With the rising costs at the gas pumps, grocery stores, and other consumer outlets, structured settlement recipients are finding themselves contacting factoring companies in order to relieve some of the financial pressures of today's market. While this may seem like a quick fix to any financial problem a tort victim may encounter, factoring a structured settlement will not help the annuitant over the long haul.
Many Settlement Professionals will argue that structured settlements are designed to withstand increases in inflation. Structured settlements can have built in mechanisms that provide yearly increases to help with the costs of inflation. 3% is the normal yearly increase.
While a 3% increase seems like a significant amount........this increase does not allow a tort victim or an individual living on a fixed income to live a normal life. The difference in price between a gallon of gasoline in March of 2007 ($2.27) and March of 2008 ($3.33) is over $1.00 per gallon. If a tort victim needs to fill-up their gas tank (15 gallons) once per week, the 3% increase will be spent on gasoline for their automobile every month. Not to mention that a gallon of gasoline is expected to increase to $4.00 per gallon by summer time.
Where does the money for the rising costs of food, electricity, water, and heat come from? Individuals are now turning to factoring companies to cash in a structured settlement in order to pay for normal living expenses.
This author believes that factoring a structured settlement is not the solution. Times are difficult for everyone, especially for individuals on a fixed income, but there are ways to work around this recession and keep a structured settlement in tact.
Here are a few money saving tips:
- park your car and take public transportation (eliminate fuel and insurance costs)
- cut out coupons before going grocery shopping
- cook your meals (eliminate any dining out)
- cancel any subscriptions to magazines, websites, or any other non essential need
If you have any questions, please contact us.
