Bank finance articles and tips

There are many repercussions that can ensue from the death of a family member but there is one that can really cut deeply into the sensitivities of survivors.

What can create such emotional, and possibly family, turmoil? A debt collector calls seeking the payment of a debt after the death of the deceased.

This is not an uncommon occurrence and there are more than a few attorneys as well as debt collection agencies that specialize in this practice.

Here are a few things that you should know about the responsibility for debts owed by a person who has died....

With the dwindling and tough economy, people need every cent they can lay their hands on. Home purchase or selling may be the most significant transaction that average consumers can make in their lifetimes. It is for this reason that it is crucial that you know how the transactions may affect your taxes. Home owners need to understand the financial implications, especially the tax liabilities, attached to sell of their homes. Below are some tax implications that the sale of your home may cause as well as how to cut these tax liabilities....

As I travel around and speak to potential business owners they seem confused about what to do next. This is a very common thing to feel as you are starting something new and you know what? That is very normal and expected when you are about to do something that you have never done before. Starting a business can be one of the most fulfilling and difficult things that you ever do. It is amazing but it can be confusing. The great thing is that you are not alone and you can get it going at your own pace....

Knowing you're in debt can give you a feeling of despair. And it may not be, because of careless spending or frivolous and extravagant purchases on unwanted items. It may just be a case of bad luck, where you have been laid off and your savings have dried up and there is no other option but to obtain credit. The bills may pile up because you're thinking that before it gets any worse you will have a job and make the repayments. We all know that plans go awry and then before you know it, you are drowning in debt. This does not have to be a bleak end for you, there are programmes designed to manage your debt allowing you to make low and affordable repayments....

In my selling skills workshops, I ask the participants to nominate what they believe is the most important interpersonal skill they need to master. The usual suspects - the meet and greet, qualifying, objection handling, closing routines - all get to figure in the discussion, and predictably, good questioning technique soon rises towards the top of the pile. However, to the surprise of many of the participants, we always finish up agreeing that, irrespective of how well we get to master the skill of asking carefully-chosen, well-timed questions, it will all amount to nothing unless we have the dedication and discipline to actively listen to the answers. I guess we should keep in mind that people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care... and they will quickly appreciate how much we care by how attentively we listen to them....

Studies suggest that the majority of Americans suffering with overwhelming debt know very little about the options available to help. While filing for bankruptcy is a well known option, many people fear it because of the misconceptions that people have heard. In general, bankruptcy can be a great tool to help resolve debt troubles, but it certainly is not the only option available. Before deciding on a plan for debt relief, it is important to review the benefits and risks associated with all of the options available....