Aug 06

Getting a good investment advisor should not be a matter of luck. You can do your home work by pre-screening potential investment advisors. You have to treat the potential advisors as a job seeker. This is the person you are hiring / employing to advise you on how to invest so just like any other employer go for the best.

How to screen investment advisors.

You can make a point of meeting the investment advisors face to face for a question and aswer question. In the first meeting you shuld be the one asking the questions not the other way round. The advisor should ask you questions after you have hired him.

Here are a few questions to get your started as provided by Securities and exchange commission

* What experience do you have, especially with people in my circumstances?

* Where did you go to school? What is your recent employment history?

* What licenses do you hold? Are you registered with the SEC, a state, or FINRA?

* Are the firm, the clearing firm, and any other related companies that will do business with me members of SIPC?

* What products and services do you offer?

* Can you only recommend a limited number of products or services to me? If so, why?

* How are you paid for your services? What is your usual hourly rate, flat fee, or commission?

* Have you ever been disciplined by any government regulator for unethical or improper conduct or been sued by a client who was not happy with the work you did?

The answers to this question will help you make a judgement on the invesment advisor competence and integrity.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jul 30

Choosing a checking account is part of good personal finance management. It is important to check what every bank in your area is promising. Checking accounts should be evaluated in the following criteria.

Checking Account Fees.

Know every fee that you are going to incur during normal usage of the account. Stay away from banks that charge maintenance fees, they are an absolute no-no, as they’ll eat all interest you might earn.

Free Online Banking

In this day and age their is no point in visiting your bank to make simple transactions. It  saves time and money.Some banks charge for online transaction so look for banks that offer free online banking.

Customer Service

A good bank should provide support in form of email, telephone and chat. Even in this age a good bank should be able to provide a customer with an opportunity for a face to face chat with a customer advisor at a local branch. The best way to evaluate a banks customer service is ask current customers.

FDIC Insurance

Just make sure that your account is FDIC insured before putting your money in.

Interest Rates

A good checking account should provide a competitive interest rate. Be wary of banks with high interest rates because most of them have hidden fees that eats up the interest earn. Read the paper work slowly and mindfully.

Whatever checking account you choose, choose wisely and carefully and do your own thorough research.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jun 23

If your credit card debt has gotten out of hand, it is wise to negotiate with your credit card issuer.

But before you even consider negotiations for credit card debt settlement just note, in general, the credit card company will only deal with a consumer when the consumer is behind on payments but capable of making a lump sum payment.

The following credit card debt settlement negotiation tips will help prepare you face your credit card issuer with know how and confidence.

Raise money for a lump sum payment

Before picking up that phone and calling you credit card issuer customer representative know where you will get money to pay off the lump sum because that is the first question they will ask. One idea could be selling off your car or some of your household goods.

Know the questions your credit card company will ask you

Knowing the questions they will ask during the negotiations will help you prepare your answers. You dont want to advertise your ignorance. Some of questions will be like, your monthly budget?

Write down your ideas

Make your ideas precise, avoid lengthy explanation. Reading and re-reading your ideas will give you more confidence.

Know your rights as a borrower

Make sure you know your rights as a consumer. It’ll make you aware of what creditors shouldn’t do when they’re collecting your payments. If in case the creditor violates the laws, you can take suitable legal action against them.

Be nice with your creditors

When you finally meet your creditors face to face be polite and understanding while dealing with them, it will make it easier for you to get an agreement on debt settlement.

Explain how your creditors will gain if you settle the dues

When you’re negotiating with creditors, make sure you explain how the creditors will benefit from a settlement. Make them understand that they won’t have to approach Collection agency to collect your dues and they need not go to courts to sue you.

Try again if the creditor refuses to settle the first time

Never give up be persistence.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jun 22

Debt settlement negotiation can be made easy if you prepare yourself thoroughly before approaching creditors.

Before initiating negotiation with your creditor note, in general, the credit card company will only deal with a consumer when the consumer is behind on payments but capable of making a lump sum payment.

The following ideas may help you negotiate with you creditors to reduce your outstanding debt.

Raise money for a lump sum payment

Before picking up that phone and calling the company’s customer representative know where you will get money to pay off the lump sum because that is the first question they will ask. One idea could be selling off your car or some of your household goods.

Know the questions they will ask you

Knowing the questions they will ask will help you prepare your answers. You dont want to advertise your ignorance. Some of questions will be like, your monthly budget?

Write down your ideas

Make your ideas precise, avoid lengthy explanation. Reading and re-reading your ideas will give you more confidence.

Know your rights as a borrower

Make sure you know your rights as a consumer. It’ll make you aware of what creditors shouldn’t do when they’re collecting your payments. If in case the creditor violates the laws, you can take suitable legal action against them.

Be nice with your creditors

When you finally meet your creditors face to face be polite and understanding while dealing with them, it will make it easier for you to get an agreement on debt settlement.

Explain how your creditors will gain if you settle the dues

When you’re negotiating with creditors, make sure you explain how the creditors will benefit from a settlement. Make them understand that they won’t have to approach Collection agency to collect your dues and they need not go to courts to sue you.

Try again if the creditor refuses to settle the first time

Never give up be persistence.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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