When money is tight, there’s one thing you can rely on – a personal loan. Banks are usually happy to accept an application as long as the applicant is deemed trustworthy. Then, you can use the cash to rebuild your finances and steadily get out of debt one step at a time.
But, what if a lender won’t process your file? What are your options?
You can try other creditors, such as a family member, yet they might not be able to help. The best option is to make sure you don’t get rejected, and here are the tricks of the trade which will help.
Check Your Rating
Lenders use credit ratings to figure out whether a loanee is eligible for a loan. If yours is bad, there’s a good chance it will get rejected very quickly. By checking it beforehand, you can decide if it needs some work. Should it require rebuilding, there are things you can do to ensure it goes up in the future. For example, paying debts on time, even if it’s the minimum amount is a basic yet effective hack. Money Facts UK has nine more steps you can follow if you need extra advice.
Provide Basic Info
And as much of it as possible. As well as a credit score, lenders use things such as names and addresses to perform a background check. Therefore, a lack of information won’t go in your favour. Also, double check the application before sending it off for appraisal. Banks, in particular, reject stuff out of hand if they don’t have the correct details at the time of filing. This means anything from a new address to a new job. It also includes spelling mistakes, so make sure they are zero. If you can verify them with references, that’s a bonus.
Try Non-Traditional Lenders
Banks have a strict policy which they follow to the letter. As a result, securing a loan can be tough if you have a few things which don’t look good on paper. Fast Loans UK is different as it says yes where others say no. Don’t worry because it isn’t a scheme. They have quality control managers to help accept applicants others might find risky. A credit union is another option. Created to help people in debt, it won’t turn its back if your credit is poor and you struggle to get through the month. Of course, always avoid loan sharks as they are dangerous and unscrupulous.
Offer Security
The definition of an unsecured loan on Money Supermarket is: “Unsecured personal loans are available to would-be borrowers… you do not have to be a homeowner to apply.” Therefore, there is no need to provide an asset as collateral. To a bank, this is a risk and they might reject your application. By filing for a secured loan agreement, such as a mortgage, it gives them more security and means they are likely to accept your offer.
Valuables to consider securing against a loan include a house, a car, or jewellery.
One of the biggest problems people seem to face when saving
money is to be able to socialize at the same time. It is often misconstrued
that these two things cannot be compatible, which is totally false. It requires
is a little bit of budget analysis and bargain hunting in places, but most of
all it just requires more research.
Work out the Budget
Firstly, look at the amount you need to save and work out a
time frame so that you can budget effectively for that period. Make sure that you don’t try and save too much
so that you are able to spend money on other essentials and leisure. This requires
a fair amount of time to make sure all of the numbers are worked out, with a
contingency plan for any unexpected occurrences.
There may be a way to rearrange your funds to accommodate your
leisure time. For example, if you only eat home cooked meals 4 times a week,
you could change that to 5 or 6 times. You may spend more on groceries, but a
lot less in the long run.
Bargain Hunting
This is pretty self-explanatory, people every day are
constantly looking for ways to get bargains, whether it be through coupons or
discount codes. One of the best examples of this is Groupon, which is a
website/app that finds discount deals for group events. The brilliant thing
about this is that the deal literally requires you to have a social group to
attend with you.
Choose the Right
Event
When money saving, choosing the correct event to attend is an important part of both of the previous points. This goes hand in hand with budgeting as you shouldn’t go to an event that you know will cost extortionate amounts of money for minimal experiences. There are so many options for reasonably priced, great experiences, comedy clubs London being one example among many. It is all about how much effort you put in.
It is always important to prioritize certain things, but it
is also important for the mind to enjoy yourself from time to time. Even if you
still can’t afford these things, don’t let it stop you from socializing. You
can still go to cafes or invite friends to your home, which can definitely
brighten your day. For something extra to brighten your day, check out this
brilliant infographic containing some entertaining jokes.
Video marketing is considered by the majority of online
marketers, to be the most effective method in terms of Return On Investment
(ROI). Studies have also shown that a video on a landing page can result in
increased conversions by 80% or more. So, it is clear that video has a big
place within marketing, but is this reason to hire a professional? After all, we
all know how to use a video camera – right?
How can they help
me?
Well, while you may be able to create a video or two, you
cannot guarantee it will work with your audience, which is why enlisting the
help of an expert can be incredibly beneficial. A videographer does not have to
be a marketing wiz themselves as they will have worked with marketers before
and understand things that traditionally work and things that don’t.
One thing that the videographer definitely does know, is
camera techniques and settings, an important skill when filming any video. This
will help when you are describing how you want to portray your marketing
campaign, it could be professional, fun or informative etc. Ultimately, hiring
a videographer is investing in quality, just like you would do with any other
industry expert.
But what if I
don’t need to use video?
Despite the fact that video marketing is so popular, it is
vital to remember that it is not the only method of marketing, and some people
do not feel the need to carry out any video marketing campaigns. This is
totally normal and a fair argument in a lot of cases, but just because you
don’t need it, doesn’t mean it won’t
be beneficial to you.
It can be a common case where things that aren’t deemed
necessary, aren’t pursued and as a result of this, people can miss out on great
opportunities. So even if you don’t think your marketing campaigns need to
include video marketing, at least plan how you could possibly incorporate it
into future campaigns as the statistics of its popularity don’t lie.
In Summary
Videographers are not essential for marketing success, but as the digital age progresses it is clear to see that they will be in higher demand. Video marketing will progress and will likely dominate other forms of marketing for a while. What better way to keep up with the competition than hiring a highly skilled expert to assist you. Be sure to check out the following infographic provided by J Knowles, detailing the power of video in modern society.
Health insurance
can be important – so it’s also important that you make the right decision in
choosing the best plan for you. It’s not one you should take lightly, as it
could have an impact on your care and major implications to your finances could
you need it. In some areas, not having health insurance is a huge risk,
especially if you aren’t covered for everything. Depending on your situation,
health insurance might be a necessity – so choosing the right policy is
something you need to take seriously.
In this article,
we’re going to look at a few issues associated with finding the right health
insurance policy – so that you know exactly what to look for and what some of
the implications might be. So let’s have a look at the tips…
Do a lot of research
Before you
commit to any long-term financial outlay, you need to make sure you’ve done the
research. Some people simply sign up to the first policy they see, but this is
a big mistake – and it’s not one you should be making. There are a few
different ways to make sure you’ve done all the right research, but what are
they?
Check online reviews
As with so many
other things these days, there are plenty of online reviews that should be able
to help you. Do a search and find people rating lots of different policies and
insurance firms.
Be careful not
to simply just go off of the rating, and check the individual reviews
themselves and the reasons people rate something high or low. In some cases,
the reasons for a terrible or great review might be completely irrelevant to
you, so you can discount them. Also, look out for reviews that actually have
too many anonymous top ratings as these can sometimes (but not always) be
scammy.
Ask people you know
While online
reviews are useful, nothing beats the personal recommendation from someone you
know – so ask around. You could get some insider info or other relevant
recommendations, especially for insurers in your specific area or with your
specific needs at mind. Try asking someone who’s had to use their health
insurance recently to see if there are any issues or if they’d either recommend
or discourage you from using the same insurer as them. Some of the people you
know might recommend specific insurers, like Manulife personal health insurance.
Ask for specific quotes
While most
insurers will have headline rates, these aren’t always what you end up getting.
Before you sign up to anyone, make sure you’ve checked all their rates for your
specific cover. Also – if you don’t ask, you don’t get – so, check to see if
there are any discounts or special rates available. You might be able to get an
introductory offer or reduced rate for the first few months of the policy. But
remember, the cost isn’t everything when looking at health insurance. You want
to make sure you’re fully covered and that the level of care is top notch.
Don’t just go for the cheapest unless that’s all you can afford.
Shop around
Again, don’t
just sign up to the first good offer – shop around. This could even help you
get a better offer from certain insurers who don’t want to lose you to a
competitor.
Stick to reputable companies
While there are
lots of new insurance firms you might not have heard of – sometimes these leave
the market as fast as they arrive. Be careful with them, you might want to put
your money with someone reputable who you’ve been aware of for years. This needs
to be weighed up with the cost of the policy and the level of care.
Check specialist insurers
If you’ve got
specialist medical needs, you might want to check insurers that have specific
expertise looking after them. Some of the bigger insurance companies have
different policies for different types of people, but you could find a
specialist small insurer that only looks after people with your condition.
Check all the small print
This is hugely
important when getting a health insurance policy, but you’d be surprised how
many people ignore it. You need to check all additional fees, expectations, and
any other information that could have an impact on the cost of your care.
Make sure you’re covered for everything
Not all
insurance plans cover every condition, so make sure you’ve got the full
coverage you need before signing up.
Does it cover family members?
Some plans will
just be for you, while others can cover the whole family. While these plans
will be more expensive, they might offer the full package and extra peace of
mind at a price you’re willing to pay.
What level of care is provided?
If you need to
use your insurance, where will you be permitted to be treated? This is an
important question. Some policies will let you choose, whereas others have specific
requirements, so this is something you might need to check.
Can your employer help
Some employers
are willing to help pay some (or even all) of their worker’s health insurance
costs as a benefit to the job. Even if you don’t think you’re entitled to it –
ask. They might be able to get you a reduced rate or a specialist policy.
However, if the policy that your employer is offering for free isn’t one that
you think is going to offer you the best coverage, you still might want to
avoid it. See if you can come to some sort of arrangement to share the costs of
a better insurance plan.
Check if there’s an excess
Some insurance
policies include excess fees which means you pay for lower-cost procedures and
outgoings and they cover the expensive ones. Make sure this excess is something
you’re happy with and can afford.
Hopefully,
you’ve now got enough info to make sure you know what you’re getting into when
looking for a new health insurance policy.
In the life of an adult, there are a few times that are commonly stressful. One is getting married, another is having a child, and buying a home is another.
While it might be exhilarating to search for homes and wander through open houses, the actual process of buying a house is enough to force someone to live in an apartment forever. From the waiting to the paperwork, there is nothing else quite like buying a home. Fortunately, there are a few home loan tips from the pros that can help you survive the stress, struggle, and moments of impatience.
1. Understand What You Can Afford
Having the biggest house on the block might be
your dream, but being “house poor” is no fun. When you shop for your home, find
something you can afford so you can enjoy living in your home. Learn what you
can afford before you even begin to look so you do not fall in love with a
house that you cannot afford.
2. Get Pre-Approved
Once you know what you can afford, it is wise to talk to a mortgage expert and get pre-approved for a home loan. This will give you credibility with sellers, especially if you want to see homes by appointment. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is not the same process as getting a mortgage, it simply means that you have the income and credit rating that qualifies you for a mortgage of a pre-approved amount.
This home loan tip means that if you get into a bidding war with another buyer, having a pre-approval letter could give you an advantage.
3. Research Neighborhoods
If you find a home that seems like the price
is just too good to be true, there is usually a reason – the neighborhood. It
is amazing to consider that a similar home could range in value dramatically
because of the neighborhood.
Prior to choosing a home, responsible home buyers
will research neighborhoods, especially the schools, the public transportation
options, the noise, and the nearby shops and other amenities. Check out how
neighbors interact with each other. Look at how neighbors take care of their
yards and where they park their cars. Some neighborhoods have associated fees,
which can substantially add to monthly payments.
4. Prepare For The Added Costs
When you buy a home, there are more expenses
than the down payment and the monthly payment. There are good-faith deposits,
closing costs, inspection fees, homeowners insurance, and moving expenses. Make
sure that you can afford all of them.
5. Decide What You Need Now
Many first-time home buyers will buy a house
for the future. They will look for homes with several bedrooms, large yards,
and plenty of places for children to play – even if they do not have any
children.
Then, they have to take care of all of that
space and make those massive mortgage payments. This leaves little time to
consider having children because home expenses are so high.
There are also home buyers who will buy a very
small home because there are just two people in the family at the time. But, then
children come along and there simply isn’t time to find a bigger home and move
because it is time-consuming and expensive to raise children.
Somehow, you will decide what suits your needs
and your budget now and will keep you comfortable if your situation changes.
6. Get Involved In The Inspection
Process
This can be overwhelming for the buyer and
seller. The inspection is usually limited, so
it can be helpful to ask for additional inspections. You will have to decide if
the home is going to be safe to live in and if you can live in it without
worrying about constantly having to repair it.
It is worth the extra money to pay for
inspections for mold, insects, and radon. It is also worth it to pay for the
inspector to evaluate the roof and crawl spaces. You should do everything in
your power to attend all of the inspections. If you have a concern, ask the
inspector to look at it the concern a second or third time.
7. Work With Professionals
It might be enticing to buy a home for a low
cost or for free through your brother’s uncle’s best friend who sold houses in
1979 but still has his real estate license, but it certainly will not help you
in the long run.
It might seem like a waste of money to pay a realtor, but good ones can actually
make the process less stressful. Do not skimp here, or you will pay for it in
other ways.
8. Save For A Down Payment And For A
Problem
When you are saving for your down payment, you
should also save for the first problem. Most expensive problems happen when you
least expect it. The furnace might quit in the middle of a snowstorm. Your
water heater will die when you are taking a shower on the coldest morning of
the year. Your garage door opener breaks when you are late for work.
When you own a home, you have to pay to fix
the problems that arise. And, they will arise. You just don’t know when. So,
having money set aside to fix those problems makes them get fixed faster.
9. Learn How Mortgages Work
Mortgages are complicated. They are more than
down payments and monthly payments. There are special home loans for first-time
buyers. There are home loan programs for veterans and for people in special
industries, like medicine. You can find out more from mortgage
websites about the specific products that meet your needs.
Mortgages also come with options. There are
ways to reduce down payments, but other costs increase. You can choose to get a
30-year mortgage or a 15-year mortgage. You can choose to have an adjustable
interest rate or one that remains steady throughout the term of the loan. The
options are plentiful and can be customized to meet your financial needs.
10. Learn Patience
The last of our home loan tips is to remember that the process of buying a home requires patience. When people hurry through it, problems usually happen. Others have been through the process and here is a handy stress free guide to moving. Finally, learn to work methodically and patiently through the process, so you are sure that everything will work out properly and in your best interest.
