Millionaires Giving Money: Financial Assistance

Showing posts with label Financial Assistance. Show all posts

Monday, 4 September 2017

Get Free Money from the Government 2018 - The Definitive Guide

This blog is devoted to helping people get free money from millionaires, billionaires, and philanthropists. One place most people neglect to check is the Government website USA.Gov, this site should be the first port of call when you're looking for financial assistance. Below you will find the definitive list of all the places where you can apply for financial assistance.

I would recommend that you bookmark this guide because it will have a centralized point where you can find all the information you need. Feel free to share this guide with anyone who might be experiencing financial hardship and leave a comment below if you've found it helpful.

The first place to go is Benefits.Gov, this site will help you determine which benefits you qualify for. Fill in all your details carefully so you can find out which benefits you're eligible for.

Another worthwhile site you should visit is the Social Services Agency in your State. The Social Services Age which is often referred to as the State's Human Service Agency will be able to offer you financial assistance or point you in the direction of your local community organization.

You also need to check to see whether you're eligible for any Government Grants. Grants are awarded to universities, researchers, cities, states, countries and non-profit organizations.

The Government also offers Loans to businesses and education. These loans need to be repaid however the interest is much cheaper than what the Bank may offer. You can visit GovLoans for more information.

For more specific help you should visit the information sources below. You can get information on benefits, grants, and loans. I would recommend you read through the guides thoroughly to see if you're eligible for any help.

Government Help for Veterans

Government Help for Disabled People

Government Help for Seniors

Government Help for Business Owners

If you or your family are experiencing disaster or financial hardship you can apply for help from the Government. You can also get help with mortgage and rent assistance if you need urgent financial assistance.

Help for Disaster Victims

Federal Housing Administration Loans

Mortgage Assistance Programs

Rental Assistance Programs

Weatherization Assistance

If you're experiencing hunger you can you can apply for the Food Stamps Program from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. If you need help with medical bills or need to apply for insurance then the first port of call should be Medicaid or Medicare. I have listed all the important links below.

Food Stamps for People on Low-Income

Child's Health Insurance

If you've become unemployed through no fault of your own then there are a number of benefits you can apply for. These include Unemployment Benefits, you can also apply for earned income tax credits. If you're interested in training or education you could apply for Employment and Training Assistance. I have also added a link below for Government jobs if you're interested.

Tax Credit on Earned Income

Employment and Training Assistance

Government Jobs

Laid Off and Dislocated Worker Assistance

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

If you own a farm then you could apply for Agricultural and Rural assistance which have been bookmarked below.

Crop and Livestock Insurance

Farm Loans

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I Need 5,000 Dollars RIGHT NOW

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Monday, 23 January 2017

I Need Help Buying Food for My Family

I need help buying food is a frequently asked question on the Millionaires Giving Money Blog. If you're facing financial difficulty buying food for your family then this guide will help you to reduce your food bills, eat better food. This guide will also look at all the programs available for low-income families and individuals as well as hunger programs in the USA that will help you feed your family for free.

This will be a very comprehensive guide which I will constantly add to help as many people as I can, I've experienced hunger myself and I know how unpleasant it can feel (I seriously sympathize); please bookmark this article and forward it to as many people experiencing hunger, leave a comment if you know of any tips or programs that can help people experience food poverty.

#1: Budget Your Money Better

Effective budgeting can make your grocery bill much more manageable, sometimes people are surprised to find out how much they spend on a particular area in their life. If you need help with food then smart budgeting is essential to curb your spending on groceries. When I was facing difficulties feeding my family I started budgeting, to my absolute horror I found that I was spending more money on entertainment and hobbies that I was on food.

Budgeting will help you to get things into perspective and will help you prioritize what is most important which is to feed your family healthy and nutritious food. You should create your income and expenses statement so that you can see where all your money is going, you might be surprised. The most important exercise is to try to cut needless spending and then use that money for the things that matter like feeding your family.

#2: Get Groceries for Cheap Using Coupons and Vouchers

Another great way to stretch the amount you can buy is with coupons and special offers. You can get groceries for cheap using these strategies. When I need help with food the first thing I did was to downscale on the food supermarket I use and go to a budget supermarket, this helped me to drastically reduce my food bills.

I also looked for coupons on the internet on the foods I needed and every time I found something it was like finding free money, I also looked at supermarket comparison sites to find half price offers or buy one get one free. The bottom line was I always looked for a cheaper alternative or ways I could cut the cost of buying foods. A search on the internet will reveal excellent sites which offer advice to people who want to stretch their money using special offers and coupons.

#3: Learn to Love Leftovers

One of the best ways of Feeding Hunger is to learn to love leftovers. If everyone embraced and shared their leftovers no one would need help with food. When I need help with food the first thing I do is embrace leftovers and make meals stretch as far as possible. This is a great strategy to help with food and bills! Make your food last as long as possible, learn to make your energy last as long as possible. Small changes to make the best of resources will help to save you money so you can allocate more money towards food.

For me personally, there were times when we chucked everything that we didn't want to eat when I look back I think to myself what a waste of money, throwing food away was like throwing money away. What really helped with lowering our food bill was cooking less food and leaving leftovers for another day. If you're struggling with your food bill I would urge you to take this challenge and cook less food and lower your portion size, if you find that you're chucking away 1/3 of your food then cook a third less, instead of cooking 7 days worth of meals cook only 5 days and then use the leftovers for days 6 and 7.

#4: Find Inexpensive Food Items

Whenever I need help with money I find inexpensive food items to slash my grocery bills. This is like taking groceries for cheap to the next level. This tip was mentioned quickly on #1 but deserves more attention, if you're struggling with your food bills you need to downshift a brand, rather than buying Coca Cola you need to buy budget cola, rather than buying Branded chocolate you need to switch to generic brands. If you can do this with every item you buy you can slash your bill by half! Take the challenge for a month, make the switch and then see how much you save, also see if you notice a big difference.

#5: Apply for Food Stamps Help

You can get help from the government by applying for food stamps. Food Stamps help low-income families and individuals who are experiencing hunger. Whenever I need help with food I look for government programs that help low-income families and individuals. If I need financial help I also turn to the government who offer welfare benefits to get you back on your feet. You can apply for food stamps if you're experiencing hunger and have no income or savings. If you're on a very low income or have lost your job, are facing financial despair, disaster or crisis then you might be eligible for food stamps from the Government. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps people to feed their families, the public assistance comes in the form of vouchers which can be redeemed for food at stores that accept the vouchers. This program is invaluable for those who are having difficulties and you should apply right now if you're in this position, swallow your pride and get help. You can apply for help from the USDA Food & Nutrition Service.

#6: Emergency Food Help From Food Banks

Another option that you could explore is food banks, these programs are for families and individuals who have nowhere to turn to and need immediate assistance. These food banks are sometimes also referred to as Emergency Food Help programs dedicated to helping people overcome hunger. Food banks are spread all across America and are one of the greatest programs available in the world today. Being hungry feels terrible seeing your family experience hunger is even worse, these nonprofit organizations helps people all across America with food. I have bookmarked as many Food Bank Programs that I could find, I will add more as and when I find them.

If you know anyone who is experiencing hunger then forward this guide to them, if you know more hunger food banks then leave a comment below for people to share. You should also do some research on the internet to find churches that help with food. Go to Google Maps and then find all the churches in your area and contact them individually to inquire about churches that help with food. Nearly all churches have a program to help hungry people. Search for the following if you need emergency food help.

Search 1: Feeding America Food Banks

Search 2: North Carolina Feeding America Food Banks

Search 3: Food Pantries America Food Banks

#7: Grow Your Own Food

If you've got a garden you have to grow your own food or at least try, if you can become a better gardener every year then the less you'll have to spend on your grocery. When I was experiencing hardship my garden became a respite from the depression of not having money, I grew tomatoes, potatoes, apples, pears, plums and used every inch of my garden to get some food, leaving a patch empty was like saying no to money. If you've got a garden start growing things and see how much you can save, start small and then build your produce. If you're thinking about where to get help with food always consider your garden or allotment because it could contribute towards 50% of your food requirements which is just amazing.

#8: Eat Less

If you're overweight then try to eat less, if you've been putting off that diet or are thinking about losing some pounds from around the waist then do it now. Buy less food and start your diet, if you eat less you'll lose weight and have enough money to feed your family, stop spending on takeouts, on expensive beverages and foods with high fat and sugars, replace them with cheaper healthier alternatives, if you can lose weight, save money and become healthy in one go then your life will improve in three dimensions.

#9: Buy Low GI Foods

The reason I ate too frequently was because I was eating foods high in fat and sugars, this habit was also picked up by my children, the high from the taste of fat, sugar wore off quickly so we visited the fridge more often which increased our food bills. By switching to foods with low GI I was able to feel fuller for longer, foods like Weetabix mixed Low Fat Yogurt and fruits. The less we ate the less we spent on food so our food bill became more manageable.

I Need Financial Help

If you're desperate and have nowhere to turn to and need urgent financial assistance you should visit the USA.Gov website to find financial help from the Government. You could get help with mortgage assistance programs, military financial assistance, financial help for self-employed, and financial assistance for pensioners. All these programs are designed for people who need financial help.

I Need Help Buying Food Summary

If you need help buying food for your family then try some of the tips mentioned above, the more attention you put into the advice the more money you could save which will help you to put healthy nourishing food on the table for your family. Please feel free to comment and add more tips to this guide, the more tips there are the more people we can help. Also please forward this guide to anyone who is experiencing hunger, by using social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and G+ we can reach a much wider audience. I really hope this guide helps. Be sure to read my other Millionaires Giving Money guides if you need financial help, these guides will help you save and make money in every area of your life.

Sunday, 22 January 2017

Get Free Unclaimed Money from The Government 2018 - The Definitive Guide

This blog is about how people ask millionaires, billionaires, and philanthropists for financial assistance. However, from time to time I get emails asking whether there are any other ways of getting free money for hardships. This post looks at how to get free unclaimed money from the Government as well as other sources. I would urge you to read How to Get Free Money from the Government 2018 - The Definitive Guide if you want a list of all the helps that's available to you.

If the Government owes you money and you don't take it then its unclaimed money which is set aside. This can happen with Government benefits, banks, credit unions, pensions and so many other sources of income that you might have forgotten about.

Fortunately, there are ways to check if you have unclaimed money. It's important to be aware of scams and tricks where agencies ask you for an upfront fee for money they claim to be yours. 99% of the time these agencies are con artists so tell them where to get off.
The First step is to check State by State to see if you have any unclaimed money. You can also check this for your parents and siblings in one go if they permit it. If you've lived in multiple states be sure to check. You can check State by State for unclaimed Money on the bookmark below.

Unclaimed Government Money State by State Search

If you're retired and remember contributing to different pension schemes at different jobs then you could have an unclaimed pension somewhere. Given that the stock market is at an all time high there your pension pot could be quite significant. You can check to see if you have unclaimed pension money even if the company went out of business or ended the defined plan on the bookmark below.

Search for Unclaimed Pensions from Employers

If you've overpaid your taxes then the Government doesn't have to tell you. It is your responsibility to find out if you've been overtaxed and then claim any extra money you've given. You can check to see if the IRS owes any money if your tax refund was unclaimed or undelivered. You can also check to see if you've filed a tax return which was more that what was required on the bookmarks below.

Unclaimed Tax Refunds

Status of Federal Tax Refund

Major Banks and Credit Unions failed where deposits that were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) failed between 2007 to 2011. There are billions of dollars worth of unclaimed money that people just did not bother with. You can check to see if you have any unclaimed money with Banks and Credit unions on the bookmarks below. You can also check to see if a Securities and Exchange Listed Company which failed owes you any money below.

Unclaimed Money from Bank Failures

Unclaimed Money from Credit Union Failures

Unclaimed Money Stored at SEC

Damaged Money - Get New Notes and Coins

FHA-Insured mortgages have been under the spotlight, consequently, there is a change that you might be eligible for a refund if you had an FHA Insured mortgage, this refund will come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and you can check on the bookmark below.

Unclaimed FHA Insured Refunds

If you saved money in Treasury Bonds and forgot all about it, you can use the Treasury Hunt which allows you to look for bonds issued after the 70's which have matured and no longer pay interest, you can work out the value and then make a formal request for the unclaimed money on the bookmarks below.

Unclaimed Savings Bonds

Calculate Value of Savings Bond FMS Web site banner

Finally, if you've been around the world and lived in different countries and opened Bank Accounts everywhere you can check to see if you have any unclaimed money on the bookmark below. US Nationals can find unclaimed money from Foreign Governments, Foreign Banks and even loss of property below.

Unclaimed Foreign Money

Looking for unclaimed money takes time and patience, you must be organized and disciplined to see the process through to its conclusion. If you're experiencing hardship then it's worth taking the time to check these services to see if you have any unclaimed money.

Monday, 9 January 2017

Improving and Boosting Credit Score Quickly 2018 – 20 Secrets to Repair Credit File and History

While this site may be about millionaires who give money I do get a lot of questions from subscribers about improving credit history. Before we start looking at all the different ways to improve credit score we must understand that this process takes time. There are a lot of unscrupulous internet marketers who promise to raise your score profoundly overnight in exchange for vast sums of money. These offers are scams designed to extract money from poor people.

Improving your credit score can open many financial doors. You will get access to cheaper finance. You can avoid expensive payday loans. You could even invest the borrowed money to buy assets which pay income thereby improving your financial situation. It goes without saying that improving your credit score can have a dramatic impact on your financial lives.

In this guide, we look at 20 ways to repair a credit file. Some of the suggestions are actions you can take today. Some tips are actions you need to repeat over a period of time. You need to be patient when you start improving your credit score. Over a period of 24 months, you could remove all the stains on your record and put in place a robust credit history so your credit score rises considerably.

1: Get a Free Copy of Your Credit File

The first step towards improving your credit score is getting a free copy of your credit file. There are a number of financial companies who offer a credit report for free. These companies also offer credit repair tools to help you improve the credit score. Any additional service requires a fee which is why you should only take up the offer for free credit file. Once you have your report go through every page to understand your financial history. Understand how the creditors see you. Are you seen as a risk? Study the report properly

2: Reduce the Number of Creditors

People receive a bad credit score if they have too many creditors. Look through your credit report and instantly improve your credit score by paying off the smaller balances, therefore, reducing the number of creditors you really have. If you have 2 major debts and 10 smaller debts pay off the smaller debts. Contact the creditor once you paid off the debt and ask them to put a note on your file to show the account has been paid in full.

3: Wrong Information of Credit Reports

There are times when you’ve paid off your debt yet the debt remains active on your credit file. During these times the creditors forget to clear the debt from on your credit file. If you find any anomalies on your file you need to challenge the creditor and demand that they fix the information. You can also contact your ombudsman if they refuse your credit score. Removing debt that’s been paid off will improve your credit score significantly.

4: Consolidate Your Debt

If you are able to consolidate your debt it is better to have 2 major debts compared to 10 minor ones. Consolidation will also lead to lower monthly payments which mean that you can pay off your debt quicker. Creditors will also view this as a positive move in the right direction. Call up all your creditors and ask them for an opportunity to consolidate your debt. Work out what you’re average interest rate is and try to slash this significantly. Transfer the balance and they lock away your other cards to avoid getting into more debt.

5: Ask for a Rate Reduction

When you’ve made payments on time you can call your credit card company and ask them for a rate reduction. Explain that you’ve managed your account well and now want to be rewarded. There are many cards which have offers and once your credit score reaches a certain threshold you get access to these offers. By asking for a rate reduction you will save money. The creditor will also reflect this on your credit file. When total APR on a file is low the credit score rises because you are considered lower risk.

6: Close Superfluous Credit Accounts

You can improve your credit score by closing down superfluous credit accounts. If you have excessive plastic close these accounts down especially if they’ve been dormant for a while. Not only will this stop you from getting into further debt this step will also be viewed as positive on your credit file. Superfluous credit accounts are seen as a risk which is why the creditworthiness drops.

7: Improving Credit Score by Paying Balance off in Full

Never let a balance linger on. Do your monthly shopping on your credit card and then pay it off straight away. Personally, I do all my shopping using my credit card and then pay it off as soon as I get home using online banking. Creditors love debtors who pay their balance off in full. This is rewarded by raising the credit score on your file. For greater convenience use mobile banking to pay off your credit card as soon as you have an outstanding balance.

8: Pay Balance Off Immediately when Improving Credit Score

This might sound anal but paying off your credit card balance immediately has an impact on the credit score. Don’t let the statement come and don’t pay a few hours before the due date. Instead, pay the balance off the very same day of the next day. This shows commitment and urgency to pay off debt which ultimately improves your credit score.

9: Always Use a Few Credit Cards

It is better to have a few credit cards with large facilities compared to lots of cards with small facilities. Only keep 3 accounts and shut down the rest. Work to improve the facilities three cards rather than 10 cards. Companies which determine creditworthiness prefer debtors to have fewer cards with higher facilities. This shows that debtors are able to manage their accounts effectively and are less likely to get into financial trouble.

10: Improving Credit Score by Having a Small Credit on Account

Paying off your balance in full with a slight credit can help when improving your credit score. When speaking to a lot of credit analyst this seems to have a positive effect on credit history. Regardless of whether this has a positive impact or not, it doesn’t hurt to pay off the balance with a few extra dollars.

11: Send Financial Statement to Creditors

When your financial position changes positively let your creditors know. Send them a financial statement showing your income and expenses. Find ways to increase income perhaps by working more hours or starting a side business. Find ways to trim expenses. Ask the creditors to act on this information. Ask the credit history companies to reflect the information on your credit score. What you will notice is your limit in increased and your rate falls which is taken as a positive sign by credit companies

12: Disassociate With People with Bad Credit

If you live under the same roof with someone with bad credit their creditworthiness has an effect on your score. You can financially disassociate yourself from these people which go very far when improving your credit score. If people have lived with you in the past you need to financially disassociate them too.

13: Set Up Automatic Payment System from Bank Account

When you first apply for a credit card you can set up an automatic payment system from your bank account. You can choose to pay the balance off in full or the minimum payment. Always set up an automatic payment as this will prevent you from forgetting to make payments. Choose to pay the balance off in full. This action is seen as an additional layer of safety which also contributes towards improving your credit score.

14: Use Pre-Paid Cards to Improve Credit Score

Prepaid cards are offered by MasterCard and Visa. You can load these cards with money and then spend like normal plastic. There is an annual fee associated with these prepaid cards however it’s a fee worth paying to build creditworthiness. Using these cards religiously will show credit history companies that you are disciplined and can manage your money effectively.

15: Use Buy Now Pay Later Catalogs to Build Credit

You can also build credit worthiness by applying for buy now pay later accounts from online catalogs such as Fingerhut and Sears. These accounts offer small financial facilities and are perfect for raising credit scores. These accounts have easy credit application process which means there’s a greater chance of being accepted. Once you’ve been approved start shopping on essential items and then pay the balance off in full. You could even purchase items and then pay for them and return them for a full refund. Your credit score will be marked as positive.

16: Remove Overdraft Facility from Bank Account

If you’re always living in your overdraft you need to stop this. Pay off the balance and remove the facility. Always keep a respectable balance on your bank account. If you go overdrawn then call your bank immediately and explain. If there is a legitimate one off reason the mark could be prevented and your credit score will remain intact.

17: Never Miss Mortgage Payment

A missed mortgage payment has a profound effect on your credit score. It is imperative to ensure that you keep in pace with your mortgage payments. If you miss one accidently then call your credit immediately and explain what’s happened. Again if it is a one off you could get away with a slap on the wrist. Try to make a few overpayments to show that you're committed to removing this debt quickly. Overpayments are your friend when you’re improving your credit score.

18: Living Within Your Means to Improve Credit Score

Living within your means and understanding affordability is important when improving credit score. When you have clear daylight between expenses and income you’ll always make payments on time thereby ensuring your credit score is constantly improving. People get in trouble when their lifestyle exceeds their income. Whenever you feel like uplifting your lifestyle you need to reflect this with a raise in income.

19: Invest in Financial Software to Keep Organised

Being organized is the key when improving your credit score. Use software such as Quicken Intuit to know exactly what your financial state is at any given time. You’ll see your balance, your debt and payments coming in and going out. This will help to keep you in control. Let your creditors know how you manage your money and there is a chance this might be reflected in the credit file.

20: Maintain Good Relationship with Banks and Credit Card Companies

Always have a great relationship with the financial institution you are dealing with. Let them know if they’re doing a great job and keep them fully informed of your financial position. The bank manager and credit manager have the use of discretion and keeping a good relationship might be useful when you get into a tight spot with regards to your credit history.

Debt Spiraling Out of Control

When you have debt spiraling out of control you need to contact the credit company immediately. Let them know that you can no longer service the debt and request that they stop the interest on the account. The creditors will want to see your financial statement. You need to show them. Once the interest is stopped you need to seek the services of a free debt counseling service which will help you determine how to pay off your balance. The excess income that you have will be spread among the creditor on a pro rata basis. Do not be afraid to contact your creditors. Financial institutions are required to help people who get themselves into debt.

For more ideas on credit repair check out 100 ways to repair your credit quickly in 2017.