The Story of My Flower Business
By Cassandra_BHM | August 31, 2011
As a kid, I loved to go to the beach, go hiking, fishing and camping. Those were on top of my vacation list. The wonderful views of nature never fail to amaze me. So when I grew up, I wanted to work with something
that has to do with nature. After I graduated from college, I took a few more courses on botany, flower arranging and farming. Then it was time to apply what I learned. As a fresh graduate, I had no capital to start my flower business. So just like any entrepreneur, I resorted to loaning the capital. Because of my knowledge and expertise, I was able to start my mini flower garden. I also put up a flower shop in one of the busy streets in our city. Before I knew it, I was delivering flowers all over town and getting orders from other places, too.
After a year of business operations, I had to put up another flower shop and hire more employees. The truck I was using for flower deliveries started to have engine problems. Probably just normal wear and tear since I had that truck for 5 years already. It was a gift from my dad, just so I had something to use when driving around town. It was really helpful when I started my business. Anyway, adding another shop meant shelling out money, I had to also set aside a budget for my truck.
I went online one day to check for truck financing options and I came across a website of a bad credit company. It’s been awhile since I applied for a loan and through this site, I found out that there are now more specialized kinds of loans. There were home loans, car title loans, auto loans, payday loans and truck loans – just what I needed. Over the years, I managed my finances pretty well and I had no problems getting loans. So I read further and found out that it was really easy to get approved for a truck loan.
I went ahead and applied for a truck loan and got my money the next day. That was fast! In the next few days, I went around town to look for brand new trucks. Once I found the truck of my choice, I drove away with it on my way home. It was another great investment to keep my business running, making sure that my clients got fresh flowers when they needed it. Thanks to financing via loans, I wasn’t pressured to pay the whole amount upon acquisition of my truck.
So basically, my flower business worked this way:
- I studied additional courses on what I was passionate about
- I started my garden and flower shop with the help of loans
- I acquired a new truck using a truck loan
- I am still enjoying the benefits of my flower business and have countless satisfied customers
- With the profits I have, I make sure to budget it so I can pay my loans on time and keep a good credit history
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Useful Advice in Buying your First Boat
By Cassandra_BHM | August 26, 2011
Every summer, I go to the beach with the whole family to relax, swim and do some water sports. Many times, we would rent a boat to go island hopping and even stay overnight in one island. My kids and I love snorkeling – seeing the beautifully
colored fish of varied sizes and the coral reefs where they live. Because we absolutely love riding a boat, I decided that I needed one. We can personalize it, sail it whenever we want to and not think about what time we have to be back because we’re not renting. Good thing I have a close friend who owns a boat, so he guided me through the things I have to know before buying my own. Because I was successful, I want to share to you the factors to consider before you make this timely investment.
Don’t jump right into buying a boat. First, you have to know your ‘why’. Is this for vacation purposes only or is it something that you want to use regularly? If you are into fishing, then you’ll probably sail your both at a minimum of two times a month. Knowing your purpose for buying a boat also determines its size. Are you going to sail with the whole family plus friends? Or is it usually a trip with just a few people?
Next, where do you get the money? Or better yet, how much can you afford? A valuable advice that I received is ‘do not use your savings’. You might need your savings for emergencies and other needs, but not for a boat. Keep your savings where it is and consider getting a loan. Have bad credit history or probably no credit history yet? Then you can apply for a bad credit loan. Look for companies that specialize in boat loans as it will be easier for you to get approved since you are actually buying a boat. By seeking help from bad credit loan companies, you are assured of getting cash immediately, in as little as 24 hours. You don’t have to loan the whole amount, just the down payment will do in the meantime. Then just use your salary for the next payments.
Start your boat search and have a variety of choices. Consider functionality and of course, style. You can go brand new or pre-owned. The important thing even if you are buying pre-owned is that it has been taken care of properly. In my case, I had my friend accompany me since he knew a lot more than I did. He was able to ask the right questions from the salesmen and previous owner. This led us to get the best boat suited for my needs.
After selecting a boat, you have to ‘test drive’ it. Go inside, look at the rooms and see if you’ll be comfortable in it. Is there enough storage for your things? Take it for a sail and see if it is easy for you to handle.
Take your time in choosing the right boat, so in the end, you will be satisfied with your purchase. Remember these things:
· You have to know why you are buying a boat
· Decide on how you will finance it, other than using your savings
· Take your time in searching for a boat – brand new or pre-owned
· Don’t forget to actually take it for a ride in the ocean
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My Journey to Having My Own Boat
By Cassandra_BHM | August 23, 2011
I can still remember it was 5 summers ago when my boss invited me and my family to join their family in their vacation at their lake-side property which was a 5-hour drive from our home. I thought it was a great way to build a stronger working relationship with my boss, and to open more chances in getting a promotion. Little did I know it would be the summer that will introduce to me to what was to become a lifelong passion – boating.
My boss owns a boat that they kept in their lakeside vacation house. My family and I had so much fun in the 4 days that we stayed there especially my kids. I learned how sailboats work and there w
boat one day.
After saving enough to provide a significant down payment on a new boat, I started to look for a bank or lender that will finance the rest of the balance for my boat. Before, getting a loan for the purpose of buying a boat was hard. However, because of the growing market, banks now provide boat loans and there are even lenders that specialize only in this type of loans. I also had the option to go to a lender that specializes in bad credit because they can give awesome deals; not just on people with bad credit but for those seeking credit for boat loans, too.
I would advise those looking for boat financing to go to your bank, inquire about how much they’re willing to lend you versus how much you can afford. Banks won’t usually release the real amount you can be entitled to. It was great having my wife backing me up through the entire process.
We then set out to check out pre owned boats in our area. New boats, even when just used slightly, depreciate a great deal in value so you can get great deals on pre-owned ones. Since the nearest ocean is more than a day’s drive from us, I just only considered small bodied boats best suited for lakes. There are a couple lakes that we can go to from where we are. I found out that doing my own bit of homework matters and in my case enabled me to save big time.
I calculated all costs from trailer, insurance, the boat, and right down to accessories. I also checked out the model of the boat that I wanted and inquired through its manufacturer’s hotline. Armed with this information, I offered a bid to the seller. The trick is to bid lower so they’ll know you won’t spend more than you should. We agreed on a fair price – a great deal at that. Once everything was all set, our bank gave us the fair amount of the loan that we needed.
Every summer since that has become a boating tradition for my family and I. Our relatives even tagged along and some are even considering buying their own boat. My journey included:
Ø How I was simple summer introduced me to my passion – boating
Ø Deciding that I wanted to have my own boat
Ø Setting out to fund my boat purchase
Ø Homework matters and it can save you hundreds of dollars
Ø Sealing the deal with the seller and my bank
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How to Maintain Your Boat’s Condition and Have it Ready for the Next Ride
By Cassandra_BHM | August 18, 2011
Summer is the best time of the year to head out to the nearest beach and have fun water activities with some friends and loved ones. If you own a boat, then your trip to the beach will even be more exciting. As a boat owner, you should realize that it needs constant care and maintenance. If it has undergone storage for most of the year, especially through the winter times, it has to be checked before using.
A couple of safety inspection and maintenance tasks will help keep your boat in top condition and extend its life. You can keep a simple checklist to ensure that you have everything covered. As a responsible boat owner, it means that you should be involved in all aspects of your boat’s maintenance.
As simple and straightforward as it sounds, you have to wash your boat regularly. Years of wear and tear can take its toll on your boat and regular washing can help and even reverse some of these effects on your boat. Regular waxing and applying the right coat of paint on your boat help protect it from harsh elements.
Your boat doesn’t just get scratches when it’s in use but also when being docked. Lines used to secure your boat should be checked properly to ensure they are securely fastened and neatly coiled. Replace them right away if they show signs of wear or breakage.
Depending on the type of batteries that your boat uses, be sure that they are always properly charged and that their fluids are in the right levels. Your boat’s core, its engine should also be well maintained to ensure smooth operating conditions. The engine should always be flushed after every outing. Clamps in the fuel line and the tank should be examined regularly for rust, corrosion or damage. The engine oil should be checked frequently to ensure it is on the right level and see if it’s still clean.
Storing your boat over the winter is also very important. There are those that store them in climate controlled environments and there are some that go with in-water storage. See what works for you and your budget.
There are people that stretch out the operating life of their boats but this can be dangerous. Old boats that are no longer operating properly should be replaced right away. The best way for boat owners is to sell their old boat and get funding for a new one. Nowadays, lenders have found out that there is a serious market to cater in boats loans. Before, getting boat loans was hard but now it would be harder to choose from the many loan providers that help boat enthusiasts get their dream boat. There are even lenders that specialize only in boat loans which makes funding easier. Boat owners can now choose from banks, credit specialists and loan providers for their boat loan needs. One of the best things to do this is online where anyone can get quotes from different providers. Getting several quotes permits you to compare them and see which one perfectly suits your budget and needs.
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RV Pre-Ride Checks after Long Storage
By Cassandra_BHM | August 15, 2011
There are thousands of RV aficionados all over the country. Owning an RV is not just considered as a hobby or simple way to spend vacations, it is considered a way of life to many hard core RV enthusiasts. There are a number of people that rent RVs and there are also a considerable number that own RVs. An RV or a motor home may not exactly be your day to day vehicle and it would be very impractical to drive one on your way downtown running errands. This is why there are many RVs that are in storage for most of the year. Just like any vehicle that is stored for long periods of time, there are safety checks that you must do on your RV before driving it out on the open road again for a vacation.
As they are huge, RVs also have a huge checklist of parts and components that you need to inspect after long storage to ensure smooth and safe driving. If you don’t have a checklist, there are many tasks that you can easily overlook or perform incorrectly while some tasks are no-brainers at all. RVs are state of the art machines with lots of safety features and devices. They exist for a reason but they can’t maintain themselves. After periods of time, parts and components won’t be in the same condition they had before.
Batteries are very important. Over time, when used or stored, batteries may leak. Some if its parts may corrode after they are exposed to different elements when used and stored. Checking batteries is a must for the vigilant RV enthusiast. In line with this, check your RVs exterior lights –tail lights, headlights, turn and signal lights. These are very important in night driving.
Water connections, window seals and even propane tanks can leak over time. Be sure to take note of their inspection dates and content level. See to it that you inspect the regulators and gauges.
Rubbers and plastics break down after a certain period of time. Your RV’s tires may deteriorate over time whether you use it or not. Tires can get brittle over time and get blown which may cause accidents.
Your RV is just like your home that can get infested with insects, rodents, and others. Be sure to check it too for infestation. Ensure that you check power sources inside, refrigerator function, connections, and exhaust fans.
Your RV’s water system should also be properly checked and maintained. Flush and drain the water first and disinfect it. You then refill the gray tank system and valves with new supply of water. You can also check your RVs fire extinguishers on the side and see if it hasn’t expired yet.
For towable motor homes, check your RV’s hitch, hitch balls, chains, brakes and tow bar, too. You wouldn’t want these to break down while you’re out on the road.
Lastly, before going on your vacation or camping trip, take your RV on a short test drive. By doing this, you will more or less feel that your RV is in good condition or not for the long drive.
If you need any repairs or maintenance and you are caught off guard, funding your RV expenses can be quite difficult because bank loans do not classify RVs as homes. You can get extra funding thought from some bad credit loan providers to help your cover your RV maintenance.
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Maintaining Good Credit Scores in Canada
By Cassandra_BHM | August 7, 2011
Canada enjoys the prestige of being one of the wealthiest nations in the globe. Its standing shows in the country’s per capita income which is very high as compared to others. Their name is included in the world’s top 10 trading nations. Amidst all these however, none of its citizens are immune to bad credit. Our credit scores are our own responsibilities and we can’t just entrust it to anyone. Maintaining our credit scores is full time job that requires discipline and diligence in our financial management. There are many ways that we can do on a daily basis to help us keep our credit rating high. You can be rest assured that all your efforts will pay off because those with good credit scores enjoy many perks like lower interest rates on loans and credit cards.
It should all start with education. You can’t just expect your credit score to be high without you knowing anything about it, what goes into it, and what you are doing that is affecting your score. People that know more about what goes into their credit scores are those that are able to keep high scores. Know that not everything that has to do with financial matters has a bearing on your credit score like simple utility payments. The usual pieces of information that are used to compute your credit score are recent credit, level of debt, mix of credit, credit age, and payment history.
Be sure to watch your credit report. When you are careful about your credit score, it doesn’t necessarily mean that others will be too. Credit reports may sometimes contain erroneous data that may lower your credit score. Check all entries carefully and ensure that everything is accurate.
Having new and more credit cards may sound tempting to many people. What many don’t know is that every time they apply for a new credit card account or loan, their credit score takes a small beating. Credit inquiries make up a tenth of your credit score so when you apply for new credit, you lose some points. Your credit age, which is 15% of your credit score, is also lowered because of new credit.
Manage your debt wisely and do your best to keep your credit balances low. By keeping your credit at around 30% of your limit, you gain more chances to maintain your good credit score. Maxing out your credit balance lowers your score.
Also, don’t just close old accounts. When you close old credit card accounts and retain newer ones, this places less weight on your credit age and causes your credit score to drop.
Lastly, be prompt on your payments. Pay all your bills, not just loans and credit cards, on time. Although not all bills are reported to credit bureaus, they still can reflect on your credit report if you are late on payments.
Remember that these disciplines should be done on a daily basis. Sooner or later, they can become habits and when that happens, you can ease through life having a good credit score and enjoy the many perks that it has to offer.
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Manage Your Finances and Be Free
By Cassandra_BHM | August 2, 2011
What’s your New Year’s resolution? Every year, we make plans for every aspect of our life. Bulk of these plans and a major part of our hopes and dreams is financial freedom. Almost everything seems to be solved by money. Surprisingly, even relationship problems that lead to separation and divorce are often rooted in money matters. So everyone just wants to break free of debt and any problem relating to money so they can start moving on with their lives. How do we really start when we’re drowning in debt?
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