Finance2007   Finance for personal business

If youve agreed to accept a structured settlement, its likely that you felt a sense of relief that your financial uncertainties were being resolved, and that youd have the funds necessary to pay your bills, support your family and go on with your life. When you agreed to the terms of the settlement, hopefully with the help of a financial advisor, you accepted a series of financial payments that made sense for you at that time.

Perhaps youd suffered personal injury in an auto or other accident, you were awarded damages in a product liability case, or you were the victim of medical malpractice or were even the plaintiff in a wrongful death suit. You agreed to a periodic (usually monthly) payment, maybe in the form of a lifetime income stream, that seemed to be the answer to paying your ongoing living expenses and perhaps your medical costs. You made the best decisions you could at the time, with the information you had based upon how life was then, and what you expected for the future.

But life seldom works out as we expect. Maybe youre on the road to recovery from the accident or other event for which you received the settlement, and want to move and buy a house, get married, go to school, or buy a business. Maybe medical bills or high interest debt is an undue burden on you that you need to resolve now. Or, if your family has grown, and your children no longer need for you to provide for their education or other expenses, you may want to spend more of the money you have coming to you now, instead of later.

What can you do to match your finances specifically your structured settlement with the life you now have or want to have? You should always consult an attorney or a financial advisor, but heres a basic overview of your rights and options in assigning your structured settlement:

Settlements are funded by single premium annuities, issued by insurance companies. Instead of paying you a lump sum amount, the party found responsible for injury or damages to you has paid a one-time lump sum to an insurance company, which has, in turn, invested it. The insurance company has projected the interest rate or securities dividends they will receive on the lump sum, and based upon the length of time and number of payments you chose or were offered for the structured settlement, they calculated the periodic payment amount youre now receiving.

So who owns what? The insurance company owns the annuity, and you, as the beneficiary, are entitled to an income stream, or the series of periodic payments. Because you dont own the underlying asset, the annuity, you therefore cant sell the annuity contract to another party to receive your money. However, under federal and state law you can, with court approval, sell all or a portion of the payments you are entitled to receive in the future. In doing so, you can receive a lump sum cash payout now.

What are your options? As an annuitant, or the beneficiary of the structured settlement annuity, you are, in most instances, able to assign to a third party the payments you are entitled to receive in the future. Some Structured Settlement Agreements state that payments cannot be assigned, and your legal counsel will advise you of options and alternatives if yours is written with such a clause. Fortunately, state laws and recent case law have rendered contracts written with such provisions unenforceable, although other regulations may apply.

How can you determine todays lump sum value of your structured settlement payments? This depends, in part, upon the amount of each payment and when it is due. The payment amount and schedule will be outlined in your Structured Settlement Agreement. It is also affected by the financial strength of the issuer of your annuity, because the better the financial position of the issuer, the more likely it is that the purchaser of your cash stream will be paid. The current financial climate, as well as interest rates will also affect your cash-out amount. Your financing company will explain these calculations and assumptions to you.

What steps do you need to take?

- First, you really need to take a hard look at whether receiving your funds now will truly be best for you and your family. This is a big financial step, not to be taken lightly. That said, your circumstances may have changed sufficiently so that a lump sum or partial payment in the form of a lump sum makes sense, and is better for your familys current and future lifestyle and financial stability.

- Next, contact a reliable financing company that purchases structured settlement income streams. They can guide you through the process and help you consider alternatives, such as the sale of a portion of your structured settlement income stream, if this best meets your needs.

- The financing company will assist you by hiring an attorney experienced in structured settlement assignments. The attorney will explain to the court your desire to change your settlement, and any changes in your life that have caused you to make this decision. Because the attorney will be petitioning for judicial approval, he will need to understand your current finances, obligations and desires.

- Having all your documentation and agreements, and furnishing them promptly to your advisors and potential funding sources is key to receiving a cash payout in the shortest possible time. Because court approval is required, the time from the initiation of the request to the final approval is typically 45-90 days. So, just as with other large financial decisions, such as obtaining a mortgage or refinancing, its in your best interest to begin the process with a little time to spare, before you feel a time crunch. You deserve an equitable deal, as quickly as is possible, not just the deal you can make in the very least amount of time.

- What can you expect now? Once you have chosen a finance company and attorney, the courts will put you on the docket and hear your petition for receiving your funds in a lump sum. Theyll want details of the future payments due you, the proposed amount of the lump sum distribution, and any costs you will incur as a result of restructuring your settlement. Their basis for granting you an approval is satisfying themselves that the assignment of your payments to another party and receipt of current cash will be in your best interest and in the best interests of any dependents you may have.

- Once youve agreed upon a lump sum amount with your finance company, and obtained court approval, youll receive a wire transfer or a cashiers check for your lump sum amount. Youll now have the cash you need right when you need it most.

Numerous grants from the government are unclaimed every year for various reasons. Many people just don’t know these free money from the government is accessible to the public. Some people are discouraged about the application process for grants mostly because they’ve been given incorrect information on the actions necessary. Another reason people just don’t take the time to apply for grant money because they are frightened about what is unknown to them. Because billions are unspent every year resulting from a lack of understanding and knowledge, the following will help you answer a few frequently asked questions.
Can I obtain government grants for debt that is personal? There are many reasons why individuals face debt. irresponsible spending habits rank highly on the list of leading causes of debt. Yes, there are some government grants intended to help people with personal debt.
Are grants from the government meant to be for the general public? You bet. There has been a lot of debate on whether there is free money accessible to the American public. If you are in need of financial aid in the form of housing grants, building a small business, living expenses, college tuition or home improvement, there are probably several different grants from the government available that might be of help to you.
Is it possible to receive free money right away? do not be misled into assuming that the government is able to give out grant money at a moment’s notice. That isn’t how it works. There is usually an application process that is involved in applying for government funded grants. Depending on the kind of grant you are applying for, the amount of time is going to vary.
Can I obtain more info relating to free gov grants? Most are not educated on the free money that is out there for them. For this specific reason, resources such as books, Internet sites, CDs, and tapes have been designed to aid citizens of the United States discover more tips and information regarding money from the government. There are agencies and specific people that specialize in researching grants for those that are in need of help. Various companies offer guides and resources that will help moderate the time and expenses generally required for the application process for grant programs.
Do I have to repay the grant in the event I’m approved? A grant is different from a loan that has to be paid back. Government grants are free when the funds are utilized for its expected purpose. Government grant money is intended to encourage citizens of the United States to make an absolute effort to advance their well being and community. Education grants are particularly designed to help people advance their lifetime earning potential.
Is it difficult to come by free government money? Because grants have been made known to the American public, more of the argument is about whether or not government grants are easily acquired. The truth is that there is a process for application and a level of commitment that is involved in getting approved for any government grant. It’s up to the individual to fill out an application and agree to what is described in each grant program. But, of course, the process that is required is certainly worth it when you consider that the money doesn’t have to be paid back.
Why does the US government give away free grant money? The government dispenses billions in free grants every year to aid US citizens with their endeavors to get money to pay bills and to make improvements in their community. As a taxpayer and a United States citizen, the government has allocated funds to work on our behalf.
Taxpayers and Citizens of the United States are eligible for many incentives from the government. It is the individual’s responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them. Knowing is half the battle.

If you are looking at making a quick hundred-thousand on real estate flipping, you may find it is quick, but not as lucrative as you thought.

With housing prices on the rise across the nation, flipping has become the hottest investment trend. You buy a property and quickly resell it at a higher price.

Most people even believe flipping to be more lucrative than the stock market. Plus, you get the rush of making a deal. Plus there is a physical object to look at to judge your investment by.

But if you aren’t careful when flipping that real estate, your investment strategy could be a party that the IRS attends.

Bill Rucci of Rucci, Bardaro and Barrett says that many of today’s real estate investors are completely uninformed when they begin their transactions.

“There is a huge misconception on part of some people who think they can buy a residential home, not necessarily their personal residence, fix it up and sell it; and then get what we used to call the old rollover provisions, where you used the money you made to buy another property for more than what you sold,” explained Rucci.

But there are two problems with that approach. “One, that rule existed for personal residences only; and two, it doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.

The rollover rule was replaced in 1997 with current law that allows for the tax-free sale of personal property in many cases. This works great if you are selling your primary residence after living in it for many years, but if you’re selling a house you haven’t lived in, your in a different group. The residence will be considered an investment property, and the tax considerations are completely different and more costly.

“We have tens of thousands of people getting into real estate,” says Mark Zilbert, a Realtor. “The majority of buyers understand that they can flip for a profit, understand what it means dollarwise, but they don’t understand that taxes could reduce just how much of a profit they make.”

Instead of running a fast game, a tax-smart flipper could benefit from a slower investment pace.

Investment profit, whether stocks or real estate, is considered capital gain and is taxed at two levels. The tax rate depends on how long you own the property.

Keep it for less than a year and your short-term gains will be taxed as ordinary income. That means you could be facing up to 35%. If you hold the property longer than a year, you will pay a long-term capital gains rate that maxes out a 15% for most taxpayers.

Not all flippers have a year to wait. Not even for taxes.

But you must beware how much you flip.

When you complete several transactions in a short time, the IRS could consider your transactions as a business rather than an investment strategy. Then you have to pay the higher ordinary income tax rates.

The IRS is watching flippers closely.

“The IRS is out looking for these transactions,” says Rucci. “If the IRS decides your investment is a business; that what you are doing is to earn a living, the property changes from a capital asset to a means of producing income that’s subject to ordinary tax rates, plus the additional burden of another 15.3% in self-employment taxes. That is what the government is pushing for.”

Tax costs won’t deter many flippers. One way of looking at it is that you don’t pay taxes unless you make money.

The easiest way to pay less tax on a flip is using the capital-gains technique. Simply hold onto the property for more than a year and pay the long-term capital gains. You can try to time your real estate sale during the same tax year you suffer a loss on another long-term asset. Then use the loss to offset your gain.

If you want to avoid taxes altogether on the property, simply move in. You must live there for two years out of the last five years. When you sell it, up to $250,000 of your profit is excluded from taxation, double that if you are married and file jointly.

You can also defer paying taxes on your real estate gain by exchanging the property for another property, known as a like-kind or Section 1013 exchange.

No matter what you do, make sure that you keep good records. You can really benefit from proper documentation when claiming real estate investment deductions.

When looking for long term care facility for a loved one in Missouri, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and a few things to be aware of:

What type of facility do I need?: There are several types of facilities, be sure to select one that will meet the needs of your loved one.

Residential Care Facility I: Will provide shelter, board and supervision. They may distribute medication and provide care during short term illness and recuperation.

Residential Care Facility II: Provides same care as a level I, plus provides dietary supervision and help with personal care.

Intermediate Care Facility: Provides personal care, board and basic health and nursing services under the direction of a licensed physician and nurses.

Skilled Nursing Facility: Individuals in Skilled Nursing facilities require 24 hour care and specialized services. These services will be performed under the supervision of a registered professional nurse.

Questions to ask the facility:
Can it meet the needs of my loved one?
Is it currently licensed?
How much does it cost and will they accept my insurance?
Are the current residents happy and treated with dignity?
Is the facility clean? How does it smell?

Resident’s rights: Missouri residents who live in a state licensed long term care facility are guaranteed certain rights under the Missouri Omnibus Nursing Home act of 1979 and the Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation act of 1987 such as:

You must be informed of your rights and responsibilities as a resident (oral and written)

You must be told of services available and costs

You must receive notice before a change in room or roommate

You may purchase or rent goods/services not included in the facility rate.

Please see our recommended sources for insurance and low rates. These websites are also great sources for information. These low rates will help lower your bills every month.

A

1. Account holder
The person who has a personal loan account.

2. Advance
The mortgage loan itself is called the advance.

3. APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
An interest rate designed to show you the total annual cost of getting credit. It should include all the interest and charges payable by you as a condition of taking the loan. Where taking Payment Protection Insurance is a condition of taking the loan, this should also be included in the APR. The typical APR is the APR that 66% of customers applying for the providers credit card can expect to get.

4. Applicant
You become an applicant when you complete and submit an application form for a personal loan.

5. Applied or nominal interest rate
The rate used to calculate the interest due on your mortgage.

6. Arrangement fee
The fee payable to the loan provider by you (the applicant) to open the account.

7. Arrears
Mortgage payments which have not been paid and are overdue.

B

1. Bank of England base rate
The Bank of England sets or reviews their interest rate on a monthly basis and this is the main factor influencing interest rates charged by mortgage and other lenders.

2. Buildings insurance
Covers your actual building(bricks and mortar) and is usually required as soon as you exchange contracts on your house.

C

1. Capital
The amount you owe excluding costs and any interest outstanding.

2. Capital and interest mortgage
This is when your monthly payments go to pay off the outstanding mortgage in addition to the interest on the mortgage. At the end of the term you will have no more to pay. Also called a repayment mortgage.

3. Capped rate
This is a mortgage where a maximum interest rate is agreed which the rate cannot go above. This deal lasts for a set period of months or years. Should the variable rate go below the maximum, the pay rate falls with it.

4. Cashback
An amount, either fixed or a percentage of a mortgage, which you can opt to receive when you complete your mortgage. The lender will likely claw back this money through a higher interest rate.

5. Charge-off
The removal of an account from a loan provider’s books. When an account is charged off, the loan provider absorbs the outstanding balance as a loss. Charge-off is also referred to as Write-off.

6. Closing administration charge
A final charge made by the lender to cover their administration costs when a mortgage is fully repaid.

7. Completion
This is end of the mortgage process, when the contracts are signed, all questions have been answered and the keys are handed over and the funds transferred. Happy moving!

8. Consumer Credit Act (CCA)
The Act which defines how personal loans may be advertised, and what rules need to be followed by loan providers in the presentation of loan features such as the interest rate and typical APR that are applicable. The Act also covers the information that needs to be available to the consumer such as product terms and conditions.

9. Contents insurance
Insurance that covers your personal belongings

10. Contract
A contract is a binding agreement between two and more parties. In the context of house buying, a contract is signed by both the buyer and the seller and then ‘exchanged’ between the respective solicitors, at which point the house sale is binding on both sides.

11. Conveyancing
The legal work involved in the sale or purchase of land.

12. Credit Reference Agency (CRA)
An agency that gathers and maintains information on the debts and repayment records of individuals and businesses. CRAs prepare reports that are used by personal loan providers to view an applicant’s credit history. There are two such agencies for consumer credit in the UK – Experian and Equifax.

13. Credit scoring
The process by which your credit worthiness is checked. Weights or ’scores’ are associated with your personal attributes, such as your income and the time spent at your current address. These ’scores’ are added to give a total credit score. Each total credit score is associated with a prediction of how likely a person with that score is to default. The loan provider then checks this score against the minimum required to be accepted for their loan, determining whether they accept you or not.

D

1. Debt consolidation
The process of combining all outstanding debts in one loan account. For example, you may have an existing loan with a balance of 2,500, a credit card balance of 1,000 and a store card balance of 500. These could all be consolidated into one loan of 4,000. The purpose is usually to lower monthly repayments, through either lower interest rates on the new loan, or lower repayments from an extended repayment term, or both.

2. Default
Non-payment of an account according to the terms of the loan agreement. If you are declared in default, your account may be subject to higher interest rate and other charges. Failure to keep up with repayments may result in the fact being registered at the two main consumer credit agencies in the UK- Experian and Equifax. This may reduce your chances of obtaining credit in the future. If the loan is secured against your home, your home may also be at risk.

3. Deferred payment
Delayed payment. Also referred to as a deferred start, this facility allows you to delay the date on which the first repayment is due. The deferred period could be from one to three months, meaning a loan opened on the 1st January may not require repayments to start until 1st April.

4. Deposit
The deposit paid towards the total price of the property, normally payable at exchange of contracts.

5. Direct debit
Apre-authorized debit on the payer’s account initiated by the payee. Most loan providers would require you to set up a direct debit to make the monthly repayments on the loan.

6. Discounted rate
This is where the lender makes a guaranteed reduction off the standard variable rate for an agreed period of time. After the period ends, the borrower will go onto the Standard variable rate. often used by loan providers as an added incentive to apply for a loan.

7. Drawdown date
The date when the contracts have been completed and the mortgage starts.

E

1. Early repayment charge (ERC) / Early settlement penalty
The charge payable to some loan providers should the loan be repaid in full before the full term of the loan has expired. For example, an arranged loan over 36 months may incur an ERC if it is repaid after 24 months, or any point before the 36 months has been reached. The average ERC can amount to the equivalent of 2 months interest.

2. Early redemption charges
Redemption is when the borrower pays off the capital and the interest on the mortgage and thus has full rights to the property. Early redemption fees are the charges incurred for paying off the mortgage early, either to buy the house outright or when you re-mortgage. Always ask about these before you take out a mortgage.

3. Endowment
Endowments are life assurance policies with an investment element designed to pay off the outstanding capital on an interest-only mortgage. There are a few types of endowments, such as ‘with profits’, ‘unitised with profits’ and ‘unit-linked’. in the 1980s, these were sold to customers by salesman who promised that they would be guaranteed to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term. This is not the case, and many endowment holders are having to bump up their premiums.

4. Equity
In housing terminology, equity is the difference between the value of the property and the money owed on the property. So if the property is valued at 200,000 and you owe 150,000 on the mortgage, you have equity of 50,000. If you sold at that moment, you would receive 50,000. Should the value of the home be less than the mortgage outstanding then you are in negative equity. Not to be confused with the stock market use of the word “equity”, which is completely different.

5. Exchange of contracts
In England and Wales (not Scotland), the point when both buyer and seller are legally bound to the transaction.

Home is where most people feel safe and comfortable. But sometimes say, when a hurricane, flood, tornado, wildfire, or other disaster strikes its safest to pack up and go to another location.

When it comes to preparing for situations like weather emergencies, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your financial documents are up-to-date, in one place, and portable can make a big difference at a tense time.

Here are some tips for financial readiness in case of an emergency:

Conduct a household inventory. Make a list of your possessions and document it with photos or a video. This could help if you are filing insurance claims. Keep one copy of your inventory in your home on a shelf in a lockable, fireproof file box; keep another in a safe deposit box or another secure location.

Buy a lockable, fireproof file box. Place important documents in the box; keep the box in a secure, accessible location on a shelf in your home so that you can grab it and go if the need arises. Among the contents:

– your household inventory

– a list of emergency contacts, including family members who live outside your area

– copies of current prescriptions

– health insurance cards or information

– policy numbers for auto, flood, renters, or homeowners insurance, and a list of telephone numbers of your insurance companies

– copies of other important financial and family records or notes about where they are including deeds, titles, wills, birth and marriage certificates, passports, and relevant employee benefit and retirement documents. Except for wills, keep originals in a safe deposit box or some other location. If you have a will, ask your attorney to keep the original document.

– a list of phone numbers or email addresses of your creditors, financial institutions, landlords, and utility companies (sewer, water, gas, electric, telephone, cable)

– a list of bank, loan, credit card, mortgage, lease, debit and ATM, and investment account numbers

Social Security cards

– backups of financial data you keep on your computer

– an extra set of keys for your house and car

– the key to your safe deposit box

– a small amount of cash or travelers checks. ATMs or financial institutions may be closed.

– Consider renting a safe deposit box for storage of important documents. Original documents to store in a safe deposit box might include:

– deeds, titles, and other ownership records for your home, autos, RVs, or boats

– credit, lease, and other financial and payment agreements

– birth certificates, naturalization papers, and Social Security cards

– marriage license/divorce papers and child custody papers

– passports and military papers (if you need these regularly, you could place the originals in your fireproof box and a copy in your safe deposit box)

– appraisals of expensive jewelry and heirlooms

– certificates for stocks, bonds, and other investments and retirement accounts trust agreements

– living wills, powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney insurance policies

– home improvement records

– household inventory documentation

– a copy of your will

Choose an out-of-town contact. Ask an out-of-town friend or relative to be the point of contact for your family, and make sure everyone in your family has the information.

After some emergencies, it can be easier to make a long distance call than a local one.

Update all your information. Review the contents of your household inventory, your fireproof box, safe deposit box, and the information for your out-of-town contact at least once a year.

In this day and age, there really shouldn’t be any reason to make certain financial mistakes. Do a search of the internet and you will find that there are thousands of articles out there that warn you of the pitfalls of certain choices. Advice for living a financially stable life is everywhere. What are you waiting for?

Here are the most common mistakes that I’ve seen people make. I’ve even made a few of them myself. These are the financial mistakes that you can learn from. You’ve probably made a few of them yourself, they are very common.

Mistake #1: Using that little plastic card to get what you want.

We’ll just start off with the number one mistake out there. This is probably the most common mistake in the country. Almost every person in the US today has a credit card. It is almost like a right of passage when you turn eighteen. There are even people out there that aren’t eighteen yet that have them.

Credit card debt is the fastest way to ruin your finances. It is easy to acquire and difficult to pay off. The minimum balance doesn’t pay off enough of your outstanding balance to help you very much. You will be paying on your balances for decades. Even a $500 balance can take you over a decade to pay off if you simply make the minimum payment.

Add in the interest rate, which rarely goes down. If you miss a payment, you will really be paying the bank. Thirty percent interest is common on a credit card once a payment has been missed. And you only have to miss that payment by a day — which can happen in the mail or processing if you don’t plan ahead well enough.

Mistake #2: Buying more home than you can afford.

With the real estate market in the state it is today, many people are regretting their housing decisions. Adjustable rate mortgages are acceptable loan products for some people. But only if they can afford the maximum rate that the loan can hit if interest rates go up. Too many people only consider that introductory rate. They stretch and purchase as much as they can afford. Then, when rates go up and their rate adjusts, they can’t afford the payment. Add that to a slowing housing market, and you may have a foreclosure on your hands.

If you are going to buy a home, make sure that you purchase what you can afford. Take out a fixed-rate mortgage so that you know what your payments will be. If rates go drastically down in the next couple of years, you can always refinance. If rates go up, you are protected. Try to aim for a 15-year mortgage over a 30-year. It will save you hundreds of thousands in interest. But if you can’t do it, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is an acceptable loan choice for the purchase of a home.

Mistake #3: Not controlling your money.

Too many people live paycheck to paycheck. They have no savings. They have no retirement plan. They have nothing to back them up in the case of an emergency. They have no control over their money.

You have to take control of your finances if you want to retire someday. You have to learn how to budget, save, invest and spend. All it takes is a little time. And once you get in the habit, you will notice that your life has more control. You should say where your money goes, not lenders or creditors or anyone else.

Mistake #4: Not saving for retirement.

There are more seniors in the work place now than there were twenty years ago. And even more than there were fifty years ago. If you want to retire with enough money to live comfortably, you have to start putting something back today. Start an IRA. Contribute to your employer’s 401(k) plan. Figure out how much you need to invest and find a way to do it. This is your future. You don’t want to reach sixty and realize that you can’t afford to stop working. There is no guarantee that you will be able to draw social security or other forms of assistance then. What if you become ill and have to retire? What if you get hurt? Prepare for the future. Start saving for retirement today.

According to statistics from the National Council on Economic Education, only seven states require high school students to take a personal finance course while eight others require courses with personal finance content.

This was from a 2004 survey that also showed only nine states test personal finance knowledge. These numbers are beginning to change as the state of Missouri joins the fray and will require one-half unit of credit in personal finance instruction for graduation in 2010.

A 2004 national survey by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy measured 12th graders’ knowledge of basic personal finance. On average, students who participated in the survey answered correctly only 52.3 percent of the questions – an “F” in most high school classrooms.

Financial illiteracy isn’t a problem limited to students. Half of U.S. adults received a failing grade for their knowledge of basic economic concepts, according to the NCEE.

But there is hope in education. The National Endowment for Financial Education has confirmed that as few as 10 hours of classroom instruction can improve spending and saving habits.

Because financial literacy is fundamental to personal success and a benefit to society, American Century provides support for financial education.

In cooperation with a premier education consultant, the investment manager developed Tips for Kids and Tips for Life, curricula for use in the classroom. To date, these programs have been used by more than 3,000 educators in all 50 states. The free programs are delivered via the Internet to educators and are presented to education conferences to help users implement the programs in their schools.

American Century’s efforts to improve financial literacy extend beyond the Tips for Kids and Tips for Life programs. Free educational materials and tools are available on its Web site. And the information presented in American Century founder James E. Stowers’ “Yes You Can…” book series is designed to share the personal experiences and ideas that helped him become successful.

Educating today’s students on basic financial principles will pay dividends in the future because they are tomorrow’s social, political and economic leaders.

You have been accepted to college. Now, how are you going to pay for it?

For college-bound students and families, this is the moment of truth when they find out the amount of money being offered by a specific college. Each school will offer different award packages, which can include a combination of grants, scholarships, work study or student loans. Students and families should carefully read all of the information contained in the award letters and clearly understand the letters’ terms and conditions. Equally important, try not to panic if the amount of money awarded is not enough to cover college expenses.

“The financial aid award package is not the end of the road by any means,” says Martha Holler, spokesperson for Sallie Mae, the nation’s No. 1 paying-for-college company. “Never simply settle for a school based on cost alone. With roughly $143 billion in financial aid awarded last year, financial assistance is out there for students to attend their dream school.”

In addition to thoroughly reading each award letter received, students and families should ask themselves the following:

• What are the enrollment requirements for grants and scholarships?

• Are the awards for one year or all four years?

• Is the required GPA to maintain the awards realistic?

• If student employment is part of the financial aid package, what types of jobs are available and what rate of pay is typical?

“Above all, it is important for students to compare their award packages on an apples-to-apples basis,” says Holler. “While one letter may total a higher amount, it may be more heavily weighted with loans and not free money, like grants and scholarships.”

Holler adds that while most colleges rarely negotiate or match another school’s award package, they should be alerted if a family’s financial circumstances have changed. In that case, families should contact the financial office as quickly as possible for a reassessment.

A walk-through is an important step in a real estate transaction. To get the most out of it, make sure you understand the terms of the purchase contract.

Check Things the Contract Specifies

When you signed the contact to purchase your new home, certain elements and characteristics were specified. If the home does not match those elements on the walk-through, the contract will give you leveraging position. Consider the following:

If theres a hole in the wallboard caused by the leg of a table going through it when the seller was moving out, the house is not in substantially the same condition as when you wrote the contract and the wallboard was intact.

If you fill up that lovely, large Jacuzzi tub and the jets wont work, there is a problem with the working systems of the home. If you start the dishwasher, and it leaks before the cycle is finished, that appliance is not in normal working order. If all the surface burners on the stove wont light (if gas) or heat to red hot (if electric), ditto. If the heat or air conditioning wont come on, we have another problem with the working systems.

Allow yourself enough time to really pay attention and check on things. Usually an hour to an hour and a half is enough. Dont have a chip on your shoulder. Do be a good business person and systematically check.

If your contract calls for something you cant easily judge and it requires a third party to do it (such as the HVAC service mentioned above), you can request a copy of a paid bill at settlement. This is usually sufficient indication that the work has been done, and you know whom to call if there is a problem.

What If You Find a Problem?

Settlement may, or may not, be delayed if a problem is discovered. If its small and something you can easily fix, you may just want to ignore it. If it is something expensive and extensive, you probably dont want to ignore it. Many approaches are possible, but my inclination would be to go to the settlement table anyway and request that enough money be set aside in an escrow account held by a third party (not the buyer or the seller) to fix the problem. Id pad the amount a little to be sure theres enough. Those funds could then be used to complete the needed work and then the balance released to the seller.

If the seller is not willing to accept the idea of funds in escrow, Id request a delay of settlement until the work has been completed. The terms of such a delay need to be spelled out in an addendum to your contract.

Setting out to use walk-through to change the terms of a contract is not fair. However, if a walk-through shows that the terms of your contract have not been met, you need to figure out how to get things back on track and are behaving appropriately when you do so.

Most walk-throughs go smoothly. Lets hope yours is one of the smooth ones.