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  Finance

  Choosing the Best Financial Adviser: A Guide to Securing Your Financial Future

  With time going by, one's financial goals become more and more complex, therefore, we need someone professional to help us manage our finance. A financial adviser can help, whether you're planning for retirement, saving for a big purchase or investing for long-term growth. Not every financial adviser is created equal, though. Here's a complete guide to choosing a financial adviser who is best suited to your needs.1.Familiarize Yourself with Your Financial GoalsThe first step toward finding a financial adviser is to clarify your financial goals. Do you want to build wealth, pay down debt, or save for retirement or your child's college education? Different advisers will have different specialities, so if you're clear on what you want to achieve this will help you think about what types of people you might need. If retirement planning is your priority, you will want an adviser who specializes in pension plans and long range investing strategies.2.Verify Credentials and ExperienceThe credentials a financial adviser has and how many years of experience they have in the business are important markers of expertise. Seek certifications such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFAs), or Certified Public Accountant (CPAs); These designations require substantial training, and there are professional standards behind them, but no bar exam or certification as there is in law. Also, ask how long the adviser has been in the industry. The healthier the body, the more capable you are of developing muscle, realizing that your new actions and the fat burning process soon are the results of habit and time.3.Evaluate Their Fiduciary DutyA fiduciary, by law, is required to act in your best interest — putting your needs ahead of their own. That means they put your best financial interest ahead of the commissions or fees they might earn. Always ask if the adviser is a fiduciary and, if necessary, ask for written confirmation.4.Get a Grip on Their Fee StructureFinancial advisers may be compensated in a number of ways, but the most common are fees, commissions or a mix of the two. Flat-fee, hourly or percentage of assets under management fee-only advisers may be less prone to conflicts of interest. Commission-based advisers earn their money from selling financial products, and their sales may not be in your best interests. Ask about their fee structure upfront and make sure that it's clear and reasonable.5.Check out Their Communication StyleGood communication is paramount to a successful adviser-client relationship. Your adviser should be able to distill complex financial concepts in an understandable way. They should also be available and responsive to your questions and concerns. In those initial meetings, look at whether they listen well and if they personalize advice to your particular circumstances.6.Check out Reviews and Ask for ReferencesWhen choosing a financial adviser, reputation matters. View the online comments or testimonials, or ask for references and suggestions from previous clients. This can help you judge whether they are reliable and professional. Don't be shy about requesting case studies or other examples of how the adviser has worked with clients with similar financial goals.7.Trust Your InstinctsFinally, listen to your gut feeling. Choosing a financial advisor that meets your standard and makes you satisfied is very important, because he or she determines how your financial conditions operate. If something doesn't feel right with your experience it's just fine to continue looking until you meet people who you connect with.In short, hiring a financial adviser may be one of the most important decisions you ever make in the course of managing your finances successfully. Knowing your goals, researching credentials, verifying fiduciary duty and testing communication styles will help you find an adviser that aligns with your needs and values. Take your time, ask a lot of questions and remember that the right adviser will do more than help you manage your money, they will empower you to reach your full potential financially.
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  Finance

  Use a Reverse Mortgage Calculator to Get the Best Estimate of Your Loan

  Such a mortgage can be a powerful financial tool if you own a home and are age 62 or older because it enables you to unlock your home equity without selling your home — or adding another monthly payment. But understanding how much you can borrow and at what cost can be complex. That's where a reverse mortgage calculator comes in. This tool gets you a close to exact figure on your loan amount which can help you budget wise going forward with your financing.A reverse mortgage calculator is meant to offer an estimate of how much money you may qualify to receive based on some key factors. How it works out is something you have to consider but there are so many factors to weigh from your age, to your home value, the amount of equity you've built and interest rates. The older the borrower and the more equity the borrower owns in the home, the more they can borrow. It also considers what kind of reverse mortgage you may be in the market for — a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or a HECM (a federally insured product) or a proprietary reverse mortgage from private lenders.One of the most valuable things about a reverse mortgage calculator is it will make you consider various scenarios. You can, for example, adjust variables such as the value of your home or the interest rate to see how they might impact the amount of your loan. That sort of flexibility can allow you to both understand your options and plan your next moves. The calculator may also show estimates of the fees you would pay for a reverse mortgage, including origination fees, mortgage insurance premiums and closing costs. Understanding these costs is key to assessing whether a reverse mortgage will make sense for you financially.As you discover through a reverse mortgage calculator, the way you receive your funds is also adjustable. Also, unlike a loan, reverse mortgages could pay out in multiple ways, a lump sum, installments, a line of credit or some combination of the three. The calculator will give you an idea of how either option would impact your available cash and your financial strategy. For instance, if you're opting for a line of credit, the calculator can show up estimates as to how much you'll be able to withdraw over time, and how the available balance may grow.While a reverse mortgage calculator is an excellent tool to use, it is never a replacement for the expertise of a professional. The calculator results are only estimates based on the information you provide and some assumptions, so they may not reflect the precise terms you'll receive from a lender. Simply consult with a reverse mortgage counselor or a financial advisor to get a clearer picture of how much you can expect to receive, and the related costs of doing so. Because sometimes the calculator can make mistakes, and it can not totally displace a specialized consultant, you can both use the reverse mortgage calculator and the consultant.As what has been discussed and mentioned above, we can easily observe that a reverse mortgage calculator is a free tool that can help to determine the best option available for you. It provides a fast, simple method of gauging how much you might borrow, what your different options are and what it would cost you for each scenario. Whether you want to make a little extra money, pay for unplanned for expenses, or just enhance your quality of life, a reverse mortgage calculator can help you get started so that you can reach your goals.
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  Automotive

  Things to Pay Attention to When Buying a Used Pickup Truck

  Used pickup trucks are what most of us will be looking at, it provides uswith a good alternative, a tough, flexible and impressive value for money. But buying a used pickup truck is not an easy process, and traps are everywhere. Hereare key things to keep in mind when shopping for a used full-size pickup truck.1.Set a BudgetStart your search with a budget in mind. If you buy a car, include the cost of purchase, taxes, registrationfees, insurance, potential repairs, etc. Oravoiding overspending by sticking to a budget tohelp you narrow down your options.2.Check Vehicle HistoryWhen purchasing a used pickup truck, a vehicle historyreport is needed. Services such as Carfax or AutoCheck can offer information about accidents, title status, mileage and maintenance history. Stay away from trucks with severe accident histories, flood damage or salvage titles; they can create major repair problems later.3.Inspect MileageMileage is not the only measure of a truck’s condition, but it’s a keyone. Low miles typically mean less wear, but high mileage isn't necessarily a dealbreaker if the truck was well maintained. Considermileage balanced with overall condition.4.Do a Walk Around of the Outside and InsideExamine the truck’s exterior for any rust, dents, scratchesor evidence of repainting, which could suggest previous harm. Inspect the bed for damage, since this is a major part of a pickup truck. Step inside and check for worn seats, cracked dashboards or inoperative controls. A clean interior is often indicative of how well the previous owner took care of the car.5.Test Drive the TruckDefinitely take a test driveto get a feel for how the truck drives.Pay attention to how to starts, accelerates and stops. Above all, you need to pay attention to the abnormal noise, such as rattling or grinding, which means the problems. What’s more, you also need to check the transmission, suspension and four-wheel drive areas.6.Check the Engine andUnderbodyOpen the hood and check the engine for leaks, corrosion orfraying belts. Check the oil and coolant levels and look for signsof bad maintenance. If you can, get under it to look for any rust, damage or worn out parts like shocks and suspension parts that a mechanic can check.7.Confirm Towingand Payload SpecsIf you have a plan to use the truck for hauling goods, one thing must do is to check its towing and payload abilities. Do remember to check whether this truck can burden the weight you want it to tow or not. If you really care the towing ability, make sure it includes a working hitch and wiring harness.8.Review Maintenance RecordsRequest maintenance documentation to ensure the truck was serviced regularly.A well-maintained truck includes routine oil change, tire rotations, etc. Not keeping records might mean neglect and could lead to issues down the road.9.Negotiate the PriceThere is usually room to negotiate onused pickup trucks. If you do decide to negotiate, use your research on the truck’s market value, condition and any needed repairs to agree on a fair price. Beready to walk away if the seller won’t agree to your offer.10.Get aPre-Purchase InspectionEven if the truck looks great, it’s worth it to hire a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. An expert can spot problems that might behidden, and will not show up in an informal inspection or drive.11.Check OwnershipCostsLastly, you should think about the overallownership costs of the car. Research its fuel economy, insurance rates, parts availability.Do remember that some models are cheaper but more expensive to maintain at the same time. Therefore, you need to consider these aspects.By referring all these aspects, you can find a suitable used pickup truck of high quality to meet your standards. Make the time, do the research, be bold enough to ask questions. A great used pickup truck can provide lots of reliability and fun foryears to come.