Journeys Are My Diary

You’ve been diligently paying your monthly car payment for a few years, and now your car is worth less than what you owe on it. It hardly seems fair, but is actually very common, especially for those borrowers who took out a five- or six-year car loan.

Here is some good news. You can lower that monthly car payment by filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and eliminate other debt too when you receive a Chapter 13 discharge. Here’s how.

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

When a debtor files bankruptcy under Chapter 13 of the federal Bankruptcy Code, he or she discloses all income, assets, debt, and expenses, and also files a Chapter 13 plan proposing to pay creditors in part or wholly, over three or five years. Whatever unsecured debt remains unpaid at the conclusion of the plan is discharged, meaning, the debtor is no longer personally responsible for paying it.

The court must approve or “confirm” the debtor’s proposed Chapter 13 plan. The debtor makes payments each month to the Chapter 13 Trustee, who in turn pays the creditors listed in the plan.

People commonly file bankruptcy under Chapter 13 when:

• They make too much income to qualify for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy, and must pay their creditors in part through their plan;
• They are in arrears with a mortgage, car loan, alimony, child support, or government fines, fees, or taxes;
• They want to “strip off” a second mortgage as unsecured because their home is worth less than the amount owed on the first mortgage;
• They want to “cram down” their car because their car is worth less than the loan balance.

What is Chapter 13 Cram Down?

“Cramdown” is the term used to describe the process by which a Chapter 13 debtor forces the car lender to accept less than the loan balance in exchange for the title to the car.

How does this work? Chapter 13 debtor and his or her attorney must first come up with a retail value of the car as of the date of filing bankruptcy. Taking into consideration the condition of the car and mileage, they will consult the NADA Guide or Kelley Blue Book and list the current retail value of the car in the proposed Chapter 13 plan, as well as the proposed applicable rate of interest (prime plus 1-3%).

The lender then gets notice that the debtor is cramming down the car to retail value and has the opportunity to object if they disagree as to the debtor’s valuation or the debtor’s proposed rate of interest. If the lender does object, the debtor’s plan cannot be confirmed unless that objection is resolved. Most often, the debtor’s attorney will negotiate a compromise. However, if a compromise cannot be reached, there will be a hearing before the bankruptcy judge and the judge will decide.

However the value is determined, once the plan is approved, the car lender must accept the reduced monthly payments from the Trustee, and at the conclusion of the debtor’s plan, the debtor owns the car free and clear.

What if My Car is Worth the Loan Balance?

You can still cram down the rate of interest to prime plus 1-3%, and lower your monthly payments by stretching them out over three or five years. Win! Plus you can get unsecured debt like credit card balances and medical bills discharged.

What if I Can No Longer Afford this Car?

If Chapter 13 won’t make your payments more affordable for you, then you can surrender the car to the lender. The lender then auctions it off and applies the auction proceeds to your account. There will likely be a deficiency balance on your account, meaning that the car sold for less than your loan balance, but the deficiency balance is discharged as unsecured so you do not have to pay it.

You can surrender your car and be discharged of any deficiency balance in either Chapter 13 or Chapter 7. When you file bankruptcy, you have the power to just walk away from a car you can’t afford.

What if I Have a Lease?

Leases can also be treated in Chapter 13. If you are behind on your lease, you can use your Chapter 13 plan to catch up, however, you will also have to keep making your regular monthly lease payments directly to the lessor.

If you are reaching the end of your lease term, and you want to buy the car, you can pay that balloon payment over time through your three- or five-year Chapter 13 plan, at an interest rate of prime plus 1-3%.

If you are having trouble making your car loan or lease payments and are considering filing bankruptcy, consult an attorney sooner rather than later, to save your credit rating from taking a hit from missing payments or car repossession.

About the Author

Veronica Baxter is a legal assistant and blogger living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with David Offen, Esq., a busy Philadelphia bankruptcy lawyer.

Spring into summer is the perfect time to get in the garden, but what if it needs a freshen up? Like most things, trends come and go, and for gardens, it is no different. Maybe the garden is looking a little tired, or a new style would more fit a current aesthetic? Whatever the reason, a garden makeover does not need to be expensive or difficult to be pulled off.

Here are some top tips for creating a stunning garden makeover without breaking the bank!

Paint, Paint, Paint for the Garden!

There are so many things that can be transformed with paint both inside and outside of the garden, and painting is one of the fastest and budget-friendly ways to create a brand-new look. 

Have a look around the garden for items that can be spruced up such as a fence, plant pots, or even the shed! 

Pick a favourite colour and shade and get ready for a garden transformation!

Make sure any items that have been chosen to be painted, such as a fence, are prepped accordingly for a new coat of paint for best results. Simply sand down the wood to create an even surface before the paint is applied and enjoy the fence’s new look!

Clear and Clean the Yard 

One of the best tips for a garden transformation is clearing the yard out. Taking it back to basics, remove any trash, old plants, or anything unsightly and un-useful, and dispose of it accordingly. This will give a clear canvas to work with. To go the extra mile, purchasing a low-cost pressure washer can impressively transform the ground, ridding of old debris and ingrained dirt, revealing an ‘almost good as new’ base. This will automatically transform the look of a garden for the better, giving it a new lease of life!

For those that might want to take on a more significant project to create the perfect, idyllic garden, why not reach out to some gardening services in Brisbane, for that professional touch?

Remove Weeds from the Garden

Removing weeds from the garden is a very efficient and low-cost way to give a garden a boost. Not only is removing weeds great for the grass and plants, but the results can also show a much neater and more orderly garden, immediately boosting its overall appearance. 

Removing weeds by hand is completely free, but weed remover is available to purchase cheaply, making it a steal to transform your garden with.

Invest in Some New Plants and Flowers

Plants and flowers are a cheap and effective way of transforming any space. They can turn a drab garden into a luscious haven. Plants don’t need to be bought first-hand either! There are plenty of pre-loved plants that would be happy to get a second life. Unlike other household and garden goods, thrift stores seldom have second-hand plants to purchase, so check places like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to find some garden gems in your neighbourhood!

Most of us fear getting older. We panic when our bodies get grey hairs, aches and wrinkles, and we use hair dyes, medications and creams in a desperate plea to slow the process. But, while some people care more about aging than others, it’s useful to be prepared for senior life. Many people enjoy their later years and find them to be relaxing and valuable. However, you’ll find that most of these people prepare well in advance. So, prepare for senior life with these top tips. 

Look after your body

It’s an unfortunate fact that as we get older we experience more problems with our bodies. While we might struggle with the appearance of aging, it’s nothing compared to what happens internally. Joints can become stiff, organs become less efficient (are you a veteran with a heart problem? Consider getting veterans (VA) disability for heart conditions) and our immune systems work harder. Prepare for senior life by staying fit and active and looking after your body. Plenty of seniors find joy in new exercises such as hiking or swimming, and you’ll experience fewer issues and injuries by staying fit in the meantime. 

Organise your will

Ok, it may seem a little morbid but, generally, the earlier you organise your will, the better. You don’t want to waste valuable time in retirement worrying and fretting. Retirement is a time for relaxation. So, no matter your age, make sure that you have an official will that is properly registered and signed. Sure, you might have to change it as circumstances change, but it’s a security blanket worth having.    

Plan a retirement strategy

Many people know that they’ll retire at some point, but that’s as far as planning goes. While some people prefer to be a little less structured, it’s good to have a rough idea of when you’ll retire and what you might do afterwards. So, create a strategy and work out what’s most important. Do you want to pick up a new hobby? Do some volunteer work? Are you desperate to see more of the world? A retirement strategy will help you establish what you want to do, when you might do it, and how you’ll pay for it.  

Downsize

It’s not unusual for people to downsize in preparation for retirement. It might be strange living in a large house with just your partner or spouse. You might find that you have too much space and the house feels difficult to navigate. By downsizing, you make sensible adjustments for retirement. You might get a good chunk of money to put towards retirement, and your new house might be a little easier to navigate. So, prepare for the future and think about what needs you might have as a senior. 

For those who find it difficult to picture a vacation that takes place far from a white sandy beach, hiking in your time off can seem particularly bizarre. Why, you may ask, should I spend my free time on my feet tiring myself out, away from the sun, the sea, and the sand? However, hiking vacations are among the most popular in the world – and there’s a reason for this. They’re wholesome, natural, and wonderful for your mental health. They enable reflection and joy, as well as fitness and strength. As such, if you’re considering taking a hiking holiday, here’s how you should prepare.

Equipment

A hiking vacation – and the small amount of training you should do beforehand – requires equipment. The key items of equipment that you should invest in at the beginning of your training schedule are boots and a backpack. Generally, the more you spend, the better your equipment will be – and the less discomfort you’ll feel on your walk.

Once you’ve bought these two key components, it’s time to get used to wearing them. Wear in your boots on short walks in your neighborhood or to the store; similarly, wear in your bag, with some weight in it, in order to test how it’ll feel on your back during your vacation. Getting accustomed to your equipment before your hike will prevent blisters and back pain while on vacation.

Specific Exercises

The accepted wisdom for walkers is not that you should train by walking – but that you should walk, swim, run, and cycle a little more than usual in order to build up your overall body strength. The stronger you make your body before your hiking trip, the less pain, fatigue, aches, or discomfort you’ll feel when you’re walking through some of the most delightful scenery in the world.

Then there’s muscular work. This needn’t be extreme, but making use of The Fitness Club Facilities in order to build up certain muscles will be a huge plus for your hiking trip. In particular, you should focus on leg exercises and strengthening for your lower back, so that your legs are stronger for walking and your back is more resilient with a backpack on.

Energy and Fuel

Hiking requires you to consume more calories than you would in your ordinary life. Settling down for your usual meals, after having walked 15 miles, will still leave your belly rumbling and your body fatigued. If you want to get fit before your hike and remain healthy during it, you need to understand how calories and fuel work in your body.

The crucial thing here is to eat as you go. Whenever you head out on a training walk, take high-calorie foods like nuts, chocolate, and pasta to eat on the move. Meanwhile, if you’re going to the gym to build up muscle, make sure you’re eating carbs before and protein after, in order to back up your exercise with the right fuel.

Hiking is a great way to enjoy your time off – and with these tips, you’ll be better prepared to have a wonderful time when you’re next hiking abroad.

So, you’ve had a great meal with friends and enjoyed some drinks, it’s ok to drive, right? What about drinks after a long day at work? You’re only driving around the corner to get home again…

The truth is that there are no circumstances where drinking and driving is acceptable or should ever be considered. If you’ve had a drink, you simply shouldn’t drive. A huge amount of road incidents each year, including fatalities are a direct result of drunk drivers, and the consequences for drink driving are severe – click here for more information about the Texas penal code. Sadly, despite this many people get behind the wheel of their car after they’ve drunk too much alcohol, putting not only their own lives at risk but the lives of others.

So, what’s the best way to avoid the temptation to drink and drive? Here we’ll look at some simple tips to help you stay safe.

Always pick a designated driver

If you’re heading out in a group, pick a designated driver. This person will be responsible for driving you all home at the end of your night and they’ll stay sober in order to do so. However, you should be vigilant – if your designated driver goes on to drink alcohol and subsequently becomes intoxicated then you shouldn’t get in the car with them. 

Call a cab

Getting a cab is a quick and convenient way of avoiding getting behind the wheel drunk. If you’re heading out for the night, make sure that you have enough money left over to get a cab. And only get in a registered cab or visit a taxi office to ensure you’re getting in a real cab. 

Pace yourself

When drinking with friends, it’s tempting to keep up with their drinking. However, you should pace yourself. Drinking too quickly means the alcohol will hit you faster and you’ll end up drinking more than you can handle. Know your own limits and don’t ever feel pressured into drinking more than you can handle.

Don’t drink on an empty stomach

Hungry? Or dehydrated? If you’re either of these things, then you’ll get drunker much quicker and may be tempted to drive if you think you’re below the limit. Always eat a good meal and drink plenty of water between drinks. 

Hand over your keys

Whether you hand them over to the bartender, or a friend to stop you from doing anything stupid. Make sure that they know not to hand them back to you if you appear inebriated. 

Going to the dentist can be a daunting experience, even for adults. There’s really nothing fun about the whole ordeal, but it’s a part of a healthy lifestyle. Your kids should have regular checkups and cleanings to ensure they develop good oral hygiene habits from a young age. Just as you don’t enjoy the dentist, your child may not either, but it’s your responsibility to change the narrative. Getting your kids excited about a dentist visit will make the process much easier and less stressful for everybody.

Your kids will follow your lead, and by using these tactics, you can make the dentist seem a little less scary.

Choose a child-friendly dentist

With children, it’s all about approach. Dental offices that know how to approach and speak to children are crucial to establishing a good relationship from the beginning. You want your child to feel comfortable and trust the dentist and the other staff. Having a waiting room with toys or tv shows playing will help to keep the calm leading up to the appointment. They don’t need to be a pediatric-specific dentist but visiting the office first before committing to an appointment will allow you to get a feel for the facility and the staff. A quality, well-rounded dental practise like SV Dental Centre, will offer a full range of services for the whole family.

Preparation is key

Kids may like surprises, such as a new toy or candy, but going to the dentist is not one of those. Preparing your children for the dentist will help them feel more relaxed and calmer when the time comes. Start with playing a bit of pretend at home. Do a roleplay of your kid having an appointment at the dentist. You can start by being the dentist and then let them have a turn checking your teeth. When you finally go to the appointment, they have an idea of what to expect and will be less likely to freak out.

Keep everything positive

From a young age, always maintain a positive attitude around oral hygiene. Make sure you focus on the benefits of brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist. Be over-the-top about your love for the dentist and how beautiful it makes your smile. Oral hygiene should not be something that you’re continually forcing your kids to do. They need to want to do it. Use fun songs or videos to promote positivity and optimism around oral hygiene.

Use a reward system

Children respond well to positive feedback and receiving rewards for their achievements. While it might seem small, a smooth-running trip to the dentist is something to be proud of. It’s not about bribing your kids but instead giving them something positive to associate with a dentist’s appointment. Maybe each time you go to the dentist, you go to their favourite restaurant for lunch after. If there is some specific place that they love, like the local park or going to see horses than include that on their appointment day.

 

Whether you’re taking the trip of a lifetime, cruising in luxury and sight-seeing around Norwegian fjords and mountain ranges, or whether you’re simply taking a well-earned weekend break in a secluded log cabin with nothing but a crackling log fire and a good book for company, the last thing you need on your trip is to be injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault. After all, travel is the one thing that unites us all – we all love to get away and experience new things, so any non-fault accident that results in our vacation time being cut short with a hospital trip, along with all the considerations over medical concerns, rehabilitation, and lost earnings, should always be dealt with to the letter of the law. See personalinjury.com for more details. For now, here’s what you need to know.

Speak to a solicitor as early as possible

Does your travel insurance cover your medical expenses in full? Does the way in which you booked your trip mean that any medical care and special considerations over your safe repatriation will be funded? How about finding out who was responsible for your injury abroad so as to bring a claim for personal injury compensation against them? This last point in particular could be tricky if your injury occurred in a public place (meaning correspondence with the relevant authorities) or on a private property involving a landlord or business owner that does not speak your language and is potentially elusive. A personal injury compensation solicitor can provide you with information on taking care of all of these things if you find yourself in the position of being injured while travelling abroad. 

Further unforeseen complications

Difficulties in establishing liability can arise on foreign soil where the procedure for dealing with personal injury compensation claims may be different to the procedures we are used to. For example, business owners and public authorities may try to deflect blame for your injury where the lines blur between potential liability and there is no legal statute in place to help decide such grey areas. Also, where you bring a claim for personal injury compensation while travelling, there is very little chance of your case being heard and processed in your own country – the case will likely be handled in the country where the accident took place (this presents language barriers and a need to understand foreign laws). That is why speaking to a solicitor who has experience in travel injury claims is essential. 

Welcoming your new puppy into your home is a joyous occasion for families and will come with plenty of fun, love, and cuddles. However, constant soiling on carpets, furnishings, and floors inside the home can often put a dampener on the whole experience, so it’s essential that when your family is preparing for the arrival of a new addition, they have done their research on how to best train your puppy to do all his or her business outside from the onset. 

Puppies are loving, playful creatures that have a built-in willingness to please you. This means that rather than punishment, puppies need to you communicate with them the actions that make you happy. Once this message has been received, they will continue to exhibit this behavior. The difficulty comes in making your new bundle of fun understands the behavior you like and the behavior you don’t; however, if you follow a few simple steps, you can have your new puppy house trained in a few short weeks.

Get a Solid Routine in Place

Much like children, puppies are only able to hold their bladder for a short period. This is even more so for small dogs, and there are certain times when your puppy is more likely to eliminate, such as when they first wake up, after eating and right before bed.

The good news is that they can last a lot longer when they are inactive, such as overnight, so it should not take long before you start seeing dry nights.

For the first few days, it is a good idea to take your puppy outside on an hourly basis and extend this time as and when your puppy starts to display good bathroom habits.  

If your puppy is displaying difficulty in holding their bladder, then it is possible there is a urinary tract infection, and you should take them straight to the veterinarianfriscotx.com for advice.

Keep an Eye on Your Puppy

The trick to stopping your puppy from soiling in the house is to catch them in the act. It is a good idea to restrict your puppy’s movement around the house and keep them within eyeshot at all times. As soon as you see that your puppy going to the bathroom in your home, you should immediately get your puppy’s attention with a sharp ‘No’ and pick them up to go outside, even if they have already started. Try not to frighten your puppy and definitely refrain from punishing them in any way.

Consider crating your puppy when you are not around. Puppies do not like soiling where they sleep, so this can help avoid accidents.

Praise and Reward

This is the most essential part of your puppies training, as this will teach them that you are pleased when they go to the bathroom outside. As soon as your puppy starts to eliminate outside, praise them verbally and give them a treat as soon as they have finished. Keep doing this until your puppy has stopped having accidents inside the house.

Whether you are one of the millions of grandparents serving as a primary caregiver for your grandchildren or just a concerned parent (as I am) watching from the sidelines, there are things you can do to make those you care about more smart-money.

As of this writing, the market is down roughly 30%, and it can be an emotional roller-coaster. However, as a parent or grandparent, there proven ways to be diligent about money growth.

Raising money-smart kids is no easy task, especially in this world of instant gratification and $1,000 smartphones. Everything, it seems, is stacked against financial responsibility, but you can help your grandkids for their future!

It does not matter whether your grandkids are still too young for nursery school or already heading off to college — as a grandparent, you can make a real difference in their lives.

Here are some smart tips to help concerned grandparents raise money-smart grandkids.

Avoid the Urge to Spoil Your Grandkids

It is easy for grandparents to be overindulgent with their grandkids, especially when they see them relatively rarely. But, if you are the kind of grandparent who always arrives with armloads of gifts, you might want to rethink your strategy. Every Target run doesn’t need to include a gift to your precious grandchild.

Spoiling the grandkids may be fun for you, but it could be bad for them in the long run.

Instead of spending your cash on gifts, they will forget tomorrow, make a real investment in your grandkids and their future.

Give Monetary Investments Instead of Cash

Cash from grandma is a staple of many a birthday party or Christmas celebration, and there is nothing wrong with an occasional monetary gift.

But, if you want your grandkids to grow up money smart, you need to look beyond those cash gifts.

Supplementing those monetary gifts with long-term investments will help your grandkids see beyond the now and give them the tools they need to fight the instant gratification culture in which they live.

Gifting a few shares of stock or funding an initial investment in a mutual fund is a gift that will be appreciated for many years to come — long after that tech gizmo has been forgotten.

Contributing to an education account, such as a 529, can be a great way to invest in their future success. Other options are setting up custodial accounts. However, this is not financial advice, and you will want to speak to your financial advisor for the best options that will work for your needs.

Talk With Your Own Kids

If you are the primary caregiver for your grandkids, you have direct responsibility for their physical well-being and their financial education. In that case, you can make all the decisions and use all the tools in your toolkit to make the grandkids smarter about money.

Things become considerably more complicated when your own kids are raising your precious grandchildren. In cases like this, your own kids’ attitudes about money and spending will have a profound impact on your grandkids and how they feel about finances and investing.

Even if you disagree with the approach your children are taking, you need to respect their rights as parents. You can express your opinion — and make a difference with gifted investments and money-smart presents.

Also, knowing when to step back is equally important, as not to overshadow the parents.

My late Father instilled values surrounding smart-investing in me from a young age. And my Mom, she always taught me other priceless life skills.

Leave a Lasting Legacy

You can also help your grandkids be money smart by leaving them a lasting legacy. Estate planning is an essential consideration for grandparents, and there are various ways to structure your inheritance.

Talk to your attorney or estate planning expert about how best to leave your grandchildren a lasting legacy. From passing your IRA on to the grandkids to the new laws of IRA trusts, there are many things to consider.

Raising money-smart kids is hard, and raising money-smart grandkids can be even harder. The instant gratification culture seems to be getting worse every day, and saving money often gets put on the back burner. If you want to protect your grandkids and their future, giving them the tools they need to resist this urge to spend may be the best legacy of all.

Making a real difference if your grandkids’ lives should be a top priority, and setting them up for financial success is an area they could definitely benefit from immensely.

For any homeowner looking to sell their property, there are several tried and tested methods to help you stand out from the competition and attract more buyers. Some quick and simple steps can help make your home appealing to future buyers. Remember: you are not just selling a building, but a lifestyle, so with that in mind, let’s look at some of the ways to help get your property sold quickly.

Hire a Quality Estate Agent

Getting the right estate agent is an essential first step towards selling your property. Letting agents Erdington will be able to give you a realistic valuation of your property and help you make your property more appealing to potential buyers. Remember that the estate agent is responsible for all the marketing of your property, so don’t be tempted to simply accept the one with the lowest rate. Instead, engage the services of an estate agent that has an excellent reputation.

Garden and Outdoor Space

The front and back gardens are an important aspect of any sale, as they are often the first thing that potential buyers will see when they come to your property. Therefore, it is crucial that your grass is cut, and your bins are hidden. Think of ways to make your outdoor space look appealing. Remember that you are selling a lifestyle. Comfortable chairs with cushions and throws can help bring an element of luxury to your outdoor space and have potential buyers imagining themselves enjoying a cool drink outside on balmy summer evenings. A lit firepit, ice bucket or even an outdoor table laid for alfresco dining will complete the image. Let your creativity run wild with your outdoor space.

How your house looks from the outside is equally important, so consider giving your front door a fresh lick of paint and having the windows all cleaned.

Inside Your Property

Some simple styling on the inside can also work wonders to create an inviting space that people can’t wait to live in. Firstly, it is important to ensure that your house is clean and tidy from top to bottom. Hide all the clutter, place shoes and coats in cupboards and make sure storage spaces are neat and orderly. Make sure all the beds are made to perfection (imagine a bed in a hotel room) and that fluffy, clean towels hang in all the bathrooms. Lay the table for dinner with your best plates, napkins and glassware and turn on lamps around the house to give a warm, inviting glow. 

Remember to appeal to all the senses and hide any unpleasant smells. Many sellers swear that baking bread or brewing coffee can help towards sealing the deal, but failing that, the use of scented candles and essential oils can certainly help to make your home smell welcoming. Bunches of seasonal flowers dotted around the house can also make the difference. If you have a fireplace, make sure it is lit in the winter months.