Personal Finance - November 2007

Everyone says pay off debts before you start investing. Sounds good for credit cards & other high interest loans. But my £15K student loan is very low interest (Just above inflation).

Is it better to INVEST my money now e.g. bonds/shares/ ISA etc or is it better to PAY OFF my loan. With an investment that gave regular dividends I could maybe pay off my student loan faster than if I didn't invest. Any thoughts?

2007-11-15 23:03:54 · 5 answers · asked by Chico 3

after rent or mortgage and food how much spending money do you have at your disposal?

2007-11-15 22:45:15 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

My boyfriend earns £42k (takes home £2.5k p.month) and I earn £12k (take home £800 p.month). Our mortgage costs £1k per month and then there's the usual bills, etc.

How much do you guys think is a fair amount for me to give him each month from my wages to put towards the mortgage, bills and food shopping, etc?

If anyone can help us think of a logical way to split things, I would be really grateful!

xx Emmie

2007-11-15 21:52:39 · 8 answers · asked by Sparklepop 6

I had a loan of £500 with the Money Shop over 12 months which is now paid off. Money went missing from my account. It's shown today as being £270 taken off my debit card by 1st Credit. They say they were told to do this by Money Shop as I owe money, which I don't.
Can they take money off my car without my permission or without even letting me know! Direct Debit you have to be told of changes 7 days in advance so is it same for debit card? I can't believe they can just take that money when they want!

2007-11-15 21:11:39 · 8 answers · asked by louja75 1

2007-11-15 20:59:33 · 4 answers · asked by gp 1

ideas? ie when you are a compulsive eater you should surround yourself with food.

2007-11-15 20:58:13 · 1 answers · asked by sharon you 1

I am divorced with bad credit and I was wondering if anyone know where I can get help to get some free?

2007-11-15 20:42:07 · 7 answers · asked by Luanna 1

i have no money to invest and i dont want a crimal record,
so it has to be legal.

2007-11-15 20:24:17 · 12 answers · asked by Ace 2

heres the situation; I make 30 k. I have 17k in debt at 9.75 i have 16 k in mutual funds. 1k in savings bond. my parents make 120k combined. owe a house worth 200k, but has 90k in debt on it at 6.05. they will cosign my mortgage. i can get 250000 at 5.84 locked for 5 years. with my income plus renting rooms out I can easily make more then the monthly payments. thus saving instead of renting. I know renting has hassles. but ill deal with them. I would be renting 400$ a month (split an apartment). thats alot of money to throw away. I know rates can go up, but I can sell in 2 or three years and do it again?

2007-11-15 16:27:47 · 4 answers · asked by llllllllllllllllll 3

I have already contributed the maximum contribution to my company's 401K account. May I also contribute to a traditional IRA for the same year? Please do not confuse my question with ROTH IRAs. Thank you.

2007-11-15 14:33:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

How much do you think you have to make to live comfortably?

2007-11-15 13:34:26 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

I’m a foreigner, UK resident high skilled; 4 years ago my work-permit expired and my new one get “lost” in the mail; took me 3 years to get a new one – long history short: 1 defaulted bank account, 1 defaulted loan and 1 defaulted credit card. Total owed = £15000.
This year manage to get back no my feet, have already savings about £30000 and battling to decide to pay off my defaulted accounts or not. 2 years more and will reach the statute of limitation … in other hand if I pay I will probably wake up the Lion … and to be honest, the third: the pain experienced then, when no creditor would take my arguments and give me a “payment holiday”…Pay on Not?

2007-11-15 13:19:11 · 4 answers · asked by VanHelsing 2

I currently work from 1-6pm and i'm looking for a job that's maybe from 4-8 am. Any suggestions as to where i should apply? I'm up for anything, i just need the exrta money to pay my bills.

2007-11-15 13:14:49 · 6 answers · asked by Noonie 4

I want to buy a house and I wanted to know how can I get some assistance in purchasing a new new home for me and my family. Can anyone give me some advice?

2007-11-15 12:54:42 · 4 answers · asked by Anetria D 1

Use to love this Country, but it all changed. I want to get mine and get out, any suggests and what Country. I'm thinking of Belize!

2007-11-15 11:57:06 · 21 answers · asked by SilverFox 2

Have any of you gotten something similar to that.

2007-11-15 11:11:10 · 7 answers · asked by Digigrace 1

A. Selling bonds

B. Replacing worn-out currency

C. Issuing loans

D. Printing new currency

E. Converting checking accounts to savings accounts

2007-11-15 11:08:39 · 6 answers · asked by nosey one 1

2007-11-15 10:19:54 · 6 answers · asked by life as we know it 4

I bought a money order, filled it out with the name of the business it was intended for, and wrote my name and address on it . I made a photocopy, and I left the money order in the copy machine . That was the last time I saw it . In order for somebody to cash it, he'd have to cross out the name of the business it was intended for, and wrote his own name on it . That would look mighty fishy, and I'd expect cashing it to be next to impossible at that point . Is it possible to cash a stolen money order ?

2007-11-15 09:47:31 · 6 answers · asked by I_hate_being_single 3

The state will pick up your nursing home costs AFTER all your resources have been gutted. If you don't put the family farm in someone elses name SEVERAL YEARS ahead of time...you loose it all. Of course the kids can pay the costs at $175/day. My friend did that in order to keep mamas house....mama lived in the home for 5 years...that's right $240,000 . OUCH. Get it together NOW!
Bottom line: Put it in your name (if she trusts you,that is)

2007-11-15 08:55:27 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

whats the formula? please include if you can...

2007-11-15 08:43:48 · 5 answers · asked by dco 2

I have about $30,000 in a CD account and the interest is 5.15% APY. I don't think I will be using this money before I reach 66. I am currently 35.
Should I keep this CD account or transfer to IRA?
What would be the best way?
BTW... I do have 401K thru work.

2007-11-15 08:13:45 · 6 answers · asked by F T 2

I will be maxing out my work 401K and contributions to both my Roth IRA and my wife's Roth IRA, but recently saw an ad that says since she was not working this year I can also set up another nonworking spouse IRA for her. What is the maximum I can contribute to that account?

2007-11-15 06:38:29 · 3 answers · asked by bloomin'paint 2

I have heard that their interest rates are lower than that of the banks. Can this be confirmed?

2007-11-15 05:36:40 · 3 answers · asked by Theorymaster 2

I need some extra money for the holidays..
Im disabled, and a stay at home mom..
I really need some money but cant figure out how to get some..
Anyone have any ideas on how i can get any.. Any ideas on what to do?
Deb :)

2007-11-15 05:21:17 · 4 answers · asked by debbie 5

I am curious to hear opinions about which option, or a combination of the two, are best for long term financial growth for retirement purposes. Here are the basic details of both plans:

401k - Company matches 50% up to 6% of employee's contribution. Contributions are made per paycheck, which is every two weeks.

ESPP - stock is purchased at a 15% discount against the lower of two prices, the start or ending price of the period. There are 2 periods annually (6 months each).

So basically, for the same money, is it better to contribute to a 401k and get the match or contribute to the ESPP and get the 15% right off the bat. We do have the option to flip our stock at the period's close.

2007-11-15 04:41:06 · 4 answers · asked by David B 1

How do I do this. I am 24 and I used to have a great credit score. all in one day I lost my job, and I had just moved out on my own. SO for about 2 years I am trying to get the credits to stop calling me and explain to them if I had the money I would pay them and wouldnt be in debt in the first place. I am always on time and monthly with my insurance, car payment, rent and utilities. I feel like these are most important. But Im scared I am gonna go to Jail or something :( I cant afford to get my wages garnished either. And I tried to consolidate but alot of them wont take it and The ones that will I pay out about $350 a month for 3 bills and I cant afford it anymore!! I dont want bad credit but i always feel so stress out.. I owe about $10,000 in Credit Card Debt. ANother $1000 to veriaon bill and about $600 to the hospital.
Again my car is always on time and that I only owe about $2800. But i will never be able to make enough to satisfy all my creditors.

2007-11-15 03:53:11 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am in the process of opening one up. What do thing of Bank of America? I have their credit card but no account.

2007-11-15 03:36:33 · 6 answers · asked by PC-User 3

2007-11-15 03:30:49 · 8 answers · asked by Shawn D 1

2007-11-15 03:01:45 · 28 answers · asked by Vicki 1