Saturday, August 30, 2008

To Consolidate Debt Loans Is Basically The Norm These Days

Category: Finance, Credit.

In the last decade or so you have notice that or at least seen that interest rates are at all time lows. People have seen it as an easy way to get out of managing their debt burden and into financial wellness.



To consolidate debt loans is basically the norm these days. It is no wonder that many people are entice to take on many different forms of debt consolidation loans. The reason for these debt consolidation loans to be taken out is to put all of their 10 to 20 credit cards and loans into one single loan. Home equity lines of credit or secured and unsecured debt consolidation loans are frequently taken to name a few. You can do these to lessen the stress and burden of managing multiple monthly bill payments. It is like working part time at home managing your bill payments. When you have 10 to 20 different lenders, you bet you will basically spend 3 to 5 hours of organizing and planning your bill payment strategy.


So simplifying your debt payment into one single monthly payment every month can give you the room to do more at home. But choosing what type of debt consolidation loan can be tricky at times. You will be more productive and more relax. You have to have the basic understanding and resource to do it. You have to understand too, that you are just relieving the symptoms of your debt problems. You will have to choose between secured debt consolidation and unsecured debt consolidation loan. Consolidation is not a cure for your debts and loans problems or burden but a temporary relief.


When you consolidate all your debts and loans you have to be smart and read the fine prints. There are many benefit and pitfalls when you consolidate debt loans. Reading the fine prints and knowing what exactly you are getting will save you a lot of grief. If it takes you 20 or so years to pay then that is not a good idea. Some lenders are fast talkers and can give a quick fix but beware of how much interest rate and how long you are going to repay. One of the best types of debt consolidation loans you can take is the unsecured type. The pitfall to this type is you might have to pay a higher rate of interest.


Unsecured means you do not have to pledge or use your home equity as collateral for the loan. But house property is a home and that is the last thing you want to part with. There is what they called zero percent credit cards. Keep away from any possibility of being taken away from you. These are good and available for individuals who have good credit score. So if you qualify for this type of borrowings take advantage of it. This are offered for a period of one year.


It can substantially reduce your indebtedness and financial burden. But if you are using it for your daily expenses, then please refrain from going ahead cause it will hurt you more. A secured debt consolidation loan can be ideal for people who intend to use the money for renovations, medical bill payments and the like. If you are heavily indebted and having financial difficulties, go online and search for the best that suits your situation. And make sure you can handle it. For your financial wellness, consolidate debt loans may be an option but choose the right one for you.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Of Plan No Debt Is Minute If You Can& Rsquo

Category: Finance, Credit.

Are you over held back with amount outstanding?



Do you want to get out of economic failure or arrears? Are you not able to make do these amount overdue? Did you answer yes to all questions? Debt executives solution is a way of paying your arrears with a scheduled disbursement that you can afford based on your individual circumstances. If so, then debt employers solution is for you. No disbelief to get your match to bring down medium- term payments can be hard as the creditors are time and again attached with the word no. Debt board solution will take extreme care to induce the creditor as many turn down the concurrence.


But to make your creditors complete is not unmanageable. The following ways by which the debt bosses solution helps you are- - 1) Go through your sponsorship with you. 2) Agree an affordable monthly payment with you. 3) Prepare a Financial Statement and Budget. 4) Negotiate with your. 5) Distribute your to your creditors. But the withdrawal written notice is within 7 days of making the treaty. One more thing you may remember while taking debt managing solution is you can abandon the consonance and be labeled to a full repayment of money. This is notorious as& lsquo. Once the debt administration solution programme is under way you can stop the covenant any time and no penalty is added to it. Chilling off& ; passÃ�  © after which debt directors solution common provisos apply.


As such there is no bottom or maximum time pact. Of plan no debt is minute if you can& rsquo. The assistance can be used as long as you want until you feel poised to deal with your all over again. T afford it. In not payments at the agreed level and on the agreed your creditor may with draw his validation for the plan. But debt supervision solution is useful for those who are with greater amounts of amount outstanding, usually in extra of �20, 00Debt controlling solution is everyday to unsecured arrears and not to secured loans like utilities, mortgages etc which, CCJs you last to pay and debt managers check is not obligatory.


But as said& lsquo. Debt organization solution not only your debt but also improves your credit history. Prevention is better than cure& ; have to be the proverb of your clearance sum unpaid. Loan borrowing is like once in a life time decision and much is at rod. This leads to many united hesitation. It is indeed not a good thing that many citizens are misguided into taking that are not appropriate to their pecuniary situation. A debt solution like insolvency would sincerely only be used as a last possible solution.


When celebrity declares them self, all debt gathering deeds against that person are prevented. The problem with this solution of debt problems is that it includes a lot more than cleanly debt. The courtyard grants an" automatic stay" , which- with a few exceptions income that come after the money owed to them. The other are scholar loan debt, child ratification and, alimony. The most vital allowance is that when a loan is by belongings creditors can seek alleviation from the stay and seize that assets. The rear end for the person who this solution to reject his debt is that he or she must hand over all non- not liable home. There are two types of this solution of your debt problems: .


This house is then sold and the box office are in the company of the creditors. Chapter 7which that a person is required to hand over much of their land, but cannot seek damages from further income. Under this plan, the Supreme Court can require individuals to live within a very precise economical. Chapter 13 a person to keep most of their income, but have to make a plan to pay the debt back to creditors on their future income. As you see, there are downsides to both debt dismissal plans. For this motivation, yourself bankrupt is a solution of your debt problems that ought to be evaluated very thoroughly and with care. One of the biggest stumbling block is that both debt rub out will significantly impact a person s credit rate.

Read more...

You Should Dispute A Credit Report When There Is Anything Inaccurate, Misleading Or Unfair That May Lead You To Beging A Poor Credit Risk In The Eyes Of Any Credit Provision Service - Finance and Credit Blog:

You should dispute a credit report when there is anything inaccurate, misleading or unfair that may lead you to beging a poor credit risk in the eyes of any credit provision service. To get started, you will need to get your hands on a copy of your credit report.

The American Express AIR MILES Credit Card Allows You Carry A Balance Every Month - Finance and Credit:

With over 9, 600 merchants that accept the American Express AIR MILES credit card throughout Canada, accumulation of reward miles is really not that difficult. Rewards may include stays at selected resorts, package vacations and cruises, and merchandise rewards, travel and hotels.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

This Trend, Is Making More, In Turn And More People Come Into The Clutch Of Debt

Category: Finance, Credit.

As the world is developing fast and lots of new commodities are coming into the market at regular interval, consumerism reaching at great height. This trend, is making more, in turn and more people come into the clutch of debt.



What if someone does not have enough money to buy the flashy products or take high profile service, he can depend up on borrowed money and get his desire fulfilled. Being aware of the worse effect of shouldering the burden of debts for long time, many people seek for debt solution programmes. The number of such companies is unlimited. To cater to the need of these people, lots of debt help companies have sprung up everywhere. Some of them claim to solve the debt problem so easily that they appear to be unbelievable. However, the presence of genuine debt solution agencies cannot not be ignored simply because of the fact that there are a few fake companies scattered in the market.


What they claim is possible only through miracle or magic. Most of the companies that offer financial solution to debt ridden people are genuine and the programmes they offer are realistic and feasible. Otherwise, they suggest the person some other means. They take up the responsibility of solving the debt problem of a particular person only when they see that it is well within their capability. Debt consolidation is thought to be one of the best ways of sorting out debt problem. Then all his present lenders are paid off.


Under this type of debt solution, the concerned person takes a loan of such an amount that is enough to pay off the entire debts he wants to consolidate. Now he repays the consolidation loan in easy instalments. Debt consolidation gives respite from dealing with multiple lenders and making more than one payments in each month.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A Loan Is Then Extended To The Individual To Help Him Repay Back The Multiple Debts At One Go

Category: Finance, Credit.

An individual might take a loan under any circumstances to meet a sudden financial shortage in his life.



Once the loan amount crosses a certain limit it might be overwhelming for the individual to even try to repay back the debt amount. However, if one is not careful, before soon he may find himself under the burden of multiple loans and debts. A financial burden can be a very heavy baggage to carry and the person feels not only incapable but also suffers from depression and low self esteem. Such Samaritans form a Christian debt consolidation society or organization and find out ways and means to help the individual repay his multiple debts. When the world seems to be against such a borrower, some people step, however forward to pull out the borrower form the swamp of debt. A group of people, who are keen to help individuals who have taken multiple debts and are being unable to repay the amount, forms the Christian debt consolidation organizations. A loan is then extended to the individual to help him repay back the multiple debts at one go.


The group then helps the individual to consolidate all his debts and arrive at a total amount that needs to be paid back. The loan extended by the Christian debt consolidation group is usually at a much lower rate of interest or at times, no interest is charged at all. The individual who has been burdened by multiple debts is given practical counsel based on the teachings of Bible, about how to repay the loans and manage his finances to avoid such mistakes in the future. As this group has not been formed with the intention to make profits and is funded by grants and individuals, it is okay for them to extend loans without interest. In the bible, it has mentioned that if you have taken something form another person you are supposed to return it back and the principle of debt repayment works on the same thought. It boosts the confidence and self- esteem of the individual to know that people are ready to stand by him in times of need and help him tide over bad times with financial and moral help.


The Christian debt consolidation group offers similar advice and guidance to the borrower and thereby provides him with the much- needed moral and financial support in times of need. The inherent purpose of the Christian debt consolidation group is to strengthen the moral fabric of the society and create a debt- free surrounding. A constant effort to educate the borrower and help him out financially is sure to bring about a change in the society right from the grass root level. It aims to make people self sufficient and capable of managing their finances without falling into the clutches of the debt cycle. A sustained effort is sure to bring about an inherent change in the behavior patterns of the people, making them manage their finances better and think well before they even decide to take a loan to meet their financial requirements.

Read more...

Great No Annual Fee Cards - Finance and Credit Articles:

The bulk of lending institutions now offer no annual fee credit cards to draw in new consumers.

Are We Heading For A Cashless Society Where Credit Cards Replace Cash Altogether - Nola Acuff about Finance and Credit:

In 2005 for the first time ever, plastic purchases topped cash purchases.

Credit Card Debt Comes From Improper Use Of The Credit Cards - Bridgett Marron about Finance and Credit:

Credit card debt comes from improper use of the credit cards. Credit cards on their own cannot drive anyone into difficult financial situation, its how you use them matters the most.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Perhaps The Most Important Aspect Of Sports Affinity Cards Is A Financial One, However

Category: Finance, Credit.

Affinity cards are a special kind of credit card which are linked into the cardholder s lifestyle in some way, offering benefits of a more personalized nature than the typically available 0% balance transfer offers and the like.



A further type of affinity card is becoming more and more popular: the sports team affinity card, aimed at supporters of a particular football team or other sporting club. Examples of affinity programs are charity credit cards, where a donation is made to a particular charitable organisation whenever the card is used, or a travel rewards card which lets you build up points which you can redeem against a hotel chain or airline which you use frequently. The most obvious difference between a sports card and a normal one is in the actual appearance of the card, which will generally feature the logo or badge of the team chosen. Perhaps the most important aspect of sports affinity cards is a financial one, however. This in itself is a desirable feature for many fans, as it s a very visible declaration of your allegiance to your team, and is sure to attract comment from other fans. In much the same way as charity credit cards work, a sports card lets you contribute to the financial wellbeing of your team with no direct cost to yourself. In many cases, the money raised by starting a sports affinity card program will be used by the team involved to fund the longterm health of the club, often by investing in youth academies and development.


A small percentage of everything you spend will be donated by the card issuer to the team linked to the card account, and while this may amount to only a small sum in the case of individual cardholders, the money involved can mount up quickly if thousands or tens of thousands of people regularly use the card. This means that by using the card for regular spending, you re helping to secure the success of your team well into the future. So, are there any downsides? Not only can your card use benefit your team, it can also feature attractive personal benefits such as discounts on club merchandise, a rewards scheme where you can build up points to offset against the costs of buying tickets, or even priority access to big games, depending on the specific card involved. Like all credit cards that offer some sort of tempting carrot to entice people to apply, the benefits offered need to be paid for somehow, and this is usually in the form of a higher standard APR or interest rate. If you use your card for borrowing rather than simply as a convenient payment method, the sports- related benefits may well be overshadowed by the increased costs of the card.


It s unlikely that you ll find an affinity card of any variety listed in the best value or lowest APR tables. Having said that, unless you re planning to carry a substantial balance on your card from month to month, the headline interest rate is perhaps not as important to you as the fact that your card will be showing your support for your team both visibly and financially.

Read more...

There Are Several Factors Why Credit Card Applications Are Rejected - Finance and Credit Blog:

The advent of credit cards has made a huge change in the way business is being conducted.

It S Best That Your First Credit Card Is Built For You - Lesa Arquette's Finance and Credit blog:

If you currently attend a college or big university, you probably have witnessed credit card companies that will participate at your campus handing out no charge items such as food, etc, cups.

By Then I Loved Using The Plastic - Finance and Credit:

OK, now picture this in your mind.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Thus Was Born The Concept Of The Balance Transfer Credit Card

Category: Finance, Credit.

A few years back, credit card companies realized that they reached nearly every potential new customer.



Thus was born the concept of the balance transfer credit card. In order to keep increasing their market shares and their profits, they were going to have to entice people who already had credit cards to jump ship from their old companies and apply for a new credit card with them. Balance transfer cards offer consumers the chance to reduce their monthly payments and total repayment amount on their current account balances by giving them a lower rate of interest- often 0% interest- on any balance transferred from another credit card. Consumers figured out fairly quickly that they could shift balances from one card to the next, moving on to another 0% transfer card when the low interest rate on their last balance transfer card expired. These cards proved to be far more popular than the card issuers expected. Rate tarts, the term coined for people who moved their balances to avoid paying interest on their carried over balances, shook the credit card companies and encouraged them to start placing some restrictions on their offers. Under that scheme, the card companies would lose out on the interest on the transferred balance, but would make up for it in interest rates and merchant fees on new purchases.


Originally, the companies thought that people would transfer their balances to a new card, and use that credit card in preference to others. Unfortunately for the companies, today s consumer has the benefit of the internet with comparison sites to help them work their way through the complexities of credit card finances and loans. In response to that, the credit card companies began placing limits and restrictions on their balance transfer offers. Many consumers transferred their balances to a new card, but didn t use the card to make new purchases. This has let a lot of people to believe that we are seeing the demise of the balance transfer credit card. That means, that it, of course s less friendly to consumers, who now have to shop a bit harder to get a good balance transfer deal.


In reality, the concept of offering lower interest for moving your carried account balance hasn t died- it s simply undergoing a metamorphosis to make it more friendly to the credit card companies. Those deals can still save you a lot of money, so it, though s important to keep your eye out for them. Before you apply for a balance transfer credit card, look closely at the member agreement so that you know: - What is the APR for transferred balances? - What is the balance transfer fee for the transaction? - How long will the new APR apply to my balance transfer? - What is the APR for new purchases made to the card? - Do I have to whack a certain amount or number of new purchases on my card to keep the low APR on my balance transfer? - Is the balance transfer fee more than the amount of interest that I d pay on the transferred balance over the same amount of time? - What will invalidate my balance transfer offer? You ll also need to watch out for some of the tricks and traps that credit card companies are building into their offers now to discourage rate tarts. If you re looking for a way to lower your monthly payments, or cut down the total repayment on your credit card bills, a balance transfer card could be the answer that you need. Check out new balance transfer offers at comparison sites on a regular basis so that you ll never have to pay more interest on your accounts than you should.

Read more...

Not Everyone Has Perfect Credit - Finance and Credit Articles:

Not everyone has perfect credit. However, just because your credit history is a little tarnished doesn t mean that you can t get a credit card.

Friday, August 22, 2008

A Credit Card Deal Is Good If It Works For You

Category: Finance, Credit.

You must have heard people say- I got a good credit card deal . Let s check what one can term as a good credit card deal.



So if you happen to be looking for a credit card at that moment, do you just go with what your friend has told you as a good credit card deal? A credit card deal is good if it works for you. The most important thing to realize here is the word your as in your lifestyle . So, if the credit card fits into your lifestyle in a way that rakes in maximum benefits for you, that is a good credit card deal. So logically speaking there is nothing like a good credit card deal. This is because the lifestyle and the needs differ from person to person( and that is precisely the reason why every credit card supplier offers so many different kinds of credit cards) . What it is- is good credit card deal for you i. e. the individual who is going to use that credit card.


It might be true in some cases( where the lifestyle of two individuals/ friends is similar) that the credit card deal which is good for one be good for the other too, this is just, however in a few cases. However, it s really a matter of evaluating your own needs. You can always check with your friend who has recently got a credit card deal, since that might cut down the time needed for researching/ hunting- for a good credit card deal. If you travel a lot and to far off places by air, a card that offers you good rewards/ rebates/ benefits on travel would comprise a good credit card deal. For people shopping at a particular retail store or a shop, a good credit card deal would be a card that offers discounts, rebates and rewards on shopping. Sometimes the airlines themselves have their own credit card issuing/ supplying company from where you can get a good credit card deal.


Again, the retail stores themselves might have credit cards on offer that could be beneficial to you. If you don t have any specific needs, you might use a general purpose credit card that gives reward points on every purchase you make on your credit card. Then there are credit card deals that are linked to gasoline stores or big grocery chains. These points can then be redeemed for cash/ rewards. Good, for credit card deals, is really a relative term and there is no credit card deal which is equally good for all. Hence, this card could become a good credit card deal for you.

Read more...

Similar To Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Certain Debts Are Not Discharged In Chapter 13 As Well - Finance and Credit:

Chapter 13 is the chapter under the bankruptcy code which allows a person to repay all or a portion of his or her debt under the protection of the bankruptcy court. Unlike Chapter 7 which is a complete discharge of the debt, Chapter 13 is a reorganization of the debt owed to creditors.

It Is The Date By Which, The Credit Card Company Expects Your Payment - Finance and Credit Articles:

The monthly credit card bill might be Greek to someone who is not familiar with the credit card terminology used on it.

There Are Different Card Schemes And Each One Is Suited For A Particular Condition - Patrica Bashaw about Finance and Credit:

When you go out for credit cards, take care of what you are going for and what you are going to get. There are different card schemes and each one is suited for a particular condition.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Good News Is That Anyone Has The Opportunity To Get Business Credit For Any Business Nowadays

Category: Finance, Credit.

If you are like me, a business credit is very crucialfor the survival and proper functioning of not just your business, but any business for that matter. Others would make their businesses bigger and more profitable if they find a way to get business credit.



What s very common nowadays is to see brilliant people with grand ideas but no funds to execute these grand ideas. The good news is that anyone has the opportunity to get business credit for any business nowadays. The kind of business credit you need for financing your business will largely depend on the exact size and nature of your business. Lots of business credits exist for you to choose from. Owners of businesses can now sing for joy because they have lots of options in terms of business credits. Small business owner can get these sorts of small business loans from most of the banks and other private sector providers.


For the owners of small businesses, the type of business credit that s best for them is small business loans. The marketplace for the offering of small business finance is extremely cutthroat. So, anyone starting a business or anyone wishing to expand their business can now get cheap business credit. That s why lots of the banks try to outshine each other by giving people low interest rates and very good reimbursement options. The secured and unsecured business loans, the merchant account cash advance business loan, the commercial real, the accounts receivable estate loans and startup business loans are among the other types of business credit to choose from. To find the right business credit information, the Internet has proven to be first port of call for most people. Do your due diligence before deciding to opt for any particular business credit.


More over, there are now many good sites on the Internet that can give you very good information and the exact business credit facts and figures you need.

Read more...

Here Are A Few Conditions You Have To Go By Before You Can Get A Credit Card Debt Settlement - Finance and Credit:

Credit card debt settlement is what you can get when you do not have the means to pay your debt in full, nor pay your debt in the increments that you were given to pay monthly. Sound like a dream come true?

Nearly Everyone Who Has A Credit Card Has The Goal Of A Higher Line Of Credit - Finance and Credit:

Nearly everyone who has a credit card has the goal of a higher line of credit. Another reason you may want to increase the limit on your credit card is because increasing your limit could raise your credit score, which could make you eligible for better interest rates on future loans.

Find The Right Rewards Program - Isabel Hamlet about Finance and Credit:

In today s world, it s almost essential to have at least one credit card. Why not have one that rewards you for your purchases?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

You Can Have Credit Cards And Just Pay Them Off Monthly

Category: Finance, Credit.

Most people know that a good credit score can help you in many ways, even if you don t want to be in debt.



But a lot of people assume that you need to owe money for a time in order to get that credit score. It gets you better rates on loans for those purchases for which most of us need a loan, such as car loans and mortgages. How necessary is that? But just about everyone needs to borrow money for such a purchase. I ll start by noting that a good credit score is a necessity, unless you earn so much money that you can pay outright for every purchase you ever need to make, including a home. You should assume that you do need something of a credit history. It impacts your ability to rent an apartment, insurance rates and sometimes even your career.


It goes beyond purchases. However, being in debt is not the only way to build your credit history. That s showing the kind of financial responsibility that lenders want to see too. You can have credit cards and just pay them off monthly. Now, really feel you, if you really need to carry a debt to improve your credit score, make it small. At the best interest rate possible.


As insignificant as possible. Why should you pay more than you have to if you feel a need to do this? The biggest trouble with the theory of carrying debt to build a credit history is that it makes being in debt a comfortable thing. Do note that I m not really recommending that, but since many people feel that s the way to build credit I mentioned it. It should never be comfortable, especially if it s credit card debt. It is smart to have some credit available to you, but focus more on saving money.


It s far better to build your credit history without carrying debt if you can manage it. A solid savings account can help you through those rough times that would otherwise result in an increase of debt, or even out of control debt. If you don t have a credit history now, take a lesson from this and think about how you want to manage your credit score over the long term. There are a lot of issues right now with people being so far into debt that they can t get out. A habit of debt is not the smartest way to go about it.

Read more...

There Are Various Ways To Apply For A Credit Card - Finance and Credit Articles:

Credit cards nowadays are classified under an individuals bracket of necessities instead of luxuries.

The American Express Blue Card Is No Exception - Patrica Bashaw's Finance and Credit blog:

Nowadays, credit cards are loaded with great features and benefits.

These Are Naturally Called Rewards Credit Cards - Finance and Credit:

Most credit cards today have a rewards program in which you can get free or discounted stuff based on how much you spend on your credit card.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Our Credit Card Is Just Waiting For You

Category: Finance, Credit.

Sometimes it seems you can t open the postbox without having a slew of credit card offers and applications slide out into your hand.



Our credit card is just waiting for you! You are already pre- approved. All you have to do is call to activate your new credit card. It s a dizzying array, and it s difficult to say no when the credit card companies want to give you access to all that money. If you ve recently applied for a new credit card, have just finished school, have signed up at a bridal registry or just tied the knot, you ve probably got even more credit card offers than usual- life- change events are triggers to credit card companies to flood your post box with offers for low- interest credit cards, credit cards with no interest intro rates, a pretty pink card for shopping and credit cards that give you cash back when you shop. So you sign up for a pretty blue card because you like it, and a Gold card because it has some status to it, and a store credit card because you got a 10% discount on that scarf and before you know it, you ve got a whole wallet full of credit cards.


Here s some information on how creditors look at your credit score, and how the number of credit cards that you have can affect your credit rating. How many credit cards is too many? It may make you think twice when you go to apply for a credit card. The Available credit rule is that your available credit should be no more than 50% of your annual income. Available credit is the total of all the credit that you have available to you. If you make �28, 000 per year and you have a Visa card with a �5, 000 limit and a MasterCard with a �1, a gasoline credit, 400 limit card with a �500 limit and a Virgin Shopaholic card with a �1, you, 500 limit re in pretty good shape. Not including your mortgage, your total debt should be less than one half of your annual income.


Total debt is the amount that you owe if you add up all your credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, school loans and mortgages. The Debt/ Income Ratio measures how much of your monthly income you need to meet your monthly budget. Why would you want another credit card? If your mortgage or rent plus the minimum payments on your credit cards is more than 38% of your monthly income, another credit card is not a good idea. The answer is a simple one- you may want another credit card that offers you something you can t get with any of your other cards. A positive history of holding and using different credit cards for different things is a mark in the plus column. Lenders do look at credit card diversity- the different types of cards that you hold and use.


If you decide that you should have another credit card, apply wisely. There are some really good comparison sites out there which makes it easy for you to check the details of multiple credit card offers, compare credit cards against each other and find the best credit card for your use. Take the time to compare credit cards against each other online.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

I Don T Mean Late Just To The Credit Card But To ANYBODY

Category: Finance, Credit.

Do you know about credit cards and their dirty little secrets?



Take the quiz and see how much you do or don t know about universal default, and other credit card issues. I make my living knowing about them and I was unable to answer all the questions at a great quiz from the PBS Frontline program Secret History of The Credit Card at Credit Card Quiz. Then read this article for more dirty little secrets this great PBS special offered. I don t mean late just to the credit card but to ANYBODY! Here are a few appetizers: UNIVERSAL DEFAULT- did you know the credit card company can raise your interest rate if you are late on ANY payment? Be late on your phone bill, house, car. Or if in the eyes of a creditor you simply have to much outstanding credit, all bets are off regardless of whatever interest rate you signed up for.


ANYTHING. The logic is simple. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to raise rates if it has reason to think risk of being repaid has changed. The industry believes it is within its rights to protect its interest in a more risky unsecured loan venture. And as a lender, the creditor has every right to view your credit file any time it wants. all of your file and not just its own payment history. No problem, right? MINIMUM NOTICE CHANGES- If the above is not bad enough, consider the consumer with on time payments every month on everything.


WRONG! They can change their mind AFTER you make a purchase at 5% (for example) and any former agreements are null and void. Buried within the contract( that contract law attorneys admit they have great difficulty interpreting) , is a clause that allows the company to change your interest rate" at any time, as long as, for any reason the holder is given 15 days notice. " That s right. How can a purchase price be changed after the sale? USURY OR NOT- According to Frontline, "There is no federal limit on the interest rate a credit card company can charge. " In fact an interest rate of 35% is not unheard of. No other industry can do this but the credit card company.


This is because in the 1980s South Dakota and Delaware eliminated the cap on usury laws which is what constitutes the maximum allowable interest to be charged. Chances are it is Delaware or South Dakota. Have you ever noticed the return address on your credit card statement? Gee, I wonder why. This is not true in the upside down credit industry. DEADBEATS and REVOLVERS- Deadbeat use to mean someone not taking responsible action.


In credit card bill jargon, "Deadbeats" pay their balances off in full every month. On the other hand, "Revolvers" roll credit card balances over month to month and never pay in full. They are deadbeats because the industry receives very little profit off of these responsible consumers. This is the ideal customer because of the profit generated. FEES- Again quoting Frontline, "In 1996, the U. Then there are" Rate Surfers" or" Gamers" who shift usage between credit cards based upon interest rates.


Citibank lifted the existing restrictions on late penalty fees. Supreme Court in Smiley vs. This means simply, there is no limit on the amount a credit card company can charge a cardholder for being even an hour late with a payment. " But this has opened a Pandora s box for not only late fees, but over the limit fees and bad check fees as well. Now the consumer not only must contend with a higher rate, but late fees as well. A lawyer who worked on the Smiley case says he believes penalty fees which use to be$ 5 or$ 10 could rise to$ 50 in another year. Additionally what if these fees put them over the limit creating still another fee. MINIMUM PAYMENT- Consumers use to be required to pay 5% of the outstanding balance.


It is a never ending spiral towards bankruptcy. But slick credit card marketers suggested implementing a 2% required minimum payment. Unfortunately even banning college campus credit solicitation and simple disclosure on billing statements go down in defeat because of a very powerful credit lobby groups. This was advertised as consumer friendly with" easy low payments. " The truth is, the tactic allowed consumers to increase their debt because of the lower payment which in turn created more profit through higher debt over a longer time period. ________________________________________________________________ Selected Senators and Congressman as well as other consumer credit advocates have tried fruitlessly to pass legislation to overcome some of these deficiencies. Let your congress know how you would feel about a simple statement beneath the the amount of minimum payment stating something like, "With a minimum payment, your current debt will take xxx years to pay off and the cost to you in interest will be$ xxx. " Readers will probably be interested to know Mike, the author of this article, also offers a free debt elimination mini- course via e- mail. You can enroll at Debt Free In 5 Years.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

With Today' S Technology, You Can Apply For A Credit Card From The Convenience Of The Companies Website

Category: Finance, Credit.

If you have spent any time on the Internet, you have undoubtedly come across various credit card companies, offering you lowest interest rates and best fees, or so they claim.



Although many people have a full understanding of how the entire process works, there are still quite a few that don' t. With today's technology, you can apply for a credit card from the convenience of the companies website. Many companies have the ability to instantly, or at least within a couple of minutes, process your application online. You will still need to wait until your new credit card arrives in the mail, before you can begin shopping. Although you are instantly approved, you more than likely cannot shop instantly. You will have to wait a while longer for your card to arrive, although your application may only take a couple of minutes for approval.


When looking for instant answer, applying online is a great way to go. Since your new one will be mailed to you, it should only take a couple of days for it to arrive. There are some major difference between applying for one online and the now old fashioned way of applying by paper applications. With online applications, you instantly have an answer one way or another. One of the main and most obvious differences is time. The old fashion way requires that you wait fill out an application, mail it back in and then wait for a reply. Another noticeable difference is that the more traditional way of obtaining a credit card does not allow you to compare the various credit card companies.


This can take a considerable more amount of time, especially if the company runs across any snags while your application is being processed. When looking to apply online, you have the ability to do a side by side comparison of all other cards out there. With all of the different ones available, it will be easy to find one with fits your personal needs. This ensures that you will get the best deal out there. Even with all of the advantages of applying online, there are limitations. However, even if you do not have the best credit, there are still ways to get online approval.


Online approvals are meant for people who already have a good credit rating. This market is a very competitive industry. Therefore, in order to get your business, some of the companies will approve you, even if you have less than perfect credit.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Do Not Use The Credit Cards On Impulse

Category: Finance, Credit.

After getting credit cards, it can be very tempting to go on a spending spree and buying all sorts of new things that you otherwise won' t buy before. Ultimately you may be in debt.



So, chances are there that you end up shopping a lot and go beyond your affordability level. So, you must resist that temptation and use your credit cards wisely. But proper planning will be helpful. It may be difficult. To begin with, you have to remember that you should not spend more than what you can afford. Subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly income. You should have a budget to figure out your affordability.


The result you get is your disposable income. Anything beyond this you spend may cause you trouble. You can afford to spend on shopping. Remember this when you use your credit cards. But you should not exceed your disposable income just because you can do this with the credit cards. However, credit cards give you the leverage to go beyond the surplus amount. Over usage of the cards may take you to above the credit limit and won' t be able to spend any more, even if you have an emergency.


Do not use the credit cards on impulse. And being unable to use the credit cards on emergencies is something really pathetic. Unless it is very urgent, wait for some days and shop when you get some rebate or cash back. You can make use of these offers. Very often, credit card companies give special offers. This does not mean that you should not use your credit card except in emergencies. Finally, do not delay in paying off the bills.


Rather, you should use your credit cards periodically. Delay in paying bills may make you pay some extra that is just money going down the drain.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Do Not Close The Credit Card Accounts You Pay Off

Before you start shopping for a home loan or auto loan, there is one very important step you must take.



You need to give yourself time to get this done before you start shopping for loans. You must check your credit and make sure that your record is as clean and accurate as possible. And that means starting probably a couple months in advance. You can get this free once a year right now. The very first thing you need to do is get your credit report from each of the credit bureaus. Each of the companies will have slightly different information on you, so getting all of them is very important.


They may range from quite accurate to wildly inaccurate. Check each report for accuracy. People have been know to find information from completely unrelated, unknown people. Include documentation if you have any. For each individual inaccurate piece, you want to write a letter to the credit bureau that has that information. One of the most common mistakes is to have the same account listed two times, with the information differing just slightly. Another is to fail to show when an account has been paid off.


This makes you look like you have more debt than you actually do, which lowers your overall score. Show that the debt is paid off, and you can bring your score up a little. If they do not, the item is corrected. For each item, the credit company that listed it has 30 days to dispute what you have said about it. It can also be good to ask companies that you are paying regularly but not showing on your credit report to share their information with the credit bureaus. All of these steps are things you can do quite legitimately and without paying someone to do it for you. Most will do this if asked.


The challenge, is remembering to, of course do this enough in advance to do you any good. Obviously there is a huge advantage for those who plan ahead. You have to request the credit reports, find the paperwork, receive them that supports any changes you want made, then wait at least 30 days to see what happens. There is one final way to improve your credit score. Do not close the credit card accounts you pay off. Pay down your current debts so that you don' t owe so much.


Long established accounts in good standing are beneficial to your credit history, more so if they are still open.