Get Paid What You Are Worth and Spend Less Than You Earn

Make sure you know what your job is worth in the marketplace, by conducting an evaluation of your skills, productivity, job tasks, contribution to the company, and the going rate. Being underpaid even a thousand dollars a year can have a significant effect over the course of your working life. No matter how much or how little you’re paid, you’ll never get ahead if you spend more than you earn. It doesn’t always have to involve making big sacrifices.

Stick to a Budget

How can you know where your money is going if you don’t budget? How can you set spending and saving goals if you don’t know where your money is going? You need a budget whether you make thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt is the number one obstacle to getting ahead financially. Despite our good resolves to pay the balance off quickly, the reality is that we often don’t, and end up paying far more for things than we would have paid if we had used cash.

Contribute to a Retirement Plan

If your employer has a 401(k) plan and you don’t contribute to it, you’re walking away from one of the best deals out there. If you are already contributing, try to increase your contribution. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, consider getting an IRA.

Have a Savings Plan

Make sure to set aside a minimum of 5% to 10% of your salary for savings BEFORE you start paying your bills. An even better approach is to have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into a separate account.

Invest!

If you’re contributing to a retirement plan and a savings account and you can still manage to put some money into other investments that is even better to your overall financial planning.

Maximize Your Employment Benefits

Employment benefits like a 401(k) plan, flexible spending accounts, medical and dental insurance, etc., are worth big bucks. Make sure you’re maximizing yours and taking advantage of the ones that can save you money by reducing taxes or out-of-pocket expenses.

Review Your Insurance Coverage’s

Too many people are talked into paying too much for life and disability insurance. What is important is that you have enough insurance to protect your dependents and your income in the case of death or disability.

Update Your Will

70% of Americans do not have a will. If you have dependents, no matter how little or how much you own, you need a will.

Keep Good Records

Keeping good records all year will save you time and money, instead of scrambling to find everything when tax season approaches.

Some Possible Reasons to Refinance a Mortgage May Include:

• Saving money by lowering the interest rate.
• Making monthly payments more manageable by stretching out the remaining loan term.
• Stabilizing the monthly payment by switching to a fixed-rate mortgage.

Refinancing can be broken down into a series of smaller steps, all of which are fairly simple. Following are eleven tips that can help you refinance a mortgage successfully:

1.Begin by getting all of your paperwork to the lender. The paperwork should include verification of all income and assets such as tax returns, W2s, paycheck stubs, and bank statements. Rates are consistently fluctuating, so if you are looking for a particular interest rate, your window of opportunity can be as little as a couple of hours.

2.What are your reasons for refinancing?  Is the purpose to lower the interest rate, reduce the monthly payment, or lock in a fixed monthly payment? The type and terms of the refinance mortgage will depend on one of these or a combination.

3.Based on your goals, set targets for interest rates and monthly payments. Decide on the mortgage term and apply for a fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage. Using a refinance mortgage calculator can help you define your limits.

4.Check your credit rating. A low credit rating will affect the interest rate and the availability of a refinance mortgage.

5.Determine any changes in property value. A drop in property value can make it difficult to refinance a mortgage.

6.Inquire about any prepayment penalties on the existing mortgage. Some mortgages have penalties for early repayment which is important to know so it can be measured against the potential savings from refinancing.

7.Obtain refinance mortgage quotes from a variety of refinance mortgage lenders. Mortgage rates and lending standards vary from one institution to another.

8.Ask lenders for full disclosure of points, closing costs, and other fees.

9.Ask lenders how long they will commit to their rate quotes.

10.Use a mortgage calculator to compare monthly payment savings with closing costs and other upfront fees.

11.Remember it is important to assure the savings in monthly payments because they will, in time, compensate for the upfront costs.

A landlord and tenant relationship is guided by a lease agreement in which the landlord allows the tenant to use the property outlined in the lease and the tenant in return pays an amount to the landlord. Understanding the terms of a lease agreement is critical because in many disputes the terms are binding and controls the outcome.

In any lease agreement the landlord and tenant should discuss important issues, and thoroughly review the lease agreement. It is particularly critical to spend the appropriate time and understand what each party is entitled to and what each party must do in return in a rental agreement. Landlord and tenant attorneys can assist the parties with any questions regarding the lease. In the majority of cases a landlord already understands the terms of the agreement, so tenants should consult an attorney before signing a lease. Here are a few suggestions to guide you as you prepare to lease.

Review the Condition of the Property and Terms of Security Deposit

Before signing the lease, the landlord and tenant should conduct a walk through of the location and note any existing damages, go over the amount of the security deposit, and the conditions in which the deposit will be returned or withheld.

Details of the Rent

It is important to know the amount of rent you will be paying, the date the rent is due, the manner in which it is paid, and the penalties for late payment or no payment.

Discuss Any Tenant Limitations such as:

.The use of the property for a specific type of business.

.How many people can reside in the property.

.Whether or not pets are allowed in the property.

.Any other use of the property that may not be assumed by the other party.

.What each party’s rights and responsibilities are under the lease.

The most serious, and generally undesirable, option in landlord and tenant law disputes is eviction. A tenant facing eviction should contact a tenant attorney. Eviction is not the only way to terminate a lease agreement. Landlord and tenant laws or the lease agreement may provide options for early termination or non-renewal of the lease upon its natural expiration.

Whether the landlord and tenant dispute is over a residential or commercial lease, the result of an eviction filing, a question about co-signer liability, the return of a security deposit, or any other matter both the landlord and tenant have rights provided by the law. Landlord and tenant attorneys will be able to provide an explanation of the legal rights of landlords and tenants.

This change of policy comes as same-sex bankruptcies have been gaining traction in some districts. It can be seen as another indication the Obama administration will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). But what does that mean for same-sex couples looking to petition for bankruptcy jointly? A pre-DOMA bankruptcy case may be telling. In 1995, the Northern District of Georgia decided In re Allen, 186 B.R. 769. The Court in Allen sided against the same-sex couple on the grounds that they were trying to set a federal standard for “spouse” when Congress hadn’t intended there to be a federal standard, so the state definition is what controlled. In fact, the Court goes so far as to say “…if a state recognizes a legal marriage between a same sex couple, they would qualify for relief under § 302” of the Code.

With the Federal government no longer objecting, it appears as though married and civil union same-sex couples should be able to file for bankruptcy jointly in states that have allowed same-sex marriage or civil unions. Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution, the same is likely true even in states that do not allow same sex marriage. The future of DOMA, however, is less certain. A spokesman for Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated that “bankruptcy cases are unlikely to provide the path to the Supreme Court, where we imagine the question of constitutionality will ultimately be decided.”

DOMA isn’t dead yet. It has many ardent supporters in positions of power. Others, equally ardent in their opposition, are attempting to overturn the law in Congress. While the law may one day be repealed or ruled as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, it remains the law; albeit one that the current administration has chosen not to enforce. The opponents of same-sex marriage do not believe that bankruptcy court is an appropriate place to save DOMA. For now, file away, same-sex couples.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jamaican American Bar Association, NE., it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been voted the recipient of the Jamaican American Bar Association, N. E. Barrister’s Award 2011.

This, JABA, NE’s most prestigious award, will be presented on Saturday November 19, 2011, at 8:00 pm at our second Annual Black Tie Awards and Scholarship Gala to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.

This award is presented to a Jamaican American Attorney who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication in the field of law.

Attached to this letter is information regarding the event.

Congratulations again and we look forward to receiving acknowledgement of
your formal acceptance of this award. Please also include your bio and
headshot.

Your prompt attention is appreciated.

Respectfully,

Joan O. Pinnock, Esq.
President, JABANE

Georgette Miller & Associates knows the frustration that people have when a catastrophic medical emergency threatens to wipe out their savings account or sends them spiraling into uncontrollable sea of debt. Consult with one of our bankruptcy attorneys today to figure out how to salvage your financial future and move on from your medical nightmare. According to USA Today, on average, an uninsured family can pay only about 12 percent of their hospital bills and associated health care costs.  Even if a family is insured, they still often find themselves on the hook for high medical bills resulting from out-of-network Doctor’s visits and exorbitant co-pays.

According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, more than 141,000 people in NY, NJ, PA and DE filed for bankruptcy last year. That’s over a two-fold increase from 2007, when about 70,000 people statewide filed for protection under bankruptcy laws.

It can be difficult to fend off calls from hospitals, specialists and other medical professionals when you’re trying to recover. A bad accident that wasn’t your fault or an unexpected medical emergency can leave you reeling in debt. But the good news is you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you need to consider Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, let Georgette Miller & Associates help you use the law to your advantage. Filing for bankruptcy may be an avenue to get rid of medical bill debt that you can’t seem to get away from.