Purchasing fine wine is a way to diversify an investment portfolio. Wine as an investment commodity has enjoyed great popularity in recent years. It is considered an alternative investment which can be very profitable for investors who have knowledge of which wines are valuable and hold their resale value.

Purchasing and reselling wine

For investors who wish to purchase quality wine but lack the experience to know which wine to invest in, a wine consultant, broker, or merchant can help to inform the buyer of the premier wines that will work well as a financial investment. The great majority of investment wines, about 90 percent, are produced by the Bordeaux region of France. However, as more global wines find their way to market, the selection of wines which may be a good investment are growing. Vintage wines from the best collections can be sold for thousands of dollars per bottle while the broader termed “fine wines” generally sell on the market for well under $100 USD.

Purchasing shares in investment wine

Wine is an investment that increases in demand as the price rises. Good wines in which to purchase investment shares include vintage port wines, Bordeaux, and Burgundy wines. These wines have proven themselves as sound investments in that they hold their value over time and are agreed upon by experts in wine to be among the top-quality wines. Before making an investment, prospective wine investors should consult with an expert in the field to make the best choice of wine to invest in.

Deciding upon wine types

Investors must find a wine that is a good fit for their investment dollars. Wines mature at varying levels of time. Some wines, if left past their maturity date, will spoil. Then, there are other wines that age well for 20 or even 30 years. It will take much research and expert consultation to choose the wine that best meets the investor’s needs. There are many investment wine firms that are knowledgeable about the top investment wines and offer a wide variety of choices. If in doubt about which wine type will be a good investment, consult an expert wine merchant who has years of experience and expertise in the buying and selling of fine wine.

Advantages of wine investment

Wine investors can be assured that their commodity will likely increase its value with age and has little chance of dropping in price. Unlike stock, the investor owns more than just a piece of paper. Wine is a tangible asset. The stock price will not fall, and as long as the wine is cared for properly, there is little chance of losing in the investment. It is almost a given that the buyer can sell the wine at a much higher price than was paid.

Disadvantages of wine investment

Wine can be a wise investment but there are some drawbacks. One of the main concerns for the investor is that there is no return on investment until the wine is sold. Then, there is also the cost of storing the wine and purchasing insurance. Buyers could very well lose money while waiting for the wine to mature and its value to appreciate. Most U.S. States will only allow private wine to be sold at auctions. Therefore, it may be hard for investors to arrange to sell the wine once they have decided to cash in on their investment. There are sellers out there who prey on those wishing to purchase wine for an investment. Taking advantage of the investors lack of knowledge, they try to sell off-vintage or lower-quality wines at exorbitantly high prices.

Considerations

For the investor who decides upon wine as an investment, there are some important considerations for making sure the wine holds its value. One of these considerations is making sure the wine is properly stored. The temperature, light, and humidity conditions where wine is stored are very important in maintaining the safety and value of the wine. Investors can always choose a bonded storage facility to store their wine if they do not possess proper storage facilities in their own homes. Wine can be a smart investment and a good way to diversify a portfolio; however, buyers should be cautious is their investment purchases and gain advice from a qualified wine expert before making a purchase.

Treasury bills

These are short-term government securities that mature from within a few days to up to 52 weeks. Treasury bills are sold at a discount from their face value. These bills can be purchased through banks or brokers and may be held until maturity or sold before they mature. Treasury bills pay interest only upon maturity. The minimum purchase price is $100, and they are issued electronically. Treasury bills are a secure short-term investment and a way of diversifying an investment portfolio.

Treasury notes

Treasury notes, also called “T-notes” are government securities that are sold in varying maturity dates of 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years. These notes pay interest every six months. Individuals, estates, corporations, partnerships, and other forms of business entities can purchase treasury notes. The rate of a treasury note is determined at the time of the auction. As with treasury bills, the minimum purchase price of a treasury note is $100.

Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS)

Treasury inflation-protected securities have a principal balance that is adjusted by the Consumer Price Index. They come with maturity dates of 5, 10, and 30 years and pay out interest every six months. These securities are designed to protect the investor against inflation. Upon maturity, the investor is paid either the original principal or adjusted principal, whichever amount is greater. TIPS are a great way to invest in a retirement income. TIPS are sold at a minimum purchase price of $100.

I savings bonds

I savings bonds are a low-risk investment and are sold at face value. Purchasing I savings bonds are a way to invest and protect against inflation. I-bonds are non-marketable and draw interest for up to 30 years. They can be purchased at increments of $25. The purchase limits for I savings bonds are $10,000 per calendar year per social security number. Interest accrues over the life of the bond and is paid to the investor upon redemption.

EE/E savings bonds

Series EE savings bonds pay interest based on current market rates for up to 30 years. They are sold at face value and be purchased through a TreasuryDirect account. These bonds can be used to save for retirement, finance a college education, or given as a gift. Interest is added to the bond monthly and is paid upon redemption. If cashed in before 5 years, the bond holder must give up the last 3 months of interest earned.  There is no interest penalty after 5 years of ownership.

Electronic payroll savings plan

There is also an electronic payroll savings  plan for those who wish to have their savings investments automatically deducted from their payroll by direct deposit. With the electronic payroll savings plan, investors can purchase U.S. Treasury securities and have the amount deposited in a TreasuryDirect account. The payroll savings plan makes it easy to invest in U.S. Treasury bonds and save for the future.

U.S. Treasury bonds as gifts

U.S. Treasury bonds also make a great gift that keeps on giving. It is the perfect gift for graduation, a wedding, or a birthday. The recipient must have a TreasuryDirect account. To set up an account, information required includes social security number and full name. The recipient will get an email announcing the gift. A person must be 18 or older to create a TreasuryDirect account. For minors, treasury bond gift can be delivered to a minor linked account.

U.S. Treasury bond auctions

Treasury bonds are also auctioned to the public. Individuals or organizations can participate in treasury bond auctions. Bond securities can be bought, sold, or transferred during these auctions. Bond values will fluctuate with changes in interest rates and with market demand. Investors with bond securities in the TreasuryDirect account can sell their bonds through use of a broker or another financial institution.

The Treasury will announce when an upcoming auction is scheduled along with the amount that will be auctioned and the maturity date. There are two bidding options available. Those are competitive and noncompetitive bids. In a competitive bid, the rate of yield that will be accepted by the bidder is specified. With a noncompetitive bid, the buyer agrees to the rate of yield set at auction. Both competitive and noncompetitive bidders receive the rate of yield corresponding to the highest accepted bid.

Investors can buy up to $5 million in treasury securities for non-competitive bids and up to 35 percent of the initial offering during competitive bidding.

Set Financial Goals

When creating a household budget, families should consider where they want to be financially in five, ten, or twenty years down the road. After paying monthly bills, a portion of monthly income should be saved or invested. This will help in being able to reach those financial or retirement goals, whether it is retirement income, a child’s college education, or perhaps just a well-earned family vacation. All goals, including financial, are accomplished through careful planning.

Get a Desktop Calendar

A great way to organize when bills are due is by listing each bill by its due date on a large desktop calendar. Keep the calendar in visible sight and review it every day. Keeping these bills and their due dates foremost in the mind will prevent due dates from passing without the bills being paid. Once each bill is paid for the month, visibly mark it off the list. This will give people who are striving to pay their bills a sense of accomplishment and an incentive to get caught up on household bills.

There are also many free calendars online that will do the same job with digital notices.

The Envelope Method

There is a method for setting aside money to pay monthly household bills that sounds simplistic, yet has proven effective for many people. At the beginning of the month, take envelopes and write on the outside of the envelope the name of the bill and how much money it will take to pay it. As income comes in during the month, fill each envelope with the necessary amount of money to pay the bill. Arrange the envelopes in order of their priority. Keep these envelopes locked in a safe that is out of sight. This will keep down temptation for spending the money on other things.

Prioritize Bills

All household bills are not created equal. This is especially true when people are living on a limited monthly income. Start thinking in terms of what will happen if a bill goes unpaid; will there be any consequences that are unacceptable? For example, if a person does not pay rent, he can be evicted. Missed car notes can lead to repossession. And of course, everyone has to eat, so a grocery bill is a necessity.

While it is important to pay all bills in a timely manner, this is not always possible in a real-life situation. For a person on a limited income, they may have to let unpaid bills on unsecured debt slide for a few months. Families who are in extreme financial situations should contact their lenders, letting them know they are unable to pay this month’s bill and will catch up as soon as possible. While this is not an ideal situation, it is sometimes the only available choice when money is tight in a household.

Cut out Unnecessary Expenses

If a family is experiencing financial difficulty, they must find ways to cut down on monthly household expenses. One way to do this is by eliminating unnecessary items. Limit eating out at restaurants to one or two times monthly at most. Families can save even further on eating out by using coupons for their favorite restaurants or going during special times such as a “kids eat free” night. Look at every activity and search for cheaper ways, such as rentals over the theater. Living on a budget does not mean a family must give up all recreation and fun; it just means they have to be smart about the money they spend on extra activities until they can get their financial situation in order.

Contact a Free Credit Counseling Service

Contact a free credit counseling service for advice on how to best prepare a household budget. There are credit counseling services out there that will help families prepare a household budget and get their financial lives in order. Many of these services also offer educational classes that will help struggling families build the necessary life skills to avoid getting into financial trouble in the future.

The time to develop a personal household budget is before financial matters get out of hand. Once a home goes into repossession or bankruptcy becomes necessary; it is a little late to start thinking of getting a handle on personal household bills. Creating a household budget and sticking to it will take some discipline but the reward will be getting your finances back on track and being able to accomplish both short-term and long-term financial goals.

What to look for in energy-efficient appliances

When comparing energy efficiency in appliance models, buyers can check out energy guide labels that display energy use and operating costs between like appliances. The comparison scale model shows the least and the most amount of energy used by similar appliances, along with energy usage for the labeled model. The energy guide is based on U.S. Government tests and national average costs for electricity usage and can be found on many appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, central air conditioners, heat pumps, and pool heaters. Buyers will want to purchase an appliance model that uses the least amount of energy while still performing satisfactorily. Buyers can find energy-efficient appliances by searching for models with the “Energy Star” label.

Shopping strategy for energy-efficient appliances

Once shoppers make up their minds to start saving money on utility bills by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, they need a good shopping strategy to find the best appliance deals.

• Determine the size and style of the appliance before making a purchase. Buyers must measure the space where the new appliance will be stored, to make sure it is a good fit. It is important to have enough room for the appliance to operate efficiently, including sufficient space for ventilation purposes.
• Have an idea of where to shop for a new energy-efficient appliance. Appliance stores, local retail discount stores, and electronics stores all carry energy-efficient appliance models. In addition, check the internet and store catalogs, where buyers can sometimes find these models on sale.
• Decide which features are desirable in an appliance such as noise level, safety features, energy usage, and reliability. Find out about extended warranties (they are generally not worth the cost) and whether a repairman will come to the home if there is an issue after the appliance is purchased.
• Do not base appliance purchases on cost or the attractiveness of the appliance alone. Many people make this mistake and end up paying more overall. It is important to also consider how much it will cost to operate the appliance. The Energy Guide label can help make this information easier to understand.
• Ask the retailer about special incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliance models and how buyers can qualify to receive these deals. The local energy utility company may be a good resource of information about energy-efficient appliance incentives available in the local area.

How much money can I really save with energy-efficient appliances?  

Home owners may wonder if the savings are really worth the extra expense that comes with the cost of new energy-efficient appliance models over traditional appliances that were manufactured without energy efficiency being a top priority.

Washing machines and dishwashers use far less water than models that are only five or ten years old. A refrigerator is also an appliance that can use a tremendous amount of energy in the home. Compressors are located at the bottom of a refrigerator. As the heat rises, the appliance must work harder to keep the food cold. The compressor also releases a large amount of heat, which makes it more difficult to cool the home. Newer, energy-efficient refrigerators are better insulated with superior compressors to help keep energy costs down.

Older heating and cooling systems are also “energy hogs.” The new Energy Star heating and cooling systems use approximately 10 percent less energy than older traditional heating and cooling units. Once a home owner has replaced all his old, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient models; he may find he is saving several hundred dollars a year on utility bills.

It only makes sense to replace older appliances that use energy inefficiently with new energy-efficient appliances. They are good for the environment and will also save on energy bills. With appliances, the best deal is not always necessarily the lowest price. The newer, energy-efficient models may cost more to purchase; however, the savings in energy bills in the long run will be well worth the cost.

Pricegrabber.com

Pricegrabber.com provides the user with an accurate comparison listing of products and produces some of the best deals available around the web. The website will also add in the cost of sales tax and shipping so that the customer has a better idea of the total purchase cost of the item. Product reviews are available on the site and customers can choose their shopping region, including the United States, Canada, UK, Mexico, or Brazil. From the website, users can search for daily deals, weekly specials, or access coupons. Mobile applications compatible with Pricegrabber.com include iPad, iPhone, and Android.

Shopping.com

Shopping.com has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This says much about the level of customer satisfaction of shoppers. Prices on Shopping.com are provided by the merchant and taxes and shipping are estimated based on local zip code information. Shopping sites available at Shopping.com include the United States, Australia, UK, France, and Germany. In addition to comparing prices, users can also read helpful product reviews written by users of the products. The site produces very fast comparison shopping results and provides users with a star-based review system of merchants and products.

Yahoo! Shopping

Yahoo! Shopping provides users with online comparison shopping for a broad range of consumer goods, including electronics, computers, DVDs, clothing, home & garden, beauty & fragrances, sports & outdoors, and jewelry & watches. Additional shopping categories include health, grocery, and autos. One great thing about Yahoo! Shopping is its buyer protection program, which protects buyers against merchant fraud. Users can also read customer reviews and merchant ratings on the website along with finding helpful shopping articles, videos, and blogs.

Nextag.com

Nextag.com offers its users several conveniet tools, including comparison shopping, product reviews, shopping lists, and price alerts. Users can read helpful product reviews and also sign up as a member and write product reviews of their own. The price alert feature is a favorite feature of many customers. If a customer feels the price of an item is too high, he can ask the site to send an alert when the desired price for the item is available. Users can sort the results by best match, price, product rating, brand name, or features. The true price option gives the buyer the best estimate of the overall product price, including taxes, shipping, and handling fees. There is also a “price history” tool that gives a history of the price of a product along with a trend of how much this product is likely to cost in the future.

Pronto.com

At Pronto.com, users can create a unique user profile to share shopping experiences with other users. They can read reviews, rate and review products themselves, or share shopping advices with other shoppers. Visitors to Pronto.com have access to over 65,000 stores and over 70 million products. They offer buyers guides and a wide range of shopping categories, including clothing, books, movies, health & beauty, home & garden, sporting good, electronics, computers, baby items, and many more. They also offer a “sales” tab where users can view the latest promotions from all their favorite stores and retailers. Pronto.com is an available application for Smartphone and iPhone users.

Shoplocal.com

Shoplocal.com is a website that allows users to find deals and compare prices in their own local area. The site displays store ads from local retailers giving users access to the best deals within their zip code area. They provide over 20 shopping categories along with links to local stores such as Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, Target, Walgreens, Home Depot, K-Mart, Lowe’s, and many more store websites. Users can shop by category, brand, or by weekly deals. Shoplocal.com is partners with Careerbuilder.com, Cars.com, Apartments.com, ForSaleByOwner.com, and HomeFinder.com. It is an excellent website for consumers to find the best shopping comparison deals within their own local area.

To find the top price comparison site, shoppers need to try different comparison sites to see which ones produce the best deals for them. It is a matter of trying them all on for size. While one may produce better results for electronics goods, another may produce superior price comparison results for dry goods and clothing. Consumers have to be price conscious during tough economic times. Price comparison sites are one way to find the best deal available before making a purchase.

Proper insulation

A home that is not properly insulated will not hold heat in the wintertime and will also be hard to keep cool in the summer. Make sure to seal all cracks around windows and doors that allow air to seep into the home. Most repairs to repair drafty cracks in doors and windows are simple to perform and can result in significant savings on the home heating and cooling bills.

Turn off appliances and electronics when not in use

Unplug televisions, computer equipment, and other electronics when not in use. These items use up energy quickly and can significantly increase the cost of an electric bill. Leaving these appliances on also makes the home warmer, making the air conditioning unit work harder to keep the home cool.

Replace baths with showers

Instead of filling up a tub with hot water, try taking a warm shower instead. Taking a bath uses much more water than taking a shower. Anyone who doubts this can put a stopper in the tub when taking a shower and see how much less water is used. Take shorter showers as well, to save even further on utility bills.

Use energy efficient appliances

There are certain brands of appliances that use less energy than some brand name appliances, such as the “Energy Star” appliances. By replacing all old appliances with energy efficient ones, families can add dramatic savings to their utility bills. Replacing the central heat/air system air filter regularly, at least monthly, will also keep the unit running more efficiently and save on utility bills.

Adjust the temperature in your home

The heater does not have to constantly run just because it is winter. Turn the heat down in the winter to around 65 degrees. Once the body grows acclimated to this temperature, a new comfort level is established. If it still seems chilly inside, try dressing warmer, preferably in layered clothing. For summer, keep the thermostat set at 80 degrees. On the same note, dress in lighter clothing and use fans to stay cool during the hottest part of the summer. If it is difficult to remember to turn the temperature up or down when needed, install a programmable thermostat.

Cut down on baking in the summertime

A hot stove or oven can dramatically increase the temperature in the home, making the air conditioner work harder to keep the home cool and use more energy. Take this time to enjoy eating cool salads, cold cuts, and other light foods that do not require cooking and the home will stay much cooler, saving energy at the same time.

Use window shades

Window shades not only add attractive décor to the home, they also provide needed insulation, keeping the heat in during the winter, and the heat out during the summer. Drapes over the blinds add to this effect, resulting in even more energy savings.

Use fluorescent light bulbs

Energy Star fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than standard light bulbs. By replacing all the light bulbs in the home with energy efficient ones, the savings to an electric bill can quickly add up. These light bulbs also last significantly longer than regular light bulbs, so they will not have to be replaced as often.

Close off vents to less frequently used rooms

By closing off vents in rooms that are not being used, heating and cooling is much more easily circulated in the remaining rooms of the home. This makes the heating or cooling system work more efficiently, saving money on heating and cooling bills.

Plant trees around your home

Trees planted around the home provide an attractive landscape as well as giving the home added insulation against cold in the winter and heat in the summer. The trees also improve the air quality of the outside yard.

Federal Housing Administration

Home mortgage loans through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are available for very little out-of-pocket expense for those who qualify. The home buyer should first find a FHA-approved lender and fill out an application. If approved, the home buyer may be able to get a low-deposit, low-interest loan. One of the biggest factors is qualifying for an FHA loan is income to debt ratio. The applicant can spend no more than 31 percent of his gross income on a monthly mortgage note. FHA loans are available at a 3.5 percent to 10 percent down payment, depending upon credit score and other determining factors. The down payment can be a gift from a government agency, a family member, or gained by some other means. With FHA loans, the borrower is required to buy FHA mortgage insurance, which generally is 1.5 percent of the original loan amount plus an additional .5 percent for each year of the loan.

Rural Development Housing

This program is backed by the United States Department of Agriculture. This program has geographical and income limitations but is not only for farmland. The property must be located in an approved rural area. The loan program is intended for first-time home buyers, although there are some exceptions to this rule. According to where the buyer lives, there are different requirements for how much income the applicant can make monthly. However, these loans are available in general only to low-income families. These home mortgage loans can be obtained at low-deposit, low-interest terms.

Veterans Administration

Qualified veterans or active-duty services members can qualify for a low-down payment or even no-down payment mortgage loan. These loans can be obtained through private lenders, and the Veterans Administration will guarantee the loan. There is a funding fee involved, generally around 2.15 to 3 percent, but no mortgage insurance requirement. Veterans who were not dishonorably discharged and have an acceptable credit score should have no trouble qualifying for a VA home mortgage loan.

Navy Federal Credit Union

The Navy Federal Credit Union offers zero-down home mortgage loans to qualifying members. Membership to the credit union is restricted to member of the military civilian military employees, or their family members. These loans are available at very good interest rates and the funding fee is only 1.75 percent. Property purchased cannot exceed $650,000.

HomePath Mortgages

HomePath Mortgages are a special type of mortgage loan designed to try and help sell Fannie Mae properties. These properties are usually sold at below-market prices. The loans can be acquired with a low 3 percent down payment, no mortgage insurance requirements nor any appraisal requirements. Flexible payment options are available: fixed-rate loans, adjustable-rate loans, and interest-only loans. Only buyers purchasing Fannie Mae properties are eligible for this home mortgage loan program.

Purchasing PMI Insurance

Still another option for lowering the down-payment requirement is through purchasing private mortgage insurance (PMI). The down payment could be lowered to as little as 3% through purchasing PMI insurance. Lenders are able to offer these loans with a lower down payment because the insurance protects them in case the home buyer defaults on the mortgage loan payments. Once the buyer achieves 20 percent equity in the home, he may drop the PMI insurance.

Qualifications for low deposit mortgages

The process for qualifying for a low deposit mortgage is much the same as qualifying for any other type of mortgage loan. The mortgage lender will review the applicant’s income, expenses, credit history, along with his ability to meet the monthly mortgage payments. While the credit requirements for some low-deposit mortgages may be less than those of traditional mortgages, applicants with a credit score below 600 may find it hard to be approved for a home mortgage loan. Even though the approval process for home buyers with poor credit may be harder, it is still possible in some cases to be approved for a home mortgage loan.

Considerations

Even if buyers find low deposit mortgage options such as those listed above, they still need to make sure that they will be able to make the monthly mortgage notes, or they could risk falling into foreclosure. Buying a home with a lower down payment will mean that it will take longer to pay back the loan, perhaps as much as 30 years. Even so, this is an affordable option for many low-income families who could not otherwise afford to purchase a home.

How amortization works

Amortization is the process of bringing a debt down to a zero balance. The word “amortization” is based on the French word “amortir” which means causing death to something. To understand amortization, a person must also understand the terms involved:

• Principal: The principal of the loan is the initial amount borrowed without any interest or fees added.
• Interest: The interest on a loan is the price one pays to be able to use someone else’s money to purchase a home. This amount is normally expressed as a percentage and applies to the principal over the life of the loan.
• Time: The time refers to the term of the loan. This is the amount of time it will take the buyer to pay off the mortgage loan. Common mortgage loan terms are for 5, 7, 10, 15, or 30 years. The longer the home owner takes to pay off his loan, the more interest he will have to pay over the life of the loan.

The purchase price of the home, plus taxes, insurance, interest, and other fees equal the total cost of the mortgage loan. During the early years of most mortgage loans, the total monthly mortgage payment goes toward paying the interest on the loan. After these early years of the loan, more of the payment is applied toward the principal balance of the loan.

The remaining payments are divided between interest and principal, until there is a zero balance and the mortgage loan has been paid off. The formula for calculating mortgage amortization is derived by totaling the amount of interest and calculating the average. If a person pays more than his required monthly payment, this can change the mortgage amortization figures. Figuring an amortization schedule can be complex and is why many people use the assistance of mortgage amortization calculators to help them see the breakdown of their monthly mortgage payments.

Mortgage amortization schedule

The mortgage amortization schedule shows the breakdown of the monthly payments, along with how much of the payment is being applied to the interest and to the principal balance of the loan. The amortization schedule shows the balance of the loan, which is divided by the number of monthly payments on the mortgage note. The interest calculation is on the unpaid balance and is added to the loan amount. Most mortgage amortization schedules will show payments which the majority of the payment going towards paying the interest in the early years of the life of the mortgage loan.

Mortgage amortization calculators

A mortgage amortization calculator helps home buyers find the breakdown of the principal and interest in their mortgage payments. To use one of the calculators, the home owner must enter both loan and property information. The home buyer enters the loan amount, annual interest rate, number of months the loan is financed, and whether he wants a yearly or monthly breakdown of the mortgage payments. For the property information, the user enters the purchase price of the property, and the yearly amounts of property taxes and insurance. After entering this information, the mortgage amortization calculator will give the user a breakdown of each monthly payment; showing the starting balance, the interest payment, the total payment, and the ending balance.

What is the significance of understanding mortgage amortization?

Home owners who research mortgage amortization over the life of their mortgage loans can find out how long it will take them to pay down their principal balance. Knowing this information is a helpful tool in deciding which type of mortgage loan to obtain and the term of the mortgage loan desired. With this information in hand, the homeowner can approach a mortgage lender with an idea of the payments he can afford to make on a mortgage loan or find out what other mortgage loans or payment options may be available. Home owners may also choose to seek professional mortgage advice to determine the best type of mortgage loan for their unique individual circumstances.

Chelsea Building Society

Chelsea Building Society is one of the largest building societies in the UK. They have merged with Yorkshire Building Society and have assets of over £30 billion. They offer a broad range of financial products, including savings & investments, insurance, and mortgage products. Customers can apply for an offset mortgage with Chelsea Building Society online. They offer a tool on their website to calculate monthly repayment options for different offset loan types and terms. The types of offset mortgages offered include 2,3,5,6, and 7-year fixed offset loans; 2-year tracker offset loans; and 5-year tracker to fixed offset loans.

Woolwich

Woolwich is a part of Barclays Bank PLC. They are one of the world’s largest financial services groups and have been in business for over 300 years. They offer banking, loan, insurance, investment, and mortgage products to their customers in 23 countries. From their website, you can learn about their offset mortgage options, including the 2-year offset tracker, lifetime offset tracker, and offset tracker loyalty mortgage. They also offer other helpful tools on the website, including a mortgage glossary and an offset mortgage calculator.

NatWest

NatWest is a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. National Westminster Bank formed in 1968 as the result of a merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank. The history of the banks that formed NatWest dates back to the 1650s. NatWest offers its customers financial products such as savings, investments, loans, credit card services, insurance, and mortgages. From their website, customers can apply online for an offset mortgage, find out monthly payment options with the offset mortgage calculator, and read about the benefits offered by offset mortgages.

First Direct

First Direct offers mortgage loan products, including offset mortgages through HSBC Bank plc. They are headquartered in London and offer financial services worldwide in over 80 countries. HSBC is one of the world’s leading international banks. Products offered include savings, investments, loans, insurance, credit card, and mortgage services. First Direct offers an online application to customers to apply for an offset mortgage loan. The website offers a detailed explanation of all the advantages of offset mortgages along with mortgage comparison tools and mortgage calculators.

Melton Mowbray

Melton Mowbray Building Society has been in business since 1875 and offers personal finance products including savings accounts, insurance, wills, conveyancing, and mortgages to its customers. Through Melton Mowbray, customers can link their savings account to their mortgage to offset the interest earned. Home buyers who choose the offset mortgage saving account can choose a passbook based account on an online savings account. Through the website, there is a number to call for more information regarding offset mortgages.

Leeds Building Society

Leeds Building Society offers its customers a full range of personal finance services such as savings accounts, credit card services, insurance, financial planning and travel services and mortgages. It is one of the main financial centers in the UK outside of London. The company has been in business for 125 years and services over 70,000 customers. Their offset mortgage options include offset 2-year mortgage, offset fees assisted 2-year mortgage, and an offset variable-rate option. Customers can apply online or at a local branch location.

Market Harborough

Market Harborough Building Society is a mutual company, owned by its members. The company was established in 1870 and has financial assets in excess of £400m. The company offers savings accounts, insurance, mortgages, and financial planning services. The company website offers specific details regarding their rules and policies for offset mortgages along with a “contact us” form to find out more information about obtaining an offset mortgage.

Beverley

Beverly Building Society offers many financial products to its customers, including flexible, or offset mortgages. From the website, you can gain access to speak directly to preferred mortgage brokers and gain expert advice. The offset mortgages offered by Beverley Building Society offer mortgages for up to 75% of the home’s value. They also offer a base rate tracker mortgage. For more information about offset mortgages, customers can enquire by email or telephone.

Santander

Santander has over 160 years of mortgage experience and offers a wide choice of mortgage options to customers in the UK. Their flexible offset mortgage options are available to both existing customers and first-time home buyers. From their website, customers can check rate availability, lending criteria, benefits of offset mortgage loans, and booking fees. There is also a mortgage calculator available to compare mortgage rates and calculate monthly repayment costs. For more information about offset mortgages, customers can call the telephone number provides on the company website or sign up for online banking and send a secure message.

What makes silver and silver investments special?
The biggest difference between silver and its more expensive cousin gold is its industrial uses. Silver has several properties that give it many practical uses that have only grown in recent years.

• Thermal and electrical conductor properties that cannot be beat
• High reflectivity to light
• Antiseptic and antibacterial properties

This means silver is included in products to include switches, circuit breakers, motors, water purification, surgical gowns, electronics and wood preservatives, and the list is growing.

In addition to silver being used industrially much more than gold, there is the fact that this silver is generally not recycled. It is estimated that 95% of the gold ever mined has been recycled numerous times and is still in use. However, the nature of the products and the small quantities silver is used in means that it is usually not economical to recycle. This creates a demand for a steady supply of new silver from mines.

Caution in precious metals investing
It is important not just to look at the factors that can increase prices, to include shortages and uncertainty, when investing. Silver prices are more volatile than gold over time (since much of the price is based on industrial uses rather than simply a store of value). Although the general trend if for demand and prices to increase, recession can reduce consumption and new mines boost supplies. Furthermore, increases in prices often lead to a drop in demand. Finally, as with many forms of precious metal investing, there can be storage and other costs.

There is never any certainty as to which way prices will go, and many investors are better off putting their money into productive investments rather than into price speculation with precious metals.

Types of silver investments

Silver investing falls under two broad categories: physical and non-physical investments.

Non-physical silver investments

These are ways to invest in silver without the potential hassles and expenses that come with actually taking possession of the metal.

Silver mining stocks
With silver something that is always being consumed, stocks in silver mining companies will be directly affected by the silver market. However, various factors, to include reserves, profitability and influences other than the price of silver will affect the price of these stocks.  Keep in mind that silver is often produced as a part of mining processes that are not exclusively focused on silver, and companies that mine silver will therefore be involved in other types of mining as well. A list of companies that mine silver can be found here.

ETFs
ETFs can be bought and sold like stocks (see what is an ETF) Common ways ETFs become invested in silver include interests in companies that directly hold it or through futures. ETFs can be found that will directly reflect the price of silver. iShares Silver Trust is a very popular silver ETF.

Mutual funds
Mutual funds are pools of investor money as explained in mutual fund basics. Like ETFs, they offer a way to invest in silver without taking possession of it. Generally, these funds are exposed to silver by investing in silver mining companies.

Futures
For those willing to take the most risk, futures options can be found on all the major worldwide exchanges.

Physical silver investments

There are a number of options for those who would like to own physical silver as a hedge against inflation or for other reasons. The drawbacks of will include storage, security and transportation costs.

Silver bars
Compact, in various uniform sizes, and .999% pure, bars are a good way to own silver. They are easy to store but generally do not have any collectable value, apart from selected ones with highly recognizable images.

Silver coins
The most valuable and liquid silver is in the form of silver coins that are marked for their fineness and backed by a government or private mint with a good reputation. The standard for these coins is the U.S. Silver Eagle. Coins will sell over the spot price of silver. Know the average premium range above the spot price of sliver for the coin being acquired before making any purchases. Silver coins are a very easy and popular way to own silver.

Silver rounds
These are basically a form of silver coins. Since they are produced by private mints that have lower production costs than governments, they have lower premiums than silver coins. They also should be .999% silver. They come in a variety of sizes and have no legal tender status.

90% US silver coin bags
US dimes, quarters and half dollars minted in 1964 and prior were 90% silver and 10% copper. These coins are put into bags of canvas-type cloth and sold. Apart from being a legal US tender, these coins are recognized internationally as a trading medium (making them very liquid) and carry a low premium over the price of spot silver.