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      How to be Your Own Emergency Roadside Assistance

      November 4, 2011 /

      Roadside Assistance.

      When you have car trouble and are stranded by the side of the road, it is a stressful event. You can reduce your worry by being ready and knowing what to do before you get into this kind of situation. This is especially important if you have car problems in a remote area and don’t have roadside assistance for your vehicle.

      There are several types of car problems that can cause you to be stranded, including:
      – a flat tire
      – engine overheating
      – running out of gas

      You can be prepared for these events by having a car emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. This kit has everything you need to handle basic car emergencies so you can care for yourself and your family. You need to keep basic tools in it such as:
      – fix-a-flat
      – extra engine oil
      – jack
      – extra brake, tail and headlight bulbs
      – ratchet set
      – spare tire
      – jumper cables

      You should periodically check your spare tire to make sure it is properly inflated. Make sure that you learn how to use each of the tools properly and that you know how to change your tire safely in the event of a blowout. You can easily store your tools in a crate or large duffel bag in the trunk. Keep your jack and related tools neatly stored near the spare tire, and consider having an extra jack in the car as a backup.

      Your emergency kit will also need other supplies for your passengers, for safety and to deal with different seasons of the year. You should keep orange road markers in your kit to place behind your vehicle to let oncoming traffic know that you have broken down. A crank radio and a flashlight with extra batteries can also come in handy if you break down after dark.

      When winter rolls around, you need to add extra emergency supplies to help you deal with a break down in cold weather. These items include:
      – blankets
      – extra winter clothing (coats, gloves, hat)
      – tire chains
      – snow shovel
      – rock salt or sand

      If you are prepared, you will be able to dig yourself out, survive the cold and get home safely. One of the best tools to keep with you at all times is a charged cell phone with a list of emergency contact numbers. This way, if you need extra help, you can attempt to contact someone.

      You also want to have a full first aid kit in your vehicle at all times. These can be purchased pre-packaged for a small charge. This will take care of minor injuries that may occur. With preparation and the right tools, you can be your own emergency roadside assistance when a car problem occurs.

      Personal Finance

      Mark Brunell’s financial nightmare

      November 1, 2011 /
      New York Jets quarterback Mark Brunell passes against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, January 2, 2011. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      We post stories about athletes and their financial problems as a warning to everyone that capital preservation is the first thing you should be thinking about when you are investing. You want a return on your investments, but you need to avoid risking all of your savings.

      Pro athletes often make a ton of money. With most of it, they should be focused on ultra-safe investments that give them a decent return. They should not be risking it in new businesses. Same goes for anyone else who makes a lot of money.

      Mark Brunell made a ton of mistakes:

      Action News Jacksonville reports the current Jets backup and former Jaguars hero has managed to run through $50 million as an active player and will have to start a 9-to-5 job as soon as his NFL career is over.

      And that will be soon. Brunell plans to retire from the Jets after this season and, because of his financial misfortunes, will have to become a regular working stiff. Bankruptcy filings show Brunell has a job lined up to work as a medical sales representative after he’s done holding a clipboard in New York.

      ****
      Brunell, 40, blew all his money with lousy investments into nine businesses — more than half of which are already closed. His most ponderous financial disaster was in Champion LLC, a company that invested in high-end real estate properties. That may have worked out great had the housing market not soured over the course of Brunell’s NFL career. He also invested in a Whataburger fast-food franchise, and ended up losing every penny he invested and even more according to financial documents. Brunell attempted to cover the loans with his own cash.

      If that’s not harsh enough, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback is facing six lawsuits. Brunell is on the hook for a whopping $24.7 million, according to the litigation.

      Don’t make the same mistakes. Even on a smaller scale, you need to make sure you protect what you have already earned. Work with a financial planner to construct a balanced portfolio of investments. Diversification helps to mitigate financial risk.

      Personal Finance

      Bank of American blinks on fees

      November 1, 2011 /

      Bank of America has reversed course after suffering from a torrent of criticism and bad publicity surrounding it’s $5 debit card fees.

      Bank of America has abandoned plans to begin charging debit card holders five dollars a month to use their cards, a proposal which drew intense consumer and political backlash since announced in late September.

      “We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee,” said Bank of America co-COO David Darnell said in a written statement. “Our customers’ voices are most important to us. As a result, we are not currently charging the fee and will not be moving forward with any additional plans to do so.”

      The company’s move may bring the closing chapter to a public relations campaign from major U.S. banks that has lasted more than a year, during which financial titans insisted that last year’s Wall Street reform bill had made debit cards unprofitable for banks, forcing them to charge new monthly fees.

      This was a PR nightmare for them. What took them so long?

      Banking

      Fast and easy for entrepreneurs

      October 28, 2011 /

      It’s becoming easier for individuals to become entrepreneurs, and now is as good a time as any to try out a home business given the terrible state of our economy.

      One of the advantages here is that your financial future is not tied to the economic fortunes of a company you don’t control. With your own business, you control your financial future.

      Of course this isn’t for everyone. But the idea of working for yourself and working out of your own home is appealing to many people. Some are intrigued but are intimidated by the prospect.

      If you’re going to consider it, keep two things in mind. First, avoid all of the get-rich schemes out there. Anyone who is selling you a system that will make you rich is just getting rich themselves by selling you this pipe dream. Focus instead on programs and coaches that will teach you specific skills, like how to market online, how to match your skills or product to customers, and how to save money by sourcing supplies and contractors online.

      Next, if you have an idea, start budgeting what various aspects will cost. If you need printing services, see what options are out there. You’ll be surprised how much you can save online versus traditional options in your area. If you’re going to need a staff or people helping you with specific tasks like copyrighting or web design, check out services like Craig’s List and Guru.com to see the type of assistance that’s available.

      Don’t dream about doing this. Start surfing and researching!

      Personal Finance

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