Business and Financial News

And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be in default on your mortgage either. What you DO need is a hardship that is not your fault (and you can prove it), and enough income to make a modified mortgage payment.  If you qualify for the Home Affordable Modification Program, you should apply — it’s like a free refinance and your interest rate could drop to as low as 2%.

This Is HAMP Help

Here’s what you need to be eligible to apply for a trial mortgage modification:

• The home must be your primary residence;
• Your mortgage is less than or equal to $729,750;
• You must have obtained your mortgage before January 1, 2009;
• Your housing expense,  including principal, interest, property taxes, HOA dues, and insurance, must exceed 31% of your gross monthly income;
• Stable and sufficient income to make a modified payment (even unemployment compensation can be counted); and
• Here’s the biggie — you need to PROVE that you have a hardship — either a mondo reduction in income or ginormous increase in expenses that was beyond your control (not the result of buying a stupid RV or boat).

If you are eligible, call your lender and start your paperwork. You’ll have com

Full Article…

Unum Group just released its quarterly earnings report for the end of 2009 that proudly trumpets the company’s “favorable operating trends and solid capital position.” President and CEO of Unum is quoted saying “the actions we have taken (sic) the past several years have positioned us well and provide us with significant operating and financial flexibility.” While that may make the company’s shareholders happy, it doesn’t do much for the UNUM long term disability insurance policyholders whose claims are being delayed and denied. When an insurance company does not pay its policyholders, or instills a company-wide policy, unspoken or otherwise, of denying claims, it’s considerably easier to show healthy profits.

Full Article…

More than a month into 2010, the Internal Revenue Service is not collecting estate tax on the money that wealthy people, including small business owners, leave to their heirs after they die. The unusual situation results because the U.S.Senate did not pass legislation late last year to remedy the scheduled expiration of the estate tax.The situation is confusing and unfair, and particularly hurts entrepreneurs doing succession planning, says Jonathan M.Bergman, a certified financial planner and vice-president of Palisades Hudson Financial Group, a fee-only financial planning firm in Scarsdale, N.Y. He spoke recently to Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein.

Full Article…

1. Unemployed or underemployed? Check out these breaks

2. Turn your nest egg into a Roth?

3. Refund anticipation loans? Just say no.

4. Refund anticipation loans – has the war begun?

5. Appliance rebates vary widely by state; Oregon’s helps the needy

Mexican Insurance Store:Mexican Auto Insurance Blog Review Current Mexico Travel Tips andCompare Best Quality Mexico Insurance Quotes Online in minutes!

Overcoming Mexico Language Barriers Using Current Technology! One of the things English speaking people may sometimes take for granted is the ability to communicate. When visiting Mexico, many hotel and restaurant employees do speak English but in more remote areas, it may be more difficult to find someone who can assist; especially if there is an accent present. People from the South, North or those whose first language is something other than English or Spanish may produce a dialect that sounds unfamiliar to some Mexican people. Full Article…