This is a sponsored guest post

The problem of debt continues to be arguably the most important subject currently facing most developed economies. But while national debt may be what hits the headlines and engages politicians, for most of the population, it is household debt that is the most pressing problem. If you’re struggling financially and are worried about debts building up, there are a number of things you can do to improve your situation and get back on track…

Prioritise your bills

Of course all bills are important, but there are some that are more important than others due to the repercussions of falling behind. Examples of these include your mortgage and hire purchase loans that have been secured against something you own. If there has been a reduction in your income, through redundancy, maternity or a cut in working hours, it is always a good idea to approach your provider, as they can often suggest some alternative payment patterns. Some mortgage providers offer a payment holidays, which could really help you if you’re low on cash. Whatever your situation, if you’re struggling to keep up with repayments on your bills or debts, you should contact your providers to tell them about your situation and see if they can help you in the short term until you’re back on your feet again.

Avoid quick fixes

When it comes to dealing with debt or tight financial situations, there is no such thing as a quick fix. Some people feel like a payday loan could help them out, however, if you can’t afford to repay the balance in the agreed time frame, you could end up in a spiral of debt that’s hard to break.

In some cases, payday loan companies can charge as much as 4,000% APR, so debt due to interest and charges can quickly build up.
Consolidation loans can be a good idea as repayments will be over a realistic time frame, rather than on your next pay day.
One of the most effective ways to manage your finances is to use an income and expenditure form to find where you’re spending money and see if there are any areas where you can cut back. You may even be surprised that you’re still paying direct debits or standing orders for products or services that you no longer use.

Switch to a better credit card

There are many deals from credit card providers offering zero, or single figure interest deals on balance transfers. These require you to transfer any debit balances from existing cards and, for a specified period, you will not pay any interest on the outstanding debt. Usually, the interest-free period ranges from six to 24 months and can save considerable amounts. However, the best deals are only available to those with the best credit records and, it is absolutely vital to pay off, or transfer, any debt before the specified period ends; otherwise you will end up with interest charges back dated to the entire period.

Seek expert advice:

Don’t wait until it is too late and your debt gets out of hand before you seek advice. Experts can help you by suggesting various ways of managing debt and can also approach lenders on your behalf.

Consider a Debt Management Plan

If you want some help with your finances and feel like you would benefit from the experience of a professional debt management company, then you may feel that a Debt Management Plan would be a suitable solution for you. Debts will be consolidated into one easier to manage monthly repayment, so they’re easier to manage.

Re-assess your financial behaviour

Often falling into debt happens because of unforeseen circumstances like illness, unemployment or family bereavement. However, financial mismanagement and lack of spending control are equally culpable in many cases.

Scrutinise your finances, separate essential from all non-essential spending and cut out all non-essentials until you have cleared your debts. You can also save substantial amounts by switching current accounts and ensuring you take advantage of all suitable deals on utilities, like gas, electricity and broadband. More effective financial behaviour can be by far the most effective way to manage debt in the long term.

Sponsored post by Betsy Fallwell

There was a time when owning a house was the American Dream. But ever since the housing bubble sent property values spiralling downward, many would-be homeowners have found themselves wondering whether it’s better to write a monthly rent check than take out a mortgage.

The Case for Renting

The housing crisis turned many homeowners into inadvertent landlords. I have many friends who were unable to sell their house – at least without taking a serious financial hit – and ended up renting it out instead. This means renters have more options than just an apartment or condo; there are a large number of single family homes available right now, too. Unfortunately, a lot of former homeowners have been forced to rent in this market, too. The law of supply and demand applies here; and with the demand just as high as the supply, don’t expect to see any rock-bottom rental deals.

• Renters, however, have a lot of advantages over homeowners. For instance:
• Renters don’t have to worry about paying homeowner’s insurance or property taxes.
• Renters usually aren’t responsible for property upkeep or repair; in some cases, renters aren’t even responsible for mowing the lawn.

In some cases, homeowners will continue to pay utility costs, rather than the renters taking on this added burden. But there’s a case to be made for buying a house, too.

The Case for Buying 

Right now, interest rates on home loans are near historic loans. First home buyers have the added incentive of government programs that promote home ownership. With property values still low, it’s the perfect confluence of factors.

But getting the most bang for your buck isn’t the only reason home ownership may be best for you:

• Homeowners build equity in their property, while renters are paying someone else to build equity.
• Homeowners get something back for their investment; renters won’t get any cash back when they move out.
• Homeowners are in charge of their own property, and are free to make the changes and upgrades they want without consulting a third party.

So how do you decide which option is best for you?

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you plunk down a security deposit on a rental property, you should first ask yourself these questions:

1. How long will we be living here? The longer you plan to stay in one area, the more sense it makes to buy a property instead of renting one.
2. Is my job secure enough to support home ownership? If you aren’t happy in your career and have a stable job, renting a home gives you more freedom and flexibility to make changes should your financial situation take a hit.
3. Is renting the best use of my money? In my neighbourhood, housing values and mortgage rates are low enough that the few families who are renting homes here are paying more than those of us who own our houses.
4. What’s stopping me from owning a home? A poor credit score and a lack of cash on hand can prevent you from qualifying for a loan or being able to make a down payment. Renting for a year or two while you improve your financial situation can make owning a home a more realistic goal down the road.

How Much House Can I Afford?

Let’s say you’re paying $750 a month right now on rent, have a good credit score, and $20,000 in cash. How much house could you afford to buy?

First home buyers should take a quick look at a mortgage calculator, which can help them do the math. If you put that $20,000 in cash toward your down payment, you could spend up to $170,000 on a house and still have a monthly mortgage payment – with private mortgage insurance – of less than $750. But don’t forget to tack on property taxes and insurance premiums to that number; these costs are often overlooked by first home buyers, and can add several hundred dollars a month to their housing costs.

This guest post was written by Jason Bushey. Jason is a personal finance expert, blogger and consultant.

The road to recovery from bad credit can be a long and at times frustrating one. However, one of the easiest ways to begin rebuilding your credit score is to apply for a bad credit credit card, more specifically a secured credit card.

Secured credit cards aren’t just one of the best options available for people with bad credit; quite often, they’re one of the only credit card options available. But as it turns out, secured credit cards for bad credit are perfect for the consumer looking to improve upon their bad credit.

Here’s how a secured credit card works…

A secured credit card requires a security deposit. This works to guarantee a consumers credit line, which is essentially the only way a credit card issuer like Capital One® will approve them. The minimum security deposit generally ranges from $100 to $200, though we’ve seen some deposits start as low as $49.

Once the application is approved and the credit line secured, the credit card company will then issue a line of credit in the bad credit cardholder’s name. Usually, this credit line is somewhere close to 70% of the credit originally secured via deposit.

OK, so once you’ve got your shiny new secured card (and yes, we know it’s not the belle of the ball, but it’s a start), here’s how to make the most of your bad credit credit card and improve your credit profile.

 Start making small, semi-frequent purchases

The active credit card user is the one most coveted by credit issuers. Show credit card companies that you’re an active, responsible user by making small purchases that you know you’ll have no trouble paying back in full each month. Oh, and along those same lines…

 Make on-time payments each month

The most important factor when it comes to your credit score is your payment history. All the payments you make on time – and especially the ones you didn’t make on time or skipped altogether – are the ones that have the greatest impact on your credit score. (A full 35% according to Fair Isaac, the inventors of your FICO score.)

The easiest but most important thing you can do to improve your credit score is to make on-time payments. If you make a couple payments per month, that’s even better. The more you can do to show creditors that you’re ready to use credit responsibly, the more likely you are to rebuild your credit score.

 Always pay in full

Unfortunately, credit cards for bad credit can be loaded with high interest. Secured credit card APR’s aren’t nearly as high as their unsecured bad credit counterparts, but they can still be on the high side. This gives you even more incentive to pay your credit card balance in full each month: to avoid skyrocketing interest fees.

Odds are, interest fees played a factor in driving your credit score down in the first place. Don’t make the same mistake twice and pay your credit card balance in full each month. If you do this, you’ll never have to worry about interest fees again. Finally…

 Don’t fall for prepaid debit cards claiming to “improve your credit”

The fact is, prepaid cards don’t report to the major credit bureaus because they’re not actually extending you a credit line. Any prepaid card that bills itself as a credit-builder simply isn’t.

We admit that having to pay a security deposit on a credit card for bad credit is kind of a bummer. However, security deposits are 100% refundable assuming you use your card responsibly, and that secured credit card could lead to an unsecured credit card offer down the line with that very same issuer.

Not only that, think of all the money your improved credit score will save you on interest when it comes to big-ticket loans like home loans and auto loans down the line.

The security deposit is the price you pay to improve your credit; trust us when we say that it’s well worth it down the line if you make the most of your bad credit credit card.

This is a guest post.

Every year around October through the end of the year, credit card companies start gearing their marketing efforts toward promoting 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfer credit cards. The reason for this shift is clear: credit card issuers want to target customers who may be looking for ways to make holiday gift purchases without having to pay interest on those purchases or balance transfers for a significant chunk of time. While I caution against applying for a 0% APR on purchases credit card just so you can make excessive purchases without having to pay your credit card bill until further down the line, a good balance transfer credit card can really help someone from sinking into debt. If you’re stuck in debt and paying a high monthly interest, transferring your balance to a card that offers 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 or 18 months can give you the time you need to get that debt paid off.

Here are the top 3 balance transfer credit cards of the year:

Slate from Chase – The Slate from Chase card is my pick for this year’s best balance transfer credit card. The Slate from Chase offers a 0% introductory interest rate for a full 15 months on all purchases and balance transfers. In addition, there is no annual fee to own the Slate card. What really makes the Slate from Chase card stand out from other great balance transfer cards, however, is that there is no balance transfer fee if you transfer a balance within the first 60 days of having the card. This can be a life saver if you’re carrying a huge balance on another credit card and were absolutely trying to avoid getting hit with a 3% or 5% balance transfer fee, which is what most other balance transfer credit cards charge.

Discover More – The Discover More card is another excellent balance transfer credit card. The Discover More card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, which is the longest period in the industry. In addition, the Discover More offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, as well as 5% cash back on online and department store purchases through the end of the year, and 5% cash back on rotating categories throughout the rest of the year such as gas, department stores, restaurants, and more. Lastly, the Discover More also requires no annual fee. However, the Discover More carries a balance transfer fee of 3%.

Citi Simplicity Visa – The Simplicity Visa card from Citi makes this list for having a long introductory period for 0% APR on balance transfers as well as purchases. The Citi Simplicity Visa offers a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months. Similarly to the Discover More and Slate from Chase, the Citi Simplicity Visa also features no annual fee, but does carry a 3% balance transfer fee.

This post was written by Logan Abbott, a personal finance expert with over 10 years of credit card experience.

Paying Student Loans: What Happens When I Extend My Graduation Date?

When you applied for student loans, repayment probably seemed a long way off. If it’s taking you longer than four years to complete your degree, repayment may be further off still. Be sure you understand your loan’s terms so you know how your plans for completing your education may be affected.

Confirm your grace period with your lender

With almost all loans, there is a six-month grace period following graduation during which you do not have to begin paying student loans back. So, as long as you remain in school with at least part-time status, your loans won’t go into repayment until you graduate or drop out. (If you drop below part-time status, that will trigger the beginning of the grace period.) This will likely be true whether college takes you three or six years, but confirm that with the lender.

Ask your lender about lifetime borrowing limits

While you don’t have to worry about paying student loans until you’re done with school and hopefully have a job, you do need to think about borrowing maximums. With both private and federal loans, there are limits to how much you can borrow over the course of the loan. If you’ve already maxed out the funds available to you, you won’t be able to borrow any more.

This means you’ll need to find another way to pay for the remaining one or two years of college you’re considering. If you decide to reduce your course load and work to pay the bills, remember not to go below part-time status, or you’ll have to start repaying student loans in six months.

Learn about deferment of student loans

When you do begin your student loan repayment  period, you may find you’re struggling to make payments. If this is the case, there are options available to you. You can first talk to your lender about options like income-based repayment, extended payment plans or graduated repayment plans. But, if you’re unable to afford any of those, you can also look into deferment of student loans. If you demonstrate sufficient economic hardship, military service obligations or certain other circumstances, you may qualify to defer paying your loans for a year. Going on to graduate school may also provide you with the opportunity to defer payments.

Stay on top of your student loan repayment

It’s very important to understand how repayment works and when it begins. Missing payments or defaulting on them can wreak havoc on your credit score, which in turn will hurt your chances of being approved for credit cards, buying a car or buying a home. If you can’t afford your payments, don’t hide from them. Ask about deferment or other options. Taking charge of your loans will only help you.

Sponsored content was created and provided by RBS Citizens Financial Group.

Submitted by a guest contributor

The U.S. and the UK property buying process have many similarities. Both involve land surveyors, red tape and legal professionals. How well your sale works out and how smoothly it goes depends, in part, on your knowledge of the differences in real estate buying in both countries.

Title

Title is the chain of ownership to the property. Your title must be cleared during the buying process so you don’t run into problems later, such as an undisclosed owner.

Title systems in the U.S. vary by state. Some states use a chain of filed deeds, sometimes referred to as “abstract,” with title professionals researching the property. Others use the Torrens system. As in the UK, the Torrens system involves the registration of land with a central authority.

If you’re buying in the U.S. in an abstract state, the process may take much longer than you’d expect. Since the land isn’t registered, a title company must document the ownership chain by going through land records. You won’t be able to close the sale until the title is cleared.

Buying unregistered land in the UK presents a similar problem. Expect delays, especially if there’s a dispute in the title. You’ll have to get the property registered before you can complete the deal in most cases.

Taxes

Taxes on rental property income and property ownership differ greatly in the U.S. and the UK. Both have individual tax systems you’ll need to learn. In the U.S., for example, you can expect to pay taxes when you buy the property and possibly each year to the federal, state and local government.

Consider speaking to a tax adviser before buying property in the U.S. or the UK so you know what to expect and how much you’ll be expected to pay. Not paying taxes can lead to the loss of your property.

Restrictions

A key consideration if you’re buying in the U.S. is any foreign occupancy restrictions. While not a significant trend in the UK, some U.S. states have limits on how long a foreign owner can stay in a property each year.

Rentals

Known as buy to let in the UK and renting in the U.S., if you’re buying a property to rent it out continuously or on occasion, you’ll have extra homework to do. Local tax laws for rentals, for example, differ by state in the U.S, as opposed to the more streamlined standards in the UK.

Resort areas in the U.S. often have extra fees beyond taxes and local charges. Get all fees in writing before buying. Don’t forget to hire a property management company if you’re renting out your property for part of the year.

In both countries, getting a buy to let mortgage may be more difficult. Shop around, such as looking at buy to let mortgages with moneysupermarket before settling on a loan. Compare interest rates so you get the best offer.

This post is sponsored.

People with terrible credit can still find a loan to cover unexpected expenses. Lenders have become more willing to extend loans to people with bad credit ratings. However, the individual can expect to pay more for the loan. The types of loans may differ for each individual depending on his or her financial situation. An individual who has filed for bankruptcy will not be offered the same type of loan as someone who has not filed bankruptcy. Therefore, the options differ according to the individual’s credit history.

Types of Loans Available for Individuals with Bad Credit

• Unsecured personal loans are available with higher interest rates since these do not require any collateral to secure the loan.

• Bad credit personal loans offer access to fast cash when it is needed. An individual can go to www.badcreditloans.com to apply for this type of loan.

• A personal loan for a limited amount will usually be available to individuals with poor credit. Some institutions will not require a credit check for loans of small amounts, and the money will be available quickly.

Individuals with bad credit should borrow the lowest amount needed and pay back extra each month over the minimum payment to prevent paying more money in fees and interest. It is better for the individual to pay back the loan as quickly as possible.

Tips to Help Individuals with Terrible Credit Obtain Loans

• Individuals should be aware of their credit scores. A credit report should be obtained and checked for accuracy by the individual before applying for a loan. The report will allow the individual to know if something has been misreported, which can affect their credit rating. Knowing the credit score can also help an individual know which type of loan will be best for him or her.

• Before applying for a loan at an establishment, consider asking a family member or friend to extend a loan. This could save money on the high interest rates as well as the time it takes to apply and wait for approval from a lending institution. Just be sure to pay back the money to the family member or friend with interest, or the relationship could be damaged.

• Individuals should check with their personal bank or credit union since these are two of the best places for individuals with bad credit to obtain personal loans. The personal bank is more willing to work with an individual who has money in their establishment since the bank is familiar with the individual’s banking standards. However, the bank does not have to loan the money just because an individual has an account with them, but many times the bank will be more lenient in their lending practices for these individuals. A credit union that is offered through a job will be more agreeable to loaning money to an employed worker since the credit union is guaranteed of having the money repaid. The money will usually be deducted from an employee’s paycheck.

• Individuals can search online to find companies that offer credit to individuals with terrible credit. Make sure that the company is legitimate by checking them out before applying for the loan. Call the company and discuss the reason for needing the loan.

• A great way to get a bad credit loan fast is with a payday loan. This type of loan will offer money fast for someone with an emergency, and there is no other option for obtaining the cash. These loans come with extremely high interest rates, and the loan will be due on payday. If an individual is not able to pay it back at that time, more interest will be added. This can become a problem since the debt is increasing. Eventually this could cause someone to be unable to pay back the loan.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to find extra money for an unexpected expense, but it is better to find a loan that is repayable to keep from getting more into debt. Terrible credit ratings mean that an individual will have fewer options of loans to choose from to get money fast, but there are some loans available if an individual is willing to pay the higher interest rates.

Sponsored post

These days, it pays to live a frugal lifestyle. Now, more and more families are riding out the economic climate by living in their budget and staying in their current homes, even if that means crowding into homes they’ve outgrown. If you’ve come to the point where you’re starting to fight with your family for elbow room, you may want to consider looking at home storage solutions away from home.

Finding nearby self-storage facilities may be the answer you are searching for, especially when having a yard sale just isn’t an option. Besides, do you really want to part ways with that expensive piece of furniture just because it’s somewhat in the way? Instead, you could place it in an affordable storage until the kids grow up and leave home.
Although renting a cheap storage unit is an additional monthly expense, many people find that it actually saves them time and money in their everyday lives. Listed below are some of the top reasons why you should rent a self-storage unit.

• Keep your most valuable possessions safe. Cheap self-storage doesn’t just provide extra space; it also offers top notch security for your most prized possessions. Family heirlooms and other valuables are kept under lock and key at well-lit facilities with extensive security systems.
• Make room for the items you use. Are your closets and cupboards overflowing with items you only use occasionally? Moving seasonal items into cheap storage units gives you easier access to the everyday items you actually get use out of.
• Downsize to a smaller home. Living in a smaller home will almost always save you money, and many people say that it also saves them time in maintenance and general upkeep. Self-storage companies let people live in smaller spaces while still being able to store their larger possessions.

Using storage is a great way to instantly provide yourself with more space when you need it. And storage prices are low enough that you can hang onto expensive furnishings and family heirlooms indefinitely, and not have to face the difficult decision about selling them to make room.

Storage costs do however vary by location, size, and amenities provided by that facility. To decide what storage prices you are comfortable with, it is important to make a list of what you want from the extra storage space. All the factors help define what you need and what you are willing and able to pay. Below are some tips to how you can make this an easier, less expensive decision.

• Rent a smaller unit. This sounds obvious, but the less space you rent the less you’ll spend. Before renting a unit, take a look at what items can be sold or given away if you don’t really need them. You might also save space by packing smaller items into stackable containers and disassembling larger items. Rates for mini storage units are often very affordable because the facility can offer more units for the amount of space they have versus a facility that only has larger units.
• Scout a new area. Storage costs in downtown business centers or near urban college campuses may be more expensive than what you’ll find a few miles outside of city limits due to high demand. A longer drive could save you a few bucks every month.
• Compare storage prices online. The Internet makes comparing self-storage prices fast and easy. Use a service like SpareFoot.com or SelfStorage.com to select the specific sizes and features you need.
• Consider the location of your unit. Ground floor storage units typically have premium storage rates while those located on the top floor may be cheaper because you have to haul your belongings up the elevator or stairs. If you can handle that then you should definitely consider renting one of those.
• Ask about discounts. Another way to get more for your money is to think about how long you are willing to invest in the extra storage space. For instance, signing a lease for at least a year can help negotiate a lower price. Long term storage will usually cost less per month than a short term storage unit of the same size. Many storage facilities also offer discounts to new customers and you may be entitled to discounts if you’re a student or member of the military.

Storage rates are also based on amenities. If you want air conditioning, climate or humidity control, or a higher level of security, such as a PIN keypad for your unit versus a combo lock, storage rates may be more expensive than others that do not offer these amenities. Clearly, these are all things you will need to consider in terms of balancing your wish list with your budget.

If you’re looking to simplify your daily life, cheap storage units can provide an inexpensive solution for the overflow that you don’t use every day but aren’t quite ready to get rid of.

This article was written by Matt Schexnayder who is on the SpareFoot marketing team. SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage. With more than 5,000 self-storage facilities listed nationwide, SpareFoot offers consumers the most complete comparison shopping experience in the storage industry.

This is a sponsored post.

A few months ago, I got a ticket on an “unsafe lane change.” Let’s just say that I will keep my opinion about the validity of that ticket to myself… What’s done is done, but I want to make sure I minimize the impact of a ticket on my auto insurance.

When you buy auto insurance from a new company or renew your existing policy, companies all check your driving record for accidents, claims paid, and moving violations (parking tickets are typically not included in this review). Here are four ways to make sure your auto insurance doesn’t skyrocket after getting a ticket.

1. Contest the ticket. If you have reason or the stomach to contest a ticket, you can do so and potentially have it dismissed from your record. This not only saves you the cost of the ticket (which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars), it will also preserve your driving record and therefore your current insurance rates.
2. Take traffic school. If you are eligible for traffic school, make sure to take advantage of that option. Search online for an approved-but-cheaper option. Traffic school may cost you a few hours and a few hundred dollars, but it can help minimize the impact a ticket has on your insurance.
3. Drive carefully – especially for the first 18 months after your ticket. Every state has different requirements on traffic school eligibility. If you are cited too many times in a short period of time, your license could be in jeopardy and your insurance costs will jump.
4. Don’t drink and drive. A DUI (driving under influence) is a serious offense, and insurance carriers view drivers with DUI convictions as especially serious risks. A family member was arrested for a DUI and has paid over $10,000 in court costs, legal fees, and higher insurance costs.

In the last few years, many consumers have sunk into debt because of layoffs, loss of equity in their homes, or underemployment. If you are facing unsustainable levels of debt, see if a debt management specialist can help by setting up a debt management plan. Be sure to look for a reputable company with a positive history in the debt management and counseling industry.

A debt management plan is an agreement between yourself and your creditors that reset the terms of your debt: this plan may allow you to pay a lower amount of what you had originally owed and provide a longer timetable for you to repay the loan. The counselors at the debt management plan can help you negotiate and contact the creditors so you do not have to do it all by yourself. Once the plan is set up, the debt management specialist will implement and administer the agreement.

But a debt management plan, while it can provide relief, is not a panacea. To maintain a financially prudent lifestyle, consumers have to change the behaviors that led them into debt in the first place. Saving for an emergency fund, paying above the minimum on their credit cards every month, and keeping track of their income and expenses are all critical steps along the path to financial security. A debt management plan can help you get out of the hole faster, but the best thing in the future is to avoid getting into that hole in the first place!

This is a paid post.

One of my friends has recently gotten an internship in a distant city. She needs a car to get around – public transportation is woefully lacking for daily travel – and she doesn’t have a car to bring to this new city. So, her choices are to check out used cars for sale, buy a car for the duration of the internship, and then sell it later, or use a long term van hire rental.

I encountered a similar situation when I went on an internship in college. In that case, I rented a car because I didn’t want to deal with the hassles of buying and then selling a used car. But the a coworker bought a used car, which he later successfully resold at the end of the internship.

Rent a car if: you want a no-commitment vehicle. Many rental agencies will also offer you insurance, which may be in addition to or supplement coverage provided on your credit card / current car insurance (if you have it).

Buy a used car if: you can find a good deal on a reliable used car and expect to be in the area for a longer period of time. You might be able to sell the car for the same price you purchased it for, but you have to be prepared for the possibility that you can’t sell the car in a timely manner.

This post is sponsored.

If you are struggling with debt, you will undoubtedly know how stressful dealing with creditors and trying to work out a payment plan can be. In fact, if you have unsustainable amounts of debt, you may think that bankruptcy is the only solution. But before you look into bankruptcy, you should definitely consider all available alternatives. An IVA is among the most attractive of the options potentially at your disposal. Even though bankruptcy can discharge some debt, after all, it often has a devastating effect on an individual’s credit report. An IVA – which stands for Individual Voluntary Arrangement – can help people resolve their debt within 60 months.

This doesn’t only sound good, it may be an obvious improvement on declaring bankruptcy. So what is an IVA? To put it simply, an IVA is a legally binding contractual agreement between an individual and debt holders. Typically, under this agreement, a individual can have up to 70% of his or her debt written off. He or she will pay the remaining amount over a 5 year period.

This program can be adjusted to an individual’s unique circumstances. 75% of Creditors by debt value must approve the IVA proposal , the arrangement is then binding on all creditors. This may seem improbable, but in fact there is an incentive to accept an IVA because they will likely receive more payment than they would in a bankruptcy. For the consumer, an IVA offers a chance to discharge a majority of debt contained within the IVA, and, unlike bankruptcy, you are extremely unlikely to lose your home. IVAs generally stay on a person’s credit report for 6 years.

To qualify for an IVA, you must be a UK citizen, owe more than £12,000 , and have two or more creditors. Companies such as Debt Advisory Line offer advice and support on how to structure an IVA that will meet your needs and your creditors’ approval. Contact us now and without any obligations, to find out more about the details and how we can help you control your debt. (Note: The IVA only relates to debts contained within it, i.e., you will only be debt free if you have no other debts).

This guest post is written and sponsored by Westwood.edu

Many people have an incorrect perception of what a career in marketing entails. Unlike the television show depicts, you don’t earn your marketing degree and then sit in an office all day smoking cigarettes and sipping scotch. Don’t worry though because what you actually do is much more fun.

A marketing degree opens up a whole host of opportunities because the field itself is so diverse and wide reaching.  Your degree will help you understand the power of media in all forms and give you the skills to effectively communicate your knowledge and creativity in a way that enhances you client’s product or service. Your job is to identify what your clients are looking for and then brand their offering in a way that makes it irresistible.

Once you have earned your marketing degree a few of the career paths that open to you are:

Marketing manager- You are potentially responsible for several departments whose job it is to determine market demand, profitability, and spearhead market strategies. Marketing managers oversee the day to day operations in place to meet the marketing and branding needs of their clients.

Product Manager- You will be responsible for a specific brand or product and charged with the task of ensuring its continued success among competitors regardless of what type of media is being utilized.

Advertising Manager- There are three paths to this career choice, either the business side which includes individual account management and account planning or the creative side in which you are building the marketing strategies for a company or individual product. The third option in advertising management is in the field of public relations. Though you are not directly responsible for the marketing campaigns you would work very closely with those who are in order to maintain a favorable public perception of your brand or product.

The career choices in marketing are nearly limitless after graduation which means that you can tailor your career to fit your individual strengths and passion. Having this flexibility will ensure that you can get the most out of your chosen profession while still remaining excited by its possibilities.

What can be better than buying something you really want? Buying something you really want WITH a discount, thereby saving money for something else.  That’s why I almost never buy anything online without the use of a coupon. So when I found out about fabcouponcodes.com, I was pretty excited. I love coupon codes – I like getting a deal – the “having my cake and eat it too” feeling. There’s something about putting in a little code and seeing the number on the checkout screen drop by 20% or 30% or 50%.

Fabcouponcodes.com feature coupon codes galore, including a section full of printable coupons. Their companies include the big names such as Disney, Payless, Dell, and Macy’s. Each retailer has a dedicated page full of their coupons, and all the coupons featured will have helpful information such as expiration date and a how-to-use link just in case you need help. No more clicking on a link only to find that the coupon has long expired.

If you, like me, enjoy traveling, check out their Orbitz promotion code. The page offers a list of promotion codes, some that offer a $100 savings on vacations to Hawaii, Caribbean, or Mexico, and others that help you get $40 off per night on a cruise package.

If you are more into technology (or gadgets on your travels), check out the Iolo technologies coupons that gives you 50% on a PC tune-up system, and Tiger Direct coupon codes that offer a range of discounts on computers and electronics.

Welcome to CareOne as a new blog sponsor! CareOne Debt Relief Services is a provider of debt consolidation and counseling, with over 4.5 million customers. For people who are looking for more lifestyle tips or advice, CareOne also has its own resident Debt Diva (aka Clarky Davis) who blogs about money management and frugality tips.

Remember, if you decide that credit counseling or debt consolidation is the right step for you, be sure to understand the terms of your agreement and understand what type of services a debt management company will provide. Check out CareOne to see if it might be the right solution for you.