But like Nike – just do it. Get a quote.  Still, we all find reasons as to why we don’t, want, need or shouldn’t get life insurance.  Reasons range from compelling, bad to silly.  Life insurance is one of those things that while you won’t be around to reap the benefits, your family will thank you for it should the need arise upon your death.

That said, if you’re one of those avoiding it, let’s see if your reasons for doing so fall into the category of silly, bad or compelling:

I Can’t Afford It

If you are the primary bread winner in your family and heaven forbid you pass away today, can your family afford not to have it?   How will your family continue to meet their obligations should you meet an early and unexpected demise?  These are things to consider when dismissing the notion of being able to afford life insurance.

I Don’t Need It

Says who?  Does your mortgage need to be paid after you die?  How about your kid’s school tuition?  Credit card obligations?  Any expense that you pay out now will likely continue after your death.  This is why you need life insurance.

I Don’t Want To Think About It Right Now

I’m with you on this reason.  No one wants to think about their death and what that means for them and their lived ones.  But the reality is that you have to think about it before it’s too late.  Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone and we don’t get a pass on our obligations (most of them) if we die.

Further, leaving your family with the burden of having to take over your financial obligations upon your death is not only inconsiderate but irresponsible.  During that time, the last thing they should be forced to think about is whether they can afford to carry on your financial obligations.

My Kids Don’t Need It

Getting your kids life insurance now, ensures that they’ll be able to get life insurance later on in life.  Why?  Premiums rise and medical conditions crop up.  They’ll thank you once they are older.

The Life Insurance At My Job Will Cover Everything

Come on, the measly $50,000 (and that’s generous) given at our day jobs will barely cover final and ongoing expenses upon death.  It is best to take a look at your total financial picture and determine if the amount given at your place of employment will suffice.  Unless you live in an extremely low cost of living area, the life insurance given at your place of employment will not cover your mortgage.

Life insurance.  We hate thinking about it.  But it’s one of those things we’ve gotta tackle to ensure our family’s well being upon death.  Just do it.  Your family will thank you later.

Now, they’re back to announce the Float Planned Spending Program launch. The Planned Spending Program (or PSP) is designed to appeal to budget-conscious people trying to find a way to create a budget cushion or a “rainy day” fund via Float’s  no-interest and no-fees credit line.

The PSP system automatically delivers gift cards on a schedule the user creates so they can do their local shopping. You set up your recurring order of gift cards and delivery dates as you want. The order is then processed and delivered once or twice a month on your schedule. Most importantly, each purchase of gift cards goes toward building up your average monthly shopping which in turn builds up your interest-free credit line with Float.

How Does Float Work?

Float members build a credit line which is determined by two things:

1. The user’s Membership Level, which is initially determined by your credit report and then rises over time as the user continues to use Float.
2. Membership Level is multiplied by: The user’s average monthly shopping through the Float network. Members can shop online with Float’s internet merchants, and in local stores with Float’s selection of gift cards (groceries, gas, pharmacy, etc.). The more shopping you do this way, the more your credit line grows. The PSP focuses activity on the gift cards, but you can still do online shopping to add to your overall total as well. Click here  to see how Float works in general, or click here to read more about the Planned Spending Program specifically.

For example, a member with $800 of monthly shopping with Float gift cards (an easy number to hit with just groceries and gas) who has a Member Level of 150, can borrow $1200 interest-free. Member Level goes up the longer you stay with Float.

How Is the PSP Different from Regular Float?

The Planned Spending Program leverages the fact that we all do our normal monthly shopping at pretty much the same set of stores. Everyone has that little route they run for groceries, morning coffee, home supplies, gas, pharmacy, etc. The PSP delivers gift cards for those same retailers with the same regularity that you do your shopping. Its added value is incredible convenience and that it’s a natural extension of household budgeting – gift cards with a defined value will help you stay on a budget. Plus, they always have a few gift cards discounted for PSP members.

Interest-free credit runs counter to what we all expect from lenders. But Float makes a commission on purchases made through their shopping network, so, similar to how some websites offer cash back for shopping, Float instead makes interest-free loans. They make money from merchants rather than their customers. The more a member shops with Float’s merchants, the greater the credit line they can build.

Float members use loan funds for many things, but the most applicable uses are for filling budget gaps, unexpected expenses, creating a ‘rainy day’ fund, and paying down other high-interest debt. Click to learn more on Float’s site.

Float’s mission is to help Americans improve their financial health by providing safe, accessible credit that keeps families away from high-interest debt. Budgeting is something you can do to help yourself, but Float and their interest-free credit is something you can’t get anywhere else.

Here are some simple, practical tips on how to prevent ID theft:

Monitor your accounts daily. Make an effort to monitor your credit accounts. The reason is that a single case of identity theft could spiral into months of abuse on your accounts. An identity thief could use and re-use your identity credentials. The more instances that your credentials have been used, the more transactions there will be on your credit history that could send your credit score hurtling towards bad credit.

Protect yourself by being vigilant. Gather your mail as soon as you arrive home. Better yet, put your mail where no one else can take it, except for you and your household members. Shred your documents, especially bank and credit card company documents. If you won’t use the pre-approved credit cards that come in, cut them up and shred the letters and envelopes they came with, as well. Mail and trash theft are two of the likely damaging sources of data used in identity theft.

Don’t hesitate to use a credit freeze. You may put a credit freeze on your accounts anytime any suspicious activity has been detected. If you have no need for credit in the next few months or years, this is a good option. If you actively use your credit accounts, use them wisely and sparingly, to avoid being a victim of ID theft.

Guard your credit history. It is among your most important data, whether as a single mom or otherwise. The bad credit effects that you reap when you fail to work on preventing credit scams can make a major blow to your finances and you wouldn’t want that happening to you. So be vigilant and work on protecting yourself and your family!

Joy Mali is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances. She also covers topics on managing bad credit and credit monitoring that can help people manage and protect their credit from theft and fraud.

This is where Qmee comes in. Whilst it won’t make you filthy rich, it’s a legitimate tool that rewards you for searching online, and it doesn’t require you to do anything different.

Intrigued?

Qmee is a free browser app, that once installed, works in the background so that when you do a search on Google, Bing, Yahoo or even on Amazon or eBay, Qmee displays alternative results that show cash rewards. By clicking on these results, you earn that reward. They aren’t points you can earn that eventually add up so you can trade them in for something – it’s real cash that gets immediately added to your piggy bank.

You can even see the reward being added to your piggy bank in real-time with the little icon in your browser.

The results are small, typically between 5 cents and 40 cents so they are never going to make you filthy rich, but getting cash rewards for relevant results you were going to click on anyway versus getting no cash reward for clicking on a result?  This is a no-brainer.

But that doesn’t mean you get spammed with irrelevant results – Qmee works really hard to ensure the results you see are relevant and interesting to you. So Qmee doesn’t appear all the time, only when there’s something you really might be interested in. And they don’t take over your whole screen like those annoying popups – it’s just a toolbar down the left-hand side and you can click to close the Qmee results if you aren’t interested.

One of the best things is that there’s no minimum cash out amount, i.e. if you have 15 cents in your piggy bank and you want to cash out that 15 cents now, you can – straight to your PayPal account. You also have the option to donate to charity.

So whilst it may not help towards buying a brand new car or a house, it at least puts some money towards treat items we always need once in a while, and it’s giving you something back for the value you provide to advertisers.

Qmee really is that simple. Once you signup, which only requires a username and password, you install the add-on and begin searching. It works best in Chrome and Firefox but it is also available in IE and Safari.

Qmee is invite only at the moment, details of how to get an invite here: http://blog.qmee.com/how-can-i-get-a-qmee-invite/

Shopaholic.

This is what we usually call someone who shops a lot.  Who are we kidding.  That’s what we call a woman when her shopping habits are out of control!  And, we all know someone like this.

There’s clearly a spending addiction at play and sometimes it can be difficult to determine if there’s a true addiction or if the person just needs help controlling their spending.

What’s Worse?

Compulsive shopping can evolve into life changing consequences.  The emotional highs and lows mirror a physical addiction because of the adrenaline rush that occurs when engaging in the shopping spree.  Once the shopper starts to come from the high then feel the need to shop again to avoid feelings of depression and anxiety.  Pretty vicious cycle where the shopper just can’t seem to jump off the merry go around of spending addiction.  If not addressed, then there can be deleterious consequences such as financial problems that can lead to divorce, bankruptcy and even broken relationships.

Are You A Binge Shopper?

Take this quiz from ShadesofHope to determine if you have a problem:

• Do you use shopping to improve your mood?
• Do you use shopping as a reward for good behavior?
• Do you spend more money shopping than you can afford?
• Do you rationalize your overspending (e.g. it was on sale, it’s just a little splurge, this was a bargain, etc.)?
• Do you feel giddy or “high” when you make a purchase?
• Do you feel guilt, regret or shame after shopping?
• Do you have “secret” credit cards?
• Do you hide purchases?
• Do you forget purchases you bought?
• Do you tell your loved ones you spent less than you did on shopping?
• Do you shop year-round?
• Is it hard for you to browse without purchasing?
• Can you stop yourself from shopping?
• Does shopping preoccupy your thoughts?
• If you cannot purchase something you want, do you feel overly angry, upset or frustrated?
• Do you juggle expenses to accommodate your shopping?
• Is your shopping hurting your overall budget?
• Do you dread the day your bills come in the mail?
• Are you often surprised at the amount you’ve spent when confronted by a credit card bill, your bank statement, a loved one or your accountant?
• Are you honest with your loved ones about how much you spend or what you buy?
• Is your shopping behavior hurting a loved one (e.g. loved one who has to pay bills, children who need college funds, a parent who has to cover your debt, etc.)?

If you find yourself answering yes to several questions, then you may have a problem.

Help Anyone?

I wrote about finding help over at Binge Behavior.   There I go into detail about the root causes as well as where to find help!  Check it out!

If you’re carrying any significant credit card debt that you’re stuck paying interest on, it may benefit you to transfer that high-interest balance to a credit card that offers 0% interest on balance transfers for a long period of time. Understanding the terms offered by many credit cards designed for no interest balance transfers can be difficult, however, so I’ve done the research and listed my favorite balance transfer credit cards below.

Here are the best balance transfer credit cards currently on the market:

Slate from Chase – The Slate from Chase Card is my favorite balance transfer credit card currently available.  The reason I like the Slate from Chase Card so much is because it allows cardholders to transfer a balance for free if they conduct the transfer in the first 60 days that they have the card. In addition, the card offers a 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

The Slate from Chase Card also offers Patented Fraud Protection and zero liability on unauthorized purchases, and requires no annual fee. While you may be able to find a balance transfer credit card that offers a rewards program, or a longer 0% intro APR period, there’s not another card on the market that requires no balance transfer fee and still has a very long 0% APR on balance transfers intro period. Lastly, the Slate from Chase Card requires no annual fee.

Discover it – The Discover it Card is a fairly new credit card from Discover. With the Discover it Card, Discover is looking to simplify the credit card process by making the terms simple and easy to understand. With the Discover it Card, cardholders receive a 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers for 18 months, as well as a 0% introductory APR period on purchases for 6 months.

Cardholders also receive 5% cash back on purchases in categories that rotate throughout the year, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card also does not require any annual fee, over limit fee, foreign transaction fees, or pay-by-phone fees. In my opinion, the Discover it Card is the best balance transfer credit card on the market that offers a rewards program.

Citi Simplicity Visa – The Citi Simplicity Visa rounds out my list of the best balance transfer credit cards currently available. With the Citi Simplicity Visa, cardholders receive an extra-long 18-month 0% introductory APR period on both balance transfers and purchases. The Citi Simplicity Visa never requires late fees, penalty rates, or an annual fee.

The only reason this card is rated lower than the comparable Slate from Chase Card is because the Citi Simplicity Visa requires a balance transfer fee equal to 3% of the amount of the transfer, or $5, whichever is greater.

This article was written by Logan Abbott. Logan is a credit card expert with over a decade of experience writing about credit and personal finance. He is also the editor of MyRatePlan.com, an authority credit card comparison site.

At this point in my life, my perspective has changed and I want to leave work at work.  I want to be able to attend Bible study on certain days, work out in the mornings and have the flexibility to attend to life issues as they come up without having to worry about how many sick or vacation days I have left or having someone dock my pay if I come in 6 minutes late due to beltway traffic.

Overall, I just needed to take my time back and own it while utilizing it on my terms.  So I did.  I made the jump which involves working for myself.  I am a full time blogger, freelancer and psychotherapist in private practice.  And I love it.  I own my time and control when I come and go.  That’s important to me.

Welcome to the 1099 life.

Luckily, having multiple streams of income means having options and it felt good not being tied to a job because of money.  That’s called financial slavery and having a stash saved me a few times so I’m thankful for my money hoarding tendencies.  But not having a regular paycheck means having to budget in ways that I hadn’t previously thought of.  And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to the fact that having to change how I budget and pay bills can be unnerving at times.

There’s no set time for a paycheck (1st and the 15th anyone?) as payments for various invoices come in at different times of the month.  Still, I am thankful that I don’t have to chase down invoices for payment so that works in my favor.  So here’s how I pay my bills on time while adjusting to the new 1099 life.  Some I’ve utilized, some I have not so let me know what works for you if you don’t see it on this list:

Create A Cushion

Let’s say your monthly expenses and obligations are $2000 for the month.  Find a way to save that amount ahead of time to create a cushion for yourself.  As your invoices and payments come in then you rebuild the cushion in preparation for the next month’s obligations.  Make sense?  You can also pull this amount from savings and then replace it as the payments come in.  Everyone’s situation is different so there is no one size fits all.

Change Due Dates

If you know that your largest invoice payments comes in on the 18th of the month but your cell phone bill is due on the 7th then you should call the cell phone company to ask about shifting your due date.  Do this for any and all accounts that you can so that you give yourself space to receive  and send out payments.  This may involve you paying the next month ahead of time but it’s well worth it to avoid late charges because you haven’t received payment yet.

Budget And Pay As You Go

Let’s be realistic.  If you are receiving payments sporadically throughout the month then you’ll need to adopt a strategy that allows you to pay your bills on time.  You should know specifically how much money you’ll need for the month and pay your obligations from your cushion or pay them as you receive payments.  As you pay each bill then you check it off as you move throughout the month.  As a W2 employee with a steady paycheck, literally every bill was pay between the 1st and the 4th of the month.

If all of your invoice payments aren’t in by that time then paying as you go may work.  This will require you to pay more attention to your bank account for deposits and checking your calendar to make sure that you’re on top of things in this regard.

Float Payments

If you’re in a bind and your invoices are late, sit down and decide which obligations can be floated until the end of the month or next month.  Call and talk to your creditors so that they know when to expect payment while noting your account.  This is typically OK for utility bills such as light, gas or cable since they usually combine the bills.  DO NOT abuse this option.  Do this as a last resort because this can get you in trouble if you float the bill a few too many times, especially consecutively.

Every 1099er does things differently so how I do this may be different from others so I’m interested to hear how others handle the 1099 life.  Yes, it can be unnerving but if freedom is important to you then JUST DO IT.  With proper planning of course!  My only regret is not making the jump sooner because I’d be farther along than I am now.  In the end, I value having control over my time and work and it’s an awesome feeling to be able to control this aspect of my life.

The first thing to know is that floating a payment on one card with a cash advance is a surefire recipe for disaster.   It’s the marijuana gateway drug to a full-blown heroin addiction.  Just don’t do it.  There’s no coming back from that type of credit card shifting.  You need a better alternative.

Putting your head in the sand, setting aside the unopened envelope is not that better alternative.  Nothing good comes from this either.  The company will call and call and eventually take action.  You don’t want that.   Let’s also take the kidney off the table.  There are less drastic options.

The best course of action is to head to the mouth of the beast and call your credit card company.  This accomplishes many things.  First, if you have any payment deferral insurance in place, it can be activated.  Also, there is a chance that company could allow a missed payment.  It’s not entirely common, but if your payment record is good, it can happen.

Here are the important things to know when you call.  Don’t give them any specific information.  Tell your story, but don’t provide specifics like your employer or asset information.  Also, don’t send in any supporting documents with personal information.  You want to communicate with the company, but you don’t want to give the company any information that could be used against you later.

Also important to know is that the goal of the representative you’re talking to is to get you to send in money.  Most representatives are ethical, but some go too far and can move into the realm of misinformation.  You have 30 days until a missed payment appears on your credit report.  Missing a payment or two will not trash your credit irreparably.  Credit card companies can’t garnish wages or take money out of your account without suing you and getting a judgment.  You absolutely can’t go to jail for failing to pay.

Once you’ve handled the immediate goal of communicating with the credit card company, you must look at the big picture, no matter how painful.  Is this a one-time event or is it reoccurring?  How much are you spending in minimum payments each month?  Using an online calculator, how long will your total credit card debt take to pay off?   Use this opportunity to get real with yourself.

If you see an ongoing problem, it’s time to get good counsel about your options.  Save yourself sleepless nights and stress-induced ulcers.  Financial struggle is not something to be ashamed of; it’s something to find good resources for.  Seek them out.  There are many people standing ready to help.

The guiding principle is that it never pays to put your head in the sand.  Communication and knowledge are key to bringing and keeping your finances healthy.

Emily Chase Smith is an attorney who specializes in debt solutions.    She herself has experienced the hardship of debt and has devoted her career to helping real families find real solutions.  You can find her at emilychasesmith.com.

This is particularly true within small businesses, where everyone knows you well, the boss is like family, and the staff are your best friends. Of course, most companies have insurance, but that doesn’t stop your boss from worrying that a claim could be detrimental to business or even lead to closure. Smaller businesses are often less safety conscious than huge corporations, with cheaper flooring, older doors or stairs, less organization, more clutter, a more informal attitude to safety and more knick-knacks, wires, pot plants and loiterers hanging around.
Will your coworkers still talk to you? More to the point, what will they be saying to each other? Will you be labelled as a fraud?

It would be easy to say that real friends would understand, but the prospect of losing the comradeship of everyone you see on a daily basis can be gut wrenching! Many people work with relatives or friends that they consider to be family.
Another issue is wariness of ever getting another job should you make a claim! What if you become known as the “employee who sued”? Could this affect your future employment prospects? What if this was your first job? Could it be your last?

Is it really so bad to just go back to work and forget the whole thing? Do you really need compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering?
Talking to an experienced legal team is the first step for anyone considering their options. www.boltburdonkemp.co.uk are ideal, and can offer support and advice on any individual scenario, letting you know all of your options before you make any decisions.

Whether you have a broken leg, burnt yourself on the coffee machine or slipped and hurt your back, it is worth finding out from the experts just what your options are. Nobody needs to know that you have sought advice, and nobody can advise you better than an independent solicitor, with no affiliation to the company.

You’re filled with first date jitters and wonders of whether he’s “the one,” as you sit down to dinner across from your potential soulmate. You immediately begin sizing him up, analyzing his clothes, teeth, and the way he styles his hair, as you secretly plan to segway into your mental checklist. Yes, that laundry list of requirements and features of your ideal mate, from must love dogs to an appreciation for strong family values. But before you can nonchalantly ask about his religious background, political views, and career aspirations, he blurts out, “What’s your credit score?”

Suddenly this no longer feels like a date, but rather a job interview or an application for renting an apartment. Since when did the number on your credit report become a first date deal breaker?

According to the New York Times, because your credit score indicates the extent of your financial responsibility, some dates feel as though they can tell a lot about a potential love interest from their credit report, while others fear of a future together limited by the implications of poor credit. Some daters even stress so much importance on this score that they turn to online dating sites such as Creditscoredating.com and Datemycreditscore.com in search of like-minded money conscious life partners.

With that being said, for those struggling with bad credit scores, all hope for finding love is not lost. There are financial options available for a bright future for your and your mate. The following are four ways in which you can cope with bad credit and potentially have the opportunity to take out loans, rent a home, and buy a car.

Plan to Pay Your Bills on Time

If you can’t pay your bills, you can’t build your credit. One of the best ways to start improving your credit score is to prove to creditors that you are responsibly seeking good credit. To do so, begin by paying all of your bills on time each month.

Consider paying all of your bills online on the same day at the same time so you can fall into a routine. You could also set up alerts on your computer or phone to remind you of when each payment is due to further avoid late payments.

Consult Credit Advisers

When you’ve racked up debt and don’t see a way out, it may be time to contact a credit counselor. These financial advisers can provide you with answers to all of your money and credit questions, along with suggestions for a debt repayment plan. In some cases, creditors will waive or reduce interest rates and fees for those establishing a debt repayment plan. Following such a plan will make it easier for you to manage your debt while helping you repair your tainted credit score.

Apply for a Bad Credit Loan in an Emergency Situation

If you’re unexpectedly slammed with an urgent medical bill or Fido’s vet bill, you and your future spouse should find comfort in knowing that you do have loan options. Regardless of your credit score, you can apply for a same day bad credit loan that can help you cover a one-time unforeseen financial setback.

It is important to note that these loans do come with expensive fees and interest. If you don’t pay it back in short order, you could face an even bigger monetary issue. However, before you rush out and apply for a fast cash advance, read all of the terms of the loan agreement and understand the payment deadline. Also remember that you should only rely on an easy payday loan when one of life’s emergencies pops up. Don’t apply for this kind of loan to pay for non essential purchases like a new pair of stilettos for your hot date.

Consider a Secured Credit Card

Unfortunately, you can’t improve your credit report if you don’t continue to use credit. Even if you have poor credit history, it is possible to apply for a secured credit card. These cards are called secured because you’re required to pay a deposit, which acts as your credit limit. If you pay on time, you may eventually get bumped up to a regular unsecured card.

Before you apply though, you’ll want to request that the credit card company reports your history to the three credit bureaus, so that they will consider your transaction history on your next credit report. Also keep in mind that these cards charge high interest rates, so it is important that you only use this method of building credit if you can make the payments on time and that you can keep your balance in check.

Just because you’re left coping with a money mismanagement of the past, doesn’t mean you are doomed for the future. The next time a date pops the credit score question, use it as an opportunity to discuss financial situations and maybe even discover additional ways to further improve your credit report.

Chloe Mulliner is an editor and writer for creditsources.org, an authority site on credit related consumer services and options for people with bad credit.