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The popularity of retail cards has surely risen over recent years, and not without any good reason. They offer customers with numerous advantages and money-saving options. Store cards are usually considered to be a good way to build your credit history. Since it has low merchant risk, they are much easier to obtain if you do not have a credit history, or if you do not have a particularly good one. Often there are a number of special deals that do the rounds, especially during holiday seasons. Deals such as no-interest and shopping passes can really help in cutting back those costs and yet allowing you to shop freely for gifts for your family and friends!

The advent and rise of store cards has benefited a number of consumers. However, though the benefits sound attractive, there are often hidden cons that customers should be aware of. These cards usually have a much higher interest rate; hence, if you are not careful about paying off your balance on time, this could really cost you. In addition, retailers have the right to remove some privileges or even charge extra penalty fees if you do not meet the terms of the retail card. Hence, your gains can actually turn into huge losses if you are not vigilant about these issues of a retail card.

If you travel abroad regularly, it is far convenient to use credit cards or other forms of plastic for your travel expenses. Carrying cash always has come with the danger of it being stolen or lost, and traveler checks usually incur transaction costs. This is usually the case, however, travelers should be aware of the fact that banks have started targeting these foreign travelers for additional fees and surcharges to make up for the new card rules that are squeezing the banks profit margins. Hence, travelers should keep an eye on such foreign transaction fees before traveling, and hence, choose the best method to meet their travel expenses.

But, let us take a look at card history too

The earliest use of the term ‘Card’ can be found in Edward Bellamy’s utopian novel ‘Looking Backward’ way back in 1887. This forward thinking novelist mentions this term eleven times in his book. In this novel, Bellamy proposes an economic system devoid of paper or any other form of physical money. Although the working of Bellamy’s card is very different from the current form, the concept of maintaining a credit with a central authority and using this credit to buy goods was first introduced by him. And for this, Bellamy takes all the credit for coining the term card.

Bellamy’s Credit card system

In 1887, Utopian novelist Edward Bellamy proposed an economic system that did away with paper money as we know it. In this system, Bellamy proposed that at the beginning of the financial year each citizen be allocated his share of the national annual product. In today’s world, this would mean allocating the per capita income or perhaps a portion of the GDP. This amount would be credited to the person’s card, which the person would use to buy goods as and when required. All services would be offered towards the state or country and would not be charged to individuals. This system promoted equality of all individuals and vocations, while today’s cards divide individuals based on credit limits that are fixed as per the individual’s net worth.

Deal flow software is integral to successful deal flow management.  The software can serve both sides of the investment coin:  investors as well as those seeking capital.

Deal flow software is to the private equity market what peanut butter is to jelly.  You can’t put a PBJ together without both, and deal flow software is a major ingredient when putting deals together in the private equity market.  If the PBJ analogy doesn’t work for you, you might try thinking of deal flow software as the “yin” to the deal’s “yang.”

Successful Deal Flow Management

No matter what crazy analogy you come up with, the fact remains that deal flow software is an integral factor in successful deal flow management processes.  The main function the software serves is to monitor deal flow for a variety of investors:  private equity individuals and firms, as well as other investment groups.  Deal flow is a complex process with many individual pieces of data necessary to analyze viability as well as performance and deal flow software has the capability to integrate this data effectively.  For example, deal flow software provides the ability to quickly analyze the amount of capital released per individual investments and predict the likely return on those investments.

However, deal flow software serves a wide variety of individual functions which can then be translated in a clear picture of the status of a private investor’s or group’s investments as a whole quickly and accurately.  Another important benefit of deal flow software is error reduction.  Human error is vastly reduced as the software performs all calculations.  Additionally, we all know potential deals have a life of their own and often require quick action.  Deal flow software facilitates the ability to generate just-in-time reports and analysis needed to make fast, but sensible, decisions.

Deal Flow Software for Entrepreneurs

On the other side of the coin, deal flow software can also be utilized by entrepreneurs presenting investment opportunities to investors.  Especially for novice entrepreneurs, deal flow software can help ensure that presentations include not only the precise information investors want to see, but in the format they want to see it in.

Deal flow software can also include extremely powerful operational functions designed to run scenarios that can produce detailed predictions as to whether or not the business or product is worth the risk of investing in.  While it would be foolish to rest every investment decision on the software analyses alone, the software does provide a spectrum of best as well as worst case scenarios allowing a deeper examination to determine if a venture represents viable risk.

Not all deal flow software programs are created the same.  The onus is on the investor to ascertain their specific needs and match these specifications to available software.

Filing taxes is one of the most stressful financial transactions that most people do in a typical year. Small mistakes on this document could potentially cost a taxpayer thousands of dollars, making it imperative to complete it correctly and accurately. Follow these tips around tax time to make sure that you and your money are protected.

DO consider a Professional Tax Service or Software Program

The federal tax code is longer than the Encyclopedia Britannica, making it extremely difficult for one person to completely master. Professional tax preparers do nothing but study tax code, and many have teams of professionals that can work together to prepare more complicated returns.

At the very least, a tax preparing software program will reduce the tax code down into a series of easier to answer questions. These programs are usually developed by hundreds of professionals who are each an expert in their own area of tax law. Preparing a return with one of these programs is a lot easier than doing it on your own.

DON’T Forget to Include Your Children’s Social Security Numbers

Believe it or not, this is one of the most common errors that taxpayers make. Each child that you claim as a dependent must have a Social Security number in order to be considered eligible for credits and deductions. This is to reduce fraud by taxpayers claiming non-existent children as dependents in order to get more deductions.

DO Make a Copy of Your Return and all of the Accompanying Documentation

Obviously, tax returns get lost in the mail or lost at the IRS office, but the most important reason to keep copies isn’t to replace something that gets lost. A variety of government and civilian applications require a person to submit copies of their tax returns. Everything from student aid applications to mortgage applications require an applicant to submit copies of their tax return.

DON’T Wait Until the Last Minute to File Your Taxes

The IRS will start issuing refund checks as soon it starts to receive tax returns. As the returns start to pile up, however, there will be delays in refund checks. If you’re expecting a refund, get your tax return in early.

Even if you have to pay more taxes, waiting until the deadline can get you in trouble. Many people assume that just because they file later they are delaying their payment, but you can file early and send in a payment later. In fact, there are programs to pay off your tax bill past the deadline, but you have to apply early in order to be accepted into the best ones.

DO Look For Deductions and Credits

While this may seem obvious, nearly twenty percent of taxpayers just fill out the 1040EZ form. It is estimated that about half of these taxpayers would receive a higher refund by filling out the so-called “long form” or 1040 A. By using a tax professional or computer software program, it will be a lot easier to look for these deductions.

Be prepared by gathering paperwork for the most common deductions. Have receipts for any mortgage interest that has been paid, child care expenses, and charitable contributions. Also save receipts from activities such as purchasing a home, attending college, and making major purchases.

DON’T lie or fudge numbers. Nearly a quarter of Americans admit to cheating on their taxes at some point in their lives, but few people realize the consequences if they get caught. People who are caught cheating on their taxes will pay high penalty fees, interest, and in extreme cases they can even face jail time.

If you are unable to pay the taxes you owe, look at the programs the IRS has set up for distressed taxpayers. These programs allow people to make payments on their tax debt over several months or years instead of making a lump sum payment all at once.

Filing your taxes can be stressful, but there are many different options available to make this as easy as possible. As you get your return together for 2011, make a list of items that are difficult to find or figure out so that you will be better prepared for next year.

Kathleen Ison is a freelance writer and a mother of two teenagers. They have been wanting to buy a car for a while but they know very little about the taxes and additional costs associated with purchasing a car.

Money. Our world revolves around it and so does all of the entertainment within it. In fact, some of the best films ever made purely been a cinematic expression of what we all feel and experience every day, the desire or need to have money and then how it affects us when we do or do not have it.

All films take us on a different route or view, some gory, some tactical, some glamorous and others damn action packed, but in the end, the majority all lead to a closing scene with someone clutching a filthy stinking huge wad of cash. We either feel infuriated by it, or elated, but as long as we feel something, we’re happy to part with our own cold hard cash.

So with this in mind, let’s take a look at four of the very best films about money:

Scarface

“First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women”. If ever there were a ruthlessly honest outlook which described an outlaw’s view of America, it’s that of Tony Montana. Scarface is one of the best told ‘rise and fall’ stories in history, an embodiment of just how twisted the pursuit of money can affect someone’s life. In reality this film shows just what Notorious B.I.G spoke about so vividly, mo’ money, mo’ problems.

Glengarry Glen Ross

Another Pacino classic and another film which shows the ruthless world of businessman. Not just any type of businessman, more notably a group of real estate salesman. The film depicts a group of salesmen at various stages in their life and careers, all with one common goal, to make the most sales in an attempt to avoid getting fired. Desperate times call for desperate measures and one salesman goes just that little too f’in far.

Casino

A Martin Scorsese classic, in collaboration with writer Nicholas Pileggi and featuring actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Based on a true story, the film follows ‘Ace’ (De Niro) who is one of America’s best handicap gamblers and is left in charge of a Las Vega Casino. The film follows both the street mobs and real business world intertwining in the constant hunt for more money, before the film turns full circle and ends with a much older ‘Ace’ never really being able to escape the game.

Wall Street

If ever you wanted to know how Charlie Sheen for famous, this 1987 classic is pretty much where it all started. The film shows the classic tale of a young man Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) entering the alluring but cut throat world of stock broking. In his pursuit to get to the top he soon finds himself working with notorious broker and corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). It’s the classic tale of a young guy learning from the elder, seasoned, hardened veteran and moral conflicts this can cause.

Scott is a writer who imagines what it would have been like if Tony Montana dealt in credit card transfers rather than cash. Dealing with credit cards or Paypal isn’t quite as gangster, is it?

Throughout the state of Arizona, consumers are discovering the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they can access the cash they need if a financial emergency should occur—even if they’ve had serious credit problems in the past. In order to qualify for car title loans, AZ residents need not undergo a credit check or extensive financial background investigation; instead, applications are considered based on the value of the vehicle and the ability of the applicant to repay the loan. This new approach allows even those with seriously damaged credit ratings to borrow the money they need by using their paid-for vehicle as collateral.

Application Requirements

In general, the application process is similar throughout Arizona, and it will not vary significantly for Phoenix title loans as compared to Tucson title loans or loans from other cities within the state. Most companies require that the borrower provide the following:

• A clear title to the vehicle

• Proof of comprehensive and collision insurance with a specified deductible amount

• Proof of employment and residence

• A valid driver’s license

• References

The borrower will be approved for a specific loan amount based on the value of the vehicle and the borrower’s current ability to pay. Auto title loans are usually of extremely short duration, but in some cases, they can be extended for as long as three years in order to allow the borrower to repay the loan more easily. The lender will retain the original title, which is used as collateral for the loan and must be surrendered to the company in the event that the borrower defaults on the loan agreement.

How It Works

• Step #1: Companies determine the borrower’s eligibility for an auto title loan online through a simple computerized application.

• Step #2: Once the borrower has been approved, he or she can simply deliver the title to the brick-and-mortar location of the title company, or if the lender allows it, the title can be sent by courier service to a centralized holding facility.

• Step #3: The company will retain the title and will disburse the needed funds as soon as is practical. If the title is surrendered in person, the company typically delivers the cash on the spot. For online applicants, the loan is usually disbursed on the day the title is received in the office, and the money can be in the borrower’s bank account as soon as the next business day.