Loanio Roundup – Wall Street Crisis and the Resilient Dollar

February 8th, 2010
Wall Street Crisis and National Bailout

The Resilient Dollar

Welcome to the second edition of the Loanio Roundup. This edition focuses heavily on the national economy and peer-to-peer lending news. We hope you enjoy pursuing through the links below. Leave a comment and tell us what you think – we’d love to hear your views on the Wall Street Crisis and National Bailout.

The National Economy:

Career and Home:

Peer-to-Peer Lending and Loanio in the News:

Photo Credit: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-12 09:26:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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How Much Money Do You Really Spend?

February 6th, 2010

Overspending is an enormous problem for Americans right now and the sad truth is, many of us do not even know we are doing it. If you are finding it hard to make ends meet at the end of the month, or you are desperately waiting for that next paycheck to arrive, you may need to take a hard look at your financial situation, your budget and how much you spend every month.

Track how much money you spend on small things.

Track how much money you spend on small things.

We typically consider our rent or mortgage payments, car loans and utilities as the only items that need to be budgeted, but there are many small items that can crop up and eat away at your bank balance. These are typically unnecessary expenses, and over time, enough of them can quickly add up. Let’s take a look at how to determine how much you spend and how you can get your expenditures in line with what you make.

It’s a great idea to keep a little log book and write down everything you buy for the period of one month. Everything, no matter how small, should be noted down in your log. At the end of the month, total everything up and see just how much money you have going out the door. This is probably the easiest way to figure out what needs to be cut, since you’ll have everything right in front of you. Here are some of the most common culprits.

1. Eating Out.

Americans spend thousands, if not tens of thousands, eating out and these expenses can quickly add up. You can save quite a lot of money simply by cutting out one meal out a week, and even more if you really get serious about cutting back. Once you’ve logged how much you spend on food, you may be surprised at how much of your paycheck is missing.

2. Recurring Subscriptions.

This is a problem for many online. You sign up for something, forget to ask for a refund before the trial is over, and before you know it, you’ve got several “memberships” or recurring fees that you don’t even know about, all being taken right out of your account every month. These will add up fast, and can do a lot of damage if they are not caught in time.

3. Superfluous Items.

Even though these items are typically small, they take up a big chunk of your budget. All too often we don’t think about the little, “it’s only a dollar,” items that we see at the store. While each one may be inexpensive, when you add them all up, it can be shocking to see just how much you are spending. The log book of your monthly expenses really comes in handy to see which of these items can be cut from your budget.

By taking the time to see how much money you actually do spend, you can stop overspending before it gets out of control and starts to eat away at your paycheck.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-10 05:16:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Do You Need a Money Manager?

February 5th, 2010
Money Management

Money managers for many are necessary.

If your idea of organizing your finances is throwing a receipt in a big pile, you may want to consider the benefits of hiring a money manager. There is a new trend in the financial world where daily money managers are becoming very popular, and for many consumers, they are very necessary. Let’s take a look at what a daily money manager does and how they may be able to benefit your personal finances.

1. Organize paperwork and receipts.

When it comes to getting your paperwork in order, or keeping a record of all of your receipts, most of us end up failing miserably. Trying to track down little slips of paper is maddening at best, and for those of us with little time on our hands, the task of getting our paperwork organized is simply too much. We put it off and before long you end up with a slew of jumbled papers and you can’t find the one receipt you really need. A daily money manager will catalog all of your paperwork, filing it away and help you keep track of expenditures by organizing your receipts.

2. Paying bills on time.

If your schedule is hectic, or you simply aren’t good about dates, paying your bills on time can be a struggle. A daily money manager can be used to help you make sure that all of your deadlines are met, and that nothing is left unpaid by the end of the month. Once again, for those with a busy lifestyle or an inability to keep everything running smoothly, a daily money manager can be a true financial lifesaver.

3. Mediation.

A daily money manager does not replace an accountant or a lawyer, but they can assist in mediating between their clients and these professionals. For example, if you have filed a claim with an insurance agency, a money manager can assist you in handling the communication with the agency and getting all of your necessary documents together. The vast majority of daily money managers are trained and have backgrounds that include legal, financial, and insurance expertise.

4. Day to Day Basics.

For many of us, the devil is in the daily basics of keeping our finances ordered. Instead of letting things get out of hand for months at a time, a daily money manager can offer assistance in keeping checkbooks balanced, paperwork accounted for and everything you need to have handled in your personal finance life done.

As we get busier as a society, it is clear that there is a definite need for daily money managers. If you do decide to hire a daily money manager to help manage your finances, there are a few things to consider ahead of time. First, you will need to make sure that they are accredited and licensed. This professional will have access to your documents and it is vital to ensure that you can trust them. Look for a major national firm or someone in your local community that you can rely on.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-09 05:14:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Are Your Gadgets Sucking Your Wallet Dry?

February 4th, 2010
Your appliances use a lot of energy. Turn them off!

Your appliances are adding to your energy bill.

We live in a digital age and the vast majority of us rely heavily on numerous technological devices to get us through our days. What we may not realize however is just how much these gadgets cost to run. Companies throughout the United States are finding out that they are wasting millions if not billions of dollars overnight in their companies and consumers face the same problem, even if the cost isn’t quite that high.

The energy drain caused by our gadgets is quite significant and can greatly affect a monthly power bill. Here are some tips to help you reduce your power bills, and keep your gadgets from sucking the life out of your wallet.

1. Turn off your computer at night.

Even though it is convenient to let the computer go into sleep mode, it is still using power, even if it doesn’t look like it. Simply turning off your computer can result in big energy savings, since it is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to energy drain.

2. Turn off your monitor.

In addition to shutting down your computer, it is also very important to turn off your monitor. Once again, we’re dealing with a sleeping issue, but in reality, that monitor is pulling quite a bit of juice throughout the night. Many consider monitors, especially CRT’s to be one of the biggest energy drainers in existence and they can greatly impact how much you spend on your power bill every month.

3. Unplug unnecessary items.

Just because a gadget is off doesn’t mean that it is not using power. It is best to unplug any unnecessary items throughout the night, especially if you have several throughout the house. Take a quick inventory of your home and see just how many different things you have plugged in. The amount may surprise you. Try unplugging a few at first and see just how much money you can save. Chances are you’ll be inspired to unplug the rest.

4. Consider rechargeable batteries.

They may not be on your power bill each month, but many of our devices rely on batteries and it doesn’t take long for the costs to mount up. You may want to consider purchasing a battery recharger to help you lower your reliance on new batteries. The initial cost can easily be paid off in a short time with the money you save on your batteries. For Wii owners, the rechargeable remote stations are a big money saver!

5. Less is more.

If you have a copier, fax machine and printer all plugged in, you’re increasing the amount of energy you’re using without doing a thing. Consider getting an all in one machine that will be more efficient. In addition to saving money on your power bill, you’ll also be able to save some space.

We need our gadgets, and as a result, there is a price to pay. How high that price is will depend on how well you implement energy saving techniques throughout your home.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-08 05:10:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Mortgage Interest Rates Start To Change

February 3rd, 2010
Mortgage rates are changing - what should you do?

Mortgage rates are changing - what should you do?

There was big news within the mortgage industry recently as interest rates finally went back below 6%. The reaction was mixed, but the rate did prompt many people to rush to refinance their homes. For those that are stuck with variable rate mortgages, the current situation in the housing market has been volatile to say the least and many consumer advocates have been pushing the need to refinance if at all possible.

This has not been easy for many, especially since interest rates were quite high until this week. Every small drop helps however and the current resurgence for refinances could help bolster the struggling housing market. While much damage has been done, there is still light at the end of the tunnel, despite the decision to take over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, two of the US’s biggest lenders.

While there is hope for some borrowers, those in a subprime position may not find it easy to refinance their homes, in spite of the drop in rates. Banks are shying away from this sub-set of borrowers and the specter of foreclosure still looms for many. For those that are unable to refinance, there are steps that can be taken to avoid foreclosure, but they must be taken quickly.

The first step is to determine how to free up enough cash to handle increased mortgage payments. For those that did not plan ahead for a switch to a variable rate, the shock of a much higher payment was a rude awakening. Although thousands knew that their fixed rates were only short term, there was a general lack of awareness of how this would affect them personally.

If you have been switched to a variable rate mortgage and are struggling to make your payments, foreclosure does not need to be the first option. In many cases, the difference in payments can be as small as $50, or as high as several hundred dollars. For those that are living above their means, simply curtailing some additional expenses can free up the funds necessary to make those higher payments.

Other options include getting a second job on a temporary basis until the rates do drop to a point where payments become livable again. For those that do not have the time for this option, selling a car, or other household items may be the best solution.

Today’s news was heartening to many and does show that rates may be on the way back down, at least temporarily. If you can get a refinance plan on a home loan, taking action now may be beneficial. If you cannot seek this type of assistance however there still are plenty of other options available that can help you keep your home, until the economic outlook brightens again. Housing changes and rate fluctuations are normal, and riding out the storm is typically the best solution.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-07 05:12:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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3 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow

February 2nd, 2010

If you’re finding it difficult to get by, one of the easiest ways to combat this issue is by increasing your monthly cash flow. While you may not be able to make a huge difference right away, slowly building up the amount of money that you have coming in, building secondary income streams can have a dramatic effect on your finances over time. There are many different ways that you can increase your cash flow, and although each person’s situation is different there are some universal concepts you can apply to help you increase how much money you have coming in every month.

Start your own personal business.

Start your own personal business.

1. The first place to start is with your job.

If you’re up for a raise, don’t be shy about asking for it. If you can work a few extra hours and make some overtime, go for it. This is probably the easiest way to get a little extra cash flowing in every month. While it may not make you a millionaire over night, getting some extra take home pay can free up your finances a bit and make it easier to get to your next paycheck.

Before you jump in however, you’ll have to remember the basic problem of overspending so you can avoid this issue. Getting paid more is not a license to run out and start spending more money. This is however the perfect opportunity to get more cash coming in that can be used for savings or to keep current on your bills.

2. Consider opening your own business.

If you have a skill that you can exploit for more income, this is the perfect answer to help increase your cash flow. Whether you are good at fixing cars, watching children or even cooking, there is a huge market for this kind of work. Pay attention to the needs of your local community and then see how you can help fill them with your expertise. Obtain a loan through Loanio to jumpstart your business.

You can also get a second job, at least temporarily, especially if money is particularly tight. This is a fast way to increase your cash flow, even if it does require more work on your part.

3. Set up some safe investments.

Creating multiple streams of income is always a good idea, and if you have some safe investments you can make that won’t put your finances in jeopardy, this is a very easy way to increase your cash flow and help you build up extra income that you can rely on for many years to come. Investments or annuities can be very useful when you’re caught short, and the money they bring in can easily be put to good use.

You don’t have to struggle to make ends meet if you don’t want to. Simply taking the time to build up your cash flow can produce terrific results and give you the peace of mind of knowing that you do have alternatives out there to reduce your reliance on your normal paycheck.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-06 16:16:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Loanio Roundup #1- National Economy

February 1st, 2010

Roundup #1

Good morning everyone! Welcome to Loanio’s first ever roundup post. We’d like to thank the blog community for their support. You are the best press releases out there. Then lastly before we start with the links we would like to take a moment to wish everyone a splendid weekend. Take care.

The National Economy:

Stocks:

Peer-to-Peer Lending and Loanio in the News:

Photo Credit: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-05 05:57:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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4 Ways To Get Out of Debt

January 30th, 2010
Earn some extra money - hold a yard sale.

Earn some extra money - hold a yard sale.

For thousands of people, the specter of debt is an all too real problem that affects not only their financial life, but the rest of their lives as well. However, there are steps that can be taken to get yourself out of debt, reasonably quickly, despite how much you owe. While the length of time needed to pay off those debts may vary, taking action as quickly as possible can help prevent debt from mounting up further. Let’s take a look at four easy ways that you can get out of debt, starting today.

1. Negotiate with Creditors and Consolidate.

Many creditors are willing to negotiate with you, especially if you have had a good payment history with them. The worst thing they can tell you is no, so it definitely pays to take the time to see if you can’t work out a better arrangement. Credit card companies, for example, will often reduce the interest, or they may be willing to take a partial lump sum on the balance.

If you are unsuccessful in negotiating your debts down yourself, you may want to consider consolidation by working with a reputable debt consolidation or debt relief organization. There are some questionable ones out there, so do your homework and be careful.

Finally, and arguably the best approach, is to get a lower interest rate loan (see #4) that will allow you to zero out your other debt and leave you with one simple monthly payment.

Consolidating your monthly payments and lowering the overall amount of interest you owe can have a dramatic effect on your finances.

2. Get a second job.

If you truly want to get out of debt quickly, one of the best ways is simply to get a second job until the debt has been paid off. You can funnel everything you make from your second job into paying off your debts and get them taken care of in short order. A second job doesn’t have to mean slaving away at McDonalds however.

You may be able to find ways of earning extra income from other avenues, such as leveraging your abilities to find work in your community, or by starting your own business to help you make enough money to pay off your debts in less time.

3. Reduce your junk.

Holding a yard sale may be a slower way of paying down your debt, but there are many ways that you can turn your household items into cash that can in turn be used to pay off your debts. You can sell items on Ebay, put ads in the paper and find people that are interested in buying your possessions. Depending on what you own, you may be able to quickly sell off everything to take care of your debts.

You may also want to consider cutting back on extraneous expenses, getting a cheaper car, and finding other ways to save money. With what you have left over, you can start using it to pay off your debts until you are completely caught up. Don’t let your debt control your life. You can find ways to get it paid off – and quickly.

4. Debt Consolidation via Loanio

Loanio is now open for for business! You could post a loan request there asking for a lower rate and then pay off your higher interest debts.

Loanio is an auction based, peer lending platform where individuals can borrow or lend money to each other. By cutting out “traditional lenders,” and adding an auction based element, borrowers can get lower rates and lenders can get higher returns than other banking options. Give it a try!Borrow money with Loanio.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-03 16:40:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Welcome to the Loanio Blog!

January 29th, 2010

Now that we are deep into the first 24 hours of going live, I would like to take a moment to officially kick off the Loanio Blog. For more about our official launch, please click here to view our first press release.

The week leading up to this launch has been a wonderful time for me and my family. My son just turned one, I won $1,000 in the New York State lottery, the Jewish New Year began, and now Loanio has finally launched! However, the week also continued with lots of uncertainty about the future health of U.S. financial markets and economy. I for one am quite confident that things will eventually get back on track, but I believe we have a long road ahead of us. With that said, I suppose you could argue that it is either the best of times to introduce a new “alternative” lending and borrowing platform–like Loanio–or the worst of times. We are passionate about the former and we hope you are too.

At this time, I wish to thank everyone who has been supporting this project from day one. The development of this website has been a very long, complex, and winding journey–it simply would not have been possible without them.

I am extremely excited and bullish on the future that is ahead for Loanio and the rest of the peer to peer lending community. I invite you to join us toward the goal of bringing these great alternative borrowing and lending vehicles to everyone.

Michael Solomon
CEO and Founder

Originally posted 2008-10-02 07:55:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Is Some Debt Good For Your Credit?

January 17th, 2010
Does debt improve credit?

Does debt improve credit?

There is no doubt about this, first of all: Getting into debt is more than capable of getting you into trouble. Although there is definitely a large downside to debt, borrowing money can also do you some good. Some debt is actually good for your credit, but only if you understand why, and how much debt is good in comparison to when your debt has become too much.

With the help of credit, you can achieve some of your financial goals. Debt allows you to take advantage of experiences and opportunities that enhance your life, like buying a car or purchasing your dream home, going to the best school or taking a cruise around the world. Getting the true value out of your credit has to do with developing a spending plan that allows you to get there in the time frame that you have set, without ruining you financially.

With the help of credit, you can send a message to potential lenders. If you have never had any debt, then you have never used credit before and will not have a credit score or a credit report to speak of. In today’s world, however, it is difficult if not completely impossible to live without credit, because credit is vital for purchasing most big ticket items, like higher education, vehicles and homes. Credit is also heavily relied upon for the purpose of preparing for life’s emergencies. For all of these reasons, having a good credit reputation is going to show potential lenders that you are a good and healthy credit risk by showing that you can handle a little bit of debt. By showing your capability to repay debt, you can put yourself in a good position to attract creditors offering favorable terms and rates.

Credit and debt are also capable of giving people a sense of how responsible you are. If you had no debt or credit history, you would find yourself being disadvantaged in other ways. Should a prospective employer check your credit record and come up empty for example, they may find this strange, and not want to hire you. Without a credit record, employers, lenders and other individuals lose out on a potential way to appraise who you are. Debt and credit are important for getting an apartment, applying for car insurance, buying a home, even sometimes renting a car. Even if you can afford to do some of these things, using debt and credit to create a history of how you handle money is an advantageous option in favor of just using cash for everything. Credit is not only a tool for extra income, but it is also a way to show lenders, employers and other individuals how responsible you are when it comes to borrowing, spending and repaying your money.

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Originally posted 2009-01-19 05:45:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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