The following is a sponsored post on behalf of PayPlan.
In these modern times debt problems do not have to lead to bankruptcy. There are a number of ways to avoid this and getting help and advice as soon as possible can set you on the path to regaining control of your finances and checking free advice from debt consolidation companies is a good place to start.
Debt problems occur for many reasons including loss of job, down scaling of work hours or the breakup of a relationship. What was once an affordable repayment schedule suddenly becomes major debt problems once circumstances change. This may be unfamiliar territory to most as the relatively prosperous years of the past two decades have made access to cheap credit easy without counselling against what can go wrong. Many of the financial disciplines within lenders also slipped as they raced to grow their businesses on the promise of ever increasing property prices and income
levels.
But now we are in recession the price is being paid as the number of people declaring bankruptcy rises dramatically.
Fortunately, the past ten years has seen a change in the laws affecting solvency for both individuals and companies and also a growth in help and advisory websites. These sites offer help and advice on how to get debt problems back under control and can offer customers practical assistance on setting up debt management plans or, should the need arise, a more structured Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) with lenders.
IVA’s have certainly revolutionised the way debt problems can be handled and reduces the need for bankruptcy. It forms an interim solution between a voluntary debt management plan and bankruptcy by allowing for a formal agreement between borrower and lenders on how outstanding debt is to be repaid in the future. Typically a five year plan is agreed and any outstanding debt at the end of the term is written off by the lenders. IVA’s have to be arranged by licensed insolvency practitioners but many companies have ready access to the necessary qualified personnel to help and assist. If an IVA fails then bankruptcy may be the final option. Again, these companies can help and advise if bankruptcy is the only solution for you.
Bankruptcy can be avoided and should if possible. Despite the diminishing stigma attached to bankruptcy there are still some unpleasant consequences such as restricted borrowing rights, possible job restrictions and a public declaration of the facts and you may also lose your home. Getting practical advice from experienced companies can be invaluable. Once you recognise that you have debt problems then you should act fast since the earlier it is addressed the easier the solutions. The whole topic seems complex and confusing with options ranging from voluntary a debt management plan to bankruptcy and budgeting to consolidation loans. Getting sound advice will help you plot the path back to getting control of your finances and avoiding bankruptcy.
A fun loving, big hearted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and owner of a landscaping business used eSmartTax.com to file his taxes. His name is Daryl Johnson. He was plucked from his relative obscurity by the folks at eSmartTax.com to serve as their representative of the everyday man – their new spokesperson.
So to celebrate, eSmartTax.com is offering the deluxe version of their software for free to all persons with the last name of Johnson. I think it’s a pretty funny, and hence clever, bit of marketing too.
Here are some fun Johnson facts :
According to the Census Bureau, there are 2,121,489 Johnsons in America
The Daryl Johnson that is the eSmartTax.com spokesman was the only Daryl Johnson, out of out of 2,715 guys in the United States named Daryl Johnson, to file his taxes with eSmartTax.com
Johnson is the 2nd most popular name in the US.
2 US Presidents were named Johnson.
The US Congress has 4 Representatives named Johnson.
The US Senate only has one Johnson.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco cannot receive a free tax refund, because he changed his name from Chad Johnson.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Magic Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Jimmie Johnson and Jack Johnson can all get a free Deluxe tax filing from eSmart Tax.
Whoopi Goldberg’s real name is Caryn Johnson, so she is eligible for a free Deluxe tax filing on eSmartTax.com
Some facts about eSmartTax.com:
The service is offered by Liberty Tax Service.
Liberty Tax Service is fully accredited by the better business bureau with an A+ rating.
Here’s what the basic and deluxe versions offer.
Basic.
Federal Tax Preparation and e-File – All the forms you need are right here, along with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that make free e-filing effortless.
Free Technical Support – eSmart is here to help. We quickly resolve technical questions including computer compatibility issues.
IRS e-File Technology – Feel confident using eSmart; it’s the most secure way to get your refund. It’s also the fastest, compared to traditional paper filing.
Deluxe.
Federal Tax Preparation and e-File – All the forms you need are right here, along with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that make free e-filing effortless.
Free Technical Support – eSmart is here to help. We quickly resolve technical questions including computer compatibility issues.
eSmart Refund Maximizer – We review your information line by line and look for opportunities that lead to additional tax reductions and greater refunds.
CPA Audit Assistance – If you get audited by the IRS, contact Customer Support, and a Liberty Tax CPA audit specialist will be assigned to your case to support you throughout the process.
Carry Forward Data – If you e-filed your return with eSmart last year, you can easily transfer data from last year’s return into this year’s return for faster, easier filing. To take advantage of this feature simply log in with the same username and password as last year and leave the rest to us.
Compare “What If” Scenarios – Bought a new house, got married, went to college, had some children, or started a new business this year? Each situation can change your tax liability. Run “what if” scenarios to be certain you’re getting the best possible outcome.
I’ll leave you to figure out who the 2 presidents were and wonder what the 1st most popular name in the U.S. is, but remember – you don’t have to be a Johnson to get the basic level e-file for free.
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine.
If you are thinking of buying a home, there really haven’t been many opportunities as good as today’s buyer’s market.
According to The National Association of Realtors, affordability is the best it’s been since the 1970′s, and with the extension and expansion of the Home Buyer Tax Credit, it’s an even better deal.
Despite recent reports of IRS delays and the inability to e-file when applying for the first time home buyer credit, it’s still worth it – if you’re looking to buy a house for a home, and not for profit. The credit was expanded to non-first time home buyers as well. This was due to the fact that the tax credit had provided a big incentive to first time home buyers, but little else. So, it was expanded to help incentivise home purchases of “move-up” buyers.
Requirements To Qualify
For first-time home buyers.
First-time home buyers are defined as those who have never owned a home, or who have not owned a home in the last three years.
The maximum credit available for first-time buyers is $8,000.
Income limit is $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples.
Buyers must have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.
For move-up borrowers.
Move-up borrowers are defined as those who have owned and lived in their current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years.
The maximum credit available to move-up buyers is $6,500.
Income limit is $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples.
Buyers must have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.
You are looking to buy a house now (or the VERY near future).
Are planning on staying in this house for 5 years or more.
Can afford the house on your current income.
The credit may not be extended further, but if you can’t afford the home then it really isn’t helping you in the long run. And investing in real estate is a long-term proposition in today’s market, the go-go days of flipping your home is over. So, it makes sense for qualified buyers looking to buy a home and just an investment.
It also helps the economy. Every home sold creates one new job over the next 12-months, and injects approximately $60,000 into the local economy, according to The National Association of Realtors.
Here’s a video from Jim Gillespie, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker that explains the tax credit quite well:
It’s been a while since I’ve done any research into online brokers, but here’s a new one worth checking out: TradeMONSTER.
TradeMONSTER is an online options broker, but they also cover all the basic trades for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds. They have a heavy emphasis on providing educational resources for the customer as well.
They’re not as new as they might seem. TradeMONSTER is a subsidiary of OptionMonster and was launched in 2007. How did I miss that? Anyway, TradeMONSTER is a member of FINRA and SIPC, so you’re as insured as you can be with a broker. They also offer a PaperTRADE account to learn with virtual money – virtual investing allows you to test your methods and learn from experience without actually risking your own money and is something I am a big proponent of. They’re also socially connected – they integrate with Twitter, so you can post trade details or comment on a trade you made. They received 4 out of 5 stars from Barron’s for trade experience, usability, research amenities and portfolio report & analysis.
TradeMONSTER seems to be geared more toward options trading, or just plain trading in general. Not that I have anything against that. I’m more of a long term, buy and hold type of investor. But if you’re looking for a more active trading platform that offers a high degree of customization, then check them out.
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