Start a Home Travel Business and Profit From the Multi-Billion Dollar Online Travel Industry

Yes, it is true. You can make money online working from home and can actually make a lot of money if you work hard, stay focused and execute. You can build a home travel business and live the Internet lifestyle you always dreamed of by operating an online home travel business. This article will put to rest any misgivings you may have had about starting an online travel business. I will not sugar coat it. In fact much of what I have to say will probably cause an up-roar in some parts of the online travel industry. I am aiming to tell it like it is.

The TRUTH!
Who really Makes Money in Online Travel. The truth is that you can't really make a lot of money reselling other businesses travel products. This statement is directed towards the home-based travel agent market. Yes, its easy to get started as a home-based travel agent and the online travel agencies can provide you with your own personalized white label branded website, including quality customer support but in the end you are NOT building a business, you are only paying yourself a salary.

Don't be fooled.

I am amazed at the amount of junk that there is online out there catering to the make money online from home crowd, touting selling travel as the route to freedom and riches. This truth is probably the most important fact anyone will ever tell you if you are just thinking about entering the online travel business. Let me repeat this for you one more time.

It is difficult to become rich and build a company reselling other companies travel products. You can become rich over time by building a business that sells your own uniquely branded travel products. You can get rich and build a business if you "own the travel product."

Owning the travel product means that you are contracting directly with travel suppliers under your company's own contracts, you are not just reselling a travel product owned by another travel business, tour operator, travel agency or travel consolidator. Your business creates the travel product by doing deals directly with travel suppliers. Your contracts with the travel suppliers become your businesses own unique inventory for the travel products you will be selling. The new travel product becomes your own brand. Your online travel business sells the travel product directly to consumers online or wholesales it too other travel agencies, travel agents, tour operators and resellers.

The Home based Travel Agent Dilemma.
I know I am opening up a can of worms here by disclosing this information but it's really the truth. My intent is not to knock anyone down but to provide insight into how the online travel business really works and to show you WHO is really making the money and how you can make real money by deciding from the get go to actually build a business.

Yes, if you want to make $20,000-$50,000 working from home then reselling cruises or popular travel products will be the best option for you but if you want to make real money, six or seven figures and you want to build a business that has real tangible value and can be sold later then you need to develop and sell your own travel products.

The Internet is NOT causing Travel Agencies too shut down.
I believe that the main reason that brick and mortar travel agencies are closing is not because of the Internet but because all they are really doing is reselling other companies travel products. The Internet contributed to the destruction of the traditional brick and mortar travel agency but the biggest factor in the down fall of travel agencies and travel agents in the travel industry is due to the fact that they are not selling anything unique or different from anyone else. It's really a business model established to fail in the long run.

How do you own your own travel product? You can own your own travel product in two different ways.

1. Your business acts as a travel supplier providing tours, guiding, travel and tourism related activities or you own a lodging property.
2. Your business partners with two or more travel suppliers to resell their individual travel products under a unique package that you own.

What type of Online Travel Business do I need to start where I can own my own travel product, sell packages and build a real business?

-Online Travel Agency
-Online Tour Operator
-Online Tour Guide
-Online Travel Broker
-Receptive Tour Operator
-the Hybrid

Let's discuss a little about each type. There are many directions you can go.

OTAs or Online Travel Agencies traditionally sell everything underneath the sun; including lodging, air, cars, vacation packages, and much more. On a hierarchy level of all online travel businesses, this would be the most expensive and most challenging type of online business to start. It's doable don't get me wrong it would just take much longer and be more expensive to startup.

If you second tier niche and focus on contracting your own lodging deals and contracting with activity suppliers you could easily build a smaller more focused OTA. Another option would be for you to utilize the Global Distribution System (GDS) for air, car and for lodging that you could not contract yourself. I don't recommend this last option as you'll be just reselling product you don't own but as long as you can combine the non-owned GDS products with your own contracted travel products you could create a nice win-win for the bottom line.

Online Tour Operator's sell dynamically packaged trips and pre-packaged trips to vacationers. I believe building an online tour operator business is your best option at building a successful online travel business.

Now let me first state that the name is a little miss conceiving because of the word "Tour." There is a big difference from a tour and a trip. On a tour there usually is a tour guide or person leading the tour with the travel participants. On a trip the traveler is traveling by themselves or with other people but there is no tour guide involved. In the travel business they call this a FIT trip, Drive vacation or Fly-Drive package.

I favor selling trips, where the traveler buys a tour or trip product then attends the trip by themselves on their own time. The reason being for this is two parts.

1. You don't have to be the tour guide and you don't have to hire one either.
2. You have 100% more freedom by not actually participating in the tour itself. Just think of the time involved of actually going on a tour with a group or individual people.

We operated tours when my wife and I owned the Yellow Breeches House Fly Fishing Lodge and B&B. We ran fly fishing excursions with lodging and guiding. Guess who was one of the guides? Yes, you got it. Yours truly. I would not change the past for anything. I learned so much from being a fly fishing guide and owning a lodging property. I just wouldn't want to run that type of business again. There are much better travel business models out there. That's part of the beauty about this report is that I am able to share some true life, realities for you.

Sell Trips not Tours. This is the most important thing I can tell you regarding wanting to live the Internet life style and working from home enjoying the freedom that comes from owning your own online travel company. You won't be living any Internet lifestyle if every week you are giving tours.

Online Tour Guide's provide tours to individuals and or groups. If I didn't scare you off from above that's ok, the tour guide business is a great business and it's easy to get started with limited investment. This is a great business to enter the travel business and starting learning about how to build a business.

If you love dealing with people and spending much of your time outside then this is probably the best travel business for you. This is serious work, day-in-and-day-out, as you are always outside in the elements. This travel business could be a stepping-stone for you to then go ahead and build an online tour operator business. I have a really good friend that owns a kayaking guide service. He runs eco-adventures that include island hoping for three to five nights. He just loves it.

Let me share a little strategy with you that will totally change the way you build or grow your existing tour guide business. Hopefully by now you'll already see it and be way ahead of me but if not here it is.

Create packages for your tour guide business that includes lodging, meals and your guide or tour service. You probably sell trips, guiding and or tours as an hourly or day product. Take the next step and package in lodging and meals and maybe a third activity. Sell packages to your clients and you will super-charge your revenue in a very big way.

Example:
Take an existing kayak guide that sells day trips for $250 for 2 people. Now create overnight packages. Create a new product line for your business.

1. Contract with a lodging supplier to buy lodging for your kayak packages.
2. Contract with two local restaurants to buy dinners for your kayak packages.
3. Sell a 2 night, 1-day kayak excursion, with 2-dinners. Make money off the lodging, dinners and a 3rd activity and you can seriously start adding more profits to your business.

Online Travel Broker - this is a new business category I stumbled upon. I believe this is a type of business you could start with literally no money. It's just a matter of understanding the travel business. Here is how an online travel broker operates.

Every travel supplier needs sales representatives. Your travel broker business contracts with travel suppliers to represent their business and help them sell more of their travel products. Many smaller travel businesses don't have sales representatives. This may be your entry into the online travel business industry.

Let's say you live in a resort town or area and there are 4 golf courses nearby or 3 ski resorts. You represent the travel supplier's products, finding larger partners and or resellers that would resell or distribute your client's products. This business is just a matter of finding other travel suppliers that need sales representatives and finding larger companies looking for new travel products to sell and distribute. You make money by earning a percentage of all future sales booked or earn a flat fee per contract you sign. This would be a great way to enter the travel business as a part-time business. You could start with not much investment and build out slowly.

Receptive Tour Operators receive inbound travelers from foreign countries. This is a B2B business (business-to-business). You build an Online Tour Operator business but you don't sell your travel products directly to consumers or vacationers online, you sell your owned travel products to wholesalers or other tour operators in foreign countries that then resell them directly to travel agencies and the consumers in their country. If you live in a world- renowned destination area or region where foreigners come visit you can build a successful receptive tour operator business. The receptive tour operator business takes longer to develop as the buyers of your travel products will be other travel companies, tour operators and seasoned travel business won't necessarily want to do business with a company that is new or just in startup mode. Adversity can be overcome though, through focus, determination and having an owned travel product that a wholesaler or foreign tour operator believes he can sell and make money.

The Hybrid - build an Online Tour Operator business that caters to individual vacation travelers. After the business starts selling trips and or tours, start building a Receptive Tour Operator business component.

I hope you have enjoyed a little insight into the world and possibilities of the online travel business and what it will take to start a home travel business.

You can get my FREE 35-page report called SECRETS of the online travel business. It has been downloaded by hundreds of people and business across the world and it will give you a huge advantage as you review and discover the opportunities of running your own Home Travel Business. I have built and sold two travel business both working from my home. My businesses have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on CNBC TV, and many other major media outlets. Online Travel Business SECRETS report

Matt Zito delivers travel marketing strategies, business building ideas, insight and thoughts about the travel and tourism business at Travel Business Profits. Matt Zito-Travel Business Profits

TravelWize - The Smart Traveler's Choice for the Lowest Fairs

The Internet is an ideal resource for travel planning. It lets shoppers compare and research the easy way, and ensure all arrangements are secure. From popular travel resources such as Travelocity to direct airline and hospitality websites, customers find ideal flight and hotel information, and have the ability to book everything online. Whether an avid traveler or someone who wants that freedom, TravelWize by Gullivers Travels has introduced the ideal discount program.

Gloria, a Texas native, wishes she’d found TravelWize years ago. "I’ve flown 18 flight segments and was upgraded to first class 12 times at no cost to me,” she states. “When I rented a mid-sized car, I was offered a Lincoln Town Car for just $28.00 a day. I have stayed in many different hotels including the Le Meridian in Beverly Hills to the Marriott in San Antonio, and with my Travel Credentials, I always get 50 percent off the regular rate. "

Gulliver’s Travels Expands

Before you understand TravelWize, you need to know its background. Gulliver's Travels is an ARC-appointed (Airline Reporting Corporations), full-service travel agency located in Sarasota Florida. It has serviced the Sarasota community since 1969 fulfilling reservations for leisure, corporate, cruises, groups and tours.

Gulliver's Travel recently expanded business to include independent, outside travel agents working from home, referring business to their GRTA website booking engine or to Gulliver's reservation specialists at their hi-tech call center. Each Gulliver's reservation specialist has an average of 15 years experience in the travel industry to assure superior service and offer excellent travel advice.

Based on exceptional service and outstanding customer service satisfaction Gulliver's Travels has received several awards including Sarasota Herald-Tribune "Readers Choice Award" and Sarasota Magazine’s "Best Travel Agency" for the last seven years.

The company is a member of industry associations including ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agency Network) and Ensemble Travel. With growing purchasing power, they’re expanding their preferred status with many vendors to develop higher commission to outside agents and special pricing for customers.

TravelWize – Sell and Earn

To assist travelers even more, Gulliver’s Travels introduced the TravelWize program, making it possible to enjoy air travel, resorts, cruises, hotels and car rentals for the lowest possible price. When you become a Gulliver’s Independent Referring Travel Agent (GRTA), you earn full or part-time income in the travel industry and real travel savings. You’re able to book travel through a personal website any time. It’s a business that you can own and operate right out of your own home. Did you know:

--The travel industry is $3.7 trillion strong.

--The travel industry grows 23 percent each year.

--Tourism accounts for 10.9 percent of all consumer spending.

Robert in North Carolina uses his benefits to take the family vacations they could never afford: "In my first month with TravelWize I saved over $320 dollars in Travel and Theme Park tickets! This is something every family should be doing."

Extensive Travel Resources

In addition to offering competitive travel booking services, TravelWize is a comprehensive travel resource.

Flight Tracker - Track a flight by airline name and flight number, or by city and arrival/departure times

Map Address - Maps are great for getting around, but online maps could be a lot better

Travel Warnings - Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country

State Dept Travel - Travel and Living Abroad

What to Pack - An educational site that teaches ordinary people how to travel lightly

State Tourism - Contact numbers for tourist organizations

Intl ATM Locator - Provides an online search platform to locate an ATM anywhere in the world

World Weather - The world's leading and most respected commercial weather service company

Currency Converter - You can perform interactive foreign exchange rate calculations, using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates

Traveler's Health - Travel health warnings and precautions for international travel

US Customs - The US Customs and Border Protection website

Time Zones - Current local times around the world

Become an Agent: Make Money – Save Money

Being a full or part-time travel agent has its rewards. For some, it means a broader, more expansive world to discover. For others, it makes their existing travel much less expensive. TravelWize.com, Your personalized Internet web site will enable your clients, friends, and family to book travel whenever they like 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As a referring travel agent you can now travel for even less with major airline, car rental and hotel companies at TravelWize.com. In addition, when you book travel online you earn commissions on every booking.

Sandy in Minnesota considers TravelWize the best kept secret in the industry: "I joined TravelWize.com because of my passion for travel. I love to travel, and I also love to help people save and make money. We’ve already saved well over $7,000 in seven months with our Travel Agent credentials, and I’ve made over $7,000 just by sharing with others how they can save and make money. I am living my dreams and you can too."

To learn more, join the program or just save money on your next travel adventure, visit TravelWize.com.

Gary W. Griffin, Ph.D. is a researcher and an entrepreneur. He is also an authorized travel agent, and he loves to travel. This article is brought to you by e-Travel FAQs [http://www.e-travelfaqs.com]. For all your travel information needs, visit us at [http://www.e-travelfaqs.com]

Pet Sitting Business is Thriving

The Pet Sitting business is booming internationally. In the

United States alone there are upwards of 63.2 million individuals who own a pet, or two. Reports tell us that in America there are roughly 64 million dogs and 76 million cats in households. These numbers support why the Pet Sitting Business is on an upward swing. It is fast becoming one of the best small business ventures that an individual can undertake. The Pet Sitting business has been ear marked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor as a small business industry that will thrive with the coming years, with Pet Sitting services located throughout the states.

Pet owners world wide are breathing a sigh of relief that they

have this option for their pet when they travel. In the past

when an individual would travel for business, or a family would

vacation, they would rely on grandparents or relatives to see to the needs of their pets. This is no longer an option for many people. Family's don't always remain in the same community. Statistics show that it is common for parents and siblings to live hundreds of miles apart. Once the family option for pet sitting evaporated, people turned to their neighbors. This was soon found to be a bad option for both the neighbor and pet owner. Neighbors felt used, and the traveller felt as if they were putting the neighbor out by asking the favor.

Some individuals tried to travel with their pets. They assumed

that it would be best for their pet to not be separated from

them. These good intentioned pet owners soon realized the folly of their ideals when they discovered that drinking water in some areas weren't up to par, leash laws were different in each area, and the chances of finding a lost pet in a strange area were minimal. Extended car travel is not good for a pet, either. Animals can quickly become dehydrated and agitated when left in a locked car while the family is inside a restaurant, or mall. The chances that a pet could possibly get hit by an automobile rise every time a pet is taken into a public area, such as parking lots or the city. Pets do not like being kept in a crate in a hotel. They do not like being muzzled for barking or for snipping at strangers. Pets just generally do not like being away from home.

Air travel is not pleasant for a pet, either. The cargo holds on airplanes have erratic temperatures. There is no heat, and there is no air conditioning. The sounds in these cargo areas also frighten animals and make them skittish and nervous. Some pets even require medication prior to flight. Taking your pet on a plane should only be considered under extreme circumstances.

Pet owners soon realized that while they were comforted by the

presence of their pet on a trip, the pet was out of its comfort

zone and did not behave like its usual self. The route of kenneling a pet was soon taken and though it saved the day in a

tight pinch, pet owners tended to know from the start that this

was not a good option for their pet. Their pets were kept in

small quarters. They were only allowed out a couple of times a

day for a few minutes to do their business. Being crowded in an

area with other barking and whining animals would leave a pet out of sorts for days after their owner came home.

Options were limited for a traveling pet owner. Some people gave up and simply refused to have an animal if they were going to have to be away all the time. That was until the Pet Sitting business made its arrival into the small business industry.

True animal lovers were the first to recognize the need for the

Petting Sitting business. They were the ones who took it the

hardest when they were forced to see what their pets went through when they were forced to travel with their owners, or how they behaved after being picked up from a kennel after a week or more away from home. Truthfully, these individuals could not enjoy their trips for worry. These were individuals who hung a stocking for their pet at Christmas, and made them a birthday cake on the pets special day each year. These people saw the need and they stepped out on a limb. They started a Pet Sitting service. Word spread like wildfire and pet owners world wide started seeking these services in their own area.

The rapid growth and success of a Pet Sitting business come when the business owner realizes that it is a business. A love for animals is the foundation, but smart business sense is what will keep you operating. There is only a minimal amount of cost in starting up a Pet Sitting service. That is a major plus for anyone thinking seriously about going into this animal care

business. A budget should be laid out to meet the costs of the

outgoing business. Do not ever under estimate these expenses.

It is better to over estimate than to cut yourself short. Set

goals for six months, one year, three years and five years.

Try to stick to your plan to achieve these goals.

You should research other Pet Sitting services in your area.

Find out what their strengths and their weaknesses may be.

Learn what the going rate for Pet Sitting is in your area. Be

competitive in your rates. Just because you may be doing what

you love is no reason to do it for pennies. On the other hand,

no one is going to pay your Pet Sitting business a small fortune, either.

You have to be a people person. The reason you get into the Pet

Sitting business may stem from being an animal lover, but if you are not warm and friendly with people you can forget about your Pet Sitting business getting off the ground. Pet owners are particular about whom they let care for their pets. If they sense that you are uncomfortable around them, they will be wary of you. Try to develop your people skills if you lack self-confidence in that area. You don't want your shyness to keep you from doing what you love. You don't want to come off as a phoney, but maintaining eye contact and being able to carry a conversation with the pet owner without looking at your shoes will go a long way.

You should go out to the home and get acquainted with each pet

and design a list of duties that the client is wanting you to

perform while they are gone. The pet owner will familiarize you as to the habits, character and personality of each pet. You should know what they like to play with and what special

nicknames they have. You should also ask the pet owner for clues about their pet, or signs you should watch for in case of

illness. Some dogs may lay around and sleep all day. Others may not settle for a moment. You should know what to expect from each pet in the home. If they are not doing their usual

activities that should throw up a red flag to you. You should

make sure that the client gives you all the information on the

pets in the home. You will need history of illnesses,

vaccination records, veterinary information, as well as a place

to contact the pet owner if needed. It is important that you are given a key by the client and that you are not expected to

retrieve it from a hiding place. A possible thief could be

watching the home and may see you getting it and replacing it.

That is a disaster waiting to happen.

Besides walking the dog, feeding the bird, tending to the cat,

and playing with the pets, a client sometimes will want a Pet

Sitting service to do other things. The Pet Sitting business can offer many services for the traveler, besides pet care. The first one being home security. You can pick up the mail,

newspaper, water the potted plants, and do a thorough walk

through of the home to make sure that everything is as it should be for your client. Simply opening the curtains on one visit and closing them on the next will give the home a lived in look. These services are in addition to pet sitting. The possibilities are endless as to what a Pet Sitting service can offer the

client.

The Pet Sitting business is booming. Everyone is happy. The

small business owner gets to do what he loves for a living . . . being around animals. The traveler can enjoy their trip knowing that all is well on the home front. The pets get to stay in their own home, around their own things, eating their own food, and they get to go out and play like they usually would on their regular routine.

Copyright © 2005, Ian White

Author Ian White is founder of a target="_new" href="http://www.pet-sitters.biz">Pet-Sitters.biz. http://www.pet-sitters.biz specializes in helping pet sitters and pet owners connect to each other. Find and screen a sitter for your pet or advertise your pet care business. Matching Pet Sitters with Pet Owners worldwide

Contract Farming: The New Face of Traditional Farming

The production augmenting agro-technologies that heralded the process of the green revolution and made India food secure. The benefits of quality seed, timely irrigation and fertilization with improved technology were observed as higher productivity with quality production. Farmers face market volatility at the time of marketing their produce. Therefore, the Government started procuring some commonly cultivated agri-commodities at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The cultivation of other crops not supported by MSP becomes risky and unfavorable, consequently improper diversification of agricultural crops led to over-production of certain commodities and under-production of certain agri-commodities. The unremunerative returns forced farmers to look for alternatives of farming. The Contract farming encourages farmers to safeguard themselves from market volatility (abnormally price crash due to over production). The is is step towards achieving assured income by providing the farmers improved marketing channels with or without better seeds, other inputs, financial support and technical know-how.

What is Contract farming?

Contract farming is not totally new to our country. The success of Milk Cooperatives and Sugar Cooperatives explains the depth and reach of contracting farming in India. It is formal contract between producers (farmers) and buyers (generally processors or exporters). Contract farming can be defined as an agreement between farmers and contracting firms for the production and supply of agricultural products under advance agreements, frequently at predetermined prices. The basis being a commitment on the part of the farmer to provide a specific commodity in quantities and at quality standards determined by the purchaser, and a commitment on the part of the company to support the farmer's production and to purchase the commodity. Contracting farming allows firms to participate in and exert control over the production process without owning or operating the farms. The arrangements can vary by crops and by contracting firms. The contracts may be for i) market support contracts are pre-harvest agreements essentially between firm and farmers to a particular set of conditions for the sale and purchase of the crop. The contract specifies price, quality and pricing; ii) resource support contracts are agreement between farmers and firms in conjunction with the marketing arrangements, the firms agrees to supply selected inputs, including on occasions land preparation and technical advice, credit, etc.; and iii) production management contracts bind the farmer to follow a particular input management, agronomic practices and harvesting specifications usually in exchange for a marketing agreement or resource provision.

CONTRACT FARMING: A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR

(1) Farmers: In general, the farmers have poor knowledge of package of practices of cultivation of crop and inadequate capital to grow a quality crop, little bargaining power with input suppliers and produce markets, lack of post-harvest management expertise, inadequate infrastructure and market information. Often the firms provide credit, inputs, farm machinery, and a wide range of managerial, technical and extension services with assurance to purchase produce and always retains the right to reject substandard produce. Farmers can also use the contract agreement as collateral to arrange credit with commercial banks and financial institutions in order to fund inputs. The skill transfer is another feature of contract farming. Skills transferred can include the efficient use of farm resources, carrying out field activities according to a strict timetable, improved methods of applying chemicals and fertilizers, and a knowledge of the importance of quality and of the demands of export markets and good record keeping. Contract farming helps small farmers to participate in the production of high value crops like vegetables, flowers, fruits, etc. and benefit from market led growth at minimum market, transport, post harvest handling risks. Contract farming system reduces the yield uncertainty and removes the price uncertainty. The contract farming requires no large investments of the farmers' money, indeed, it reduces the cost incurred on purchase of inputs as they are supplied by contracting firms.

(2) Contracting firms: Contract farming is most commonly practiced by food processing companies. Contract farming had solved the problem of supply of raw material of the desired quality and quantity from reliable source near to the processing plants. Companies gain access to crop production on land that would otherwise be unavailable, with the additional advantage of not having to buy or lease it. Further, it reduces uncertainties that would exist if the company simply bought crops on the open market, and gives the company some control over the production process. Contract farming may not necessarily be profit centres for companies.

(3) Bankers: Contract farming is also promoted and supported by financial institutions and banks. Effective & efficient monitoring of production operations, extension activities and credit delivery in a conjugal area is easy in contract farming. Access to crop loans at attractive terms through tie-ups with Banks is facilitated through contract farming.

(4) Government: There are also various government and semi-government agencies involved directly or indirectly in contract farming. The government understands that the farm sector needs to be competitive to survive and to contribute to poverty alleviation and economic growth of country. The best possible solution is to involve private sector through contract farming to allow accelerated technology transfer, capital inflow and assured market for agricultural crops. Private agribusiness will usually offer technology more effectively than government agricultural extension services, because it has a direct economic interest in improving farmers' production. This will also generate the opportunities of employment in the rural area, processing industries, agri-input industries and financial institutions.

Risks with Contract farming: Path of success of contract farming is not free from risks.

It is not as easy to popularize contract farming among farmers. Uncertainty involved in growing new, unfamiliar crops and producing for markets that might not always come up to their expectations - or their sponsors' forecasts. Most companies offer contract farming to the big to medium farmers. They neglect small and marginal farmers whose proportion is more in Indian context. Farmers renege on contract as the cost of cultivation could be lower than in non-contract production (as technology and management practices brought by the processor; access some inputs such as insurance and credit at lower cost). If the market price is more advantageous than the contract price, farmers renege on the contract. Farmers' inability to meet strict timetables and regulations because of social obligations or religious practices

The firms may manipulate quality standards in order to reduce purchases or dictate exploitative terms with the farmers. The legal enforcement system is too tedious for both growers and firms and to lawfully enforcing the contracting terms with the farmers gives a negative message of the contracting firm among the farming community. Debt caused by production problems, poor technical advice, significant changes in market conditions, or a company's failure to honor contracts.

Development of contract farming schemes is the strategy for benefiting from globalization through vertical coordination of small farms with processors and exporters. Through the contract farming initiatives we can give a second push to the green revolution in India. Contract farming also improves the micro-economy of village. The key to the success of this venture lies in building up a healthy trust between grower and buyer.

Understanding Wealth Management

The term "wealth management" is really such a loaded one these days. When speaking of wealth, most people think about money.

True success isn't just about financial gain. Everyone has fixed ideas about wealth, and everyone wants to know how to protect their wealth. Looking at the big picture, however, the key to wealth management has little to do with just investing funds properly.

Perhaps the real problem that so many people have with wealth management is the fact that they do not understand what real wealth is. They do not understand where the source of their wealth lies, and they spend their entire lives looking for that source in places where it does not exist. The first step in wealth management is to understand that the true source of wealth actually lies within you!

If you're like most people, you have probably spent an adequate amount of time seeking wealth in your job, your relationships, or something else that you felt was important. Of course, these things certainly are important, but they do not provide the lasting source of wealth. They will make you happy for a while, but seeking happiness outside of yourself will only rob you of true happiness and true wealth. It's pretty hard to practice wealth management if you haven't uncovered The Source of wealth in you.

Just think of your inner source of wealth as your own, personal buried treasure. You may need to dig deep to discover it. However, God has given you a unique gift, and it is up to you to uncover it and to reveal it as the source of wealth, both for yourself and to the world in live in. After all, God is within, and you're the true source of wealth. The energy within you is what feeds your inner source of wealth, gives it life, and sustains it. Only when you reconnect with God will you reconnect to The Source of wealth in you.

The Path of Wealth Management

As you begin to tap into your inner source of wealth, you will notice a major change-- in yourself, in the way you treat others, in the way they treat you, and the type of people that begin to show up in your life. Wealth management will not be effective until the connection to the Source within is fully realized. So, how can you realize that connection with God and your inner source of wealth? You must take control of your life, your mind, your thoughts, addictions, ego and your destiny.

Remember, God is energy, and you are made of energy, too. God gave you the beginning, but the continuation is up to you. Learning and daily application of the simple laws of the Universe is a must if you want to live a rich and meaningful life.

The problem is that many people allow someone or something else to control their destiny. They do anything they can to avoid personal growth through addictions or material happiness, and they allow those things to control them. Instead of being strong and living a life based on a strong foundation, values, and principles, they are flopping about in the wind like a weed out on an open field.

The wind blows them around, and they are unable to find happiness or true wealth because they can't control their own lives.

Taking Life off Cruise Control

You're like a car with cruise control. You can choose to set the speed that you want and then let go of the wheel. If you do that, you may cruise along at breakneck speed for a few feet, but you won't go far before you'll end up going off the road. You also have the opportunity to grab that steering wheel and correct your course, placing control right in the palm of your hand.

Taking control of your life is simply a matter of choice and it comes through co-creating your life. Once you make that conscious choice to take control of your life, then it's only a matter of time before you rediscover and reconnect to happiness and wealth. Wealth management is appreciating all that you've been blessed with. Decide whether you want to literally create what you need in your life or if you just want to cruise along.

The Beginnings of Wealth Management

Once you have wrenched control away from whatever else you were allowing to control your life, then you will begin to exercise true wealth management. You'll automatically start to act like and be your true self. In the process, you'll learn how to manage your wealth of personal gifts properly. The rest will naturally fall into its place.

You are an amazing creation, and the key to wealth management lies inside of you.

Uncover the treasures that hold your wealth. Make sure that you are managing the real source of wealth and not some bogus temporary source that lies outside of you and is based solely on material things. Don't be fooled exclusively by the material that some people think holds wealth. Instead, remember where your true source of wealth is.

You already know everything that you need to know about wealth management. Just spend some time rediscovering that knowledge. Then, get out and apply it by taking action, because knowledge without application is useless.

? 2010 Written by Diana DeMar

Diana DeMar writes extensively on inner human wealth and power promoting self-awareness and mind-control as the simplest way to attain happiness and authenticity. Her writings, life-wisdom tools and healing techniques are improving lives around the world.

Ms. DeMar's new upcoming book, Awaken to the Source of Wealth In You: 117 Secrets to Reconnect to Your Divine Power is the soul's GPS to direct it to a life lived fully and Wealth Management.

For further information about Diana DeMar Or Her New Book visit http://www.dianademarsuccess.com

Methods for Purchasing Forclosure Homes

Have you decided on the forclosure home that you want, and are you ready to buy? There are many methods that will help you get ready as you proceed with the purchase for your forclosure home.

Rules for Bidding on Forclosure Homes:

If the home you have chosen to look at is a bank forclosure, the bidding rules are pretty easy. You will want to get in touch with your real estate agent or the listing agent and let them know that you are interested in the forclosure home. After that, you will want to do a couple of other things.

1. You will need a pre approval letter from your mortgage loan officer. The letter need only be the amount you plan to offer and no more.

2. You can then ask your real estate agent to forward the letter to the listing agent expressing intent to purchase the forclosure home. This letter is different than a contract because the only things it includes are general topics such as the price, suggested closing date and financing.

3. When the letter is received by the listing agent, it will from there be forwarded to the bank that is holding the forclosure property. This process will take around 7 to 10 days, as banks proceed cautiously and very slowly.

What Should Your Bid Be?

At this point, there are two different concerns. The first is what to bid on a forclosure home, and the second is what to bid to win the home without bidding too much and over paying. This is where the water gets a little choppy. Banks are different from HUD or VA because they determine the price they are willing to accept on a per property basis. The VA and HUD have preset levels. You should never try to underbid what the bank owes. When the home has been on the market for three to six months, you might be able to get away with this.

You shouldn't worry about bidding below the amount mortgaged for a forclosure home. You might be able to swing a 10 to 15 percent discount, but the bank may not be even that flexible when it comes to the price of the forclosure home. Offering anything less than full price can result in you losing the property to another purchaser.

Brock is a fairly new investor in real estate focusing his efforts on investing in home forclosures. His blog details all his adventures in purchasing forclosure houses, fixing them up, and reselling them for healthy profit margins. http://forclosurehomes.weebly.com

Wealth Creation - Kiss it or Say Goodbye!

I never thought that I would find myself using the old Kiss cliché ("Keep it Short and Simple" or "Keep it Simple Stupid). I've always preferred Einstein's approach, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."

Yet wealth creating is simple. Incredibly and utterly simple. When creating wealth becomes complicated it's time to stop and take measure. It's clearly time to get back on the track of simplicity before one gets derailed.

Wealth creating is not about "running a business" "making money" "investing" "earning an income" "having a great job" and the like. Far too complicated and time consuming for the serious wealth creator. There are, as you know, tens of thousands of books written on those subjects and guess what? The great majority of people still struggle financially through life. We all know of couples who have "great jobs" and are earning "high incomes" and making "heaps of money" yet still struggle to make ends meet at the end of each month. Commitments and expenses seem to sadistically expand to the level of the money available to meet them.

And of course we all know of people who were on very low incomes who end up fabulously wealthy.

So by all means keep at your job or business and retain the status quo - but quite separately, begin your new part time wealth creation program ASAP.

One of the biggest hurdles is that people at some level have the desire to be wealthy but do not know exactly what "wealth creation" is. Those whose real estate or investments rose in value, know that they are "wealthier" but see the obvious element of luck in the fact that prices rose opportunistically. Others coming into the same market, are "on a wing and a prayer" hoping that prices will continue to rise so they too can benefit.

Without knowing precisely what wealth creation is, it is impossible to become "wealth" conscious.

So let's get Wealth Creation in focus and keep it simple.

Please consider:

A business has a gross annual income and from that total pays all overheads. From the net income or profit (if any) tax is payable. Now the amount that is left, can either be used to create wealth - or it can be spent on non-wealth creating products or services - for example, spending the surplus on a vacation etc.

Similarly a working couple has a combined gross annual income and from that total pays all domestic overheads. Now the amount that is left, can either be used to create wealth - or it can be spent on non-wealth creating products or services - for example, spending the surplus on a vacation etc.

So you can readily observe from the above two examples that there is a difference between "business" and wealth creation and "income" and wealth creation.

Wealth, put simply, is the total realizable value of one's total material assets. That is if you have antiques worth $10,000.00 or gold worth $10,000.00 or acme widgets worth $10,000.00, your wealth is $10,000.00. Obvious and simple, yes? It's so simple it's a no-brainer!

Wealth Creation is NOW whilst investing is about planning (and praying) for the future. A wealth creator wants to multiply the value of his or her realizable wealth total NOW!

That is, if those antiques or widgets are genuinely worth $10,000.00 the wealth creator will buy them at $5,000.00 or less. At the point of purchase, at least $5,000.00 is added to the wealth total. Unlike the speculator or the investor, a Wealth Creator does not buy on the hope or the gamble that the purchase will rise in value. "Yikes - no way! Keep it simple - the golden rainbow of tomorrow may not come. I want my added wealth now - the minute I pay I intend being wealthier. Let others get their crystal ball out and start praying."

Note that:

A wealth creator spends money and becomes wealthier.

The average punter spends money and becomes poorer.

The speculator gambles.

The investor hopes and prays.

Who of the above has the most fun?

And having fun is part of wealth creation. For example, Bob and June, part time wealth creators in England, keep in touch with me regularly. After reading my book, they used the money they each spend on each other as Christmas and birthday gifts to begin their wealth program. Instead of buying each other a present for $100.00 and knowing that as soon as they leave the shop the value of that present is probably about $30.00 maximum and thereafter declines in value to become a worthless keepsake, they became wealth conscious. He loves early watercolors and she collects estate jewellery. So off to the auctions and sales they went. Once they became wealth conscious and in a wealth program, when they spend that $100.00 on an item, the item is usually worth $300.00.

They've been at it now for four and a half years. The two birthday and two Christmas presents added up. They buy and sell when ever possible. Today they have art and jewellery worth tens of thousands of pounds and their wealth total is going up at an astronomical rate. Even more important they have immense fun in the process.

Business proprietors have every right to have all the hassles of working hard, paying the overheads and hopefully making a profit. The wealth creator takes a short cut through the whole tedious process and goes straight for the jugular - WEALTH CREATION.

To a wealth creator liquidating a part of one's wealth gives the opportunity to increase the overall wealth total. In stark contrast, the business proprietor needs turnover to pay the overheads.

How ever much money you have available for your part time wealth program, two points are clearly obvious. (1) Your money is always limited - so you can afford to be extremely choosy. And (2) because you are always multiplying your wealth by at least 100%, it doesn't matter how little you have to start with.

Multiply $20 in wealth only 15 times and you are up around the $250,000.00 mark. After that the sky is the limit.

That is why a single wage family following a wealth program and who are able to live within their means, can end up far wealthier than a multiple large income family.

So it's your decision - when it comes to wealth creation - Kiss it or Say Goodbye!

Charles Goodwin is the author of the highly rated book ?The Secrets Of Wealth Creation Revealed? (available as a paperback or e-book.) Read more free articles by Charles Goodwin at http://www.wealth-creators-club.com or his Blog ?The Esoteric Charles Goodwin? at http://charlesgoodwin.blogspot.com

Traveling To America? New ESTA Registration Mandated January 2009

For years, visitors from certain foreign countries have been able to travel to America without first getting a formal Visa sticker placed in their passport. Implemented in 1998, the "Visa Waiver Program" (VWP) has allowed for visitors of several countries to come to America for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without getting a Visa put in their passport. During 2007, more than 15 million visitors from VWP countries arrived in the United States.

As of January 12, 2009 America's new ESTA program requires Visa Waiver Program visitors coming to the U.S. for tourist or business purposes via a plane or ship to "register" online before entering the United States to see if they pose a law enforcement or security risk to the U.S. ESTA is not required for land crossings. Officials are asking that the ESTA registration be done at least 72 hours prior to leaving, but theoretically it is possible to register at the last minute. An ESTA Travel Authorization is free, valid for 2 years, and valid for multiple entries.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for ESTA Travel Authorization:

What Countries Are in the Visa Waiver Program?

Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Where Do I Apply for an ESTA Travel Authorization?

A website, operated by the American government, is where you register for ESTA: esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The ESTA information you submit via the computer is compared with certain American law enforcement databases and then either approved or denied. Foreign travelers will not be able to submit ESTA applications at American airports after arriving or at a U.S. Embassy in their country.

What if I Don't Have Plans to Travel to the U.S. Yet?

VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA Travel Authorization. As soon as VWP travelers begin to plan a trip to visit the U.S., they are encouraged to apply for travel authorization through the ESTA website. Applicants are not required to update their destination addresses or itineraries if they change after their ESTA Travel Authorization has been granted.

Does the ESTA Travel Authorization Guarantee Entry to the U.S.?

An ESTA Travel Authorization only authorizes a traveler to board an airline or ship for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. After they arrive, travelers who obtained an ESTA Travel Authorization may still be denied entry (also called "admission") at a U.S. port of entry, such as an American airport. An approved ESTA is not a guarantee of admissibility at an American airport. In all cases, the American airport officers make the final determination whether a foreign traveler can enter the U.S. or not. You still have to establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer that you are entitled to be admitted to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.

Can I Change My Travel Itinerary?

It is possible to change an itinerary on an existing ESTA Travel Authorization; ESTA is designed so that you can update parts of it at any time. Travelers who did not get an ESTA approval may be denied boarding by the airlines, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission to the U.S. at the American airport.

What If I Already Have a Valid B1/B2 Visitor Visa?

While the ESTA Travel Authorization is completed online with no interview, there are Visas that require a U.S. Embassy interview. The Visa process has separate procedures, which generally require an appointment, travel to a U.S. Embassy, an interview with a Consular Officer, processing time, and the payment of an application fee. If a foreign national already went to the U.S. Embassy and has a valid B1/B2 Visitor Visa pasted in their passport it is not necessary to get an ESTA Travel Authorization because the traveler will be entering with a B1/B2 Visitor Visa and not through the Visa Waiver Program. Keep in mind that an approved ESTA Travel Authorization is not a Visa.

Can I Re-Apply for an ESTA Travel Authorization if Denied?

Yes, but you must wait at least 10 days to reapply and your circumstances must have changed. Unless there is a change in a substantive fact, re-application will not change the result. Keep in mind that applying for an ESTA Travel Authorization with false information can cause a foreign national to be permanently barred from ever entering America. The ESTA system is designed to try to prevent individuals from changing and manipulating an ESTA entry until they receive an approval.

What If I am Denied an ESTA Travel Authorization and Have No Changed Circumstances?

There are three types of responses to an ESTA application; approved, pending or travel not authorized (denied). Applicants who receive a "pending" response are advised to check the website 72 hours later. Applicants who are denied will be required to go to a U.S. Embassy to apply for a formal nonimmigrant visa, such as a B1/B2 Visa, which may take months.

Can a Traveler Find Out the Reason Why an ESTA Application was Denied?

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has stated that travelers may contact the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP at dhs.gov) but there are no guarantees that information about a denial will be divulged. U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not required to provide details about an ESTA denial nor resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial.

What If I Have a Criminal Record?

Only those qualified to travel under the VWP are eligible to pre-register through ESTA. Persons who have been arrested and/or convicted are generally not eligible for VWP and probably require a formal Visa, such as a B1/B2 Visa, to travel to America. If a foreign national has received tickets for speeding (which don't usually result in an arrest or conviction) they are probably still eligible for the VWP and ESTA. If a foreign traveler has been denied entry into or deported from the U.S., they require a formal Visa.

Do Any Other Countries Have a Similar Program?

Australia has a program called the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) that mandates travelers to submit an ETA application electronically through a website requesting permission to travel to Australia. Airlines may refuse to accept passengers who do not have either an approved ETA or Visa to enter Australia.

How Long Will the ESTA Application Data be Stored? Who Can Access It?

The ESTA Travel Authorization is valid for two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. The American government will maintain the information for at least 15 years to allow retrieval of the information for law enforcement, national security, or investigatory purposes. Information submitted through ESTA can also be shared with any U.S. government organization.

What Information Does the Airlines Get?

Airlines will receive confirmation of a passenger's ESTA status visa the "Advance Passenger Information System" (APIS) which shows whether the ESTA authorization has been granted for a Visa Waiver Program traveler. It is recommended that the traveler print out the ESTA application approval in order to maintain a record of their ESTA application number and to have confirmation of their ESTA status.

What About Children?

Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, are required to obtain an independent ESTA Travel Authorization.

What if a Mistake was Made on the ESTA Application?

The ESTA website will ask applicants to review their application before submitting it. Also, there is an update function for certain information such as email address, telephone number, or flight information. If an applicant makes a mistake that cannot be "updated," he will need to submit a new ESTA application.

What if I Only Have a Connecting Flight Through the U.S.?

Visa Waiver Program visitors who have a connecting flight in the U.S. are required to either have ESTA Travel Authorization or a Visa from a U.S. Embassy in their passport to travel through the U.S. even for a one hour stop. If a traveler is only planning to stop in the U.S. en route to another country, the traveler should enter the words "In Transit" and his final destination in the address lines under the heading "Address While In The United States" on the ESTA application.

What Are the Questions on the ESTA Travel Authorization Application?

The traveler must provide (in English) biographical data including name, birth date, country of citizenship, country of residence, email address, sex, telephone number, passport information, destination address in the U.S., travel information (round trip airline ticket, flight number and city where you are boarding) as well as questions regarding communicable diseases (chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inquinale, HIV, leprosy, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis [active], tuberculosis [active], and others), physical or mental disorders, drug addiction problems, arrests, convictions, past history of visa cancellation or denial, and prior deportations from the U.S. The traveler will also be asked whether they are seeking work in the U.S., have ever been deported or tried to get a visa by fraud or misrepresentation. The traveler will be asked if they have ever detained a child of a U.S. Citizen granted custody of the child, and whether they have ever asserted immunity from prosecution.

Do I Select "Business" or "Pleasure (Tourist) at the Airport Port of Entry?

After the ESTA Travel Authorization is granted, the foreign traveler will be interviewed by government officers at the first American airport they land. The officer will ask what the foreign traveler will be doing in America and the questioning can take up to four hours in a detained setting called "secondary inspection." The officer may ask the traveler "what else are you doing in America?" repeatedly to try to get "the real" answer. If the traveler is only going to be a tourist, they are not allowed to do any business, including meeting with any attorneys, applying for a bank account, meeting with real estate agents, or other business consulting activities. Even though the traveler is going to conduct just one business meeting while in America, they are required to report it and enter as a business visitor. The business visitor is allowed to participate in tourist activities, but the tourist visitor is not allowed to participate in any business activities. Therefore, if any business might be conducted while in America, it is best to tell the government officers about it at the airport to avoid being accused of lying, put immediately on a plane back to your home country, and barred from America for life.

What Else Do Can the Airport Officers Make Me Prove After I Land?

The airport officers will ask the traveler proof of a foreign residence (address on foreign driver's license), whether their intention is to depart at the end of the visit (round trip airline ticket), whether the traveler has a job (letter, paystub, business card) and family in their home country, (marriage certificate, childrens' birth certificates), and whether the traveler has the money to travel around America (bank statement or credit cards with bank letter showing credit limit). The airport officers are also required to ask where the traveler will stay in America (hotel reservations or friends/relatives' homes) and have been known to pick up the phone to verify all of the aforementioned information.

Can I Be Searched in the American Airport? Am I Entitled to Legal Representation?

While being interviewed at the American airport, all luggage (even locked bags) can be searched, as well as the traveler's body and his/her cell phone (including text messages and phone numbers) and laptop (including hard drive). The officers may "google" a traveler's name and check out their myspace, facebook or hyves pages. The traveler is not allowed to be represented by an attorney or even call their attorney while in "secondary inspection." Bathroom visits, water and food may be limited, so it is best to prepare for such an occasion while still on the plane before landing.

Do I Still Have to Go Through the "US-VISIT" Program at the American Airport?

Foreign travelers arriving at American airports and seaports must still be photographed and fingerprinted every time they enter the U.S.

Who Should I Ask For Help to Fill Out the ESTA Application?

The information a traveler provides on the ESTA application can remain in their file with U.S. authorities for a minimum of 15 years - probably longer. If a foreign traveler has some questions about how to answer the questions so as not to be permanently barred from America, it would be prudent to them to pay for a legal consultation with an American Immigration Attorney who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Beware of unauthorized private websites that offer ESTA application assistance for $49.99 - they are usually not authorized to practice immigration law and are asking travelers to pay for a copy of the application questions, which are free on the dhs.gov website.

If I Am Denied the ESTA Travel Authorization Will it Effect My Ability to Obtain a Visa at the U.S. Embassy?

When the ESTA Travel Authorization is denied, the foreign traveler must make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy in their country to apply for a formal Visa. The U.S. Embassy is operated by the U.S. Department of State and there are no expedited procedures for those who have been denied ESTA Travel Authorization. Because the ESTA program is so new, it is impossible to predict how badly a denial of the ESTA Travel Authorization will impact a traveler's application for a Visa at a U.S. Embassy or impact their future travel to America in general. American Immigration Attorneys are in close contact with their foreign clients and will share the denial information with each other starting in January 2009. Currently there are no government policies regulating this area of the law, or opportunities to appeal a denial.

When Is the a "New" ESTA Travel Authorization Required?

A new ESTA Travel Authorization is required during the two years if (1) the traveler is issued a new passport (2) the traveler changes his name (3) the traveler changes his or her gender (4) the traveler's country of citizenship changes or (5) the circumstances underlying the traveler's previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a "yes" or "no" response have changed (such as a new arrest).

Can an American Immigration Attorney, Travel Agent or Employer Fill Out the ESTA Application?

A third party, such as a relative, travel agent or American Immigration Attorney, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler. Be aware that the traveler is still responsible under the law for the answers submitted on his or her behalf by a third party.

Over 68,000 travelers have already voluntarily registered by using the ESTA online system in the last few months. Applicants are reminded to obtain a new "e-passport" which has an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic information from the data page, as well as other biometric information, when registering with ESTA.

The author is Attorney Danielle Nelisse, owner of the Law Offices of Danielle Nelisse. She has been practicing U.S. immigration law since 1999. She specializes in U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence through marriage, and work visas. She has a staff of translators who speak German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and other languages.

http://www.immigrationworkvisa.com

Investing in Bank Forclosures - Advantages and Disadvantages

When bank forclosures process begins, three real estate investing opportunities are created; the Default phase, the Auction phase, and the REO phase. Below, we will discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of each of the three opportunities.

Purchasing Homes before Bank Foreclosures

When you purchase a home before the forclosure process has begun, you are able to work directly with the owner of the home and sometimes even the lender. You are able to try for a win/win situation. The homeowner wins because they make the sale and avoid forclosure and you win because you are able to get the property at a large reduction.

In order to accomplish a successful purchases before bank forclosures, the following 7 steps are recommended:

1. Find homes that are in default on the loans.

2. Compare homes and choose which one to pursue.

3. Inspect the property.

4. Figure out what the property owner needs.

5. Figure out the market value of the property, repair costs, and potential sales price and profit.

6. Negotiate with the owner and the lender to come up with a decision.

7. Close on the property, fix it up and sell it again quickly.

Advantages - If done correctly, this can be a great investment. The discounts from market value are usually around 20 to 35 percent. A low down payment is possible if it's structured properly, and you have plenty of time to check out the properties. You are able to make unique and flexible sales agreements.

Disadvantages - Sometimes it can be hard to get in touch with the property owner. You will have competition to purchase the home, and the court house research can be difficult. You may also have to negotiate with the lien holders.

Auction Purchases

Purchasing homes at an auction can be great. It is also dangerous. You are able to purchase the home as the highest bidder, and the process moves quickly. When you are purchasing something at an auction, you have to compete against the lender and other people who are looking to invest. Before purchasing at the auction, most people research the properties before the sale date, go after realistic opportunities, calculate their potential for profit and amounts, determine a good bid price and then go to the auction to bid.

Advantages - This is a great way to find moderate to large discounts. It's possible to save anywhere from 35 to 45 off of market values and you can earn an excellent return on investment. It's possible to really hit the jackpot.

Disadvantages - The auctions are often postponed or delayed. Being able to inspect the property is rare. In truth, a title search should be performed on the house and this is usually costly. You may have to provide a check for ten percent of the purchase amount within days or weeks from the auction. If you don't do your research, it may result in a loss.

Purchasing REOs

Some think that the easiest way to purchase a foreclosed home is to buy an REO. A 'Real Estate Owned' occurs when a lender takes a property back to gain possession and cut its losses. They normally do not want to keep the property because it is not in the real estate business, and so they normally move the property quickly.

Advantages - The lender is the lien holder, so there is always a clear title, and that saves a lot of time. Not to mention expenses and worries about purchasing forclosure homes. The property taxes which were in arrears have normally been paid and the property may have been repaired to be within acceptable standards. Sometimes though, they just leave the repairs to the buyer and offer a discount.

Disadvantages - There are low to no risks with this method, however the rewards can be pretty low as well. You may save anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent off of market value. You can save up to 25 percent or more if you are knowledgeable and know how.

This method of investing in forclosure properties can bring excellent profits. All three forclosure opportunities contain rewards and risks. Doing your homework before you buy is a must.

Brock is a fairly new investor in real estate focusing his efforts on investing in home forclosures. His blog details all his adventures in purchasing bank forclosures and forclosure homes, fixing them up, and reselling them for healthy profit margins.

Why We Are Losing Working Farms

The Situation

Today's farmer faces unique challenges which threaten to continue the trend of developing our working farms without consideration of sustainable farming practices. These challenges arise from trends in several (seemingly unrelated) areas, which combine in unexpected ways to produce unintended results.

Growth to accommodate the needs of a growing population naturally seeks as a solution the path of least economic and regulatory resistance. In many cases, this solution manifests itself in the development of available farms located close to population centers. To the farm owner, who is often land rich but cash poor, this is an option, as existing federal tax laws practically guarantee that the farm must eventually be sold and developed to pay the requisite estate taxes.

One seemingly obvious solution to preserve our farms and promote sustainable farming would be more regulatory policy. Wetlands and floodplains have long been protected under federal legislation generated years ago. Why not enact similar mandates to preserve prime agriculture soils or working farms? Keep in mind the law of unintended consequences though, as trying to tighten the laws to preserve agriculture soils will actually promote the loss of farms, as farmers will be inclined to sell their farms if they perceive threats to the value of the property. Each of us would probably do the same if we thought the value of our house would be diminished from pending legislation. Moreover, anything tied to more regulation or legislation will simply lead to more legal battles that in the long run achieve little toward farm preservation.

A New Way

If the current approach is not working, what, then, is the answer?

One potential avenue to explore may be to learn from the efforts of non-profit organizations, whose approach to preserve open space frequently encourages limited development of farm acreage, while preserving the balance of the farm as open space. Current economic realities, though, suggest that the non-profits' approach may require some modification, as past successes were driven partially on the ability to take advantage of the tax codes in times of economic surpluses. The success of the many non profits has been in thinking "outside the box" and seeking cooperative solutions. The next generation solution may involve incentivizing those involved in the development process to embrace sustainable farm practices for both crops and animals as part of development proposals. There is also a large opportunity to use some of the land set aside for open space for farming practices.

Additionally, we have to become more proactive. No plan to save the farm should depend on tax benefits, government grants or subsidies. The plan has to work at the local level and it has to provide fair compensation to the farmer. The farmer, after all, will be assuming the financial risk and uncertainty of adopting a nontraditional and unproven approach to preserve a smaller but sustainable farm operation. Since local land use law is not set up to protect farms, the farmer, developer, local municipal leaders, and the local community must caucus and agree on how best to proceed. Initially, many developers may not be quick to embrace this approach, and same probably may also be true for municipal leaders, as this is an uncertain path that will rely heavily upon the belief in a better plan and a trust that neighbors and governing bodies will act responsibly.

To achieve the desired result, it will be necessary to set aside existing zoning and land development ordinances that normally control density and design. Instead, the focus must be on identifying farm resources needed for the farm to remain economically viable, and then crafting a plan for the balance of the land that compensates the farmer for effectively restricting forever a portion of his farm for continued farm operations. Compromise will be a component, as past efforts to preserve open space frequently prioritized setting aside wetlands, floodplain, steep slopes, wildlife habitat, tree masses, lands important as public views, etc., none of which are necessarily compatible with preserving high quality farm soils or preserving the operation of a farm.

Procedural approval of the agreed plan will also present challenges, as most municipalities cannot spot-zone. One solution to this may be found in the use of overlay districts to existing zoning. The federal government may prove to be a hindrance though, as the laws governing the protection of wetlands and high quality watersheds offer no room to look at the bigger picture and possible competing priorities. Educating the general public will also be an important element if this approach is to gain support, as many non-farmers do not fully appreciate the benefits of saving a farm.

Saving our farms goes beyond just approving land development plans. We need to provide for the long term operation and management of the farm. Near-term, providing the farmer is able and willing, the operation of the farm can remain with the existing farmer. Eventually, however, the existing farmer will be physically unable to continue with day-to-day management of operations, so any plan for saving the farm must provide for the long- term operation of the farm by providing for a farm manager. This includes providing the farm manager with farm facilities and property. The farm manager will not own the property, but will have the opportunity raise his family from income generated by the farm. The underlying assumption here is that, given the opportunity of land to farm and a place to live while doing it, there will be people with the ability, knowledge and drive to operate and manage the farm.

Good, proven programs can help new farmers get started and manage. Pennsylvania offers a good example of programs that help. The Penn State Extension Program offers instruction for farmers on farming practices, writing business plans, disease control and farm management. The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) has programs to train farmers in soil management, water management, and business plans. PASA also supports buying fresh and buying local, which is important as the famers need a local market in which to sell the farm product. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative goes even further. In a CSA the farmer brings in local people to make modest investments each growing season, and possibly volunteer at the farm, in exchange for each member sharing in the vegetables and produce grown that season.

Why Should We Care About Saving Independent Farms, Anyway?

Does the goal of preserving independent farms reflect the interests of the majority of our population and, if not, should the majority even care?

As result of technological advancements, food supply is, after all, not a problem, is it? And previous predictions of worldwide famine have not materialized. Today, we grow more food per acre in the typical large industrial farm operation than ever before.

This "success", however, ignores some of the ugly scars that the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pharmaceutical enhancements cause. In Time Magazines' August 3, 2009 publication, Rebecca Kaplan states "The US agriculture industry can now produce unlimited quantities of meat and grains at remarkably cheap prices. But it does so at a high cost to the environment, animals, and humans". She then goes on to further discuss how current, large-scale farming operations are contributing to "dead zones" in the Gulf of Mexico, which are devoid of fish.

Even ignoring the damage associated with the success of producing food more efficiently, are we sure we're not at risk of food shortages now and in the foreseeable future? The answer depends not only on the continued production of food, but also on the safety and reliability of its distribution system. On a global basis, we know that food distribution is neither totally consistent nor reliable. Millions of people face food shortages every day. Thinking locally, the more concentrated farming operations become, the greater our exposure to crop and animal disease.

As the global economy continues to expand and take root, is it reasonable to expect that the food we import is safe? As a practical matter, we need to realize that the world food production and distribution system is far too vast and complex to be effectively monitored, so we are inherently assuming some level of risk .Other risks posed by the global economy include potential disruption in supply resulting from war or disease or, perhaps, a root cause we have yet to anticipate.

Basic principles of risk management dictate diversification, so to minimize our risk we should de-centralize farming into the hands of many.

In addition to risk management, there has been growing public sentiment about giving ourselves a voice regarding the quality of the food we eat. Sustainable farming for crops and animals is already taking hold. Many individual consumers, and companies and owners of restaurants, now insist on buying locally grown produce, as the food tastes better and is believed to be healthier. The sustainable farm also leaves a more environmentally friendly carbon footprint by avoiding the usage of heavy chemical and pharmaceutical enhancements used in the industrial farm complex.

Conclusion

Given all the arguments in favor of saving our independent farms, why, then, is it not a priority to save them? And whose responsibility should it be? Does the responsibility rest with the farmers themselves, many of whom have been dutifully working their land for generations? Should the municipality's elected officials be held accountable for saving the farms and do whatever has to be done to make it happen? What about our elected state and federal officials? Since regulation and legislation enacted to this point with the best of intentions have actually contributed to the problem, we clearly need a new way of thinking at this level.

The farmer cannot do it alone, just as the municipality and local citizen groups cannot do it alone. It has to be a cooperative effort. But even if all involved in the process of planning for the preservation of ours farms work together, there is still a missing piece in the puzzle without which sustainable farming cannot work.

What is the missing piece to complete the puzzle? It is all of us. It is all of us in how we treat food as a commodity to be acquired at the cheapest cost. It is all of us in how we blindly and foolishly expect our government to protect our food supply rather than support diversification with more numerous smaller farms. And it is all of us because we allow our busy lives to dictate shopping at large grocery stores buying vegetables and meats imported from across the country, and across world, as opposed to supporting the local farm.

John Lynch is the founder and President of Trilogy Investments, LLC, a West Chester, PA development and investment firm. For more information, contact John at trilogylynch@verizon.net or 610-430-7567

Life Insurance Basics

Many of us buy life insurance because we want to make sure that our loved ones, especially dependents, remain financially secure after we die. Income replacement is the No. 1 reason people buy life insurance.

Non-earning caregivers also have an important - and often overlooked - economic value that should be covered by life insurance.

Life insurance is also purchased by those interested in achieving specific business or estate-transfer goals.

There are many types of life insurance policies depending on your goals, and there are huge price differences among different companies offering identical coverage. Policies are available from hundreds of life insurance companies in the United States. Most financial planners recommend that each family income provider carry no less than 10 times their annual income in life insurance.

Here's an orderly way to go about shopping for life insurance:

1) Assess your needed life insurance amount..




2) Decide on the most appropriate policy type for your goals.




3) Choose possible companies by setting high standards for financial stability ratings.



4) Shop until you find the best price.



5) Look at ways to get the best possible life insurance rate.

Life insurance is a long-term proposition, so you should pay particular attention, at time of purchase and throughout the life of the policy, to the financial stability ratings of your life insurance company. Ratings indicate a company's ability to pay claims.

Assessing your life insurance needs

The first step in life insurance planning is to analyze your life insurance needs - meaning the economic needs of dependents left behind. A great way to determine your coverage needs is to use an online calculator like Insure.com's Life Insurance Needs Estimator Tool.

Before purchasing a life insurance policy, consider your financial situation and the standard of living you want to maintain for your dependents or survivors. For example, who will be responsible for your final medical bills and funeral costs? Would your family have to relocate or otherwise change their standard of living after losing your income? The assumption of immediate death is necessary to determine the current life insurance needs for a family or individual.


Add in the longer term financial needs of the remaining family members, such as: children's expenses, income for the surviving spouse, mortgage and other debt payoffs, college education funds and an additional emergency fund.

Because life insurance needs change over time, your life insurance amount should be reevaluated periodically. We recommend a review at least once every five years or whenever you experience a major life event such as a change in income or assets, marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or a major purchase such as a house or business.

In theory, you should have a declining need for life insurance as you age because fewer people remain dependent upon you for income support. Exceptions would be protecting a business entity or paying taxes on a large estate for heirs. If the purpose of buying life insurance is to pay estate taxes, then you'll need permanent life insurance, which is in-force as long as you live and pay premiums.

Policy choices

Life insurance policies [http://www.insure.com/quotesmith/controller?REF=99998&reqid=qstermindex&redirx=x] are divided into two main types:

Term life insurance, which provides only death protection without any side funds or "cash values" (offering the least expensive cost per $1,000 of death coverage purchased).




Permanent life insurance, which has "cash value" accounts in which a return-on-investment component becomes an often complex and expensive part of the policy (most expensive cost per $1,000 of coverage).

Term life insurance

The simplest of all life insurance to understand and the cheapest to buy: Term life insurance provides death benefit protection without any savings, investment or "cash value" components for the term of the coverage period.

Term life insurance is available for set periods of time such as 10, 15, 25 or 30 years. With "annual renewable term life," your policy automatically renews each year and premiums increase as you get older. Choose "level term insurance" if you want your premium to stay the same for the duration of the policy. Also available is "decreasing term insurance," where premiums remain level but your death benefit declines over time. This is good if you want to cover only a specific debt that decreases, such as a mortgage or business loan.

As long as you pay your premiums, the company cannot cancel you.

Term life insurance is a popular choice because of the long rate-guarantee periods and because of the ability to get a low cost life insurance policy. However, if you get to the end of your policy term and still need life insurance, you'll need to shop for a new policy, which will then be priced based on your older age and health status.

Choosing an initial rate-guarantee period is easy: Match the period of time your dependents need your income to the available rate-guarantee periods. For example, if your children are young and you have decades to go on your mortgage, try 30-year term life. If your children are leaving the nest and your home is paid off or nearly paid off, 10-year term might fit the bill.

Other policy provisions that drive the popularity of term life insurance are guaranteed renewal and guaranteed convertibility.

Guaranteed Renewal. Before you buy a term life policy, ask the agent or company to confirm to you that the policy contains a guaranteed renewable option, which grants you the right to continue coverage beyond the initial rate-guarantee period without a medical exam. This feature, found in most term life policies sold today, is extremely important should you become sick and uninsurable toward the end of your rate-guarantee period.

For example, say that you've been paying $800 per year on a $500,000, 20-year level term life policy and develop cancer near the end of the 20-year period, thus making you uninsurable. Assuming that you want to continue the coverage, a guaranteed renewable clause would allow you to continue the coverage beyond 20 years on an annual renewable basis without an exam, albeit at a much higher annual premium of, say, $8,000 in year 21, $11,000 in year 22, and so on.

You may have sticker shock right now but these premiums don't look so high when you are very sick and uninsurable but still in need of coverage.

Guaranteed Convertible. Another built-in feature of most term life policies is the right to convert your coverage to any cash value policy that the company might offer at current rates without having to take another physical exam. This feature may be of use in the future if you decide you want cash value life insurance.

If you'd like term insurance to cover you for a certain period of time but you're confident you'll outlive the policy, consider a "return of premium" (ROP) term life insurance policy. Under this type of policy, if no death benefit has been paid by the end of your insurance term, you receive all your premiums back (tax-free). Return of premium term life insurance generally costs 50 to 150 percent more than a comparable term policy but it provides a way to hedge your bets no matter what happens.

Term life insurance is widely available on the Internet, from direct-to-consumer life insurance companies and from insurance agents and brokers.

Cash value life insurance

If you want more than a death benefit from your life insurance policy and like the idea of a long-term savings account (not insured by any federal agency) or stock market investment, you might consider cash value life insurance such as whole life, universal life or variable life. But be prepared to pay much higher premiums per $1,000 of coverage precisely because you are now funding a cash value account and paying fees and expenses.

In many cash value policies, the annual premium does not increase from year to year. Universal life policies allow you to fluctuate or even skip premium payments, which in turn adjusts your death benefit amounts.

Unlike term life insurance, which is easily compared online, cash value insurance is often marketed by agents and brokers in a face-to-face setting, where needs and strategies can be discussed.

Because of the complexity and dizzying array of possible outcomes for permanent life insurance, regulators insist that cash value insurance be sold using pre-approved illustration formats. These illustrations can run to 15 or more pages. Cash value life insurance illustrations are divided into two major sections: guaranteed values and projected or "illustrated, non-guaranteed" amounts. Illustrations can be complex and hard to compare in an apples-to-apples way.

Pay particular attention to the guaranteed death benefit and premium-payment sections because these columns contain the actual company promises. If you don't like what you see there, walk away.

Another caveat: Many cash value policies contain harsh penalties for surrendering the policies in the early years. Changing your mind within the first few years is an expensive decision.

Whole life insurance

Ordinary whole life insurance offers "permanent protection" with a cash value account that grows over time. Whole life provides a level death benefit and level premiums throughout your life and for as long as you continue to pay the premiums. For example, a healthy 40 year-old female might pay $4,200 per year for a $500,000 whole life policy. The premium remains level at $4,200 per year for the rest of her life and, in the event of death at any age, the policy will pay $500,000 to her beneficiary.

Whole life also contains a cash value account that builds over time, slowly at first and gaining steam after several years. You can withdraw your cash value or take out a loan against it, but remember, if you die before you pay back the loan, the death benefit paid to your beneficiaries will be reduced. For example: Susan has a $500,000 whole life policy in force and, over the years, has borrowed continually from the cash value. Her total loan amount and accrued interest totals $300,000. When Susan dies, her beneficiary will receive $200,000 because the life insurance company will first pay itself back from the death benefit.

Understand what your beneficiaries will receive upon your death. If you have a traditional whole life policy, your beneficiaries receive only the death benefit no matter how much cash value you've built up. Other payout options available for higher premiums are:

Death benefit plus cash value




Death benefit plus return of premium

Whole life policies can be issued as "participating" or "nonparticipating." Participating policies typically cost more but may return annual dividends if the insurer has a good financial year. Dividends are never guaranteed. Nonparticipating whole life insurance offers no dividends.

Buyers of whole life insurance like the certainty of fixed premiums with a known death benefit for life. They also appreciate the "forced savings" component and watching their cash value account build up.

Universal life insurance

This kind of policy offers greater flexibility than whole or term life. Universal life has many moving parts to understand before you buy.

After your initial premium payment, you can reduce or increase the amount of your death benefit. Also, after your initial payment, you can pay premiums any time and in any amount, as long as you don't miss a minimum payment level. In some cases, there are limits to how much extra you can pay in advance. If you choose to increase your death benefit, you may have to provide medical proof that your health has not deteriorated.

You will need to manage these policies to maintain sufficient funding, especially because the insurance company can increase charges.

Some new universal life policies perform like term life insurance: They can be configured at the time of purchase to provide both level death benefits and level premiums that are guaranteed for life as long as you pay the scheduled premium.

Variable life insurance

Variable life offers a death benefit with a side fund that operates like an investment account. It shifts the uncertainties of investment gains and losses to the policyholder.

The insurance company invests your premiums and offers you a choice of funds in which your money will be invested. Returns are not guaranteed. The amount of money your beneficiaries will receive and the cash value of your policy depend on how well the underlying accounts perform. Theoretically, the cash value can go down to zero and, if so, the policy will terminate. Some variable life policies will guarantee a minimum death benefit.

Other permanent life insurance considerations

When your cash value account grows large enough, it can be used by the insurer to pay your premiums for the rest of your life. This is known as being "paid up." You can still withdraw your cash value, but you'll have to resume premium payments to keep the policy in force or settle for a reduced benefit that the remaining cash value can support. Your policy illustration will show you how long it may take for your whole life policy to be "paid up."

If you no longer want your whole life policy, you can surrender it to receive the current cash surrender value or convert it into an annuity, but keep in mind that cashing in a permanent policy after only a couple of years is an expensive way to get insurance protection for a short time.

Riders add benefits

You can add riders to your life insurance policy that guard against a number of unpleasant situations. Your insurer will have its own list of available riders, but here are a few:

Accelerated death benefit rider (aka living benefits rider): Pays the benefit early if you become terminally ill.




Accidental death benefit rider: Pays an extra benefit if you die as the result of an accident.




Long term care rider: Pays for long term care expenses should you not be able to do some of the "activities of daily living," such as dressing or toileting.




Waiver of premium rider: Waives premium payments should you become totally disabled.

How life insurance is priced

Your life insurance rate is based on your life expectancy, the face amount you request and the length of the policy, whether it's the duration of your life (whole life) or a specific period (term life). Obtaining a low cost life insurance policy depends, in large part, on your current and past health.

Because your current and past health conditions impact your life expectancy, insurers want to know as much as possible about your health condition. Common conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer and depression can all raise your life insurance rate or even result in a declination.

Based on your medical history, you'll be grouped into a category such as "preferred plus," "preferred," "standard" and "substandard." Your category ultimately determines your premiums.

Insurance buyers with severe health conditions or a combination of conditions can find it hard or impossible to find life insurance. They are known as "impaired risks." Local agents may not be experienced enough to find a company that specializes in insuring people with certain medical conditions. Fortunately, impaired-risk specialists have expertise in knowing where to direct applications for folks with medical conditions.

The life insurance buying process

The life insurance applications process is paper-intensive, can take weeks and often seems intrusive for people who value their privacy. A face-to-face paramedical examination is generally required for policies in excess of $100,000, which means, at minimum, giving of both blood and urine samples to the paramedical professional.

Expect questions in detail regarding your lifestyle, intended foreign travel destinations, your family health history and your personal health history. Do you intend to scuba dive? Have you had parents or siblings with heart disease or cancer before age 60? Have you ever taken any medicine for anxiety or depression? These, and more, are the kinds of questions to expect.

Sometimes multiple interviews are required in order to verify your information. The paramed examiner typically asks these questions face-to-face and often insurance companies will conduct follow-up telephone interviews so that you can verify the first set of answers. Regardless of the type of life insurance you buy, most policies require you to meet certain guidelines regarding your lifestyle and health history.

If it sounds tempting to shortcut this process by fudging on an answer or withholding information, don't do it. It's a crime in all 50 states to lie about or conceal information on a life insurance application. Besides, policies obtained through fraud can be voided at claim time.

Insurers will likely report your medical exam results (reported as numbered codes) to the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), which maintains a database of those who have applied for life insurance in the last seven years. If you've given different answers to medical questions in the past, it will raise a red flag with the MIB. The goal of the MIB database is to reduce fraud.

All standard life insurance policies generally cover death by any cause at any time in any place, except for death by suicide within the first two policy years (one year in some states).

If you don't care to go through the underwriting process, you have two other, more expensive, options:

Simplified issue life insurance can be purchased after answering only a few medical questions. There is no medical exam required. However, if you report health problems, you will likely be declined. Also, if you are healthy, or even if you have some negative medical history, an underwritten policy is still going to be your least expensive.




Guaranteed issue life insurance is sold to anyone who applies (up to an age limit) and is by far the most expensive way to purchase life insurance. This should be considered only by those who are declined for everything else but still need life insurance. These policies have graded death benefits, meaning your beneficiaries won't receive the full death benefit until several years into the policy.

In naming a beneficiary, keep in mind that the life insurance company will want to see only the names of those who are financially dependent upon you. An acquaintance, friend or relative, absent of a financial relationship, will not do.

Working with an agent

After reviewing the various life insurance policies available, you might still be unsure about which best meets your needs. The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) recommends consulting an insurance agent. ACLI spokesman Jack Dolan says an agent can recommend policies that will meet your needs. "Look at the recommended policy with care to be sure it fits your personal goals," Dolan says.

Carefully study your agent's recommendations and ask for a point-by-point explanation. Make sure the agent explains items you don't understand. Because your policy is a legal document, it is important that you know what it provides.

Insure.com offers these recommendations for deciding which type of life insurance to purchase:

If your agent recommends a term life policy, ask:

What is the Standard & Poor's, A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody's and Weiss ratings of this insurance company?




What is the initial rate-guarantee period? Is this policy renewable past the initial rate-guarantee period without a physical exam? If so, what are the premiums?




Is this policy convertible to permanent insurance without a physical exam? If so, for what period of time do I have the right to convert?

If your agent recommends a cash value policy, ask:

What is the Standard & Poor's, A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody's and Weiss ratings of this insurance company?




Can you tell me, in writing, why you are recommending cash value insurance for me at this time?




Why should I combine my life insurance protection needs with my investment objectives?




Can you please prepare an analysis for me that shows the true cost of this cash value insurance policy over 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years vs. buying term life and investing the difference in long term bonds over those same time periods?




How much is your first-year commission on this proposed cash value policy vs. your commission on an equivalent term life insurance policy?




Are these proposed annual premiums within my budget?




Why do you think that I can commit to paying these premiums over the long term, perhaps decades?




How much will I receive if I surrender the policy?

Additional Resources

Consumer Federation of America's Insurance "Rate of Return" Service



Insurance Information Institute: Learn about life insurance



Your state's department of insurance may also have life insurance buying guides online



For a free life insurance quote or more information on the types of life insurance available, please visit Insure.com.

Amy Danise is a staff writer for Insure.com. Visit Insure.com for a comprehensive array of comparative auto, life and health quotes, including a vast library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools that are not available from any other single source. Insure.com is dedicated to providing impartial insurance information to consumers. Visitors can obtain instant quotes from more than 200 leading insurers, achieve maximum savings and have the freedom to buy from any company shown.