Posted by Sarah Waters

You want to start a small business, but you don’t have any money. Your credit score is not high enough for lenders to give you loans. This is how it is for many entrepreneurs who wish to start a small business. You’re not alone.

Small business owners are faced with many significant problems during startup, but lack of funds and a limited ability to raise enough capital for their business expenses is the most serious problem. Expectedly, small business loans are hard to obtain because small business owners are usually seen as unreliable borrowers. Moreover, lenders look at your credit score and the returning capacity of the business before lending money. The volatile nature of the small business industry discourages many banks from granting small business loans.

Ideally, a small business needs loans to finance equipment and business expenses. Business expansion covers many areas, like purchasing furniture, initial inventory, and paying employees. Usually, business financing requires the putting up of collateral, as they’re mostly secured loans. But not everyone owns a home or office that can be mortgaged to take a loan for running their business. It is under these circumstances that a short-term loan, such as a car title loan, can be beneficial to you.

A car title loan is extended to anybody who owns a car with a clear title. This means that there is no loan over the car. If you own the car then you can get a car title loan that will help you to manage your small business expenses. Often my clients are small business owners who run a beauty parlor or boutique and wish to keep inventory for their customers. For this, a small amount of money is required to help them buy products.

But not everyone has gold jewelry or silverware that can be pledged as collateral for a short term loan. The best option for most people is to apply for a car title loan wherein you’re given 50% of your car value as a loan. The ease of getting the loan has made it very popular among small business owners. Simply give your car title deed and get cash. Pay the interest regularly and return the principal at your convenience. This way you get back your car title and your job is done. See, it’s very simple.

Although business financing can be a tough proposition, don’t let it stop you from starting up your own enterprise. Remember, you can seek other types of loans. Just pay attention to the terms and conditions offered and try to find a lender who is sympathetic to your small business situation. Whether you need the money for equipment financing or paying hard working employees, auto title loans with favorable terms is the way to go. It is thanks to loans like car title loans that small businesses credit exists.

Sarah Waters lives in Los Angeles and blogs about financial news, consumer tips, and car buyer advice. Her major areas of expertise are car title loans and auto title loans.

Posted by Alex Juel

Getting an Education

The best way to start a career in financial planning is by getting an education. If you take courses at a CFP recognized school, it will count towards the module work needed to attain Certified Financial Planner (CFP) status. This will allow you to take the CFP exam immediately after graduation. You still need three years of experience in the industry before you can use the designation though.

Fee-Only/Fee-Based Firms vs. Commission-Based

A fee-only financial planner is someone who makes their living by charging fees for their advice. They are compensated only by their fees and not by commissions or kickbacks. These are typically the types of jobs most financial planners want. Commission-based financial planners instead provide low-fee for free advice and expect to make money on the back end by selling products which implement their advice. Advice from commission-based planners can still be considered high-quality, but it’s often biased based on financial compensation.

Many people looking for a place to start tend to look towards large financial services companies such as MetLife, Northwester, Mass Mutual, Ameriprise, and others, but opinions on these types of companies vary. Many in the financial industry will agree that places like this are sales factories, but if you’re comfortable with sales, this would be a good place to start. The training programs at companies like this can also be beneficial.

If you go the route of the small boutique firms on the other hand, you are more likely to be on the support part of the business as opposed to being in sales and marketing. Support is a great position to start in, especially early on in your career. There’s also a greater opportunity to eventually buy and own the practice you work with, which some financial planners might find appealing. Small boutique firms can sometimes be difficult to get a job with though.

The Benefits of Networking

Times are tough and even if they weren’t, you want to land a job that can provide the most fulfillment in your career – a place you can be happy working in. That’s why networking is so important. As mentioned previously, getting a job in a small boutique firm can sometimes be difficult, but making connections in the industry can certainly make that process much easier.

Networking can also help you learn more about what the various firms in your area offer. A great fee-based, high paying salaried job with built-in performance benefits can be found if you connect with others and attend meetings with your local FPA or NAPFA chapters.

Do What Makes You Happy

Whatever career decision you choose to make, be sure that you choose one that makes you happy. You might end up working with companies in positions you don’t particularly enjoy, but treat it as a part of figuring out where you really want to take your career. Take advantage of what these companies have to offer, work on earning your licences, and continue to do what you love.
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Alex Juel is a freelance writer and editorial coordinator working with the financial planning degree program at California Lutheran University.

Posted by Krystal Smith

Finding your dream home is a mammoth job in itself – with so much choice out there, it can be a daunting prospect to even set foot on the property ladder.

The home buying process can be a long and drawn out one and it seems that the list is never ending – structural surveys, solicitors’ fees, chains and moving vans are just part of that process. Often, it’s the little things that get missed and insurance is certainly one of those things.

Buildings insurance, which covers the structural integrity of your home, is required by law and often, homeowners think – that’s it, it’s all done and covered. But they couldn’t be further from the truth – contents insurance, whilst not a legal requirement is essential for homeowners, both new and established. Contents insurance covers everything that buildings insurance doesn’t – that is, everything that’s in your home that is not a permanent feature. Think of how much it would cost to replace all of your belongings; when you add it all up, it becomes a really costly business. If you were burgled or your home was damaged in some way, such as through flooding or fire, then your items would need to be replaced. Contents insurance will ensure that you don’t end up footing the bill to replace to repair your items, instead you have the peace of mind that your insurance company will take care of it.

When you are choosing your insurance policy there will be various different categories – these will usually include furniture, such as  your sofa and bed, electricals, such as your TV, games consoles and kitchen electricals, plus any other miscellaneous items, such as
clothing, books, DVDS and all those other little items that you can’t live without! In order to find cheap contents insurance, it is worth comparing quotes from various insurance providers which can be done by companies such as Endsleigh.