Tell my audience about Home Security Store?

Home Security Store is an online retailer of home security equipment. We sell thousands of products, including wireless alarms systems, camera security systems, home automation devices, GPS units, survival gear, and much more. We carry only the best products from manufacturers such as DSC, GE Security, Honeywell, Elk, Visonic, Lorex, and Winn Security. We have over 2,000 different products, which we sell on our website, www.homesecuritystore.com. In addition, Home Security Store is a great place to work. We just purchased a new building in Southern California, where we are based, and we continue to grow.

What are some of the products HSS specializes in?

We specialize in a variety of home security products – mainly Do-It-Yourself (DIY) products such as wireless and hardwired alarm systems, driveway alarms, surveillance systems, and spy gear. We offer Lifetime Tech Support with every item we sell. Therefore, if the end-user runs into any issues during installation, they can call us and we will talk them through the installation process.

Tell us about some of the GPS products a dealer can purchase? Do you have any products coming online soon?

GPS units are of much interest today. That is why we carry a variety of real-time GPS and tracking products found here: GPS & Tracking . One of our top sellers is KJB Security’s H6001 – SleuthGear iTrail Passive GPS Logger with Magnetic Case. Another is a real-time GPS SecuraTrac SecuraPAL GPS Child Tracking Device. GPS units can be used for fun applications such as logging an aircraft’s journey, or more serious applications such as tracking a fleet of work vehicles (and their speed) or even knowing the whereabouts of your child.

2014 is coming very quickly. Where do you see sales in 2014? Are you rolling out any new products in 2014?

Nowadays everyone has a smartphone and its applications are many. 2014 will be no different. We have cameras which you can easily setup to view remotely from your smartphone as seen in one of our online commercials.

Moreover, we have systems that use your smartphone as your virtual keypad which can control your home security and home automation system. This means you can turn on your hallway lights from your smartphone while say, still sitting in your car in the driveway to help guide you through your house at night. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Since the last time we spoke, what are some of the changes the industry has gone through? Where do you see the industry going in five years time?

Again, a lot of it will have to do with smartphone applications. Right now we are working on a deal with Schlage to sell their Nexia line, which allows homeowners to even lock and unlock doors with their smartphone.

For a car dealer or average consumer on a tight budget, which GPS tracking device do you believe would best suit their needs?

The best unit depends on what the consumer’s exact needs are. If it is to track in real-time, the unit will cost at least around $200 and will require a third party service (most likely with a monthly fee) which helps track the unit live. If you are looking to record the speed and whereabouts of your car without live tracking, you can buy a GPS tracking unit for a little over $100. However, you must retrieve the unit before you can know where it’s been. In addition, most GPS units nowadays will have some sort of magnetic device to attach to even the outside of a car for discreet applications.

Where do you see the home security business 10 years from now?

It’s hard to tell exactly where the home security business will be 10 years from now. I think the industry will follow suit with technology’s latest trends in general, and right now that is all about the smartphone. Real-time alerting, people want to be on the know and in the go! They want to be able to check in on their property and control devices at a moment’s notice. I also think gun laws will have a lot to do with where the home security market is 10 years from now. Stricter gun control, or fear of taking guns away, usually pushes home security sales even higher.

Annie Blanco – eCommerce Marketing Manager
Home Security Store
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This is our sixteenth interview in our “1000 Interview Challenge” If your interested in an interview, please contact me.

This interview was conducted by Shane McC. Shane currently is attending RISD studying computer programming. He enjoys traveling and plays hockey. He played for the Boston Junior Bruins of the EJHL during the 01-02 season. You can follow him on Google+

Tell my audience about yourselves. What made you want to start your website controlyourcash.com?

Pure frustration. Every personal finance website we read seemed to fall into one of 2 categories: a) Frugality tips for the pathologically cheap, e.g. how to save money by brewing your own laundry detergent, and b) first-person confessionals about how the authors fell into debt and are now making miniscule and pointless steps to get out of it. The market seemed to be screaming out for sensible, practical education and advice.

Please name some quick and easy ways for a person to improve their credit even if they’ve recently been through a divorce or some type of financial calamity?

Cut, cut, and cut some more. It sounds like a cliché, but you’ve got to want it (improved credit, that is.) We wish we had a nickel for everyone we know who got rejected for a loan because of outstanding revolving credit balances, yet who thinks nothing of dropping money on alcohol, tobacco, tattoos, vacations, children and/or performance automotive parts.

It’s like peeling off a Band-Aid. Sharp, brief pain beats dull and ongoing pain every time. Live like a religious ascetic until you’ve paid your obligations. Yes, it sucks, especially when your friends are spending money that you don’t seem to have (which assumes that their credit is perfect, which is a big assumption.) That’s not the point. The point is to get up to zero first before you can start taking advantage of credit, instead of it taking advantage of you.

Also, don’t think that accounts you ignore will just go away. The credit agencies have more robust data storage than you do.

When a person walks into a car dealership what are some credit questions you recommend that consumer ask the salesman or finance manager?

None! You might as well ask the salesman how much rust proofing you should buy. Always negotiate on price and nothing else. Price, never terms. Get a dollar figure out of the salesman, and don’t even talk to the finance manager. The way to avoid that is to make it clear to the salesman from the start that he won’t be getting a sale if he introduces anyone else into the negotiations at any point.

Once you get the dollar figure, shop around for a loan elsewhere. Your bank. Other banks. Credit unions. Bankrate.com. The dealership is already making money by selling you a car. They don’t need to sell you financing, too. Then again, if the dealer offers you 0% financing over x months, ask how much less they’d take it you were to pay cash then and there.

How long does the credit restoration process take?

Unfortunately, the cabal of actuaries at Fair, Isaac & Co. (creators of the infamous FICO score) don’t divulge the formula they use. So our only hope is to use observed real-world data. We’ve observed that paying off an account and then closing it can improve one’s credit score by a few points in as little as 3 months.

If a person can’t purchase a vehicle in cash, what’s the ideal down payment you recommend they have? Does a larger down payment mean a shorter loan and APR?

The ideal answer to the 1st question is “as much as possible.” If you can’t pay cash, pay 99% cash and finance the rest. If you can’t pay 99%, pay 98%, etc. The answer to the 2nd question is “Yes.” It stands to reason that the less you borrow, the less time it should take to pay it off. However, a smaller loan will likely mean a higher APR, not a lower one.

In you’re a first time car buyer and you’ve never shopped for insurance before, what are some tips to get the lowest payment possible? What are some questions you should ask your insurance agent?

Insurance is a pretty indistinguishable commodity. There’s little difference between Allstate’s comprehensive coverage and AAA’s.

You don’t want the lowest payment possible; you want the lowest practical payment possible. It’s easy to buy too little coverage and end up screwed.

That being said, figure out what you want first, then shop for it. Doing it the other way around is stupid. Look at each type of coverage offered and buy accordingly. For instance, you probably aren’t going to need more than $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury coverage. Property damage coverage should be $50,000, enough to cover the cost of most any car you decide to crash into. Get $15,000/$30,000 worth of uninsured/underinsured driver coverage, and get a $500 deductible for both comprehensive and collision insurance. Rental reimbursement coverage is worth it, too, unless you know you’ll have access to another car should yours ever be in the shop for a month.

Forgo uninsured property damage and medical payments coverage (assuming you have health insurance), which are unnecessary.

Besides controlyourcash.com what are some of websites/blogs you would recommend our visitors visit while trying to improve their credit?

Len Penzo
Afford Anything
Financial Uproar
Timeless Finance

Greg McFarlane of Control Your Cash
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This is our fifteenth interview in our “1000 Interview Challenge” If your interested in an interview, please contact me.

This interview was conducted by Shane McC. Shane currently is attending RISD studying computer programming. He enjoys traveling and plays hockey. He played for the Boston Junior Bruins of the EJHL during the 01-02 season. You can follow him on Google+

Tell my audience about yourself. What made you want to start your website www.turnonepoundintoonemillion.com?

I started the blog to track my progress in money making. I was experimenting with ‘doubling’ where you double your money in a series of steps from a penny to a million pounds. I started with a pound and then tried this for a while, using various methods to double my money. However, I started finding ways to earn money, which was much easier and shifted to doing that instead, but use the blog to report my progress and write articles on making money, spending less, paying back debts etc.

Please name some quick and easy ways for a person to improve their credit even if they’ve recently been through a divorce or some type of financial calamity?

Improving a credit rating takes a long time and for a good reason. You need to be able to prove that you are no longer a lending risk. In fact, it is a good thing as it gives you time to learn about good money management and hopefully by the time your credit record improves, you will not want to borrow money any more.

Improving the credit rating can be done by paying rent, mortgage and bills on time. You also need to make sure that outstanding debts are paid back. Some people think that borrowing more money and paying it back can prove their credit worthiness, but this is a risk as you may have trouble making the repayments and it does not necessarily work.

When a person walks into a car dealership what are some credit questions you recommend that consumer ask the salesman or finance manager?

The first things I would ask would be what the interest rates and the fees were. I have been ripped off in a car dealership before when they didn’t tell me about the arrangement fee on a car loan. I would be much wiser now and ensure that I read all the terms and conditions before signing anything.

I would also find out how long the loan would be for, what the monthly repayments would be and whether there were penalties if it was paid back early. I would also find out what the late payment fees were and whether payment holidays could be taken if I lost my job or was just unable to pay.

How long does the credit restoration process take?

I think this will depend on the person and the amount of debt that they have. It will change form case to case. However, if you feel your credit rating is incorrect, perhaps because you have worked hard to improve it, then check it and make sure that you are not still being penalised for debts that you have paid off.

If a person can’t purchase a vehicle in cash, what’s the ideal down payment you recommend they have? Does a larger down payment mean a shorter loan and APR?

I would recommend saving to buy a vehicle with cash if you can. This is the cheapest way to buy a car unless you can get interest free credit. It is worth saving up rather than buying a car immediately, if possible.

However, if you have no choice and need to buy a car then consider value for money. Make sure that you add in the cost of the loan to the cost of the car and work out whether it will be good value. It may be better to buy something smaller and cheaper.

It is best to make the largest down payment that you can because this will mean you borrow less money and therefore reduce the cost of the loan. The term will be lower and this will mean the total interest repaid will be less. The APR may or may not be changed depending on deposit this will vary between garages and deals.

In your a first time car buyer and you’ve never shopped for insurance before, what are some tips to get the lowest payment possible? What are some questions you should ask your insurance agent?

Car insurance can be really expensive, especially if you are young. Make sure that you do a lot of price comparisons before you buy. Use comparison websites and look at insurers that are not listed on these and see which is the cheapest.

It is important though to not assume the cheapest will be the best. In the past I went for a very cheap insurer and had to make a claim. They gave me no money for a courtesy car and this cost over £200 so it would have been cheaper to have gone with a more expensive company that did give a free courtesy car when the vehicle was being repaired.

So ask the insurance agent what cover you get for the money and make sure that you are getting the insurance cover that you need for that price.

Besides www.turnonepoundintoonemillion.com what are some of websites/blogs you would recommend our visitors visit while trying to improve their credit?

I think that it is a good idea to read as many financial blogs as possible. This will teach you more about money management, which is something that I did not learn in school. I feel it is essential though. These websites have some fantastic information on them:

Fool
Money Saving Expert

I would also recommend some sites of fellow bloggers who are trying to make money online by doubling:

Munny 4 Hunny
Double To A Million Plan

Good luck in improving your credit and increasing your financial knowledge at the same time!

Turn One Pound Into One Million

This is our fourteenth interview in our “1000 Interview Challenge” If your interested in an interview, please contact me.

This interview was conducted by Shane McC. Shane currently is attending RISD studying computer programming. He enjoys traveling and plays hockey. He played for the Boston Junior Bruins of the EJHL during the 01-02 season. You can follow him on Google+

Marvin, tell my audience about yourselves. What made you want to start your website brickbybrickinvesting.com?

I am a 29 year old father, husband, and writer who has a deep passion for investing and personal finance. I have an extensive military heritage, my parents served for 20 years and I have served as well. While I did not serve 20 years like my parents I have been a part of public service for almost three decades. It is ingrained in my soul and something that I hold very close to my heart. During the 2007-2008 economic collapse I saw many lives destroyed (economically) in a very short time period without warning. This made me question the financial system as a whole but more importantly my knowledge of it. How could someone who did everything right by investing in a 401k, having an emergency fund, and investing in a home lose half of their wealth in such a short time period. This began my journey towards educating others about personal finance and investing.

Please name some quick and easy ways for a person to improve their credit even if they’ve recently been through a divorce or some type of financial calamity?

Spend less than you earn. It sounds so simple but is seldomly implemented. Additionally, make payments in full every month on your credit cards to show creditors that you are reliable. This could be as simple as getting a gas credit card.

When a person walks into a car dealership what are some credit questions you recommend that consumer ask the salesman or finance manager?

First and foremost you want to have a down payment ready before walking into a dealership. Secondly you want to try and negotiate the lowest rate possible. Ask the Salesman what the qualifications are to qualify for their lowest rates.

How long does the credit restoration process take?

The bad news is creditors weigh your recent credit history the most when composing your credit score. The good news is over time by making payments in full you can rebuild your credit back to where it was. Unfortunately there is no set time, each individual is different. Don’t stress things you have no control over. Instead focus on the things in which you have a direct impact and you will be fine.

If a person can’t purchase a vehicle in cash, what’s the ideal down payment you recommend they have? Does a larger down payment mean a shorter loan and APR?

I personally make it a requirement to have a down payment before purchasing a car. Preferably 20% at the very least 10%.

In your a first time car buyer and you’ve never shopped for insurance before, what are some tips to get the lowest payment possible? What are some questions you should ask your insurance agent?

Simply ask your insurance agent what are some things you can do to lower your insurance. Another great thing to do is call your insurance agent before going to purchase a vehicle. Certain vehicles qualify for bonuses which may help sway your decision when shopping for a vehicle.

Besides brickbybrickinvesting.com what are some of websites/blogs you would recommend our visitors visit while trying to improve their credit?

I would definitely recommend The Budget School and The Free Financial Advisor for individuals looking to improve their credit.

Brick By Brick Investing
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This is our thirteenth interview in our “1000 Interview Challenge” If your interested in an interview, please contact me.

This interview was conducted by Shane McC. Shane currently is attending RISD studying computer programming. He enjoys traveling and plays hockey. He played for the Boston Junior Bruins of the EJHL during the 01-02 season. You can follow him on Google+