• Understanding car finance

    Are you shopping around for a car? Well then, the subject of car financing should be something you should be studying and researching rather seriously! For most of us, the purchase of a car goes hand in hand with getting financing for it. Whether you’re in the market for a new car or a used car, you can get financing for it most times from the dealer you’re purchasing the vehicle from. However, it would be well worth your while to check out a few other different options and dealerships and talk to people or do online research to find out what the competition is doing, as well as what kind of deals are out there for your particular demographic and the particular car you’re looking to buy.

    Getting your car loan or financing approved is really where the delays can occur. If you are someone who has a handle on their background, has the right paperwork, is armed with the knowledge about your credit score and history and what that means, you can get going in your car that much sooner. If you have good credit history and a good credit score, you’re pretty much set. So it is important to build your credit history.

    Your other option when looking for a car loan is of course, to go to your current bank, or head to a bank that offers competitive and attractive car finance options. Do keep in mind, that some banks offer financing for only new cars, or at the least, way better deals for new cars. However, with a little digging, you can definitely avail of car finance services for a used car as well some banks offer competitive loans and rates of interest for new as well as new cars.
    How do you go about applying? Well, you can do it online, call the bank’s helpline and speak with someone in the car finance division, or just head over to the nearest or most convenient branch and have a conversation with a bank representative. Keep in mind that every bank will have its own rules and regulations, including, in the case of used cars, how old the car is (which year model is it?) as well as how many miles the vehicle has on it. And obviously the amount you get towards a used car will have a cap that will be lower than what a new car loan will offer.

  • Here’s how you can get a car finance

    The vast majority of Americans, close to 90% actually, seek some sort of financing when it comes to purchasing a new car. The biggest and most major hurdle when you’re in the car financing game is, of course, getting credit approval in a timely and stress-free manner. At the end of the day, very few of us can actually walk into a car dealership and point and say “I want that one”, pay cash or with a credit card for the whole amount, and just drive off the lot.

    So, knowing what one’s options are in terms of finance for your car purchase are quite critical. Having a decent to good credit history is a key factor in successfully getting car financing at decent rates and in the range (dollar amount) that you are looking for. And of course a great credit score gives you all that more bargaining power with your company of choice! Now there’s a good reason to build your credit history! Because the higher the credit rating you can present to the company or bank you’re seeking to get a car loan from, the better the rate of interest and terms, including time to pay back, that you can win yourself. This means you will get a longer time and pay out less over the life of your car loan.

    You can go to your bank, a credit union, or finance through the dealer you are purchasing your new car from, but there are actually some other options as well, that you might want to consider before committing to your car finance methodology or leaving it all in the hands of the dealership. For one, auto loan companies offer a range of loan types, have specialized agents who can field your queries and offer insight into the process, and different ones cater to different types of consumers and their level of credit. There are a number of online auto loan services that offer assistance with getting the best possible car loan. Most sites have loan calculators and questionnaires that help you figure out the numbers. And they offer comparisons between different auto loan companies so you know what you’re getting into. It makes a lot of sense to do your own research, check out pre-approvals that can be applied for and completed online, before you walk into your dealership and pick out the car you’re interested in.

  • Basic rates for used car financing

    Are you worried that your decision to buy a used car, and not spring for a new one will affect your ability to get financing for your purchase? Well, you shouldn’t be! A lot of banks and financial institutions out there offer good rates on financing for used car purchases, given certain parameters like the age of the car in question, and of course, your own personal credit history. But the current trend in used car auto financing over the first quarter in 2017 suggests that you can expect to pay between 4.88% and 4.91% interest rates on your used car financing. The variations of course depend on the length of the loan, though the standard term for a used car loan seems to be 36 months, or 3 years. But one can also find 60 and 48 month length of finance options for used car purchases. The city and state you reside in and are purchasing from, will also affect your loan and finance options.

    Bank of America (which is currently advertising a 2.89% rate of interest on a 60-month used car loan for a purchase from a dealer) and US Bank (which is offering 2.87% as its lowest rate of interest on a 36-month financing for a used car) both claim to offer highly competitive rates of interest and equivalent terms, be it for a new or used car. Both banks are also offering up to 100% or even more of the car value as the loan amount, for a total of $100,000. And one is not restricted to purchasing only from a dealer, though that will definitely offer the best interest rate options. Private purchases from an owner will also be entertained and finance provided.

    While other banks may not offer such terms, Chase and Capital One are other well-known banks that do offer decent terms. Capital One, in fact, has offers online from around 2.9%, though the terms and conditions will only come to light when one actually goes through the application process or the pre-approval online process. There also appears to be minimal change in rate between the shorter 3 year and longer 5 year loans for used cars. So, be armed with the right information before you head to the dealership or bank and you should have no problems getting competitive used car finance rates and finally financing for the purchase of your used car.

  • Saved by the car title in tight financial times

    Did you know that you could get a loan even if your credit history is bad, or you have a huge stack of unpaid cards, or no money in the bank? All you do need is to own a car, and be willing to part with the paper vehicle title and use your vehicle as collateral, as well as allow the store or agency lending you the money, to place a lien on your car for the duration of your loan agreement. How much money you can get as a loan depends on the worth of your vehicle. Generally speaking, a lender will be willing to lend up to half the car value “ as in, the resale or Blue Book value of the vehicle. Some lenders may be willing to give you even more than fifty percent of the car’s resale value. The other factors that are taken into consideration when determining your loan amount are the amount you need and your ability to repay the loan as per terms.

    You must have insurance on the car in order to get a car finance or car title loan in most states in the U.S. And of course, the car in question must be fully paid off and belong to you “ which means that the title must be in your name and lien free, with no other pending loans or payments due against it. Lenders will require you to furnish a government issued identification, proof of income which is most cases means some sort of employment related documentation, proof of residential address (usually with a piece of US postal mail addressed to you), and car registration papers, in addition to the car title.

    The terms of the loan agreement, including the amount of interest charged, the amount due at the time of closing out the loan, and the number of times you can roll over the loan, are all also regulated and determined in advance. Interest rates for car title loans tend to be higher than other types of credit, starting at around 35 percent and sometimes even going up to 100 percent. Different companies may of course offer different terms, and you can do the research as well as loan application for a car title loan online, or go into a store that engages in this business.

    What happens if you cannot repay the loan in time? Well, that means your car gets taken over by the company, which has the right to sell off your repossessed vehicle to recover the amount it has loaned you and the interest.

  • Popular options for used car financing

    You need a car, and are ready to buy it. But it’s a used car purchase, not a brand new one. Does this mean you can’t get financing for your car? Do you have to have the entire amount in hand in order to go ahead with a purchase? No? Not only is it quite easy and as viable to get many used car finance rates and options, but if the used car you’re looking to buy is less than five to six years old, the bank won’t penalize you for not purchasing new you get equally competitive finance options.

    Banks such as the Bank of America and the US Bank are two large and well-known banking institutions that exist in most parts of the country that offer good financing on used cars. Of course, do keep in mind that the finance rates and offers will vary not just on the type, make, model, and age of the car you’re looking to purchase, but also by the state you live in, since fees and state regulations will tend to affect the deals you are eligible for. At present, the rate of interest for a used car, in the three-year financing and loan category, is between 4.88 and 4.9%, making it quite an affordable option.

    When you’ve decided that it is a used, and not new car, that you are in the market for, you should, based on your budget and needs, consider a Certified Pre Owned car or truck. Sure, the certified pre-owned route is a more expensive one than just going to a regular used car dealership. But the advantages are many, including getting the remaining warranty on the vehicle, and a slew of guarantees and maintenance and checks that one does not get with a regular used car purchase. And, most of the companies, from Ford (1.9%), Chevy (1.9%), Nissan (1.95-3.95%), and more offer special discounts and deals which means you pay less overall for your car, and they also come up with low rate of financing and the full five years to pay it back, like with a new car purchase. This also comes in handy when you are in the market for higher-end or luxury cars from makers like Land Rover (between 0.9-2.9%), Mercedes-Benz (2.99%) and BMW (0.9%), with these companies too offering great deals on direct purchases from their dealerships, on used cars.

  • Tips for getting that car finance

    So, you have made the decision to purchase a car. And you of course need some sort of financing in order to make it happen, especially if you are looking to buy a new car or a gentlyused one from a dealership. In such cases, most of the time, the options and advice can be endless, and overwhelming. So, knowing some of the common traps that one can fall into, and avoiding them, as well as learning tips and tricks to get the best possible car financing based on your credit score, chosen car make and model, and financing agency are essential.

    For starters, be prepared. Do your research not just the vintage, make and model of the car, but also your credit history, the type and amount of loan you are likely eligible for, and which kind of financial institution makes the most sense for your need. Is it your bank, the local credit union, or perhaps an online car financing company or auto loan agency, or is going with your dealership the best? Next, be prepared to negotiate the price and terms, and work towards making the best possible deal for yourself, especially when you’re working with a dealership. A zero interest deal if offered, may actually be taking away from other savings you have to do the math and not get carried away by something. Arm yourself the car salesman and the finance manager will try to scare or entice you into choosing extras or a more expensive plan obviously that’s where the profit and additional sales lies, for them.

    Stay firm, and don’t fall for high interest loans, because they will just make the worth of your purchase lower in the long run, and lead to heartache. Keep the terms short the longer your loan is for, the most you will be paying out in the long run. Sure, you pay less when you stretch the loan out for a number of years, and your auto dealer will make that seem enticing. However, it would behoove you to stick to no more than 5 years, even if they offer you up to 7 years to pay off the loan. And of course, optimal would be a 3 year span. Also, if you can manage a bigger down payment, do it. Better to stretch a little at the beginning than end up paying out so much more in interest over the years.

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  • Essential things to know about My Patriot Supply

    My Patriot Supply is a company that thrives on making emergency food supply possible and reachable to the people in need. The brand offers canned foods, full meals, vegetables and fruits, sprouting seeds and greens, and other essential items for colonies impacted by power cuts or natural calamities. The patriot freeze food supply delivers food kits that can be stored for weeks and years (upto 25 years).

    Who needs a My Patriot freeze-dried food supply?
    When there’s a power cut due to heavy snowfall or any natural calamity, My Patriot Supply comes to the rescue. The brand takes bulk orders and offers a wide range of food supplies and essential items like power and light, first aid, water filtration, and air purifiers, and even cooking tools. 

    What are the benefits of My Patriot freeze-dried food?
    Besides providing emergency food supply in the time of need, the food kits come with a long shelf life which can last for weeks and even years together. Some people even like to have such food kits handy at home in case of emergencies like curfews, pandemics, or viral outbreaks. The food kits are delivered in quality packages that can be tucked away in the freezer for future use.

    Does the company accept one-serve meals apart from bulk orders?
    One can order the short-term emergency survival food kit that offers supplements for three days or a month. The long-term emergency food supply provides food supplements that can be stored and used for a long time. Besides people with emergencies, patriot freeze food supply is also a preferred option for campers and hikers. They also offer one-serve meals and essential cooking equipment that can be used when on a hike.

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  • Computer Accessories and Peripherals – A Basic Technological Need

    We live in the millennial world where we cannot carry out our work without a computer. Be it a PC, a laptop, a tablet or a phone (which is also technically a computer), you need to keep updating your gadgets to keep up with the trend.

    While you are at it, you will also feel the need to accessorize and enhance its functionality. This is done through computer accessories and peripherals.
    In this brief article, we are going to try and understand what computer accessories and peripherals are, what the difference between the two is and which are the few computer accessories and peripherals that have become a part of our daily lives. In other words, those that have become a need.

    What is a computer accessory?

    Any form of hardware that is attached to a computer and performs a specific function is called a computer accessory. This additional function might not be necessary for the computer’s regular working. In other words, the computer can survive without a computer accessory.

    What is a computer peripheral?

    By definition, a computer peripheral is also an external component that is attached to a computer to enhance its functionality. In this case, similar to the above, a computer can easily function without it.

    Difference between computer peripherals and accessories

    In order to make you understand the difference easily, let us take an example of a mobile phone. In the case of a phone, you would add a casing or a cover to make it look more attractive and also add earphones so that the music-listening experience is enhanced. Here, the phone case or cover would be counted as an accessory and the earphones attached would be counted as peripherals. To put it differently, peripherals give more function than floss and accessories can easily be done without.
    While thinking of the scenario in this manner, a computer does not need much to operate on a regular basis. Give it a monitor, keyboard and a mouse, with the CPU of course, and you’ll find it perfectly fine. The whole idea of computer accessories and peripherals is to improve the existing functionality and enhance the experience while using the computer.

    Computer accessories and peripherals used in daily life

    Some of the most commonly available and known computer accessories are as follows:

    Printer

    As we all know, a printer is a device that is manually connected to our PC or laptop and is used to take physical printouts of the items we create on the system. These days, 3D printers are making the rounds. The concept is identical in a 3D printer, the only difference being that the end product is 3-dimensional, while the usual printer gives a 2-dimensional result on paper. The best choice while purchasing a printer now would be the Canon Pixma. Although Canon has come out with many versions in this series, it would be ideal to buy one depending on its functionality in lieu of your existing model.

    Headphones

    Headphones, earphones, in-the-ear earphones, cordless earphones, earphones with Bluetooth connectivity – all of these variations can come under the humble category of headphones. You will find a wide range of choice when it comes to the brand, model, and products while purchasing earphones. Some of the known brands that you can rely on are Sennheiser, Sony, Philips, and Bose. These have been on the market for time immemorial and are sure to churn out the best-in-class products.

    Speakers

    Like headphones, speakers are another needed luxury today. You will barely find people who don’t have a state-of-the-art speaker system. They would have made the purchase for just music interests, for work or even for commercial or office use. Whatever be the reason, a sound speaker system is a need in today’s world. Our best picks would be—JBL Professional Series, the Mackie SRM650, the Bose Professional Series and any product from Electro-Voice.
    While purchasing any kind of computer accessories and peripheral, always ensure that you are buying the latest version. If you end up buying a product that is going to become obsolete just to save some money, then it is a waste on your investment anyway.

  • Income fund plans, choose wisely from popular plans

    If you’re nearing retirement, or planning for the future ahead, saving up for your retirement is always a smart move. These are many finance savings instruments in the investment market these days. Income fund plans are one of the most beneficial, especially in terms of long term goals.
    Saving for your retirement doesn’t need to be a chore; in fact, it can be pretty easy if you take the right steps. If you’re looking for a couple of good income fund plans, read right on.

    These five popular income fund plans are categorized on total returns, return consistency, capital preservation, and low expenses.

    First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index (FDL)
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    iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index (DVY)
    This plan offers a 3-year annualized total return of 21.06%. DVY helps track the iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index which comprises of the 100 highest yielding stocks in the Dow Jones U.S. index. This is screened for various criteria such as dividend per share ratios, five year average payouts and minimum daily trading volumes.

    Nicholas Equity Income I (NSEIX)
    This plan is ideal for those who aren’t thriving risk takers and have low tolerance for high risks. Typically best suited for those who’d like conservative growth and fixed income on their returns in the long-term for their retirement plans.

    PowerShares HY Equity Dividend Achievers (PEY)
    Hailed as one of the best income fund plans since the financial crisis, PowerShares HY Equity Dividend Achievers takes a contrarian stance. Its expense ratio makes it a big premium in contrast to other popular dividend strategies in the market.

    Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
    If you’re looking for consistent and above average returns on your dividends, you’d be happy to know that the Vanguard Equity Income Fund (VEIPX) invests in the stocks of medium and large sized companies.

    Typically, the stocks they invest in return above-average dividends in the stock market’s industry. They also tend to use multiple financial advisors and keep up-to-date with the market inflation and other financial crises to ensure consistency in their returns. If you’re looking for something safe, consistent and for a plan that offers quality investment options, then this plan can be right for you.