There`s been a lot of talk lately — and a heck of a lot of misinformation — floating around about something called “Loan Modification.”

It`s not hard to see why.

Thanks to a bunch of, shall we say, “crooks” in the mortgage industry (and I`m being kind), somewhere close to 50% of all homeowners in the U.S. are facing some kind of financial difficulty at the moment.

Normally that would be bad news. But here`s the real irony of this whole situation, and why it actually works in our favor for once.

In normal times, when there are just a handful of foreclosures every day, banks can absorb that. They can just write those off and go on about their merry way making billions.

But when times are bad — or when times are REALLY bad like they are now — not even the banks with their hoarded billions can ride it out.

Let that sink in for a second…

The banks can no longer afford to keep foreclosing on homes at the rate they are now. The simply CAN`T do it.

Imagine that. They need to talk to us. They need to work with us.

There`s that saying I`m sure you`re probably familiar with, which is that the Chinese symbol for crisis is really a combination of two things — the symbol for “danger” and the symbol for “opportunity.”

Make no mistake — we`re in a crisis right now.

And up until maybe four months ago, we were focused squarely on the danger side of that equation.

But now, my friends, it`s time to take advantage of the “opportunity” this crisis is presenting to us.

And that opportunity is, for many, but NOT ALL, loan modification.

I`ve never been one to sit on my hands and keep silent when I see consumers and homeowners being steered in the wrong financial direction, so I decided to put together this simple guide on what loan modification is, how it works, and whether it`s an option that works for you.

These are the top three questions I`ve heard asked about loan modification. Hope this helps:

What is loan modification anyway?

Loan modification is exactly what it sounds like — a way to modify the terms of your loan so that you wind up with payments you can afford.

It is NOT refinancing. This is something completely different. In loan modification, someone works with your bank to cut the interest rate, and sometimes even the principal, down to something that`s manageable.

These cuts are often dramatic — 30%-50% in many cases.

Can I do a loan modification myself without hiring someone to do it for me?

Yep. You can also represent yourself at trial. And you know what they say about the lawyer who represents himself (he has a fool for a client).

I don`t mean to make a joke out of this question, because I know it`s a common one and I know a lot of people are confused about it.

Honestly, yes, of course you can try and represent yourself. But I`ll tell you from what I`ve heard on the grapevine, that even seasoned loan modification attorneys get told “NO” by the banks more often than not.

The difference is, when you`re working with a lawyer who knows what he or she is doing, they don`t stop there. They go back and ask again. And again.

And if the bank still won`t listen, well, then maybe they start hinting at the fact that they know where the bodies are buried in all those bad loans (if you get my drift).

Bottom line — when the banks realize they`re dealing with someone who knows the real story about this mess, and their culpability in it, they tend to sit up a little bit straighter and be more receptive to working out a deal.

Okay, so assuming I want to hire someone to do this for me, what should I look for?

This is a pretty easy answer — a guarantee.

There are a lot of shady loan modification outfits out there right now. An incredible demand coupled with a relative lack of supply basically guarantees you`re going to get a lot of novices joining the industry.

A lot of these companies rely on a “best effort” clause, which means, basically, that they`ll make an effort to get your bank to modify your loan.

As long as they do, they`ve done their job.

That`s TOTAL BS.

I mean think about it. Here`s how a company like this would satisfy their “best effort” deal.

Phony Loan Mod Rep: “Excuse me, Mr. Banker, will you modify Mr. Smith`s mortgage?”

Bank: “No.”

Phony Loan Mod Rep: “Okay, thanks anyway.”

Don`t fall for this nonsense.

If the company you`re looking at doesn`t offer a guarantee, then don`t go with them. Plain and simple.

One Final Thought

Loan modification has been in the news recently, and some reporters who quite honestly don`t know what they`re talking about have said it doesn`t work.

They base this assumption on the fact that some people who have gotten loan modification wound up back in trouble six months later.

What they don`t understand is that these loan modifications were done back when times weren`t so bad, and when the banks weren`t as willing to give as much as they are now.

When loan modification doesn`t work it`s generally because the bank just made a token reduction in the payment. They didn`t give any real relief, so of course it`s not going to do any good for the homeowner.

But now, with the banks desperate, and with experienced loan modification specialists out there, they`re becoming more and more successful every day.

I hope all this helps.

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Investment involves spending of money, which is set for future financial security. There are various investment plans where you can invest your money. Though options are numerous, but there are limitations as well. But stock investing is one of the options where you have no limitations, if you have a sheer conviction to make it big in the stock market. It’s an investment plan where you can earn maximum profit in less time.

Though stock market investing is the best available option today, but you also need to have some basic stock ideas before investing. You should know why you are buying a particular share. In this way you can easily manipulate your future actions before buying or selling of stocks. Market knowledge is also important to understand the nitty-gritty details of investment. Once you get your priorities right for buying a particular stock, you can have a comprehensive view even in those dire situations where the market fluctuates dramatically.

Stock investing is not limited to buying and selling of stocks – you have various trading stock options, which can be taken into consideration. But to get the edge over others, the most important factor that matters a lot is your understanding about the market. It is always said that practice makes a man perfect; therefore, you also need to move ahead by taking a step-by-step approach. Besides, you have to keep yourself aware of the latest market trends, stock quotes and the new shares that are available in the market. Well, keeping a track of latest happenings is the most vital step, as the market can go variable sometimes.

The advent of the online stock investment option has provided a right platform for the investors, as they cannot only invest without any apprehension, but can also manage their finance online. This is as easier as a child’s play, while sitting at home; you can gather a wealth of information from various Websites. However, your online broker also plays a crucial role, as he is the one who buys or sells stocks as per your need and also gives you important suggestions. One of the most fascinating things about online investment is that everything comes under your command. Even your online broker does the job –the way you want. You only need to pay a very minimal amount of commission for his services.

Always keep an eye on the leading company shares to go for maximum profit. Do market analysis and get essential stock ideas before buying the shares of any company. As the stock market is quite volatile and market does fluctuate, you also need to have a substantial knowledge about the market profile prior to moving ahead with your investment plan. It is not a tough task; you can also take advice from online financial experts to avoid risks, if any.

Of late, many new investors are spending money in stocks. The main reason why most of them are choosing this option is the easiness and flexibility involved in this sort of investment. You do not need to contact the stockbroker in person nor do you need to do any paper work. Nowadays, everything has gone online and all that you want can be available easily, just by having an access to the world of Internet. Just open an account with an online trading company and get a direct ticket to the stock market. After that you can access all the services that are offered by these stock-trading companies.

You can gather a wealth of information from the site. Consequently, it would keep you abreast of the latest market updates and daily happenings. All you need is to have is a PC and an Internet connection. Just, log in and start buying and selling of stocks. Here, you get all the liberty to control your finances, just by the click of a mouse. So, what are you waiting for, open an account and invest your money in stocks. Your market knowledge and stock ideas would definitely bring success in your investment plan.

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Investing in the stock market is a widely used way of investment in the present day and gives faster returns as compared to any other investment. And you do not have to do any other thing except an initial investment in the right company. Once you do it successfully, you have a financially bright future waiting for you, to give you the reward of your investment. And believe it or not, you can earn much more than you can expect through the stock trade. But as told, your investment has to be wise and made with a mind sound with knowledge. Following are some of the tips you can use for turning your mind sound for investing:

Keep Yourself Cool
Keeping yourself cool is a big factor determining your success in the stock trade. Unless you are able to play it coolly, you will probably never be able to incorporate the benefits from your education, training and experience into your investment. In such a case, you will tend to make ruthless and whimsical decisions, no matter how much knowledge and strategy you have. You might be a cool and patient human being normally, but the agitating heat in the trade is enough to boil off even the coolest brain. Pay special care to this factor, therefore, while you trade stocks. The points we discuss further will also help you attain the coolness.

The Stock Broker
The stock broker you choose to serve you is also significant in determining the result of the trade. This depends on both the quality of service provided by the broker and the commission he charges. If he charges high commission rates, you can’t afford him for small budget investments. And it is better to take the service of the good brokers for the bigger investments, as their suggestions improve your chances of gaining from the trade. If you want brokers taking very low commission rates, however, you should go for the online stock brokers. These brokers offer very suitable service, as they are cheaper as well as more convenient to trade through.

Education
The ups and downs of the stock prices depend on a wide variety of factors. Although all these factors and how they operate in the stock exchange can’t be studied and understood in a single day, you have to have a minimum level of education before you enter the trading. Ask the reliable professionals you know about their experience. Also ask them if they have some suggestions for you. Go to your local library and read a couple of books on stock investing. Learn about the exact process going on there. But, at the end of the day, do use your logic and understanding to firm out your own rules for trading. Use these educated rules while you trade in real time.

Learn while you Trade
No book can teach as good as your own experience. Go on learning from your own experience. While you trade, remember every decision you took and how it affected your trading results. Note down, if you can, every trade, the ones you lost in as well as the ones you gained from. This will really help you learn from your own mistakes and the older you grow dealing with stocks, the more expertise you will develop. The most successful traders today have become so because they have vast experience and they learned from every bit of it.

Stay Away From Superstitions
For God’s sake, keep away from superstitions. Stock prices do not depend on your dress color or what you had in the breakfast. Concentrate on your education and planning the stock market will be carving your success story with golden ink.

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What is a Health Savings Account?

Increases in the cost for health care and health insurance now impact both employees receiving their health insurance through an employer group plan and the self-employed seeking individual and family health insurance. Whichever group you fall into, you’ve probably noticed the rising costs of health insurance. Deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses have risen to the point that, without careful planning, they can put a serious financial strain on the average American family. In December of 2003, the government took steps to ease the burden on working people when it comes to paying for their health care. The resulting legislation established the Health Savings Account.

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is an account that allows you to save your pre-tax money for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), any money left over at the end of the year can be saved and used for following years. The money may also grow through investments, just like the funds in an IRA, depending on how and where you establish your account.

Health Savings Accounts are specifically designed for people with high-deductible insurance plans who do not have any other first-dollar medical coverage. Coverage specific to injury, accident, disability, dental, vision and long-term care insurance is permitted, however, without affecting eligibility for an HSA. Exceptions are those eligible for Medicare (over 65) and anyone who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. Individuals in these categories will not be able to open a Health Savings Account.

How to Establish a Health Savings Account

Your bank, credit union, and insurance company are a few places that can serve as trustees for your Health Savings Account. Any financial institution that handles IRAs or Archer MSAs may also offer the accounts. Once the account is set up, you and/or your employer may make regular deposits up to your allowed deposit amount. This amount is determined by the size of your annual health insurance deductible.

Once you’ve established the account, you’ll have a great deal of flexibility. You can choose to use the money for all or part of any qualified out-of-pocket medical expense. Qualified expenses range from co-pay and deductible amounts to prescriptions and even over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin and cold medicine. Insurance premiums generally are not approved; however, premiums for dental, vision, disability and long-term care may be eligible.

Health Savings Account Funds

The funds in the account belong to you and can be rolled over into some other tax-advantaged accounts such as an IRA if you so choose. You can use the funds for qualified medical expenses until you turn 65. You can also draw on your funds at any time for non-medical expenses; however, you will have to pay income tax on the amount as well as an additional 10% penalty for withdrawing the funds for non-medical purposes. After you reach age 65 you must withdraw the funds or roll them over penalty-free.

How you use your HSA is up to you. You may view it as a way to save in the short term to pay for your out-of-pocket medical expenses year to year, or you may decide that you’d rather use the account to accumulate funds toward the medical expenses you’ll incur in your retirement before age 65. Either way, the HSA is a new resource that may make the cost of health insurance less burdensome.

Accident claims

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Credit card insurance has become the new “must-have” benefit with your little piece of plastic. Credit card lenders will tell you that thanks to the prevalence of identity theft and fraudulent charges on millions of credit cards each year, credit card insurance has now become the ultimate weapon in fighting back against theft and incorrect charges – and even against unemployment and disability!

Yet if you’re ready to add on insurance to your credit card, keep in mind that this insurance premium doesn’t come cheaply – in fact, many lenders will charge up to $30 a month (or $360 a year!) for a benefit that you might not need at all. If you’re sticking to a budget, or just want to look for ways to trim costs around the home, then you’ll need to weight out the pros and cons of credit card insurance before signing that contract. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of credit card insurance:

Credit Card Insurance Can Help In A Pinch. While all of us like to think that we’ll be strong and healthy enough to pay our credit card bills each month, there are certain scenarios that might render us incapable of paying our bills – for example, unemployment or a sudden disability. If this should ever happen to you, your credit card insurance will pay off any balance or monthly bills that you may have, depending upon the terms of the policy. Make sure that you read all of the terms, as there could be quite a few clauses regarding this benefit.

Credit Card Insurance Can Help Your Loved Ones. Should you ever die and leave your loved ones with a hefty debt balance, credit card insurance can pay off that balance upon your death. It’s a great option to make sure that the savings of your loved ones don’t go towards paying off your debts, and provides peace of mind in what is always a difficult period for any family.

Your Credit Rating Will Be Protected. If you ever lose your job or become disabled, your credit rating will be protected by your credit card insurance, as this benefit will pay off monthly credit bills or any balances that you may carry on your card.

Be Prepared To Pay Up If You Have A High Limit. Most terms of credit card insurance is perfectly reasonable, if you have a card with a relatively low balance. Since credit card insurance premiums can’t be determined based upon your age, gender, race or other external factors, lenders will usually charge you anywhere from $0.75 to $1.00 per $100 of loan credit. However, if you carry a card with a credit limit of $10,000, your premium can be up to a hefty $100 a month – that’s $1,200 a year!

As you can see, credit card insurance is like a double-edged sword: it can really help out in a pinch, but in all likelihood, the average consumer might not even need its benefits at all. If you’re not shy about paying potentially hefty premiums to get this benefit, then credit card insurance sounds like the right fit. If you’re a bit more budget-conscious, however, you might want to explore other options before adding on the expensive premiums.

Either way, Credit Card Insurance should be given serious thought, especially in what is a very uncertain future.

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The loan modification process can be frustrating and confusing for many distressed homeowners. If you are considering contacting your lender about a loan workout to avoid foreclosure, you need to get as much information upfront as possible so you will be prepared and able to present your case in the best possible light. Programs and guidelines are changing and it is getting much easier for homeowners to get the help they need. To help you understand how the process works and what you can expect, here are the Top 10 Questions and Answers:

1. What exactly is a loan modification? A loan modification is a permanent change in one or more terms of a borrower`s home loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the homeowner can afford
2. Can the lender include late charges in the Loan Modification? Per HUD, the accrued late charges should be waived by the lender at the time of the loan workout-this varies depending on the type of loan-but always request a complete breakdown and description of all fees and penalties from your lender
3. How will the new government programs help me get a loan modification? The Federal government has allocated $75 billion dollars to subsidize lenders and servicers who offer a loan workout to their clients. Now, the banks will have a monetary incentive to offer help to qualified borrowers. In addition, homeowners who pay their new modified payments on time will be eligible up to $5000 credit to their loan balance.
4. How do I know if I will qualify for a loan modification? The number 1 criteria your lender is looking at is your ability to make the new modified payment now and in the future. You need to supply the lender with proof of your income, along with a complete and accurate financial statement detailing your income and expenses to show them that if granted the modification, you will be able to afford the new, lower payment
5. Do I have to be currently delinquent on my payments to get a loan modification? Most lenders are now accepting applications from homeowners who are not currently delinquent, but who are able to prove to their bank that due to imminent interest rate increases, they will no longer be able to afford the loan payment under the terms of their loan. It is advisable to contact your lender as soon as possible to start the loan modification process, regardless of if you are delinquent or not.
6. What is an acceptable Hardship situation? Each homeowner has a unique set of circumstances that caused them to fall behind on their home loan, but generally the lenders consider divorce/separation, loss of income, death of spouse, co borrower or family member, illness, job relocation, military service to be acceptable reasons to consider a loan modification. A compelling hardship letter included in your application is a very important part of a successful application.
7. Will a loan modification help me stop foreclosure? Yes, that is the goal-by working with your lender to find a loan workout solution, your loan is brought current and the foreclosure process is halted.
8. Can my missed payments be added back into my new loan modification? Yes, the arrears can be added to the new loan balance and spread out over the term to allow the loan to be brought current.
9. Can I do a loan modification myself or should I pay someone to represent me? That is entirely up to you and your comfort level with dealing with your lender, but also your current financial situation as most loan modification companies require a large upfront fee. Regardless of what you decide, the first thing you should do is learn all you can about the process, your legal rights, and what it takes to get your application approved.
10. So how do I get started to modify my loan? Before contacting your bank`s loss mitigation department or a loan mod company, do your homework-learn as much as you can about the loan modification process so you can make informed decisions.

President Obama`s Homeowner Stability and Affordability Plan offers real hope for millions of homeowners who need a solution to stay in their home. Not everyone will qualify however, and interested borrowers will have to complete loan modification application forms, provide proof of their income and meet certain eligibility requirements. Most lenders are participating in this new government subsidized plan, and homeowners are encouraged to learn how they can qualify and apply for a loan workout and avoid foreclosure.

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The definition is very simple:

“Financial Freedom is when your money works for you and you don’t work for money anymore.”

The amount of money you need for financial freedom is uniquely dependent on you. I will show you below that you don’t necessarily need millions to have financial freedom.

In your planning, you never touch the principal while you are doing your calculations.

You also want to make sure you have more than one source for your income needs. That is actually true no matter if you are in the accumulating phase of life, financially free prior to retirement or in retirement.

The lifestyle / million-dollar question here is:

Are you content with a simpler life with the freedom of no money worries?

OR

Do you want your toys and luxuries at any price?

Either one is attainable, but let’s look at the two options and what it takes to be financially free.

Example 1 – Simple Lifestyle:

Required Income: $50,000 per year
Annual Return: 9%

In order to be financially free, you would need $560,000 to earn the above income.

Example 2: Toys and Luxuries:

I will use a required income of $200,000, although some of you will say: Are you kidding, how could I ever live with that little money?

Required Income: $200,000 per year
Annual Return: 9%

In order to be financially free, you would need $2,200,000 to earn the above income.

I am sure you are thinking now, 9% annual return is pretty high. What about down years in the market?

I don’t think you should invest all that money in the financial markets. What about one or two small businesses that give you passive income? Examples that come to mind are Laundromats, Self-Service Car washes, Vending Machines and your return will be much higher than 9%.

All these have some work involved, but are fairly passive and can be systemized considerably.

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We have become a nation of instant gratification. We want what we want when we want it. But in today’s tight, economic situation, the importance of saving is critical. It is the only true means to financial solvency. That being said, however, trying to save money in a tough financial climate is difficult, at best. But did you know that the true secret to wealth is paying yourself first and living frugally? Generally speaking, that’s how most self-made millionaires became rich. You, too, can cultivate the mindset of a millionaire by doing the same.

Before paying your mortgage, before paying on your car, before paying all the bill collectors, pay yourself first! It’s your money, after all; you work hard for it. You deserve - in fact, are entitled - to keep a portion of your salary for yourself. By living frugally - not giving into impulse buying - and saving your dollars, you can build financial independence; but the sooner you start, the quicker you’ll build financial independence.

First, decide what you are worth; then deduct that amount from your paycheck and put it into a savings account. Let this be your chief priority. The best way is to take a percentage right off the top of your gross salary. This may cause a little pain at first (like alleviating a toothache by pulling a bad tooth) but your budget will be much healthier in the long run. For instance, if your monthly gross salary is $3,000.00, and you decide that you’re worth at least ten percent of that, your savings amount would be $300.00 per month. (It’s important to decide your savings percentage from your gross salary as this is the true figure of what you earn, and you do not want to shortchange yourself.) Once you begin to do this regularly, your savings will grow rapidly.

Following are some tips that can help you to grow your savings even quicker:

•Begin by living frugally. Curtail the accumulation of things and get rid of all the excess (you can sell what you don’t need or give it to charity). This will also help to alleviate the anxiety often associated with having too much stuff.

•Cut out the fat in your financial diet; create a budget to track your spending. This is imperative in order to accurately gauge where your money is going.

•Go back through your checkbook for a year; this will give you a snapshot of your spending habits.

•Total all unnecessary expenditures (those items not considered a need). Then calculate your spending total. I’ll bet you will be amazed at how much frivolous spending you see there.

•Make the decision to cut out impulsive spending habits. If you find yourself tempted to make an opulent purchase, walk away and allow yourself at least twenty-four hours to think about it. This loosens the emotional hold the product has over you (most impulse purchases are based on emotion); chances are, you will realize you can do without it. (Remember: if it isn’t food, water, shelter, basic clothing, or a matter of life and death, you can probably do without it.)

•Don’t buy expensive cleaning or household products; this can be a major drain on your finances! Besides, most of these products don’t work as well as using a plain, cloth rag and a little elbow grease; but it will save you big bucks over those highly touted, expensive brands. Shop at dollar stores for cleansers, soaps, detergents, diapers, and other non-food items.

•Get off the credit card treadmill. Pay them all off and be done with them (very few persons can keep a credit card for dire emergencies only; most give into the easy temptation of charging again).

•Put the money you would have used on unnecessary spending and credit card payments in the bank, or use it to pay down your car payment, add to your mortgage payment, etc.

•Cultivate discipline by delaying gratification for those things you want by saving and paying for them in cash.

•If you can swing it, make one or two extra car payments a year and apply it to the principal (be sure to note “towards principal amount” on your payment coupon to ensure that it goes to principal and not interest). By doing this, you will hasten the loan payoff. (The same principle applies to mortgage payments or any debt payments.)

With just a little assiduous discipline applied to living frugally and by keeping to your savings plan, you will have a tidy nest egg by the end of the year. You can use this to pay off any remaining debt. And by placing a portion of your savings into a safe higher-yield account (preferably one that has penalties for early withdrawal) you can grow your savings into a fund that will eventually sustain you. Who knows? You may even become a millionaire!

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Finding a way to stash money away for unexpected life events can be tricky, especially the way our economy is today. As difficult as it is, saving is something that we Americans don’t do much of, and it is hurting us dearly.

Most of us do not have a savings account, or if we do it is too small to think about. Difficult decisions face us every day; whether to pay the electric bill or buy groceries, buy the kids new shoes or take them to the dentist; there seems like there just isn’t enough money to go around, and dreams about savings accounts fly right out of the window. There is hope. You can do small things every day to save money and grow your savings. Here are a few ideas.

First, be objective about your finances. You really need to be honest when you do this, because if you are not brutally truthful, the only ones you are hurting are yourself and your family. Sit down and think about your financial state of the union, and don’t sugarcoat anything. If the expense isn’t a necessity or isn’t benefiting you any longer, get rid of it.

Daily spending is usually the first place that can be trimmed down. Do you visit Starbucks in the morning before work? If you do, your latte could be costing you up to $130 dollars a month. If you put that $130 dollars a month into an interest bearing savings account that bore 4% each month, at the end of a year instead of spending $1,560 in coffee you could have $1622.40 sitting in your bank account.

Do you smoke? Besides the dire health consequences, lighting up has dire financial consequences as well. If your habit has you smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, that adds up to $270 a month. If you put that $270 a month into that same interest bearing savings account at 4%, instead of burning up $3,240 a year you could be growing $3,369.70 a year in the bank.

Next take a hard look at your monthly credit card or checkbook statements. Where do you usually spend most of your money? Is it at the grocer story or gas station? What about department stores, restaurants, or salons? Do you spend a lot shopping online? What about unplanned purchases? These areas can usually be trimmed down or eliminated all together to free up much needed funds.

You may wonder why you should bother giving up all these nice little things that make life worth living. Well, it’s because nobody ever sees a crisis coming; problems usually don’t call and leave a nice little message reminding you to have all of your ducks in a row for when it hits the fan. Unexpected car troubles, an ill child, a sick parent, an illness or injury that requires being out of work for awhile. These things are all facts of life, and the facts are that most Americans cannot pay for these things when they arrive because they are not prepared. So what happens is these expenses get put on plastic or get a payday loan advance taken out for them, complete with teeny tiny complicated small print and sinkholes. Before you know it, things have become so bad so quickly you can’t see the light of day, and panic sets in. This is the kind of thing we all need to be prepared for, because it can happen to any of us, at any time, with no warning. Preparation is the best medicine.

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There are always little secrets that you can learn to help you in life. These are the “insider tips” that might improve your health, save you money, or give you more influence over others. Here are six of them you can put to use today.

Highway Toll Secret

The passes (such as E-ZPass) that allow you to quickly bypass the normal toll booths do more than just speed up your trip. They also can result in a speeding ticket or be used to track your movements. Some states are issuing tickets if you travel too quickly between tolls, and the information recorded has even been subpoenaed in civil lawsuits, including divorce cases. If you want more privacy, you may want to have more than one pass, and alternate their use, or occasionally just use the regular toll booths.

A Little Stock Broker Secret

When opening a stock trading account, especially with a discount broker, check for conflicts of interest. Ask if they are paid for “order flow” (they may use other terminology). Some brokers are paid to direct your orders to a particular “specialist” on the trading floor. This means they aren’t necessarily getting you the best price. Verify that they always execute your trade at the best price available.

Better Beer

Here is a little insider’s secret from the beer industry. In numerous blind taste tests, researchers found that draft beer tastes better to most people than the bottled version of the same brand of beers. Why do they order a bottle then? Apparently, that bottle in front of them is a matter of identity for consumers (”I’m a Bud man”). Also, for some, it is so they don’t appear cheap. The bottom line is that unless announcing to the world your brand of beer is important to your identity, why not drink the better beer for less money?

Low Fat Isn’t Always Low Fat

To comply with FDA rules, a product that is advertised as “low fat” must have 3 grams or less of fat per serving. The FDA rules, however, do not specify what a “serving” is. If the serving size chosen by the manufacturer happens to be a fourth of the amount you typically eat, then you are may actually be getting 12 grams of fat per serving. Look at the size per serving listed on the package, and consider what amount you’ll actually eat at once.

Secrets Of Influencing Others

Salesmen trained in subliminal techniques watch for any words, phrases or expressions that a person repeatedly uses, and then uses those same words and phrases to influence the customer and make the sale. For example, if a person often says, “I see,” or “I can understand that,” he’ll start a sentence with, “You can see how…” or “You can understand how…”
Try it. If you hear an acquaintance say “that makes sense,” several times, try saying, “You can see how this makes sense,” when you want to gain agreement on a point. Or try it to get your children to cooperate. Using a persons own words creates rapport. The person feels that you are more like him or her, and that you can be trusted. This is a simple but effective persuasion technique.

Getting Insurance Claims Paid

Many insurance companies have a policy of denying claims if there is any possible way to do so. They count on the fact that most people will not challenge the denial. If you do challenge it, they will often then pay the claim. Get your records in order, make a clear case for why they should pay the claim, and hint at legal action if they don’t. I once had a $2,700 medical claim paid a year after the deadline for filing the claim had passed. Persistence, and having a lawyer write a letter is what did it. Some little secrets can be worth a lot of money.

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