"Kutu Programme"

Program kutu secara wang pos sudah agak menular dan popular pada masa ini. Mereka yang berhadapan dengan masalah kewangan melihat program ini dapat membantu menyelesaikan kemelut kewangan mereka. Bagi pihak yang berwang pula, berhasrat untuk membantu sahabat-sahabat dan rakan-rakan yang berada dalam kesusahan dengan menamakan mereka sebagai penerima wang pos berkenaan.

Persoalannya, adakah program ini berjalan tanpa terdapat apa-apa unsur haram sehingga program ini benar-benar menjamin kebaikan sebagaimana yang dijanjikan. Tetapi jika program ini mengandungi unsur-unsur haram, maka kegelapan dan kerugian pastinya akan menemui peserta-pesertanya atau sebahagian daripada peserta-pesertanya.

Unsur-unsur haram yang dapat dikesan. Setelah meneliti perjalanan beberapa bentuk program wang pos, didapati ia mengandungi beberapa unsur haram. Antaranya:

1.Unsur Gharar

Jika dikaji berkenaan program ini didapati asas kepada pembinaan dan perjalannya adalah 'auto placement' yang menjadikan orang bawah atau peserta baru mangsa yang tidak mendapat apa-apa pulangan apabila program 'auto placement' ini berhenti berpusing. Oleh itu, setiap yang menjadi peserta yang peringkat awalnya mengharapkan pulangan apabila sampai gilirannya kehilangan wang apabila program ini terhenti.

Setiap sesuatu pastinya ada permulaan dan pastinya juga ada titik penamatnya. Pada waktu tersebut, pastinya sesiapa yang masih berada di bawah akan menjadi mangsa apabila wangnya diperolehi oleh orang atasan sedangkan orang bawahannya belum wujud. Gharar yang terdapat disini ialah gharar fil husul (tidak tentu dapat) dan gharar fil miqdar (tidak tentu kadar).

2.Riba

Program ini sebenarnya bersifat 'money game' yang mendedahkan pesertanya kepada riba. Ini kerana, setiap yang menyertai program ini atau sebahagiannya berhasrat mendapatkan pulangan. Jika ia menaja dengan mengeluarkan wang sebanyak RM100, maka ia mengharapkan pulangan lebih. Jika ia benar-benar mendapat pulangan yang lebih banyak, maka ia adalah riba kerana tiada transaksi perniagaan atau khidmat di dalam program ini.

3.Judi

Dalam program ini terdapat unsur judi kerana sepastinya ada pihak yang mendapat untung dan ada pihak yang pasti mengalami kerugian. Untung dan rugi ini boleh berlaku apabila program ini berhenti. Jika ia berlaku, maka mereka yang berada di line atas akan mendapat keuntungan manakala mereka yang berada di line bawah mendapat kerugian.

Beberapa jawapan kepada kekeliruan

Mereka yang menyertai program ini melihat ia adalah harus dari sudut syariat dengan alasan-alasan berikut:

1.Sumbangan atas alasan hibah

Antara alasan yang sangat luas dijadikan hujah membolehkan ialah sumbangan setiap peserta adalah hibah. Sebenarnya alasan ini adalah alasan yang tidak boleh diterima syariat kerana hibah tidak mensyaratkan keuntungan dan tidak mensyaratkan pulangan.

Tetapi program ini jelas berbentuk permainan wang (money game) dalam bentuk pusingan 'auto placement'. Justeru itu, hibah bersyarat jika tidak kena caranya boleh menjerumuskan kepada riba sebagaimana sabda Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. yang maksudnya: "Setiap pinjaman yang mensyaratkan manfaat (faedah) adalah riba." Pada masa yang sama bayaran yang dianggap hibah tersebut adalah dalam bentuk tetap dan dijanjikan pulangan sebagaimana dalam iklan yang disiarkan. Maka setiap transaksi syariat bukan dilihat kepada lafaz dan binaan kalimah tetapi ia melihat kepada hakikat dan perjalanannya. Kaedah fiqh menyebut yang bermaksudnya: "Yang diambil kira pada akad transaksi ialah maksud dan makna, bukan lafaz dan susunan kalimat."

2.Sumbangan mestilah ikhlas membantu.

Alasan kedua yang biasa digunakan ialah sumbangan itu ikhlas membantu sahabat-sahabat seagama yang susah. Menurut syariat, apabila sesuatu transaksi di dapati haram, maka ikhlas tidak akan merubahnya menjadi halal. Sebagaimana tiga orang berjudi dan setiap seseorang mempertaruhkan wang RM10. Sekalipun setiap seseorang berniat derma ikhlas untuk si pemenang ia tetap haram kerana ia adalah judi dan ikhlas tersebut tidak boleh mengharuskan perkara yang haram.

Ikhlas atau lebih tepat tidak dipaksa adalah syarat sah jual beli dan segala jenis transaksi yang harus. Firman Allah SWT dalam surah an-Nisa ayat 29 yang maksudnya: "Melainkan ia adalah perniagaan yang berlaku secara reda meredai antara kamu."

Ayat ini menunjukkan reda dan ikhlas menyertai perniagaan yang halal, bukan menjadi syarat sah kepada transaksi yang haram.

3.Kias kepada belanja kawan makan atau minum di kedai.

Kias tersebut adalah kias yang salah kerana ia mempunyai perbezaan yang sangat ketara. Antaranya, belanja kawan di kedai makan tidak melibatkan pusingan wang. Dalam program ini ia melibatkan wang dengan wang yang sepastinya mendedahkan kepada riba. Tambahan pula setiap pesertanya disyaratkan menaja dan ditaja.

Penutup dan kesimpulan

Sememangnya setiap transaksi hukum asalnya adalah harus sehinggalah ia dicemari oleh unsur-unsur haram.

Setelah diteliti program wang pos ini, didapati program ini adalah haram disebabkan unsur-unsur yang disenaraikan di atas.

Justeru itu, umat islam digesa supaya tidak terlibat dengan program ini kerana ia membazirkan wang disamping keharaman yang disebutkan.- tajdid

Source:harakahdaily.net

Choosing the best credit deal

As a general rule, most experienced consumers know that the way to spend the LEAST possible amount of money when borrowing is to:
1) find the lowest interest rate
2) borrow as little as possible
3) borrow for as short a time as possible (pay debt off quickly)

In some situations, those three principles are sufficient to making wise borrowing decisions. In other cases, however, it gets trickier. Take the following example:

Suppose you have decided to purchase a new vehicle for $25,000. You have two financing options:
A - receive $1500 cash back now, and finance the purchase @ 2.9% for 48 months OR
B - $0 cash back, and financing @ 0.9% for 36 months

Can you tell which is the better deal? Here's how it works out.

Option A -
Your monthly payment will be $552.25
Over the course of the loan, you will pay a total of $26,508. BUT when you subtract the $1500 cash back, your net cost is $25,008
(note: if you applied the $1500 to the purchase price,
then your total cost would be even lower).

Option B -
Your monthly payment will be $704.12/month
Over the course of the loan, your total payment will be $25,348

In this case, Option A is ultimately cheaper. But the average person really can't figure that out in their head, or even with an ordinary calculator, when just the basic details are given. Don't be rushed into a quick decision.
*** The Moral of the Story: you need to see the bottom line in order to make wise borrowing decisions.

Consumer Reports has created an on-line calculator that will help you evaluate vehicle purchases when you have options for incentives and/or special financing. Go to www.ConsumerReports.org and search for "car buying calculators."

The Take Control of Your Money web course: www.extension.iastate.edu/financial/money

Source:
Barb Wollan
ISU Extension Family Resource Management Specialist

How to Find Good Savings Rates

Financial Education

Money and Marriage: Don't Let Money Problems Ruin Your Relationship

Money problems can cause fights and increase tension in a relationship. That is the finding of a survey by Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of people who came to the organization for debt or budget counseling.

According to the survey, sixty percent of married respondents report fighting about money with their spouse. In addition, nineteen percent said that financial problems negatively affected their relationships with their parents; while thirteen percent said the same was true for their friends. More than ninety-three percent report that financial problems increased the amount of stress in their lives.

CCCS reports, however, that you can prevent financial issues from ruining your marriage or other personal relationships. "It starts with setting aside the time to talk about money," says Suzanne Boas, president of CCCS. "Discussing the issues calmly can prevent the situation from overheating."

CCCS recommends holding your money discussion in a quiet, neutral place. Decide in advance on ground rules such as staying calm, refraining from character attacks, and putting the issue aside if tempers get heated. If you find you are unable to discuss money calmly, consider consulting a professional financial planner or therapist. Here is a list of potential topics to address in your discussion. The list is geared toward couples, but can apply to any relationship in which money is an issue.

Lay your cards on the table. Honesty and trust are the hallmarks of a strong relationship. Too many people, however, keep financial secrets from their partners. Instead, commit to discussing your financial positions openly. Disclose how much is owed on credit cards, other outstanding liabilities, and your joint and separate assets.

Compare money experiences. Share your values and attitudes about money. Tell how money was handled in each of your households growing up and how you view money today as a result. Realize that families have different approaches to finances; try to remain nonjudgmental about your partner's experiences.

Set joint financial priorities. Separately, each person should write down his or her short and long term goals. Then use these plans and wishes as a starting point for deciding on mutual goals. Priorities may include building up an emergency savings fund, getting out of debt, planning for a new home, starting a family, making major purchases, saving for retirement, or going on vacation. Next, develop a budget to help you meet these goals.

Be realistic about your family's expenses. As you develop your budget, understand that emergencies and unexpected expenses will come up, often at the worst possible time. Be diligent about making regular deposits in your savings account for these unexpected expenses. A dented fender is bad enough without having to fuss over money for the repairs.

Determine which accounting approach is best for your family: joint or separate checking accounts and joint or separate savings accounts. Most couples find it easier to have one checking account for paying bills. But, if you do have separate checking accounts, decide who is responsible for paying which bills. Remember, nothing is set in stone; if one way does not work, try another.

Agree on what you are going to teach your children about finances. Allowances can be a dicey subject for parents. Does one parent think the kids should get paid for doing chores and the other think chores are just part of being a family? Have a united front when it comes to presenting financial issues to your children.

Baby budget: Financial Planning Is Key When Having A Baby

So I hear you're having a baby.

If you've recently discovered that you're expecting an addition to the family, get used to hearing that from all your family and friends. They'll call to congratulate you. They'll call to offer their support. They'll call to ask how you're feeling.
But most of all, they'll call to tell you how much your life is about to change. Keep in mind, however, that having a baby is like any other major change in that planning ahead makes the transition a lot easier.

In planning your personal finances for the baby's arrival, there are several issues you need to consider. It's time to get out a pen and paper and work out a budget that you can use once you've brought the baby home. Remember, these figures are in addition to your regular weekly and monthly bills.

First of all, a new baby means an extra mouth to feed, as well as diapers and baby clothes. Also, you'll find that miscellaneous expenses, including paper towels, tissue, and detergent, will all increase. Even your utility bills will go up because you're home more often. You're probably safe if you figure a minimum of an extra $200 a month, although you may have to make some adjustments in either direction as time goes on.Additionally, there are some one-time purchases you might want to consider, including a crib, car seat, monitor, and baby swing. Of course, many expectant mothers receive these as gifts at a baby shower.

If both parents plan to work after the baby is born, start calling daycare centers as early as possible, just in case you have to get on a waiting list. Daycare costs can range from $40 a week for a program in someone's home, to $125 a week or more for an established center. Ask friends who have children to recommend a good center, and call the state agency that regulates daycare centers to get their rating. Just don't delay. It's important that you plan for this new weekly cost in your budget.

Another important area for your post-birth budgeting is health care. How much will your health insurance premium increase by adding the baby? Make sure you discuss this with your employer to find out what the family rate is, and specifically, how much more will be taken from your paycheck every week.

Once the baby is born, you can plan on an occasional visit to the pediatrician, both for regular check-ups and minor illnesses. Some parents get very lucky and experience very few health problems with their newborn, beyond the minor colds and infections all babies get. Other infants need more attention from their pediatrician. So, it's really very difficult to carve that number into stone. However, depending on your deductible or copayment, you may need to budget an additional $200 to $300 a month just for the baby's medical care, at least for the first few months.

Now for the good news.

Almost every expectant parent, especially those expecting their first child, worries about money. Most discover after the baby is born, though, that it isn't as hard as they thought.

Having a baby forces certain changes onto the parents, typically resulting in a less expensive lifestyle. You don't go out as often for dinner or to a movie. If you think about it, people who don't have children waste a lot of money filling time and avoiding boredom. Rest assured: you'll have no problem finding something to do once the baby arrives.

Financial Planning For Women Getting Divorced