Saturday, March 28, 2009
Car Insurance For Women Only
You've probably seen the adverts on television for car insurance especially for women, where three glamorous blonde women are sitting pretty in a bubblegum-pink car.These good-time girls are contrasted to a miserable group of Australian sheep station guys left out of this cheap women-only car insurance deal.
Sisters are insuring it for them, the message is clear - they can get better deals.But is this female-friendly advertising just another marketing ploy or is their a real benefit for female motorists?
Most insurance companies recognise that women are cheaper to insure and their policy costs reflect this.Certainly this is the case until women reach middle age, according to research by the AA (based on quotes for men and women, driving a Ford Focus and living in Cambridgeshire).For young drivers, age 17, the insurance cost for a woman is 1,938.13 pounds per annum, for men this figure rises by almost 1,000 to 2,906.25 pounds.At age 30, the cost for women is still over 40 pounds cheaper at 367 pounds.By the age of 40 the saving falls to just over 7 pounds.For men and women of 50 years old, the cost for women is just 45 pence cheaper.And by the age of 60, men (for the first time) can enjoy a 7 pounds 30 pence advantage over their female counterparts when their insurance premium reaches 245.40 pounds.
The promise of cheaper deals is based on the fact that, on average, women don't have as many serious accidents and therefore should be less risky and less expensive drivers to insure.There is also clear evidence that when it comes to bad driving, men are way out in front.Annual statistics from the Home Office reveal that almost three quarters of speeding offences, 96% of dangerous driving offences and 85% of careless driving were committed by men.
Some insurers also market the idea that car insurance can be tailored to women's individual needs.One women's insurer provides 300 pounds for handbag insurance as well as counselling phone line after accidents and a promise of repair practices that are women-friendly.(I wonder how a women-friendly car repair service works.The mind boggles!).I suppose that they could ensure that cars can be available to be collected from garages in daylight or in time for a daily school run.
Another insurance company, a pioneer of car insurance for women, believes that dedicated services for women form part of a wider social change.The majority of women now have a driving licence (61 per cent of women compared to just over four fifths of men) and insurance that is female friendly and /or exclusively for females simply reflects the rise in the number of single female households and women who own their own car.
Certainly, women friendly insurance companies offer some of the cheapest deals in the marketplace but other, non-specialist companies disagree that gender- specific insurance gives the consumer much extra.General insurers warn that these women only brands are just part of a clever advertising campaign.
It is true that it can be misleading to draw general conclusions about the price of car insurance.Altering a few variables like occupation and age can reveal different results.Comparisons show that your postcode, for example, is far more significant than gender.Living in Liverpool can more than double the cost of your insurance whereas living in a rural, low-crime area such as Norfolk will bring the cost of your premiums right down.
The best advice is to check out exactly what is on offer from the insurers and see how it best meets your own individual requirements.
About the Author
Get great deals on Car insurance from The Car insurance Store.
Please visit our site for helpful articles on Car Insurance.Visit Brokers Online to benefit from its extensive article library covering most areas of uk finance.They also offer Life Insurance Quotes, Car Insurance Quotes and much much more all online.
Relaited Links:
- Recession Dealt Us a Hand We Must Play Cunningly
- Advantages of Working for a Temp Agency
- Car Insurance For Women Only
Labels: business names ideas, small business advice, small businesses
Friday, March 27, 2009
Your First Home, Can You Afford It
Buying your first home is a major step.Unless you're very lucky this most important landmark has been reached after a long, long trail of saving for the deposit.It's probably a good thing you've got used to watching the pennies, because house and mortgage hunting will probably take all your time, patience and money.
When it comes to how much you can borrow, this depends on the lender's judgement and conditions.Rather than the traditional "multiples" way of your borrowing being worked out by your pre tax income times around three and a half, many lenders are favouring an alternative way of estimating your mortgage-worthiness.
Sensibly, affordability is now one of the favoured ways of lender's judging what you can afford.
As well as your income, they also bear in mind any extra costs and expenses, things like debts which you have to pay off.They'll consider whether or not you have children or other dependents and some may take into account your earning power in the future.For instance, a newly qualified professional is quite likely to quickly build up earning power and a modest starting salary can be expected to turn into something better.
Banks and building societies are understandably cautious about lending too much to a first time buyer, who has no proven track-record of successfully handling a mortgage and it's in your own interest not to commit yourself to a higher mortgage re-payment than you can realistically maintain.Life goes on beyond mortgage payments, cars break down and need repair or replacement, furnishing a new home can take its toll and interest rates can go up.A fixed rate loan can help here, but they've not fixed for ever and the next loan could be at a higher rate.
The average age for first-time buyers has changed over the years.It used to be quite common for a couple to get married in their early 20's and move straight into their first home, be it a flat or terraced property, and to move up the property ladder fairly swiftly.Nowadays it's not uncommon for first-timers to be 30 plus before they take the home-ownership step.The problem is saving for the deposit, rather than not being able to afford the mortgage repayments.Quite often, particularly when work takes them further from the family home than a reasonable travelling distance, it's necessary to rent accommodation.
The high cost of this makes it very difficult to save for a deposit for a home and the frustrating result is a vicious circle of if I didn't have all this rent to pay, I could pay a mortgage "I can't get a mortgage because I don't have enough money to put down a deposit.If I didn't pay all this rent, I could save for a deposit."
So, back to affordability, the mortgage situation is ever-changing.
We have swung from 100% loans for first-timers, to needing at least 25% deposit and back again.Whatever's happening, the thing to do is to get saving save every penny you can.Keep an eye on the situation.There may be first-time buyer's special opportunities on new properties.Builders like first time buyers.
If you're lucky enough to have accumulated a reasonable deposit, then, as a first-time buyer, you're in a good position to go in with an offer on a property.The fact that you don't come with a "chain" attached will be appealing to the seller and you could find yourself with a good deal.
The very best deals on mortgages can be found by going on-line.An independent broker will search a very wide market to find the right loan for you, working within your budget.Even if you're not quite in the position to buy just now, you could get in touch and find out just what's what.There's no charge for advice or for excellent service.
About the Author
The Mortgages-maid provides great deals on mortgages for its clients in the uk.
Please visit our site for helpful information to aid you in making the right decision, first time.Brokers Online offers cutting edge articles and information about Mortgages,
Relaited Links:
- Building an Arizona Auction Firm
- Business Branding - The Importance Of The Name
- Heartland CEO: Data Breach as Bad as the Tylenol Poisonings
Labels: attractive advertisement, banker, benefit, business ethics, wholesale catalogs free
The Best Personal Loan For You
When you take out a personal loan you can do whatever you want with the money.You could use it to buy a car or take a holiday.You could pay off all your credit card debts if the loan is at a lower rate of interest and is repayable over a longer period of time.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right personal loan.Some lenders offer as much as 25,000 pounds but around 15,000 pounds is the norm.Quite often you can get the money in a matter of days following approval in principle by telephone.
The term of a loan will vary and a year is standard, although you could get one for a shorter period of six months.However, if you only require the money for a few months you might as well use your credit card.Seven years is the usual maximum length for a personal loan although you might find a lender prepared to go over ten years.
Personal loans are widely available these days at competitive rates.The usual providers such as banks and building societies have been joined by the major supermarkets and it is advisable to stick with a name you know.Some smaller companies might offer loans with a costly penalty if you redeem your loan early or move to a company offering a better deal.Normally if you pay off your loan early a reputable firm would only charge two months' interest.
You need to compare rates and all the other factors, for example you might get the best rate from your mortgage lender but still benefit from using another provider.Interest rates on personal loans are usually fixed for the duration of the loan so you pay the same amount each month.This is invaluable for your budgeting and you will normally need to pay by direct debit.
In general, the larger your loan the lower your interest rate.The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the one to note.This takes into account any arrangement fees due, although not many lenders charge for this nowadays.
Your credit rating will be checked before you can get a personal loan as lenders will need to be sure you are a good risk.If you have a poor credit record you might still get a loan, but it is likely to be at a higher interest rate than normal.
People who are on short-term contracts or the self-employed can find it difficult to get a personal loan.An unsecured loan demands a higher rate of interest as the lender cannot take possession of your house should you default as could happen with a mortgage loan.
Loan protection insurance covers you if you cannot meet the payments due to health problems or losing your job.Sometimes you cannot get a loan without this insurance, or else agreeing to a higher interest rate.If you want the insurance check the small print very carefully and find out about any exclusions which might disallow a claim.Consider whether you really need it in the first place as it can be expensive and is only adding to your debts.
According to new laws, the full cost of your interest charges, including any insurance, must be shown in the lender's APR.Comparison of rates between companies is now much clearer as you can see exactly what is charged.
About the Author
Interested in getting a quote on a Secured Loan?
Please Visit the Perfect-personal-loans.co.uk for more information and other resources.Our sister site Brokers Online offers cutting edge articles and information about Mortgage Protection and other financial products.
Relaited Links:
- 5 - Tips To Help Build Your Massage Therapy Business
- In Business You Must Talk, Not Bark!
- Things to Consider When Choosing a Professional Office Interior Designer
Labels: marketing, marketing budget, small business marketing, small business profits, wholesale distribution
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Steps To Starting A Canadian Home Based Business
With today's economic standing and costs relating to childcare and travel, more Canadians are looking for employment opportunities from home.Having a home-based business lets the family be together more now that you can set your own hours, cutting daily living costs you would have if you were working outside the home.
Making the decision to start your business at home could be great opportunity.Choose something in an area that you have a large interest in or one for which there is a need.Any experience or talent you have in a particular area makes choosing a home based business easier and you will likely have a higher success rate.You should also consider the expenses involved so you don't end up with financial difficulties from the beginning of this opportunity.
Do your research.A home business involves getting as much information as possible on your potential clientele.Doing this now results in a more positive outcome later.This research should include competition and the public need for what you are planning to provide in the way of product or service.
Create a complete business plan, which includes financial planning, before you begin with any other start up plans.This helps to create a picture of where you intend to target your business and handle all the financial aspects.You don't want to get half way through your grand opening to find no need for what you have to offer.Missing a step in your financial plan could result in unnecessary debt.
Obtain information regarding all necessary licenses, permits and registrations for your business.Don't forget to include information verifying your area's zoning laws.Depending on what you are marketing, there may be restrictions in place for this service or product in your immediate area.
Unless you are talented and knowledgeable in the area of promotion and networking, have business cards, stationery, brochures and other print material prepared by professionals.
You want your business to have a professional look to it, a look consistent with all material presented to the public.This includes any flyers or business cards.A poorly done pamphlet or business card could result in a negative view of your business and its ability to be as professional as possible.
Networking and advertising can help contact the clientele you desire.This is easily accomplished with T.V.and radio stations, newspapers and newsletters.Ensure you have your web URL in plain view on printed material, and repeated twice in television and radio spots.Canadian Advertising Rates and Data (CARD) can provide you with lists to Canadian publications, T.V.and radio stations, and their advertising rates.
Promote yourself whenever you can.Stores, community centers and other companies may allow you to leave a flyer or business card for their staff or on their customer bulletin boards.
Contact your broker about extra insurance for your business.However, shop around to ensure you get all the coverage you need at the best price.Another safety precaution is to make backups of digital media on CDs or DVDs to be stored in a safe place.This way you are covered in case of fire or theft.
Be cautious about your business and management bookkeeping.Improper management is one of the most popular reasons businesses don't succeed.If necessary seek quality advice or hire someone for this task.We recommend that you have at least basic managerial skills before you launch your business.
Join trade associations, business community associations, (i.e., chambers of commerce), business networks or clubs to help establish contacts and possible assistance in areas you need help with.
Research the federal and provincial taxation requirements with Canada Revenue Agency and the Provincial Retail Sales Tax Office where applicable.Learn ahead of time what deductions you can file for in relation to automobile expenses and home office expenses for self-employed persons.You may be entitled to certain beneficial deductions on your utility bills as well.
About the Author
HomeNetPro is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home opportunities and home business ideas.
Find jobs for stay at home moms, paid online surveys and many other great opportunities to work from home today by visiting: HomeNetPro.com
Relaited Links:
- Banks Charge Extra For New Mortgages
- A Small Business Coach Will Help You Identify and Sort Your Top Priorities
- Financing A Small Business - What Are The Financial Responsibilities Involved In Running A Business?
Labels: affiliate program links, extra income, medical marketing, wholesale catalogs, wholesale silk scarves, young entrepreneurs
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
How to Build Customer Loyalty For Your Business
If you've ever heard of the Pareto principle, you are familiar with the theory that 80 percent of your business can be attributed to 20 percent of your customers.What does this mean in terms of where your marketing efforts should be invested?Well, most business people associate the terms "marketing" and "advertising" with attempts to reach out and attract new customers for their business.While attracting new customers is important, and marketing is one way of achieving that goal, something very important mustn't be overlooked.Existing customers.If you consider the cost associated with pursuing new customers, you will see that focusing energy on retaining customers you already have as very valuable.This article will give you some tips and ideas for building brand loyalty.
Customer Service
Often overlooked as a direct method of marketing or building brand loyalty, exceptional customer service speaks for itself.
If customers repeatedly experience only the very best customer service humanly possible in each and every interaction with your business, they will continue to come back to you.Not enough can be said about the strength superb customer service has in terms of promoting customer loyalty.In order to achieve the level of customer service that speaks for itself, employees must be trained and motivated properly.
Communication
While outstanding customer service will keep some customers coming back to you time and again, others may need subtle "reminders" that you are there, that they've done business with you before, and that they loved it.
Staying in communication with your customers is key to building customer loyalty.You need to make sure you stay in customers' "top of mind." Consider starting an email or print newsletter or flier.Send out fliers or postcards about special sales or events, and definitely send out cards during the holidays.If you run a cash business, you'll need to find a creative way to collect your customers' contact information.
However, don't forget that communication is a two-way street.Find ways to constantly get feedback from customers.Whether you send out customer surveys, take a poll, or even ask personally, make sure to find out how you're doing.
Ask questions such as:
- Are we meeting your needs?
- What did you love about our service/product?
- What could be better?
- Are you satisfied
There are hundreds of questions that can be asked to help you determine how you can better meet your customers' needs, but many of these will be particular to any given type of business.
Customer Incentives
Customer loyalty or incentive programs abound.
Just perform a Google search for "customer incentive program ideas" and you'll be hit with thousands of pages of results.The important thing is to do something that is appropriate for your business.Customer incentives serve two purposes toward building brand loyalty.First, they give customers a concrete reason to return to your business (a free cup of coffee, a free haircut, etc.).Second, they communicate to your customers your appreciation of their business.If you are creative, or have staff member that are, you can come up with all sorts of ways to integrate customer incentives with customer communications, thus utilizing both methods to reinforce brand loyalty.
Keep'em Coming Back for More
There are many different ways to build customer loyalty.
The bottom line is to actually focus time and energy to do so.Starting with a quality product or service that's needed by your target customer is a good start.Being honest, consistent and helpful helps quite a bit.Having great employees that provide excellent customer service every time is key.Sending periodic communications to stay "top of mind" and finding ways to reward customer loyalty are the frosting on the cake.
About the Author
Looking to build brand loyalty for your customers?
Loyalty One develops customer loyalty based on your company's unique needs.Let us provide your ideal customer rewards program.
Relaited Links:
- Changing your Mindset to Get Your Children Through the Recession
- Planning Your List of Wholesale Video Games Goals: January 2009 is History!
- Stop Foreclosure... Save Your House and Your Credit
Labels: advertisement, marketing ideas, shareholder activism, viral marketing products, women entrepreneurs
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Can Internet Newbies Build MLM Teams Online?
As a network marketer of 7+ years, I had grown weary of constantly trying to motivate members of my team who were weary of constantly trying to find more people to expose to the business opportunity.I was out of ideas for ways to suggest to them for finding more people to talk to.
I believed there were probably network marketers using the internet to build their teams, and I was determined to find out for myself!
So the quest beg an.For months, I spent untold hours diligently searching and researching, seeking the true answer to the question "Is it possible to successfully build a team online in a network marketing company?" After many months of thorough investigation, I am convinced that I have found the answer: Unequivocally, "YES, IT IS!"
Not only did the results of my research prove to me that it is possible, but it is fast becoming a much-preferred technique to "traditional" network marketing methods.
While the systems I studied vary widely in specifics, all share the common goal of having the system do virtually all of the "prospecting." The object is to save you from wasting any of your valuable time to find out if someone is a prospect or not.Anyone you talk to should have already learned about your business, qualified themselves, and either contacted you or requested a call.
While you may have some emails and phone calls to return from prospects and people who join your team online, your main work is to drive lots of traffic to the lead capture pages of your system.The more traffic the better.Don't be alarmed, if you select a good system, the tutorials included with it will teach you everything you need to know to do that successfully.
A fringe benefit of many systems, that I heartily endorse, is a way to make money from prospects who do not even join your business!
After several months of studying various systems, I finally recognized that I was suffering from "analysis paralysis." I decided it was time to stop researching and start testing!I narrowed the field to the three systems I was the most impressed with, and spent a week analyzing and comparing the three.I forced myself to make a decision, and selected one to test.I spent this evening getting it all set up & personalized.
And I did it myself!Yes!I, by myself, was actually able to follow all the instructions in the video tutorials to "plug into the system" and get it up and running without a hitch!Those who know me, with my woeful lack of computer skills, probably won't be able to believe that, but I swear it's true!The fact that I did it by myself speaks volumes for the people who put the system together, and wrote the tutorials.All the instructions were crystal clear, easy to understand and easy to follow!No tiny little detail was omitted.
I am ecstatic to finally have my 21st century online team building system up and running!I have tested it, and it is operating like clockwork!Now I am going to apply the techniques for generating traffic, with the help of the tutorials in the system, and throw open the floodgates!Hallelujah!
About the Author
We are helping others achieve financial independence through network marketing.
To see which online team building system we selected as the best among the many that we analyzed, go to www.InternetTeamBuildingSystem.com
Relaited Links:
- Understanding the Importance of Money
- Best Cash Leveraging Programs Available
- Don't Take Wordtracker At Face Value, But Use It Anyway
Labels: affiliate marketing, photo mug business, young entrepreneurs
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]