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When shopping around for car insurance it can feel like the deck is stacked against you. The insurance companies have data on you and in return you have no idea how they come up with their auto insurance rates. Like anything else in life, having a little bit of knowledge about how insurance companies operate can go a long way to even the playing field and saving you money.

Here are five secrets of the auto insurance industry that the big insurers would prefer you not know:

• The car you drive has a big impact on your insurance rate. It is probably not surprising that it’s easier to get inexpensive auto insurance if you drive a compact car than if you drive a flashy sports car. But did you know that you could be paying more simply because you drive a two door model rather than a four door model? A big factor in determining your insurance rates is the history of insurance claims for your make and model. Even small differences like he body style or color can make a big difference in the rate you pay.

• You will save money by paying for your car insurance up front. While those quarterly or monthly installment plans offered by insurers look tempting, be aware that almost every insurer charges an administrative fee for allowing you to break up the payments. The more payments you make during the year the more those fees will add up.

• The insurance company can easily cancel your policy. Under the terms and conditions of most auto insurance policies, your company can cancel your policy for late payment with little or no notice. If you do decide to go on an installment plan, be sure you don’t miss any of those payments or you could be without coverage faster than you think.

• Your car insurance policy doesn’t cover lost or damaged personal items. If someone breaks into your vehicle and steals that prized U2 compact disc, you will be paying for a replacement, not your insurance company. If you regularly drive around with expensive items like a laptop computer or iPod, make sure these items are covered by a rider on your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Also take photos of expensive products you own before they go missing.

• Comparing rates really does pay off. Remember that Geico commercial that said “spending 15 minutes could save you 15% or more”? Well, they weren’t wrong. But they key is to check rates with not just Geico, but a range of insurers. These days there are dozens of sites on the Internet that let you instantly compare rates, so there is no longer a reason to settle on just one or two policy quotes. So start shopping around to save money.

In the wake of the absurdity and pandemonium that is Jon and Kate Gosselin, couples around the country are learning from America’s most dysfunctional, divorcing reality TV couple the do’s and don’ts of financial wrangling in the midst of a messy breakup. No matter how amicable a divorce may appear on the surface, they tend to bring out the worst in people and raiding joint bank accounts is unfortunately quite common in everyday divorces. Here’s what you should know to help protect your liquid assets during a divorce.

1. Know that while some states do not require joint accounts to be frozen when you file for divorce and theoretically your soon-to-be ex could completely clear it out, it hardly ever happens. That’s because judges don’t look kindly on such behavior and an individual can face harsh consequences if he or she does.

2. That being said, there are still precautions to take. Contact your bank and ask to be notified if any large sums are withdrawn or if they detect suspicious activity.

3. In most states whether you have a California or Maryland divorce lawyer, they can request a standing order to allow money to be withdrawn from the account only for routine expenses, such as monthly bills or utilities.

4. Here’s another (riskier) option: some people choose to take half the money in a joint account and open a new account before they file for divorce. It will certainly protect your money but it clearly tips off your spouse of what’s coming next.

5. If you aren’t sure what to do and don’t trust your spouse, always seek the advice of your lawyer on how to proceed in order to protect the money that is rightfully yours.

An international bank transfer is a method of transferring money from one entity or individual to another. They are typically the most convenient and secure method for transferring money internationally.

How Does a Wire Transfer Work?
The individual who would like to transfer the money must go to their bank and give the order to transfer a specified amount. The international bank account number is given as well, so the bank knows where to send the money.
The bank then sends a message via a secure system (such as Fedwire) to the receiving bank requesting the payment be made per the instructions given. The transfer is not instantaneous; it may take several hours or even days for the transaction to be complete. For the wire transfer to be made, the banks must have reciprocal accounts with one another; otherwise payment must be sent to a correspondent bank (a bank with such an account).

International bank transfers are considered to be the safest method of sending money internationally. Account holders must have proven identities and all information transmitted to the banks are encrypted and sent by secure systems.

How to minimize and avoid international transaction fees while traveling abroad.

Did you know that most major U.S. credit card companies charge an international credit card transaction fee if you swipe it abroad? Only recently have many of these companies began (as per legal requirements) to clearly disclose such fees so customers could plainly see what these charges were. So how do you minimize international transaction fees while traveling abroad?

First and foremost, don’t use the credit card! Instead, make purchases using travelers cheques or local currency. Exchange currencies through your bank before you leave to avoid high exchange fees or use an ATM since withdrawals do not generally have transactions fees, you can withdraw in local currency, and your bank’s foreign currency rate is likely much cheaper than anywhere else. You can also use your debit card but be sure the vendor does not run your card as a credit card, otherwise you will be subjected to the same fees.

The easiest way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to simply sign up for a card that doesn’t charge them – you’ll get the peace of mind using a credit card without the annoying fees that can really add up. Currently, Capital One and Discover are the only major credit card companies that do not charge international transaction fees; however, Discover is not accepted many places internationally.

Tips to Reduce Your Living Costs

• Eat at home!  Small amounts here and there add up.  If you spend $7 a day eating out, that’s $49 a week and nearly $200 a month!  Buying groceries and eating in or packing a lunch is far less expensive - plus, it’s probably more nutritious and sanitary!
• Don’t go to the grocery store hungry!  Keeping your stomach full when you head to the store will ensure you don’t leave with unwanted items.
• If you are in the market for new appliances, purchase those with the Energy Star label, which means it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Such appliances use less energy, thus costing you less money over time.
• Install toilets that use less water (Toto toilets are a great example).
• Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL light bulbs - they provide more light, last longer, and can save as much as $50 a year.
• Turn down your heat or A/C when you are not home during the day to save on heating and cooling costs - doing so could save literally hundreds of dollars a year.
• Reduce your laundry by combining loads so you waste less water.
• Run the dishwasher only when it’s completely full.
• Can you cut out the extra (often unnecessary) features you’re paying for when it comes to phone and cable service?  If you can live without it, forgo the call forwarding, pay-per-view, and specialty channels you’re wasting money on.
• Apply for grants. There are FAFSA type grants that can greatly reduce tuition costs

Seems silly, doesn’t it? Maybe it is that you have to spend money to save money. But the truth is that by replacing your plumbing with more efficient alternatives, you can save yourself a hefty bundle in the long run. By using more eco-friendly fixtures (toto toilets and blanco sinks), you will begin to notice the difference in your utility bills. So go ahead and test it out.

If you are trying to pay off your mortgage quicker then, let’s say, 30 years, there are a few things you can do. First of all, you need to make sure you don’t have any other large debts that might get in the way. You will most likely want to be financially secure before you embark on this.

• Pay More Often: Remember, this is only if you can afford it. By making bi-monthly payments, you can pay off your mortgage that much quicker.
• Lump Sums: Whether this is a tax return or a bonus check, if you can, put it all towards your mortgage.
• Money Merge Account: This is a great way to pay of your mortgage. Basically, a money merge account from U First uses every extra dime towards your mortgage. This is assuming that you don’t spend every paycheck. You need a positive cash flow.

For many people debt is inevitable. Whether pursuing an education, buying a home or car, the debt can quickly add up. In a perfect world there would be no such thing as debt, but let’s face it, many of us will accumulate debt whether we like it or not. The best thing to do is to pay it off as quickly as you possible so that you aren’t paying an arm and a leg in interest rates. Here are a few tips on how to earn a little extra cash to put towards your monthly payments, so you’ll be out of debt sooner than you had anticipated.

1. Spend less, save more. Go out to eat less. Turn off lights. Conserve energy. Make sure to take the money you save each month and put it towards paying off your debt. You lived without it last month, save it and make a bigger monthly payment.
2. Start working on the side in order to bring in extra cash each month to help pay off debt. Whether you house-sit a neighbor’s home while they’re out of town, tutor a student in a subject you are good at, or start a small business at home through dropshipdesign.com your monthly income will increase. Take that extra money and make a bigger monthly payment to pay off your debt.
3. Be creative. Find fun things to do that won’t cost an arm and a leg. There are so many outdoor activities and free events that will help make this time of financial struggle, a time in which you will remember and later on down the road, enjoy.

Whether for personal or business related reasons, it is crucial to keep track of your financial records. And one mistake that both businesses and regular people make is they don’t have some sort of computer backup. They lose important financial records and have to start from scratch. Make sure you keep fantastic records and back up your data. You never know what will happen. And as we all know, the most horrendous things happen during the worst moments…like filing taxes or preparing for an audit.

We’ve all heard it all before: in order to save money, stop eating out. Well, here is one more tip that you might not have heard of. Instead of buying an all new china set because you broke some of your old, rare china, try finding a China replacement piece website. They offer great prices and you don’t have to start all over–that can get incredibly expensive. Really, try it out!