Archive for December, 2005

Wealth Building – Through Commodity Investing

Thursday, December 29th, 2005

In my recent article, The No-brainer Investment Strategy to Double Digit Returns, I opined that there is a 34 year cycle in the stock market. A 17 year bull market is followed by a 17 year bear market and that equities and commodities are inversely correlated. Based on this premise, a strategy could be devised in which equities and commodities are alternately invested during its appropriate time during the cycle. I also stated that the last equities bull market from 1982-200 ended with the bursting of the internet bubble and that we are now 5 years into the commodity up-cycle. Finally, I offered research to support this position and results through 2005. So, how is this theory performing over the first six months of 2006?

As of 7/14/2006:

DOW 0.2%

S&P 500 -1.0%

NASDAQ -7.6%

SOX -14.7%

CRX 14.5%

GLD 27.7%

The CRX, which may be a new index for many of you, is the Morgan Stanley Commodity Related Equity Index. The name is self-explanatory. Its results year to date support the thesis that we are in a commodity cycle. Gold lends further support as it is up 27.7% year to date as represented by GLD (a Gold Exchange Traded Fund – ETF).
Equities are not doing as well. The DOW is up a mere 0.2%. The DOW is an amazing index. A few weeks ago it was within points of its all time high. How can an index be near its all time highs when its largest components Microsoft, Intel, GM, Pfizer, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and IBM are near multi-year lows? That’s a story for a different day. The NASDAQ and SOX (Semiconductor Index) are significantly negative year to date.

I am not professing that commodities will out-perform equities or that commodities will be positive each year over the cycle, but on average commodities should be a better place to build wealth over the next decade. The advent of commodity related ETFs are making it easier for individuals to participate in the commodity market. Commodity ETFs include: Gold – GLD, IAU, Silver – SLV, Oil – OIH, XLE, Diversified Commodities – DBC.

It is human nature to gravitate to the familiar. This year the familiar is letting many down: Intel -28.4%, Home Depot -16.4% and Microsoft -14.8%. It is time to step out of the comfort zone and take a closer look at commodities.

About the Author

Michael Dawson recently said goodbye to a 20 year career in Engineering, Marketing and Sales to focus on living his dream of financial independence. He has since founded The Time and Money Group as vehicle to encourage others to do the same. The company’s mantra is “Why trade time for money … when you can have both.” Sign up for their free weekly newsletter, where he and others discuss the different paths to financial freedom and offer insights for your successful navigation.

thetimeandmoneygroup.com thetimeandmoneygroup.com

Make sure to read one of Dawson’s most popular articles: thetimeandmoneygroup.com/blog/2006/06/09/14/ “The No-Brainer Investment Strategy to Double Digit Returns”

Why Exchange Traded Funds Are So Widely Used By Traders

Thursday, December 29th, 2005

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) keep growing in popularity.

This is surprising when you consider they are really nothing more than mutual funds. And, quite frankly, the last thing the financial world probably needs is another mutual fund.

However, ETFs are different. To fully appreciate the difference, consider the following:

They trade like stocks

They trade on exchanges

They can be purchased on margin

They can be sold short

Yes, that’s right, they trade exactly like stocks. And this is a feature that more and more traders are beginning to appreciate. ETFs give them trading options they never had before.

Is it any wonder their popularity keeps growing? Not when you realize they keep meeting the damands of traders, investors and institutions. Currently numbering in the hundreds, ETFs cover about any investment area you can imagine. And their numbers keep growing.

ETFs are really tracking funds for an underlying index, industry, commodity or other sector. For example, SPY is a tracking fund for the S&P 500 Index and trades at one-tenth the price. GLD is the tracking fund for gold and it trades at one-tenth the price. So, if gold is selling at $640 an ounce, GLD will sell very near $64.

What does this mean? Simply this…you can trade them like stocks…long or short…on margin…at one-tenth the price…and at the same commissions you pay for stocks.

ETFs were popular from the start but this was only the beginning. They were so successful they spawned the creation of numerous other funds such as Vipers, Diamonds, and Qubes.

ETFs are now available that cover market indexes, foreign markets, countries, industries, small cap stocks, commodities, and many other sectors. You name it and an ETF probably exists or is currently in the works.

Because they trade like stocks, traders have more opportunities than ever before to develop winning strategies. That’s why they like them so much. Rather than being limited to trading individual stocks, they can now trade an index, a particular industry such as healthcare, or an underlying commodity like gold.

If you believe a market move is imminent, you now have another choice. For instance, there may be times when you believe trading 500 stocks or the underlying commodity makes more sense than a single stock.

But you’re not limited to the S&P 500. You can also trade Diamonds which track the Dow Jones Industrials and Qubes which track Nasdaq. And, if that’s not enough, try foreign markets or particular industries.

Whatever your choice, the fact is that many traders believe it is easier to time broad market moves than moves in individual stocks. They know that news about a specific company or its industry often has a large impact that is only minimally reflected, if at all, in the price of an index.

This is why many traders choose to trade index ETFs.

But this is only one of many ways traders use them. Because of the wide reach of ETFs, they use them in trades based on industry sectors, geographic regions, interest rates, and others. In fact, their use is perhaps limited only by a traders imagination.

And then there are the characteristics of ETFs themselves which help dictate how they are used. For one thing, they are usually less volatile than stocks. For another, they are ideal for quick trades when the underlying index or commodity is breaking out of a trading range or congestion area.

And there is the added feature of selling them short on a downtick. As you know, this is something you can’t do with a stock.

If you’re a trader or interested in trading stocks, you owe it to yourself to consider ETFs. Quite simply, they give you more trading options. And it’s all because they trade just like stocks.

Thomas McNatt is a trader with over 20 years trading experience. He has traded full time for the last 8 years. His website can be found at trading-stocks-profits.com trading-stocks-profits.com

Overseas Property and the Truth About Renting Your Holiday Home

Thursday, December 29th, 2005

Overseas property

The excitement of owning an overseas property can turn usually cautious individuals into ones that are prepared to sacrifice their common sense. Risks that they would not entertain in their own country are being made every day by some overseas property buyers. The thought of losing the home of their dreams and confusion about the buying process has some buyers signing contracts in a language they do not even understand. Some are not taking advice from qualified solicitors or other independent professionals. Others throw their complete trust into real estate agents who have a vested interest in selling them a home. They also believe wildly exaggerated forecasts on rental returns to help them feel secure about the purchase of their holiday homes.

The truth about renting

The rental income you can achieve on letting your holiday home is all about location and the type of property. Long term rentals can be heaven sent, having a person willing to rent on a long term basis will reduce the likelyhood of having a bad tenant. It will also serve to reduce your stress in finding new people willing to rent your home. Best of all long term rentals are great for your financial planning. Short term rentals can be higher especially in holiday seasons. The perfect holiday home would be a property that was attractive to both types of tenants. Many city apartments are good examples of this and present a win win situation to the overseas property buyer. Areas in France, Spain and Portugal for example really lend themselves to both rental markets. Recently Bulgaria has attracted overseas property buyers who can let to both summer holidaymakers and to the winter skiing fraternity.

Do your own research act like a tenant

It is important to do your own research when assessing the rental value of a property abroad. Put yourself in the position of a tenant or holidaymaker. Conduct local research matching your requirements to the property you own or intend to buy. Rental markets like house prices have peaks and troughs and will have periods in the year when demand may outstrip supply. Know when these periods occur for your rental property. Holiday homes are particularly vulnerable to off and high peak pricing. You will need to compare like for like to get it just right for your property.

Furnishing your property abroad

Many buyers forget about the cost of buying furniture and do not even consider the local laws regarding furniture, electrical items, fire safety and gas appliance safety. In your own country these areas have strict regulation and it is probably the same in the region you intend to buy. Owners need to know what the exact situation is regarding local regulations to avoid disastrous mistakes.

Have a budget

Owners need to have budget for unexpected costs for repairs and general maintenance. An advertising budget should be set along with a marketing strategy to let your home fast. Good marketing could save you thousands in lost revenue from your overseas property.

Decide when you are going to use your holiday home

Many buyers intend to let the home to holidaymakers and also spend time in the property themselves. This creates a conflict as the best time to visit your holiday home abroad may be the time you can make the most money from your overseas property investment. This will be for you to decide.

Renting a holiday home can be the best thing you ever did. Overseas property buyers are winning not only on owning a holiday home they can use, but also the fact that efficient renting can pay for their investment.

Copyright 2006 Nicholas Marr

Nicholas Marr is CEO of Marr International a UK based property marketing company that is responsible for one of Europe’s fastest growing overseas property websites at

Using a Credit Counselor to Assist With Debt Relief Consolidation

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

Credit counseling is one of the best options available for people who find that their monthly spending as far as bills exceeds their generated monthly income. Companies set up to help consumers through credit counseling will offer clients advice on how to go about debt relief consolidation, including introducing measures such as helping clients to create a budget which works according to their needs, offering advice on how to use credit extensions wisely, giving clients tips on keeping track of their bills and ideas for better money management. The people employed by these agencies are well qualified through training and certification to help individuals gain debt relief, and can often act as mediators between individuals and their creditors in order to arrange a better repayment plan with creditors and help a client gain back some hope for the future as far as finances are concerned.

The first step in finding the right advice is to make sure that the individual selects a company with a reputable service. Not all companies in this field are legitimate, and if you choose poorly then the situation could become much worse instead of better. Once you have selected the appropriate company, you will be asked to provide a lot of financial information about yourself. This information will include figures regarding your income, the expenses you accrue each month, and the areas where you owe money. After the information is provided, the counselor will assess the numbers and begin putting an action plan in place which is designed to suit the specific needs of your problem. One option that many counselors suggest is that the client enroll in classes that are taught on how to properly mange your debts or how to go about making payments. Sometimes the service may go even further and refer clients to other services which can help with some of the other problems that come out of being in debt such as relationship counseling and employment agencies.

Remember that choosing a credit consolidation company is not a task to be taken lightly. Don’t be awed by the company whose advertisements you see constantly on billboards or on the television. Also avoid companies who phone you or email you all of a sudden suggesting that they can solve your financial woes. These companies are most likely out to make a dollar at your expense, taking advantage of a desperate situation for their own gain. The way to go when it comes to debt relief consolidation is to look for a counseling company with a solid background with established organizations and previous clients. Many of these companies are actually non-profit, so they do not stand to make money off of your emergency. Again, if you come across a company that charges high fees up front or offers worse rates than you are already getting, it is probably best to pass them by. Look instead for a non-profit organization.

It is much better to arrange to meet a debt counselor in person rather than rely on advice that is given over the phone or across the Internet. It may be inconvenient in the short term, but taking a little bit of extra time here may save a lot of money in the long run. If you are unsure of where to start looking for a reputable company, begin by asking family and friends if they know of anyone who offers these services. If not, you can turn to a local bank or financial institution. It is very likely that these companies will know a few organizations that specialize in credit counseling. In many cases, these will be top notch companies that will offer free educational programs for individual debtors, including classes and workshops and solid advice on debt management and budgeting. Do not accept the help of a company if their counselors are not certified in all the areas that concern debt consolidation, including management, budgeting, and consumer credit. Most of all, avoid any organizations that seem reluctant to provide information on their company to you; it is most likely that if they are trying to hide something, they are best left alone.

Kenneth Morris’s news stories can be discovered on large numbers of web pages tied to information on debt loans. His articles on

Secured Loans: By Far The Most Cost Effective Means Of Borrowing Money

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

Secured loans may not be the most frequently taken loans, but they are by far the most cost effective means of borrowing money. It remains the endeavour of every borrower to pay as less interest as possible for a loan. There is probably no other means of borrowing that can compete with secured loans regarding low interest rate.

There is genuine reason why secured loans come with low interest rate. The loan market is quite competitive now. The close competition exist d among the lender made them bound to charge as less interest as possible so that they can grab more customers then others. But at the same time they need an assurance that the loaned amount will be repaid. Since secured loans are backed by collateral, the lenders get strong assurance of money recovery.

It is because of this reason they offer secured loans at low rate . Not only that, the lenders also kept the terms of the loan in favour of the borrower. With low interest and favourable terms it becomes quite easy for the borrowers to keep track of the loan and pass up the risk involved in secured loans.

In spite of all these benefits, secured loans are not top most means of borrowing money in UK. The reason behind it is that secured loans accessible to the homeowners only. Even those homeowners who do not have equity available in their home cannot take secured loans. This means that secured loans are meant for the lucky few.

The terms of secured loans really matters for a borrower. That is why it is recommendable to make enough research before you accept any secured loan offer.

The authoress is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. She has done her masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting UK-Direct-Loans as a finance specialist. For more information please visit at uk-direct-loans.co.uk/ www.uk-direct-loans.co.uk/

AMGN Chart – Protective Put Example #2

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

NOTES ON AMGEN (AMGN)
Protective Put

1. With the use of Technical Analysis, Amgen is identified to be
poised to break down through a technical support as determined
by a line drawn through three bottoms points, occurring in
January 2002.

2. Then, in May 2002, the stock breaks down below the support
line indicating an upcoming drop to a new, lower trading range.

3. The stock begins to consolidate at around $46.00, and
attempts to rebound. A protective put can be used here with the
purchase of the stock in case the stock has a false bottom.

4. Indeed, this level is a false bottom as the rally fails, and
the stock heads lower before the next consolidation level at
point around $41.00. Again, stock may be purchased here with a
protective put.

5. The rally fails again and the stock falls to around $32.00,
before putting a final bottom & reversing. Again, a protective
put can be purchased here to guard against further downside. At
this level, the stock begins its real rally and rises quickly
from this point to provide an outstanding return from $32.00 to
a high of $72.00 in one year.

4. In September 2002 at a stock price around $41.00, you could
also buy a protective put as the stock pauses in its uptrend
before continuing higher. At this level, the stock could be
gathering up strength for the next leg of the rally (which it
does) or it can become tired and begin to trade down again.

CONCLUSION: The protective put allows the investor the room to
be wrong by limiting the total loss. Because the loss is
limited, the protective put investor has a staying power not
afforded to naked stock buyers who would feel the full brunt of
the loss.

This ability to play again increases the protective put buyer’s
chance of being right and therefore more profitable than the
naked stock buyer would be. The Amgen chart is a textbook
example of a stock in position for the use of the protective put
strategy.

Obviously, this was a risky trade, but one that could, and in
this case did, provide an outstanding return. This is the
perfect time to use the protective put. The protective put
provides maximum protection in risky situations while allowing
you to have almost the maximum available upside.

So, if you did buy the wrong bottom, the put would have bailed
you out by limiting your downside and saving you enough money to
try again. As you see from the chart, within 12 months of the
July 2002 low of around $32.00, the stock traded to a high of
over $72.00. This profit is more than enough to have covered the
purchase of a few puts.

As stated earlier, this is a textbook case and one that should
be studied for its value of properly showing why and when to use
the protective put.

Amazing Options Trading Strategies For Safer Investing
and Explosive Profits. Discover how to protect your
investments with the leveraged power of options. Step
by step video tutorials show you how. Click here now:
options-university.com options-university.com

Sprinbok Hamburgers and a Sharks’ Victory

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

When I first moved over from South Africa to the UK, last year, I lived in Surbiton, Surrey. While there, we set up satellite so that we could watch the rugby and it was quite fun to listen to Bobby Skinstad do his thing as a commentator. To think I saw him jog onto the field as a substitute Sharks player yesterday. Of course the SA teams didn’t do that well in the Super 14 in 2006, and never mind the Trinations and as for the Europe tour of the Springboks, the less said the better.

So when we moved to Brighton, I decided to cancel our satellite subscription as we had a change of service providers and I could get out of the agreement. Because besides the rugby I ended up watching the food channels and I just felt spending the money every month on food channel viewing wasn’t really worth it. In fact we haven’t even plugged in the TV since our move in November last year. But that’s another story.

So of course it came as a major surprise that ‘my’ team, the Sharks, and I have the car sticker and Sharks socks to prove it, ended up in the Super 14 semis. What can one do? I tried to Google for info on where the games would be shown. No answers for a local pub. Out of desperation I hiked down to the SA shop. I needed mayonnaise in any case. That is definitely something the Brits don’t know how to make. And yet most of the rest of the food that one gets is divine and a great contributor to the extra rolls around the waistline.

Of course, as it happens, the man at the SA shop is from Durban. So is the girl behind the bar at our local gastro pub which is about 200m away from home. There are three South Africans working at the pub. Go figure. He tells me there is a delay in the broadcast of the games, but they will be shown at the Walkabout which is an Oz bar in Brighton city centre. I make sure that nobody in SA sms’s me the score.

On Saturday we hike down to the bar, and there are four hefty bouncers at the front door. We almost go home again. However, the game beckons and we go in. Smoking is still allowed in pubs. Bit behind in that respect. It will be banned on June 1 and I can’t wait. A year ago I wouldn’t have complained, being a more recent convert to the non-smoking community. The Oz staff is really friendly though and we settle down to watch the game. For once I drink Castle to celebrate the occasion. Never touched the stuff in SA.

We watch the Blues run onto the field and then the Sharks and the roar of the fans in the stadium is deafening. It’s quite a weird feeling, watching the crowds at the Shark Tank. I used to pay R20 and sit in the last or second to last rows high up in the new stands. If you looked down the stairs you got vertigo and what a climb for the beer fill-up. And here I am in Brighton, UK, watching the game on a big screen in an Australian bar that offers Springbok or Kangaroo hamburgers and a real size stuffed crocodile decorates the stairwell to the toilets. Wow.

There is a small group of South African supporters, besides ourselves, and we are fairly vocal when our team scores. There are a few murmurs in support of the Blues, but nothing major. It’s almost as if the Blues have support in order to counter the South African supporters. It is an Oz bar after all. Well whatever, it’s amazing we win, and in the end fairly easily. Regardless of the outcome, the New Zealand rugby playing style is a pleasure to watch.

We went on to watch the Bulls’ game, the commentator says that the crowds watched the Sharks win on the big screens and a roar of support went up. That doesn’t happen often at Loftus. I’ve watched a Currie Cup game there wearing Sharks supporters colours. Believe me it’s a scary experience. So that show of support was quite something. And amazing what distance can do to make the heart grow fonder, I even thought Steve Hofmeyr’s little number was an ‘ah bless’ moment. In the past I always felt he was actually the Bulls’ secret weapon in putting off the opposition.

Now of course the battle lines are drawn again. For the very first time there will be a South African winner of the super 14. Are we smiling? Oh yes. There’s hope yet for the Rugby World Cup. Not that us mere mortals will be able to afford the tickets to go to France to watch the games. So near, but yet so far away. Might just get the TV fixed for that. Although the pub down the road will show the games, good news for us is that England is in the same pool as SA. It’s so much more fun watching with a crowd.

Anja Merret lives in Brighton, UK. Her personal blog anjamerret.com anjamerret.com allows her to voice opinions on issues that interest her and observations she makes.

She has started a new blog pinkblocks.com pinkblocks.com that deals with observations on self development and personal power. Her recommendation for self help tools may be found on anjamerret.blogspot.com anjamerret.blogspot.com

Teacher Loan: A Loan Meant Only For Teachers

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

In order to reach all the segments of citizens, lending companies devise different strategies to target different segments of clients. Teacher loan is one such strategy in which lending companies devise some special schemes of loan which can only be taken by teachers. This way it becomes easy for lenders to reach teacher groups at the same time, for borrowers who are also teachers it becomes easy to borrow.

In most of the cases, teacher loans are unsecured loans. In case of unsecured loan, lenders do not ask for your home or vehicle to keep as collateral for the loan. It becomes easy to avail such loans for the borrower who does not own a house or has nothing to offer as collateral for loans. This is a major advantage of a teacher loan-that is even if a teacher does not own a property or he is a council tenant or a private renter, he has no problem in borrowing money. In addition, teacher loan can also be borrowed if the borrower/teacher had bad credit history.

Eligibility for availing Teacher Loan:

Must be a UK Citizen

· Must be working as a full-time teacher(few lenders ask for a certain minimum years of work experience, most common of which is-atleast a year old in current organization)

· Must have requisite educational qualification

· Must have a savings bank account

Teacher Loan: Loan amount and Cost

As a teacher loan is an unsecured loan, loan amount depends upon borrower’s profile, which means loan amount varies from borrower to borrower. While deciding the loan amount, various factors are taken into account, which includes total work experience, salary, number of years in the current job, any prior record of successful payment, CCJ etc. However, the loan amount varies in between £1000 and £12,000. similarly, interest rate to be charged by the lenders depends upon the profile of borrower, income level and risk associated.

A teacher loan is to be repaid over a period between 1 and 7 years. It all depends how much you borrow and how much you can afford to pay each month.

A teacher loan can be used for any purpose, whatever, the borrower decides. He can use to buy a car, or to go for a holiday or to enroll for a professional development course, it can be used for any purpose.

Steve Clark can tell you how to look better, live better and breathe better by giving you tips to improve your finances. He writes on loans. His ideas can help you rejuvenate your money. To find Personal loan UK, secured loans, unsecured loans visit ezpersonalloansuk.co.uk ezpersonalloansuk.co.uk

Refinancing With Bad Credit

Tuesday, December 27th, 2005

Refinancing is the process of taking out a new loan in order to pay the cost of an already existing one. For this to work to your advantage, the second loan should have a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment. Regardless of your credit score, it is possible to refinance. Many companies offer these services to people with low credit scores.

It is imperative to have knowledge of your credit history prior to attempting to refinance. You will be considered high risk if your credit record is in a less than desired state. Some conditions that will put you in this category are, if your credit score is lower than 620, if you have had two or more 30-day delinquencies in the past 12 months or one 60-day delinquency in the past 12 months. If there had been a foreclosure placed against you in the past year or if you filed for bankruptcy in the past 60 months. Also, if your debt-to-income ratio is higher than 50%, then you are considered to have bad credit.

Other factors to consider when deciding on refinancing with bad credit is the loan amount that you are seeking, if you have any valuables to offer as collateral and of course, your ability to pay the loan.

It is crucial to research the market prior to applying. Timing is everything, it is imperative to wait until you find the proper terms and appropriate interest rate which will suit your budget. Look for lenders who process loans in-house rather than with outside sources. This will save you a lot of time and money. Choose experienced loan counselors who specialize in bad credit refinancing. These companies will offer you valuable advice and lead you in the right direction.

Bad credit refinancing is most beneficial when the initial loan was taken during a high interest rate period. If the rates have declined, the second loan will have a lower interest rate than that of the first. The main advantage and objective of bad credit refinancing is to save you money. By refinancing at the right time, your monthly payments can be significantly reduced, saving you money in the long run and possibly even help repair your credit score.

Nic Ricciuti is an accomplished Webmaster and publisher of badcredit-info.net badcredit-info.net where he provides additional advice, tips and hard to find information on badcredit-info.net/bad_credit_debt_consolidation.php bad credit debt consolidation.

Getting The Best Deal On Personal Loans

Tuesday, December 27th, 2005

A personal loan is a sum that any adult individual borrows to fulfill his financial requirements. There are many purposes for which any individual can take a personal loan. Personal loans can be used to provide funds to buy a car, pay for your dream cruise or that remote island escapade, buy a boat, pay mortgage arrears, finance your home improvement plans, payment of alimony or paying for credit card bills etc. In fact personal loans can be taken for most of the financial emergencies you can think of.

There are many banks and financial institutions, which provide personal loans. All of them have their own terms and conditions. To get the best deal on your personal loan you must ensure that you contact and consult as many lending institutions as possible. Tell them about your financial requirements and situation. Get quotes from them and check whether you can repay the personal loan with ease.

The banks will provide you with a lump sum amount when you complete the formalities of getting the loan. The money can be used to fund your requirements. The amount banks will recover from you will include the debt, coupled with the interest charged on it over the repayment period. The longer the repayment term the less will be the interest to be paid on the personal loan.

easyfinance4u.com/secured_personal_loan.html” style=”text-decoration: none
Personal loans are preferred due to their flexibility. The two most common types of personal loans are secured and unsecured personal loans. The option of secured and unsecured personal loans are linked to the fact whether you can offer any property or fixed asset as collateral for the loan. These loans are discussed below in detail.

Secured personal loan

A loan secured against some immovable or movable asset is called a secured loan. These loans are easy to get since the lending institutions feel comfortable while giving them. The reason for their comfort is the collateral you provide. Secured personal loans have lower interests and easy repayment options. Lending institutions don’t hesitate in giving a large loan against high value collateral. Generally, secured personal loans are given against house owned by a person, but if you have put your house on mortgage you can still avail a secured personal loan against the proportion of the home you own.

Banks and financial institutions often overlook negative credit ratings, CCJ, defaults or pending debts since they get collateral for their loan. Secured personal loans are available to individuals within 30 days of giving an application.

Unsecured Personal Loan

In an unsecured personal loan the amount given by the bank or financial institution is not secured by collateral. The lending institution gives the loan solely on the creditworthiness of the person concerned. This type of loan has a greater element of risk for the lenders, so it carries a greater rate of interest and is often followed by a through background check on the financial soundness of the individual. The loan amount can start from as little as £500 and go up to £25,000. Since the loan is unsecured, lenders are wary of giving large amounts as loans. Unsecured personal loan is good for tenants, people who don’t own their homes and those who cannot offer anything as collateral.

In case the borrower defaults on payments then the lender will use the credit agreement and take legal help in recovering the outstanding amount.

Before jumping to a decision, the interest rate charged should be given a serious look while taking a personal loan. The amount of interest you will be charged, will decide what you finally pay to the bank. Lenders have a legal obligation to tell you the interest they will charge on your loan. The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) shows the real interest rate the banks will charge from you. The lower the APR, the better it will be for the borrower. The borrower is also advised to investigate whether the interest charged by banks is fixed, or a floating one. Ask the bank about prepayment penalties and other cost incurred in getting a loan.

Every financial institution has its own way of enquiring about the borrowers. Some might want to ask personal questions, get a feel of what you will do with the loan amount and how you wish to build your future before lending you anything. Be prepared to answer such queries.

Every loan that is taken has to be repaid. The banks and financial institutions derive part of their profits by the interest you pay. It is fine if everything goes as planned, and you repay the entire loan in due course with no hiccups. However life is known for its glorious uncertainties. Plans fail, calamities come and something disastrous often thwarts our plans. This might lead to repayment problems. This happens and one should not get panicky in such situations. If you get into one such situation, the first thing that you should do is to talk to your lender. They are interested in recovering their money, a mutually agreeable solution can be reached, which is less tense for you to manage and appears promising to lenders also.

Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at easyfinance4u with acumen for finance and insurance. In recent years he has taken up to provide independent financial advice through his informative articles. His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of writing and thoroughly researched data. To find Secured loans, secured personal loans, secured debt consolidation loans in UK that best suits your need visit
easyfinance4u.com easyfinance4u.com