Sunday, November 29, 2009

A Quick Guide to Huge Credit Card Processing Savings by timberlake

Cleaning the magnetic strip readers on credit card machine



The magnetic strip on the back of a credit card or debit card holds the vital information of the cardholder. A credit card machine reads this information when the card is swiped through its reader. Thus, in order to get the lowest processing rate, the machine should read all the data from the card’s magnetic strip.



You must clean the magnetic strip reader timely on your processing machine. It can save you huge bucks on processing charges each month. If the machine’s card reader is not cleaned up properly, making it hard to read the entire data. The transaction may still be approved, but it will be charged at a higher interchange rate. Keeping the magnetic card reader in your processing equipment clean will save you from overpaying for processing.



Switching from tiered pricing to interchange-plus



Almost all of the merchants that process credit cards utilize a tiered pricing model. Tiered merchant account pricing is an expensive model than the interchange plus, a more transparent model which is widely available these days.



Read your credit card processing statements carefully. If you find charges for “qualified,” “mid-qualified” or “non-qualified transactions” than you’re processing credit cards on a tiered merchant account pricing model. Switching to interchange plus pricing can save you as much as 25% or may be more each month over tiered pricing.



Monthly minimums waived



The monthly minimum adds substantial expenses to the processing bill especially in seasonal businesses. The monthly minimum is the amount charged by your merchant service provider regardless of your actual processing volume. Calling your processor and having this fee removed from your merchant account will save you a lot in any month where you don’t have to pay the minimum fee.



Monthly “junk” fees waived or reduced



The service providers earn profits on fees other than actual processing charges. Therefore, even if your merchant account is on the lower interchange plus pricing model, they may overcharge you with additional “junk fees.”



Monthly junk fees is also called as customer service fee, statement fee, Discover network fee etc. You can ask your merchant service provider to provide you the statement either on the phone or in person. And as they mention fees, inquire for what they’re for. If it’s a junk fee, insist to get it done lower or abolish from your account completely.


Get more information on Merchant Credit Card Processing Services at www.paynetsystems.com



Article Source: A Quick Guide to Huge Credit Card Processing Savings

Saturday, November 28, 2009

How To Get Rid Of Debt Without Depriving Yourself by Suzette Jamieson

Have you ever wondered how to get rid of debt without cutting out all the fun in your life? Well, look no further because here are several ideas you can follow. By using a little imagination and getting a little creative, you can spend less without really "feeling" it.



Ultimately, in order to get out of debt, you need to decrease your spending, increase your income or some combination of the two and then funnel the savings to pay off your debt. This article will focus on the spending less aspect.



Understandably, many people don't like to admit they are in debt and so they don't want people to know they're making changes for that reason. No problem! One of the easiest ways to make cuts is by simply making a game out of any changes you decide to make.



Spend Cash Instead of Using Plastic



It's a proven fact that you spend less when you're spending cash than when you use a credit card. While it seems kind of silly, it IS true ... but you won't know until you try it for yourself.



For the next 30 days, put the credit cards away and only spend cash. Plan in advance how much you will spend and have only that much cash on hand. When you're out of cash, you just can't spend any more. What an eye opener that can be!



Whether you're at the grocery store or at the mall, stop spending before you run out of cash. If you run out of cash before the month is up, that's it for the month. So plan wisely!



Brag about what you're doing. Tell others that you are out to prove or disprove a theory. If you tell people what you're doing, they'll either try to prove you're wrong or they will end up keeping you accountable. Either way, use it to your advantage ... and prove that you really DO spend less when you're spending cash.



Challenge Others To Join You



Once the 30 days is up, challenge someone else to give up using credit for 30 days ... and then continue your cash-only spending so you can "give moral support" to your friend.



Then the next 30 days find someone else. Whether your friends want or need to get out of debt, spending cash instead of credit WILL result in anyone spending less overall. And if you take the right approach, you can all have fun saving money.



Start New Traditions and Different Ways Of Doing Things



If you get enough of your friends on the cash only plan, you will all start thinking of things you can do differently that will save you money so you don't run out of cash before the end of the month. You can exchange ideas and all benefit from everyone's ideas.



It's all in how you approach things. Instead of doing things the way you've always done them, open your mind up to doing things differently. New things can really be fun!



So once you start spending cash only, you will start to see some reduction in your overall monthly spending. Simply take the savings and apply it towards your debts. One by one you'll be paying off those old debts and before you know it you'll be out of debt! It has worked for many others ... it can work for YOU!


And if you're needing more creative ideas on how to get rid of debt without feeling deprived, the Dollar A Day system might be exactly what you need. Check it out at http://dollaradaysystem.com/ and be sure to sign up for the free mini-course to help you jumpstart your journey to debt freedom.


Article Source: How To Get Rid Of Debt Without Depriving Yourself

Friday, November 27, 2009

Yearly free credit report: Quite Valuable by Sophie Wilson

In order to maintain the good credit status and to get the better chance to enjoy the financial opportunities, it is essential to keep track of your credit records. One can fall into financial crisis anytime; in that situation your credit record helps you to tackle with those problems. Therefore, getting yearly free credit reports will prove to be quite helpful and useful for you. The need for the credit reports being felt in each and every sphere nowadays so; you must scan your report every year.



This credit report will be delivered to you absolutely free, after getting your request by credit bureaus. There are three major institutes which prepare this report: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. These report can be obtain once in a year from each of these reporting agencies.



In order to get this report, you have to give some personal information like name, current address, social security number, date of birth, marital status etc. You should also present the information about your credit card accounts, current balance, previous credit card account, etc.



On the basis of these transactions, credit bureau assigns you a yearly credit report. This credit report is very useful in knowing the credibility of the person for further credit, loans, etc. Credit scores are not included in this credit report; that can be obtain separately be these credit institutes.

Credit report also assists you to check that there is no identity theft or fraud. This report also helps you to improve your credit scores, by paying your debts on specified time.



One can also acquire this report through internet. As there are various websites available, who provide you with the services that enable you to get all the information but make sue you view the official site. This is most convenient and time efficient compared to manually applying for credit report.


Sophie Wilson is a senior financial analyst at Free Annual Credit Reports with an acumen for finance and credit cards. To find yearly free credit report, free yearly credit score, free yearly credit report, free credit score, annual credit report


Article Source: Yearly free credit report: Quite Valuable

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Build Your Credit Without Using Credit by BrazierM

Getting a decent rate on a mortgage or car loan depends on having a good credit score. Even rental applications or employment is contingent on credit. The ladder is to pay out the wazoo in down payments, security deposits, etc. While you need a good credit history to make your mark with the creditors, you don’t need plastic to do so. Start improving your credit without using credit. Take these steps in building your credit score without actually using credit and learn what to watch for in the future to avoid damaging your credit youve worked hard to build.



ONE: Check out a credit union for a secured loan. A secured loan, or shared-secured loan, is backed by money you place in a credit union savings account or certificate of deposit. Credit unions are usually easier to work with than the big banks as they take into account more than just your credit score when applying for a loan. They also look at things like a good checking history or that youre making an effort to deposit money into savings. Make sure the credit union you choose is reporting to all three major credit bureaus. Some credit unions only report to one of the three in an effort to save money.



TWO: Peer-to-peer loans. No, this is not about going fishing. Social lending sites like Prosper and Lending Club connect interested borrowers with individual investors. In this, investors bid on the borrowers applications and attempt to offer the lowest, most competitive interest rates to win the deal.



THREE: Getting schooled? Apply for a federal student loan. Being a student can be advantageous to your credit score if executed properly. Federal student loans do NOT require credit checks. The stipulation is that you have to be at least a part time college student and have submitted an application for Federal Student Aid. Stafford loans have a fixed interest of 6.8 percent and they do not inquire on your reason for financial need. Once the loan hits repayment mode, your on-time payments will help boost your score.



FOUR: Piggy back your partner. Become an authorized user on someone elses credit card. Once added, their history with that specific account is usually imported to yours with the 3 big bureaus. Pick someone who has decent credit or this could turn around and affect you negatively. Youll want to choose someone who has an account that has less than 1/3 of the balance due at all times and pays on time consecutively each month. All your asking is to become an authorized user, not actually use the card or receive a duplicate of the card for purchases.



FIVE: Co-signing. Four and five depend on relying on others so dont go burning bridges or chasing waterfalls. Make sure these are solid relationships like a parent or spouse. A co-signer can help you lock into a loan you may have been denied for applying by yourself. In a co-signee arrangement, both parties are equally responsible for the debt. Make sure payments are made timely and consecutively to ensure a positive increase to your score on a monthly basis.



SIX: Pay to play. Establishing a secured credit card is now getting into actually using credit. If youre anti plastic and just looking to build your score, opt out of this option and save yourself a paragraph. Secured cards require you to make a deposit with the bank equal to the amount of credit youre looking to deposit. Some banks will allow you to receive a secured credit card for only $200 while others require a bit more to play the game. Youre basically taking your money and creating a credit account equal to the amount invested and paying interest on purchases. Some creditors will convert the account to a regular line of credit after 9 months or a year of positive paying.



SEVEN: The Charge card cha cha. Charge cards like American Express require the account holder to pay the balance in full every cycle. If you already have good credit and are simply trying to keep it going in that direction this is a positive way to ensure youre doing just that without having to use credit cards. If you have little self control you may want to think twice about charge cards.



Using these guidelines can keep you out of the credit loop while still playing the game. If you have already incurred credit debt its a good idea to pay it down asap and restructure your spending habits whereas the use of credit becomes obsolete.



Non-profit debt consolidation companies like Freedom Debt are around to provide consumers budget help and debt solutions. By consolidating your credit you can payback what you owe at reduced fixed interest rates, allowing your balances to drop faster than paying minimums at high rates. For more help on how to improve your credit or for a free budget counseling session or debt analysis contact one of our certified credit counselors by visiting our website freedomdm.org or calling, 800.905.1563. Were here to help.


budget help, debt solutions


Article Source: Build Your Credit Without Using Credit

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

False Sense Of Financial Security - How To Manage Money by Brandon Schmid

You are currently living the 'American Dream'. Right now you are happily married, you have and a half kids, a dog, the house with a white picket fence, you own an SUV and a mini van and you are in debt. Your story is the same as millions of other Americans in this country. Well, your story isn't exactly as I just described but close. In fact the debt part is probably the only absolute truth. You are staying on top of all of your minimum monthly bills and are making ends meet - or so you think. You've been drawn into a false sense of financial security and think you know how to manage money. The reality is you could be in too much debt. Here is a list of 10 warning signs indicating that you might be in too deep.



1. You have little to no savings



2. You are only able to make the minimum payment on your credit cards and other bills



3. You've been denied credit



4. You use cash advances from your credit cards to pay other bills such as heat and hydro



5. You are sometimes late with your bill payments



6. You keep buying things with your credit card adding to the balance



7. You don't even know how much debt you have



8. Some of your bank accounts are overdrawn and once in a while you bounce checks



9. You have one or more credit cards that are close to the limit or are maxed out



10. You have lied to family and friends about your debt and over spending



Does one or all of these statements sound familiar? Even if just one of those is true you might be in a little financial trouble and may need to learn how to manage money all over again. The good part is you are able to fix it. The bad part is you must start taking control of your finances right now. The more you wait, the worse the problem will get. Finances are something that can't be swept under the rug and forgotten about.



STEP 1: Now is the time to make a check list and go through it. Sift through those 10 items and find out the parts that correspond with your life.



STEP 2: Discover a way to fix those problems. You have no savings? Start building an emergency fund. Deposit $25 a week or any amount that you can to increase that balance to $1000. You keep adding to your credit card balance? Start buying things with cash and start paying off your credit card. The list goes on and on but you have to fix those problems.



STEP 3: Set goals and start making them happen. Tomorrow isn't the best time to start making goals. Start today - better yet, start right now. Don't set your goals too high, create financial goals that can work such as cutting your electricity bill by five or ten percent or save some cash by quitting smoking. Small steps are key to goal setting and learning how to manage money.



Being lured into a false sense of financial security isn't hard to do when you don't not know the warning signs of serious financial problems. If you have gone through this list and have found any matches it may be time to start fixing those problems before that security becomes a major issue. Understanding how to manage money is easy and everyone is able to make it happen.


You can pay off your debts and save money at the same time! Say goodbye to your boss forever! A blog that will show you the secrets of the wealthy: http://www.howtomanagemoneytips.com

Get a free budget sheet, net worth calculator, tools and more: http://www.howtomanagemoneytips.com/ebook.html




Article Source: False Sense Of Financial Security - How To Manage Money

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Difference between Federal Loans and Private Student Loans by Samantha Wilson

In choosing between Federal or Private Student Loans, many are left clueless. With this article, let’s check on the advantages and disadvantages of both types of student loans to help you better decide which one to obtain.



What are Federal Student Loans?



Federal loans are student loans provided by the government that aims to help young people finish a college degree with available financial support. Federal loans have lower interest rates compared to Private student loans along with other benefits. For instance, Federal student loans give students the option to postpone their payments at a later time as well as longer repayment terms than regular loans. The Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and the Federal Plus Loans are the three major types of federal loans today.



The Perkins loan imposes only 5% of interest for both undergraduate and graduate students who pass the requirement for this loan. Applicants for this loan must be US citizens or US resident, is enrolled to an eligible school, has satisfactory academic grades, no unresolved defaults, and has satisfactorily completed all Selective Service requirements.



The Stafford Loan offers a 6.8% interest rate and is divided into two categories- subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans are on a need based and the government would pay the interest for the whole school term. On the other hand, unsubsidized loans are open for all but the student would be responsible to pay the interest.



The Federal PLUS Loan is a low interest student loan for parents of undergraduate and dependent students. This loan is also open for all regardless of their annual income but it does require good credit status. All three Federal loans require applicants to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the loan.



What Are Private Student Loans?



Private Student Loans are provided by private-owned firms or financial companies that are designed to give additional support to federal loans. Most students and parents acquire Private Loans as additional support for other expenses that may be needed such as rental fees and daily allowances.



Private loans often come with higher rates and fees when compared to Federal student loans and they do require applicant to have an excellent credit in order to be approved. In cases where the applicant has a low credit score, a cosigner may be required to get an approval.



Because many different financial firms offer private student loans, it is up to the student to research which company gives the best rates and terms. If you’re planning on obtaining a private student loan, see to it that you’ve studied your choices well before signing up with any company. Also, watch out for private firms that may impose unreasonably high fees on your loan.



Ultimately, whether you choose to get a Federal student loan or a Private student loan or both, the efficiency of these financial aids would depend on how well you use the money for your education and how timely you are in submitting your repayments.


Samantha Wilson is a consultant for credit cards for students. For years she has written student credit cards articles that would help build student credit. For more info, visit: http://www.buildingcreditforstudents.com


Article Source: The Difference between Federal Loans and Private Student Loans

Debt head>

by Student,

In this article we’ll go through the basics of student loans as it relates to the current situation you might be in, and what the solution really comes down to, so you gain some relief from your creditors.



Let’s get right to the obvious situation, and what can be done about Student Debt.



Now with the economy, being what it is and the resulting debts that have come from it, there are very little positive solutions for many debts and Student Loan Debt is the worst.



As you read this, you’ll get a bit of a reality check on debt as a whole, and see that the rules have changed greatly. PLEASE continue to read this page completely, no matter how bleak it may come across, there ARE some ways you can get help.



With that said, my hope is for those facing these problems to avoid situations like wage garnishment, legal actions, and other unpleasant scenarios that can happen. The last thing you’ll need, is to get your wages garnished, when you already have a hard enough time making ends meet.



While there is no perfect or magic solution to erasing your Student loans, there is a better way to handle them to prevent all kinds of problems. That way you can actually have a chance to build up some finances and get a better footing on things.



First, Some Reality Checks

So How Bad A Situation Is Having Student Debts You Can’t Pay?



Well, I honestly hate having to tell people the reality of how bad it is to have unpaid student debt, so let me give you an indication by telling you that first of all…Bankruptcy Will NOT get rid of your Student Loan Debt.



You can give it a try if you wish, however you’ll find out quickly that not only does it have no effect on student loans (Student Loans are exempt from bankruptcy) but it can make your situation much worse.



Going Bankrupt has a bad effect on your credit for many years, which can hurt job prospects, insurance policies, and so many other things that look at your credit to make a decision.



Meanwhile, you’ll still have the same problem with your student loans, since Bankruptcy has no effect on Student loans.



Since Bankruptcy has no effect on student loan debt, you see how tough a problem this is.



Bankruptcy has always been the “last resort” method to eliminate the debts you’ll never be able to pay. So if it’s not effective on student debt, you see the kind of problem this is.



Unfortunately, the doom and gloom of student debt doesn’t end there really, however Im sure you get the point. In fact many people with this debt have found out by making calls and doing their research that they are in fact stuck paying for their loans No Matter What. (Feel free to make calls and see for yourself)



Before I talk about your option, there is one last comment I feel I should make. That is; that in 7 years of dealing with student debt management, which is about 147 cases and the hundreds more I know of, only 2 times have I heard of individuals being approved for exemption.



The one case was approved due to a car accident that was not their fault, which crippled them and therefore was unable to make a living. Even then, they still tried for a few years.



So Are There Any Solutions?



Ok, now I know your getting bothered from realizing the fact that you cant get out of this debt and you may have them after you at this point. So knowing what you Cant do, lets talk about what you Can do.



What you Can Do has really nothing to do with getting out of the debt, rather, it’s about coming to an agreement or understanding that allows you some breathing room. That means the creditors/collection agency will leave you alone for a good while so you can “regroup” so to speak.



*Important*

The Government as of the last year has given most creditors and their corresponding collection agencies more power to Collect these Debts. This means the process is also faster for the creditors.



So if it normally took 65 days from start to finish in order to push through a wage garnishment, (only an example) it now happens in half the time. The Government has granted this power ever since the Credit Crunch and it’s resulting debt crisis, in order to allow the many businesses owed money to collect their receivables owed.



For all parties to getting the economy back in the swing of things, they needed to have more power to collect their debts to boost cash flow. After all, the Government itself is the top creditor trying to collect some of its cash on bad investments.



If they don’t make it easier for businesses that are owed money, to collect their debts, then the Government can hardly expect to get theirs as well.



Why is this important information?



People with debt problems need to realize quickly, that just simply not paying and avoiding is the worst way to go right now. This is something that needs to be taken VERY seriously if you want to get ahead, pay off debts, and keep your credit in tact.



So getting back to where I started when answering the question of whether there is any solutions to Student loan debt, and it comes back to the same already mentioned, it’s not about getting out of the debt, rather than coming to an agreement or understanding with the creditors or collection agencies.



By doing that, you gain some time and breathing room to get ahead, without the creditors being a threat to you.



The Specific Solution to Student Debt Relief we’re talking about is:



Loan Modification For Student Loan Debt



Student Loan Modification is really just re-writing your loan and the agreement or terms. By doing this properly, you will be under a new agreement that you’ve made to fit your needs.



Now if this sounds like something that might be of help to you, then read even more at our site at: http://www.studentdebtsrelief.com



Good Luck


Looking for ways to be free of your student loan debt or other related debt to lead to help you become debt free? Our student debt relief site can show you how, without risky unsecured debt consolidation.
To read these articles go to http://www.studentdebtrelief.com


Article Source: Debt Relief Solutions For Student Loans





Monday, November 23, 2009

4 Steps To Becoming Free From Debt by Dan Edward

Most Americans are in debt! They owe money on almost everything that they have - their homes, cars, furniture, clothes, and education, - and debt has no doubt become a way of life.



It is not all bad for us to owe, some debts are actually good. For instance, what you owe on your home can be an opportunity for you to balance out your income tax. Also, having a little debt, which you make payment to promptly and regularly can keep your credit rating up and qualifies you to take loans at good rate.



But the problem is that most people now owe too much, and have found themselves deep in debt, to such magnitude that some don’t even know how much they owe or to whom anymore. This kind of lifestyle, if not put to check, will lead only to one destination: financial crises!



If you are already in financial mess, with lots of debts hanging on your neck, don’t despair, there is a way out if you take the four steps I’m recommending:



Work On The High Interest Rate Cards First



Identify the credit cards and other credit facility where you are paying at high interest rates, and high minimum payments. Then, work more towards paying off the balances on credit cards that charge the highest interest rates first.



This however does not mean you shouldn’t pay the minimum balance on other cards or credit facilities that you took, what I mean is that you should strive to pay more than the minimum balance (as much as you can) on the highest interest rate cards, so that you can quickly pay them off and avoid paying more in interest charges.



After paying off the highest interest rate cards, then channel the money you could have used for settling it to offset other cards.



Contact The Credit Card Company



If you are having difficulty meeting up to your repayment plan, you should reach out to the credit card company and let them know why you are having problem. They will be able to assist you by negotiating a lower rate with you or recommending a suitable alternative repayment plan and therefore prevent damage to your credit rating.



Consolidate Your Debts



You should try consolidating your debts as much as you can. This can be done in several ways. One, you can move balances from a credit card of higher interest rate to another of lower interest rate. You should however consider the transfer fee you will have to pay before going ahead to using this option.



Another option you can use is to take a home-equity loan or line of credit, which is of lower interest rate than the credit card you are working to pay off. Using the loan to offset the credit card debt, you can now be paying lower minimum monthly payments.



Also, you can consider taking a secured loan on another form of property, such as your vehicle, and then using the fund to offset your high interest rate credit card.



Don’t Touch Your Retirement Savings



Even though paying off your debt should be one of your top financial priorities, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your retirement savings. You shouldn’t take from your retirement savings to pay off debt. If possible, you can borrow from it or against it at lower interest rate to pay off debt, and this allows you to continue saving for retirement and also paying off your debts.



It may be very normal in America to owe money, but there is a big burden that comes with been under the pressure of huge debt. You don’t have to remain under this pressure all the rest of your life, but you can free yourself from debt completely, or at least reduce it by taking the four steps I’ve shared with you above.


Dan Edward runs DebtConsolidation-Help.net, where he shares loads of information on how to get out of debt without filing bankruptcy. Read more of his incisive articles, and get more informed about how to end your debt at http://debtconsolidation-help.net




Article Source: 4 Steps To Becoming Free From Debt

Sunday, November 22, 2009

No-Brainer Idea For Building Credit After Bankruptcy by Amanda Hash

Filing for bankruptcy is not an easy decision to come to, especially since it leaves such a mark on your credit history. Unlike items that have gone into collections remaining on your credit report for seven years, a bankruptcy discharge remains there for ten years.



Rebuilding your credit post-bankruptcy is a challenge but it is not impossible. You will be starting over in essence but the climb back to financial stability will be steeper because potential lenders will see you as a high financial risk for a decade. There are steps you can take to improve your situation but realize that there will be no easy fix and it will require patience and planning on your part to get you back on your feet.



Small Steps To Good Credit After Bankruptcy



Once you have filed for bankruptcy and had it discharged in court, you will need to have a look at your credit report. You will be checking to see if the discharged bankruptcy and relevant accounts have been noted on the report. In the US there are three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax so you will need to check all three.



Fortunately, these reports can be purchased together so you can easily compare what's being noted on each report. All of the accounts you listed on your bankruptcy filing should be noted as being discharged in court. If you find that there are any items not properly noted, you will have to contact the credit bureau and the creditor in writing to have them corrected. There are letter templates available online to help you write to the credit bureaus and creditors as well.



You should try to open either a savings or checking account once your bankruptcy has been discharged, if you do not already have one. Usually banks ask for a minimum deposit to open an account so you might be able to open both a checking and savings account on the same day. Even though banks typically do not report to credit bureaus unless you have bounced a check, having an active account shows potential lenders that you are able to manage your finances and would be able to continue to do so if you were to borrow money in the future.



Reestablishing Your Credit Post-Bankruptcy



Another way to reestablish credit post-bankruptcy is to obtain a secured credit card. A secured credit card is one that requires you to place a deposit into your account with the lender or bank issuing the credit card. Your line of credit with a secured credit card is usually equal to that of your deposit so it will be a low amount, about $100 or $200. To keep building your credit line, you should aim for about $1,000 with your card issuer and this is built up over time. You would make payments with a secured credit card in the same manner that you would with a regular unsecured credit card: on time and in full.



Try to pay off your balance each month and do so before the bill is due. So long as you stay within 30% of your available credit - for example, if you have a $100 credit line, you should have at least $70 left at the end of your statement period in available credit, and pay your balance on time, you should be well on your way to adding more positive points to your credit scores.



Getting Your Post Bankruptcy Loan



Once you have reigned in your expenses by adopting a monthly budget and opened both a bank account and a secured credit account, you can apply for a loan. A good loan to qualify for after a bankruptcy discharge is a car loan. These loans are secured, using the new car being financed as collateral. Once you have established a consistent payment history with your newly opened accounts, you should qualify for other lines of credit and loans within a reasonable time frame. The whole process can take a year or longer but the time will be worth it to help get your back on the road to personal financial recovery.


Amanda Hash is an expert financial consultant who specializes in Loans for Fair Credit and Bad Credit Secured Personal Loans. By visiting http://www.yourloanservices.com/ you'll learn how to get approved and recover your credit.



Article Source: No-Brainer Idea For Building Credit After Bankruptcy

Saturday, November 21, 2009

2 Easy Steps to Building Up Your Emergency Fund by Financial Freedom

An emergency fund is basically 3 to 6 months of income that you set aside which you can withdraw easily. This means that the fund is most probably in a bank account that you can easily tap into should any emergency arise.



Step #1 - Open Another Bank Account



Yes, you heard me right. Why do you have to open another bank account? It is very likely that if you were to start saving money into the same bank account, you will most probably spend the money without knowing it. The most important thing about an emergency account is to keep it out of sight from us so that we do not spend the money!



Many years ago, I wanted to set aside an emergency fund of 6 months income. It was however only 2 years ago that I managed to do so. The reason for the long delay was that I was simply spending all my money in my only bank account which I had. Whenever it reached a certain amount, I would think to myself: "Hey, I've got lots of money....why not I buy this?"



To cut a long story short, I could not succeed in building up the 6 month emergency fund because I had easy access to the account. I started withdrawing money from the fund as it was not kept separate from my other bank account. This is my BEST advice to you: OPEN ANOTHER BANK ACCOUNT.



You will of course want to make sure that this bank account does not have any high charges and stuff for things like minimum balances.



Step #2 - Deposit a FIXED sum of money EVERY month ONCE you get your paycheck



Keeping a separate bank account is Step 1. For Step 2, it requires a certain amount of discipline. The key is to deposit a FIXED amount EVERY month the DAY you get your paycheck.



This is speaking from my own personal experience. The day that you get your pay check credited into your bank account is THE DAY that you must deposit that fixed amount of money into your separate bank account (your emergency fund account).



Do not wait for a few days because once you procrastinate, you will most probably not do it and end up not depositing any money at all for that month.



Let's say that you decide to save $500 per month to build up an emergency fund. All you have to do is simply deposit or transfer the money from your normal banking account straight into the emergency fund account the moment you get your paycheck. This is to prevent yourself from spending it before you carry out the transfer.



Do this EVERY single month until you have built up your emergency fund to your desired level of 3 to 6 months income. No excuses.



Every month, you will stick to the amount you have decided and deposit it into your emergency fund the moment you get your paycheck.



Slowly but surely, you will see that your emergency fund account will start to grow. Make sure that you do not withdraw any money from it unless for emergencies.



So there you have it. 2 simple steps that anyone can take to start building up an emergency fund.


SgFinancialFreedom is a blog dedicated to help people achieve their financial freedom. This is done through the sharing of knowledge, information and experience. Find out more about the author and his journey to financial freedom at http://sgfinancialfreedom.blogspot.com


Article Source: 2 Easy Steps to Building Up Your Emergency Fund

Friday, November 20, 2009

Credit Consolidation Loans to Eliminate Your Debts by Roger Lowry

Credit cards are overwhelmingly popular among the people these days. One big advantage that comes with credit cards is that you need not worry about how bad your financial situation is when you want to buy that dream product of your choice. Initially, things are very adorable. You enjoy making purchases through your credit card. But, once the debts pile up, there seems to be no way out to get rid of the burden forever. Credit consolidation loans may help debtors with massive debts.



First of all, credit consolidation is one of the means to unite all your debts, be it credit card debts, store debts, or online loans, etc into one. To get rid of all of them together, you can avail loan from a debt consolidation company. They offer to repay all your debts at once. All that you are required to do now is to repay the loan availed at an interest rate that is decided by the company based on your loan amount.



How do such loans help you? If you have sunk into debts completely, you get timely relief and will not be facing any trouble from your credit company. The interest rate that you pay towards the single and combined debt is marginally lower when compared to the individual debt interest rates that you were paying earlier.



Credit consolidation loan does not mean that your debt is cleared and you will be set free. It just provides you a simpler mechanism for repaying your dues at a fairly lower interest rate. In fact, your debts just cohere into one. Hence, it is highly important to choose a good consolidation loan lender. Often, it is best to choose companies that offer consolidation loans. You can learn about the legitimacy of such organizations through the Internet.



Remember, everyone needs to borrow money once in a while. But, if that becomes a habit, debts can make your life miserable. This is why it is important to learn from your mistakes and act soon through the credit consolidation loans. Once you are done with the repayment of the consolidated loan, you can lead a peaceful life free of debts. Make sure you hide your credit card and prevent unnecessary purchases. Credit cards are very useful during critical situations such as immediate medical help, car repairs, accidents, etc. Thus, you should know when to use your card. Take the time now to start your debt recovery.


I have done a little research for you. Click Here to start getting out of debt, possibly as early as this week. Complete a few short questions and be on your way. Visit Debt Relief Solutions.


Article Source: Credit Consolidation Loans to Eliminate Your Debts
How To Fix Your Credit Report - Fix Your Credit Report In 3 Easy Steps! by Will Irish

It's an unfortunate fact of life, but bad things happen to good people every day. If you have found yourself in a bad situation with your credit, the good news is there are easy ways to fix your credit report. In this article, we will discuss three easy steps you can take to fix your credit report and get on your way to a brighter financial future right away.



A bad credit score not only affects a person's ability to borrow and obtain loans, it can also adversely affect a person's quality of life. Obtaining good credit is something that many people wish to achieve, but many don't have the basic know how to get started. In the next few paragraphs we will discuss three simple ways you can begin to fix your credit report, and do so without having a negative effect on your credit score.



It is a common misconception that closing old accounts will help to improve a person's credit score. In fact, old accounts are your ally in obtaining a good credit rating. Keep your old accounts active, even if you only keep a small balance on each of them. The age of accounts in your credit report along with the payment history on those accounts are large factors in how credit reporting agencies calculate your credit score.



Sometimes there will be negative accounts such as collections, judgments and public records that are listed on your credit report in error. When attempting to fix your credit report, you should look at each individual account and verify that the information reported is accurate. If you locate accounts on your report that are potentially negative and obviously reporting incorrectly, credit reporting agencies use a process called a "dispute" to allow consumers to dispute potentially negative items and inaccuracies on their credit reports. Disputing an item listed on your credit report with a credit reporting agency is free to do, so if you find inaccurate information in your file don't hesitate to dispute it.



Next, be aware of your financial limitations and do your best to pay your creditors on time. While following the first two steps in this article, it is imperative that you continue to pay your debts in a timely manner to fix your credit report. If you have had trouble paying your bills on time in the past, consider using a dedicated calendar in your home just for paying bills. In addition to using a calendar to track your due dates and payments, you should also consider using any of the free automatic bill pay options that many creditors offer. Having your payments made automatically for you is a great way to ensure that you are paying your bills on time every month.



Taking these proactive steps to fix your credit report are by far the easiest ways to increase your score and secure your financial future. Following any one of the three steps outlined in this article will help you to improve your credit score drastically, but following all three steps every day can have astounding results.



If you're in an urgent rush to improve your credit scores, see the link below to learn the advanced tactics.


"Click Here at http://www.creditrepairtruth.org to learn how to raise your credit score 135 points in 37 days from TODAY!"


Article Source: How To Fix Your Credit Report - Fix Your Credit Report In 3 Easy Steps!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Secure and Easy Online Payments by Greer Lean

Everyone and everything is now online. From personal journals such as blogs to fast cash loans—the Internet is now part of everyday life. Everyday millions of people are online making transactions and connecting with others. Doing business has never been easier as it is today with the advent of online business transactions. Making purchases online is a convenient part of life, so it is with online payment. It provides a unified payment interface for bank transactions, credit cards, debit cards, and a lot more.



Although the Internet has made it possible to buy and sell products and other items online, it also opened doors for high tech criminal activities, making electronic transactions a potentially volatile payment medium. Fraudulent transactions are common on the Internet. Faceless and ruthless fraud perpetrators could do much harm with just a few unsecured passwords and clicks here and there. Aside from the criminal threat, another pain in the neck for online merchants and customers is the various online payments that have different requirements for making transactions. To do away with these hassles and hindrances and simplify making business transactions through the Internet, here are some tips to remember:



· Since when people makes online transactions, they usually use their own personal computers and laptops. One important thing to always remember is to update virus and spy-ware software and run it regularly. Most operating systems have this feature which could update and run these kinds of software on a set schedule. It is imperative to do this because there are vicious viruses and online bugs that are made to track and record personal information. Those who use their credit cards can make themselves vulnerable to cyber criminals when they type away their unsecured passwords and security codes.



· One way to fight cyber criminals from snatching password numbers and security codes is to get a software program that presents the use of an e-wallet. These nifty programs can stop key logging viruses from getting valuable information straight from PCs and laptops. E-wallets provide security by signing in a password and username on the transactions made and the customer does not have to type in and make tale-telling keystrokes.



· There is also such a thing as virtual cards. These give added protection in making online payments since it uses a false card number that a person can easily use to make purchases. The number is generated so it would not be used again, thus effectively concealing the real account number. This will prevent hackers from cleaning out the customer’s account.



· Lastly, online payment users should make sure to secure their email address and passwords so they are not prone to credit card information hackers. Print the receipts and invoices, then delete the emails by emptying the trash bin of the PC. A good tip for online users is to change passwords once in a while and delete sensitive information in the inbox.



For other online transactions such as fast loans, these are secured transactions and most financial support websites have many security features. Online users and customers must be aware of the security threats in the Internet and take the necessary steps in securing their online information.


Johan Kriegbaum, online marketing manager of Payday Cash Loan, Australia's preferred short term lender, shares his insights on money matters. Founded in 2005 Payday Cash Loan has helped thousands of Australians with their fast cash loans but that's just the short term solution. Payday Cash Loans also helps people in the long run by providing budgeting tools, e-books and individually researched articles on money matters and fina


Article Source: Secure and Easy Online Payments




Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Reasons Why You Might Not Need To File For Bankruptcy by Jon Arnold

Many people in today's economy are deciding to file for bankruptcy or with their bills mounting every week, might be thinking about it. The reasons that people are thinking along these lines are nearly the same for all of them â€" they have been laid off from their job and the aspects of a new job are not looking promising, they ran up high hospital bills that were unforeseen and possibly largely not covered by health insurance, or maybe a very messy divorce.



What all of these things contribute to is falling behind on one's financial obligations, and almost certainly numerous of your creditors are calling you to demand when you propose to get your account caught up, or if your accounts are currently severely past due, sometimes those collection agencies can get significantly more threatening or ominous.



If this is sounding like the position you are in, you might be thinking that it is time for file for bankruptcy but similar to anything else, there are aspects you must know about it since the process to declare bankruptcy is significant more complicated today with recent changes in bankruptcy law than it used to be in the past. It is surely not a game like playing Monopoly where declaring bankruptcy is trivial and part of the fun. There is very little fun in the real thing.



Most people do not genuinely know where they stand financially. You in all likelihood don't either. You don't believe that? Ok, can you tell me immediately exactly how much you are in debt to within about $100 total, as well as your existing past due amounts and how many months past due you are on each account, as well as the composition of your debts such as student loans, secured credit, unsecured credit, mortgage, and other?



Without that level of info at your fingertips, you are not prepared to file for bankruptcy and you have some research to do and info to acquire. You see, that level of detailed info is necessarily required to be given to the courts so that they can decide if you should even be permitted to file. Yes, filing for bankruptcy is not an automated process that you can perform whenever you wish and the courts must approve it. If your financial position is not presented in the correct light, you will not be approved. It is for this reason that you should use a bankruptcy lawyer who can analyze your finances and who has the experience to present your situation to the courts in the light that is most likely to grant the preferred solution.



Do you have choices or alternatives? You may and this is another piece of the puzzle that an experienced bankruptcy lawyer can counsel you about. Did you know that certain kinds of debt cannot be eliminated through any chapter of bankruptcy? This is true and if a good portion of your debt is comprised of these kinds of debt, then filing is not going to offer the total relief that you are seeking.


If you do not have questions about filing for bankruptcy, you have not done your homework and that fact is going to making your filing worse than it really needs to be. For more insights and additional information about how to File For Bankruptcy as well as getting a free bankruptcy evaluation from an experienced bankruptcy lawyer in your local area who understands your state's laws, please visit our web site at http://www.bankruptcy-data.com


Article Source: Reasons Why You Might Not Need To File For Bankruptcy

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Frequent Credit Card Debt Settlement Mistakes by Nicola Johns

Paying off your credit card debt can be damaging to your money status that you often resort to merely regarding any technique or technique required to get out of that trap. However, you wish to methodically analyze your choices in terms of handling your debt settlement since they can impact your long-term monetary status. Moreover, legal complications could get within the manner and that's the least you would like to happen with an already escalating credit card debt balance.



If you want a good mastercard debt settlement, you need to try to avoid any of the subsequent strategies or mistakes. Most of them come with tips about what you should avoid if you would not need your mastercard debt to continue escalating.



Closing Your Account



Some people become extremely fed up with their mastercard debt thanks to their inability to meet the rising interest rate and debt balance to settle. Therefore, most go for the straightforward means out, that is to close their accounts. Whereas this solves 1 facet of your drawback, it offers another type of dilemma. Doing so can cause your credit rating to take a large dip.



Here's a response that you can try. If you have got determined to not want to use the cards, then set it aside. You need to actually fulfill the promise to not use cards in any of your purchases once more since it can simply add up to your debts. Meanwhile, build sure to continue settling any alternative existing credit card debts while you help yourself by not adding more and more to the damage.



Debt Consolidation



Debt consolidation could be a debt relief choice that's already becoming quite standard among folks with debt problems. Whereas this has helped few people settle their debts and return to a smoother money status, it is not always the most effective option to relieve yourself of debt. If you are not familiar with this methodology, debt consolidation is when you discover a new creditor that will pay off any of your existing multiple debts. Then, you will currently have to settle those accounts through your new creditor. The convenience offered by debt consolidators is that you currently have only 1 debt to settle, versus multiple of them. And, negotiating for a coffee interest rate on your debts are possible but it can extend the life of your loan and payment period.



After all, these debt consolidators do not do it if there's no benefit for them. Debtors are given up-front fee for some consolidating corporations whereas an announcement of having “third party assistance” can be reflected on your credit report.



Paying High Interest Rate



This can be an obvious mistake that most debtors usually make when trying to settle credit card debts. Since being able to settle all your debt balance is also in the interest of your credit card company, then you wish to barter a meeting purpose when it comes to achieving your interest rate. Once you've got agreed on a lower interest rate, look into making punctual payments to avoid adding more and more late payment charges on your balance.



Opting To Settle Minimum Balance



This is 1 mistake that folk typically make when paying off their credit card bills that usually result to rising mastercard debts. When you are using credit card to form purchases, it's straightforward to believe you've got an unlimited pool of money. That's when excessive splurging comes into play that causes unimaginable mastercard debts. If you pay solely the minimum balance, your creditors might care less since they can be obtaining a share of interest on that. If you'll, take a look at paying double your minimum quantity in order to alleviate yourself from mounting interest that might extremely hurt your debt and monetary status.


Want to avoid wasting yourself thousands of dollars and learn how to get out of credit card debt? Visit our credit card debt help online website nowadays and read all regarding it.


Article Source: Frequent Credit Card Debt Settlement Mistakes