Saturday, November 25, 2006

Motorbikes - Take Cover

As summer draws to a close, around 10,000 UK bikers start to think about
laying up their motor bikes for the winter months.
>From the end of October through until Easter, the thought of
motor biking is not so appealing and there is little point in taxing and
insuring the bike. Bikes are winterised and stored away at the back of the
garage awaiting the better weather.
Sadly, thieves are aware of this and so some 600 bikes are stolen every
month.

Obviously if you have totally cancelled your policy you will be unable to
claim for this theft. You can, however, reduce the cover to a minimum for
fire and theft and this is worth considering.

If you're more used to insuring cars than motor bikes, you'll find some of
the features of bike insurance very odd. For instance, it's not possible to
accumulate bonuses over time, as with a car. Occasionally you may find an
insurer who will give you some discount if you don't claim for a certain
period with the same insurer, but this is not the norm.

There are various policies. Specified Bike Policy, Specified Rider Policy,
Comprehensive and Third Party Insurance. With a specified bike policy you
are covering the bike and not the rider. This means you could insure a
number of riders on the same bike.

A specified rider policy covers the rider, but not the bike.
This means the rider is covered on any motor bike up to the size specified
on the policy.

Comprehensive and third party insurance are more familiar terms.
Comprehensive is the most expensive. Apart from paying for repairs to the
bike in the case of accidental damage, it may offer some extras such as
breakdown cover. In the event of a claim, you will only pay the excess as
stated on the policy.
With third party you simply buy the minimum legal insurance.
This means you are covered for any property you may damage or people you
might injure. You would not be reimbursed for your bike or anything else and
an excess would still be payable.
Third party is the cheapest form of insurance.

Younger riders will be charged higher premiums for their policies due to
their inexperience and the increased risk of motor cycling. There is a
frighteningly high accident rate and statistics tell us they are much more
likely to be involved in an accident than more mature riders. Damage caused
to themselves is often costly and lifelong.

The more hours spent on the road, the higher the risk and riders using their
bikes to travel from one location to another as far as their work is
involved will be likely to be charged higher premiums. Claims made in recent
years for driving-related accidents will have an adverse effect on your
premium too.

Other factors that will influence the premium will be the power and make of
the bike. There are some very expensive bikes around and obviously this will
mean a higher premium will be charged.
If you have any penalties for speeding or dangerous driving your premium
will rise and if you were to be disqualified for a length of time, insurance
would be extremely expensive when your licence was re-instated.

To try and get the cost of premiums down, consider security devices such as
immobilisers, alarms and steering locks. It may also be possible to get
discounts for any training courses you have completed.

Be completely honest with your insurance company. Failure to disclose
something which the company later discovers can invalidate your insurance.
Not only would you not receive payment for any claim, but you could be
prosecuted for driving without insurance.

An internet broker will be able to offer you plenty of advice when it comes
to choosing an insurer. They'll find a choice of policies to suit your
circumstances and their experience will be invaluable. There are
internet-only deals and discounts which they'll be able to offer too.

Keep insured and safe.

About The Author: Michael has worked in financial services for over 15
years. He now writes on financial matters for a number of UK based web
sites. Car Insurance Smasher are a car insurance articles website
http://www.car-insurance-smasher.co.uk

Sources of extra cash or additional income for students

Sources of extra cash or additional income for students This article looks
at cost- and time-effective ways to lose weight for those individuals with
none There are many ways to get an extra income if you cannot afford to work
‘normal' full-time hours. This article will show you what is available and
what you should avoid. I will use student time as an example, as a student's
timetable is usually the most ‘inconvenient' for full-time work and also
changes every semester. However, the opportunities outlined in this article
can also apply to other demographics, e.g. single mothers.

Whilst at university, students often think that it will be challenging for
them to financially support themselves.
This is true only if you decide to avoid work and leave dealing with
mounting debts until after you leave university. The truth is, it is not
that difficult to get a job. However, getting work does require
determination and a bit of leg-work. You also have to decide how much work
you want to do. There is a myth that if you work during university you will
miss out on the social life. That is not true at all. I worked full-time
throughout my university years, while doing a very challenging course, and
still had time to socialise.

During university most students take up jobs provided by the university
itself, such as bar work. Those jobs are designed especially for students
and allow you to choose hours that are flexible enough not to clash with you
timetable. However, you will find that jobs at university do not pay very
well. Most of the time you will be getting the minimum wage, and considering
that you will be working only a few hours, you will pay national insurance
and taxes after the first £5,035; this is not the best choice of work.
Working flexible hours away from the university is not as difficult as you
might think. There will be a number of large stores around your university
as well as restaurants and these companies primarily employ students, e.g.
Waterstones. You will find that the wage is likely to be much higher than
within the university and flexible hours will be offered. However, prepare
to work weekends.

Another way of working whilst studying full-time is through agencies.
Students often make a mistake of signing up only to one agency. Invest time
in undertaking applications provided by the agencies as soon as possible, as
they will be providing you with work for the rest of the year.
Furthermore, with time you will be able to build up your reputation with
agencies, which in turn will allow you to get better work during the summer
breaks. There are two tricks of getting good work with agencies: call them
every three days and ask for higher-paid jobs and I also found that sending
little gifts like chocolates to the person who gets you the work is a good
path into obtaining higher-paid jobs, as the person is more likely to call
you when a job turns up. The majority of the agencies have different
branches that deal with different sectors such as catering, administration,
retail, etc. Most of those will not require any experience, however,
administration work usually pays most. The highest paid administration jobs
are in the investment banks but it is unlikely that you will be able to get
those jobs during the semester, but try to get them during the summer
holidays.

Another type of job that you can get is in a nightclub.
Although these types of jobs will not interfere with your educational
schedule, it can be very difficult on you physically, because you are not
likely to get back from work until 4am. However clubs often pay very well
should you decide to work behind the bar, on the door or even in the
cloakroom. Furthermore, you are likely to receive tips, around £20-£30 per
day. Students who work in a club whilst studying would attend lectures
during the day, get some sleep in the early evening, work during the night
and get the rest of the sleep during the early morning. The homework should
be done between lectures and the early even nap or at the club, while it is
quiet.

If your homework does require a lot of time, why don't you try working on
the security desk during the night. You can get sleep in the early evening
after the lectures, and do all of your work during the night shifts, which
are often from 12am-7am. I found that this type of job offers the most
undisturbed environment, which allows you to concentrate. Furthermore,
because you are only getting one portion of sleep, it is easier to adjust to
them than to the club jobs. If a security job is for you, make sure you sign
up to different agencies as soon as possible, as you are likely to have
quite a lot of competition.

Summer jobs are an ideal opportunity to clear any debts that you have
accumulated during the year (within reason).
It is best to get work that is related to your course (if you want get a
course-related career afterwards), but you might find that getting
course-related experience may not pay you very well or even at all.
Therefore, you might also need to get a second job in the evenings to bring
in sufficient income. It will be extremely difficult on you physically to
get club or security jobs if you are working during the day as well.
However, try getting waitressing work. Once again, a large number of
agencies specialise in this industry, so sign up to as many as possible.
Furthermore, there might be some work available in the pubs behind the bar.
Try these, however your people skills will be tested, as you are faced with
a lot of competition for the pub jobs. An easier job, but not as well paid,
is working on reception desks in hotels. The work is also divided into
shifts so you will be able to work the evening shift.

If you are good at writing and have a good academic record, you can also
work for different assignment websites, (e.g.
the company I work for). This company will provide you with a list of works
that you will need to research and write, outlining the deadline, number of
words, the topic and the price. If you are happy with all of the
requirements, then you agree to write the work and once you finish they will
send you the agreed amount. I used to work for them during my university
years and earned £500-£700 per week on a part-time basis. However, bear in
mind that the quality of work that you need to produce is high. The great
thing is that you earn as much as you wish, in your own time, writing on the
subjects that you are comfortable with.
Furthermore, the staff are really friendly and reliable, so if you have any
questions they always help you out, unlike many other companies out there.

If you want just good experience, which is not necessarily related to your
future career but pays well, get an internship at an investment bank. The
competition is tough for these internships, and you will need to apply about
eight months prior to starting. However, if you cannot get an internship job
at the bank, try temping. There are a number of agencies that specialise in
getting temping jobs just within investment banks, and prior experience is
not always required. Other industries, although not as well paid, offer
internships, such as insurance companies and financial service companies,
e.g. Bloomberg. You will need to investigate if a temping job at a large
organisation will pay you better than getting an internship. Internship is
likely to offer you better experience, while temping might pay you more, so
which one you go for will depend on your priorities. Summer jobs are also
available abroad, primarily at skiing resorts (most of them are open during
the summer). If you do decide to go for this type of work, pay attention to
the accommodation details. Most of the work will offer you cheap
self-catering accommodation to go with the job; if not, you will need to
undertake some research. Other things to take into consideration are taxes
and work permit requirements in the foreign countries. If you get work
through an agency, they are likely to sort that out for you.

References

Integrity Reviews 2006, "Realistic reviews of business opportunities on the
internet" [Available from]:
http://www.integrityreviews.com/?gclid=CJGKoOn4vYgCFQlTVAodh
XurKw (Accessed on: 10/11/06)

Don't get scammed 2006, "Don't get scammed" [Available
from]:
http://www.dont-get-scammed.com/g1?gclid=CL7oidGDvogCFSdtVAo
dkV_rMA

Jobs for students 2006, "Student help UK" [Available from]:
http://www.student-part-time-jobs.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_
ID=651

Money Extra 2006, "Expert financial advice & planning pensions, investments
& tax" [Available from]:
http://www.moneyextra.com/advice/

Copyright © 2006 Verena Veneeva

----------------------------------------------------
This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for
http://www.coursework4you.co.uk You are free to reprint this article;
however should you do so you must place a hyperlink to
http://www.coursework4you.co.uk

Identifying Predatory Lenders

Predatory lending consists of abusive practices by lenders within the
mortgage industry. These types of lenders strip borrowers of the equity in
their home and put them in danger of foreclosing on their home. But one does
not have to fall victim to predatory lenders. There are tell-tale signs that
everyone should be aware of to help them avoid falling prey. They are listed
below:

1. Be wary of and avoid any lender who encourages you to lie on your loan
application.

2. Be sure that you are given all disclosures. Check your loan papers and be
sure that the Good Faith Estimate, Special Info Booklet, Truth in Lending
and HUD-1 Settlement statements are all included.

3. A red flag should be raised if any lender asks you to leave signatures or
other line-items blank. Also re-check your documents to make sure that
nothing has been altered or changed without your knowledge and/or approval.

4. If a lender asks you to repeatedly refinance and after each instance your
monthly payments and total loan amounts increase, you may be dealing with a
predatory lender. Shop around and get a new lender as soon as possible.

5. Check the fine print. If you are required to pay daily interest whenever
your payments are late, you may be dealing with a predatory lender.

6. If your loan amount is higher than the value of your home, this is reason
to give pause and to be alarmed.

7. Be wary of unexpected settlement costs that you were not given prior
notice to or explanation for.

8. If your monthly payments or loan is higher than you anticipated based on
the disclosures, you might be dealing with an unscrupulous lender.

9. If your mortgage loan requires a balloon payment that requires that the
final lump sum be financed with that lender, you may be dealing with a
predatory lender.

10. You are not required to buy credit insurance or insurance that will pay
off the loan if you die or are disabled. If you are heavily pressured to do
so, beware.

Buying a home may be your most expensive and prized possession.
There is a lot riding on choosing the right lender. Your credit score, your
hard earned cash, and your ability to borrow money in the future are all at
stake. This is why it is very important to screen and get rid of lenders who
are looking to dupe you out of your money and your home.

About The Author: For more information on better Mortgage Rates and great
money-saving
http://www.lenoxnationalmortgage.com/navigation/index/Mortgage-Calculator.ht
ml
tips, and resources, visit http://www.lenoxnationalmortgage.com

Money Management Is Like Farming

In several of Thom Hartmann's books about ADHD he compares people with ADHD
to hunters and people who do not have ADHD to farmers. While many adults
with ADD would not make good farmers or money managers, it is still
important to know how to grow your own food and to grow your own money. If
you have other people who are helping you to grow your money you still need
to understand if they are doing it properly. There are four basic areas that
you need to understand before you can properly farm or properly manage
money.

1. CAN I GROW IT?, HOW DO I GROW IT?, WHAT DO I NEED TO GROW IT?
Before a farmer decides to grow a crop he needs to understand what
everything about the crop (How much sunlight does the crop need? What type
of climate does the crop need? How much water does the crop need? How deep
do you plant the seeds? What kind of soil does the crop grow best in? What
do I need in order to harvest it efficiently? etc.) If you do not understand
and properly answer these questions you will not be able to grow a crop. If
you do not have a basic understanding of money management you will not be
able to increase your wealth.

2. CAN I SURVIVE THE WINTER AND PLANT NEXT YEARS CROP? In order to be able
to survive and plant next year's crop you need to properly save a portion of
this year's crop. If you don't save money you will not have money when you
need it, nor will you be able to grow your money in the future.

3. CAN I GROW MORE CROPS NEXT YEAR? If you survive the winter and properly
prepare for next year, you should be able to grow more crops than last year.
In order to grow your money you need to be able to save if and invest it
properly.

4. CAN I PROTECT MY CROPS FROM OUTSIDE ELEMENTS? While it is impossible to
figure out when outside elements will destroy your crops, farmers use
different methods to protect their crops. Farmers use fences, heaters,
greenhouses, scarecrows and pesticides to help protect their crops from
outside elements. In order to protect our finances we use insurance. If you
do not have the proper insurance you will not be protected from outside
elements. For example a scarecrow might scare away the birds from eating at
your crops but they will do nothing against the insects that are eating your
crops.

About The Author: John MacKenzie is the Assistant Director of
http://www.addclasses.com, he also writes a blog titled
http://www.adultaddandmoney.com.