February 2009
Monthly Archive
Loans Hall28 Feb 2009 06:35 am
Refinancing Your Loan
Refinancing your home or property is a big decision that could drastically affect your financial future, for the good or the bad, depending on how smart you go about the process. Take the time to explore all of the different refinancing options you have available to you. Many loan agents offer you refinancing deals that seem too good to be true, and while most of them seem to have your best interests at heart, do try to keep in mind that they are not paid unless they approve you for a loan–and you take it. Refinancing your mortgage can lower your monthly payments, lower the amount of interest you pay on your loan, or even shorten the term of your mortgage without having to pay a penalty for early mortgage pay off.
Refinancing a mortgage usually involves allowing a loan company to pay off your original home loan in return for you signing a loan contract with them. Most times, the second loan is more beneficial to the mortgagee, especially for that present time.
There are a couple of things you want to consider when trying to decide whether or not to refinance your home loan. First off, a lender usually charges fees on a point system; the points on your mortgage can range anywhere from zero points to four, depending on the credit worthiness of the borrower, and the type of lender you are using. Some lenders may offer a much lower interest rate with a higher number of points, while others may offer a higher interest rate and only zero to one point involved. Points are fees that are equal to one percent of the face value of the loan. A $200,000 loan with three points would cost the borrower $6,000 up front. A lower number of discount points may cause the loan to have a higher interest rate than the loan you are thinking of refinancing, perhaps causing your loan to cost you more in the end.
Of course, when thinking of refinancing, you are going to want to make sure that it will be in your benefit! The penalty costs of paying off your loan or mortgage early, the cost of appraising your home, related attorney costs, settlement fees, and closing costs are all amounts that should be taken into consideration when one is refinancing. As far as your current loan is concerned, these are all costs that, more often than not, have already been taken care of and you could be making things worse for yourself by taking these things on again, especially if your reason for refinancing is a rather tight financial situation.
The mistake not to make is to refinance to save your mortgage, to keep a bank or lender from foreclosing on your property. While sometimes situations like this are inescapable, borrowers who attempt to refinance their properties and homes under conditions such as this often end up essentially paying more than they were, saving their property and possibly harming their credit in the process.
Kirsten Hawkins is a real estate expert from Nashville, TN. Visit www.king-of-real-estate.com/ for more information on real estate, mortgages, and finding the house of your dream.
Loans Hall27 Feb 2009 07:56 am
Unsecured Personal Loans
An unsecured personal loan is a great way to consolidate debt, pay off other small loans, or clean up your credit. There are many reasons that people get unsecured personal loans. The important thing is to understand what having an unsecured personal loan really means. It is equally important to weigh all your options for paying off debt.
Let’s look at the responsibilities of having an unsecured personal loan. First it is important to understand that an unsecured personal loan means that you do not have any collateral for the bank to collect if you cannot pay your loan. This increases your finance charges and interest rate. The bank has to cover themselves when deal with an unsecured personal loan somehow, right? Your credit rating is a big determining factor to what you interest rate will be for an unsecured loan. Before applying for any unsecured personal loans make sure that your credit is the best it can be at this point. Of course if you are trying to pay off debts your credit will be lower. If you are in this situation you need to evaluate if getting an unsecured loan at a higher interest rate will be the better option that just trying to save money and pay the debts off as your budget allows.
When shopping around for unsecured personal loans make sure you take your time to find the best deal. Remember, you are not only looking for the best interest rate, you want to find the best overall package. This means you need to understand the interest rate, finance charges, and other fees that may occur during the life of the unsecured person loan. Most importantly you need to fully understand the route that the bank will take if you cannot make your payments for your unsecured personal loan. This is not something anyone wants to think about, but it is important to know.
There are many different unsecured personal loans to choose from so if you do your research either on the Internet or by way of talking with a financial advisor, you will be able to feel confident in the decision you make concerning unsecured personal loans. Once you understand the options you have with unsecured personal loans you can shop around for the best overall packages for the type of unsecured personal loan you have decided on. Whatever route you take concerning unsecured personal loans make sure it fits into you budget and you are confident that it is the best deal you can find.
For more information about unsecured personal loan, visit:
http://blogs.christianet.com
Loans Hall27 Feb 2009 05:47 am
Personal Loans for Unemployed - Liberating You from the Tangles of Unemployment
Like most of the contingencies (the after effects of unemployment safely allow it to be categorised into a contingency), one is rarely prepared enough to face the inconveniences being forced upon by unemployment. And within months of losing job, making ends meet becomes tougher for the individual. The situation gets grimmer if the jobless individual is left to fend for himself. The unemployment dole handled out by the government is hardly sufficient to meet the routine needs. As soon as the larger expenses crop up, the finances fall flat. There is little option other than to surrender to the forces of poverty and indebtedness.
You certainly do not intend to allow the chain of events a free run in your life and finances. Personal loans for unemployed will be a very important weapon in this venture. Personal loans for unemployed identify well with the concerns of the jobless borrowers and thus prove a more potent technique to fight the times of unemployment.
A question that crops in most minds is why the unemployed individuals need a specialised loan, and why they cannot realize their purpose through a regular loan. The attitude of the loan providers is more to blame for this. Since, the unemployed people lose a stable source of income, they are not able to instil much faith in the loan providers that they will safely repay the personal loan for unemployed. Loan providers perceive a greater degree of risk in offering personal loans for unemployed. This leaves loan providers with two options- either reject the application of the unemployed altogether, or offer them personal loans for unemployed with renewed terms and conditions.
Being refused personal loans because of unemployment leaves borrowers with no choice except to look after other loan providers. It is not that difficult to search for personal loan for unemployed now. With the loan providers making a widespread use of technology, borrowers can find listings by loan providers offering quotes on personal loans for unemployed. With an increasing number of lenders in the UK borrowers do have a chance to qualify for personal loans with some or other lender.
The lenders who agree to offer financial assistance may generally offer personal loans on terms that differ from the regular loans. The principal difference may be noticed in the rate of interest charged. Because of putting a greater exposure on the loan providers, expecting an interest rate equivalent to the regular loans will be unreasonable. Rate of interest is a function of the degree of risk involved in a loan. Standard variable rate of interest charged on personal loans for unemployed is generally higher.
This however, doesn’t give the loan provider a free hand in charging interest. There have been many instances of unemployed borrowers losing their homes or other possessions because of agreeing to excessively high interest rates. The base rate to be charged on personal loans for unemployed can be ascertained through a loan calculator. A loan calculator lists loans of all kinds along with their respective interest rates. A borrower can upon comparison know what the lowest interest rate is, and also know whether the interest rate he is being offered is in concurrence with the best available rates of interest. The entries in the loan calculator may not have been updated according to changes in the rate of interest and other terms. Thus, though the loan calculator may not give an exact information, it may be used for defining a benchmark.
Personal loans for unemployed are generally secured on the borrowers’ home. The collateral helps salvage a somewhat better deal for the borrowers. Willingness to offer ones home as collateral also makes more and more lenders keen upon offering personal loans to the unemployed.
The personal loan thus offered is also termed as a home equity loan. A borrower has the option to receive the money due on the home equity loan through two different methods. He either receives the entire amount at one instance or opens a home equity line of credit to assist him in emergencies. The second option of home equity line of credit will be much more useful for people who do not have an immediate use of the entire sum. Under the home equity line of credit, interest is charged only on the amount withdrawn and not the entire amount as in the home equity loan.
Though personal loans for unemployed may not cater to unemployment in its entirety, but it can offer a potent short-term solution to the financial shortage that unemployment is generally accompanied with.
Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT.He is engaged in providing free,professional,and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site loans fiesta for any type of loans in uk,secured loans,unsecured loans,debt consolidation loans please visit http://www.loansfiesta.co.uk
Loans Hall26 Feb 2009 11:52 am
Short term loans - expanding financial scope during crisis.
This world is so economically unsteady that you cannot always remain geared to face it. When you are faced with emergency financial situations, short term loans are ideally the best way to overcome them. Short term loans are debt instruments to provide instant cash requirements and money management.
As the name suggests, short term loans are meant for money requirement that do not extend beyond few days. Short terms loans enable you to get to your next payday if financial urgency put a threat to regular budget. With filling an online application form you get to access short term loans very easily. Short term loans process has been simplified so that anybody above 18 years of age can access it. It does not require any faxing either.
The major incentive of short term loans is that they entail no credit checks. There are some requirements that you need to fulfill while applying for short term loans. You need to have a checking account that has been open upto a minimum of 90 days and a regular income. He must be either regularly employed or receiving a regular monthly check like pension or social security. The term for short term loans is usually 14-18 days. Choose a payment date when you are sure that you will have that deposit in the bank. You can apply for extension but that will come with very high interest charges.
You can pay the entire amount for short term loans and the sooner you pay the better. Any financial advisor would warn you against the possible dangers of depending on this particular loan type for a longer team than usual. In fact you should restraint from taking any other loan until you repay your short term loan, for it would not be in your financial interest.
The loan amount for short term loans is usually anywhere from £100-£1000. Typically short term loan companies are open 24hrs. You can fill the forms in the privacy of your home without worrying about confidentiality. The payment of short term loans can also be done online.
There are strict laws associated with short term loans. Check the laws in your area before you commit to any short term loans. Most loan lenders are very lenient and adjust with late short term loans payment.
Borrowers are counseled to sincerely weigh their options before they apply for short term loans. They seem all simple easy and young people who never had any credit are more liable to fall in its trap. The interest rates for short terms loans is very high. A typical short term loan costs £15-£30 per £100 borrowed. This may not seem much but when translated in terms of APR it is 390-780 percent interest. This is huge. The debt that you can’t pay is always a trap. Therefore, look for alternatives, short term loans are not the only choice left.
Short term loans should be taken after you have exhausted the alternatives like taking advance from your employer, taking small loan from a credit union, using checking overdraft protection as an emergency short-term loan.
Short term loans are meant for students also. But they should be used as a last resort and in case you have a genuine, temporary, emergency problem. Usually only one short term loans are available for students once in a year and can be made available in three days.
Cash in hand is a very secure position for every person. But there are times when this is not possible. Situations are never similar and change from time to time having considerable burden on funds. Small term debt problems can very easily convert into long term issues. Short term loans, if used well, can be constructing in rendering long term solutions.
Maria smith has not been writing articles from the beginning.But the increase in perplexing loans information has urged her to write on different loans types.So she writes in a way that is logical,comprehensive and understandably meant to cater to the need of general public who is left breathless while searching for loans.To find a Loans uk,secured loans,unsecured loans,Debt consolidation at low interest that best suits your needs visit www.loansfiesta.co.uk
Loans Hall24 Feb 2009 06:06 pm
Paperless Payday Loan - Points To Consider With A No Fax Payday Loan
Paperless payday loans subtract the paperwork hassle from the application process. But, you still must meet the payday loan company’s requirements to be approved. They may also delay your approval if your information has to be verified by hand. A lender with good customer support will ensure a quick approval.
No Paperwork Hassle
The greatest bonus with a paperless payday loan is that you don’t have to worry about paperwork. No searching for bank records, past bills, or pay check stubs. No rushing out to your local copy center to fax records. You can complete the entire process online at any time.
Once your information is submitted over a secure connection, your payday loan lender will verify the information through their database. You can be approved for a cash advance in less than an hour.
Must Still Meet Requirements
Even with the convenience of a no fax payday loan, you still need to meet the requirements for a loan. While there is no credit check, you will usually need to have at least $1000 in monthly income, which can include a job or social security check. You must also have been employed at your current job for at least 60 days, sometimes longer.
Additional requirements include being at least 18 years old, providing correct contact information, and having an open checking account. Some lenders also require no NSF checks and at least a $100 balance in your checking account.
Longer Process Time
While most paperless payday loans are speedy, there can be delays in the process. Most often this occurs when there are errors in your application, usually misspelling a word or transposing numbers. When this occurs, the computer rejects the application and a person has to verify the information.
To avoid these delays, double check your application before submitting it. You may also find that faxing documents will save you time.
When choosing your payday loan lender, make sure that you are getting the best service and rates. Look for lenders that offer customer support through email or phone calls. This way, if there is a problem, you can be assured that it will be handled quickly.
See my recommended No
Fax Payday Loan companies online.
Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help with loans for people with very bad credit.
Loans Hall23 Feb 2009 02:07 am
Computer Loans -An opportunity to have a computer of your own
Computers nowadays have become a part and parcel of everyone’s life. To keep oneself updated, one needs to match pace with the changing technology. You too must be using a computer for various personal and professional purposes. The real problem arises when you do not have a computer of your own and have to depend on neighbors and friends who have a PC. This may be embarrassing at times. With a computer loan, now you can easily have a computer of your own.
Computer Loans are personal loans that enable people to purchase new or second hand computers, fitted with all the latest gadgets. It is available as secured and unsecured computer loan. Secured computer loan is a loan secured against the collateral of the borrower. While, an unsecured computer loan does not require a borrower to put his property as a security against the loan.
There has been a tremendous rise in the number of computer users, thanks to the fast and easily available computer loans. Computer loans are designed to cater to the needs and expectations of the UK residents.
Computers are used at home, schools, colleges, universities and offices. Usage of a computer is not confined to the four walls of a house; one can explore the whole world by just sitting in front of it. In today’s world of Internet and email, you can compose music on the computer; edit your home movies, download songs or simply play the latest games and can enjoy hours of fun.
Benefits of owning a PC: -
•Research - You can research on any topic of interest.
•Word Processing - You can organize documents, plans, newsletters, etc
•Email - You can stay in touch with your close ones through mails.
•Instant Messaging - You can send instant message to friends and family members
•Collaboration - You can access online syllabi, course requirements
Computer loans are normally for smaller amounts than the average loan and are easier to obtain. Annual percentage rate (APR) depends on the type of loan borrower wishes to borrow and for how long, i.e. term of the loan. Computer loans are offered at an APR ranging from 7.25% to 15%. An unsecured computer loan generally carries a higher APR than a secured computer loan, since any collateral does not guarantee loan repayments.
A good credit score can work wonders for a borrower, as it reflects the good credit worthiness of the borrower. Better, the credit score the more are your chances to get the loan for a bigger amount with a longer repayment term. However, people with bad credit score, CCJs, arrears or defaults need not feel disheartened, they too can apply for this loan.
A borrower can seek a computer loan from various financial institutions and online lenders. Applying for a computer loan online will be the most convenient method. Online process of applying for a loan is easy; a loan applicant is just required to fill up a simple and small application form. A borrower can access infinite number of online lenders through Internet that offer several loan options. You need to make a little effort. Collect loan quotes from various lenders and compare them to find the loan that suits you the best.
Are you unable to decide which loan option is best for you? You need not worry. Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) can help you get the right product that can match with your individual needs. Financial advisors will provide their advice in written describing the reasons behind the preference for a particular loan option, in order to make sure that you are fully informed about the pros and cons of the loan.
Each one of us dreams to have a computer of our own. With computer loans, they have come closer to achieving this dream. In fact, many of the computer acquisitions have been the result of computer loans. Apply for a computer loan online and see yourself using your own computer next time.
Mary Jones is an expert financial advisor. She has done Masters in Finance from London Business School. To find Personal Loans & Mortgages - Secured Loan Unsecured Loan visit
www.loansvalley.co.uk
Loans Hall19 Feb 2009 03:55 pm
Understanding your ACS Student Loan
An ACS student loan is one that is serviced by Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a company that is known for outsourcing technology and business solutions. Many universities use the ACS student loan because of the company’s reputation for using technology to smooth over some of the more difficult aspects of loan services. With an ACS student loan, students can make payments online, instantly see the status of an account, change personal details like name and address, and receive email notification when payments have been processed.
A number of different financial aid programs fall under the heading of an ACS student loan. One of the major ACS student loan groups is the Campus Based Student Loan Program (CBSL), which includes Federal Perkins Loans, Nursing Student Loans (NSL), and Institutional Loan Programs, among others. Another major group of educational loans handled by ACS is the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL), which includes the Stafford (GSL) Loans, PLUS loans to parents of students, and loan consolidation services. ACS also handles a group of educational loans donated by a variety of private companies.
For those who do not already have an ACS student loan, applications and guidelines for different financial aid options are available online. The ACS website gives a clear example of how to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and demonstrates what the results mean in terms of your eligibility for financial aid. Furthermore, applications for both Stafford and PLUS loans for parents can be found on the ACS website, and can be completed and sent in online.
If you have an ACS student loan already, you might be interested in learning about the benefits of student loan consolidation. The ACS website provides information and application forms that could help you lock in a lower rate and
reduce your monthly payment amount.
Other tools that might help you with your ACS student loan include a repayment calculator, IRS guidelines about how to use your student loans for tax relief, and a glossary of important student loan-related terms.
All in all, an ACS student loan is one that will give the borrower the most ease and flexibility when it comes to loan servicing from application to repayment and consolidation. ACS works with a number of universities across the United States, including the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Vermont. Even if your specific university does not offer student loans handled by ACS, their website is a treasure trove of helpful tools and information, and well worth a look.
Mark Kessler’s website Student Loans 411 offers a comprehensive free resource of college financial aid for Consolidating Student Loans, Alternative Student Loans, ACS , Bad Credit, US Department Of Education Student Loans, including a variety student loan articles.
Loans Hall19 Feb 2009 08:23 am
A Methodical Approach to Best Secured Loans
I was always very sure of my analytical and decision making skills, and was sure of my capability to unearth the best secured loans. But the significantly larger number of decisions that one has to make on personal loans had my confidence drooping low. I would have lost any hope of getting a best secured loan had it not been for the independent financial advisors, who advised me on the correct method of proceeding on best secured loan.
The method of proceeding on best secured loan differs from the manner in which secured loans in general are found. Haven’t you experienced a similar situation when a rare commodity has to be searched? The purchaser has to put more efforts. Similarly, special efforts will have to be made by the borrower during the search for best secured loans. A special effort is not synonymous with more efforts. Technology ensures that borrowers have to spend very less time and energy in the processing of loans. Through a special effort is meant the use of technology to lead to the best secured loan.
The technology used in best secured loans is very simple and user friendly. Instead of having borrowers to visit their office, the loan providers have provided maximum information about them and their products on their website. A website thus is the window to the lender for borrowers all over the world. Any borrower who is interested in viewing the lender’s offering has to view its website. Any person who has a personal computer connected to the internet can browse the loan provider’s website and make his application from any place and at any time. This method of online application has been largely helpful for the borrowers.
So, how is the technology used for arranging best secured loan? Considering that borrowers cannot give much time towards finding best secured loan deals, technology has attempted to present loan offerings to borrowers at their own convenience. We just talked of lender website. A borrower in his free-time will go through several websites of several lenders. Since, borrowers will need to put in special efforts in order to find best secured loans, he needs to have a larger database of lenders. This is possible when the search is made through search engines. A search engine contains a larger database of websites providing a particular product. Several websites appear before the borrower when the search for best secured loan is made through search engines.
Having constructed a larger database of lenders, borrowers must get ready to cut short the list to a few. So, who are the lenders who do not find a place in the selected list of lenders? For making this decision, borrowers need to be sure of his requirements from the best secured loan. If it is low rate of interest that motivates them, then they must search accordingly. Similarly, search and elimination of lenders must be carried on according to the other requirements such as fast approval, bad credit history, etc. These form the components of a best secured loan. The lenders who do not offer a secured loan according to the borrower’s specifications will not find a place in the list.
The concept of best secured loan is highly subjective. As seen above, some borrowers believe that a loan where the interest rate charged is very low is the best secured loan. Another person believes that unless he receives the loan proceeds fast, it isn’t a best secured loan. So, what actually is a best secured loan? That will depend on the individual perception of the borrower.
Independent financial advisors have an advice for the borrowers who are looking for best secured loans. Do not be focussed on one or two criteria only. So when you are searching for a low rate best secured loan, you mustn’t compromise with the fast approval. Will you be able to appreciate the low interest rate if you receive the loan proceeds much delayed? No! Therefore best secured loan in its true sense will be where a proportionate mix of all the components has been made.
James Taylor holds a Master’s degree in Commerce from JNU he is working as financial consultant for chance for loans.To find a personal loan,bad credit loans,Debt consolidation,Best Secured loans that best suits your needs visit
www.chanceforloans.co.uk
Loans Hall19 Feb 2009 06:24 am
Holiday loans: celebrating holidays in your own special way
A holiday in many countries is a day set aside for celebrations and is considered a culture wide observation or activity. Since holiday is such a huge occasion, many people appreciate in their own personal way. Since holidays generally include travel to some favourite destination, it includes expenses. Well not everyone’s pocket is ready to make expenses when you need it. Holiday loans can finance your holidays when you need it and conveniently pay them back when you can.
Holiday loans are personal loans that are meant to pay for a special reason called holiday. Holiday loans are both secured and unsecured. This makes options for both homeowners and tenants. Unsecured holiday loans will not require any security and would be approved in lesser time. Tenants have the advantages of getting holiday loans via the unsecured method.
Homeowners can place their home as collateral for secured holiday loans. However, alternative collateral like cars or any other valuable assets are also accepted. You would need to check with your lender for it. Using your home equity for paying for holidays is better than using a credit card to pay for the bills. Home equity loans for holidays are low interest and interest is tax deductible. Secured option for holiday loans will always carry lesser interest rate than the unsecured option.
Holiday loans are typically short term loans that do not go beyond 2-5 years. Try to restrict your loan term and do not let it go beyond 10 years. Holiday loans amount start from as low as £3000 and go as high as £25,000. You can make any use of holiday loans - you don’t necessarily have to take it for travel only. You can use holiday loans to make any expenses during the festive season. Well, in case you can afford it then holiday loans of value £25,000-£100,000 are available.
Holiday loans have the adaptability to fit into any financial circumstance. Holiday loans are available for those with bad credit also. Usually all kinds of bad credit condition can find holiday loans. However, one should be realistic in their expectations. You will be required to pay high interest rates for bad credit and may not qualify for larger amounts.
It is hard not to overspend on holidays but try to maintain caution. You don’t want to add holiday stress to your special time. After all you have to payback holiday loans. Lets us walk on solid ground when it comes to loans. Plan repayment before you take holiday loans. Since you are paying for holidays with loans it is better to have a plan. Make a budget and a list of things you would essentially want to buy while you are on your trip. Refrain from paying for shopping with credit card. You would probably loose track of how much you are spending.
When taking loans to pay for holiday make sure you are taking the best deal. Check out holiday loans rates and deals at the various lenders. A lot of money can be saved with the help of holiday loans comparisons. Go to different loans lenders read their offer carefully and then apply for a quote. See if the monthly payments for holiday loans suit your budget. Apply with a holiday loans lender that speaks to your requirements.
Holiday loans are a logical and coherent way to get funds for holidays. With consumer holiday spending in 2005 reaching a £120 billion mark it is evident that holiday loans industry is growing. It should have been mandatory to go on a relaxing holiday if everyone could go on holiday without worrying about expenses. With loans you can unwrap this season a gift that you would cherish in the years to come - holiday.
After having herself gone through the ordeal of loan borrowing, Natasha Anderson understands the need for good quality loan advice. Her articles endeavor to provide you the wise counsel in the most elementary way for the benefit of the readers. She hopes that this will help them to locate the loan that beseems their expectations. She works for the UK secured loan web site uk finance world.To find a Secured or unsecured loan,Holiday loans that best suits your needs visit
www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk
Loans Hall11 Feb 2009 07:54 pm
Creative College Financing-The HELOC and the 529 Plan
Since HELOCs are excellent tools for handling irregular expenses, it makes sense that lots of people are turning to them to provide additional cash for college. Usually a student applies for as much scholarship, grant or student loan money as he/she is eligible, then the parent will make up the difference, if needed, by accessing home equity with a HELOC. This arrangement works well for many reasons: 1) The HELOC allows the parent to pull out only as much money as needed at a time without having to borrow (and make payments on) a large lump sum; 2) As the payments are interest only for up to 15 years, repayment is easier on the parent’s pocketbook; 3) The credit line doesn’t have to be used specifically for tuition. It can also provide money for additional expenses such as housing, books, transportation, etc.; and 4) The payments are usually tax deductible (consult your tax advisor).
The scenario above illustrates how most people use HELOCs to help get their kids through school. However, a recent conversation with some colleagues brought up the question of whether or not a HELOC could be used as a vehicle to fully fund a college education. Surprisingly, the answer may very well be yes and doing so could even save you money!
Consider the following scenario:
If you have a child who is 8 years old today, he or she will ideally be ready to enroll in college in ten years. If tuition is currently $5,000 per year, you would need a minimum of $20,000 for four years of school at today’s tuition rate. Unfortunately, with ten years before your child leaves for State U, you will have to account for inflation, which, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is currently around 5% for higher education. That means that ten years from now the same school would cost not $20,000 but $35,104. Assuming you have nothing saved now, you would need to put at least $292.53 under your mattress each month in order to pay for four years of school.
Creative financing may create a viable alternative.
529 plans are becoming an increasingly more popular means for parents to pay for their children’s educations. The 529, named for the government regulation that pertains to the program, is a plan that allows parents to pre-pay a future college education at today’s prices. Using our previous illustration, $20,000 paid now would pay for four years education at Imaginary State U at any future date. The challenge for most of us would be where to get the $20,000.
If you don’t have that kind of cash readily available to you, one option might be to use you home equity.
Read this carefully before you try this at home.
Let’s say you went to MrHELOC.com and made arrangements to get a Home Equity Line of Credit. You could write a check against the line for $20,000 and pre-pay college at today’s price. At today’s prime rate of 6.5% your monthly, interest only, tax deducible payment would be only $108.33.
In theory, by using creative financing (a HELOC), you could conceivably provide your child a completely funded college education at a savings of $184.20 per month. If you consider the fact that college graduates earn an average of about *70% more income than non-graduates, it’s certainly something to think about.
*Data reported in U.S. Government Statistics
Copyright © 2005 Robert E. Jones, Jr.
Robert E. Jones is a Mortgage Loan Officer with years of experience helping homeowners manage their debt.
He is also known as “Mr. HELOC”.
Robert has an established reputation as a creative problem solver. He specializes in helping homeowners use their equity and credit to achieve their personal and financial goals and overcome difficult situations.
If you have questions about HELOCs or creative financing, you can contact him by visiting http://www.mrheloc.com
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