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	<title>Off Set Account</title>
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		<title>Managing Your Money</title>
		<link>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/managing-your-money/</link>
		<comments>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/managing-your-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:52:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/?p=43</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As soon as you start working, it is important that you immediately start managing your money. There are five important factors necessary that you will need to start saving money: your bank account, your tax file number, your super fund, your savings and your insurance.
Your employer will request your bank account details to deposit your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As soon as you start working, it is important that you immediately start managing your money. There are five important factors necessary that you will need to start saving money: your bank account, your tax file number, your super fund, your savings and your insurance.</p>
<p>Your employer will request your bank account details to deposit your salary. If you do not have one yet, you must compare the fees and charges of different banks before you decide to open an account with them. There are some employers who will supply you with a bank account.</p>
<p>As for the Tax File Number, you will be taxed with the highest personal rate if you do not give your Tax File Number to your employer. You need to contact the Australian Tax Office if you do not have a Tax File Number yet.</p>
<p>Choosing a superannuation fund is very important, you employer devotes nine percent of your salary or wages into a super fund this is called the Super Guarantee. This is designed to help facilitate your retirement savings this cannot normally be accessed until you have retired from work. Super funds invest your money on your behalf to increase your benefit, you can be given a choice as to how you want your money to be invested to make it a real benefit.</p>
<p>If you are already working, you should devote a part of your income to your savings. When it accumulates, you can use this to buy what you choose. You can ask your employer to divide your pay into saving and everyday living. Saving a small amount each week will increase your savings significantly over a month or two.</p>
<p>Included in a sound financial plan, insurance provides protection for your family and assets. If you are already working, you must think of the things that you treasure the most and how you are going to replace them if it was damaged or lost.</p>
<p>While you may not be able to cover the damage or loss immediately, insurance can help you with it. You should also cover yourself, to ensure that insurance will protect you and your family incase accident or injury stops you from being able to work helping lessen the burden.</p>
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		<title>Basics of home loans: What borrowers should be aware of</title>
		<link>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/basics-of-home-loans-what-borrowers-should-be-aware-of/</link>
		<comments>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/basics-of-home-loans-what-borrowers-should-be-aware-of/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 07:24:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/?p=39</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you want to purchase a house but cannot afford it from your own resource, you can obtain a mortgage. Home loan helps you fulfill your dream of having your own house. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Basics of home loans: What borrowers should be aware of<br />
</strong></p>
<p>When you want to purchase a house but cannot afford it from your own resource, you can obtain a mortgage. Home loan helps you fulfill your dream of having your own house. It uses the house as collateral to guarantee its repayment. There are different types of  mortgages and various terms associated with them that you must know before applying for it. You can gather basic knowledge about these from a <a href="http://www.mortgagefit.com/terminology/">dictionary for home mortgage terms</a>.</p>
<p><strong>How can a dictionary for home mortgage terms help you?</strong></p>
<p>You can learn about the various costs associated with obtaining a mortgage by going through a dictionary for home mortgage terms. Some of the terms that you must know are:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Appraisal: </strong>It is the estimate of the present value of your property. Lenders appraise your home before offering you a loan.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Annual percentage rate: </strong>It is the yearly interest rate on home loan including all costs associated with it.</li>
<li><strong>Closing cost:</strong> The total amount you have to pay to your lender on the day your loan gets approved is the closing cost including application fees, appraisal fees, home owners insurance, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What are the factors that determine the size of your loan?</strong></p>
<p>Lenders use certain ratios to determine the size of your loan. You can find out about these ratios from a dictionary for home mortgage terms. The ratios are:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Housing-to-income ratio: </strong>Your monthly mortgage payment, including interest payments, homeowners insurance and property tax compared to your gross monthly income (before tax deduction) is known as housing-to-income ratio. This ratio should not exceed 28% in case of conventional loans.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Debt-to-income ratio: </strong>Your gross monthly income divided by the sum of monthly debt obligation including the new mortgage gives the debt-to-income ratio. For conventional mortgages, a ratio above 36 % is considered risky by lenders.</li>
</ul>
<p>The size of your home loan also depends on your down payment. When you&#8217;re planning to buy a house with a home loan, a knowledge of the terminology will help you understand the terms and conditions mentioned on your loan contract and prevent you from falling into traps of fraudulent lenders.</p>
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		<title>Basics of Car Loans</title>
		<link>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/basics-of-car-loans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/basics-of-car-loans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:39:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offsetaccount.com.au/?p=8</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is really difficult to buy a new car without taking out auto loans. Therefore, if you are trying to buy a new car, then you know about the basics of auto loan.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Basics of auto loan</h2>
<p>It is really difficult to buy a new car without taking out auto loans. Therefore, if you are trying to buy a new car, then you know about the basics of auto loan</p>
<h2>2 types of auto loans</h2>
<p>If you want to know about the basics of auto loan, then you should at first be familiar with the 2 types of car loans, which are given below.</p>
<p>1. Unsecured auto loan &#8211; It doesn’t require any collateral. However, you’ll have to pay high interest rates on your loan.</p>
<p>2. Secured auto loan &#8211; It requires collateral, such as, your home or the car you’re buying. You’ll get relatively low interest rates on your loan.</p>
<h2>Tips to save money on auto loans</h2>
<p>You can save money on your auto loans by following 3 tips, which are listed below.</p>
<p>* Arrange for independent financing.<br />
* Use your home equity as collateral.<br />
* Try to have a good credit score.</p>
<h2>How to borrow auto loan during credit crunch</h2>
<p>Knowing only about the basics of auto loan may not be enough to take out loans during a period of credit crunch. Here are some strategies that will help you to take out good auto loans even during credit crunch.</p>
<p>* Examine your budget and try to offer highest down possible payment.<br />
* Try to get a pre-approved loan before you visit your dealer.<br />
* Pay off your high balance credit cards in order to improve your credit score quickly.<br />
* Try to take out loans from local banks, credit unions and online traders.<br />
* Consider buying certified pre-owned cars if it is difficult to take out loans for new and expensive cars..</p>
<p>Knowing the basics of auto loan will help you to shop for better interest rates on your car loans.</p>
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