5 Ways to Lower Auto Insurance that Nobody Knows

By Layla Glynde on 20-07-2011

Tagged Under : Auto Insurance, insurance, Lower Auto, Lower Auto Insurance

Smart consumers may be aware of some of the secrets to lowering auto insurance premiums, but they may not know all the ways to find favorable rates. The secrets of getting lower auto insurance can also be applied to other types of insurance including homeowners, health and life. Bargain hunters need to know these secrets to lowering the cost of the insurance they need.

Lifestyle Choices

Most people know that smoking raises the rates of life and health insurance, but they may not be aware that it can also raise the rates of auto insurance. A driver’s health contributes to the risk of auto accidents caused by heart attacks and strokes. Full Article…

Top Things You Should Ask a Real Estate Agent

By Layla Glynde on 20-07-2011

Tagged Under : Agent, Estate Agent, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent

Asking effective questions before hiring a real estate agent is important, given the size of the investment in the property. Specific questions vary depending on whether you are a property seller looking for a listing agent, or a property buyer looking for a buyer’s agent.

    • Both home buyers and sellers should ensure their real estate agent has appropriate experience to represent their interests. “Is this your full-time gig?

Full Article…

Aon buys Ohio-based benchmarking, best practices firm

By Brooke Woodger on 19-07-2011

Tagged Under : Best Practices, Practices

Aon Corp.acquired an Ohio-based benchmarking and best practices researcher provider to insurance companies.

Financial terms for the Chicago-based company’s acquisition of Westfield Financial Corp.and its subsidiary, the Ward Financial Group, from Ohio Farmers Insurance Co. were not disclosed.

Ward provides benchmarking and best practices research studies for insurance companies in North America. Ward will be integrated with Aon’s McLagan Partners, an Aon Hewitt company and a  performance/reward consulting and benchmarking firm for the financial services industry.

Ward has executed more than 1,500 benchmarking initiatives for about 350 insurance companies throughout North America, including more than half of all major U.S.

Full Article…

Five Tips to Avoid an Audit

By Layla Glynde on 18-07-2011

Tagged Under : Audit

Not many people want to go through a tax audit. Although the percentage of tax returns audited is low, the process is stressful. There are ways to avoid or minimize the risks of having your tax return audited by the IRS. Knowing what the IRS looks for as possible red flags can help you.

    • Individuals that earn a lot of money are more likely to face an audit. The tax returns of millionaires are often complicated, which causes the IRS to look more closely.

Full Article…

Is Taxable Gain Like an Income?

By Layla Glynde on 17-07-2011

Tagged Under : Income, Taxable Gain

All taxable gains are reported as income on your federal income tax return. Taxable gains are considered ordinary income if they result from the sale of an asset that was held short term — less than a year — and a long-term gain if the asset is held for more than a year. Ordinary income means that the income is taxed at the full federal tax rate that applies to your income. Short-term and long-term gains are taxed at different rates, and they might also be offset by capital losses, which can reduce the taxation of a gain.

    • Capital gains are either long-term or short-term.

Full Article…

5 tricks for finding new business using LinkedIn

By Brooke Woodger on 17-07-2011

Mention the phrase “social media” and most people automatically think of Facebook and Twitter. But if you have any dealings in the corporate world–whether you’re a CEO, salesperson, human resource manager, administrative assistant, or anything in between–you’ll want to take a closer look at LinkedIn. You will find it a useful tool to make your business relationships more meaningful and more profitable.

Before you dismiss the idea of using LinkedIn because you only know it as that “bland” social media site where people go when they’re looking for a job, realize that currently there are 90 million LinkedIn users worldwide. One new user joins every second of every day. Full Article…