Archive for the ‘New Mexico Finance’ Category

Tips for financing an adoption

Without a doubt, making the decision to adopt is one of the most wonderful moments in one’s life. However, with this decision comes the consciousness that adoption is an expensive choice. Although adoption costs may vary depending on the adoption type, often, the costs involved in completing an adoption are between $15,000 and $25,000.

Funding options available to prospective adoptive families are numerous and they offer to adoptive parents the flexibility to choose the best option for their case. Although costs may be discouraging, there are several ways through credits, reimbursements, and other benefits that can lower these costs efficiently and quickly.

Some of these options include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. State Tax Credit Relief

Currently, fifteen States (Arizona, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin) offer federal tax credit, up to $12,150 for offsetting adoption expenses. The Hope for Children Act (Public Law 107-16) of 2001 asserts that tax credit relief includes adoption expenses, court fees, lawyer fees and travel expenses. 

2. Federal Tax Credit Relief

Adoptive families may claim $11,390 on federal tax income return for qualified expenses of finalized adoption within the year. Qualified expenses are considered adoption expenses, travel expenses, legal fees, court expenses and other expenses directly related to the adoption.

The tax credit is not valid for taxpayers with high modified adjusted gross incomes. Although the tax credit is set to expire in 2010, there have been numerous legislative suggestions that the benefit for adoptive families should be permanent. 

3. Corporate Adoption Assistance Programs (AAPs)

Many corporations provide Adoption Assistance Programs (AAPs) that benefit up to $5,000 per finalized adoption and do not exceed $20,000 per employee. The provisions include placement fees, adoption expenses, medical expenses, travel expenses, legal fees, court expenses and immigration and translation fees.

In addition, Adoption Assistance Programs provide reimbursement of qualified expenses assisting prospective adoptive parents to take advantage of federal income tax provisions. 

4. Military Personnel Subsidy Program

Full-time military personnel are entitled to one-time subsidy program that provides up to $2,000 per child per year with a limit of $5,000 per member. The subsidy covers all expenses of finalized adoptions including adoption fees for domestic and international adoption, placement fees, counseling fees, legal fees, and medical expenses for the birthmother and the newborn. 

5. Refinancing home equity loan

Prospective adoptive parents can refinance their mortgage and get a low interest rate from the bank, which often is tax deductible. As the adoption expenses accumulate, they are written in a checkbook and are added to the current loan balance. 

6. Borrowing from 401-k plan

Adoptive families may be eligible to borrow from their 401-k plan at a very low interest rate and fund all adoption expenses. 

7. Using credit cards available

Prospective adoptive parents who have good credit history may ask from their credit card company lower interest rates for adoption funding purposes.

8. Agencies / Organizations

There are numerous organizations that may assist by providing financial aid to adoptive families. Applying for adoption grants, receiving clothing vouchers, foster care payments and medical services are some alternative options. 

There are great examples of people who sold their property for the sake of adopting a child. Regardless of the type of financial assistance that adoptive families may choose, one thing is certain: adoptive parents who really want to adopt, always find a way to finance their adoption. They don’t let any stone unturned, they speak up everywhere for their intention and they knock on all doors until they gather the amount required to offer a neglected child or an innocent infant a real home.

Posted by admin on August 30th, 2010 No Comments

Tips to Get the Best Auto Finance Car Payments Deal

A car is a utilitarian vehicle. It gets you or your family from point A to point B. A vehicle may be necessary for standard transportation or it may be essential to a person’s job or livelihood. In many cases of young men, and now young women, purchasing a car is like a rite of passage – and may well be a badge or status symbol. People go to purchase a car, to compare models, brands and features and durability of car, SUV and truck models. Overall Most people do not purchase their vehicle outright. Most people finance their car – even though they may not think of it as taking out a loan. It’s a case of car payments as part of the family or personal budgets. Towards the end of the vehicle’s life when repair and maintenance costs become a larger factor people often turn to getting a new vehicle – and in essence renew their auto finance loan. Yet few think about financing their vehicle – whether it is a first vehicle or replacement auto. Its only when they sit down in the dealer’s office , or at the bank , credit union or finance company that they are forced to deal with the considerations of financing their vehicle. On top of that, in terms of negotiation stance, they usually in rather poor position. Having no vehicle or a vehicle that runs very poorly, is on its last legs so to speak. Time and the desirability of their automotive vehicle trade in are definitely not on their side.

What are basic tips to help out the car buyer when it comes time to purchase and finance that next new or used automobile – be it car, truck or SUV?

First of all have your credit report checked for accuracy. Next take the time to consider and explore all the loan sources available to you before you buy and sign on the dotted line. It may be the dealer, it may be the bank. However if you take the time to explore options before the final event – you may find that you have additional options available to your recourse. On top of that if you take the time to prepare ahead you may be able to smooth over any problems that the bank or finance company just needs information, documentation or reassurance. This could save you money by shaving off few points. On top of that because you may have option ‘a”, a new lender in the auto finance realm may appear and sweeten the pot to entice you with a lower offer and reduced car payment amount.

Take the time and effort to evaluate your purchase incentive options. For example dealers may offer cash rebates or a discounted financing rate or rates. It’s a case of one or the other usually, but not both. You may come out ahead by selecting the rebate and applying it to your actual purchase price on the spot, and then proceed to take out a personal low interest loan rather than the dealer’s rate offer. Just as on a trip to Mexico it never hurts to pack a calculator as a quick financial reference and financial negotiation tool. Indeed a laptop with financial calculation programs as well as providing for basic record keeping on deals and auto product research can be an invaluable record keeping tool. Seasoned industry expert Winnipeg Manitoba based William Simpson points out as well that for many , a low tech standard paper notebook or scribbler can do just as well for many of the technologically challenged.

It’s all a matter of pre-call and pre purchase research and follows though. Be thorough and consistent in your automotive purchase procedure as well in researching your auto finance of next automotive vehicle – be it new or used- be it a car, truck, SUV or even motorcycle.

Posted by admin on February 8th, 2010 No Comments

W. Keleher : a Multifaceted Individual

W. Keleher : A multifaceted individual

William Aloysius Keleher was a multifaceted individual. No, it is no exaggeration, not an over-stretched truth either. It is a completely unadulterated fact. Why would one say that? That is because Mr. Keleher was a unique person who stood out among many with his exceptional work and achievement. The way he struggled his way out to success and fame is truly remarkable. In this article, readers will re-discover the multifaceted William A. Keleher.

Born in Lawrence (Kansas) in 1886, William Aloysius Keleher resided in Albuquerque (New Mexico) from his early childhood where his family (David and Mary Ann Keleher) moved in 1889. He studied in Saint Mary’s Parochial School for some time but ironically, he had to put a brake to studying at one stage. It was the year of 1900 when his family could no longer support his education expenses. The magnanimous juvenile chose to work in order to help his family survive the difficult times. William Keleher’s first job ever was that of a messenger. He worked for the prestigious Western Union Telegraph Company. Thanks to his skills and hard-work, he was promoted to telegraph operator from counter clerk in fairly quick time. However, he was always looking to do new things. As a result, he worked in different places for a short time, most notably the Board of Education and BlueWater Development Company. He even managed to attract local newspapermen with his exceptionally good writing skills who appointed him as a reporter in the year of 1908. Furthermore, he got a writing job in Albuquerque Evening Herald and Albuquerque Journal.

It was during this time that he showed a newfound interest in law while observing contemporary events at a country courthouse. Within five years, he joined the Washington and Lee University’s law school and successfully graduated within two years in 1915. He wasted almost no time to start practicing law in the New Mexico Bar. Shortly after that, he went back to Albuquerque to work as the city attorney. Afterwards, he joined a legal practice with G. Downer which did not last too long. In 1931, he founded a law firm with A. Howard McLeod which was named ‘Keleher & McLeod’. This firm, even after more than ninety years, continues to serve its clients successfully. Today, it is perceived as one of the most prestigious law firms in New Mexico. Keleher also worked as the city editor for the two magazines he previously worked for.

The versatile individual did not stop just there. He was an active citizen of New Mexico and acted as the chairman of its Democratic State Central Committee. The State Board of Finance also got his service for seventeen years. Mr. Keleher acted as a conservator for the first Albuquerque national bank when it was in dire straits. He was also involved in preparing the “MECHEM-KELEHER” report in the year of 1933 which convinced the government to start negotiating with the coal field labors after a strike of great magnitude.

Keleher was the legal counsel for the New Mexico Public Service Company and the director of Equitable Life Assurance Society. His contribution to the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now known as the New Mexico State University), the Old Lincoln County Memorial Commission and the Museum of New Mexico also signifies his pro-active character.

This article will be incomplete if it does not mention the other side of William A. Keleher the writer persona. Keleher always had a knack for writing and he first showed it as a newspaper reporter. Years later, in 1942, his first book (The Maxwell Land Grant) came out. Following that, he wrote great books like The Fabulous Frontier, Turmoil in New Mexico, Violence in Lincoln Country, New Mexicans I Knew, and Memoirs. It should be mentioned that he always kept a balance between the author life and lawyer life, giving adequate time to both. As a result, William A. Keleher not only succeeded as a great lawyer, but also excelled as an effective writer.

This multi-talented individual passed away in 1972 but he is still remembered today for his outstanding achievements. He was truly a man of unique traits.

Posted by admin on December 18th, 2009 No Comments