Now that you have found some extra money each month, what should you do with it? Don’t bury it in a coffee can out in the back yard or hide it underneath your mattress; begin searching for banks that will work hard for you.
Start out locally, with a bank that you perhaps already have a relationship with. See what kind of savings accounts they have, and what kind of special bonuses they offer. Sometimes a bank will offer a higher interest rate for an introductory period; sometimes they offer a higher one if you keep a minimum balance. Each bank is different, but the bottom line is always the same; look for the highest percentage rate for your money. The higher the percentage rate the more money you will generate.
How can you make money just by having it sit in a savings account? Well, banks need money for other loans. Basically, banks collect money from customers of various accounts, and they use that money to make loans for other customers. Don’t panic, your money is insured so that if you need it, you can withdraw it without any problems, that’s what the FDIC does. The FDIC insures that you will get your money if your bank goes under. As an incentive for you to give a bank your money, they offer interest rates that pay you a set amount of interest on your money over a specified time limit. Some banks pay by the month, quarter, or year, and your interest rate may fluctuate over that time period or it may stay fixed; this all depends on the policy of your bank.
With all that said, how do you find a bank that will pump up your investment? Start doing your homework. Find out what percentage rates banks in your area are offering. Once you know that number, you can start looking into the finer points; how often does the account accrue that interest? How often does it pay out? Do you need to keep a minimum balance? What happens if you drop below the mandatory minimum balance? All of these questions can be answered by a banker in person or over the telephone. Bank websites are good places to get general information and make your initial inquiries, but when it really comes down the wire, personal service when getting all of the details is of the utmost importance.
Find out how to get the best possible deal from the bank you choose. Some banks offer different types of savings accounts, and your banker can help you choose which one is right for you. Some banks offer high yield savings accounts; these normally pay out a higher percentage rate, but only if you make a substantial initial deposit (sometimes $10,000 or more), keep a high balance over time, don’t withdraw from the account frequently, or give them your other banking business (such as checking accounts or mortgages). Other accounts do not have a required minimum deposit or a required minimum balance, and they may not regulate withdrawals. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when you decide how best to grow your money.
Research, take your time, and choose a bank that will work for you. This is the best way to cultivate your savings.
By: Nicholas Hunt
Posts Tagged Investment
The longer you live in your home the more equity you are building up in it. Home equity can be very important and can be a good buffer if an emergency comes along because you can obtain an equity loan depending on how much equity you have built up.
If you are in need of an equity loan what will happen is first of all the lending institution will send out an appraiser to set a value on your home and then based on this you may qualify for a percentage of that amount for your loan. This will be your loan ratio.
Quite often, you hear the term market value and what this refers to is the price that if someone wanted to buy your home what would they be willing to pay for it at this particular time. That does not necessarily mean that that is the sale price of your home now because it can vary.
Once you know these facts then it is a little easier to get a decision made about your home equity loan. It is a wise choice not to go and take out a loan against your equity unless you absolutely have to. You want to consider the future when it comes time to sell your home.
The more equity you have built up the more money you will end up with in your pocket after you have made your sale. As we mentioned though there are times that it just is not avoidable.
You need to shop around for your home equity loan the same as you did for your first mortgage. Again, there are variable rates and quite often for the home loans, you get a good rates because you have the collateral in your home.
Some of the reasons you might want to use your home equity is perhaps to pay off some debts that are at a high interest rate and by doing this at a lower interest rate than you are going to pay off the principal much faster.
Another reason for obtaining and utilizing your home equity by way of a loan is for home improvements. This is a potentially good investment because quite often most updates and remodeling can add value to your home. Another good use for home equity is to put the kids through school or even for starting a business. Whatever your reasons for choosing to use your home-equity make sure that they are good ones and think about your future as well.
By: Thomas B. Chuong