Business Finance Profile

Archive for January, 2011

Are you looking for ways to lower your Auto Insurance Premium? Auto insurance rates can spiral depending upon factors that include your age, past driving record, and other factors such as credit history. However, the trick is to find ways to lower the annual pay-off. We have pulled up for you the 5 quickest ways to lower your Auto Insurance Premium.

Tip 1: Hike up your deductible

Stop trying to get the ‘lowest deductible’, instead go in for a comfortably higher out of pocket payment plan. ‘Deductible’ is the amount that you would pay before your insurance policy kicks in. This is an easy way to reduce your periodic premium amount, however, be warned, in such a case, if something happens to your vehicle – you need to shell out more to cover the initial expenses, prior to going in for a claim.

Tip 2: Park your vehicle in a garage

One of the simplest ways to cut down on insurance premium is to park your vehicle in a garage, personal or commercial establishments. This helps in knocking off, in some cases, close to 20% of the premium. In a garage, the chances of your vehicle getting stolen or sideswiped are considerably lower. From a transaction perspective, parking in a garage could mean a difference between a preferred rate and a standard rate.

Tip 3: Shop around and bargain

Nothing beats the traditional ‘shop around to bargain’. Make sure you at least have three to four price quotes with you, prior to fixing on the service provider. Ensure that you are not shopping for price alone, but the whole deal.

Tip 4: Take a Defensive Driving Course

Not many people are aware of this. By volunteering for a state-approved defensive driving course, you can avail discounts in premium of up to 10%. However, do cross check with your insurer on this.

Tip 5: Downsizing Coverage

Well, downsizing coverage is perhaps the easiest way to lower your auto insurance premium. However, we suggest you to be careful and prudent, while taking this decision. This might save money, but, would also limit coverage.

Car wash fundraisers are a proven money-maker in virtually every community. All you need are willing volunteers, a high-traffic location with good visibility, and some attention getting signs.

You can put a car wash fundraiser together on short notice, but they work best with a little planning. Here’s how to get started…

Things To Do List
1- Line up a location with good main road frontage
2- Ensure it has suitable water access
3- Assemble supplies list – hoses, buckets, wash towels, dry towels, squeegees
4- Assign each volunteer an item from the supplies list
5- Make 8-10 poster board signs in high-contrast colors
6- Arrange your volunteers in 2-hour shifts
7- Get advance publicity, if possible

How To List
1- Organize your group into teams – Promotion, Sales, Wash, Dry
2- Promotion team attracts new clients with signs
3- Sales team explains offer (use flyer for quick info) and up-sells clients
4- Wash team soaps, scrubs, and rinses each car
5- Dry team gets water residue off, vacuums, does tires, etc.
6- Have at least two lines so you can wash two or more cars at once
7- Wash cars for six to eight hours (Saturday 9:00 to 3:00 preferred)

Your fundraiser’s success will depend on the weather. If you can wash 12 cars an hour (one every 10 minutes in each line), you can raise $500- $1000 in one day.

Remember to put together a quick flyer that includes the reason why you’re raising funds and clearly states the price. You can even offer some extra services such as providing high-gloss tire treatment or vacuuming interiors for an additional fee.

Car Wash Fundraiser – Success Tips
1- Location, location, location!
2- Sell car wash fundraiser tickets in advance
3- Use a flyer that clearly explaining why you’re raising funds
4- List all prices concisely in large, bold type
5- Up-sell to include additional services
6- Partner with another group if your head count is low
7- Increase revenue with an extra offering such as a 2-for-1 pizza savings card

Alternatively, you can advertise a free car wash and just ask for donations for your cause.

Often, this can raise more cash than stating a specific price, because people will see a group of volunteers working hard and having a good time, and may part with their money more easily.

Final Advice
Make sure to keep the event fun for all your participants and your customers. Play upbeat music. Provide soft drinks and snacks to keep the energy level up.

Keep safety in mind. Be sure to get volunteers to hold and wave signs toward passing traffic, not just volunteers to wash cars.

If you have time, get your car wash fundraiser some publicity coverage in the local newspaper, or by posting signs a day or two in advance.

Over abundance of debt can totally creep up from out of nowhere for many people and when that does occur it can often times be very overwhelming for many. It is so very important for everyone to keep in mind how very important it is to always try and steer clear from too many unwanted debts because all that leads to is stress, stress and more stress, which far too many of us know a little bit about, or maybe even a whole lot about.

If your debt condition is currently driving you up the wall then you already know how devastating it can turn out to be, so make sure even you continue to read throughout this article because you might find it to be very helpful, as well as beneficial to you. Your debt responsibilities will become a priority and you will finally have the opportunity to get yourself and your financial standing on the path that it should be, which is where most of us only dream of ever having it.

It is your responsibility as an adult to start thinking more about the future of yourself and the future of your children as well, which I am certain most of you already have given thought to. Finding out more about the importance of debt relief will change the way you live your life each and everyday that passes. You will be much more conscious about the different things you are spending your money on, as well as the amount of money you are trying to save each month, if any at all.

Your money should be very helpful to you but if you constantly are finding out that your money seems to be going nowhere except to pay off your monthly debt, whenever you are able to, then perhaps something within your budget could need some improvement, just a little bit. I am hoping that by gathering up enough debt information you will be able to finally get your finances under some sort of control and stop increasing your debt each month.

Debt can be controlled by just making a few small changes in your lifestyle each month and I am not at all talking about anything major that would affect your entertainment each month or fun times with friends. Just slow down and pay closer attention to what is coming out of your wallet and if you can continue this type of responsible behavior over a period of time then you will definitely begin noticing slight changes in the amount of extra money you have each month.

If all else fails, talk to a professional about your current debt condition and there is surely to goodness somebody out there more experienced and knowledgeable than you are, who could really help to turn your world around, by providing you with the same knowledge that they are aware of because of studying it over a period of time throughout life. This knowledge can be a lifesaver and can really brighten the outlook of your future, as well as your children’s and grandchildren’s future. Good luck.