Posts Tagged ‘Help’

Debt Relief Help – When To Consolidate Debts

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Admittedly, among debt programs, debt consolidation has the most differing reputation. On the one side, it is the best debt management program. But still, there are some that advise to steer clear of consolidating debts as it would only lead to worse debt problems. Despite the many debates, the question remains if it can really put an end to debt problems or is it just the start of a new cycle of debt. Finance experts agree that the first step to determining the truth about debt consolidation is understanding its role in managing debt. Debt consolidation is rolling all smaller separate loans into a single larger loan. This comes with a lower interest rates and a longer payment term. In effect, debt consolidation allows debtors to write a single check for paying the larger loan instead of writing different checks for different loans, hence, reducing total payment per month. There are also different ways in consolidating debt, and the most popular is transferring debts into one credit card account that has lower interest. Equity loans are also an option for debt consolidation. This is easy as most banks offer equity loans for homes, especially if the debtor can prove that he is capable of making regular payments. There are also lending companies that offer consolidation packages. However, all these options have drawbacks. They usually ask for processing fees and may have higher interest rates compared to the interest of the separate loans. Lending companies and banks might even require that the debtor put his house or any valuable property as collateral.

Debt consolidation, in this perspective, draws up a lot of advantages. It makes for easier payments, lower monthly dues, and at times, lower interests in the total consolidated debt. However, as with most debt programs, debt consolidation, as debt management option also has its disadvantages. First, in putting houses up as collateral, the debtor runs the risk of having his property foreclosed, in the event that he can’t settle his accounts. Also, if there is a longer term for payment, the total interest for the consolidated loan is possibly higher even if the monthly interest is significantly low. Therefore, the debtor does not really save more money but actually pays more money. Aside from these, the longer terms of payment would have the thought of the debt hanging over the debtor’s head for a longer time.

Joel Greenberg, a finance executive, advises debtors not to be blinded by the myths about debt programs, debt consolidation, or debt management promos. To identify the advantages and drawbacks of using these programs, Greenberg strongly suggest the use of calculators or debt management software to determine what option would be better. Computing the total payments and interest of both the individual loans in comparison with the consolidated loan will give you a clearer picture of your financial situation. Getting swayed by false advertisements is not a good way to save your credit and property.

<input id=”gwProxy” type=”hidden” /><input id=”jsProxy” />

<input id=”gwProxy” type=”hidden” /><input id=”jsProxy”>

<!– Top iFrame –> <!– Bottom iFrame –>
[removed]// <![CDATA[ var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_INFINITE_LOOP_COUNT = 300; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_MAX_HIGHLIGHTS = 50; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_ID = "leoHighlights_top_iframe"; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_ID = "leoHighlights_bottom_iframe"; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_DIV_ID = "leoHighlights_iframe_modal_div_container"; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_COLLAPSED_WIDTH = 520; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_COLLAPSED_HEIGHT = 391; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_EXPANDED_WIDTH = 520; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_EXPANDED_HEIGHT = 665; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_POS_X = 0; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_POS_Y = 0; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_WIDTH = 520; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_HEIGHT = 294; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_POS_X = 96; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_POS_Y = 294; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_COLLAPSED_WIDTH = 425; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_COLLAPSED_HEIGHT = 97; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_EXPANDED_WIDTH = 425; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_EXPANDED_HEIGHT = 371; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_SHOW_DELAY_MS = 300; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_HIDE_DELAY_MS = 750; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_BACKGROUND_STYLE_DEFAULT = "transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%"; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_BACKGROUND_STYLE_HOVER = "rgb(245, 245, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 0%"; var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_ROVER_TAG = "711-36858-13496-14"; createInlineScriptElement("var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DEBUG = false;
var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DEBUG_POS = false; var _leoHighlightsPrevElem = null; /** * Checks if the passed in class exists * @param c * @return */
function _leoHighlightsClassExists(c) { return typeof(c) == "function" && typeof(c.prototype) == "object" ? true : false;
} /** * Checks if the firebug console is available * @param c * @return */
function _leoHighlightsFirebugConsoleAvailable(c) { try { if(_leoHighlightsClassExists(_FirebugConsole) && window.console && console.log && (console instanceof _FirebugConsole)) { return true; } } catch(e){} return false;
} /** * General method used to debug exceptions * * @param location * @param e * @return */
function _leoHighlightsReportExeception(location,e)
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsFirebugConsoleAvailable() ||LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DEBUG) { var logString=location+": "+e+"\n\t"+e.name+"\n\t"+ (e.number&0xFFFF;)+"\n\t"+e.description; if(_leoHighlightsFirebugConsoleAvailable()) { console.error(logString); console.trace(); } } if(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DEBUG) alert(logString); } catch(e){}
} /** * This will log a string to the firebug console * * @param str * @return */
function _leoHighlightsDebugLog(str)
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsFirebugConsoleAvailable()) { console.log(typeof(_FirebugConsole)+" "+str); } } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("_leoHighlightsDebugLog() "+str,e); }
} /** * This will get an attribute and decode it. * * @param elem * @param id * @return */
function _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(elem,id)
{ try { var val=elem.getAttribute(id); return decodeURI(val); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("_leoHighlightsGetAttrib()",e); } return null;
} /** * Checks if this is within a frame by checking for a parent. * * @return */
function _leoHighlightsIsFrame()
{ try { return (window!=top) } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("_leoHighlightsIsFrame()",e); } return false;
} /** * This is a dimensions object * * @param width * @param height * @return */
function LeoHighlightsDimension(width,height)
{ try { this.width=width; this.height=height; this.toString=function() { return ("("+this.width+","+this.height+")");}; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("new LeoHighlightsDimension()",e); } } /** * This is a Position object * * @param x * @param y * @return */
function LeoHighlightsPosition(x,y)
{ try { this.x=x; this.y=y; this.toString=function() { return ("("+this.x+","+this.y+")");}; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("new LeoHighlightsPosition()",e); } } var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_ADJUSTMENT = new LeoHighlightsPosition(3,3);
var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_SIZE = new LeoHighlightsDimension(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_WIDTH,LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_HEIGHT);
var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_HOVER_SIZE = new LeoHighlightsDimension(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_COLLAPSED_WIDTH,LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_COLLAPSED_HEIGHT);
var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_CLICK_SIZE = new LeoHighlightsDimension(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_EXPANDED_WIDTH,LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_EXPANDED_HEIGHT); var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DIV_HOVER_SIZE = new LeoHighlightsDimension(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_COLLAPSED_WIDTH,LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_COLLAPSED_HEIGHT);
var LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DIV_CLICK_SIZE = new LeoHighlightsDimension(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_EXPANDED_WIDTH,LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOTAL_EXPANDED_HEIGHT); /** * Sets the size of the passed in element * * @param elem * @param dim * @return */
function _leoHighlightsSetSize(elem,dim)
{ try { // Set the popup location elem.style.width = dim.width + "px"; if(elem.width) elem.width=dim.width; elem.style.height = dim.height + "px"; if(elem.height) elem.height=dim.height; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("_leoHighlightsSetSize()",e); } } /** * This can be used for a simple one argument callback * * @param callName * @param argName * @param argVal * @return */
function _leoHighlightsSimpleGwCallBack(callName,argName, argVal)
{ try { var gwObj = new Gateway(); if(argName) gwObj.addParam(argName,argVal); gwObj.callName(callName); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception("_leoHighlightsSimpleGwCallBack() "+callName,e); }
} /** * This gets a url argument from the current document. * * @param url * @return */
function _leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(url, name )
{ name = name.replace(/[\[]/,”\\\[").replace(/[\]]/,”\\\]”); var regexS = “[\\?&]“+name+”=([^&#]*)”; var regex = new RegExp( regexS ); var results = regex.exec(url); if( results == null ) return “”; else return results[1];
} /** * This allows to redirect the top window to the passed in url * * @param url * @return */
function _leoHighlightsRedirectTop(url)
{ try { top.location=url; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“_leoHighlightsRedirectTop()”,e); }
} /** * This will find an element by Id * * @param elemId * @return */
function _leoHighlightsFindElementById(elemId,doc)
{ try { if(doc==null) doc=document; var elem=doc.getElementById(elemId); if(elem) return elem; /* This is the handling for IE */ if(doc.all) { elem=doc.all[elemId]; if(elem) return elem; for ( var i = (document.all.length-1); i >= 0; i–) { elem=doc.all[i]; if(elem.id==elemId) return elem; } } } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“_leoHighlightsFindElementById()”,e); } return null;
} /** * Get the location of one element relative to a parent reference * * @param ref * the reference element, this must be a parent of the passed in * element * @param elem * @return */
function _leoHighlightsGetLocation(ref, elem) { _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“_leoHighlightsGetLocation “+elem.id); var count = 0; var location = new LeoHighlightsPosition(0,0); var walk = elem; while (walk != null && walk != ref && count < LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_INFINITE_LOOP_COUNT) { location.x += walk.offsetLeft; location.y += walk.offsetTop; walk = walk.offsetParent; count++; } _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“Location is: “+elem.id+” – “+location); return location;
} /** * This is used to update the position of an element as a popup * * @param IFrame * @param anchor * @return */
function _leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos(iFrame,anchor)
{ try { // Gets the scrolled location for x and y var scrolledPos=new LeoHighlightsPosition(0,0); if( self.pageYOffset ) { scrolledPos.x = self.pageXOffset; scrolledPos.y = self.pageYOffset; } else if( document.documentElement && document.documentElement.scrollTop ) { scrolledPos.x = document.documentElement.scrollLeft; scrolledPos.y = document.documentElement.scrollTop; } else if( document.body ) { scrolledPos.x = document.body.scrollLeft; scrolledPos.y = document.body.scrollTop; } /* Get the total dimensions to see what scroll bars might be active */ var totalDim=new LeoHighlightsDimension(0,0) if (document.all && document.documentElement && document.documentElement.clientHeight&&document;.documentElement.clientWidth) { totalDim.width = document.documentElement.scrollWidth; totalDim.height = document.documentElement.scrollHeight; } else if (document.all) { /* This is in IE */ totalDim.width = document.body.scrollWidth; totalDim.height = document.body.scrollHeight; } else { totalDim.width = document.width; totalDim.height = document.height; } // Gets the location of the available screen space var centerDim=new LeoHighlightsDimension(0,0); if(self.innerWidth && self.innerHeight ) { centerDim.width = self.innerWidth-(totalDim.height>self.innerHeight?16:0); // subtracting scroll bar offsets for firefox centerDim.height = self.innerHeight-(totalDim.width>self.innerWidth?16:0); // subtracting scroll bar offsets for firefox } else if( document.documentElement && document.documentElement.clientHeight ) { centerDim.width = document.documentElement.clientWidth; centerDim.height = document.documentElement.clientHeight; } else if( document.body ) { centerDim.width = document.body.clientWidth; centerDim.height = document.body.clientHeight; } // Get the current dimension of the popup element var iFrameDim=new LeoHighlightsDimension(iFrame.offsetWidth,iFrame.offsetHeight) if (iFrameDim.width <= 0) iFrameDim.width = iFrame.style.width.substring(0, iFrame.style.width.indexOf(‘px’)); if (iFrameDim.height <= 0) iFrameDim.height = iFrame.style.height.substring(0, iFrame.style.height.indexOf(‘px’)); /* Calculate the position, lower right hand corner by default */ var position=new LeoHighlightsPosition(0,0); position.x=scrolledPos.x+centerDim.width-iFrameDim.width-LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_ADJUSTMENT.x; position.y=scrolledPos.y+centerDim.height-iFrameDim.height-LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_ADJUSTMENT.y; if(anchor!=null) { //centerDim in relation to the anchor element if available var topOrBottom = false; var anchorPos=_leoHighlightsGetLocation(document.body, anchor); var anchorScreenPos = new LeoHighlightsPosition(anchorPos.x-scrolledPos.x,anchorPos.y-scrolledPos.y); var anchorDim=new LeoHighlightsDimension(anchor.offsetWidth,anchor.offsetHeight) if (anchorDim.width <= 0) anchorDim.width = anchor.style.width.substring(0, anchor.style.width.indexOf(‘px’)); if (anchorDim.height <= 0) anchorDim.height = anchor.style.height.substring(0, anchor.style.height.indexOf(‘px’)); // Check if the popup can be shown above or below the element if (centerDim.height – anchorDim.height – iFrameDim.height – anchorScreenPos.y > 0) { // Show below, formula above calculates space below open iFrame position.y = anchorPos.y + anchorDim.height; topOrBottom = true; } else if (anchorScreenPos.y – anchorDim.height – iFrameDim.height > 0) { // Show above, formula above calculates space above open iFrame position.y = anchorPos.y – iFrameDim.height – anchorDim.height; topOrBottom = true; } _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“_leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos() – topOrBottom: “+topOrBottom); if (topOrBottom) { // We attempt top attach the window to the element position.x = anchorPos.x – iFrameDim.width / 2; if (position.x < 0) position.x = 0; else if (position.x + iFrameDim.width > scrolledPos.x + centerDim.width) position.x = scrolledPos.x + centerDim.width – iFrameDim.width; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“_leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos() – topOrBottom: “+position); } else { // Attempt to align on the right or left hand side if (centerDim.width – anchorDim.width – iFrameDim.width – anchorScreenPos.x > 0) position.x = anchorPos.x + anchorDim.width; else if (anchorScreenPos.x – anchorDim.width – iFrameDim.width > 0) position.x = anchorPos.x – anchorDim.width; else // default to below position.y = anchorPos.y + anchorDim.height; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“_leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos() – sideBottom: “+position); } } /* Make sure that we don’t go passed the right hand border */ if(position.x+iFrameDim.width>centerDim.width-20) position.x=centerDim.width-(iFrameDim.width+20); // Make sure that we didn’t go passed the start if(position.x<0) position.x=0; if(position.y<0) position.y=0; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“Popup info id: ” +iFrame.id+” – “+anchor.id + “\nscrolled ” + scrolledPos + “\ncenter/visible ” + centerDim + “\nanchor (absolute) ” + anchorPos + “\nanchor (screen) ” + anchorScreenPos + “\nSize (anchor) ” + anchorDim + “\nSize (popup) ” + iFrameDim + “\nResult pos ” + position); // Set the popup location iFrame.style.left = position.x + “px”; iFrame.style.top = position.y + “px”; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“_leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos()”,e); }
} /** * This will show the passed in element as a popup * * @param anchorId * @param size * * @return */
function _leoHighlightsShowPopup(anchorId,size)
{ try { var popup=new LeoHighlightsPopup(anchorId,size); popup.show(); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“_leoHighlightsShowPopup()”,e); } } /** * This will transform the passed in url to a rover url * * @param url * @return */
function _leoHighlightsGetRoverUrl(url)
{ var rover=LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_ROVER_TAG; var roverUrl=”http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/”+rover+”/4?&mpre;=”+encodeURI(url); return roverUrl;
} /** * Sets the size of the bottom windown part * * @param size * @return */
function _leoHighlightsSetBottomSize(size,clickId)
{ /* Get the elements */ var iFrameBottom=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_ID); var iFrameDiv=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_DIV_ID); /* Figure out the correct sizes */ var iFrameBottomSize=(size==1)?LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_CLICK_SIZE:LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_HOVER_SIZE; var divSize=(size==1)?LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DIV_CLICK_SIZE:LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_DIV_HOVER_SIZE; /* Refresh the iFrame’s url, by removing the size arg and adding it again */ leoHighlightsUpdateUrl(iFrameBottom,size,clickId); /* Clear the hover flag, if the user shows this at full size */ _leoHighlightsPrevElem.hover=size==1?false:true; _leoHighlightsSetSize(iFrameBottom,iFrameBottomSize); _leoHighlightsSetSize(iFrameDiv,divSize);
} /** * Class for a Popup * * @param anchorId * @param size * * @return */
function LeoHighlightsPopup(anchorId,size)
{ try { _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“LeoHighlightsPopup() “); this.anchorId=anchorId; this.anchor=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(this.anchorId); this.topIframe=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_ID); this.bottomIframe=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_ID); this.iFrameDiv=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_DIV_ID); this.topIframe.src=unescape(this.anchor.getAttribute(‘leoHighlights_url_top’));; this.bottomIframe.src=unescape(this.anchor.getAttribute(‘leoHighlights_url_bottom’));; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“1) LeoHighlightsPopup() (“+this.topIframe.style.top+”, “+this.topIframe.style.left+”)”); _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“2) LeoHighlightsPopup() (“+this.bottomIframe.style.top+”, “+this.bottomIframe.style.left+”)”); leoHighlightsSetSize(size); this.updatePos=function() { _leoHighlightsUpdatePopupPos(this.iFrameDiv,this.anchor)}; this.show=function() { this.updatePos(); this.iFrameDiv.style.visibility = “visible”; this.iFrameDiv.style.display = “block”; this.updatePos(); _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“3) LeoHighlightsPopup() (“+this.topIframe.style.top+”, “+this.topIframe.style.left+”)”); _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“4) LeoHighlightsPopup() (“+this.bottomIframe.style.top+”, “+this.bottomIframe.style.left+”)”); } this.scroll=function() { this.updatePos();}; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“new LeoHighlightsPopup()”,e); }
} /** * updates the url for the iFrame * * @param iFrame * @param size * @param clickId * @return */
function leoHighlightsUpdateUrl(iFrame,size,clickId,destUrl)
{ try { _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“leoHighlightsUpdateUrl() “+destUrl); var url=iFrame.src; var idx=url.indexOf(“&size;=”); if(idx>=0) url=url.substring(0,idx); // size=1; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“leoHighlightsUpdateUrl() size=”+size+” “+url); if(size!=null) url+=(“&size;=”+size); if(clickId!=null) url+=(“&clickId;=”+clickId); if(destUrl!=null) url+=(“&url;=”+destUrl); _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“leoHighlightsUpdateUrl() “+url); iFrame.src=url; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsUpdateUrl()”,e); }
} /**
*
* This can be used to close an iframe
*
* @param id
* @return
*/
function leoHighlightsSetSize(size,clickId)
{ try { /* Get the element */ var iFrameTop=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_ID); /* Figure out the correct sizes */ var iFrameTopSize=LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_SIZE; /* Refresh the iFrame’s url, by removing the size arg and adding it again */ leoHighlightsUpdateUrl(iFrameTop,size,clickId); _leoHighlightsSetSize(iFrameTop,iFrameTopSize); _leoHighlightsSetBottomSize(size,clickId); /* Clear the hover flag, if the user shows this at full size */ if(size==1&&_leoHighlightsPrevElem) _leoHighlightsPrevElem.hover=false; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsSetSize()”,e); }
} /** * Start the popup a little bit delayed. * Somehow IE needs some time to find the element by id. * * @param anchorId * @param size * * @return */
function leoHighlightsShowPopup(anchorId,size)
{ try { var elem=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(anchorId); if(_leoHighlightsPrevElem&&(_leoHighlightsPrevElem!=elem)) _leoHighlightsPrevElem.shown=false; elem.shown=true; _leoHighlightsPrevElem=elem; _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“leoHighlightsShowPopup() “+_leoHighlightsPrevElem); /* FF needs to find the element first */ _leoHighlightsFindElementById(anchorId); setTimeout(“_leoHighlightsShowPopup(\’”+anchorId+”\’,\’”+size+”\’);”,10); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsShowPopup()”,e); } } /**
*
* This can be used to close an iframe
*
* @param id
* @return
*/
function leoHighlightsHideElem(id)
{ try { /* Get the appropriate sizes */ var elem=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(id); if(elem) elem.style.visibility=”hidden”; /* Clear the page for the next run through */ var iFrame=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_TOP_ID); if(iFrame) iFrame.src=”about:blank”; var iFrame=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_BOTTOM_ID); if(iFrame) iFrame.src=”about:blank”; if(_leoHighlightsPrevElem) { _leoHighlightsPrevElem.shown=false; _leoHighlightsPrevElem=null; } } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHideElem()”,e); }
} /**
*
* This can be used to close an iframe.
* Since the iFrame is reused the frame only gets hidden
*
* @return
*/
function leoHighlightsIFrameClose()
{ try { _leoHighlightsSimpleGwCallBack(“LeoHighlightsHideIFrame”); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsIFrameClose()”,e); }
} /** * This should handle the click events * * @param anchorId * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleClick(anchorId)
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsIsFrame()) return false; var anchor=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(anchorId); anchor.hover=false; if(anchor.startTimer) clearTimeout(anchor.startTimer); /* Report the click event */ leoHighlightsReportEvent(“clicked”, window.document.domain, _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_keywords’),null, _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_accept’), _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_reject’)); leoHighlightsShowPopup(anchorId,1); return false; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleClick()”,e); } } /** * This should handle the hover events * * @param anchorId * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleHover(anchorId)
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsIsFrame()) return false; var anchor=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(anchorId); anchor.hover=true; /* Report the hover event */ leoHighlightsReportEvent(“hovered”, window.document.domain, _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_keywords’),null, _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_accept’), _leoHighlightsGetAttrib(anchor,’leohighlights_reject’)); leoHighlightsShowPopup(anchorId,0); return false; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleHover()”,e); } } /** * This will handle the mouse over setup timers for the appropriate timers * * @param id * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver(id)
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsIsFrame()) return; var anchor=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(id); /* Clear the end timer if required */ if(anchor.endTimer) clearTimeout(anchor.endTimer); anchor.endTimer=null; anchor.style.background=LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_BACKGROUND_STYLE_HOVER; /* The element is already showing we are done */ if(anchor.shown) return; /* Setup the start timer if required */ anchor.startTimer=setTimeout(function(){ leoHighlightsHandleHover(anchor.id); anchor.hover=true; }, LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_SHOW_DELAY_MS); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver()”,e); }
} /** * This will handle the mouse over setup timers for the appropriate timers * * @param id * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut(id)
{ try { var anchor=_leoHighlightsFindElementById(id); /* Clear the start timer if required */ if(anchor.startTimer) clearTimeout(anchor.startTimer); anchor.startTimer=null; anchor.style.background=LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_BACKGROUND_STYLE_DEFAULT; if(!anchor.shown||!anchor.hover) return; /* Setup the start timer if required */ anchor.endTimer=setTimeout(function(){ leoHighlightsHideElem(LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_IFRAME_DIV_ID); anchor.shown=false; _leoHighlightsPrevElem=null; },LEO_HIGHLIGHTS_HIDE_DELAY_MS); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut()”,e); }
} /** * This handles the mouse movement into the currently opened window. * Just clear the close timer * * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleIFrameMouseOver()
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsPrevElem&&_leoHighlightsPrevElem.endTimer) clearTimeout(_leoHighlightsPrevElem.endTimer); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleIFrameMouseOver()”,e); }
} /** * This handles the mouse movement into the currently opened window. * Just clear the close timer * * @param id * @return */
function leoHighlightsHandleIFrameMouseOut()
{ try { if(_leoHighlightsPrevElem) leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut(_leoHighlightsPrevElem.id); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsHandleIFrameMouseOut()”,e); }
}
/** * This is a method is used to make the javascript within IE runnable */
var leoHighlightsRanUpdateDivs=false;
function leoHighlightsUpdateDivs()
{ try { /* Check if this is an IE browser and if divs have been updated already */ if(document.all&&!leoHighlightsRanUpdateDivs&&!_leoHighlightsIsFrame()) { leoHighlightsRanUpdateDivs=true; // Set early to prevent running twice for(var i=0;i0) url=url.substring(0,idx); /* Append the text to the end */ url+=”#”+encodeURI(txt); /* Set the iframe with the new url that contains the hash tag */ topIFrame.src=url; } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHighlightsSetExpandTxt()”,e); }
} /*———————————————————————-*/
/* Methods provided to the highlight providers… */
/*———————————————————————-*/ /** * This will set the expand text for the Top window */
function leoHL_SetExpandTxt(txt)
{ try { _leoHighlightsDebugLog(“leoHL_SetExpandTxt() “+txt); _leoHighlightsSimpleGwCallBack(“LeoHighlightsSetExpandTxt”,”expandTxt”,txt); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHL_SetExpandTxt()”,e); }
} /** * This will redirect the top window to the passed in url * * @param url * @param parentId * @return */
function leoHL_RedirectTop(url,parentId)
{ try { try{ var domain=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”domain”) var keywords=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”keywords”) var vendorId=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”vendorId”) leoHighlightsReportEvent(“clickthrough”, domain,keywords, vendorId); }catch(e){ _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHL_RedirectTop()”,e); } _leoHighlightsRedirectTop(url); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHL_RedirectTop()”,e); }
} /** * This will redirect the top window to the passed in url * * @param url * @param parentId * @return */
function LeoHL_RedirectTop(url,parentId)
{ leoHL_RedirectTop(url,parentId);
} /** * This will redirect the top window to the passed in url * * @param url * @param parentId * @return */
function leoHL_RedirectTopAd(url,parentId)
{ try { try{ var domain=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”domain”) var keywords=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”keywords”) var vendorId=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg(window.document.URL,”vendorId”) leoHighlightsReportEvent(“advertisement.click”, domain,keywords, vendorId); }catch(e){ _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHL_RedirectTopAd()”,e); } _leoHighlightsRedirectTop(url); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHL_RedirectTopAd()”,e); }
} /** * This will set the size of the iframe * * @param url * @param parentId * * @return */
function leoHl_setSize(size,url)
{ try { /* Get the clickId */ var clickId=_leoHighlightsGetUrlArg( url,”clickId”) var gwObj = new Gateway(); gwObj.addParam(“size”,size); if(clickId) gwObj.addParam(“clickId”,clickId+”_blah”); gwObj.callName(“LeoHighlightsSetSize”); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHl_setSize()”,e); }
} /** * This will toggle the size of the window * * @return */
function leoHl_ToggleSize()
{ try { var gwObj = new Gateway(); gwObj.callName(“LeoHighlightsToggleSize”); } catch(e) { _leoHighlightsReportExeception(“leoHl_ToggleSize()”,e); }
} “);
]]>[removed]

Sale Lease-back Financing: What is It? How Can it Help your Business?

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

This arrangement allows the business owner to raise capital while retaining the use of the assets that are needed in the business. A sale-leaseback can offer the creation of significant source of funds that can be used for a variety of purposes. This includes paying off a specific lender, as working capital, to buy-back capital stock, buying out a partner, or upgrading assets, etc.

In sale-leaseback financing, is accomplished by conveying the title of the asset, at an agreed upon value, to a financial institution in exchange for a lump-sum payment. The business owner then makes lease payments to the finance company in exchange for the cash insertion.

Benefits. Many companies can benefit from this type of transaction. If you don’t qualify for traditional bank financing or want to preserve your existing bank credit line, sale lease-backs can be used to finance growth, restructure troubled financials, provide tax benefits and enhance balance sheets.

This is an approach to raise cash. All business owners know that cash is king. From a tax perspective, sale lease-back offers the possibility to structure the transaction as a taxable sale, which can be offset by net operating losses that, may otherwise expire if unused. It may also offer unique economic or tax benefits for companies that have been unable to utilize net operating loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes.

Since lease payments are not considered preference items, companies that are in an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) situation may benefit as well. This article should not be considered tax advice. Business owners should always seek professional tax advice from their CPA or Tax Attorney before making tax decisions based on a sale lease-back transaction.

Business Qualifiers: If you have been in business for at least 18 months, have a personal FICO Score of 620+, own the equipment outright, no open tax liens, no open bankruptcies and have financial statements that indicate that you can service the lease payments, you are a viable candidate for sale-leaseback financing.

Each finance company has its own minimum transaction size and funding parameters, so it is best to compare terms from each. Note: Restaurant owners typically will have to be in business 2 years, with a personal FICO score of 650+ before the financial institution will consider a sale lease-back transaction.

Eligible Equipment: Most durable equipment is eligible for sale-leaseback financing. Some examples: All types of IT equipment, computers, laptops, servers, network switches, routers, telephone systems, copiers, faxes, machinery, dry-cleaning equipment, telecommunications equipment, cubicle stations, auto repair equipment, diagnostic equipment, construction equipment, health club equipment, and all manner of medical equipment… just to give you an idea.

Gaming and beauty salon equipment typically are not eligible for sale-leaseback transactions. Some finance companies specialize in certain types of equipment. Others will consider a wide variety of equipment.

Application Process: It is surprising simple compared to other forms of financing. Contact the financing company for their 1 to 2 page application. Provide a list of the equipment that you wish considered. (Depending on the age of the equipment, there may not be a requirement for an appraisal of the residual value). Fax the application to the finance company. Expect a response in 24-48 hours. If you approve their proposal, you can have funds in-hand in 10-14 days.

It should be noted that you are selling a company asset to a finance company and then leasing it back. As such, the application/approval process is more straightforward than the typical debt-financing transaction and therefore a much faster funding process.

In summary: If you are in need of a cash infusion for your company, own equipment outright and are willing to sell equipment to a specialty finance company, but retain it for use in your business, then sale lease-back financing is a financing tool that is available to the business owner.

Bad Debt Loans: Cash Help in Financial Oblivion

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

People tend to fear from the word bad debt. It tarnishes the image of a person. But not everyone gets into bad debts knowingly. There may be some problems which may have led to bad debts. Bad debts are the leading reasons of creating blemish in your credit report. So, if you want to apply for loans in case of financial urgencies then there may be lesser people willing to give you a loan. But thanks to bad debt loans that one can easily get financial assistance in spite of an adverse credit history. Sometimes, it may so happen that you want to clear all the previous debts but can’t do that. At such times, bad debt financing can be useful to consolidate multiple loans.

Bad debt loan can be availed for personal as well as business use. These loans may be secured or unsecured depending upon the terms and circumstances. If you have an adverse credit history then you will be given the option of secured loan. And the valuable assets like home, car etc. must be kept as security with the lender. In case of poor credit history, you will be charged higher interest rates. However, if you have good financial position in present then you can get the terms in your favour.

One can use a bad debt loan for many purposes like debt consolidation, holiday, wedding, starting a new business, buying an asset etc. If you want to opt for unsecured loans, then too you can do that. Mostly, business people opt for unsecured debt loans. This is risk free financing and helps the borrower to take up his work smoothly. This loan amount can be used for smooth working of the business. And these are unsecured loans and so you are not required to keep any valuable assets as security.