How To Earn Money In Today's Economy

The Next Crash?

Todays economy is a wild one, that much is for sure. After years and years of an uptrending stock sector it was just a matter of time before there was some instability. Heck we probally wouldn't have had som many years of profitability if it wasn't for the sub-prime mortgages that were being given out. Things could be worse really. Everyone knows the markets are built on theroy (as in there are a lot of numbers not necassaryily backed by a lot of real stuff) and the stuff that took the worst beating in recent times was the shakiest of all.

Also, really you know the people majorly affected by the credit crunch were the people who had no business getting credit and the people who lied on their applications. The thing that sucks is that people who did follow the rules will probally end up paying a significant amount more on their mortgages. Those who followed the rules are the people who the US government should be concerned with saving. I suppose those people are being saved in a way, because of the liquidity being introduced into the markets that wll keep mortgage rates lower then they would be if the full brunt was felt. Things have probally placed themselves where they should be.

So the real question is where are the markets going? How cold anyone know for a fact. From the business books I have read, and the info I'm getting from my stock software they are goign to be going down for a while. I was reading the paper the other day and the guy was talking about how the economy will be very near recession for at least the next two years but after that the economy should make a fair recovery. I know that seems a long time away right now. I guess for the next little while we need to keep money in safe places like bonds. Try to stay away from shaky investments.

Bankruptcy - Is It the Answer?

If your finances are in a mess, you may have considered bankruptcy. Even though your debt may be wiped clean, there are many other end consequences.

When a person's debt has risen to a level that they can't hope to get under control, they may consider filing for bankruptcy. For a consumer there are two bankruptcy choices:  Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcies involve wiping out the debts in part or in their entirety and liquidating assets to do it. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are more of a debt restructuring plan that gives you more time and a plan to pay back a portion of the debt that is owed to creditors.

Your credit will be damaged if you file for bankruptcy, maybe for as much as ten years. If you apply for any credit during that time the creditor will be informed of the bankruptcy.

Previously, people have taken advantage of bankruptcy laws. They were allowed to file more than once for Chapter 7 so many used it to beat credit card debt.

Each state decides on what assets they will exempt from being seized during a bankruptcy hearing. Knowing that, some may use available cash to purchase those items (homes, cars, etc.) in an effort to avoid payment and still retain the stuff they purchased. In this instance, creditors receive little or nothing from the bankruptcy settlement.

This has been changed by new laws. Courts used to have free rein when it came to who could file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Now certain standards have to be met first. In order to be able to file for Chapter 7, your income must be below the average income of the state where you live. Your income then goes through a calculation that determines if you have enough disposable income to be able to pay back twenty-five percent of the debt owed.

More people will have to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13. The courts will decide the amount of repayment from facts that they receive. An allowance is made for rent or mortgage, food and other relevant bills. With the new laws, the IRS regulates the value of each bill, exempts a certain amount, and payments are decided from the rest.

Because there are more hoops to jump through, bankruptcy lawyers are charging more for their services. The whole process of bankruptcy will cost the filer more than before, which will make them think twice about the process. Credit counseling sessions are also required as a precursor to filing for bankruptcy. A credit counselor may determine that they can help you and thus eliminate the need for bankruptcy proceedings.

Filing for bankruptcy is a major issue and should not be taken lightly. Although it can wipe out credit card debt, it does come with its own price tag.