Saturday, August 30, 2008

Money Is A Major Area Of Denial In Today S Society

Category: Finance, Credit.

Someone once told me the word denial stands for" don t even know I am lying. " I see it as refusing to acknowledge the existence of a problem. We do a lot of spending while we are looking the other direction.



Money is a major area of denial in today s society. Here are some startling facts about the use and misuse of money in America today: The average American household that carries a credit card balance has a total that exceeds$ 8, 50 More than 65% of Americans are not saving enough for retirement. In most cases of overspending, the money is being spent to a fill a void in that person s life. More than$ 63 million dollars has been spent on gambling in the past year. Money gives people the feeling of power and control. In most cases, incurring debt brings a whole new set of problems. Spending money helps people temporarily forget about things that they are trying not to think about.


When a person is in denial it takes them a long time to acknowledge that a problem exists and by the time they do acknowledge it, the problem has usually become very serious. The statements were taken from the article, "In Denial Over Money? The following are some signs that you may have a problem with financial denial. Yes You Are" , by MP Dunleavey. You find yourself spending money when you had made the decision not to( charging another pair of shoes, eating out when you had made the decision to cook at home, etc. ). You encounter the same financial pitfalls on a regular basis and you can t figure out why( always short of cash, etc, repeated late payments. ). You find yourself stuck and you can t figure out how to get ahead( unable to reduce your debt, or the minute you do, you re right back in it again) .


I ll figure it out later. " "I work hard. You find yourself using any of the following stupid rationales to explain the above: "I ll deal with it. " "Other people do this all the time. " "Right now, this is more important. " "I need to. " "I don t care. I am entitled. " If you see yourself in some of the behaviors listed above, you may want to think about getting some debt counseling. They can develop a debt management plan that will help you get your debts paid off and they will also teach the principles of staying debt free. These counselors are experiences at helping people with debt problems.

Read more...

Getting Started With Your Debt Consolidation - Finance and Credit:

The whole idea of consolidating your debt is to roll all of the money that you owe into one single secured loan.

It Is Important That You Shop Smart For A Business Credit Card - Finance and Credit:

As a manager or business owner, you always look for better ways to maximize business revenue and control expenses.

Friday, August 29, 2008

If They Agree, Then You May Not Need To Consolidate Your Debts

Category: Finance, Credit.

The introduction of the powerful plastic money into the world has brought huge changes in the lives of people, and sad to say this had led many to their early graves because of debts. The way towards incurring credit card debts is so attractive and tinted with promises, convenience and ease.



Credit card debt consolidation has been seen as one way to lift people out of debt- related miseries. Imagine the prospect of just picking up what you want from shops and stores without paying for it in cash. What you need to remember is that there is more to that card than swiping it off in the verifying machine. All you need to do is hand over your plastic money and that is all there is to it. The amount goes into your account and comes back in the form of a bill at the end of the month, a bill that you have to pay. Credit card debt consolidation is one solution and considered as one important step to reduce and eventually eliminate your credit card debts. If you are not wary, it will be too late to realize your nightmare has begun.


Let us look at what this solution is. If you have debts from bank cards with high APR, you can transfer the balance to your other cards with lower APR so slow down the rate of the increase of your debts. Credit card debt consolidation, also known as balance transfer is the process of transferring your debts from multiple bank cards into one or two credit cards which usually offers low interest rates. Another option is for you to apply for a bank loan with a lower interest rate to pay for your debts on the cards with higher APR. Credit card suppliers foresaw this situation and come up with offers for clients to consolidate their debts for easy payment systems. You can pay the bank for this loan in monthly installments. However, you must be aware that credit card debt consolidation is not the solution to your debts.


Misunderstanding the concept of this solution may even bury you into more troubles. It will not erase your debts but just a way you out of your troubles. Before you opt to consolidate your debts, you must check the processing charges as well as other fees that will be involved. You can also check your current card supplier and ask if they can offer you a lower APR to help you clear out your debts. This will prevent you from further problems. If they agree, then you may not need to consolidate your debts.


Remember again this does not delete your debts but just a way to assist you to ease out of your misery. You have been a victim of the plastic card cycle and you want to get out of the rut by resorting to credit card debt consolidation. Your determination and discipline to control your spending is still the main factor if you succeed or not.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

All Types Of Debt Problems Cannot Be Solved

Category: Finance, Credit.

It is a well- known fact that the number of people living with a huge heap of debt on their shoulder in the UK is not negligible at all.



These people need intervention of the debt help wing of the government to sort out their financial problem. Research carried out by various financial agencies has revealed that some of the debt ridden people are not at all aware enough to go about their debt smartly. But the fact is that the government does not have enough arrangement for all the people who are unable to cope up with their debts. These and a few other facts make many people approach the private debt help agencies to find out plans to solve their debt problem. And it is also a fact that some of the borrowers hesitate to seek debt solution from government undertaken agencies. This comes with success and failure too. Whether a person will get a suitable solution or not depends on various factors.


There is no grantee that a debt help agency will be able to provide every one of the borrowers who approaches them with some realistic debt solution. The debt situation of the concerned person is the central deciding factor in it. In case of highly severe conditions, no plan may work. All types of debt problems cannot be solved. The person may have to declare him bankrupt. The longer one limps with debts, the worse result he faces. That is why the agencies that have experts working with them and offer debt advice to people suggest people to address debt problem as soon as possible.


So, once anybody finds that his debts are getting unmanageable, he should start looking for feasible solutions. It would not be a big problem to get out the one who can offer a realistic solution. With lots of debt help agencies, both on government and private level.

Read more...

The Alternative Option Is Through Cash Credit Cards - Finance and Credit:

The nightmare of having credit cards stolen and learning that a scammer made off with$ 60000 to take a cruise along the Rivera at the expense of a Visa may well be considered a financial death sentence for many.

Who Else Checks Your Credit - Louisa Johansen about Finance and Credit:

Getting your credit report checked is a pretty common process.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

This Helps The Debtors Very Much

Category: Finance, Credit.

Being under debt is a difficult situation and at times it can get really unbearable. There are different methods through which you can get debt relief, but when one gets debt relief services and advice based on the teachings of Christianity.



It is at times like this, you can seek debt relief services from Christian debt relief companies. This helps the debtors very much. Once a person comes under debt, it is very difficult for him or her to come out of it, leading them to take help from people who offer debt relief services. Christian debt relief, as the name itself says, is a debt relief service that helps and guides people who are in debt to become debt free through the Christian way, or to be precise, the teachings of the bible. Services like Christian debt relief help them to clear their debts without any worries. No doubt Christian debt relief services are offered by several companies, but there are also several fraud companies that are operating at the same time.


Christian debt relief is a wonderful service which has helped many people get rid of the debt which they came to incur, due to some reason or the other. What they do is, advertise themselves to be Christian debt relief companies, they do not, but in reality do so. Giving out your personal and financial details to anyone is very risky these days, as they can be misused for many fraud purposes. They try to win the confidence and favor of the people who are under debt by claiming falsely to help them out and then get their personal and financial details in lieu of that confidence. You must be very cautious about this and gather all the find information that you can, about the company that claims to offer you, debt relief services. However, when one is under debt, they become salves to debt and that has to be avoided at all costs. The bible says that, a person at a time can service only one master and that is God.


They advocate that, one must not do any kind of monetary transaction or enter into any financial scheme that can land them in a debt. Basically, these companies help people in consolidating loans and get their interest rates lowered from their creditors, so that they can repay their loans without any problems. But at times it just happens that one may incur a debt due to some reasons and it is here, that the Christian debt relief companies can help them out. Christian debt relief has come as a boon to all those who want to get rid of their debts, without any worries. So, if you are in need of debt help, you must approach these people who offer the services, they will surely help you out of this. The executives working there, not only help you to get rid of your debts, but also help you in organizing your money and money spending properly, so that you do not commit the same mistake in future.

Read more...

Don T Let Your Poor Credit Get You Down- You Can Still Get A Loan - Finance and Credit Articles:

Don t let your poor credit get you down- you can still get a loan. However, there are some who will take a chance with you.

Tailor The Card To Your Specific Wants And Needs - Finance and Credit Articles:

Choosing the right credit card may not occur to some people as a major issue that they need to look into. What they do not realize is that they may actually be causing their financial future serious harm by not thinking the application through properly.

Not Everyone Has Perfect Credit - Latoya Shasteen's Finance and Credit blog:

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.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

You Get Yourself A Credit Card

Category: Finance, Credit.

What today s studies and research reveal is that the personal debt of Americans has reached an all time high now. It is left to us to find our way out.



However, what these figures don t do for us is to help us in any way to get rid of our debts. So don t bother too much about the national figures and the research outcomes. Before the debt situation goes out of your control get a grip of it and try and eliminate it. All you got to do is stay in control of your debts. There are quite a few alternatives doing the rounds today in which you can actually do some credit repair. How does that work?


One of the most popular of these is using credit cards to get rid of your debts. We ll explain. You get yourself a credit card. This has become quite common these days. Buy stuff using that card s credit limit and then you don t have enough money to repay the bank. You move your debt from one credit card to another. So what do you do?


Thereby you can defer your payments for the debt. As you move from one card to another, additional interest gets accumulated and you also need to pay transfer fees for moving from one card to another. But this is one tricky way to deal with your debts. All that you get in return is some extra time. So is it an option at all? If this continues for too long, you ll end up with nowhere to go and completely bankrupt. It is, in a way.


This desperation leads them to make offers that can actually work out to your great advantage. Today credit card companies are desperate to gain as much market share as possible. To move your debt from one credit card to another you might not need to pay any transfer fee. So you can end up striking a good deal. Also the rate of interest that you will have to pay may be lower. But always be weary of such offers. More importantly, there can be clauses in your agreement where if you fail to pay even once, you might need to go back to the old interest rates and pay the transfer fee.


First of all the interest rates are often not fixed and can change at any point of time.

Read more...

Credit Limits - Gracie Sharlow's Finance and Credit blog:

If you are looking for a credit card, knowing what you are looking for really helps.

The Key To Budgeting Is Now Going Over Your Budget - Dorothy Benson about Finance and Credit:

Purchasing a car can be very stressful and when it comes down to shopping for a car, you may begin to get confused on how much you should actually spend.

Credit Cards - Finance and Credit Articles:

Just about everyone knows what a credit card is. Do you know what a charge card is?

Monday, August 25, 2008

This Includes Your Mortgage And Any Equity Loans You Ve Taken Out

Category: Finance, Credit.

For homeowners struggling with debt problems, losing your home is the ultimate nightmare. Your property can be sold at much less than the market value, which might not even be enough to clear your debt, leaving you homeless but still indebted.



Not only will you suffer the emotional upheaval and traumatic change of lifestyle involved, you may even find that it isn t the end of your financial problems. Fortunately, this nightmare scenario is not as common as you may think. Any debts you have on credit cards, bank accounts and the like are classed as unsecured, which means that even though your possessions could be seized to pay off what you owe, your home is not directly at risk unless your debts are serious enough to warrant bankruptcy. Repossession is a last resort for your creditors, and is only an option for a select few of them. Although government related debts such as tax arrears can also be cleared through forcing the sale of your home, this is not a particularly common occurrence, and the main risks to your home are loans which are secured on it. Mortgage lenders will not exercise their repossession right lightly, as it s an expensive option for them, they ll be missing out on your future interest payments, and it doesn t do a great deal for their public image to be seen turfing families out on to the street.


This includes your mortgage and any equity loans you ve taken out. However, the prospect of repossession proceedings is still a serious business and you should urgently seek advice from either the lenders themselves or a qualified and licensed debt advisory service. Repossession must follow a legally specified course, starting with a simple letter from the lender to you notifying you that you are in arrears, and asking that you make arrangements to resolve the matter. The repossession process is not a quick one, and you ll generally have around six months between falling into arrears and being served an eviction notice, which is ample time to rearrange your finances with a consolidation loan or remortgage, or even to negotiate new terms or a repayment program with your mortgage lender. If no resolution is reached, a second letter will be sent warning of legal action. There needs to be no further notice for court proceedings to start if you don t respond to this final letter. If you re still in arrears at this stage, and haven t made a genuine attempt to negotiate with the lender, a solicitors letter will be sent giving you 7 days to clear the arrears or make an acceptable proposal on how you plan to do it.


If it does get to court, then a judge can grant a possession order which gives your mortgage lender the legal right to evict you. Even if an order is granted, this doesn t necessarily lead to eviction, as mortgage companies can keep the order in reserve as an inducement for you to clear your arrears. In practice, judges will try to broker an agreement on an acceptable and fair way forward, especially if children are involved. So, if you re worried that you might be facing eviction, remember that it is in fact a fairly rare thing for a mortgage lender to enforce, and that there is plenty of opportunities to stop the process once it s started. The best advice is to keep calm, and seek advice, contact the lender on how you can come to arrangement that keeps your creditor happy, but more importantly keeps you in your home.

Read more...

You Simply Want Your Credit Card Company To Lower The Interest Rates, But How To Approach Them - Finance and Credit Articles:

A credit card with high interest rate is bleeding you white, and you find that there are other credit card offers with significantly lower interest rates.

Your Greatest Asset When Repairing Your Credit Is Knowledge - Finance and Credit:

Credit repair is not a complex subject, and anybody of reasonable intelligence should be able to master the subject through practice.

Better Yet, Find A Credit Card Provider Which Values Promptness In Payment - Coleen Scriven's Finance and Credit blog:

How many people carry credit cards with a very high annual percentage rate when in fact they started out with zero APR? So to find the credit card with better deals, be sure that you fully understand the system governing your credit card.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Browse Available Services Offered By Canada Internet Merchant Account Providers

Category: Finance, Credit.

If you knew that a Canada Internet merchant account could dramatically improve profits and reduce overhead costs, would you get one? A merchant account conveys a host of benefits that can help your business expand to meet the demands of todays time- conscious consumers.



Well, the good news is that it can and you should! To apply for your merchant services account, simply follow the following easy steps. You may be able to work with a banker with whom you have already established a business relationship. Apply for a Canada Internet merchant account through a reputable banker, or financial underwriter, loan agent. Or you can shop around for a better deal if you feel your bank is asking too much money for too few benefits. Just do a search for merchant accounts or merchant services, and you will soon find that a number of potential lenders will pop up on your screen.


These accounts can be quite competitive, so it pays to browse a host of providers in your town or on the Internet, where financial offers are waiting for your perusal. You also may want to get the names of other financial institutions from colleagues, and family members, friends who already have successful merchant accounts. While this is not a comprehensive background check or a certification of the lenders ability to meet your needs or keep its promises, it does provide a starting place for ensuring that the provider is not a total fraud and may be somewhat likely to live up to its promises. Check out possible Canada Internet merchant account providers by running their names through a business checking service, like the Better Business Bureau. You also can check out online testimonials or ask for references. Browse available services offered by Canada Internet merchant account providers.


If the company has a longstanding history of providing merchant services, there is a fairly good chance that it will work out well for you, too. Perhaps the most sought- after benefit is the ability to offer credit card payment processing services to clients who shop at your Internet site. You may end up paying some of the expenses yourself, such as a domain registration and site- hosting fee, but this is to be expected from just about any provider. Find out how much this service will cost through your choice of Canada provider, and determine whether the benefits are worth the asking price. It is important to compare fees among various lenders to get the most affordable package. Look for the lowest available costs before deciding on the provider you want to work with. Some underwriters will ask for an application fee or an annual membership fee, as well as several other types.


Find out which services will by covered by your choice of Canada Internet merchant account underwriter. You also need to check service rates, which typically are billed by a few cents per transaction or via a low monthly interest rate. Some companies may provide free monthly statement printouts while others charge for this service. Set up your company budget and evaluate your customers buying patterns to figure out which billing method will work most in your favor. Finding the right underwriter will help you to maximize your Canada Internet merchant account.

Read more...

A Credit Card Is Advantageous If Properly Used - Alice Hollar about Finance and Credit:

A credit card is a piece of plastic card that can either help the user budget his finances or cause him a chain of troubles. This balance is charged of no interest if paid off dutifully at the end of the month.

Simply Have Credit Cards - Finance and Credit Blog:

Credit scores are based on several different aspects of a person s ability to handle credit. First and Foremost, Pay on Time.

Finally, Try Not To Borrow More Money To Repay Your Debts - Finance and Credit Articles:

A bad debt is borrowing where the debt has not been reimbursed in compliance with the terms and conditions of the lending agreement. Having a bad debt on your credit file will make it more difficult if you want to take on a loan in the future.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

So Don T Be Terrified Of Applying For A Credit Card

Category: Finance, Credit.

To begin with, failure to pay the complete amount of your bills as incurred through your credit card results in the charge of an interest rate on the amount being owed. The lowest age of being able to own and even make use of a credit card is eighteen years, it also is, nevertheless different from state to state depending on their laws.



Still, if you were to pay the complete amount at the pre- determined time, you will not be charged with any interest rate. Debt collecting agencies are firms that were built for the sole purpose of following up debtors in addition to getting them to pay their credit card bills. A credit card sales agent can take up the worry of filling an application form for a credit card, specifically if you re a highly busy person. Having these tenacious bodies or persons hanging around your neck can be a demoralizing experience, if you don t pay up. The beauty about the credit card system is that it s achievable for every person, no matter what, including you wage or status. If you re a super store owner or a business proprietor, looking to experience an improvement in the sales of your services, you have got to consider getting a credit card processing machine for the reason that the practice of paying for services with cash is speedily getting to be archaic. So don t be terrified of applying for a credit card.


If you re a business owner, it s advisable that you get a business credit card to pay money for all your transactions associated with your business, as this will make it trouble- free for you to trace your charges. A credit card is a kind of piece of plastic card that can be electronically activated and even used to purchase services or goods. When dealing with merchants on the Internet, you ve to tread with ease before releasing info simply because of the presence of World Wide Web fraudsters who can turn your shopping experience on the Internet into an ordeal. It beats cash any day for the reason that it reduces the fear of being robbed that comes with carrying cash. The results are usually similar as you will eventually have a credit card that allows you to purchase whatever you want without the bother of counting dollar bills. To draw an inference, it s possible to apply for a credit card in person, by the use of an agent or on the World Wide Web.

Read more...

What Is Your Company Doing To Reinvent The Application Process - Finance and Credit:

The name Ahearn Search is synonymous with the words skip tracing, whether it be London, Toronto or the, New York lower reaches of Belize.

Online Shopping Has Opened A New World Of Convenience, Cost- Effectiveness And Consumer Friendly Environment - Inez Debusk's Finance and Credit blog:

In the first part of the article series 10 vital tips to make your online shopping with credit cards safe and better we learned about 5 safe online shopping tips.

The Easiest Way To Know This Is To Know The Reputation Of Your Credit Card Company - Finance and Credit Articles:

The internet has become the fastest and most convenient way to be able to locate and compare a credit card company from another. However, with a significant incidence of fraud online, consumers are now in a critical situation.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

One Of The Most Popular Reward Credit Cards Are Travel Reward Cards

Category: Finance, Credit.

One of the most popular reward credit cards are travel reward cards.



These points are collected until the minimum number of points is reached that qualifies the card holder for a free travel. Generally, travel reward card members gain points each time they use their credit card to purchase airline tickets, to pay for their hotel accommodations, for going on a cruise, for renting cars and of course, when purchasing items from affiliate merchants. Usually, the reward is redeemed from an affiliate airline. When choosing a card, it is best to pick the one that has affiliates with the airline that you prefer to fly with. Travel reward cards often have partnerships with more than just one airline. Aside from free travel tickets, those who have collected enough points can also enjoy discounted rates from hotels, and car rentals as well gift certificates, freebies and special privileges that are exclusive only for card holders.


Most travel reward credit cards give more point values on spending made from travel- related expenses especially if these expenses were made from affiliate merchants. The terms and conditions about collecting points and claiming the rewards earned differ depending on the credit card issuer. However, some travel reward credit cards also give at least one point for general purchases made on the card. It is not a secret that in order to get a free travel ticket, a huge number of points is needed which also means a higher amount of credit card spending. As a welcome gift, most travel reward credit cards give an instant bonus points for its card members when they make their first purchase. For some credit card holders, it may take them more than a year before they can be able to gather enough points, at least 2, while for others years or even more is needed to accumulate points.


For those who travel a lot, a travel reward card can be really rewarding since earning points will be easy if you re going to use your credit card on your travels. For this reason, a travel rewards credit card is not recommended for people who only use their credit card for personal expenses. Obviously, if you re a frequent traveler, you can conveniently get a free travel ticket in just less than a year of using the card. If you really think that you can collect the required points to get a free travel without spending more than what you can afford, then a travel reward credit card can give you the opportunity to travel at no cost. Today, there are many different types of travel reward credit cards to choose from. However, when choosing credit cards do not just focus on the best features offered.


Understand exactly how points are given, the interest rates you ll be paying especially after an introductory offer, how points are redeemed, if there are any restrictions on the use of the card, and every detail that is included in the agreement. Instead, take the time to understand all the terms and conditions that apply to each travel reward card you re considering.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Different Methods For Charging Interest

Category: Finance, Credit.

Credit card interest is the principal way in which card issuers generate revenue. The bank pays the payee and then charges the cardholder interest over the time the money remains borrowed.



A card issuer is a bank that gives a consumer a card or account number that can be used with various payees to make payments and borrow money from the bank simultaneously. Banks suffer losses when cardholders do not pay back the borrowed money as agreed. The cardholds credit risk is key to a card issuers profitability. Typical credit cards have interest rates between 7 and 36 percent, depending upon the banks risk evaluation methods and the borrowers credit history. Banks check national and international credit bureau reports that identify the borrowing history of the applicant. The Average Daily Balance is the simplest of the four methods, in the sense that it is an interest rate that produces approximately, equal to the, if not exactly expected rate. Different Methods For Charging Interest.


The sum is divided by the number of days covered in the cycle to give an average balance for that period. The result interest is the same as if interest was charged at the close of each day, except that it only compounds( added to the principal) once per month. This amount is multiplied by a constant factor to give an interest charge. Next is the Adjusted Balance method where at the end of the billing cycle it is multiplied by a factor in order to give the interest charge. What matters here is the time the money was actually lent out by the bank. This can result in an actual interest rate lower or higher than the expected one, since it does not take into account the average daily balance. The longer the period the higher the interest rate because you are using their money, which increases their risk on you.


The balance at the start of the previous billing cycle is multiplied by the interest factor in order to derive the charge. The Previous Balance is the reverse of the Adjusted Balance. As with the Adjusted Balance method, this method can result in an interest rate higher or lower than the expected one, but the part of the balance that carries over more than two full cycles is charged as the expected rate. It is compounded on a monthly basis. Now lets take a look at the APR that is the principal means of comparing credit interest. Most major banks use the following methodology: Increase the figure to the highest possible value while still meeting advertising requirements, e. g. , if a card is advertised at a percentage rate of 19, then any value up to 1949 will still be rounded down to 1 To derive the month rate, obtain the twelfth root.


At this point, it is important to round down, since the APR has already been maximized. This will provide you will a rate which when compounded over a year will equal the APR. Pushing the APR up onto a higher rate could make the card issuer liable for false advertising claims. Calculate their programs of charging interest for their credit cards. These are the four main methods banks, etc, credit unions.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

In This Way You' Ll Avoid Being Charged Any Interest, Yet Still Receive The Cash Back

Category: Finance, Credit.

Credit cards are regarded by many people to be something of a double edged sword, being both a potential friend and a foe to be wary of. For many of us there is a disconnect between what we spend on plastic and the effect our spending has on our real world finances- it's all too easy to spend our way into significant debt, with all the problems associated with that unhappy situation.



While they offer great benefits in terms of convenience( online shopping, and the security, widespread acceptance of not having to carry bundles of cash around if you want to make a substantial purchase) they can also land the cardholder in significant trouble financially. Of course, credit cards do not automatically lead to debt problems, and with responsible and disciplined use you can enjoy the conveniences and benefits without the dangers. The most obvious way that you can earn off your card is by signing up for one which offers a cash back scheme. There are many ways of staying out of credit card debt, most of them complete common sense, but what many people don' t realise is that using a credit card can actually make you money, and not just in the ways you might think of first. Under this, a very small percentage of your spending is either credited back to your account directly, or sent to you in the form of an annual check. The key thing to remember with cash back cards is that any earnings you make would be completely drowned out by interest charges if you carried a balance on the card, so ensure that you only use it as a way of spending and not borrowing, and pay your balance off in full each month.


The typical rate of cashback is a seemingly miserly 1% , although more generous introductory deals of up to 5% for a limited period are available. In this way you' ll avoid being charged any interest, yet still receive the cash back. If you move all your day to day spending on to a credit card, paying the balance in full each month, you can transfer the money you' d normally be spending into a high interest savings account, letting it earn you interest for a few weeks before paying off the credit card balance in time to avoid interest. You can also earn money on purchases in a more indirect way. This might seem like a lot of trouble for little reward, but if you add up how much you spend in a month on essentials such as groceries, energy bills and, fuel parking costs etc, then you' ll see that earning even a month's worth of interest on this figure could add up to a welcome bonus over the course of a year. Couple this technique with a cash back facility, and you' re winning on two fronts, and so long as you are disciplined enough to pay off your balance during the grace period before interest is charged, then it really is a case of the more money you spend, the more money you' ll make!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

This Type Of Protection From Identity Theft Is Very Useful

Category: Finance, Credit.

Although identity theft has been around for a long time, the Internet has caused a whole new problem.



There are many steps you can take to give yourself protection from identity theft, and it is important that you take this stuff seriously. It seems that everywhere you turn you hear a story about identity theft ruining someone's life. Anyone at any time can try to access your financial information, and if they are successful, you are in for a world of misery. Many of the most important things you have to do to protect yourself from identity theft are things that you can do in your own home. Protection from identity theft comes in many different forms. It is important that you buy a paper shredder so that you can shred all of your important financial and personal documents before you put them in the trash.


If you are receiving credit card or even loan offers in the mail, it is important that these be shredded as well. Those who are looking to steal your identity have no issues with pawing through your garbage looking for a what they need. This type of protection from identity theft is very cheap and inexpensive, but it's also your first line of defense. This means that if you call them and tell them that you think your identity has been stolen, they can immediately freeze all of your assets and bank accounts. You also want to make sure that your bank and credit cards offer you some sort of protection from identity theft. This also means that you want to find a company that will notify you if they believe there has been some unusual activity on your accounts.


This might mean that you have to notify your bank if you are going on a vacation or maybe spending more money than usual, but it is well worth the extra phone call to protect yourself. This type of protection from identity theft is very useful. Another form of protection from identity theft is the freezing of your credit report. If you suspect you are being victimized, and that someone has stolen your identity, you can freeze your credit report. This is something that I have just learned. This means that if someone were to inquire about new credit they would not gain access to your credit report until you give permission.


Then you can then be notified. This stops new cards and accounts from being opened in your name. This type of protection from identity theft, along with the other mentioned above, are great starting points in protecting your credit and your financial security.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Some Companies Might Offer A Fixed Or Variable APR

Category: Finance, Credit.

Millions of people are making use of their credit cards to purchase just about anything. Paying high interest rates means a lot of money wasted.



Because of this, it is important to minimize total fees and interests. Fortunately, with the existence of several credit card companies hoping to get your business, most of them offer attractive interest rates to get ahead of the competition. The APR determines the total interest rates and fees you need to repay with respect to your loaned principal amount. The primary indicator of how much you' ll be paying for credit card balances is the annual percentage rate or APR. It is a good thing that US laws in the Truth in Lending Act have required all lending institutions to post their APR. Currently, probably because of too much competition, credit card companies offer APR to even as low as 0% . This would definitely help consumers in managing their credit card finances.


Keep in mind though that nothing this good lasts too long. These are normally just marketing strategies tempting customers to apply for their credit cards. Usually, these are just introductory offers which last for about 90 days to a year. Before committing oneself to a credit card, you must first understand all of its terms and conditions associated with its APR. Balance transfer APR are typically lower than the APR of cash advances. Some credit cards may have different APR for different transactions.


Also, there might be a different APR as penalty for late payments. Some companies might offer a fixed or variable APR. Since these APR are expressed, you' d be able to compare one credit card from another. A fixed APR does not change without due notice and is usually preset, while a variable APR changes from time to time depending on the index it is tied to. It all depends on your needs and usage. Experts may argue that it would be better to have fixed APR, but variable APR might also work for you.


Offering low APR is definitely one of the best catch for a consumer. Since APR are applicable to your credit card balances, low APR might not prove very useful for you if you usually pay your credit card bills in full. However, low APR can only work to your advantage if you know and understand what you' re doing. However, it' d be better to have a low APR credit card just in case. Low APR credit cards can bring about several benefits, especially to those who are having difficulty in bringing down their credit card balances. Times bring about lots of uncertainties and we never can tell when we mighht be able to take advantage of a low APR. So how does this work?


If for example, you' re paying this much interest for you current balance, you might want to transfer it to a different credit card company offering lower interests. Companies typically offer lower APR on transferred balances. This also makes low APR good in consolidating debts. Rates can change frequently. Keep in mind, that in the financial world nothing is certain. In order to make the best value of your money, you should be wary of these changes.


If that period had already lapsed, you would be charged the normal APR which is definitely higher. Most of the time, low APR are only for a certain period. In the end, it would be up to you how you can take advantage of low APR.