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Life insurance is a major component of most any overall financial plan – regardless of one’s age or employment status. That is because loved ones could be faced with massive debts to pay – including the cost of a funeral and other financial expenses – if the unexpected should occur.

The proceeds that are received from life insurance policies are income tax-free, so loved ones can use the entire amount of the funds for their needs. This can help them to avoid a financial hardship, at an already difficult time in their lives.

When you are in the process of seeking life insurance coverage, several key factors are essential to keep in mind before making a long-term commitment to a policy. These should include obtaining the proper type and amount of insurance coverage, as well as making sure that the insurance company that you are purchasing the policy through is secure and stable financially and that it has a good, solid reputation for paying out its claims to policy holders and beneficiaries. One company that meets these criteria is Geico Insurance Company.

The History of Geico Insurance Company

Geico has been in business since 1938. Over the past 80 years, the company has grown and expanded exponentially, and today the company is ranked as the second largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States.

The name Geico is an acronym for Government Employees Insurance Company, which goes back to the company’s beginnings. The founder of Geico, Leo Goodwin, initially targeted a customer base that consisted primarily of United States government employees and military personnel.

The company now insures military and government personnel, as well as private consumers. In 1996, Geico became a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which is headed by the world’s most famous investor, Warren Buffett. For the past several years, Fortune magazine has named Berkshire Hathaway’s property casualty insurance operation as the most admired in the U.S.

Presently, Geico is made up of its primary unit, the Government Employees Insurance Company, along with several affiliates, including:

  • Geico General Insurance Company
  • Geico Indemnity Company
  • Geico Casualty Company
  • Geico Advantage Insurance Company
  • Geico Choice Insurance Company
  • Geico Secure Insurance Company

Geico is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland (near Washington, DC). The company also has some regional offices that are dotted throughout the U.S., including locations in:

  • Buffalo, New York
  • Dallas, Texas
  • Frederickson, Virginia
  • Lakeland, Florida
  • Macon, Georgia
  • San Diego, California
  • Tucson, Arizona
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Woodbury, New York

There are also several services centers, which are in Iowa, Indiana, and Hawaii, as well as some claims centers, which can be found in Houston, Texas, as well as in Seattle, Washington, and in Marlton, New Jersey.

Geico Life Insurance Review

Today, Geico insures more than 15 million auto insurance policies – and growing – and the company has more than 24 million vehicles insured. It is one of the fastest growing major auto insurers in the country, employing more than 36,000 associates, and providing customer service 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and 365 days per year. As of year-end 2016, Geico had assets under management of more than $32 billion.

The company has also earned a long list of various awards and accolades over the years. For example, Geico was named to Ward’s 50 top group of financially high-performing insurers for the 21st consecutive year in 2011. This award recognizes that Geico achieved outstanding financial results in the areas of safety, consistency, and performance.

Also, Geico was rated as being superior by consumers in 2007, for its customer advocacy. Forrester defines this as being “the perception by customers that a firm (Geico) does what’s best for them, and not just what is best for its bottom line.”

Geico was also rated as #1 by the Kanbay Research Institute for being the most desired insurer amount consumers based on the following factors:

  • High regard for customer service
  • Focus on staff training and development

Likewise, the owner of Geico, Berkshire Hathaway, was named as being a leading company in world insurance markets. These rankings include:

  • #1 global insurance company by revenues in 2013, based on an analysis of companies in the Global Fortune 500.
  • #2 writer of private passenger auto insurance by direct premiums were written in 2013. (Before reinsurance transactions, includes state funds. Based on U.S. total, includes territories).

Geico has also been named a leader in ethical practices in the property/casualty industry, and Berkshire Hathaway was appointed as a leader in ethical practices in the financial services sector by Ethisphere Magazine.

Also, Geico achieved the highest overall score in Forrester Research’s 2014 U.S. Mobile Auto Insurance Functionality Benchmark. With perfect scores in policy information and management categories, Forrester proclaimed Geico as “The pocket auto insurer.”

Geico’s Mobile App and insurance site received a #1 ranking on Keynote’s 2015 Mobile Insurance Scorecard, competing against top insurers. Geico is also ranked first for technical quality, according to Keynote KCR (Keynote Competitive Research).

While the company has traditionally been known for its vehicle coverage options, Geico doesn’t just offer auto insurance. The insurer offers a broad range of coverage products and services, including life insurance, home owner’s insurance, and even identity theft protection.

Insurer Ratings and Better Business Bureau Grade

Due to its stable financial footing, as well as its timely payment of customers’ insurance claims, Geico has been given high ratings from the insurer rating agencies. These include the following:

  • AA+ from Standard and Poor’s
  • Aa1 from Moody’s
  • A++ from A.M. Best Company

Also, although Geico is not an accredited company through the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the company has been given a grade of B by the BBB. This is on an overall grade scale of A+ to F.

Throughout the past three years, Geico has closed out a total of 2,514 customer complaints – of which 158 have been closed out within the previous 12 months. Of these total 2,514 complaints, 1,655 regarded as the company’s product and/or services, while 658 were regarding billing and/or collection issues. Another 125 considered advertising and/or sales issues, 55 were concerning guarantee and/or warranty issues, and the remaining 21 complaints focused on delivery issues.

Life Insurance Products Offered Through Geico

Customers of Geico can obtain life insurance coverage via Life Quotes, Inc. The company offers term life insurance policy, which provides pure death benefit protection, without any cash value or savings build up. Because of this, the premiums for term life insurance can typically be quite affordable – especially for those who are young and in good health at the tie of policy application.

As its name implies, term life insurance is purchased for a set period – or term – such as five years, ten years, 15 years, 20 years, or even for 30 years. In most cases, the amount of the death benefit coverage, as well as the sum of the premium, will remain level throughout the term of the policy.

And, provided that the premiums are paid on time, the company that issues the term life insurance policy will not be able to cancel the coverage. Once the term of a policy reaches its end, the insured may opt just to purchase a new policy (if he or she qualifies based on their then-current health).

As with its other forms of insurance coverage, getting life insurance via Geico can be a natural process. For example, by teaming up with Life Quotes, Inc., customers can expect the following benefits:

  • Easy paperwork/application process
  • Natural customer service process
  • Convenient payment plans for paying the premium, which include monthly, quarterly, or annual payment options
  • A full range of coverage limits to meet each customer/policy holders’ needs

When applying for life insurance through Geico / Life Quotes, Inc., an applicant’s health is considered. Once approved, the life insurance policy will typically cover death due to any cause, other than that of suicide within the first two years of policy ownership.

Once an individual has been approved for life insurance coverage through Geico / Life Quotes, policy holders can access their policy directly through the Geico website. This can make it easy to check coverage, as well as to make changes to one’s account, such as address and other contact information, and the name of the policy’s beneficiary.

The Geico website also helps to prompt a policy holder with various information that may assist them in reviewing their life insurance coverage, and in deciding whether to alter their coverage limits in the future. For example, some of the reasons why someone may want to change the amount of their coverage include:

  • A change in household income/employment status
  • Marriage, divorce, or becoming widowed
  • The birth or adoption of a child
  • Retirement
  • New grandchild(ren)
  • Serious illness and disability
  • Caring for an aging parent
  • Starting a new business
  • Selling off one’s home and purchasing another
  • New Drivers under 25

Now, Geico does not offer permanent life insurance coverage – which includes whole life, universal life, indexed universal life, variable life, or variable universal life – all of which include both death benefit protection and a cash value component.

Purchasers of many of the insurance plans that are offered through Geico may qualify for a premium discount.

Other Products and Services Available

While Geico is a primary insurer of automobiles, it also provides a wide selection of other products such as life insurance and other types of coverage, such as:

  • Motorcycle insurance
  • ATV insurance
  • Umbrella insurance
  • Home owner’s insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Condo insurance
  • Co-op insurance
  • RV (Recreational Vehicle) insurance
  • Boat insurance
  • Personal watercraft insurance
  • Flood insurance
  • Mobile Home insurance
  • Overseas insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Commercial Auto insurance
  • Ridesharing insurance
  • Business insurance

  • Identity Protection insurance
  • Snowmobile insurance
  • Collector Car insurance
  • Mexico Car insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Jewelry insurance

How to Get the Best Rates on Life Insurance From Geico Insurance Company

If you have been seeking the best rates on term life insurance from Geico – or from any insurer – it can be beneficial to work with an independent life insurance agent or broker. In doing so, you will be better able to compare side-by-side the policies and the premium prices from numerous different insurance carriers. From there, you will then be able to choose which one will be the best for you.

When you are ready to move forward with the life insurance purchase process, we can help. We are an independent life insurance brokerage, and we work with many of the top life insurance carriers in the market place today. We can assist you with obtaining all the pertinent details that you require for making a well-informed buying decision, and we can do so for you quickly, easily, and conveniently – all without you having to meet in person with an insurance agent. If you are ready to get started, then all you should do is just simply fill out our quote form.

We understand that the purchase of life insurance coverage can be somewhat overwhelming.  There are many different variables to consider – and you want to be sure that you are making the best decision regarding type and amount of coverage for your specific needs. The good news is that the life insurance purchasing process can be done so much easier when you are working with an expert on your side. So, contact us today – we’re here to help.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

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You’re finally ready to get out of the rental market and buy a home of your own. But how do you know how much house you can afford?

Before you head out on your house-hunting adventure, you can easily do those affordability calculations yourself before you officially begin shopping for a mortgage.

Here are the top factors lenders typically consider when determining how much house you can afford.

Debt-to-income ratio

One of the first factors a lender will analyze is your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.

Lenders use this measurement to ensure that you’ll have enough income to cover both your new mortgage payment and any existing monthly debts such as credit card, auto loan and student loan payments.

What is a good debt-to-income ratio? Generally most lenders want your debt-to-income ratio, including your anticipated new monthly mortgage payment, not to exceed 36 percent.

The ratio is calculated by taking your total monthly debt load and dividing it by your monthly gross income.

What does that mean in dollars and cents? Someone who earns $5,000 per month and carries $500 in monthly debt would have a DTI of 10 percent.

This borrower generally could be approved for a maximum monthly mortgage payment of $1,300, including property taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance.

Someone making the same salary but carrying zero debt generally could be approved for a maximum monthly mortgage payment of $1,800.

Credit considerations

There are several key factors in securing a mortgage loan, and your credit is one of the most important elements.

Your credit scores is based on your payment history, overall level of debt, length of credit history, types of credit and applications for new credit.

If a traditional lender finds that your credit score falls within an undesirable range or includes unfavorable marks when they check your credit report, they might be leery of approving you for a loan.

You may be able to obtain a loan, but you’ll likely pay a higher mortgage rate, which will ultimately result in a higher mortgage payment.

Well before you apply for a home mortgage loan, pull your credit report to review where you stand, and research the requirements you need to meet with your desired lender.

Understanding your personal credit profile and the lender’s expectations will help you understand the interest rates you likely qualify for and the terms your loan will likely be.

Down payment requirements

With the exception of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans and some special programs for first-time buyers, a home purchase requires that you have some cash on hand.

How much? Anywhere from 3.5 percent of the sales price for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan to as much as 20 percent for a conventional loan.

Expect to get a better interest rate if you’re able to make a down payment of at least 20 percent.

Keep in mind that the down payment amount doesn’t include closing costs, which are fees related to the purchase of the home.

Typically, buyers pay between 2 percent and 5 percent of the purchase price of the home in closing costs.

The big picture

If you have less-than-amazing credit, then you may want to consider waiting to purchase a home and making changes in your spending habits to improve your credit score.

Many experts suggest before you even consider buying a home, you should be debt-free and have three to six months of expenses saved — in addition to your down payment and closing costs.

“Being debt-free or close to it with some money in the bank is optimal,” said Tiffany Kjellander, owner and operations manager of Augusta, NJ-based EXIT Towne & Country Realty.

She adds, “It can be tough to hear that it’s not the right time for you to look for a house, but the truth is that getting your financials in order and putting some money in the bank could keep you from losing your home if you get sick or lose your job down the road.”

Further, Kjellander advises that potential homeowners think long term.

The cost of homeownership extends beyond the monthly payment and includes routine maintenance and repairs, homeowners association dues and additional utilities that you might not have paid while renting.

“Just because you’re approved to spend $3,000 per month on a house doesn’t mean you have to go that high,” she said. “Buying a home is a huge financial decision. No one should enter into it blindly.”

“How Lenders Determine How Much House You Can Afford” was provided by Zillow.

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After shopping for a home warranty for a few days, you may wonder how warranty providers stay in business.

Based on online reviews, you’d think every customer who’s ever bought a warranty had a terrible experience and feels cheated. Reviewers warn potential customers away as if they’re patrolling some kind of abyss.

Naturally, online reviews can’t represent all customers. Still, the high volume of discontent is alarming.

The Home Service Club, a relatively new warranty provider, stands out as an exception.

The Home Service Club Review: Top Highlights

The Home Service Club opened in 2008 with the goal of simplifying home warranties and providing a more straightforward approach to coverage and caps. So far, based on customer reviews, the company has succeeded.

You can find less expensive premiums and higher spending caps in other companies’ contracts, but you learn the real cost of a warranty when it doesn’t pay for your repair and you have to find some other way to cover the expense.

With The Home Service Club, you’ll have a more reliable way to know when the warranty will pay and when you’ve exceeded its limits.

Read on to see why the Home Service Club is one of our top home warranty providers.

The Home Service Club Coverage

The Home Service Club has two base levels of service, Standard and Comprehensive.

Standard Plan

Essentially, the Standard Plan covers the kitchen and laundry area and the primary systems in your home:

  • Refrigerator
  • Stove (ovens, ranges, cooktops)
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes washer and dryer
  • Icemaker (freestanding)
  • Built-in microwave
  • Trash compactor
  • Built-in food prep center (processors, etc.)
  • HVAC system units
  • Electrical system
  • Water heater
  • Plumbing
  • Garbage disposal
  • Garage door opener
  • Ceiling fans
  • Central vacuum

Comprehensive Plan 

The Comprehensive Plan includes items in the Basic Plan, plus the following:

  • Plumbing stoppages
  • Ductwork
  • Pest control
  • Gas leaks
  • Telephone wiring
  • Smoke detectors
  • Alarm system wiring
  • Attic fans
  • Exhaust fans
  • Sump pumps
  • Doorbells
  • Hot / cold water dispensers
  • Hot water pump

Additional Services

After you’ve purchased a Basic or Comprehensive warranty from The Home Service Club and waited the required 30 days for the contract to go into effect, you can add on services for an extra annual fee.

Optional coverage include protection for your:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Freestanding freezer
  • Additional refrigerators
  • Sub-zero freezers
  • Well pump
  • Water softener
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Roof
  • Pool and spa
  • Sewage ejector pump
  • Outside water or power lines (running to an exterior building, for example)

How Much the Home Service Club Costs

Payments 

Home repair costs vary in different parts of the country, so The Home Service Club also varies its fee structures in different markets.

The following prices could be different depending on your location:

  • Premiums: The Basic Plan costs around $500 a year in most areas. The Comprehensive Plan will cost closer to $750 a year. You can break these annual fees down into monthly payments. To get a precise quote customized to your property, you’ll have to enter some contact information on the company’s site.
  • Fees: Like any home warranty, The Home Service Club will charge an initial service fee to send a technician. The fee could be $65, $95, or $125 depending on your contract. 

The Home Service Club explicitly states in its sample contract what it will and will not repair, along with the spending caps for a one-year term.

Annual caps

 Many of the caps are lower than some other warranties, although it can be hard to know for sure since so many warranty contracts are hard to decipher.

Here’s a sample of The Home Service Club’s annual caps:

  • Heating system: $2,500
  • Air conditioner: $2,500
  • Ductwork: $750
  • Water heater: $500
  • Electrical system: $500
  • Built-in microwave: $500
  • Refrigerators: $750
  • Garbage disposal: $350
  • Clothes dryer: $800
  • Icemaker: $400

Additionally, and this is important, the warranty will place a comprehensive cap between $6,000 and $9,000 per year on repairs at your home. If you exceed your annual comprehensive cap, you’re no longer eligible for any service on any system.

  • The Basic Plan usually caps annual payouts at $6,000.
  • The Comprehensive Plan usually caps annual payouts at $9,000.

The Home Service Club Claims Process

When a covered system in your home needs a repair or replacement (and you’ve waited 30 days after signing the contract) you can contact The Home Service Club to file a claim.

How to File a Claim

The company offers 24-hour coverage, but only online. If you want to phone in a request, you’ll need to call during business hours in the Eastern time zone.

The company also limits coverage on weekends and holidays, even online, so expect to wait longer — up to 48 hours — for a response. Ordinarily, the company does its best to get help to your home within 12 hours.

Who Will Fix My System?

The Home Service Club has a network of about 15,000 contractors and technicians, and the company’s dispatchers will decide which specialist to send to your home. As a customer, you have no control over the process.

This in-network requirement is not unusual for a warranty, and most customers find it preferable to the other alternative: paying for a repair out of pocket from a local contractor and then trying to get reimbursement from the warranty.

What’s Required of Me?

Other than paying the premiums and the service fees — and staying within the annual caps on expenses — you’ll have a couple of other responsibilities:

  • Inspections and local codes: If your municipality requires an inspection of a repaired or replaced system, you’ll have to cover any associated costs. The warranty will not pay it. (Many municipalities do not charge for inspections.)
  • Regular maintenance: The Home Service Club does not require a pre-inspection of your home’s systems before you sign a contract, but it will not pay to repair systems damaged by a lack of regular maintenance. If you haven’t changed your air conditioner filter in, say, 18 months and this causes a breakdown, your warranty can refuse to cover the expense.

Also, you’ll need to be home, or arrange for someone else who is 18 or older, to be at your home during the repair process.

Canceling the Contract

You can cancel your warranty within the first 30 days at no charge except for an administrative fee up to $45. You can also cancel the contract anytime after the first 30 days, but you will not receive a full refund on premiums paid.

Your refund will be prorated depending on how much time has passed since you entered the contract.

The Home Service Club retains the right to cancel your contract if you don’t pay the premiums, of course. The company can also cancel your contract if you threaten service technicians or customer service reps or if the local laws in your area change in a way that makes service more expensive.

Transferring the contract: If you sell your home, you can arrange uninterrupted coverage for the buyer, but you’ll need to do so in advance. Warranties can be appealing selling points in the real estate market.

Alternatives to the Home Service Club

As you shop for a home warranty, be sure to consider some of the top alternatives to the Home Service Club below.

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border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.15);
border-radius: .25rem;
box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
padding: 0.5rem;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item
display: flex;
align-items: stretch;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item a
display: flex;
flex-wrap: nowrap;
white-space: nowrap;
align-items: center;
justify-content: space-between;
padding: 0.35rem 0.5rem;
background-color: #fff;
color: #333;
text-decoration: none;
border-radius: 4px;
pointer: cursor;
width: 100%;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__toggle:after,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item a:after
content: “”;
display: inline-block;
width: 0.75rem;
height: 0.75rem;
margin-left: 0.5rem;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center;
background-size: contain;
background-image: url(‘data:image/svg+xml;utf8,’);

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__toggle[aria-sort=”ascending”]:after,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item a[aria-sort=”ascending”]:after
background-image: url(‘data:image/svg+xml;utf8,’);

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__toggle[aria-sort=”descending”]:after,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item a[aria-sort=”descending”]:after
background-image: url(‘data:image/svg+xml;utf8,’);
transform: rotate(180deg);
-webkit-transform: rotate(180deg);

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group .action-group__item a:hover
background-color: #f5f5f5;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .btn-primary
color: #ffffff;
background-color: #ff7207;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-wrapper
box-shadow: 0 10px 27px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
border-radius: 8px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 *
box-sizing: border-box

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 p,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 span,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 ul,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 li,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 ol
font-family: Montserrat, Verdana, sans-serif;
font-size: 12px;
line-height: 1.4em;
letter-spacing: normal;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .primary-color
color: #3750DC;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header .col-1-header
width: 20%;
min-width: 200px;
padding-left: 15px;
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header .col-2-header
flex-grow: 1;
padding-left: 15px;
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .ranking
color: #5C5C5C;
position: absolute;
font-weight: 400;
font-size: 14px;
text-align: center;
line-height: 24px;
display: inline-block;
background-color: #E8E8E8;
height: 24px;
min-width: 30px;
left: -2px;
top: -2px;
z-index: 1;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.rank-1 .ranking
background-color: #1261C9;
color: #fff;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner
background: #3750DC;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner span
color: #ffffff;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table-wrapper
box-shadow: none;
border-radius: 0px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header
display: flex;
flex-direction: row;
text-align: left;
padding: 12px 0;
border-bottom: 3px solid #F0F5F9;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header .col-1-header
width: 20%;
min-width: 200px;
padding-left: 15px;
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header .col-2-header
flex-grow: 1;
padding-left: 15px;
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table
display: flex;
flex-direction: column

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item
width: 100%;
min-height: 150px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: row;
align-items: center;
justify-content: space-between;
border-bottom: 3px solid #F0F5F9;
position: relative;
padding: 10px 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .company-rating
display: inline;
color: #ff7207;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .company-rating .fa
display: inline-block;
font-size: 14px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .company-rating .five-stars i
margin: 0 2px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .company-rating .five-stars i svg
width: 16px;
height: 14px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container
width: 20%;
min-width: 200px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper
padding: 5px 15px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper .company-logo
position: relative

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper .company-logo a.logo-link
width: 100%;
height: auto;
display: block;
text-align: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper .company-logo a.logo-link .fixed-container
position: relative;
width: 150px;
height: 130px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper .company-logo a.logo-link .fixed-container amp-img.contain img
object-fit: contain

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container .logo-wrapper .company-logo a.logo-link img
max-width: 150px;
max-height: 130px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview
padding: 0 24px;
order: 2;
flex: 1;
transition: max-height .3s ease;
font-size: 1em;
font-family: inherit;
line-height: 1.4em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .p1-highlight
font-weight: 700;
font-size: 1.1em;
line-height: 1.6em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview p
text-align: left;
margin: 0;
font-size: 1em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul
padding: 0;
margin: 0;
list-style-position: outside

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul li
list-style-type: disc;
text-align: left;
margin-top: 5px;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-size: 1em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul li p,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul li span
font-size: 1em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview hr
margin-top: 0.5rem;
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
border: 0;
border-top: 1px solid #F0F5F9;;
width: 100%;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .attrs-list
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap !important;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 0.75rem;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .attrs-list .attrs-list__item
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
margin: 0.5rem;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .attrs-list .attrs-list__item__value
font-size: 14px;
margin-top: 0.5rem;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta
order: 3;
min-width: 200px;
text-align: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta a.btn-primary
min-width: 120px;
border-radius: 100px;
font-size: 1.3em;
line-height: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600;
text-align: center;
padding: 12px 30px;
text-decoration: none;
display: inline-block;
transition: background-color .2s ease, border-color .2s ease, color .2s ease;
word-break: break-word

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta a.btn-primary:hover
opacity: 0.92

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .mobile-p1-highlight
display: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cb-item-toggle
width: 0;
height: 0;
opacity: 0;
overflow: hidden;
position: absolute;
pointer-events: none;
bottom: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cb-item-toggle:checked~.overview
max-height: 150vw

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cb-item-toggle:checked~.overview-toggle::before
content: “See Less”

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cb-item-toggle:checked~.overview-toggle::after
transform: rotate(0)

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle
display: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner
padding: 6px 40px 6px 10px;
overflow: hidden;
flex: 1 1 auto;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
position: absolute;
top: 8px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner::before
position: absolute;
content: “”;
width: 0;
height: 0;
border-style: solid;
border-width: 20px 30px 20px 0;
border-color: transparent #fff transparent transparent;
right: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner span
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 1.2em;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
width: 100%;
hyphens: auto

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner::before
display: block

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .logo-container
margin: 52px 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item:last-of-type
border-bottom: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none header
padding: 15px 0px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table-header
border: 2px solid #F0F5F9;
border-bottom: none;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item
border: 2px solid #F0F5F9;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item:not(:first-child)
border-top: 0px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item:last-of-type
border-bottom: 2px solid #F0F5F9;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .our-partner
margin-top: 12px;
display: block;
font-size: 1em;
font-weight: 500;
color: #9B9B9B;

@media screen and (max-width: 768px)
body
padding: 0;
margin: 8px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper form
flex-direction: column;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter
margin-bottom: 10px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter .title,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .title
min-width: 80px;
font-size: 14px;
text-align: right;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu
width: 100%;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter input,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu,
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group
width: 100%;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-wrapper
box-shadow: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header
display: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 0 4px 0 #9AAAB9;
margin-bottom: 18px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: stretch;
padding: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container
flex: 1;
width: 50%;
min-height: 140px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta
margin: 10px 0;
order: 2;
flex: 1;
min-width: auto;
width: 50%;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta a.btn-primary
min-width: 120px;
font-size: 1.1em;
padding: 16px 10px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .mobile-p1-highlight
padding: 0 8px;
order: 3;
width: 100%;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 1.2em;
font-weight: 600;
color: #333;
text-align: center

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview
order: 4;
display: block;
line-height: 1.4em;
font-size: 1.1em;
overflow: hidden;
transition: max-height .3s ease;
max-height: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .overview-inner
padding: 8px 15px 20px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview p
line-height: 1.4em;
text-align: left;
margin: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .p1-highlight
display: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul
padding: 0;
margin: 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul li
text-align: left;
line-height: 1.4em

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle
padding: 6px;
width: 100%;
max-height: 24px;
order: 4;
cursor: pointer;
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 1em;
font-size: 1em;
color: #7C92A7;
background-color: #F0F5F9;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
align-self: end;
border-bottom-left-radius: 8px;
border-bottom-right-radius: 8px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle::before
margin-right: 8px;
content: “See More”

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle::after
content: “”;
width: 12px;
height: 12px;
background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMiAxMiI+PHBhdGggZmlsbD0iIzdDOTJBNyIgZD0iTTExLjcgOEw2IDIuMy4zIDhjLS40LjQtLjQgMSAwIDEuNC40LjQgMSAuNCAxLjQgMEw2IDUuMWw0LjMgNC4zYy4yLjIuNC4zLjcuM3MuNS0uMS43LS4zYy40LS40LjQtMSAwLTEuNHoiLz48L3N2Zz4=);
transform: rotate(180deg);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center center;
background-size: contain

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .logo-container
margin: 45px 0 0 0

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item:first-of-type .logo-n-cta .logo
margin-top: 20px

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.expand-bullets-on-mobile .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle
display: none

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2.expand-bullets-on-mobile .company-table .company-item .overview
max-height: 150vw

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .ranking
border-top-left-radius: 8px;
left: -2px;
top: 0px;

#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 header h3
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
margin-top: 0.5rem;

@media (min-width: 576px)
#ap10732-w-placement-top10-v2 .d-sm-inline
display: inline;

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad

Who Needs a Home Warranty?

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners opt for home warranties each year because they worry about how they’d afford a major home repair.

When you buy a new car or a new iMac, your warranty can almost guarantee your product will be repaired or replaced during the warranty’s period. 

A home warranty can’t offer this kind of guarantee because the company didn’t make the products it agrees to protect. A better term for a home warranty may be “service contract.”

When you pay your premiums, you’re pooling your resources with thousands of other customers to shield yourself against unexpected home repair costs and service bills.

When Not to Buy a Home Warranty

If you don’t need this kind of shield, a warranty won’t make as much sense for you. For example, you may not need a home warranty if:

  • You could set aside money: Unexpected repairs could cost thousands of dollars, and you may need the money quickly, especially if your air conditioner needs to be replaced and it’s the middle of July. If you have a healthy emergency fund set up, you won’t need to rely so much on a warranty.
  • You could borrow money at low interest: Banks and other lenders, and even some contractors, offer low or no-interest borrowing promotions if you need a large repair and don’t have the cash. This option won’t work unless you have good credit, though. And stay away from this idea if you can’t repay the loan within the promotional interest-free period.
  • You could fix a lot of things yourself: If you are a contractor or if you’re experienced at repairing a wide variety of home systems, you may be your own warranty, though it’s still smart to set aside money for parts and new components.
  • Your house is brand new: New homes can have problems, too, but you may be less worried about replacing entire systems in a newer home. Also, many new systems in a home may already have their own manufacturer’s warranties.

When to Buy a Home Warranty

The best candidates for a home warranty such as The Home Service Club often include people who:

  • Have an older home: You can cross your fingers all day, but a 25-year-old HVAC system or a 15-year-old refrigerator may not last much longer. If you’ve bought an older home with older systems, a warranty could save you thousands of dollars on repairs.
  • Have limited financial flexibility: Sure, you’ll pay $500 or so a year in premiums with The Home Service Club, but the warranty could save you up to $6,000 if a lot of stuff went wrong at your home this year.
  • Wants a one-call solution: Some people just don’t have the time or energy to find quality contractors for expensive repairs. A warranty such as The Home Service Club’s plans offer convenience because you can call one number for most of your repair needs.

Is The Home Service Club Right for You?

Only you can decide whether The Home Service Club would be worthwhile for your home.

I will say this: I like the clarity of The Home Service Club when compared to other companies.

Premiums and fees may be higher than some other companies’ plans, and annual payout caps may also be lower with The Home Service Club in comparison to other contracts.

But with The Home Service Club, you have a pretty clear expectation for what you’re getting in return for those costs.

Too many warranties claim to offer instant service and complete coverage, all of which sounds great. Only later do customers learn about the warranty’s exclusions and limitations.

Studying the Contract Reduces Your Risk

Home warranties pitch the concept of “peace of mind” to customers who worry about excessive home repair costs. This is an abstract concept.

You need some concrete facts before signing a contract.

Fortunately, you can see a sample contract from The Home Service Club before you even share your email address or phone number with the company. Read the contract carefully to learn about its limitations.

Before signing, though, read over the actual contract you’ll be agreeing to because it could work a little differently from the sample contract.

A Warranty Isn’t a Long-Term Commitment

Unlike homeowners insurance, which you should always have in force to protect your property from external damage, a home warranty is an option. Most warranties, including The Home Service Club’s plans, work on annual contracts.

Someone who needs a warranty now but may not need it next year or in a few years can simply opt not to renew the contract.

Remember, too, that you’re not locking in a premium or fees for more than one year at a time. Next year the company could increase your premiums or raise service fees.

Bottom Line: Consider Your Options and Study the Fine Print

Warranties incite customer anger for one reason: when the peace of mind the warranty promises turns out to be a false sense of security.

Avoid this snare by reading any contract carefully before signing. Whether it’s the Home Service Club’s contract or another warranty company’s plan, it’ll be worth your time and money to understand each limitation of the contract.

Read it line by line. Make an evening of it after dinner.

Read it aloud if you need help staying awake.

This way you can find out exactly how the contract builds its promise to shield you from unexpected home repair expenses.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

One of our biggest USPs is the transparency we have as a brand

Born from the roots of Kolkata, artisanal soft furnishings brand Onset Homes offers meticulous works of Indian handicrafts woven with fine embroidery of elegant, stately art and design. The brand was founded in 2009 and has gone through several alterations before returning with a fresh appearance. The weaving community of the brand consists of kaarigars (artisans) whose talents, craftsmanship, and patterns portray the stories of India’s indigenous craftspeople. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Founder Neha Jhunjhunwala discusses the home décor market, its trends, and a lot more.


How do you see technology playing a role in the future of the home decor industry?

Technology is changing our homes to the extent that now SIRI puts on the lights too. You can, however, call me little orthodox in this aspect. I firmly believe that a home is made of the people living there and the moment that ‘human touch’ is replaced by technology, the warmth of a home is also compromised.


What inspired you to create Onset Homes, and how did you get started in the home decor industry?

It is a funny story. I was in NYC shopping at Crate and Barrel and one lady asked me why being an Indian I was buying everything ‘Made in India’. That’s when it struck me that’s exactly what we are doing. We are making these beautiful textiles and exporting them. That’s when I decided to start Onset Homes.


What sets Onset Homes apart from other home decor brands in the market?

One of our biggest USPs is the transparency we have as a brand. We have a single point contact to the actual artisan who makes it, and the customer will also know the name of the artisan who has handcrafted the material they have purchased. Also, we always work in collections, so a customer can get a whole set from us in varied designs without having to look elsewhere.


Can you walk us through your design process and how you decide on which products to create?

We start with seeing what is working best for us. We also have a look at what’s there in the market and the trends internationally. Then it’s a lot of sampling of designs, colours and techniques. It takes us upto 3-4 months to come up with a new collection.


How do you source materials and select artisans to work with for your products?

We have an export background and we have been working with these artisans for decades now. So, for us to get the correct set of people was relatively easy. Same goes for sourcing the correct sustainable materials.


What are some of the current trends in home decor, and how is Onset Homes incorporating them into their products?

We are seeing a big shift towards natural patterns. We are also witnessing a shift towards Indian patterns with a contemporary twist. We are incorporating those elements in our cushion designs.


What is the importance of e-commerce and online sales for Onset Homes and the home decor industry as a whole?

E-commerce seems to have taken over the way the world shops now, and home décor is no exception. So even for us, e-commerce does play an important role. But I feel the essence and beauty of home décor is purely felt when you walk into a home store where you can touch the products and get submerged in the essence of the store.


What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a brand, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is that the market is so flooded, and many of them are just very low-priced products which do not care about sustainability etc. It is painful when people compare your prices with those products. The second challenge comes from the discount system which has become so prevalent nowadays because of the big marketplaces.


How do you balance traditional Indian handicraft techniques with modern design aesthetics in your products?

This is actually not as hard as it seems. We take traditional motif, use modern colour on them and maybe change the layout to make it more contemporary. Indian techniques are very easy to twist and make them modern; it is just about the colours used and the way we make the final design layout.


How has your brand evolved since its inception, and what are your plans for the future?

The ethos and the value of the brand is the same, but we are just looking at adding more products and newer designs from time to time.


How do you ensure the quality of your products and maintain consistency across your collections?

This for us is extremely important. We have a background of exports, where the QC has to be extremely stringent, and we carry on the same quality for our D2C brand also.


What role does customer feedback play in shaping your brand and product offerings?

Customer feedback is extremely important. It plays a significant role as we are where we are today because of our customers.


Can you discuss any upcoming collaborations or partnerships for Onset Homes?

There are many in the pipeline, but it is too early to disclose.


How do you stay up to date with industry trends and incorporate them into your designs?

Trends are very easily accessible these days because of the amount of information on the net. However, we are also into exports of textiles for furnishing, which helps we know what is trending globally.


What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the home decor industry?

The most important element is the love for the subject, the love for home. We must understand that people make up a home and our job as entrepreneurs in the home space is to help people create that warmth and love in their homes.

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.

Source: fibre2fashion.com

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Los Angeles is an expensive city, but if you know where to look, you can get a lot for the average U.S. rental price.

Los Angeles, or the City of Angels, is home to over 3.8 million people. And it’s no wonder why so many people call this Southern California town home. It has almost year-round sunny weather, close access to the beach, countless entertainment opportunities, endless shops to explore and hundreds of restaurants to eat at.

It’s also one of the most expensive places to live, but you can find something around the national average rent price (which falls just under $2,000) if you look carefully and focus on smaller apartments. We are going to show you several places where for you to live in Los Angeles where rent will cost about $2,000 a month.

How much apartment can you get for $2,000 in Los Angeles?

Before we dive into specific apartment complexes and locations in LA that cost less than or equal to $2,000, we are going to highlight a few cost-of-living statistics and averages.

Average rent in Los Angeles

Apartment prices will vary depending on location, size and amenities offered, among other factors. Using Rent. data, here are some of the recent rental market trends:

  • Studio: $2,294 per month
  • One-bedroom apartment: $2,765 per month
  • Two-bedroom apartment: $3,619 per month

We’ve done our research and found five apartment complexes that offer rentals for under $2,000 a month, making them some of the most reasonable finds in Los Angeles. Let’s take a look!

Where to live in Los Angeles for $2,000

So, your rental budget is around $2,000 per month and you’re wondering what that will get you in a city like LA? Well, here are a few hidden gems to consider when apartment hunting in Los Angeles.

AVA Studio City

Source: Rent. / AVA Studio City

Located in the Studio City neighborhood, this apartment complex has apartments starting at $1,906 per month. Sizes vary from 426 square feet to 1,576 square feet. Highlights include a washer and dryer in the unit, AC and a swimming pool. Check out this apartment if you’re looking for a reasonably priced apartment in LA.

AVA Burbank

Source: Rent. / AVA Burbank

Another AVA complex is located in the Burbank area of Los Angeles. For $1,863+ you can rent a clean, modern apartment that is dog and cat friendly. Burbank is located near the Warner Brothers lot and several other entertainment hubs. This is a lively and vibrant part of the city so you’ll have endless things to do. Close by is a Vons, Trader Joes, Ralphs and Whole Foods — everything you need.

Ferrante

Source: Rent. / Ferrante

Ferrante is a beautiful apartment complex that offers studios to two-bedroom apartments in the $1,972+ price range. Located in downtown LA, you’ll be in the center of the action but have a quiet, serene place to call home at the end of a busy day. Amenities include a swimming pool and fitness center on-site.

The Cleo

Source: Rent. / The Cleo

The Cleo is an apartment complex that rents studios to two bedrooms in the $1,918 range. Located in Koreatown, you are near different grocery stores and shopping areas close by.

This apartment complex has a high walking score, meaning the area is walkable to get to the main places you may need to go. Apartment features include large closets, assigned parking and patio space. You’ll also have access to a fitness center and a swimming pool.

Living at NoHo

Source: Rent. / Living at NoHo

NoHo, or North Hollywood, is commonly considered the Arts District of the city. Located close to Universal Studios, it’s a hopping part of the metro. You’ve got shops and restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops nearby, as well.

Floor plans vary and prices for rent go as low as $1,276 per month. So, you can find a place that gives you the added value of being in the heart of the city.

Consider other costs associated with living in LA

Now that you’ve seen some options for apartment rentals, don’t forget to add up the cost of utilities and other living expenses. Here are some other figures to pencil in when you’re planning a move to California.

These are just some of the basic costs associated with living. You’ll also need to factor in things like transportation, childcare, clothing, healthcare and entertainment. Once you’ve found an apartment that meets your needs, you can pencil in the other costs and finalize your budget, as well.

Find your perfect LA apartment

Now that you’ve seen some options of where to live in Los Angeles, you can decide if this city is right for you. Check out our comprehensive rental market data for more information or use our Rent. apartment finder tool for LA to find a home that you’ll love coming home to.

While the price tag is hefty in LA, you’re sure to love the mild climate, the entertainment scene and the endless miles of blue Pacific Ocean.

Source: rent.com

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By John Frainee 7 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited July 15, 2010.

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One of our most serious enemies is Complexity. It saps your time by overwhelming you to the point of atrophy, and can lead us to believe there is nothing we can do about our chaotic lives. Whether you are struggling with your finances or simply needing to breathe easier, here are three things you can do in 24 hours to be more productive.

You’re going to need a whole day for this simplification process. Schedule it in on your calendar. This is going to be a massive overhaul of the way you work. The night before, go to sleep early. The morning of, eat a hearty breakfast. You’ll need to be alert and willing to work hard so you can work less later.

1. Unload your mind with pen and pad.

This is one of the most effective strategies for de-stressing and allowing your mind to take a break. Grab your pen and jot down everything that you have to do in the short and long term. Don’t worry about the order of things, just write for a solid block of time. What you’ll find is that this process will get your mental wheels turning. You’ll come up with new ideas, dig up old things you almost forgot about, and feel the burdens start to be lifted.

This unloading process is part of the GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology. The idea is that you spew all your ideas and concerns out on paper and look at the big picture. This is the first step to helping you organize your life is to get everything out in the open. You can also accomplish this using programs such as Things for Mac.

2. De-clutter all your stuff.

After you have spent a good portion of your day getting every to-do out in the open, it’s time to create a de-cluttered work environment. There’s nothing like a clean, uncluttered work space to melt away stress.

While I personally enjoy an uncluttered work environment, it isn’t always easy for me to maintain. To blast through the large piles on your desk, try throwing everything into one big pile. Then, organize everything into three separate and smaller piles: Inbox, Archive, and Trash. The Inbox pile should be items that are of immediate concern. Keep this pile small and process these items (ex: bills) as soon as possible. The Archive pile can be scanned into your computer for future reference or stored securely in a locked filing system. Try to archive as little as you can. Don’t keep everything! The Trash pile needs to be shredded and thrown in a dumpster. Throw away as much as is reasonable.

What you’ll be left with is a serene work environment where your productivity will shoot through the roof. But don’t stop here. It’s time to organize your to-dos and daily activities.

3. Design your day-to-day living.

This is the fun part. Take a look at your average day and ask yourself this question: is there anything I can do to simplify my lifestyle and enjoy every moment? As you architect your new day, pull out that list you made in Step 1 and ask yourself how you can accomplish these goals over time. Create a game-plan worth pursuing. Maybe one of your items is to get out of debt – study Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps! Perhaps you need help keeping your home organized while on the go – read blogs focused on un-cluttering!

Whatever goals you have, taking 24 hours to reorganize your life and finances will create a healthier you. I challenge you to start from the ground up and redesign everything to better suit your needs. What do you have to lose?

What are some things you’ve done to simplify your life and finances? What do you suggest to others?

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Source: biblemoneymatters.com

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By Jason Price 8 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited February 10, 2014.

As I pulled into the gas station over the weekend I was amazed at the price of gasoline. I know it’s been all over the news, but to see the price on the sign in excess of $3.30 is disheartening. While many people will experience a dent in their spending plan because of the rising prices, there are many who simply can’t afford to keep gasoline in their car. If you have a shortfall of cash everything month as it is, rising gasoline prices makes matters much worse.

How do you save money on gas when the prices are high and rising? There are a number of ways which I discuss below, but the one thing everyone should be doing is adjusting their spending plans. When you think about your spending for the month consider what the additional cost in gasoline is going to be. You’ve got to make a cut in your budget somewhere whether that be less entertainment, savings or some other area. Unfortunately, it’s a reality right now and we have to manage to it.

So, let’s look at some ways to minimize the cost of gas and the impacts on your budget.

Ride Share or Public Transportation

If you’re used to driving to work each day, consider other forms of transportation. This is a great time to look into taking the bus or ride sharing with others who live nearby. This tip is especially helpful if you have a long range commute.

Find The Cheapest Gas

This past week I downloaded the GasBuddy iPhone app. GasBuddy finds the cheapest gas near me. For example, I just looked on the app and it identified gas at $3.39 down the street versus the next highest price of $3.49 about a mile further. Go to GasBuddy.com to learn more.

Fill Up At Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse clubs such as a Sam’s and Costco almost always offer cheaper gasoline. There is less mark up on their gas prices since they are making money by people shopping for items in in the club.

Smart Driving Saves Gas

For those who drive fast and accelerate a lot, you’ll find you waste more gas. Rather, accelerate steady and don’t weave in and out of traffic. Follow the speed limit and you’ll also find you don’t have to stop at as many stoplights which requires you to accelerate more.

Take Advantage Of Coupons

According to CNNMoney.com there are a number of gas coupons you can find online and in newspapers. Make it a habit to start watching for them each week.

Some gas stations, for example, offer coupons for discounts on gas that can be found in newspapers, circulars and online. A quick web search will result in printable coupons for as much as 7 cents off per gallon, but they’re scattered across various stations around the country.

Take Advantage Of Cash Back Reward Cards

Finally, you might consider getting a gas credit card and take advantage of cash back rewards. A lot of gasoline companies offer credit cards which can also be an easy way to track your gasoline spending. Just remember to pay it off each month by budgeting your spending. A gasoline credit card isn’t a free ticket to spend without a plan!

How high are the gasoline prices in your area? Have you noticed an impact on your budget? If so, can you share some tips you’re using to minimize gas prices?

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Source: biblemoneymatters.com