The bitcoin is not just one of the most popular forms of cryptocurrency, but it is quickly becoming synonymous with the term. There are a variety of currencies that have been inspired by the bitcoin collectively known as altcoins. These improvisations of bitcoins consider themselves to be a better and more polished version of the bitcoin. There are more than 700 different types of cryptocurrencies, while the world is still stuck on the bitcoin and its different variants. While the best time to invest in cryptocurrency is the most debated topic, here are three types that can help you get a better idea of cryptocurrency. Litecoin The Litecoin was one of the cryptocurrencies that was associated closely with the bitcoin and was also known as the sliver to bitcoin’s gold. This cryptocurrency was launched in 2011 by an MIT graduate and former Google engineer. The Litecoin might have serious similarities to the bitcoin but it has a faster block generation rate, which offers a quicker confirmation of the transaction. It is based on an open source global payment network and is not under the control of any central authority. Furthermore, it uses “scrypt” as a proof of work that allows decoding with the help of a consumer grade CPU.

Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a mortgage-refinancing program offered to homeowners by the Federal Housing Agency. It is specifically offered to homeowners who have homes that are worth less than the outstanding balance on the home loan. It was created in 2009 to deal with the housing downturn. This refinancing program is beneficial for those homeowners who are struggling to pay a mortgage due to their unexpected financial hardships. An applicant should consider refinancing their loan through HARP only if they have a good payment history that did not incur any extra interest due to overdue payments and if they owe more than what their house is worth. Some advantages of refinancing your home loan through HARP are mentioned below: HARP lowers the mortgage rate incurred against a home loan It helps in shortening the loan term You can also transfer it to an adjustable-rate mortgage in a fixed-rate loan to reduce the mortgage rate and shorten the loan term HARP also helps in bundling closing costs into a new home loan You have to do minimum paperwork when compared with a traditional refinancing option. This makes the application process easier and smoother There is no minimum score required to qualify for a HARP loan You also don’t require to get an appraisal or have a loan underwriting from your previous lender, making refinancing process easier and faster It does not have underwater limits, which increases your chances of getting your loan refinanced through HARP Following are the eligibility requirements to qualify for HARP:

Most people realize the importance of managing money soon after they hit their 20s. However, regardless of age, working on personal finances is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Thanks to the advent of several financial software in recent years, managing personal finance has never been more convenient. That said, choosing the right one can be difficult out of the available number of software programs.  Here, we’ve listed the best financial software for personal use to help you narrow down your options. Quicken Quicken is one of the most popular and  top-rated personal finance software out there. Right from creating budgets to tracking debts, Quicken is designed to help users manage various aspects of their financial life. The software is also great for those who are into investing, as it helps one review their investment portfolio and compare markets to make better profitable decisions. Quicken also lets you pay your bills online. In addition to Windows and macOS, the software is in both Android and iOS, allowing users to manage their finances on the go. Personal Capital Personal Capital is an excellent financial software for those looking for long-term wealth management. It can connect all your financial accounts in one place, including IRAs, 401ks, mortgages, loans, checking, credit cards, and savings, making it easier to check your net worth and get a holistic view of your finances.

In 2015, an individual had the choice of about 30 Medicare plans with a wide array of benefits and premiums. Today, a total of 1001 Medicare plans are available all over the nation. Individuals must regularly review their options for Medicare plans. You may be happy with your present cover, but you should compare it to ensure that you are getting the most financially effective plan. You should not trust that the plan that worked for you two years back will be suitable for your changing needs. If you do so, it is possible that you might miss the opportunity to get better benefits at lower price. How to Choose One of The Top 5 Medicare Plans The enrollment period for joining any of the Medicare Part D plans starts in December. You should note this, as if you miss the deadline, you will be subject to payment of a late enrollment fee. Here are a few steps to follow when changing your plan. Create a List: Prepare a list of all the medications that you currently consume, along with the dosage. This vital information will assist you to compare plans. Also, ask your doctor how long the present dosage and type of drugs will be needed.

The way an individual in a modern setting spends and organizes their lives is hugely dependent on the needs and requirements they have in exchange of the hard work they invest their lives for. The earnings an individual works for in one payroll cycle is divided and further sub divided into categories so that the hard-earned money can go to the best of places where it is required. Before a certain sum of the income is encashed in the form of payment checks or bank transfers from an employer, a certain percentile is deducted from the total earnings towards funds which are to plan ahead of time the future for the employee. The system wherein a certain pre-decided amount from a person’s salary is kept aside for, basically a rainy day. It is human tendency to spend off money when put into one’s pocket as is human psychology. So, the ideology behind creating direct debit from payroll for savings and also for tax deduction was introduced to negate the possibility for anyone employed by a company to miss out on paying mandatory sums of amount to the government which is for the greater good of the economy. Under corporate social responsibility, it is considered to be the duty of the employer to keep in tab the financial practices of its employees.

Credit cards have made life a lot easier. It’s an easy source of finance, but that’s where you should be vigilant. Having too many cards can severely affect your financial health and credit rating. When used judiciously, you can use the revolving credit to your advantage. There are different types of cards designed to suit the needs of different users. Airline credit cards, hotel credit cards, cashback credit cards, low interest credit cards, student cards, points cards, no annual fee cards, the list goes on. The usual benefits of using a credit card includes rebates on fuel bills and cash back on grocery purchases. One can easily apply for a credit card online. Based on your credit rating, your credit limit is fixed. The best cards offer a number of benefits and give you considerable savings. Keep your credit score high and you can access amazing offers. Here’s a rundown on three of the best cards of 2017. Chase Freedom Unlimited Rated as the best cashback card, you earn 1.5% cashback on all your purchases. Plus, you earn a bonus of $150 when you swipe the card for purchases worth $500 and above. This offer is applicable in the first three months after opening the account.

Landlord insurance is great for owners who need to protect themselves monetarily from damage or loss incurred to their property. Landlord insurance covers for both malicious and accidental damage. Damages due to unexpected events such as are also covered. When choosing landlord insurance plans, make sure that the policy you choose covers your specific needs. For example, there are different premiums and coverages if the property is an apartment, building, single family home, a duplex home, or a condo. Look at the fine print of the landlord insurance quote before making a final decision. Here some of the popular landlord insurance quotes listed for you: Trusted Choice Inc. Trusted Choice provides liability coverage for accidents and injuries that occur within the property premises. They offer a variety of discounts for multi-policy holders. They provide insurance coverage for almost all types of structures including apartments, single-homes, duplexes, and apartments. Landlord insurance by trusted choice cost up to $50 a month, although, prices may vary depending on the applicant’s insurance quote. They provide an additional coverage of rental business coverage, umbrella liability, coverage for loss of rent, coverage for legal fees, additional natural disaster fee, and workers compensation. Liberty Mutual Liberty Mutual provides landlord insurance that has repair service coverage in case of unexpected peril.

A few years ago, opening a bank account meant several trips to the bank branch and even more formalities to be completed. Visiting a nearby branch and waiting until your account could make most of us procrastinate the much-needed task. Opening a bank account is necessary and there is no way you can get away from it. But the good is that you can now open a bank account online. Well, yes. With the development in technology, several banks have begun to offer this facility. If you wish to open a bank account online, you can do so with much ease. However, there are few challenges that people may face sometimes. Here are some reasons when you will be left with no option but have to visit the bank: Age factor – When you try to open a bank account online, you will have to fill in details about your age. Individual who are under the legal age of 18 may not be able to go ahead with the procedure. The reason behind this is that any person who is under 18 can not open an independent bank account. One will have to start a joint account with a guardian.

A prepaid card is an excellent solution for people who don’t want to check accounts or simply can’t get a credit card. Prepaid cards can also be gifted as a substitute for cash. However, prepaid cards are different from traditional credit and debit cards. They can cost you a lot of money if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Read The Fine Print Prepaid cards come with charges that is never mentioned outright. Before picking up a card read all the terms and conditions that come with it. You can ask the card issuer directly about any questions that you have. Some cards come with monthly fees, some others come with a monthly charge for not using, and some cards even have limitations on the maximum number of ATM withdrawals in a month. Therefore, before getting a card, it’s important that you have read through everything before you make a decision. Monitor The Activities Of Your Card Take care of your prepaid card activities since these cards don’t generate statements like regular debit or credit cards. That’s because prepaid cards are nothing like debit cards. Here, you can keep track of your spending another way. If you register your card on the issuer’s website, then you can get email and SMS notifications for every transaction that’s made on the card.

Retirement can be a costly proposition, so if you’re looking to choose states to retire in, it could be a long and exhausting research process. This is because all the elderly individuals want to spend their golden years peacefully with family and friends. Before finalizing the state that you would like to settle in, here are some of the important factors that you should consider. Cost of living For most retirees, cost of living is an important aspect post retirement. This is because majority of them will be living on a fixed monthly income. This automatically translates to a limited spending capacity. Whichever state you pick to settle in, should have flexible laws in terms of tax and a reasonable pricing system for housing and retail businesses. Healthcare system An organized healthcare system is very crucial for you because as a retiree as you are more susceptible to medical problems. Make sure that your chosen state has convenient as well as people friendly healthcare laws and institutions. Crime statistics Older individuals often feel anxious about moving to new place, especially if they are going to be living alone. Ensure that you are moving to a city that has top-notch safety services and a friendly local community.

After a rollicking first quarter with the S&P 500 rocketing more than 7%, the time after March has been a confluence of things. As a whole, the market had gotten exceptionally overpriced, dulling buying spirits. Currently, ETFs (exchange-traded funds) seem a much better investment than stocks right now, because of their sheer diversity which will mitigate losses, on the whole, minimizing damages caused by plummets in individual equities. So, what strategy should one apply for the rest of the year? This article lists the best ETF stocks to buy for the year 2017: iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) Type: Asset Allocation (Conservative) Expense ratio: 0.25% The iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) is a conservative portfolio and one of many funds which act like a portfolio in a box. In most cases, asset allocation funds hold a mix of cash, bonds, and stocks to meet a particular investment strategy. The more conservative ones hold more bonds than stocks, and the latter will also be the value ones and not the high-risk ones. Asset allocation funds that are more aggressive will focus on the portfolio’s equity side, and not hold many bonds. AOK is invested 1% in cash, 32% in equities and 67% in fixed income securities.