Meet Terry Gangaram, Founder of Drexel Mortgage Corporation

With 30+ years of real estate experience, Terry Gangaram founded Drexel Mortgage in 1995 to help Americans nationwide make their American Dream a reality. Starting with residential mortgages, Terry has helped thousands of homeowners buy their first house, investment properties, and commercial real estate to grow their business. Terry's team at Drexel is committed to finding you the financing you want for the home you want.

Learn more by visiting the websites for Drexel Residential Lending and Drexel Commercial Lending.

1. What made you decide to focus your career on working in the home mortgage field?

I wanted to help people become homeowners. Just like the American dream, I wanted to own a home rather than renting, and that's when I wanted to help others do the same. With decades of experience pursuing my entrepreneurial passion providing loans to clients, I built the Drexel Mortgage brand to become one of New York City's top mortgage providers.

2. What are some of the differences for consumers when it comes to working with a local agency like Drexel Mortgage rather than a large national company?

Drexel Mortgage offers great advantages with a hands-on approach to real estate. We're not quick to say no right away with a lot of red tape. For example, when it comes to credit, Drexel Mortgage works with the individual to repair their credit so they become creditworthy to become homeowners. We dispute charges, challenge charge-offs, and help fix delinquincies by advising clients how to prepare their credit for homeownership. Traditional lenders tend to cherry-pick who they want to work with, ignoring many borrowers who are only a few simple steps away from their own homes. We advise clients on a personal level to tailor-fit every loan for each borrower's needs. For example, we advise borrowers to have a co-signer, or have a family member assist them with the loan process to make the loan process comfortable and easy-going.

3. In addition to helping people who want to purchase a new home, what services do you provide for refinancing and debt consolidation?

Once people become a homeowner, they call Drexel Mortgage to utilize the equity in their home to purchase investment properties, consolidate their high interest credit card payments into one low monthly mortgage payment, or pay off bills. Refinancing has many benefits, and Drexel makes it easy for customers to refinance to renovate their homes, fix their credit, and even to finance major purchases.

4. Are there any common questions you get or misconceptions you regularly see regarding home mortgages and personal finance?

Being in the mortgage industry for decades, I've seen a lot of recurring mysteries and common questions. For example, people assume the mortgage process is a mystery that takes a long time. At Drexel, I make it easy for homebuyers to understand that buying a home is an exciting and simple process. Drexel understands buying real estate; mortgages can look like a daunting endeavor--after all, it's probably one of the biggest purchases a person will ever make. But the reality is, at Drexel Mortgage we take the time to assure you're comfortable with achieving your goals.

Another real estate misconception is that you need a lot of income with a huge down payment to own a home. With Drexel Mortgage, we put these popular myths to rest very quickly. I'm often asked what kind of houses are clients qualified for. Clients commonly think they need a high 700 credit score with 20% down just to qualify for a mortgage. Those days are long over, and today's real estate market understands that there are clients from all over the credit/income spectrum who can qualify for a home. At Drexel Mortgage, with flexibility to tailor loans based on the individual's needs we can provide loans to clients with a 600 credit score, with 3.5% down payment.

5. For people considering buying or selling a home in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of New York where your office is located, do you have any locally-specific advice?

New York City, where Drexel Mortgage is located, is one of the most sought after real estate markets in the country. New Yorkers are fast-paced, high-speed people who want it all yesterday. If you're buying a home in NYC, save yourself some time by getting pre-qualified first. Providing a Pre-Qualification is a free service we offer. We look at the income, assets, and credit of the individual to let them know what purchase price their income can support. Sometimes we can offer a pre-approval letter, to save some time for the realtors as well. With a pre-approval letter, the realtors, homebuyers, and appraisers can make fast, intelligent decisions to buy a home and start the loan.

Feel free to call me directly with any questions at (718) 441-1515, terry@drexelmortgage.com, www.terrygangaram.com.

Thanks, Terry!

Meet Darren Pawski of Synergy Financial Solutions

Darren Pawski, a financial services industry professional with almost 30 years of experience, is the managing director of Synergy Financial Solutions, a boutique financial services firm known for its highly personalized and exceptionally comprehensive approach to financial planning and management. Mr. Pawski began his career in the late 1980s and has served in a number of executive leadership positions with some of the most respected providers of financial services operating in Perth.

An active member of his local community, Mr. Pawski devotes much of his free time to community service efforts and volunteering. While he is a frequent presence at all manner of community service events, Mr. Pawski is especially committed to his volunteer work within the aged-care sector. Outside of his professional work and community service, Mr. Pawski is an accomplished traveler and distance runner who has explored some of the most interesting and unique places the world has to offer.

Known for his firm belief in the value of ongoing education, Mr. Pawski has a long history of helping clients, colleagues, and members of the public better understand the most critical aspects associated with financial planning and financial management. Mr. Pawski, who is currently working toward a master's degree in finance, earned his Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University and secured his Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking from Kaplan.

1. In your own words what do you do?

My goal is to help all of our clients develop a personalized and all-encompassing financial strategy that leads to the realization of their specific goals for the future.

2. What led you to your current business?

I've always been very passionate about my role in the finance industry, and Synergy Financial Solutions has allowed me to really sharpen my focus on meeting the specific needs of each and every client that reaches out to our financial planning and management firm.

3. Could you walk us through your process of developing your business?

With my wealth of industry experience, I was keenly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the industry as a whole. In developing this business, we simply created a structure that we believed would emphasize the strengths while eliminating the weaknesses.

4. Did you encounter any particular difficulty in the beginning, and how did you overcome it?

Of course we did, but we also created an overarching plan that accounted for every possible difficulty in order to ensure there was a contingency in place. Our ability to plan ahead and foresee potential obstacles allowed us to overcome the difficulties we encountered along the way.

5. What is your long-term plan?

We hope to continually grow in a manner that ensures we can continue to offer our highly personalized services to a broader base of clients.

6. Could you share with us some industry insights?

The key to a sound financial strategy begins with a commitment to advance planning and a thorough, comprehensive approach.

7. What are some important lessons you've learned about entrepreneurship/business?

At its core, entrepreneurial success requires an understanding of how to best meet the needs of the consumer.

8. Any tips for achieving success?

You can essentially guarantee long-term success by making a deep commitment to your clients and ensuring they always remain a priority in the decision-making process.

Thanks, Darren!

Where to Get IRS Form 1040 and Instructions

It used to be that you would walk into any library or post office to pick up your tax forms and instruction booklets, but paper copies are harder to come by now. For most of us, we just need a 1040 form and instructions. But which 1040 form do you need? There's 1040A, 1040EZ, and more.

For some great tips about where to get your 1040 tax form and instructions, check out this link from File My Taxes Online, which is a useful resource with tax information and links. Their article about IRS 1040 forms starts out with some pointers about how to make sure you choose the 1040 form that's right for you.

But where can you find the actual forms? You can download them online, and some local government offices do indeed still carry paper forms and instructions, but be sure to contact your local library, post office, etc to make sure they have the forms you need. Did you know that you can also contact the IRS and ask them to mail you a 1040 form and instructions? I think this is a great option for people who don't want to download and print the info they need.

File My Taxes Online has other good info about what documents you need to collect to file your taxes. They offer some helpful checklists, which I think are good to look at now so that you have plenty of time to order any necessary paperwork that might be missing from your files long before your taxes are due. This article is a great starting point: http://filemytaxesonline.org/where-to-find-irs-form-1040-and-instructions/.

Where to Get Your W-2 Form Online

As we enter 2016, the last thing you probably want to think about is filing your taxes, but it's inevitable! Might as well get things done early rather than waiting until the last minute. One thing you can start on right now with minimal effort (thanks to the internet) is getting your W-2 form(s).

Any company you worked for last year should send your form by January 31, but did you know that you might be able to get your W-2 form online right now? Some of the popular tax filing programs such as H&R Block and TurboTax offer services that will download your W-2 for you. This doesn't work for ALL employers, but you never know if it might work for yours--and more and more employers are allowing online access to W-2 paperwork every year.

Why get your W-2 online? It allows you to file sooner, and you also avoid having paper copies of your documents lying around. Also, in recent years, there have been some forms of identity theft where thieves file for people's refunds very quickly, so you can sometimes avoid a big hassle just by getting your information together and filing as soon as possible.

By the way, if you need information from your W-2 forms from prior years, you can get transcripts from the IRS of anything from the last ten years.

Check out http://filemytaxesonline.org/getting-your-w-2-form-online/ for more detailed information on this and other tax-related topics.

Meet Angela Lee, Founder of Millennial Housing & Lifestyle

Angela Lee is the founder of Millennial Housing & Lifestyle. She is a millennial and an NYC transplant with 12 years of experience in real estate and mortgage banking. She's held senior positions in sales, talent management, communications, and marketing for various private and public institutions. She was recently elected to lead the largest AAPI real estate trade organization in 2017--and honored as the first millennial, Korean American, female leader of a nationwide real estate trade organization.

Learn more about her at www.itsmeangela.com.

1. How would you describe Millennial Housing & Lifestyle?

The decision to launch this platform is due to my passion about educating the millennial generation in terms of housing and lifestyle so we can have a positive impact for the generations to come. Whether or not one believes homeownership is still out of reach, we will talk about challenges together. The blog platform has exclusive interviews with experts, as well as lifestyle tips and tricks--plus informative content designed to help make the next big decision a smart one. I am on a mission to make real estate relevant to a lifestyle, not just some responsibility to dread.

2. What are your focus areas, and how do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

So here I am in real estate, doing something that will impact millions of people all over America. Hosting this important discussion concerning the millennial generation and real estate is at the very core of our personal lives, our regional and national economies, and our futures.

Most blogs dealing with real estate are self-serving. They bend over backward to sell products and services. But this blog is different. I'm here for one reason: to start and nurture a rich conversation. The participants will be millennials and interested others who want to make an important contribution to the real estate industry.

3. How is the real estate market impacting how millennials see and do things for their future?

The soaring cost of education, massive student loan debt, the difficult job market, and the rapid rise in the cost of living in major population centers has hit millennials square in the jaw. We have a challenge like no other generation has faced in decades. One of the first areas we millennials must reform is real estate. In an age when it's very difficult to buy a home before age 40, it will be our task to find ways to disrupt, innovate, and improve.

4. What are some things that most people don't know about your job, and what are some of the biggest challenges you've encountered personally?

The blogging business is not an easy task. In order to create and curate quality content, I have to spend countless hours brainstorming and speaking to my sphere of influence. It is hard work and a full-time gig, and much of it isn't glamorous. Just like any other business investment, it's important not to lose sight of end goals.

I recently ended a 13-year career as an upper level executive in the financial industry. I can't lie: the money was very good. But here in New York City, it takes a lot of cash just to live. I woke up one morning realizing I was about to turn 33 and owed on mortgage debts, student loans, and credit cards for a grand total of $1.5 million of debt. I was clearly going to be working until my dying day simply running in place to keep the payments on schedule. But the big realization that made me quit my career was that I wasn't making a difference in the world. Focusing on everything that's working instead of dwelling on negativity has helped create a balance in my personal life.

5. What tips would you give to a millennial who is looking to start a business in today market?

I would say don't rush into anything, and get a professional mentor (you should find one if you don't have one already.) You're going to need a whole lot of skills you probably don't have right now because of your age. Technical skills are great assets, but interpersonal skills will get you far in life, especially in business. My second bit of advice is don't ever burn bridges because you never know where and how your paths will cross again. We all run in circles--it's a small world out there. It is a golden rule in life.

6. Finally, what are you most excited about at the moment, and do you have any other thoughts to share?

My biggest project at the moment is the official launch of my new blog--Millennial Housing & Lifestyle.

Remember, leaders are not born. They are made. Becoming an entrepreneur/CEO is not as hard as it looks. It is the hard work that you need to put in; that is a big deal. Be sure to dream big and focus on what you want out of your actions. Immerse yourself in building your own empire.

Thanks, Angela!

A Guest Post from Fast-Bad-Credit-Loan.net

The following is a guest post from Fast-Bad-Credit-Loan.net, a website with lots of articles and informational resources about finding and assessing opportunities for fast loans to help with emergency financial situations.

Where Is a Good Place to Get a $5000 Loan Fast with Bad Credit?

Perhaps your home drains are completely stopped up and you have no idea why. Maybe your car suddenly quit. You are going to need several thousand dollars for the repairs. Things like this cannot wait and you need cash and you need it now. A $5000 fast bad credit loan may be the answer to your problems, and here are tips for finding the best online lender.

When you check the Internet, you will see thousands of companies that want to lend you money. It can be difficult to tell which lender is best, just by visiting a website. That is why you should talk to friends and family and ask about referrals.

A personal referral is a great way to find a lender. After all, if a particular lender is not reliable, you might able to find out that information and avoid a big headache. Also, someone you know may recommend a trusted and easy-to-work-with lender, and that can save you all kinds of time and trouble.

You might not be able to get a referral. Next, visit the website of a lender and check into their fees. Most fast bad credit loan lenders tell you ahead of time just what the cost will be. There is no guesswork, and you should not have to worry about hidden charges.

If you find a lender that is not straightforward about fees, you may want to check elsewhere. There are plenty of good lenders that tell what you will pay with no hassles. This makes the process of borrowing money, very easy.

Check with at least three lenders to see if there are any major differences. Once you decide upon one lender, do some research. Visit online discussion sites and ones for consumer complaints and see if this company has a lot of problems. This can help you avoid trouble in the future.

A Resource on Tax Deductions and Refunds

Who doesn't want to get a larger refund from the IRS? I know a lot of people who seem to get a large refund every year, and I'm never quite sure how they do it. Well, after doing a bit of reading, I bet that many of them have learned how to use tax deductions for a bigger IRS refund.

Taxes are one of those things where you can get quickly bogged down and exhausted if you try to read the government tax code itself, but luckily there are a lot of good informational resources to choose from to pick up some tax tips. Just a few moments spent reading could result in a lot of money in your pocket.

Also, the tax laws do change a bit from year to year, so articles like the one linked above can be a good way to keep up with the latest rules and regulations. There are a lot of deductions that people often miss, and as a result, they miss out on extra savings. For example, did you move in 2015? Did you have a student loan? Did you contribute to a charity? These are just three areas where you might be able to add some deductions to your return.

By the way, there are also tax credits that you might be missing, so be sure to check for those, too. Some of the popular tax prep software programs walk you through deductions and credits, but it's also very helpful to have other background knowledge working in your favor when you start to get organized about preparing your taxes for 2016. It's never too early to start on research and preparation!

Two Tax Refund Calculators for 2016

Now that it's fall, are you starting to think ahead for your taxes for 2016? Why procrastinate when you can better estimate your available funds to spend if you think ahead? There are two tax refund calculators for 2016 that can help you figure out your tax refund when you file in 2016.

By calculating your tax refund ahead of time, you can make sure that you don't overestimate your refund and thus spend (or plan to spend) money that you don't really have. On the flip side, if the calculators determine you should be getting a healthier refund than you imagined, maybe you can start making some fun plans to use your refund money. I know that if I don't plan ahead, I end up using my refund to pay for car insurance or some other boring expense, when it would be much more enjoyable to use it for a vacation!

Both H&R Block and Turbo Tax have easy to use and very popular refund calculators, but rather than take my word for it, check out the links to these and other useful tax-related resources on the File My Taxes Online website, a website that serves as an information portal and doesn't try to sell you any tax prep services, etc. They simply give the latest news and links about taxes, tax law, tax-related tools, and more.

Meet Victoria, Creator of Money Munchkids

Money Munchkids' goal is to teach children grades K-3rd about basic financial terms and principles in order to provide a sound foundation for their lives as adults and the financial responsibilities that await them. Money Munchkids does this through their completely original after-school course, activity books, and other retail material. Learn more about their activity books and other financial literacy products by clicking here.

1. What made you realize that kids today could really use some help in developing money management skills?

Being an older sister and having experience in child care, I have a passion for kids. During a shopping trip with a family, I was doing some child care for one of the children, who was pretending to buy the whole store with their fake credit card. I watched as the child used the credit card reader exactly as an adult would. It was frightening. I think that's the moment that I finally decided to put my idea into action.

2. Growing up, did your parents influence your own ideas about money?

Definitely, my dad is an entrepreneur, and my mom is an accountant. They both taught me to use money as a tool to succeed and accomplish my goals.

3. What are some of the key lessons that kids will learn with your activity book?

Kids can learn about counting change, ways to make money, and managing a bank book, with puzzles about important terms and more. Make It, Count It, Keep It is the beginners' activity book. It brushes over a lot of the topic we cover in our class. It's important to note that the activity books are and will continue to be separate from the courses, so kids don't need to be in the class to use the activity books.

4. Where (in what geographical area) do you offer your after school courses, and what do students learn in those courses?

Thus far we've only got courses based only in Los Angeles. We'll be approaching schools in the Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, and Venice areas over the next few weeks about starting courses. If anyone, in those or other areas, would like us to bring our course to a school they can Request A Course.

5. If you could suggest just three financial lessons/ideas for parents to share with their kids, what would you say>

There are so many great tips to share but a few would be:

• Start your kids' financial education early because they learn young and fast!
• Teach them that things cost money and how the cost of some things compare to the cost of others.
• Encourage them to keep track of their own money.

We also have resources for adults on helping to teach their kids about money.

Thanks, Victoria!

Meet Laurel Hardy, Investment Advisor

Laurel Hardy started her career as an international fashion model, but turned her focus to finance. She worked as a broker for four years at a major wire house brokerage firm, where she learned from senior mentors with decades of Wall Street experience.

In founding her own wealth management firm, BespokenWealth.com, Laurel wanted to share accessible financial strategy that would otherwise only be available to the wealthy. She believes you can build wealth in this country with solid planning and investment strategy, regardless of your family's background.

1. What inspired you to take up a career in finance?

I never liked finance in school. It just wasn't something that interested me. I liked sciences and earned my degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Towards the end of my education, though, I realized that every scientist needed to find funding for their experiments. That meant seeking grant money or money from individual investors. There happened to be a lot of politics involved in that process, and often times the best experiments were blocked from being conducted due to lack of funding, not lack of importance. I wanted to make a difference in science by funding experiments that were not funded elsewhere. To do so, I set out to see how money worked.

I looked for an internship at an investment firm, but ended up with an opportunity to work alongside my father as long as I passed my licensing tests. I passed my series 7 and series 66 on my first try, and was sent for further training in St. Louis. By the time I was done, I realized how important money and savings are to every single household out there. I saw that there was a massive need for trustworthy, knowledgeable, and sound individuals to provide advice on investments.

Unfortunately, most individuals don't realize that they aren't getting good financial advice, but are either being sold a product or are being short-changed. 401(k) providers at work usually do little or nothing to educate people on how to invest. They don't want the liability, so they tell people to pick for themselves. They just give them a bunch of choices and say, "You pick." People often chose randomly because they're so overwhelmed. Others go online and think they're getting good advice. They don't realize the biases involved and the products being sold to them through the advice they're reading. Even accountants fall victim to savvy investment salesmen who convince them that selling investments is something anyone can do to get them to sell their mutual funds. It's disgusting, and I could see that I could really make a difference for individuals by giving sound advice and knowing what was going on out there and who was pushing what. It's too much information for the hobby investor or average person to expect to understand since they have to spend their time working. My work is this, and that's why a good investment advisor is so important for individuals to have.

2. Why did you decide to start your own personal investment firm?

I was frustrated by how expensive the large firms were for my clients. There has been a push towards banking and away from investing as well. Banking is different from investing in that it involves loans, lines of credit, and checking accounts. Investments are a completely different specialty. I did not think it was in my clients' best interests to be sold mortgages and lines of credit when they were just trying to allocate their 401(K). I left the firm and worked briefly with another individual who ran her own firm from her house. I then started mine.

Unfortunately, most independent advisors do not have much education in investing. They usually have accounting knowledge, then sell investments on the side. To give people good investment advice without having to sell the products a large firm wanted me to push and without having to charge people an arm and a leg, I needed to start my own firm.

3. How do you customize your wealth-building strategies to meet the individual needs of your clients?

I listen to my clients. I mean really listen. People tell me what they're concerned about, what they're feeling, and what they want to do with their money. Then, I do my work to find the type of account, type of investment, and type of platform on which they can hold their investment before making a recommendation on all of these. Some people prefer to do their own investing and just want someone to bounce ideas off of for now. Others need a whole financial plan and want a trusted advisor to handle their accounts so that they don't have to. Either way, I choose each investment and product with my clients, based on their needs and wants. I do not choose one way to do things and then make all of my clients invest that way. That's why I'm different, but that's also what makes my way of doing things efficient. It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and an ability to understand what individuals are experiencing to be able to run my investment firm the way that I do. I know that I'm delivering the best quality advice a person can get because I'm not swayed by corporate interests or manipulated by mutual fund companies. My clients get my full attention, and that's why my firm is unique and personalized.

4. I think a lot of people feel that they can't afford to hire an investment adviser. What would you say to people who feel that way?

Can anybody afford NOT to hire one? The difference between 25 years of good investing and 25 years of guessing on your own is large. Either way, everybody will pay someone to manage their money. It's best that you make a judgement call about who you want to pay and how they'll manage it instead of just going with the flow and telling yourself you're saving money. Unless you are the one waving a ticket on the trading floor of a stock exchange, you are paying someone to invest. Even people using discount online trading that they do themselves are paying someone to invest for them. They just don't realize it, and that's part of the marketing that the trading platforms propagate. It's often hidden and complicated, but that's the truth. So if you think you can't afford to pay an investment advisor, you're wrong. You already are paying someone; you just might not be getting advice.

5. For people who are new to investing their money and working toward building wealth, what is your advice on getting started?

My advice is to save your money. Investing can be overwhelming, especially with so much bad information out there, but don't panic. Slow and steady wins the race. Friends and relatives may mean well, but they are often our worst enemies when it comes to the investment advice they give. If you're not comfortable investing your savings, you don't have to. When you're ready to invest, you'll know. Then, realize that slow and steady wins the race.

Finances are EXTREMELY personal to people. Every single person has a different speed at which they want to go. Unfortunately, everybody also thinks that they're a professional at finance and wants to tell you what to do with your money. It's difficult to stand your ground, but my advice is do your best to save as much as you can, then be true to your instincts about how to grow your money once you've saved it.

The worst thing a person can do is nothing. Time is the most important thing an investor has to work with, and the longer people wait before investing their savings, the less time they have. Doing nothing is actually hurting you, so get serious about saving some money for investing. It's the best way to take control of your future.

Thanks, Laurel!

Meet Casuel Pitts, CEO of Ultimate Discount Services INC

Casuel Pitts is the CEO of Ultimate Discount Services INC. The company offers a membership-based service that can help you pay for everyday incidents like traffic accidents and so on by helping you pay for your deductibles and co-payments. Learn more at www.udsinc.us.

1. What are some of the benefits that members receive through Ultimate Discount Services INC?

We provide eight services that are tied into a membership which are:

50% off your Auto Deducible
50% off any Traffic Related Violation
50% off our Cell Phone Deductible
50% off your Medical Co-Pay
50% off your Dental Co-Pay
50% off your Vision Co-Pay
A Credit Repair Program
An Investment Program

2. What are the key differences between Ultimate Discount Services INC and insurance companies?

The difference between UDS INC and insurance is we are a membership entity, and we have more leverage to benefit our customers vs insurance providing one service. Plus, we are more affordable.

3. How did your company first get started, and what inspired you to launch it?

June 1 2014 is when UDS INC, was created, and what inspired me was I wanted to create something that was fulfilling a need and not a want. We as the consumer can't predict what goes on in our lives, and that's why UDS INC, gives you reassurance that you are safe.

4. How has your company grown in the (almost) year since it first started?

We have networked with major companies like Sam's Club, Mountain Dew, World-Wide Marketing-Finance Consulting LLC, and many more. We also have opened up two offices in Minnesota and Illinois.

5. In covering deductibles, co-pays, etc, are there specific insurance companies that Ultimate Discount Services INC doesn't work with--and are there any other details that people should know before joining?

We work with any insurance, and there are no restrictions. We have a Travel Club Program and a Put It On A Bill Program. For more information about how these programs work, please call 321-283-5800. You can also watch the video below.

Thanks, Casuel!

Meet Joe Orsak, Director of Marketing with Improve My Credit USA

Joe Orsak is Director of Marketing with Improve My Credit USA, the consumer-voted number one credit repair company in America, the consumer-voted number one credit repair company in Texas for four years running, and winner of the Houston award for excellence in customer service and marketing for three years running.

Joe provided answers to my interview questions in the form of a YouTube video, and you can also see the answers transcribed below.

1. What are a few reasons why someone would need to repair their credit?

Ya know, most often people discover that they need credit repair because they have been told "no" by somebody--because of a home loan, car loan, or maybe even a job promotion--and people find themselves in that situation of numerous reasons. Identity theft is huge: at least one in eight Americans will experience it. And sometimes it's just because of a financial strain of a situation--medical, divorce, that type of thing. In all of those situations, we always recommend speaking to a credit expert.

2. What are the major benefits of working with a credit repair company rather than doing it on your own?

Ya know, that's a good question. We often are asked that. And in fact, you can work on your own credit. We even have a great ebook on our website (ImproveMyCreditUSA.com), for free, that tells you how to do it. But, there's an old saying that goes, "You don't know what you don't know." Ya see, there's a little over three hundred laws that govern how the credit bureaus and creditors are required to report information on your credit. And if you're not familiar with those rules, then you just don't know what questions to ask when you're asking them to verify information as accurate on your credit report. So it makes it really challenging to move forward. Always work with a credit expert.

3. What are some of the misconceptions that people tend to have when it comes to credit?

Common misconceptions--wow, yes, all the time! In fact, there's a lot about credit that is counterintuitive. You do something that you think is what is going to help your credit, but in fact you could hurt your credit. For instance, dealing with collections. Older collections: when somebody decides that they want to deal with an older collections, and improve their score and they pay that collection, in fact it could cause a great deal of damage to your credit. There's tons of examples, and we just don't have enough video time of give them all, but yes, there's a lot that is counterintuitive that doesn't makes sense about how credit repair works.

4. Your company is based in Houston, but you help people all over the US. What is your most effective way to do this?

Ya know, we have a great office, and you can come visit us any time you want; we'd be happy to see you! But 99% of our business is done over the phone and through email. Once you become a client, we also have an online portal for you where you can monitor your progress 24/7. And if you ever have a question, you can go to our website and engage us through the chat support, or just pick up the phone; we'd be happy to talk to you.

5. Can you share some everyday tips that people can use to avoid running into difficulties with credit in the first place?

Credit tips--absolutely. In fact, we have a website called BetterCreditTips.com where I record all kind of videos and answer questions on the subject, but let me give you one right now. How you use your credit cards is critical in maintaining positive credit. So never carry a balance over 30%. You'll always wanna keep that balance low because it makes up 30% of your credit score. Thirty and thirty, easy to remember.

So we hope you found those answers helpful. And if you think you might have some credit issues, simply fill out the form on this page and we will give you a shout. We look forward to taking care of you.

Improve My Credit USA
(866)802-3470
info@ImproveMyCreditUSA.com
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Thanks, Joe!

Meet David W. Robbins, Author of Rich Little Piggy

David W. Robbins is a retired military veteran with a new mission: helping everyday people achieve financial success. Too many people are living paycheck to paycheck, drowning in debt with no hope of ever retiring. David wants them to join his movement to earn more, spend less, and live debt free!

Learn more about his book, Rich Little Piggy, on Amazon as well as on Facebook. David also maintains a blog on Goodreads.

1. When did you first get the idea to write your book, and how long did the process take your from idea to publication?

Hmm, I don't remember exactly when the idea first hit me, but it was in my head for many years. Like many folks, I was so busy with work, school, and family life that I only recently decided to sit down and actually start writing. Once I started, Rich Little Piggy was published the following year (2015).

2. How did you come up with the title of Rich Little Piggy?

That was a fun process. It took a while to figure out a theme for the book. I didn't want it to be the usual, dry, boring stuff that normally comes to mind when people think about personal finance. I definitely wanted the book to be a simple, easy read and not cluttered with complex stuff that everyday people will simply tune out. None of that gobbledy-gook is necessary to achieve financial success. In fact, to some people, the title can be a bit misleading in the sense they may think of a spoiled, "rich pig" of a person. When you read the book, you'll instantly realize the true meaning of what it really means to be a rich little piggy.

3. In a nutshell, what are some factors that allowed you to retire at the age of 43?

Simple answer--hard work and saving. I also believe that any able-bodied person can do the same. Like many folks, I come from loving but humble beginnings. In 1988, I left high school and joined the military, earning $630 per month. I loved military service, but wow, you sure don't get paid as much as the private sector. There were many years of working 40-60 hours per week while simultaneously taking a full-time college load at night and on weekends. My college education opened many doors to great job opportunities after I left the military. Throw in deployments and moving at least 15 times, I kept pretty busy. The moving taught me valuable life skills and a lot about real estate (both renting and buying). It also taught me to move to where the jobs were. Don't wait for things to happen--make them happen.

Make no mistake, I did not do it alone. I got married in 2004 and my wife has been my partner since 2004. She's the hardest working person I know and also worked day and night to earn her masters degree, which also opened up many great jobs opportunities for her. Some people choose work or school--we did both at the same time, while also moving and having kids. It was far from easy and did I mention hard work? However, it was definitely worth it! Neither one of us are special or privileged in any way; we simply worked hard for many years, saving as much money as we could along the way. Real estate helped, too. Our savings is critical to early retirement and happened because we always lived below our means. It's also critical to ensure your entire financial house is in order (not just savings). We relied on the total picture--no debt, emergency fund, savings, careers, insurance, education, and more. But that's it: many years in a nutshell.

4. What are some aspects of your own experience that you feel are most helpful to other people when it comes to making decisions in their own (financial) lives?

Step one is to wake up. Have a plan. I don't mean that in a derogatory way, but too many people just wander aimlessly through life with no purpose or goals. Financially speaking, here's the thing--follow a written budget. Just that alone will practically force you to think intentionally about how you spend your money. Sample goals might include earning a degree, paying off debt, buying a house, or investing for retirement. Those are over-simplified and Rich Little Piggy shows you how to set SMART goals, but you get the idea.

Step two is to act! It's been said that you can have excuses or results, not both. Nobody is going to hand you financial success on a silver platter. Not your parents, your neighbors, your boss, and certainly not the government. You must act on your goals. Yes, this is easier said than done, but the payoff is well worth it! If you need help, just look around you. Besides books like Rich Little Piggy, there are thousands more. There are hundreds of FREE personal finance blogs, websites, TV/radio shows, and courses that will teach you how to manage money. Claiming you don't know how to handle money is an excuse--do your research. But remember, it's about more than just money. Do these two things (have a plan and act) for success with your finances.

5. Why do you think so many Americans are in debt, and what can we do as individuals (and a society) to encourage debt-free living?

If I knew the answer to WHY so many Americans are in debt, I'd be considered a genius (or a psychic)! I simply don't know. I'd guess the reasons are many and varied. My favorite guess is that PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW A WRITTEN BUDGET. A budget is not a silver bullet for avoiding debt, but it sure does help--if done properly! It forces you to "see" where your money is going every month and encourages you to make intentional choices with your money. Experts will give us all kinds of reasons, statistics, and surveys about why people are in debt. Quite frankly, I don't care why--I'm about fixing things. Even if you knew why, you'd educate that person on how not to do it again. So, instead of guessing a million different reasons, simply cut to the chase and educate people on how not to live in debt. If they choose not to, that's their choice. At least they know. They have nobody to blame but themselves.

So, what can we do about it and how can we encourage debt-free living? Plenty! I do know that living in debt is NOT a necessity. That much I do know. There are plenty of excuses, but not many real reasons to live in debt. It starts with you. It starts by following a financial blueprint and living at least within, but ideally below, your means. Don't worry about the Joneses! Also, way too many people think of minimum wage as a goal, and not a starting point. We all start somewhere. My somewhere was mowing lawns and washing dishes as a teenager. Whatever your salary is today, it should be more next year--make it happen. Whatever your education level is today, it should be higher next year--make it happen.

Some people say they can't make ends meet every month. Well, after you've cut expenses to the bone, your only other option is to increase your income. Chapter 2 of Rich Little Piggy provides many ways to grow your income. However, it's up to individuals. You must be willing to sacrifice and put in the hard work. So, set the example for others to follow. Live debt-free yourself. Educate your children, family, and friends. Heck, that's why I started my movement! So, even if you don't buy the book, "Like & Share" my Facebook page, read and share my blog. This is how we get each other out from this huge debt load--one dollar at a time. Together, let's make it happen. Join the movement--become a rich little piggy!

Thanks, David!

Meet Jack Harris of City Mortgage Advisor

Jack Harris is an independent mortgage broker from Bournemouth in the UK. His new website City Mortgage Advisor has been set up to help first time buyers gain access to the Help to Buy Scheme, plus lets them request independent mortgage advice for when buying a home in the area. In this interview we speak about the website launch and his plans for the business in the future.

1. Would you tell us a little bit about your own background and how you came to work in the mortgage broker industry?

I studied finance at Bournemouth University, and after graduation, I started working for a mortgage brokers in the town. As with many people who run their own businesses, it got to the point where I wanted to be independent by myself and believed I could do it better. Because of that, City Mortgage Advisor was born, and I am now my own man so to speak.

2. What kind of services do you offer, and in what way do you differentiate yourself from the local competition. I'm thinking that mortgage advice must be a pretty competitive industry, right?

You are so right. It is ultra-competitive. But, I am firm believer that if you offer a quality and friendly service, then the rest will take care of itself. I am already getting referrals in from existing clients and am growing month on month so can't complain.

In terms of service, I am 100% independent. That means I can search the whole mortgage market to get the best deals for my clients, and am not tied contractually in to anyone mortgage lender. That's why people come to me: because I am a truly independent mortgage broker in Bournemouth.

3. Can you explain a little bit about the Help to Buy Scheme in Bournemouth and what this entails?

Sure, in the UK, just like the US we saw a large economic downturn in the last decade. As a result, people, especially young people and first time buyers, were unable to get enough of a deposit to buy a new home. The UK Government launched the Help to Buy Scheme which means that first time buyers can now get onto the property ladder with as a little as a five percent deposit.

The Help to Buy Scheme in Bournemouth is only available for first time buyers and on new-builds, so I partner up with property developers in the town to open up this possibility for my clients. It's a great scheme and has helped hundreds of young people in the town so far. I offer advice on this and help those buyers get onto the market where otherwise they would struggle. It's the part of my job that I love the most to be honest!

4. So what's Bournemouth like as a place to live and work in?

It's a beautiful part of the UK. It has sandy beaches (award-winning I might add) and great nightlife, and is right next to the forest which means some great days out when not working. I have a young family, and during the summer we spend as much time outdoors as we can, whether that's camping or down on the beach with friends.

5. In terms of the business, what plans do you have for that and your own website, City Mortgage Advisor?

I want to continue the growth. At the moment I am putting the final plans on a new office location which will be more centrally located in the Bournemouth town centre which should make things easier for me in terms of client acquisition.

For the website, I am currently getting my online marketing manager to develop out new pages to target other geographic areas within a 30 mile radius of our office premises. I also plan to begin doing Skype and video consultations online as I feel that this is something that you don't often get in the mortgage broker market. Hopefully this will translate into more business if it means I can work with more potential clients online rather than with a physical office appointment.

Thanks so much for your time today. As a final word, what piece of advice would you give for other people reading this interview who might want to start their own business?

Don't be afraid to take the jump. Without fail, every single business owner I talk to who has done the same has said that it was the best decision that they ever made. Starting out on your own can be a scary concept, but unless you do it, you will never know. I didn't think I was going to be a mortgage broker in Bournemouth when I was a kid growing up, but I sure as heck wouldn't change it!

Thanks, Jack!

Introducing FAQs about Money Lending in Singapore from CreditMaster

If you're in Singapore and looking to borrow money, you might want to read this list of FAQs about money lenders in Singapore. The list starts out with some ideas to consider before taking out a loan in the first place. For example, you might be able to find government assistance instead of a private loan. It also gives some guidelines in terms of how much money individuals may be able to borrow, based on their income level.

The FAQ page is part of the information available from the website of CreditMaster Pte Ltd, a company founded in 2010 to provide loans to citizens of Singapore as well as residents and foreign visitors who are looking for financial assistance. The company is a licensed moneylender regulated under Singapore's Registry of Moneylenders.

CreditMaster specializes in providing loans to people who may have had difficulty securing loans from banks. They offer a variety of personal loans, including payday loans. The company advocates for transparency in lending, and they work with individual customers to create personalized loan packages based on the customers' unique needs.

The CreditMaster website has a lot of information about the company and their lending practices and is worth a visit if you're in Singapore and looking for quick financial help.

Meet Gail Porter-Harris, Marketer at Coupon Chili

Gail Porter-Harris is part of the marketing team at Coupon Chili, a coupon code and promo codes website that partners with US retailers to offer discounts and deals on products. In this interview she talks a little bit about her role, the current promo codes on offer, and why US consumers should use coupon codes when shopping online.

1. How do you find deals to feature on Coupon Chili?

It works in a number of different ways. Sometimes we are contacted by online retailers who have seen the good work that we are doing in other industries and actually invite us to feature their deals and discounts. A great example of that would be the McAfee software company. They approached us after seeing the great work we had done with other anti-virus products and asked if we would feature McAfee promo codes on the Coupon Chili website--of course, we said yes!

In most cases, though, it's via the affiliate marketing networks that we are members of. When a new retailer launches in the affiliate space, we will connect with them to see if they would like to feature coupon codes and promo codes on our website and go from there.

2. What are some of the new deals you're featuring from McAfee?

The main McAfee promo codes that we currently range are giving a massive half-price-off all the software products, including, for example, McAfee Livesafe, McAfee Security Center, McAfee Total Protection, and so on. Your readers can try out some of the McAfee promo codes on our website by visiting our McAfee coupon codes section.

3. What are some other popular deals on your site?

We find that coupon codes are very seasonal. At the moment with Christmas time coming, we are finding that a lot of people are using our Garmin coupons. Personally I think that's down to the time of year when people are driving to see their relations around the country and want to make sure that they have the most up to date GPS maps available--that's the only reason I can think!

We are also seeing a lot of volume at the moment on our generic GPS navigation coupons which I assume is for similar reasons. Then of course, the cosmetics companies that we work with are also seeing some uplift--that time of year I guess!

4. Personally, I always look for coupons online before making a purchase, but I know many people don't. What do you think holds people back when it comes to using coupons online, and what would you say to encourage people to start using coupons?

Perhaps laziness is the reason? I am the same as you--I will always seek out a bargain, no matter how long it takes! The McAfee promo codes are a fantastic example of why you should use online coupon codes. If you didn't, you'd be paying full whack, and by using Coupon Chili you save half price. Surely that's a compelling enough reason? But then, not everyone's as Internet savvy as we are, I suppose?

5. From the perspective of business owners, why is it important to offer coupons as part of an online marketing strategy?

Great question! Well, if you think from an SEO perspective by having coupon codes on various websites it can really help a retailer with their backlink profile.

From a more traditional marketing perspective, though, it's about matching the competition. Every retailer worth their salt now does coupon codes, so if you aren't, then the consumer might look elsewhere. That's my view on it, anyway.

Thanks, Gail!

Meet John Eakins of Military Tax Services

One of the main reasons that Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) John Eakins started Military Tax Services is because of all the mistakes he kept seeing on military tax returns prepared by other tax preparation organizations. He also found most military tax returns are prepared by tax preparers who have very little or no military tax law knowledge on a state-by-state basis.

It occurred to John that no one was really one-hundred percent focused on military tax returns in all fifty states on a year-round basis. If the person doing the military tax return was only doing this part of the year on a part-time basis, how much of a military tax expert could they really be? He decided to start a tax preparation firm that is one-hundred percent focused on the military, full time and year round.

The aim of Military Tax Services is to help every one of their clients get the full refund they are entitled to for both Federal and State. MTS does this by carefully analyzing the military tax code and dedicating their services to doing one thing well, military tax returns. Military tax laws are complex. The highly trained professionals at Military Tax Services work exclusively with military taxes for both state and federal returns, staying current on the ever-changing IRS rules and the various regulations for each of the fifty states.

1. What are some of the factors that make tax preparation especially complex for members of the military?

What can make a military tax return complex are all the different state tax laws. Each state has their own way of taxing military income. This becomes especially important on a joint tax return with income from two different states. For example, the active duty person has a home state of North Carolina and spouse has income from a different state. Also, a big percentage of the military will have a different home state from whatever state they happen to be filing their military tax return in for the current tax year.

2. How do you help people make sure they aren't "leaving money on the table" when it comes to their taxes?

Most often when I see money being left on the table, it's due to state taxes. This is an easy fix, and you can always amend a tax return for the past three years.

3. Why would it be a mistake for military families to simply use one of the common tax prep software programs?

Software comes in several different versions and may or may not do a good job depending on your situation. Also, a lot of the free versions are the most basic stripped-down versions. Lastly, I have seen a huge trend towards Q and A in tax software. This does make it easier to complete a tax return, but if you answer any question wrong for any reason, you may be liable for an incorrect tax position.

4. When did you start Military Tax Services, and what do you like the best about your job?

I have been involved in the military market for over ten years and actually look forward to tax season. The best part of my job is helping other people. I take great satisfaction in taking someone who is stressed out about their tax situation and getting them to a point where they are actually happy with their tax situation.

5. If you could give the average person (military or non-military) just three pieces of advice to keep in mind when it comes to taxes, what would you say?

First, if you get any letters from any taxing authority, do not ignore them. Also, if you don't understand what the letter is requesting, seek professional help, take action, and then follow up.

Second, everyone has a different tax situation. And yes, someone with the same rank and pay can receive a larger refund than someone else. This can be because of extra taxes being withheld, filing status, credits for education or savers credit, and dependents.

Third, if you are positive you are receiving money back in your tax return, don't stress out over your filing date. But remember, the Government owes you money! If you don't file within three years, you have given up your chance to file, and the Government keeps your hard-earned money.

Thanks, John!

Meet Patty Dole, Blogger

Abigail (Patty) Dole lives on a boat with her husband (who is a retired sea captain) and their cat named Daxxy. They live a fairly simple self-sufficient life on an old Tjalk that is about 130 years old. Visit Patty online on her informative blog at www.LadyLivingonaBoat.com.

1. When did you first start living aboard a boat, and what inspired your decision?

I was strictly a land dweller until I met my husband who has basically lived and worked at sea since he was about 17 years old, so he was my influence and I have to admit I love it!

2. Why is self-sufficiency so important in your life?

Self-sufficiency means freedom to us. We just want to be free to live our lives on our own terms, not being dependent on any entities. For example, in bad weather if you have a solar wind, or a good generator and some batteries, you are all set if the electricity goes out and the electric company can't get to you for a few days or weeks. People who live in houses that don't have any of those things are at the mercy of the electric company that may not be able to reach them due to circumstances beyond their control. That is something that people like us don't have to worry so much about.

3. How did you select your top five products that you recommend for saving money?

We are not wealthy people. My husband is retired and living on a pension which isn't as much as we would like; so saving money is important to us. I have found that often the more money that people make, the greater the debt that they get into because they haven't altered how they viewed their money or their time. We love spending time together and doing the simple things in life, so the products that I recommend are actually coming from how we are learning to live our lives. We actually save more money this way, and it frees up our time to do the things that we value in life.

In other words, we really believe that managing the money that we have is far more important than making more money that we don't adequately manage.

So I am making these recommendations to anyone who wants to learn to manage what they have and learn to live within their means. That is very empowering.

4. What do you say to people who don't believe that couponing is an effective way to save money?

I say that they are really missing out on an effective opportunity to not only save money but get top brands. I have found that effectively using coupons frees up my income so that I can pay more on debts that I owe, and yes we still have debts.

It makes our lives less complicated. For example, if I use buy "ones or twos, get ones or twos for free" on things that we use like laundry soap, razors, toothpaste, deodorant, dish detergent, etc for three months straight, then I don't need to spend any money on those products for the next six months to a year, and that frees up at least $40 to $100 per month on those products alone. It is not about being a hoarder; it is about being prepared. Notice that I have not even mentioned how much we save on our pet products or food. Also remember, we are only two people with a cat. A family has the opportunity to see even more savings because they tend to spend more money.

5. What do you enjoy the most about living on a boat--and what do you find most challenging?

The things that you don't really think about living in a house, you have to think about while living on a boat. How and where to dispose of your waste, generating your own power, keeping your batteries up to date are all challenging, but at the same time, it is these very things that keep me independent. It makes me think that there is and has always been a high price for our conveniences, and I would not trade the life that I have.

Thanks, Patty!

Planning for Your 2015 Tax Refund Today

Who isn't curious about when their tax refund will arrive? A lot of people plan special trips or purchases--or particular bills and expenses--around their tax refund money. As 2014 starts winding down, would you like to know the IRS tax refund schedule for 2015?

The IRS also has resources to let you check the status of your refund by phone or online--or even using a smartphone app. So once you file, it's easy to track your refund status.

Of course, the amount of time it takes to get your refund will vary depending on whether or not you file online. Many people still prefer to file on paper, but did you know that this will slow down the time it takes for you to receive your tax refund? There are a lot of good tools for e-filing, and you don't have to be particularly tech-savvy or tax-savvy to to use them.

For a variety of informative articles on tax-related topics, check out File My Taxes Online.