Payday Loans Blog

Whether you are looking for insurance for your car, RV, motorcycle, boat, home, or life, you are most likely looking for not only good insurance that you can trust, but one that you can afford as well. But who has time to shop around for all of that? Check City does. Take a look at these articles to give you a good idea as to why you should let Check City help you to find the insurance that you are looking for.

Home Insurance: What they don't tell you.

Guarantee Yourself a Great Insurance Rate

Low Cost Effective Insurance 

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Insure Utah: Insurance For Everyone

The Best Insurance Rate for You

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Insurance For Your Lifestyle

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Some families of popular television series' created to help struggling families in need may receive the initial help from the various shows, however, end up finding themselves in a heap of trouble later as their property taxes and other costs associated with a new home, start to build up. These cases are not the norm and are usually only problems with a small minority of the families that receive help from the shows.

This goes beyond those featured on such shows however, as regular home owners and buyers may make the same mistakes and forget that "beyond taxes, there are maintenance, repair and operational costs that go into running and owning a house. A bigger house can be quite a headache for residents who aren’t prepared to handle the responsibility of such ownership."  This is why long term financial planning is so important and owners must be prepared to take on the responsibilities of the newer, bigger home, in order to be successful in caring for it, and for the things that come with it. The next question then is:

What Can I do to Save for the Future & What are some of the Biggest Un-Planned Expenses after Purchasing  or Building a Home? 

In addition to getting a good Mortgage Rate, which you can obtain through Check City, and general financial planning, you may be surprised at the "little" things that can pop up after the purchase of a new home, and start piling into a much bigger problem. Here are a few of the most commonly overlooked moving expenses, and many of these can still apply to those who have been featured on the home make over shows. 

1. Moving In: The actual act of moving in is often overlooked, but not only can moving cost you gas, and rental truck money, it can cost you days of work as you have to take time off, even if you are just moving across town. Moving often requires you to purchase at least a few new pieces of furniture as well as having these items delivered, which will start to add up over time.
   
2. Paying the Bills: One word can describe the feeling that most people have when they see the word bills, and that word is "Yuck"! Bills are not fun, however these are less overlooked than the moving costs. Bills for water, gas, electric, garbage, internet, phone, cable, credit cards and loan payments are just a few of the bills that may come your way. You may want to ask a few months before you move in, for an estimate of the current owner's bills so that you can start saving early and be ready when you move in. 
3. Fix Up: Unless you built from the ground up, chances are that you will have some fixing up to do on the home you are purchasing. Those who have built or added on to an existing home, know as well that the fixing up and finishings seem to be endless. Set aside money each month towards unexpected appliance breakdowns and other problems that may arise.
   

These are just a few of the extra expenses that are often overlooked when moving or buying a home.  There are property and other new homeowner taxes as well that must be considered, especially when upgrading your assets. Be sure that you know the ins and outs of these things as much as you can so that you can prepare for them when they arise.

Check City can help you better understand your taxes and *mortgage solutions even though tax season is over for this year. We also have great insurance plans and short term payday loan options that can help you get the money you need, when you need it and save in the areas that traditionally would cost you most.   

* Mortgage Solutions apply to Utah customers only because of the complexity and detailed nature of the service being offered.  Visit CheckCity.com to learn  more. 

You may or may not be surprised to find that many home insurance policies fail to tell you everything you need to know about your home insurance and so you may not be getting what you think you are getting, or even what you need.  This blog will include a few things that every homeowner and home insurance holder should know about their insurance coverage, so if you don't check with your provider, or visit a Check City location near you to learn all about our Insurance Options and how we can help you get the Insurance Plan that works best for you with all of the details and specific assistance you need.

What does the average/regular homeowners insurance cover?

• Fire Damage
• Tornado Damage
• Damage from falling/fallen Satellites

What does the average homeowners insurance NOT cover?

• Flooding and Water Damage (this often times includes mold)
• Earthquake Damage
• Sewer Backup
  
• War, Nuclear Accidents and Terrorism
• Natural Disasters (depending on location)
• Neglect (Termite infestation is included in this category)
• Trampolines, hot tubs, and pools (because they pose a threat of bodily harm)
• Dogs (dependent sometimes on the breed and size)
• Intentional Damage (whether by you or an angry spouse will probably not be covered)
• Computers and luxury items and collectibles are probably not on the average insured list

 

For more suggestions and advice on what to include in your homeowners insurance, and possible items to consider that may not have occured to you, check out the 5-minute guide to home insurance on moneycentral.msn.com and then visit Check City to find the Insurance Plan that fits you. 

After seemingly endless months of economic recession and worry, we may finally be out of the thick of it, and on an upward slope according to economists and analysts.  Firms and businesses are now hiring again and spending is back on the rise. Even though the whitehouse is usually overly generous with their view of the economy, Obama has finally shown signs that he believes the economy could be improving. In a statement made last week, he says "The tough measures that we took — measures that were necessary even though sometimes they were unpopular — have broken this slide and are helping us to climb out of this recession." He never made mention of the recession being over. 

Later, Harvard arbiter, Jeffrey Frankel lifted heads a little higher by making the bold statement, "The recession is over."  So the question remains which of these ideas is correct, or is either?

According to an article written in the New York Times, both are somewhat right, and both may be a little off.  Yes, the recession is indeed seeing an end in sight, but that end might not result in where we left off years ago.  There may be a new standard set that is lower than what we were at before. Many consumers remain in heaping debt, and analysts say that we may not see a turn around in the devastating crash of the housing market for many years to come. 

We as Americans however need to be careful that we are not being too foolishly optimistic and be cautious and aware that because things are looking up now, doesn't mean then will still be on the upturn in the future.  We still need to aquire savings, and pay off our debts to avoid falling into these traps again. 

So how can you avoid falling into the debt trap and make realistic goals and expectations for your own personal economic recovery?  Stay on top of your finances and come to Check City for great discounts on Insurance Plans, Prepaid Phone Cards and other great financial services and discounts.  Visit us at Check City Online or in one of our many Store Locations today to get started on your own economic recovery plan. 

 

Spirit Air announced Tuesday, April 6, 2010 that it would be the first airline to charge of carry-on baggage.  Spirit Airlines is a little known U.S. carrier, and will be the first to start charging for carry-on luggage, that is usually stored inside the planes overhead bins.  Right now, the airline has projected charge dates starting in August of 2010 but news is still coming forward about the proposed charge. The projected fees won't be cheap either. They are estimating fees of $45 when paying at the boarding gate, or $30 if paid for in advance.

The press release points out that you can still carry on a small purse or personal item for free as long as it fits under the seat.  Spirit Airlines is located in Florida and offers discount airline services. They say they are doing this to encourage people to check luggage and speed up boarding and de-planing time. Many people have resorted to carry-on luggage only to avoid the checked baggage fees, and airlines and customers alike are frustrated with the boarding and de-planning delays because of overhead storage, and attendants say that the overhead bins often don't fit all of the bags that people carry on now. 

Fees will also be lower if you are a member of their airline or baggage club. In fact, if you choose to join, you could save up to 50% per bag.  The Association of Flight Attendants (also known as CWA) has reported that 80% of flight attendants have been injured within the last year from overstuffed overhead bins, and hope that these new policies will reduce the amount of items people choose to carry with them. 

Check City offers financial services in a number of areas so that you can save the most money possible.  If you are having trouble finding affordable insurance, Mortgage Rates or even Tax Services, visit us at one of our Store Locations or at Check City Online and see what we can do for you today. 

 

Here is the second half of dos and don'ts when it comes to your 401 (k) retirement savings.  So far we have discussed increasing your yearly contributions, avoiding risky behavior, participation in employee benefit plans, and autopilot plans, often provided by your employer to keep track of and alter the plan on a yearly basis, based on a system you set up.  Here are four more helpful dos and don'ts to increase your 401(k) so you can keep up the lifestyle you are currently used to, and avoid digging yourself into a hole that will cause you to work past your retirement age.

5. Get Help- Everyone is somewhat embarrassed to admit they need help, no matter what the situation, but statistics show that those who receive counseling in the area of their financial and retirement plans are better off than those who try to do it all on their own. 

6. Don't Forfeit Free Money- Many employees do not contribute enough to their retirement fund to receive the match contribution from their employer. Don't short yourself of free money that is available to you. 

7. Don't withdraw early- Many people, when they change careers or jobs, will withdraw their retirement funds. In fact about 46% do. DON'T! You may have to pay up to 10% for withdrawing early, and taxes on the withdraw amount is also due. 

8. Don't Over Invest in Company Stock- You can lose wellness points, and also a lot of money if you put all of your assets into the company you work for.  If the company fails, you will not only lose your job, but all of your retirement money as well. 

Check City can help you with one or more of our many Financial Services.  We have Insurance Plans, Check Cashing Programs and Payday Loans.  Visit us Online or in one of our many Store Locations to learn all about our many helpful Financial Services. 

Over half of the American population has less than $25,000 invested in their future and their retirement, not including property assets. With this small of an investment, people are expecting to live in million dollar houses and drive tens of thousands of dollars worth of cars in their retirement years.  This doesn't seem very likely if people don't start learning the dos and don'ts of retirement and savings plans. MarketWatch.com offers some help in this area with their article on the 8 dos and don'ts for your 401 (k) retirement savings plan. Today I will discuss four and tomorrow the other four. 

1. Contribute to and participate in your plan (especially if it is through your workplace)- Many employers will match employee donations to their savings plans, so if you put in money at work, many times you can have that money doubled.
   
2. Avoid risk-  Participating in risky behavior and moves when it comes to money, can get you on the "Watch list" as well as possibly lower the amount of employer contributions you can receive. What behaviors can put you at risk? All of the following behaviors cost you at least one point off the overall score.

   • Having a loan that adds up to more than 25% of your total 401(k) balance.
   • Not having requested a proposed investment strategy
   • Not using asset-allocation or target-date funds
   • Concentrating in specific asset classes
   • Concentrating in company stock
   • Not taking full advantage of the company match
   • Saving 2% or less or not saving at all.
     
3. Increase your percentage rate of contributions- Employers say that those with the healthiest retirement savings contribute around 8 or 8.5% of their income, where as those with the most unhealthy average around 6.5%.  Experts say that by raising your contribution by just one or two percent can dramatically increase your retirement savings. 
4. Put your plan on auto-pilot- Many employers offer plans that allow you to increase your contribution percentage, etc, when you get a raise, or when you reach a certain age.  This type of plan will take the guess work out of your life and help you keep up with your retirement savings without you having to do anything.
   

These are just a few of the ways you can help yourself out when saving for retirement.  There are many others that can come in handy, and I will discuss a few more tomorrow. Check City has a wide range of financial services built to help you out in all areas of your life. We can get you an affordable Insurance Plan as well as help you save, and get rid of your credit card debt while still building credit.  Visit us at CheckCity.com or in one of our many Store Locations to find out exactly what we can do for you.

The country is once again in crisis as we struggle to fight the recent wave of flooding in the south. There are ways that you can help right from your home and it is important to know what to do in case of a flood whether you are in an area that could be affected or not. Having general knowledge about how to take care of yourself in various situations is always a benefit, whether it be to yourself or to someone else in need. Here are some tips on how to assess and fix water damage and to avoid having it in the future.

You may be surprised at just how much damage a flood can cause. In order to understand how to fix the damage it has done, you must completely understand the damage itself. 

Once the waters have subsided it is important to check for mold, or places where mold could grow.  Also, check the sewer lines, to be sure they are not in anyway being mixed with the main water lines.  If you have plants, or vegetables that were growing outside, you may want to re-plant them in pots, or at least remove them from their current location and clean them off to reduce some of the chemical and other unhealthy damage they may have received from flood waters.  Be sure also, to check the soil.  The soil may errode and cause multiple problems. It is good to see a soil expert, especially when it comes to extreme flood conditions to avoid ruining the foundation of your home. 

If you are in an area where there is frequent flooding, you may want to consider raising your home, by putting it on stilts or raising the foundation. It is also important to have flood insurance for your home, especially if you are in a frequent flooding area. 

If you are building a home, you may want to consider where you place electrical outlets and circuit boxes.  It is recommended that they be well above the "estimated flood level" for your area. This is also recommended for many electrical appliances such as washers and driers as well as the furnace and water heater.  You can elevate these machines by placing them on plywood to help when minimal flooding occurs.

You may want to also make sure that your gas tank is securely in place and that the sewer system has a backflow valve to avoid problems in these areas.  Also, it may be wise to get a floating plug for floor drains. If backup occurs, the floating plug will close up any potential backed-up water, saving you from a small flood, and a big mess. 

Check with local contractors and law makers to see if there are any other ways that your city has provided, or allows to take care of flooding hazards. Some cities have specific building laws and regulations in place in order to deal with these issues, so talk to your representative or city council member. 

Check City also offers a way to help you out when problems come your way. We have affordable Insurance Policies for every situation. We can Insure you for everything from your Home Insurance to your Life Insurance. We can make sure you get exactly what you need, and at the lowest possible price. We want to help you save money today. Visit Check City Online, or in one of our Stores to learn all about our Insurance Services. 

Are you looking for ways to burn off those extra calories you have built up in the long, cold winter months? There are plenty of fun and inventive ways to burn off those calories now that the weather is warming up and the sun is beginning to peak through the seeminly never-ending gray winter skies.  The best part is that you don't have to be inside a gym to do many of these activities, but you can do them inside if a cold spring morning is giving you the chills. These tips can be used no matter what time of the year, they are just always more fun to do when it gets warmer and you can move from the gym to the beautiful outdoors.

1. Move It: If you make a pledge to just get moving and start moving around more both outside and inside in the warmer weather, you should be able to burn a few of those annoying calories.
2. Walk the Dog: This easy, and fun task burns 3.5 calories a minute, if you are moving at a leisurely pace.  Ok so it isn't exactly heavy cardio, but every calorie counts when you are counting them.
   
3. Swim: Swimming, especially swimming laps, can burn up to 18 calories a minute.
   
4. Play: Remember those silly summer days of your childhood? Bring them back, pull out the sprinkler and play with your kids outside. 
5. Volleyball: Playing on a court can burn 5 calories per minute, and on sand will burn twice as much.
6. Biking: Biking through your neighborhood or on a trail can be a fun family activity as well as a great calorie burner.
7. Gardening: Gardening, and especially weeding, can burn calories. Also, using a push mower instead of a riding one to mow your lawn will help you burn a few extra calories as well.
8. Jump Rope: Jumping rope, whether it be for exercise only purposes or whether you are playing with your kids can help you burn some calories. Why do you think kids were so skinny in the 70s?
9. Rollerblade: Rollerblading can burn up to 11 calories a minute, and is a fun and quick way to get to wherever you want to go.
   
10. Run or Hike: Running or hiking can kill those left over calories that you haven't alread gotten rid of doing the other fun activities.

These are just a few of hundreds and thousands of ideas you can use to burn calories this spring and summer.  Even though you are trying to lose weight, you are probably looking for ways to save some money. Check City offers 11 different Financial Services to get you started saving today. We can help you save on your various Insurance Plans, Mortgage, and even your phone bill with our Prepaid Phone Cards.

The next two topics up for discussion is the small business tax credit and the excise tax on uninsured individuals.  The first is actually a tax that gives small businesses extra credits in order for them to have extra money to distribute to their health insurance coverage plans. To be considered a small business though you must meet certain requirements and even if you are a small business you may not be entitled to the full credit available.  As for the excise tax it addresses the idea that all U.S. legal residents and citizens must have health insurance.

The Small Business Tax Credit: Here are the provisions and requirements to be eligible to receive the small business tax credit, including provisions to receive the credit in full. It is intended to boost the amount of health insurance coverage for small businesses and their employees.

 

• To Receive Half Credit your Business Must:

1. Have fewer than 25 employees with average annual wages of less than $40,000.
2. Businesses that are tax exempt will get a 35% credit against payroll taxes.

• To Receive Full Credit your Business Must:

1. Have 10 or fewer employees with average annual wages of less than $20,000
2. Employers with fewer than 25 and more than 10 employees will slowly be phased out of the full credit until the employment rate reaches the maxiumum 25 employees.
   

This credit can be applied to all tax years after 2009.

Excise Tax on the Uninsured:  This provision requires all U.S. citizens and legal residents to maintain minimum health insurance coverage. People can obtain this minimum coverage in a number of ways such as:

• Government sponsored programs
• Eligible employer sponsored programs
• Plans in the individual market
• Grandfathered group health care plans
• Other coverage as granted by the Secretary of Health and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury

Those exempt from this tax would be those serving a prison sentence, those currently residing out of country, and some may be exempt for religious reasons.

The fee for not maintining this minimum insurance would be $750 for adults, and half for uninsured persons under 18 years of age. The total penalty per household cannot exceed 300% of the per-adult fee. This plan will be phased in from 2014-2016 and noncompliance will result in criminal penalties. This particular tax will not take effect until after December 31, 2013. 

Are you still not exactly sure what's going on with your insurance under the new Health Bill of 2010. Visit Check City and let us help you out. We can help you understand what the latest changes mean to you and what you can do to help yourself.  Are you also tired of paying too much for your insurance? Check City can help you find the cheapest Insurance Rates on everything from Health to Car insurance and with our experienced professionals we guarantee we can save you money.