Month: May 2019

Some employers are searching for ways to offer a bigger range of workplace benefits,as this is known to be a way of increasing staff loyalty and happiness. Saving products are one area that helps,as it improves the financial well being of employees. But there are others ways and they are wider than you might expect.

In fact there are benefits that are nothing to do with pay and pensions,these including,free fruit,gym facilities and staff discounts.

Pay is of course the main reason we all go to work,but the second most important factor in modern life is,it turns out the pension being offered by an employer. Auto-enrolment has of course meant that most employees now have a pension of sorts,but many want to know what businesses offer beyond the basic requirements.

Workplace ISAs – Most people know about ISAs or ‘Individual Saving Accounts’,but many are not aware that they can be available via their employer.

They have several advantages for employees.

1. Employees can pay into their workplace ISA directly from their pay,this being easier for those who might otherwise just not be able to save.
2. Managing pension and ISA savings is made easier.
3. Those employees with high wages,who may be in danger of breaching the annual or lifetime allowance for pension contributions (currently set at £40,000 and £1,055,000) can use a workplace ISA as a way to save more for retirement,which would otherwise attract a tax charge of 55% or greater.

There are problems in that Cash ISAs have very low-interest rates,but they are No Risk,which is a major benefit.

For those wanting a better return,Stocks and shares ISAs are a good alternative,but the value of the investments can reduce as well as up,so employees could get out less than they put in.

Lifetime ISAs maybe the best choice as these can be either stocks and shares or cash. But they are only available to employees aged under 40. Their plus point benefit is that the government top-up the savings with basic rate tax relief.

Any ISA payment made by the employer (for a staff member) via the payroll,needs to be taxed as income and is subject to employer and employee national insurance. But of course,as the cash going into the ISA has already been taxed,the growth and subsequent withdrawals remain tax-free.

Then there are General Investment Accounts (GIA).

GIAs may not be as well known as ISAs but they can be available and allow employees to take benefit of reduced charges and straight forward administration. The main difference between a GIA and an ISA is the way they are taxed. In a GIA any profits made from investments above relevant tax-free allowances are taxable.

A capital gain of up to £12,000 per year is allowed tax free,plus dividend income of up to £2,000. Thus reasonably big amounts can be invested in a GIA before any tax becomes payable,and unlike ISAs,there are no annual investment limits. GIA’s are mostly used by higher earners who’ve reached their annual pension and ISA limits but are searching for ways to make the most of their tax allowances.

These are just some of the ways employers can stand out from the competition when wishing to attract new staff or to keep those that they already have.

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A person who has a number of large debts to pay will most likely experience a great deal of stress. Furthermore,large unpaid debts will make it difficult or even impossible for one to get a loan at a reasonable interest rate. A person who is feeling overwhelmed by bad debt should make a debt reduction plan and look into various debt consolidation options. Following are some important points to take into consideration when attempting to reduce or consolidate bad debts.

How Does Debt Reduction Work?

Many people accumulate large debts that they will never be able to pay back. Creditors are often willing to accept a lesser sum and then write off the rest of the debt,as the alternative would be for the debtor to declare bankruptcy. If bankruptcy is declared,then the creditor would in most cases not get any of his or her money back. Most plans involve the debtor paying back anywhere from 15% to 25% of the money that was originally owed.

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Working with a Company vs. Going it Alone

There are a number of debt consolidation companies that will help a person to reduce his or her debts. These companies will contact the creditors on behalf of the lender and negotiate the reduction of the debt. While it costs money to work with a company,it does have its advantages. As the debt consolidation company handles all the communications with the creditor or creditors,one does not have to deal with angry phone calls from those he or she owes money to. The monthly payments agreed to under the deal are paid to the company; the company in turn distributes the money to creditors. Many companies also provide seminars and classes on budgeting and credit card management,along with various resources that will help one to keep track of how much he or she earns and spends.

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The Impact of Debt Consolidation on a Person’s Credit Score

When making a debt reduction plan,it is important to realize the potential impact that debt consolidation can have on the credit score. Most creditors will note a reduced payment as being a consolidated payment and this can have a very negative impact on one’s credit report. When negotiating a consolidation plan,make sure that the creditor will mark the debt as being paid,as this will not adversely affect one’s credit rating.

Debt consolidation options allow one to pay off bad debts and start afresh financially. One can either negotiate with the company on his or her own or hire an agency to do this work. Either way,one will want to make sure that the creditor does not report the debt as being reduced,as this will adversely affect one’s credit score. After a deal has been reached with creditors,one should make sure to pay the money that was agreed upon on time and in full. Debt consolidation should not take the place of wise financial management and never spending more than one can realistically afford to pay back.-

Debt has been a problem for humanity as long as a there has been currency to loan. Even as far back as B.C.,there have been debt problems plaguing everyday people. These days,however,it is a prime example of the state of things when estimates are that the average US household has more than $19k in credit card debt. This is a staggering amount of debt that affects many,many people.

For people who have a large amount of debt,there are programs to help them become debt free. Debt relief is a way that those in deep debt can get their lives back without all the harassing phone calls and threatening mail.

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Finding the right debt relief option does take a matter of research and careful consideration. Every option has its pros and it’s cons,so in order to find the one that is the best fit for your situation it is necessary to do research and consult the right firms.

Debt consolidation services one method that many use to get rid of their debt. Using this method,a company acts as the middle-man between the company that wants the money and the person who has the debt. Usually,they can work out a deal to consolidate the debt down to a smaller amount that what is owed. This may seem like a great idea,but many times there is an inherent risk involved. The debt consolidation company might require the person who owes money to take out yet another loan backed by the person’s home or other asset. This is not debt relief and can be like playing Russian Roulette,where the debt has now just moved to a different company.

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Debt reduction is when the company you hire negotiates a reduction of your debt by up to 60 percent. Some debt reduction companies charge a percentage of what they save you,which can be substantial,so it’s important to find a company that is ethical in the way they handle your debt relief.

Christian Debt Relief is based upon helping those who have a burden of debt and doing so in a moral and ethical way using Christian values. Using a Christian debt relief company is the best way back to living a more simple life and living with integrity.

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Owing a large amount of money can be a stressful and unappealing situation for anyone who’s caught in it. Constant phone calls,frightening mail,and hopelessness are all unfortunate symptoms of getting lost in debt. For these individuals,however,there are some debt relief options that can make all the difference. It’s important to get to know which options are available to you and which is the best route to take on your way to being debt free.

The rising cost of living has led to many people going into debt. When you do not pay your debt on time,the interest rate accrues at a very high rate and before you realize it,the total amount owed is almost double the principle amount. In addition to that,late payments have negative effects on your credit score which will reduce your ability to borrow loans in the future. Listed below are viable debt relief tips that have been tested and proven to work.

Pay Down Debts

The first step that you can take is to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate,once you have cleared the high interest debt,move to the next debt with the highest interest rate and so on. This method enables you to improve your credit score. If you do not have enough cash to make the minimum monthly payment,consider taking up a part time job and use the money earned to clear your debts.

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Do Not Use Your Credit Card to Purchase Necessities

When you start charging necessities,take it as a sign that you are heading the wrong direction. When your monthly income is credited to your bank account,make sure that you have bought all the necessities and leave out unnecessary luxuries. In so doing,you won’t have to use your credit card to pay for basic needs.

Save

In today’s modern society,anything can happen. You can report to work one day only for the manager to tell you that you have been laid off. What will you do when that day comes? Therefore,it would be advisable to set aside a certain percentage of your total income in a trust fund. That money should only be used in case of emergencies.

Debt Negotiation

If you cannot afford to pay what you owe on time,it would be advisable to contact your creditors. You can call them and negotiate for a lower interest rate; this will prevent your debt from accumulating. This may be the best option for you if you are in a serious debt. Most creditors will agree to debt negotiation since they want to recover a part of their money.

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Mortgage Refinance

You can consider a home equity loan to clear your debts. This strategy can be used if you are certain that you can pay for your expenses without accumulating more debt. You must have accumulated significant equity if you are to settle for this option.

Credit Counseling

The counselors will assist you to manage your finances. They will help you to create a budget which will enable you to save to pay off what you owe. Before selecting a counselor you should check that they are BBB accredited,also ensure that they do not charge high fees.

Adjust Attitude Towards Spending

The leading cause of debt is buying stuff you don’t need. Therefore,if you are a shopaholic,it’s high time you quit that bad habit. The general rule is asking yourself whether you really need what you are buying. If you don’t,then there is no need to pay hundreds of dollars for it.

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The Negative Aspects of Debt Consolidation

While debt-consolidation obviously has a positive reputation in regards to being the light at the end of a tunnel for most,there are also some negative aspects to look at as well. Essentially,the purpose of consolidating your debt (including loans,credit cards,and debt from specific bills) is to put it into one number and make it easier to manage.

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It can be a daunting task to think you can pay for your debt if it is spread out in a multitude of areas. Keeping this in mind,here are a few negatives that you should pay close attention to before signing your name on the dotted line to consolidate your debt.

Finding a debt consolidator company right for you

When you are in the market of consolidating your debt,the number of companies available is not the problem that you have to worry about. Finding the right consolidator for you is what will become the major task.

It will be in your best interest if you compare and contrast multiple companies before making a final decision. The interest rates in which you will have to pay can vary depending on the debt consolidator. What you want is the lowest interest rate possible. If you rush too soon you may miss out on a great opportunity to not only pay back your debt,but save money in the long run.

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High interest Rates Can Increase

Unfortunately,it seems that high interest rates are justification of the risk of helping your business. However false this assumption may be,if you miss a payment and do not consult with your debt company or agent specifically to set an alternative payment date,the interest rates could skyrocket even more. This is not a situation you want to be in as you are trying to pay off debt,so make sure that your monthly payments are manageable. In the worse case scenario,call your company and inform them of the situation at the moment.

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Possibility of spending more money than you should

Once you begin to re-build your credit after the consolidated debt the improvements in your score will occur. A top-notch credit score may seem like a number you can get more credit with,but it is important you do not get too comfortable. If you end up spending more money than you are putting towards your debt,then you will simply set yourself up for disaster financially and in regards to your credit score.