Car Leasing Basics

Summary:
Over the past few years, the popularity of car leasing has soared. When you compare leasing with buying a car and suffering the humongous monthly installment fees, leasing provides a better and more viable financial option.

For auto leasing, you need to know the tricks of the trade so that you will not end up paying more than when you directly buy the car. There are car dealers and manufacturers who can give you your money's worth if you want to go for this option.

You ...

Article Body:
Over the past few years, the popularity of car leasing has soared. When you compare leasing with buying a car and suffering the humongous monthly installment fees, leasing provides a better and more viable financial option.

For auto leasing, you need to know the tricks of the trade so that you will not end up paying more than when you directly buy the car. There are car dealers and manufacturers who can give you your money's worth if you want to go for this option.

You will get a better deal out of the car dealers if you appear knowledgeable about the auto leasing industry, so read up.

'Auto Leasing Defined'

You would "lease" a car by paying for the costs by which the vehicle depreciates in value. You can calculate depreciation costs by subtracting the car's value by the time that the lease ends, from its original value. There are cars which depreciate more than other brands. The rule of thumb is, the smaller the amount that your car depreciates, the lesser the costs to lease.

Once you decide to go for leasing over buying a vehicle, you may choose the one with the least depreciation value.

If you decide to go for this option, you need to learn about "lease term". This is the number of months that the vehicle is leased. Typically, leases last for 24, 36 or 48 months, depending on your contract.

'Leasing or buying: Which option is kinder to your pocket?'

-Automobile leasing requires you to have a good credit, so if your credit score is low, it is better to go for buying.

You may even be disapproved for a lease if your credit history is not good. Or, at the very least, you will be required to pay higher monthly dues.

-Leasing companies would need to profit from you.

They will invest capital on buying the car, then lease that car out. Just like with any loan, their money shoudl earn interest so you better consider this as well when considering the advantages of buying.

-Make sure that you get the best deal out of car leasing by comparing the monthly costs with the interest rates of your local car dealer.

By making a note and comparing both prices, you would more or less have an idea of which option to go for.

'Car Leasing Tips'

- When deciding on the model or make of the car that you will lease, choose the Japanese and European cars. These are basically the brands which have lower depreciation rates, as compared to the American vehicles.

You will find out that most luxury cars have the lowest depreciation values. Research, visit a local car dealer in your area or ask friends who are currently leasing cars. They should have some great tips to share with you on how to get the best deal out of leasing cars.

-Leasing a car may put a big dent in yur budget when it comes to car maintenance. You need to make sure that you are a "car-friendly" user when you opt to go for auto leasing.

-Definitely go for leasing if you are the type who wants to own the latest cars in the market. In the long run, leasing will be a better option for you as compared to buying the latest car model then trading in or selling the old one that you have.

-As much as possible, choose a shorter lease period. This is so that you can optimize the warranty of the vehicle.

-Finally, avoid the long-term leases, because the car's value will decrease by the time the lease ends, and this is mostly when engine problems begin.

Car Financing: Which is Better: Buying or Leasing?

Summary:
Purchasing a new car is always an exciting time in life; however, it can also be confusing and time confusing, especially with so many different types of financing options available. Should you purchase your next vehicle outright or would it be better to lease it?


Keywords:
car, finance, loan, personal, borrow, lending, auto, insurance, purchase, cost, interest


Article Body:
Purchasing a new car is always an exciting time in life; however, it can also be confusing and time confusing, especially with so many different types of financing options available. Should you purchase your next vehicle outright or would it be better to lease it? Which option will be better financially for you? Read on for more tips to help you make the right decision for you and your finances the next time you’re in the market for a new car.

It’s important to understand that there is not a clear cut answer to this question. It really depends on your needs and situation. When considering whether it would be better to buy or lease, it is important to understand all of the terms regarding the lease. Generally, the lease will be for a specified period of time and you will probably be limited to the amount of mileage that can be placed on the vehicle. In the event that you go over that specified mileage at the end of your lease period, you will be liable for paying the overage. Lease agreements also pay what is known as a finance charge at the end of the lease agreement. So, it is important to understand that while your lease payments may be less than payments would be if you bought the vehicle outright, you will still be responsible for a sum of money at the end.

In addition, it should be pointed out that you do not build up any equity in a vehicle when you lease it, only when your purchase it. On the other hand, when you purchase a vehicle and drive it for a long period of time, while you do build up equity, that amount declines the longer you own the vehicle. With leasing, you have the advantage of only having to pay for what you use while with the buying option you must pay for everything, regardless of whether you use it or not.

Leasing gives you the advantage of obtaining lower payments and the option of having a new vehicle every two or three years. This can be important to many people because it provides you with the benefit of having the latest safety features on your vehicle and the comfort of knowing you won’t have any warranty problems. If you don’t care about whether you build-up equity in the vehicle and feel you won’t go over the mileage limits then leasing may be the right option for you.

On the other hand, buying the vehicle outright; will mean higher monthly payments but the overall cost is about the same as leasing a vehicle, especially when all factors are taken into consideration, such as mileage overage payments and finance charges. Purchasing also gives you the benefit of actually owning the vehicle and if you opt to pay off the loan and keep the car, it can mean you won’t have a vehicle payment. You must also take into consideration; however, that when the warranty expires you will be responsible for the cost of repairs. This can be offset when you take into consideration that you don’t have to worry about going over mileage limits as with leasing. Additionally, there are no surprise costs at the end as there are with lease options. In the end you really need to give thought to your own situation, needs and desires.

Can Health Savings Accounts Bring Down High Healthcare Costs?

Summary:
More and more people now have the opportunity to choose Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) over other, more traditional, health insurance coverage – more companies and financial institutions offer this option than ever before. For the healthcare consumer, this is good news. When the community as a whole is given more choice when it comes to healthcare options, everyone benefits. HSAs let you decide how to manage your own medical needs and work out a financial plan that works best...

Article Body:
More and more people now have the opportunity to choose Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) over other, more traditional, health insurance coverage – more companies and financial institutions offer this option than ever before. For the healthcare consumer, this is good news. When the community as a whole is given more choice when it comes to healthcare options, everyone benefits. HSAs let you decide how to manage your own medical needs and work out a financial plan that works best for your specific circumstances.

An added advantage of Health Savings Accounts is the prospect of lowering the nation’s rising healthcare costs, and making the price of medical care more affordable for everyone. But how can revamping the current health insurance system affect healthcare from a financial standpoint? More to the point, how can a different kind of health insurance make it easier for most people to pay for required medical expenses?

In 2003 the Medicare Modernization Act introduced the concept of HSAs to the American public for the first time. A Health Savings Account is meant to encourage people to invest in their own healthcare through personal savings, and reduce health care costs at the same time; a revolutionary idea that has the potential to be the starting point for positive changes in healthcare. Health Savings Accounts have sparked a lot of debate amongst those who believe in the idea and those who are wary of its ability to change the face of healthcare as we know it.

When you get down to the fundamentals, HSAs are truly designed to improve healthcare and make it accessible to the vast majority of people. For the individual, HSAs make it easier to pay for medical expenses when they arise. Coupled with a high-deductible health insurance policy, a Health Savings Account allows you to save pre-tax money and earn interest tax-free.  This allows you to have money set aside to cover a whole host of medical bills, including items that aren’t necessarily covered by traditional insurance plans, such as dental expenses or alternative treatments. Individuals and employers can deposit up to $2700 per person and up to $5450 for a family, and any time you need to withdraw any amount to pay for qualified healthcare costs, you can do so tax-free. In addition, premiums for high-deductible insurance policies can be as little as half the amount of traditional PPO policies.

And because a Health Savings Account is tied to an insurance policy, more expensive treatments are covered, usually 100%, after you’ve met your deductible. When you turn 65, any savings remaining in the account can be withdrawn tax-free to be used for medical expenses you incur in your senior years. In addition, the savings you accumulate in a HSA work like a retirement fund. The money grows tax-deferred like an IRA, and you can withdraw the money after age 65 to pay for non-medical expenses without penalty, although you will be required to pay taxes. It is important to note, however, that amounts withdrawn prior to age 65 are subject to penalties and taxes.

Giving the individual more consumer power when making healthcare decisions not only helps you and your family save money, but also creates an environment in which healthcare costs in general become more reasonably priced. Essentially, the price of healthcare is so high because free market forces have little sway in the realm of healthcare products and services. Insurance coverage causes a disconnection between the consumer and the item purchased. When you visit the doctor or purchase a prescription from the pharmacist, you don’t know the real price tag. All you see is your insurance payment and the price you pay at the cash register, after your insurance company pays the balance.

This lack of price transparency has led to less competition within the marketplace. People have traditionally chosen their doctors, health products, and other medical items based on location, convenience, or other factors not related to price. When people have the choice to compare different health care providers based on quality of service and price, soon overpriced healthcare will become a thing of the past. People will shop around and force providers to price healthcare more competitively.

As more and more people turn to Health Savings Accounts, medical providers will feel the pressure to post their prices and compete for the consumer's business. Armed with the knowledge of what healthcare actually costs, individuals and families will be less willing to overuse the system, which also drives up prices. (When healthcare appears to cost little or nothing, most people are prone to make use of services even though it may be unnecessary).

At the same time, HSAs naturally promote the use of preventive care. When people understand the true costs associated with healthcare, they will be willing to pay a little more up front to keep their engine running smoothly rather than pay a lot more at a later date to fix a problem they could have avoided.

Health Savings Accounts have also put affordable healthcare within reach for more people, who were previously paying medical expenses out-of-pocket due to inadequate or non-existent insurance coverage. The low premiums of a high-deductible HSA plan together with the option of putting your money in a savings account that earns interest has already encouraged large numbers of people who previously went without coverage to purchase a health insurance plan.

Only time will tell whether or not Health Savings Accounts can drive down skyrocketing healthcare costs, but the system created by such accounts, which affords the individual more freedom to control his or her own financial and medical destiny, bodes well for the future of healthcare in America.

Best savings account

Summary:
Article that explains some different savings accounts, how they work
And why some are better than others, also touches on why it is so important to
Have a savings plan in place.

Article Body:
Savings Accounts

Savings accounts are the best idea for putting away a set amount of money each week or month depending on your circumstances. You would be surprised at how quickly this money can add up if you are contributing a set amount from your paycheck every payday.
When shopping around for the best savings account, find one that pays a good interest rate and has a minimal amount for opening the account. A lot of banks only require a dollar to open an account while others may want you to deposit anywhere from 5 dollars to 50.

The convenience of having money automatically withdrawn from your paycheck and placed in your savings account is great for some. However others may not put a set amount in each payday and may want to choose how much they deposit into their savings account.

The best type of savings account will pay a comparable interest rate, be easily accessible to your home or work, will not charge a fee for withdrawals from your account, has on-line availability, and does not require a large deposit to open. If you have a bank account and access it online you should be able to transfer money to and from your savings account. You should try not to transfer from it unless it is an emergency because this defeats the purpose of having the savings account in the first place.

Some types of savings accounts are geared towards the holiday season. This allows you to save money for Christmas. If you start it early enough in the year by the time Christmas rolls around you can have a nice amount for your holiday shopping.

Another type of savings account featured by some banks link your debit card with your savings account. Every time you make a purchase using your debit card the amount is rounded up to the next dollar and the extra is deposited into your savings account. Some of these banks will even match the amount deposited by a certain percentage.

Savings accounts are great ways to start your children out learning how to be responsible when it comes to money. Open a savings account and let them deposit birthday money or Christmas money for themselves. All the change that gets thrown in a jar every day can become a savings account deposit for them. They will love to go to the bank and deposit their own money and in the process you are teaching them the importance of saving.

Another advantage to a savings account is establishing credit. If you borrow money from your bank using the money in your savings to secure the loan, when you pay the loan back you will have established credit with your bank. This can make it easier to get an unsecured loan should you need it.

It is important to have a savings account and add to it regularly. For that unexpected expense that crops up, having the money to cover without having to borrow the money is great. With everything today being based on credit-worthiness, establishing a good relationship with your bank or credit union can make a big difference when it comes to buying a home or a car.

For more info visit

<a href="http://www.open-a-online-savings-account.com/">http://www.open-a-online-savings-account.com</a></p>

Benefits of Leasing Equipment

Summary:
Leasing equipment provides the lessee with all the following benefits of utilizing the equipment without having to pay the up-front costs or assuming the risk of ownership. A lease is one of the best ways for businesses to stay on top of the development curve. With so many new developments that occur (particularly in the technology areas) equipment leasing is less financially expensive.


Article Body:
Leasing equipment provides the lessee with all the following benefits of utilizing the equipment without having to pay the up-front costs or assuming the risk of ownership. A lease is one of the best ways for businesses to stay on top of the development curve. With so many new developments that occur (particularly in the technology areas) equipment leasing is less financially expensive. Running a business means making sound financial decisions that improve the condition and quality of a business. Equipment leasing provides such a benefit along with:

• Minimal Cash Outlay
• Overcoming Budgetary Limitations
• Avoidance of Obsolescence
• Flexibility in Terms and Equipment
• Conservation of the Business’ Working Capital
• Increased Opportunities 
• Tax Benefits
• Fast Applications 
• 100% Financing

The minimal cash outlay allows a business to conserve their own capital. A lease also provides for servicing equipment failures. When managing a large computer room, owning all the computer equipment would place not only the upfront cost of purchasing the equipment, but also maintenance and repair as needed. Businesses that conserve personal business capital and lines of credit can handle the more mundane day-to-day expenses and unexpected events.

Budgetary concerns over new equipment purchases can be circumvented through equipment leasing. Operating budgets tend to be more flexible than a capital budget. The lease terms can be as flexible as required and are often negotiable on an individual basis. Lease terms are usually much longer than a standard bank loan, which makes their payment terms even better.

The ability to upgrade remains one of the best benefits of equipment leasing. Businesses grow; technology changes and the needs of both can change year to year. Equipment leasing allows businesses to benefit from developments on both sides of the aisle. Lease terms may also be structured to handle these changing situations.

Considering this multitude of benefits for equipment leasing, it’s not surprising that more and more businesses are reaching out to lease their equipment rather than purchase it. The benefits of leasing are not limited to the computer industry or to large corporations. Small businesses can benefit even more from equipment leasing than a large corporation may.

In a contest of leasing versus buying, leasing wins most of the time. Imagine the small business that houses only two employees. Their working capital may afford a couple of PCs and some exterior accounts to host a website. When a PC in the office goes down, if they are not leasing they will need to replace the machine. In general, the cost of replacing a standard PC is significantly lower than repairing one.

Small businesses need the ability to remain flexible, to upgrade and to keep their machines in maintenance and up to date. Even more than their corporate big brother, they need to know they will remain on the cutting edge of the industry in order to make better business decisions. A small construction company that has no access to certain types of equipment will not be able to take on more challenging jobs. The graphic’s designer that doesn’t have the equipment to support the latest software will find himself or herself less competitive. An accountant that doesn’t have the disk space to maintain growing accounts will have to turn away business.

Leasing equipment makes sense on a variety of financial levels, but also on levels addressing future growth. The business that takes advantage of these benefits are planning two steps ahead of their own niche market and will likely avoid being trumped by their competition. So whether a business is large or small, thinking ahead provides them with opportunity. What is the best benefit a business can receive from leasing their equipment? Opportunity.