The following articles were authored by UnitedCash

Is It Worth Getting a Financial Advisor?

By on December 7, 2019

Utilizing financial advice can dramatically increase return on investment, although many people make the decision to handle their investments on their own. Most people believe they are educated enough to make wise financial decisions, which is completely understandable. If you have created wealth and have a sum of money to invest in the first place, it is a fairly good indicator that you have a decent head on your shoulders. Most people are versed enough to make decent investments with their money, but this doesn’t mean they are an expert. Nearly everyone can benefit from getting financial advice from an expert, as this will more than likely increase return on investment.

Fundamental Problems with Self-Investing


Lack of diligence is an issue that many investors face. There is a large time investment that is required with wise investing, which means you are going to consistently have to study the market. In a practical sense, it would be illogical to work a full-time job and also attempt to become an expert at investing. When people avoid financial advice and simply try to do it on their own, they are essentially trying to become an expert in the field. It would be akin to learning how a vehicle works and diagnosing every problem that your vehicle develops, rather than simply taking your car to a mechanic. It takes years and years of hard work to really understand how to diagnose a problem with a car. Furthermore, there is a lot of skill involved when it comes to performing repairs. An average person who is working a full-time job would not have the time necessary to become an expert. It would not be practical to approach car maintenance in this manner, as you will probably be losing your time and money. You should apply this same logic to investing your money.

Hiring a Financial Advisor


Working with an expert is an intelligent financial decision. Not only are you likely to increase your income, but you are going to be saving a lot of time in the process. The opportunity cost of self-investing is great, but many people don’t take this into account when they are considering investment options. If you decide to consult with an expert such as Rex Burgdorfer, you are going to be making a financial decision that will most likely put more money back in your pocket. You can evaluate the Rex Burgdorfer LinkedIn page for more information. If you have questions about the Rex Burgdorfer LinkedIn page, or you have questions about investment opportunities, you can reach out to Rex Burgdorfer.

Increase Return on Investment


What people perceive as an expense, in terms of working with a financial adviser, is really an investment that should pay great dividends. If you make the decision to obtain financial advice, you are inevitably going to have to pay some money upfront. However, that money should come back to you in a short period of time. Additionally, you have a much higher chance of increasing your income by at least several percentage points in the next calendar year

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How to Handle Debt Collectors Harassing You

By on November 8, 2019

Personal debt is at an all-time high in the United States. One in three Americans has a debt that has been turned over to a collection agency. It’s important to understand how to proceed rather than caving to pressure and threats when they call.

Don’t Pay on the First Contact


When you first receive a debt collection phone call, ask for as much information about the specific amount of the debt, the name associated with the debt, the company that turned over the debt for collections and the name of the debt collection agency.


There are often errors or mistakes in the information turned over to collections agencies. You will want to verify that the debt is associated with your name and that you had an outstanding debt with the company who turned it over to the collection agency.

Don’t make any payments, even small ones, until you have verified the legitimacy of the debt and received official documentation from the collections agency. Debt can “expire” in some states and no payments need to be made on it. However, making a payment on the debt can make it legally valid again.

Gather Supporting Documentation


Request a validation letter from the debt collector, if you did not receive one within five days of their first contact with you. This is official documentation of the debt being claimed by the collection agency. If you do not receive one but still receive threatening phone calls, tell them that you have not received a validation letter and will not speak with them until you have it. If they refuse to verify the debt in writing, then it is likely a scam.

Call the company who reported you had outstanding debt and ask them to send you copies of your account bills. Cross-check any payments made to the company with your bank statements. Pull together hard copies of payments made to the company and withdrawn from the bank.

Dispute any errors within 30 days of receiving the validation letter. Keep originals of all documentation and send copies to the debt collector using certified mail.

Negotiate Your Debt


When a debt collection agency buys debt from a company, they do not buy it for the full amount. The original company recoups some cost from the buyout and the collection agency makes their money off of whatever you agree to pay.

There are two goals when negotiating with a collections agency. The first is to settle your debt for as little as possible and secondly to have it removed from your credit report. You can ask for as little as 10% or 20% of the stated debt. If they decline your offer, ask them to make an offer and haggle from there.

Once you’ve agreed upon an amount, ask for a “pay for delete”. This means that you will pay the agreed-upon amount and they will delete the debt from your credit report. This helps your credit immensely and it settles the debt with the agency.

Pacific Collection Group is a collections agency located in California. We want you to know that you can come to us to discuss any debts. We are willing to work with you honestly and legitimately. Call Pacific Collection Group or stop by our office in person

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White Mountain Partners Shares What Age You Should Get Your First Credit Card

By on October 22, 2019

Using credit cards responsibly is an important part of building a healthy credit score. However, many people ruin their credit scores by using credit cards before they understand the process of building and maintaining good credit. Consider the following suggestions when deciding on the best age to get your first credit card:

Minors Under the Age of 18

Though some minors may have their parents’ credit cards, minors aren’t allowed to apply for credit cards under their own name. Some credit card companies allow primary credit card users to list authorized users on the account. These authorized minors can have their own cards that are printed with their names.

White Mountain Partners recommend that parents use this time to educate their children on appropriate credit card use. However, any minor hoping to open a line of credit on their own must understand that the law dictates that anyone under the age of 21 cannot apply for their own credit card without proof of stable income or a cosigner that is able to cover their bills.

Young Adults Between 18 – 20

Though most experts recommend that young adults avoid credit card use altogether, this is an excellent time for responsible credit card users to start building their credit cards. According to 2009’s Credit CARD Act, anyone between 18 – 21 must show proof of stable employment or assets, indicating they can pay the loan back. At this time, young adults should seriously consider if they are ready for a credit card.

If a hopeful applicant plans to use their credit card to live above their means, this is a fast track into debt. However, young, financially stable adults that are only using their credit card to build their credit and make purchases that they can pay off in full are in the best position to make healthy financial decisions with their credit card use.

Adults at 21

After 21, most adults have a better understanding of how credit card companies work. At the age of 21, anyone can apply for credit cards without being met with the CARD Act restrictions. However, at this age, White Mountain Partners share that it’s still imperative to manage this credit card use responsibly at this time. If you’re applying for your first credit card around this age, make sure you are able to pay your bills in full on time and avoid taking on large balances.

Make sure you are able to make timely payments by setting up alerts for your email or phone prior to your credit card’s due date. Additionally, you can set up automatic payments to make sure you’re never late in paying your credit card bills.

Building Credit as an Adult

Throughout your 20’s, 30’s, and onwards, you’ll have years to continue building your credit. The sooner you’re able to start making healthier financial decisions, the stronger your credit will be. Wherever you are currently with your credit score, using your credit cards responsibly will allow you to make bigger, more substantial purchases as you get older.

Getting a credit card before the right age can seriously affect your credit score. Be sure to keep this information in mind to better understand best practices when applying for and using a credit card

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Golden State Partners Discusses The Best Ways to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

By on October 17, 2019

Credit card debt can be something that is difficult to deal with, as it can have drastic implications on one’s credit score. Consolidating credit card debt is a method used by many in order to reduce monthly payments, which can help save you money. There are multiple ways that credit card debt can be consolidated.

There are many factors that go into which method you can use, and they are primarily based on the strength of your credit history and your current financial situation. Here are the best ways to go about consolidation.

Apply for a Personal Loan

A personal loan is a common method used to consolidate debt, and funds from a debt consolidation loan could actually be used to pay off the remaining balance on a credit card. Instead of making monthly payments, you’d simply make one payment for the personal loan itself.

If you happen to have good credit and have proven to be responsible with your finances, you may actually qualify for lower interest rates. Interest rates can be devastating if you have credit card debt, and Golden State Partners are experts in the industry that can assist you if you are having trouble.

In addition, certain lenders will send payments to the creditors directly. This can help you avoid the temptation of spending the loan money on something else.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

A balance transfer allows you to move balances from multiple credit card accounts to a different card. Balance transfer credit cards come with a big advantage in the introductory 0% APR for a certain amount of time.

If you are able to pay off the balances you transfer prior to the start of the introductory period, you could potentially avoid paying interest on charges of the transferred balance altogether. However, you should be advised that the promotional period is only for a limited time and if you do not pay it off in time, the remaining balance will negatively impact the interest rate.

Ask Help from Friends and Family

This may all depend on what you owe and how bleak your financial situation looks like. If you are strapped for money, you may ask a loved one to lend you the money. If they are willing, they can give you what you require for the time being.

You should be advised that personal relationships are often fractured because of financial mishaps. Therefore, if you go this route, the terms of the loan and a clear plan of repayment should be clearly outlined. Treat this no different than if you were applying for a loan from a bank or other financial institution.

Of course, the biggest advantage of doing so is that there are no eligibility requirements. Odds are that if you reach a point where you have to ask loved ones for necessary financing, you would be denied a formal loan from a financial institution. In addition, you may also get lower interest rates.

As you can see, consolidating credit card debt is something that is useful for many people to handle credit card debt. Credit card debt can have a drastic effect on your credit score and other areas in your life. Golden State Partners contains valuable information and resources for you to use to help in your journey

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Derby Advisors Shares What to Do When You’re Struggling to Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

By on October 2, 2019

While having a healthy amount of debt is essential to earning a good credit score, there’s a difference between good debt and bad debts. Debt becomes harmful when payments aren’t paid in full each month, missed completely, and when it eventually takes its toll on your credit score. Consider the following information to discover effective strategies to pay off your debts:

1. Know What You Owe

Start fast-tracking your debt reduction process by compiling all of your debts into one list. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of how much you owe, the due dates for each bill, and other details like the name of the creditor and the interest rate. With all your debts in one place, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to focus on and where to concentrate your efforts. Make it a point to refer to this list on a regular basis to keep these debts at the forefront of your mind.

2. Pay All Monthly Bills on Time

Another step in reducing debt is to avoid late payments as much as possible. Experts like Derby Advisors share that with every late payment comes a late fee, which further complicates the repayment process. If you consistently miss payments or make late payments, you’ll face an increase in finance charges and interest rates. Avoid this situation by setting alerts ahead of time to remind yourself to pay your bills.

3. Create A Bill Payment Calendar

For many, paying off debt can be overwhelming. Instead of paying all bills at once and taking a huge chunk out of your earnings, set up a bill payment calendar to determine when you will pay each of your bills. When creating this calendar, make sure your paydays coincide with the days you pay your bills as this will encourage you to make payments as soon as you have the money to do so.

4. Make the Minimum Payment

When paying off your debt, it’s also important to make the minimum payment for each bill. While this amount won’t help you progress as quickly as you would if you paid more each month, paying the minimum will keep your accounts in good standing, effectively preventing your debt from growing or your accounts from defaulting.

5. Prioritize High-Interest Debts

While it may seem as though your debt is all-consuming, this doesn’t have to be the case. By prioritizing your debt and choosing to pay off high-interest debts first, you’ll be able to make a greater impact on your debt. According to Derby Advisors, prioritizing credit card debt is a good strategy as credit cards often have the highest interest rates out of other debts. When choosing which credit card debt to pay first, pick the ones with higher interest rates, then rank the rest of your debts in the order that you’ll pay them off.

Debt can have a serious impact on your finances. If you’re in the process of paying off your debt and rebuilding your credit, be sure to apply these five strategies to your life

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Tuck Associates Discusses How Long After Paying Off Credit Card Debt Should You Wait to Start the Home Buying Process

By on September 17, 2019

Paying off credit card debt can make it much easier to get approved for a mortgage. However, you may not necessarily see the benefits of paying down those balances right away. Let’s take a look at how committing to getting debt-free prior to buying a house can impact your timeline for doing so.

It Could Take 30 to 45 Days to See a Change to Your Credit Score

Credit card companies generally report account information to the credit bureaus several hours or days after you make payment. If you make a payment once per month, you can expect to see changes to your credit score every four to six weeks. Therefore, it may be worth your while to wait until your credit score has updated. This could be especially true if your score is currently on the fringes of what a lender may deem acceptable to approve a mortgage application.

Have Your Cash Reserves Seasoned Enough Yet?

Traditional mortgage lenders typically want to see that you have a reliable source of cash reserves in the bank. Furthermore, they likely want to see that they have been in your bank account for 60 to 90 days. This is often referred to as a seasoning period. If you use your current savings to pay down a credit card debt, it could take several weeks or months to replenish those savings.

Once that happens, you will ideally wait another several weeks or months to meet a lender’s seasoning requirements. It is worth mentioning that government mortgage products such an FHA or VA loans don’t have cash reserve requirements. However, having money in the bank can make it easier to get loan approval at a favorable interest rate.

Can You Afford to Make a Down Payment?

In addition to having cash reserves on hand, you may also be required to make a down payment as part of the loan approval process. Traditional mortgages usually require down payments of 20% while government loans require down payments of 5% or less. In either scenario, you will likely need to save thousands of dollars to cover this expense and other closing costs. The folks at companies such as Tuck Associates may be able to help you learn more about how paying down credit card debt could influence your home shopping journey.

Will You Have Enough Money to Maintain the Home?

While a home inspection could reveal problems with a property, there is no way to predict when a repair or upgrade will need to be made. For instance, a roof could start to leak even if it looked fine during the inspection, and it is a repair that you can’t wait to make despite the fact that it could cost up to $10,000 to have done. Therefore, it is important that you wait to establish an emergency fund before a home purchase becomes official. A representative from a firm such as Tuck Associates could help you create a plan that helps you pay down debt without fully depleting your savings.

There is no hard rule as it relates to how long you need to wait to buy a home after paying down credit card debt. Instead, you’ll want to hold off on the purchase until you feel comfortable paying all of the costs associated with owning a home

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Benefits of Hard Money Loans

By on September 7, 2019

What is a Hard Money Loan? –

According to Investopedia, hard money loans are usually a real estate loans that have their terms based almost entirely upon the property’s value as collateral. Hard money loans are not issued on the basis of borrower creditworthiness. Hard money lenders are most always private investors.

Due to the risky nature of these types of loans, the interest rates are high and the repayment periods are short.

These loans have a legitimate spot in real estate because of some of their important benefits.

Faster Access to Capital –

According to Realtor.com, the beauty of a hard money loan for a real estate investor is when they see an opportunity that must be acquired quickly. The hard money loan approval process is quick and easy, so the investor can snap up their acquisition before someone else grabs it. In fact, traditional mortgage loans take around 45 days to fund the loan, but some hard money loans are funded within 24 hours.

Easy Approval –

So long as the borrower has the requisite down payment and is trying to purchase a desirable property that has equity and investment potential, the lender does not look into their credit history.

Flexibility in Repayment Options –

Investopedia reported that, since hard money lenders aren’t straight-jacketed in a traditional underwriting procedure, the borrowers have the capability of negotiating the repayment schedule more for their benefit.

Short Term –

According to Investopedia, even though the interest rates are high, the terms of these loans are usually short, often only one to three years. This helps home flippers to buy, rehab and sell homes quickly. They don’t want to be bothered with a 15- to 30-year loan for a home that they will only own for a year or less.

The same is true of builders who might acquire a residential lot, build on it and sell the home and property. They don’t need to go through the hassle and red tape of a mortgage loan.

In the case of both the builder and the flipper, if they have played their cards right, the higher costs of the loan will be offset by the high profit potential of their investment.

Under-Served Borrowers Can Obtain These Loans –

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that hard money loans often go to higher-risk situations, such as borrowers who cannot verify their income and financial information or who do not have good credit.

Hard Money Loans Help in Negotiations –

Those with hard money loans can close escrow so quickly that the investors may be able to negotiate lower prices from sellers.

Hard Money Lenders Can Be a Second Set of Eyeballs –

Hard money lenders are real estate experts and will only purchase property that they feel will easily sell and recover their losses in the event of your default. If they are declining your loan application, it is important to find out their rationale. Their advice may save you from a bad investment.

At first, with their high-interest rates, hard money loans may not seem useful. Actually, they are an important source of funding for anyone who does not intend upon holding the loan and the home for long, like flippers and builders, and for those who may not have the metrics that qualify them for traditional mortgage loans

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Punch Associates Discuss How to Pay Off Your Loan and Credit Card Debt Quicker

By on August 31, 2019

No one likes to be in debt, which is why many people are looking for ways to get rid of loans and debt quickly. Fortunately, there are effective methods that you could use to alleviate this issue. Here are some habits that you could immerse yourself in to get the burden of debt off your back as quickly as possible.

Live Within Your Means

This will take quite a bit of dedication and a commitment to a lifestyle change, but if your aim is to get the debt removed quickly, you need to start living within your means and not spending money that you do not have.

If you were to calculate your expenses and the income you take in weighed against what goes away from purchases, you should be able to get a better indication of how much you could put towards debt in each month. However, you should also be taking a close look at what exactly you are spending your money on. Punch Associates could show you how you can better live within what you can afford and effective debt paying methods.

Adding up things such as Netflix subscriptions or gym memberships could potentially be resulting in hundreds of dollars that you could be putting towards debt. If something you are spending on isn’t an immediate need or is something you know you could survive without, put it towards debt and you will find that you have more money than you think.

Pay as Much As You Can Afford Per Month

This is another obvious tip, but paying as much as you can per month will also lower your debt burden much quicker. Many people want to give themselves a false sense of security by settling for the minimum payments to give themselves more money to spend on other pursuits.

However, all making the minimum payment does is extend the shelf life of the loan or debt you have because it barely dips into the principal. If you really want to make a dent in your debt, you should be striving to pay as much as you can reasonably afford per month.

Do not fall into the trap of only settling for the minimum, because while you still be paying off some of your debt per month, you will end up making more payments for a longer period of time. For more information on effective ways of paying off debt, you could check out expert information at Punch Associates.

Find a Side Hustle

Finding an extra stream of income could be another effective way to ensure that you pay off your debt quicker. Being reliant on one job and one stream of income could be troublesome for many, especially considering the volatile nature of many jobs that could easily be replaced with technology.

If you were to find certain freelancing work or other methods of getting money per week, you could be ding yourself a big favor and make yourself better prepared to pay off your debts. There are many unusual ways to make money. Find what is comfortable for you and you could be relieving a big burden off of your shoulders

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Ballast Associates Discusses How to Pay Off Debt When You’re Drowning in It

By on July 31, 2019

When you’re drowning in debt, money – or the lack thereof – is all you can think about. It requires courage and discipline to overcome debt, especially if you feel like you’re drowning in it. That said, you may not know how to take care of debt once you’re that far gone. Fortunately, this is something that we know about at Ballast Associates. If you’re drowning in debt and you don’t know how to get out, you might try implementing these three tips.

1. Stop Accruing Debt

A report in the U.S. News and World Report cautions against ignoring the debt. Once you’ve determined that you want to get out of debt, get into action. You must first determine how you got into debt in the first place. Do you use your credit cards when you could use cash? Do you buy things that you can’t afford, thinking that you can pay for them on time? Do you spend more at the grocery store than you should because you don’t pay attention to your shopping list?

If any of these issues turn out to be the case, then try keeping a money journal. Each time you make a purchase, write down that purchase in your book. Your spending patterns will start to emerge very quickly. You’ll see what you’ve spent on your rent/ mortgage, utilities, etc. and what you’ve spent on unnecessary extras.

It’s hard to ignore these patterns in your budget when you’ve written them down. Making the pattern conscious is a key way to change your spending habits because writing down your purchases forces you to look at how you spend your money.

2. Budget, Budget, Budget

At Ballast Associates, we usually recommend that someone in your position create a strict budget. This budget cuts out the unnecessary purchases you might make. These could be that weekly coffee runs to Starbucks with your friends. (You often pay for everyone’s drinks.) It could be the lunches that you eat in the local bistro every day. It might be the night at the movies with your family that cost you at least $100.

Once you make your budget, earmark the money you would have used to purchase any of these “extras” as money that will go toward your debt instead. Additionally, make sure your budget adequately covers expenses, like your utilities, gas for your car, etc.

If you can’t pay for your expenses using just your income, then you’re either not making enough money or you’re not budgeting enough for each of your expenses. If the reason is the former, then you need to look at your income, something we’ll do in the next section. If it’s the latter, then adjust how much you budget for each expense.

3. Income Matters

The Money Under 30 website brings up an uncomfortable truth. It’s nearly impossible to pay off a good chunk of debt if your income is too small. Your income is the greatest defense you have against debt. (Well, that and good money habits.)

If your income is not enough, then consider getting a part-time job, selling off some of your assets, or getting a higher-paying job. For example, if you get a gig in a local coffee shop that pays you about $1,000 extra a month, that’s $12,000 more you can put toward your debt by the end of the year.

Yes, it’s difficult to work more. However, once you realize that you’ll get out of debt faster by doing this, then it may make it easier to go this route, at least temporarily.

Final Thoughts

Getting out of debt requires discipline and truth. That is to say, if you can’t look at your financial situation in the proverbial face, then you’ll never be able to move beyond your debt. Once you are able to do this, then you’ll also have the courage to create a budget and to adjust your income so that getting out of debt becomes inevitable

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Second City Advisors Discusses How to Find Financial Freedom After Racking Up Thousands in Credit Card Debt

By on July 31, 2019

People accrue credit card debt for a number of reasons. Maybe they have a big event like a wedding that they need to pay for. Maybe they get sick and need to live on the credit cards for a while. Or maybe they’ve just used their cards without thinking. At Second City Advisors, we’ve witnessed all of these things. In fact, getting a handle on credit card debt is one reason why so many people come to us for advice.

Fortunately, getting out of credit card debt is simple. It may not be easy but it is simple if that makes sense. When people talk with us about their debt, we offer up the following three tips to help them tackle their credit card debt.

1. Keeping the Old

One of the first things that the Second City Advisors tell clients is that they must create new spending habits if they want to gain financial freedom. Keeping your old spending habits is one way to ensure that you never get a handle on your credit card debt.

To conquer this, Debt.org recommends that you start small. Instead of going out for the daily coffee, plan on buying a thermos and bringing your coffee with you to work. Take your lunch to work instead of eating out. Borrow movies from the library instead of going to the movies. Consider consolidating the credit cards to help pay down some of the higher interest rates. These are just some of the ways you can change your debt habits. Change your habits, and once you’re done paying down your cards, you won’t have an issue with them again.

2. Create a Budget

Budgeting isn’t anyone’s favorite topic. However, according to the Simple Dollar, unless you’re willing to get rid of all your spending “extras,” you will remain in debt. So, what are the extras? They are anything that you don’t require to live day-to-day. It’s the dinners out with friends or a night at the movies. Even an expensive vacation can pull you off track.

Basically, on this kind of budget, you’re going to pay expenses, like your rent/ mortgage, utilities, debt, etc. You’re also going to put any extra money you have toward your debt. That’s why you’ll forego a night at the movies for a while (or other entertainment). You won’t need to adhere to this bare-bones budget forever. You just need to do it until you’re out of debt. Then, you can relax your budgeting efforts a bit.

3. Pay More

Typically, people only pay the minimum on their credit cards. Maybe you’re the same way. That’s a mistake when you’re trying to pay down your credit card debt. Any credit card debt you have comes with interest. That interest adds up and makes paying down your cards all the more difficult.

Pay more than the minimum amount if you want things to get easier. By combining this tactic with the previous two on this list, you’ll be putting some real power behind your efforts.

Concluding Thoughts

Paying down your credit cards counts as one of the most important steps you can take in your debt-reduction plans. Carrying a credit card balance means that you’ll always be paying more on your credit cards; you’ll pay the principal and the interest you accrue. Doing this requires you to change your spending mindset, to adopt a realistic, yet strict budget, ad to pay more than the minimum balance due on the cards

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