

Are we, therefore, to trust the government's official unemployment data?

The answer is, somewhere between a yes and a no. The official unemployment at its core is more than likely accurate. However, what is to be distrusted is any variation, from month to month, in the definition provided to interviewees of what constitutes employment or unemployment. In the current situation, what would be more instructive would be to provide two sets of data:-

- One that includes the new definition being provided to interviewees

- A second that asks the interviewee to respond based on the historical definition

In that way, a delta can be established between the two definitions and the official unemployment data can be more transparent and therefore lead to less skeptism and doubt.

Alternatively, a less desirous method, would be for Congress to pass legislation that changes in data collection techniques and definitions cannot be made within 6 months of any major federal election. That would hopefully remove the question mark of political influence being behind the official unemployment data.

In summary, the timing of this sudden change in the definition of employment, just weeks before the 2012 election, is questionable and raises suspicions regarding the reason and timing for this change. Are those that sit at home and surf the net hoping to get paid a penny per click really employed? Seems a stretch to me.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7336865

Start-Up Loans In Scotland: What The New Entrepreneurs Need To Know

Something had to be done, and at last the UK's coalition government has rolled out a scheme to put some much needed meat on the bare bones of the economy.

The announcement that £82.5 million is going to be made available over the next three years to help fund the creation of 30,000 new companies was welcomed by the business community as a step in the right direction.

The scheme aims to support younger entrepreneurs and will be open to individuals between the ages of 18 - 24 with initial funding of around £2,500 per company. The initiative will also provide support in the form of business mentors to assist first-time business owners.

Inevitably, it is hoped these fledgling businesses will grow and prosper and soon generate significant job creation across Britain, in which case they will need to consider small business payroll services among many other accountancy measures.

Accountancy is a fundamental core factor for any business whether large or small, new or established, but it is best that new entrepreneurs think about it as early as possible, because it saves an awful lot time and trouble to get payroll service providers on board from the start rather than a year's time.

Sorting payroll matters should be thought of as a positive step because any delay can be marred by the amount of paperwork each business requires to be completed throughout the year.

That's why the world needs accountancy firms because they can take care of all small business payroll matters leaving entrepreneurs free to concentrate on making their business a success, which after all is time consuming enough.

And the good news is accountancy can now be handled online, thus saving business owners even more time and energy in providing proficient and efficient online payroll services to meet their employee's needs whilst keeping the HMRC happy at the same time.

The advantage to having small business payroll providers is they have their finger on the pulse at all times, making sure businesses keep up-to-date with the regular changes to national insurance, tax and employment law.

This is important because it helps ensure business owners are never penalized for lack of employee care when it comes to sorting out the weekly pay slips or the contributions deducted from the wage.

There's also PAYE to consider.

Employers are responsible for ensuring their staff pays their national insurance and tax. The stipulations change rapidly, altering the deductions employers should make and the HMRC holds employer's solely responsible if any mistake is made.

Thus the advantage to having payroll service providers ensures employers pay on the dates outlined by the HMRC. Never missing a deadline means the employer doesn't have to worry about penalties ever again.

There are also P45's, P46's and P60's to think about.

Each employee must have a P45 in order for their unique tax code to be applied. Without this, the onus is on the employer to create a P46 that they must then submit to the HMRC. Again, using online payroll services takes care of all this ensuring every worker is legal and registered.

If you are thinking of becoming one of the new entrepreneurs in Scotland, then you might like to know that most Edinburgh payroll services come with free employment advice as standard, no matter what your query.

Vince Cable, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills said when launching the new scheme:

"With more young people than ever before looking to start their own business, Start Up loans will provide the support they need to help get their business ideas off the ground."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7350237

Insights Into Credit Management

Credit Management is the management of one of the business' most valuable assets - its receivables - this starts from the assessment stage right through to collection.

Effective Credit Management yields a substantial pay back in reduced borrowing, interest saved and improved liquidity. It is not simply a "debt chasing" exercise as it is often referred to.

Credit Management depends on the creation and implementation of a credit policy which establishes systems and procedures for opening accounts; defining the credit worth of the customer; establishing the terms on which goods or services will be supplied; and collecting payment when it is due.

Let us now look at three (3) areas in the Credit Management process:

· Credit assessment;

· Monitoring and controlling amounts outstanding on the sales/account receivables ledger;

· Ensuring the supplier is paid for the goods and services rendered

Credit Assessment

This is the stage at which the credit granting decision is made. It is a decision-making process and the decision is crucial, for it is at this stage that offers an opportunity to minimize the risk of bad debt.

The potential creditor needs to gather and then needs to evaluate the information in order to make a decision as to whether it is prudent to grant credit. There are many sources of credit information with varying levels of value. However, establishing credit worth is like doing a jig-saw puzzle and these sources are merely parts of the puzzle. It is only when they are put together that a picture emerges.

The objective of credit assessment is to establish the identity of the customer and that customer's ability to pay. Establishing the correct identity i.e. the correct legal status of the customer is the essential prerequisite to grating credit. The potential customer may be a Public Limited Company; Private Limited Company; Sole Trader; Partnership; Government or Local Government Body; Club; Church, or an Individual.

Account Monitoring - credit limit

After the evaluation of the potential customer, some suppliers normally apply a credit limit. It is not easy to determine absolute credit limits for customers. The answer can only be an estimate because of the many unknown factors, not least the change in the customer's liquidity since the last set of accounts if the customer is a business.

Having credit limits gives suppliers the opportunity to reassess customers on a regular basis. If there was no limit no brake will be placed upon the account at any stage. When credit limits become inadequate they should be updated.

Cash Collection

The granting of credit means taking a risk. There is no guarantee that goods and services received on credit terms will be paid for or paid on time. All suppliers must therefore have procedures which encourages the customer to repay as agreed, hence a cash policy.

A developed cash policy is essential if sales are to be turned into cash at a rate which enabled current liabilities to be met promptly. Preparing a collection policy must include recognition of needs for;

· Flexibility to cope with varying sales levels in varying economic climates e.g. during a recession.

· Priorities which will support the central objective of maximizing debtors for the shortest possible time e.g. key customers, special terms, marginal sales, cash only.

· Adequate in-house liaison particularly with production, sales, computer and dispatch departments. Essential where credit limit observance is required and marginal business is necessary.

There you have it in a nutshell - insights into Credit Management.

Nigel St. Hill is a life and money management coach helping people to unlock their doors to abundance, so that they could live the life of their dreams. He worked with Cable & Wireless (now LIME) as their Credit Manager and was the first person in the Caribbean to be qualified in Credit Management. He has been a contributing columnist, having written numerous articles in the local newspapers and magazines and the "In the Zone Magazine," and "Caribbean Success University" both based in the U.S.A. He is the author of the book, Money Management Caribbean Style and several ebooks including The Easy Cash Flow System and How to Keep Your Doors Open in a Recession.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7346154

Teachers' Grants: A Hail to Modern Day Heroes

If there is one thing so special about being an educator, it is that the more you work in the profession, the more you have to spend for it. For some anomalous logic, the rule of hard work and profit seems not to apply when you teach. You will profit less if you want to provide better quality education for your students, that is, digging from your own pockets to buy the necessary school supplies for your teaching.

It is no small feat to see people who earned a bachelor's degree to work in a not-so financially rewarding profession, all for the humanitarian mission of enlightening the minds of the youth. And that is exactly why the educators deserve an earnest support from both government and private sectors. They are molding the future of the nation, in their hands depend a great portion of what a country will become. Like it or not, the knowledge, the character, and the culture of the next generation will depend on every lesson of these almost flat-broke paladins.

If you're a teacher, maybe you're starting to look for solutions to augment your classroom needs, and lucky you, we are bringing good news here: many are willing to endow funding assistance for deserving educators like you. The only thing you need is to write a proposal, convince the funder of your strong and urgent needs, and inspire them to be a stalwart of your silent advocacy.

All you have to do is to believe in the importance of what you're doing, and you're good to go, learn to dream for your students, write a detailed goal for your class and for the first time, think of all the material things your classroom lack without minding how to budget it from your own salary.

Now if you're done with the listings, there are two things you have to find: first is a compatible funder who is willing to support your causes, the second is a powerful teacher's grant writer who can compose a compelling and convincing proposal about your school and your goals for the classroom. Anyway, the latter is optional, however, if you want to assure that your proposal will be as persuading and as free from technical glitches as it can be, it is advised that you seek help from an expert.

Then be careful in choosing a funder, make sure that what they are willing to provide is exactly what you're asking for. Because some give school supplies and financial aid for educators, but some award non-material endowments like scholarship for students who want to teach in needy areas of the country. Be specific and straight forward. Ensure that the person or organization reading the proposal and you are on the same page.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7344257

Insights Into Credit Management

Credit Management is the management of one of the business' most valuable assets - its receivables - this starts from the assessment stage right through to collection.

Effective Credit Management yields a substantial pay back in reduced borrowing, interest saved and improved liquidity. It is not simply a "debt chasing" exercise as it is often referred to.

Credit Management depends on the creation and implementation of a credit policy which establishes systems and procedures for opening accounts; defining the credit worth of the customer; establishing the terms on which goods or services will be supplied; and collecting payment when it is due.

Let us now look at three (3) areas in the Credit Management process:

· Credit assessment;

· Monitoring and controlling amounts outstanding on the sales/account receivables ledger;

· Ensuring the supplier is paid for the goods and services rendered

Credit Assessment

This is the stage at which the credit granting decision is made. It is a decision-making process and the decision is crucial, for it is at this stage that offers an opportunity to minimize the risk of bad debt.

The potential creditor needs to gather and then needs to evaluate the information in order to make a decision as to whether it is prudent to grant credit. There are many sources of credit information with varying levels of value. However, establishing credit worth is like doing a jig-saw puzzle and these sources are merely parts of the puzzle. It is only when they are put together that a picture emerges.

The objective of credit assessment is to establish the identity of the customer and that customer's ability to pay. Establishing the correct identity i.e. the correct legal status of the customer is the essential prerequisite to grating credit. The potential customer may be a Public Limited Company; Private Limited Company; Sole Trader; Partnership; Government or Local Government Body; Club; Church, or an Individual.

Account Monitoring - credit limit

After the evaluation of the potential customer, some suppliers normally apply a credit limit. It is not easy to determine absolute credit limits for customers. The answer can only be an estimate because of the many unknown factors, not least the change in the customer's liquidity since the last set of accounts if the customer is a business.

Having credit limits gives suppliers the opportunity to reassess customers on a regular basis. If there was no limit no brake will be placed upon the account at any stage. When credit limits become inadequate they should be updated.

Cash Collection

The granting of credit means taking a risk. There is no guarantee that goods and services received on credit terms will be paid for or paid on time. All suppliers must therefore have procedures which encourages the customer to repay as agreed, hence a cash policy.

A developed cash policy is essential if sales are to be turned into cash at a rate which enabled current liabilities to be met promptly. Preparing a collection policy must include recognition of needs for;

· Flexibility to cope with varying sales levels in varying economic climates e.g. during a recession.

· Priorities which will support the central objective of maximizing debtors for the shortest possible time e.g. key customers, special terms, marginal sales, cash only.

· Adequate in-house liaison particularly with production, sales, computer and dispatch departments. Essential where credit limit observance is required and marginal business is necessary.

There you have it in a nutshell - insights into Credit Management.

Nigel St. Hill is a life and money management coach helping people to unlock their doors to abundance, so that they could live the life of their dreams. He worked with Cable & Wireless (now LIME) as their Credit Manager and was the first person in the Caribbean to be qualified in Credit Management. He has been a contributing columnist, having written numerous articles in the local newspapers and magazines and the "In the Zone Magazine," and "Caribbean Success University" both based in the U.S.A. He is the author of the book, Money Management Caribbean Style and several ebooks including The Easy Cash Flow System and How to Keep Your Doors Open in a Recession.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7346154

Choose a Place to Live Well on a Modest Income

Glossy magazines often feature superb homes in America's richest neighborhoods - sprawling homes in various architectural styles, fashionably done up interiors, amazing kitchens and bathrooms, and what have you. And of course, many of these come with million dollar price tags.

But, the warm, soft truth is that most average Americans can live pretty well in a nice home in a nice neighborhood - without breaking the bank or dishing out a million bucks. Locally, cities like Weston and Coral Springs in Florida got high marks for affordability and quality life in a CNN Money survey.

And, personally, I ask myself - if I had a billion dollars would I like to live in a sprawling mansion in Miami Beach or Palm Beach... and my honest answer to myself is NO! See, a big house seems great and all--- but to me. warmth, knowing my neighbors, being able to go for an evening walk to a nearby coffee shop to meet locals - the warm social aspects of life matter a lot more.

Then there's the cost equation - a lot of expensive neighborhoods have higher property taxes, expensive grocery stores, higher gas prices, higher utility bills - and if I had this huge wealth (I'm Talking centimillions, here), I'd still want to minimize my energy footprint and care for my environment. And guess what, all that I just said actually held true for Steve Jobs who lived in a modest house in Palo Alto, California - despite his billions.

The great thing about our country, which I know for sure and many of my real-estate investor listeners know too, is that every single state of ours has several hidden gems - lovely cities with very high standards of living at very affordable prices.

So how can you give yourself a high quality life on a modest income? Well, here are a few things to consider...

First off, make sure your monthly mortgage payment does not exceed 25% to 30% of your annual income. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about making your mortgage payments or reducing expenses elsewhere. See, at all times, I want you to feel ZERO financial stress - so you can live a happy, healthy, productive life.

Next, understand your household needs. If you're single, your housing priorities will differ to some extent than if you're married with children. If you're retired, then again your priorities will be different from say a 30-year old. So understand your needs. Make a list of things that are most important to your household... things like

- The quality of neighborhood public schools

- Easy access to hospitals, doctors, pediatricians or day care

- Neighborhood safety - issues such as whether you could comfortably walk around by day or night, or whether your kids could walk to and from school without worrying about gangs or liquor stores

- The demographic profile of your ideal neighborhood - for example, if you have young children, you'd be better off picking a neighborhood that has younger children so they can easily have play dates or go trick-or-treating together

- Community values - that really come into play over time. For example, residents in Berkeley, California, have molded city laws that are very liberal and which may or may not agree with your own core philosophies.

- The availability of city services and facilities such as parks, recreation centers, teen centers, senior centers, soccer fields...

- Access to convenient shopping for day-to-day needs - food, clothes, household goods, easy parking...

- Entertainment options - which will vary based on your personality or what you all like to do as a family - malls, restaurants, museums, parks, beaches, hiking trails and so on.

- Access to public transport - freeways, trains, airports, ports...

- Your commute to and from work, your spouse's or partner's commute to and from work

Some say long commutes would be a definite deal breaker. Others say they need space to sprawl out and don't mind the commute as much. Before your buy, drive to and from your new potential address during morning and evening peak commute times to get a better idea of what you'd be facing on a daily basis.

Seek out crime statistics in the area from city and police websites. Talk to your future neighbors. Drive around at night to see what goes on. Do whatever you can to learn more about your potential home and neighborhood before you buy.

Distinguished schools and highly involved PTAs can shape your child's future. When researching schools, look at local community feedback and the school's academic performance in standardized state tests. Exposure and access to great museums, parks and libraries help cultivate young minds - so look at what's available.

Then make a list of things you are willing to forego or live with. For example, you may be willing to take on a 45-minute commute so your kids can walk to school or so your spouse or partner has a short commute and gets home early. Or, you may choose to sacrifice a big house for a smaller one in a great neighborhood that suits your lifestyle preferences.

Other things you should look at include

- The financial health of the city you want to buy in (and I say this because more and more, we're seeing cities go bankrupt which really messes up people's lives)

- Property taxes

- Zoning laws and whether there are factories, processing plants, landfills, trailer parks, etc. - the usual red flags

- The general look and feel of neighborhoods, the upkeep of streets and street lights, the quality of roads, how well parks are maintained, the use of fences and grill-doors and windows in neighborhoods - signs of the city's financial health and safety

- The quality of jobs in the area. Some cities, like Cupertino California or Redmond Washington or Washington DC thrive on large corporations, vibrant commerce or a big government presence, or perhaps an Army Base... but as we all know, jobs typically don't last forever so ideally pick a place that gives you ample employment opportunities should you need to find another job. On the flip side, many small towns thrive on a single company or a single government entity and offer very affordable housing and great neighborhoods - so if you're the type that can stay at one job, a smaller city would be a great way to go.

I also feel most people are comfortable living in neighborhoods that have similar levels of income - so you don't feel economic pressure with your neighbors doing better or worse than you by a wide margin.

The bottom line - you can spend as little as $50,000 to buy a great house in a good, solid neighborhood. Be open to looking off the beaten path. Check out web resources, trends in home prices, trends in population increases and decreases, changing demographics... and buy a house that you can afford for a happy healthy life.

Steve Pomeranz is a Managing Director for United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, "United Capital", and owner of On The Money. On The Money is not affiliated with United Capital.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7351095

Ads By Google Price for Gold Selling Gold Coins Gold Money Gold Bullion Traders Tom Genot Platinum Author | 54 Articles Joined: August 27, 2011 Was this article helpful? 0 0 Ads by Google Create Your Own World www.roblox.com Imagine - Build - Play Your Own Virtual World for Free! Buffett's Top 5 Stocks www.StreetAuthority.com These 5 stocks make up 75% of Buffett's holdings. Free report. StartApp SDK for Android www.StartApp.com/ Keep your App Free Make More Money on Each Download. Get Our SDK Now! Loans with Bad Credit CanDoFinance.com/BadCreditLoans Qualify for Your Business Loan despite Bad Credit. Apply Online! Get Paid $90 Per Survey? SurveyMoneyMachines.com Easy Money At Home - Try It Now! Take Surveys and Get Paid (Free) FreeCreditScore.com™ www.FreeCreditScore.com A Good Credit Score = 700 & Above. See Yours Now for $0. $1,000 Short Term Loans www.eLoanPersonal.com Pay Monthly – Limited Time Bad Credit OK - Apply Now! Bad Credit Loans Approved UnitedLendingServices.com Up to $20,000. 97% Approval Rate. Apply Free. Bad Credit Approved. What Is The Difference Between Currency And True Money?

Currency has been defined as a circulating medium of exchange, used as an intermediary in trade, so to avoid the use of a barter system. The benefits and usefulness of currencies include; being a unit of account, or standard measurement of value. Other key factors include; durability, divisibility, ease of transportation and being fungible, or capable of mutual substitution.

True Money however, is defined as having all the attributes above, however with one major difference. Money is also a store of true value. Paper currency is actually designed to lose value while true money is designed both to hold and store value. Gold and silver meet these special requirements and have been true money for over 5,000 years, thus they will forever be in demand.

Fiat currency is not true or real money; it only has value because of government regulation or law. The word fiat is actually derived from the Latin word meaning 'let it be done'. Thus fiat money is actually established by government decrees. In America, no fiat currency has ever survived more that 40 years, since its start in America, during the days of the Continental Congress, before the Revolutionary War. America's current fiat system is the dollar system which started in 1971. It has now in-place over 41 years thus; now it's already overdue for failure.

Debasement of currencies is accomplished by nations. Through which, additional fiat money is created then added into the existing nation's money supply. Currency debasement is just another fancy word for money expansion. The end result of this expansion, through central bank efforts to debase currencies, always ends up with inflation. The more the paper currency is debased, the greater inflation upon the society becomes. This further drives up the real costs of goods and services, while lowering the purchasing power of the nation's currency in real-time.

How can an investor protect oneself from further monetary debasement and inflation? The answer is actually thousands of year's old, own gold and silver. Both these monetary metals protect your assets from currency de-basement and because they are real stores of value. They can also protect you from the collapse of currency regardless if it comes from inflation, deflation or the destruction of the paper currency itself, through hyperinflation.

Holding these two precious metals in physical form outside the banking systems of the world, allows you ultimate freedom and complete control. These precious metals also become the best possible insurance for asset protection or hedging that money could ever buy. The biggest reason is due to the unique characteristics these precious metals hold. Always allowing for them to consistently seek their true value, regardless of any economic conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7352035

Obama Vs Romney - Round II

This is the second of my two-part series aimed at helping you make a decision on whom you'll likely vote for in the upcoming presidential election.

As I'd said last week, over the long run, the choices we make - through the Presidents we elect - significantly shape America's domestic, economic and foreign policies and impact our lives very directly - with decisions on taxes, budgets, spending on military and defense, healthcare, immigration, foreign policy, the environment, freedom of choice, appointment of Supreme Court judges, and so on... a President's policy decision have a profound economic impact on our lives, the markets and the stocks we own.

Last time, I spoke to you about each candidate's view on major economic topics such as:

- Tax cuts (Obama wants to increase them for the rich, Romney wants to lower them, and data shows that the rich already pay a disproportionately higher % of all taxes)

- Corporate taxes (Obama wants them lowered for manufacturing, Romney wants them lowered across the board because, he argues, if it's good for manufacturing, it's good for every other sector. I also told my viewers that US corporations currently are the most-heavily taxed in the world)

- Stimulus spending (Obama wants to spend more, Romney hasn't clearly spoken out on this one)

Today, I'm going to speak about some of the other hot-button topics such as healthcare, environmental policy, foreign policy, etc.

Let's start with healthcare. As many of you know, in 2010, Obama signed what's now called ObamaCare -sweeping legislation that protects patients by allowing healthcare coverage even if someone has a pre-existing condition. ObamaCare also prevents insurance companies from canceling policies when patients get sick - another dubious practice that brought out some really heart-wrenching stories of insurance giving common working Americans the runaround. And, ObamaCare mandates that all Americans buy insurance or pay a fine.

Now, interestingly, Romney created pretty similar healthcare legislation when he was the governor of Massachusetts but, perhaps because he's playing to conservative Republicans, he now says it's not appropriate for all of America... and, frankly, I find that to be a little confusing. Romney plans to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with individuals privately buying their own health insurance, much as they buy car insurance today.

On Immigration - a pretty hot topic here in Florida - Obama supports the legalization of illegal immigrants who are already here provided they learn English and pay requisite fines for having entered our country illegally. Obama also wants to toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants because he'd much rather see citizens employed then see their jobs done by illegal workers from across the border. Obama, as some of you may recall, was also in favor of setting-up a fence along the U.S. Mexico border. However, he also issued executive orders to not deport undocumented immigrants.

Romney isn't as lenient on illegal immigrants. He wants to make English the official language of the U.S. and curtail certain - what he calls - magnets such as subsidized tuition rates that attract people illegally to our country and avail of its various benefits even though our legal, tax-paying public bears the burden.

On Iraq, Obama was always opposed to our invasion of that country. He also opposed troop increases and ended military operations in Iraq as president. Romney, on the other hand, thinks that we should continue to have our troops in Iraq to minimize casualties and ensure that the country continues to remain a democracy and does not slip into the hands of terrorists and fundamentalists like the Taliban.

Iran is another country that's been in the news of late - partly because of the United Nations summit in New York that criticized Iran's nuclear program and partly because an Iranian journalist now wants to defect to the U.S. - much to the embarrassment of the Iranian government. Obama wants to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran, tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation and keep all military options on the table. Romney also wants to keep all military options on the table and has not clearly specified his other viewers on handling Iran's nuclear program. (Though in the VP debate, Ryan seemed to suggest a harsher approach to Iran). Of course, it's hard to separate fact from hyperbole.

On the environment and global warming, Obama believes global warming is real, wants to reduce carbon emissions through a mandatory cap-and-trade system, and policy-wise has pushed back decision-making on developing America's own energy infrastructure due to environmental concerns.

Now, just as Romney plays to his Republican conservatives, on this one Obama is likely playing to his liberal democratic base of voters. Environmentalists are typically democrats.

Romney opposes cap and trade legislation because he believes it's going to hurt the global competitiveness of America's businesses against our trade nations that often care little about environmental regulations. Romney also supports steps that will make the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil. Romney also plans to spend $20 billion for energy research and new car technology.

So there you have it - the candidates' positions on economic and non-economic issues, and I help this helps you pick one if you're undecided. And like I said before, your vote counts so please make sure you register and take time out to vote on Election Day. It's one of those things where if you do it once, you're more involved and become a more committed citizen.

Steve Pomeranz is a Managing Director for United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, "United Capital", and owner of On The Money. On The Money is not affiliated with United Capital.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7340041

Debt Relief Tips That Really Work

Did you know that not all people entering into debt relief programs get out of debt permanently? Sad but true.

That does not mean debt relief is not effective. In fact, the success stories will prove that these debt solutions really work. But if you are asking why some people are not successful, it is because of how they approached their debt problems.

If you want a debt relief option to work for you, make sure you choose one that is right for you. For instance, if you cannot afford to pay for the minimum of all your debts, then credit counseling is not the right option for you. You need either a debt settlement or debt management program for that. Or if you do not have a permanent source of income, going for a debt consolidation loan will only put your further in debt.

When you decide to work on your debts, you need to liken it to exercising and getting your ideal weight. The principles are the same.

Before you begin, you need to come up with a plan. For instance, if you want to go on a diet, you cannot decide not to eat immediately. If you are involved in a highly physical working environment, you need the sustenance to help you get through each working day. The same is true for the debt program you will enter into. Make sure your finances are in good enough shape to help you survive whatever the program will demand from you.

Assuming you know the right path to take and you have decided to pursue it, you need to stick to your plan. If you continue to eat a lot or use your credit cards, you will not reach your ideal weight or keep up with your debt payments. You need to keep yourself from incurring new debts.

When you have finally reached your goals (ideal weight or debt free life), you need to work even further to keep that. Just like you need to exercise and continue eating healthy food, you have to continue curbing your excessive spending habits. That is the only way you can maintain a debt free life. Here are some helpful tips to do that.

First is to keep your spending within what you can afford. There is great temptation to use your credit cards again - especially since they have a low balance. One great rule is to keep your credit cards at home and spend only using your cash. Or if you have to use your card, make sure you can pay the full amount on your bill before the grace period expires.

Another tip is to try to increase your income. If you have things lying around that you no longer need, sell them on eBay. You can also start doing freelance work online or set up a passive income. Instead of wasting time watching shows, you can utilize a couple of hours earning more so you have something extra to spend.

Lastly, live a simple life. Of course, this depends on your personality but usually, people living a simple life tend to be more successful in managing their finances. Live only with what you really need - at least until you have successfully paid off all of your debts. One of the best ways to have a lasting financial freedom is to learn how to be frugal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7336953

What Are Stock Market Linked Bonds?

These bonds are offered by insurance companies, banks, building societies and other investment firms. Stock Market linked bonds often provide the investor with a capital guarantee at the end of a fixed term and the return is linked to a stock market index (such as the FTSE or DOW). They have a variety of names such as Protected Bonds, Guaranteed Equity Bonds and Structured Products. As an investor you commit your money for say 5 years. Typically, the provider offers your capital back at the end, plus all the increase in say, the FTSE 100 index over the 5 years. These returns, however, usually have a maximum - typically around 65%. So if the index doubles, you will not benefit beyond the 65 per cent level. However, arguably in today's market, a return of over 10% per annum with capital protection is an attractive offer. The downside to this type of investment is that you can usually only invest for growth and not income. So you have to wait until the end of the term to receive your capital and interest. The provider does not actually buy shares but instead uses the money to buy a mixture of interest bearing securities and derivatives which rise in value if the FTSE 100 rises.

With the offer that you will get back at least your original lump sum these instruments provide a relatively safe way of benefiting should the stock market index rise significantly. However, bear in mind that your return is only linked to the stock market index. This is not the same as receiving the returns by holding say, the top 100 shares. First you are missing out on an important element of return, the dividend income. Second, you usually only receive a proportion of the capital gain over the 5 years, not the full gain. Furthermore, there are stock market linked bonds that don't provide complete protection on downside. Some providers offer the investor your full capital back after a stated term IF for the example the FTSE 100 does not fall to below 50% of its initial value at the start of the plan. If the market does fall below 50% then this is where the danger lies, and if it fails to recover to the initial value at the start of the term then the capital is at risk.

The other risk to these types of investment is counterparty risk. Basically the capital guarantee or rather capital protection (investment companies don't like using the word "guarantee") is only as reliable as the company that is providing the capital protection. If the company were to go into liquidation then the capital protection is at risk. In some cases, companies have been bought have got into trouble and been bought by another company and the capital protection has remained, in others it hasn't. Of course, if you like the idea of stock market linked bonds then this should only form part of your portfolio and it's important to spread your capital across a wide diversification of asset classes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7312874

Obtaining a Bad Credit Loan

With the way the economy is right now, there are a lot of people who are dealing with the frustration of having bad credit. The problem with having poor credit is that you could end up being denied a lot of different things, including a loan. You may need to apply for a loan if you are currently dealing with an emergency situation and are in need of finances that you simply do not have at the moment. It is for this reason that loans tend to come in handy. However, you may also be apprehensive that you will be unable to find any type of loan available for you if you have bad credit.

Is It Possible to Get a Loan with Bad Credit?

Contrary to the popular belief, it is certainly possible to get a loan even if you have bad credit. There are several different lenders who know and understand that people go through adverse situations which may cause them to have bad credit. A bad credit loan can still be offered, allowing you to get the loan you need without having to go through the process of a credit check. Online loans for poor credit can definitely help you with your situation because you can receive the funds you need for the situation you are in regardless of whether or not you have a poor credit score.

How Do I Apply for a Bad Credit Loan?

Applying for a loan with bad credit is quite simple. First you will need to find a lender, which surely is not really a problem nowadays. In fact, there are so many different lenders available on the Internet; you will have choices when it comes to the lenders you go with. After you have chosen a lender, you can begin to fill out the application.

The application for a loan too is quite simple to fill out. All you really need to do is fill out basic information on yourself. Some of the information you will need to fill out includes your name, address, social security number, and other information that provides the lenders with an idea of who you are and how much money you make so that they know whether or not you'll be able to pay the loan back in a certain amount of time. The application will only take you a few minutes to fill out. After you have completed the application, you can submit it to the lenders. They will carefully review it and decide whether or not to approve you for the loan. Some lenders will provide an answer of approval for you in a matter of just a few seconds, which is definitely a good thing because then you do not have to wait long to find out if you will get the help you need.

What Happens Upon Approval of a Loan?

If you have been approved for the loan that you applied for, you can rest assured receive the loan in a short time. In fact, most lenders will deposit the money directly into your account on the following business day after you applied for the loan so that you do not have to wait long at all to get the money you need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7316291

Business Cash Advance Could Save Your Business

Business cash is a loan program to finance the small and the mid sized business. We are living in the world, where economy is constantly thriving. The survival for the small business is getting difficult in this economy. Some small businesses do not even get successful. They go into loss at the very initial level due to no or meager financial support.

Any company that accepts credit/debit card can easily qualify for Business Cash. The company must have a good credit card score. It should be in business with at least 650 of credit score. the merchants who are still current with their rent can qualify for this loan.

To save these small and mid sized companies, many merchant companies have introduced business cash which is a loan for small businesses.

They are unlike business loans from banks where you have to pay the money within limited time. Business Cash also known as Merchant Cash provider only takes a percentage of your credit card sales, which ranges from 12 to 20 percent. This process is continued until the loan is repaid. Unlike banks where you have to repay full and fixed instalments.

Qualification for a Merchant Cash

Any company that accepts credit/debit card can easily qualify for Business Cash. The company must have a good credit card score. It should be in business with at least 650 of credit score. the merchants who are still current with their rent can qualify for this loan.

Benefits of Merchant Cash

1. It is easy to apply and has high approval rate.

2. No collaterals are required.

3. you can get cash easily in 2 to 3 days

4. No closing or upfront fee is required.

5. No monthly instalments are to be paid.

Business Cash Vs. Bank Loans

They are unlike business loans from banks where you have to pay the money within limited time. Business Cash also known as Merchant Cash provider only takes a percentage of your credit card sales, which ranges from 12 to 20 percent. This process is continued until the loan is repaid. Unlike banks where you have to repay full and fixed instalments.

How much money can be taken?

A small business can get up to $50,000 to $250,000 of cash. If a company has an average credit card deposit of $200,000, then you can easily qualify for $200,000 of loan.

Therefore, Business Cash is the best way of financing your business. It can help you to save your business and can help expanding it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7316982