Talk To a Professional Credit Counselor

By Dillon Azungen

There is no more misused phrase in the entire economic universe than 'credit card debt consolidation loan.' Most North Americans do not possess the determination required to take out a debt consolidation mortgage and make it work. To have it actually work, you have to stop using your cards. The idea of the debt consolidation loan is not to have you go deeper into debt. It appears that some folks never learn.

However, there are good ways of taking care of your debt, which may not be the best way, but it can offer you temporary relief as you accrue even more credit card debt. If you're not careful, you'll be able to grow an even larger debt so that you have to apply for a larger consolidation loan. God bless America.

In order for a credit card debt loan to have any sense at all, you have to sit down and choose which credit cards will be protected by this loan. After that, you will need to destroy those very cards and cancel the accounts. If all you want to do is reassign the balance to a new type of vehicle called a debt consolidation loan, then you ought to know that there are other ways to do this. Because if that is what you're about to do it makes about as much common sense as a credit card that permits you to spend on credit.

So, if you're not ready to demolish your cards, and cancel accounts, then this consolidation loan is actually about to make things worse for you. If, on the other hand, you can find a way to limit yourself, then you may be able to use a 'credit card debt loan' to your advantage and start that climb out of debt.

Might As Well Keep It as Credit Card Debt If, on the other hand, you cannot shred your cards with glee, pick up the phone, and cancel accounts, then you may as well just find a different form of credit card debt consolidation. That form is called the transfer of debt to a different card. You probably have offers already in the mail telling you that you should transfer your credit card balance to their sparkling new card and that you won't pay any interest on the balance. These are the 'deals' that you want to use if all you wish to do is find a way to keep on spending.

You should be warned however, that these kinds of cards will creep up on you from behind and before you know it, your tens of thousands of dollars more in debt than you previously were. Balance transfer 'deals' is how many people end up being so deep in the hole they can't get out. So if you're getting ready to do your second or third debt transfer, just stop and talk to a professional credit counselor.

Nonetheless, if you're not willing to destroy your cards. If you can't see yourself canceling accounts, then you're not ready for the help a credit card debt consolidation loan can give you. If you are ready however, this can help you climb out of the financial hole every North American is in these days.

About the Author:

Dillon Azungen regularly publishes detailed papers on things similar to eliminate credit card dept and eliminating high interest credit card debt. You can have a look at his publications on how to eliminate debt quickly and eliminating high interest credit card debt on his site.

Credit Cards Will be Protected by This Loan

By Dillon Azungen

There is no more misused phrase in the entire economic universe than 'credit card debt consolidation loan.' Most North Americans do not possess the determination required to take out a debt consolidation mortgage and make it work. To have it actually work, you have to stop using your cards. The idea of the debt consolidation loan is not to have you go deeper into debt. It appears that some folks never learn.

However, there are good ways of taking care of your debt, which may not be the best way, but it can offer you temporary relief as you accrue even more credit card debt. If you're not careful, you'll be able to grow an even larger debt so that you have to apply for a larger consolidation loan. God bless America.

In order for a credit card debt loan to have any sense at all, you have to sit down and choose which credit cards will be protected by this loan. After that, you will need to destroy those very cards and cancel the accounts. If all you want to do is reassign the balance to a new type of vehicle called a debt consolidation loan, then you ought to know that there are other ways to do this. Because if that is what you're about to do it makes about as much common sense as a credit card that permits you to spend on credit.

So, if you're not ready to demolish your cards, and cancel accounts, then this consolidation loan is actually about to make things worse for you. If, on the other hand, you can find a way to limit yourself, then you may be able to use a 'credit card debt loan' to your advantage and start how to eliminate that debt.

Might As Well Keep It as Credit Card Debt If, on the other hand, you cannot shred your cards with glee, pick up the phone, and cancel accounts, then you may as well just find a different form of credit card debt consolidation. That form is called the transfer of debt to a different card. You probably have offers already in the mail telling you that you should transfer your credit card balance to their sparkling new card and that you won't pay any interest on the balance. These are the 'deals' that you want to use if all you wish to do is find a way to keep on spending.

You should be warned however, that these kinds of cards will creep up on you from behind and before you know it, your tens of thousands of dollars more in debt than you previously were. Balance transfer 'deals' is how many people end up being so deep in the hole they can't get out. So if you're getting ready to do your second or third debt transfer, just stop and talk to a professional credit counselor.

Nonetheless, if you're not willing to destroy your cards. If you can't see yourself canceling accounts, then you're not ready for the help a credit card debt consolidation loan can give you. If you are ready however, this can help you climb out of the financial hole every North American is in these days.

About the Author:

Dillon Azungen frequently creates detailed articles on stories about eliminating high interest credit card debt. You can discover his work on how to eliminate debt quickly over at http://www.debtania.com .

Who Can Apply for Free Government Grants?

By Fiona Fidelis

Government grants are a great way to infuse some extra cash into your budget, especially if you need to pay off some debt or need capital to start a new business. Government grants total each year from $300 to $460 billion, and dont need to be repaid. Theyre available to anyone who applies to them " but how do you apply for a free government grant?

The bad news is that its not easy to secure a grant on your own. Often youll have to do extensive searches online, and even popping into government offices to figure out what you can apply for. The good news, however, is that there are a large number of grant kits available online. Most kits contain the same information: a CD to help you get started, and thousands of resources for different grants. Most will help you with the application process as well, but buying a grant kit does not automatically qualify you for any free money.

A lot of people question the reliability of grant kits, because they sound like a regular Internet scam. When you think about it, they have good reason: thousands of dollars for free, and you dont even pay $5 for it? As strange as it sounds, there are a lot of legitimate kits out there that provide you, for the cost of shipping, sources to obtain money set aside by the government.

Still, its helpful to know what grant kits are reliable. The grant review website is a website that keeps an updated list of trustworthy, free grant kits. You only need to pay for the shipping and handling costs, and in most cases youll pay under $3. The information is guaranteed reliable, and is reviewed on a regular basis to make sure the kits are up to date.

While the government is currently pouring money into corporations, there are still a lot of funds set aside for individual grants. If you need the money to start your own business, youre able to get it. Your best bet in most cases is to get one of these grant kits, which will give you access to excellent information on how to apply and successfully receive one of these grants.

About the Author:

Free government grants is a useful service to have, especially for the millions of people all over North America who are in a financial crisis. Getting a free gov't grant could mean the difference between something trivial as having extra money to shop or something more serious such as being able to pay for the roof over your head.

Mortgage Refinance 2008 Year End Numbers

By Sara Vlazny

Rising unemployment and what seems like a shrinking U.S. economy has strapped consumers looking for relief by way of Mortgage Refinance. Those seeking lower monthly payments on current Loans seem to be raising the number of applications. The current percentage increase for this week ending January the ninth, of 2009, includes both mortgage refinance and original loans, which is the highest combined, percentage increase since 2003.

The Index hit an eight year low with a 35.9% drop, in November of 2008, and The Mortgage Bankers Association has their seasonally adjusted purchase index showing a 14.1% drop, although applications for mortgage refinance have jumped by 25.6 percent. Mortgage applications helped the four week average by rising 10.8 percent last week alone.

Everyone is hoping the low mortgage rates will spike demand for new Mortgage applications, even though the purchase market shows slower growth than the refinance market. The Mortgage Refinance sector will show an increase in applications due to the weakening economy as consumers continue looking for ways to reduce their expenditures.

Mortgage Refinance jumped from 79.8 to 85.3 last week, which is the highest increase for the Refinance sector, solely, since 1990. Several factors including the climbing unemployment rate and its role in slowing the economy have contributed to shaky financial markets, keeping buyers from applying for mortgage finance.

The World is watching and waiting for positive change in a situation some have called, the worst housing downturn since the Great Depression. There seems to be little sign of recovery even with a significant rise in applications for Mortgage Refinance so it is hard to tell what is going to happen over the next 6 months to a year. We have to rely on Government proposals and plans for right now.

People will not be comfortable with the way the housing market shows instability, no matter how low the interest rates are, if job security is in question, it will directly affect income and individual ideas about spending. In order to benefit from low mortgage rates or a Mortgage Refinance, these factors have to be

The numbers for the day pertaining to The Index came in below a previous level from a year ago with a 35.9% drop and an eight year as of November of 2008. The Mortgage Bankers Association shows their seasonally adjusted purchase index has fallen 14.1% and we will see how soon it can make it back up.

Currently, 30 year mortgage rates in this Nation have dramatically declined. The Federal Government, prompted by the dive of the market, has been put in a position to keep consumers cost of borrowing down by buying $500 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities, announced in November of 2008, by The Federal Reserve. Rates may stay low for only a few months, so if you are looking at a Mortgage Refinance, now is a great time to lock in.

About the Author:

This article is brought to you by the experts at EFD Commercial Investments Inc. For more free information about loan refinance, visit their Mortgage Refinance page.

Mortgage Refinance Plus For 2009

By Sara Vlazny

Rising unemployment and what seems like a shrinking U.S. economy has strapped consumers looking for relief by way of Mortgage Refinance. Those seeking lower monthly payments on current Loans seem to be raising the number of applications. The current percentage increase for this week ending January the ninth, of 2009, includes both mortgage refinance and original loans, which is the highest combined, percentage increase since 2003.

Although the purchase market shows growth much slower than that of the refinance market, everyone is hoping the low mortgage rates will boost demand for new Mortgage applications. And for Mortgage Refinance, applications jumped from 79.8 to 85.3 the previous week, which is the highest jump for the Refinance sector alone, since 1990, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Everyone is hoping the low mortgage rates will spike demand for new Mortgage applications, even though the purchase market shows slower growth than the refinance market. The Mortgage Refinance sector will show an increase in applications due to the weakening economy as consumers continue looking for ways to reduce their expenditures.

Watching for any positive change in a situation where there seems to be little sign of recovery even with a significant rise in applications for Mortgage Refinance, it is somewhat easy to become excited about the refinance boom we are experiencing. But it does not alleviate the concerns surrounding the unemployment rate and economic upheaval.

The World is watching and waiting for positive change in a situation some have called, the worst housing downturn since the Great Depression. There seems to be little sign of recovery even with a significant rise in applications for Mortgage Refinance so it is hard to tell what is going to happen over the next 6 months to a year. We have to rely on Government proposals and plans for right now.

When the Federal Reserve announced its plan to buy approximately $500 billion worth of mortgage securities in November of 2008, that were backed by Fannie, Ginnie and Freddie, The 30 year mortgage rates in this Nation dramatically declined. And the Federal Government, prompted by the dive of the finance market, has committed to keeping consumers borrowing costs down by buying mortgage-backed securities. Rates may stay low for a few months, but the future of rates will not stay down forever. If you are looking at a Mortgage Refinance, now is a great time to lock in at a low rate.

The numbers for the day pertaining to The Index came in below a previous level from a year ago with a 35.9% drop and an eight year as of November of 2008. The Mortgage Bankers Association shows their seasonally adjusted purchase index has fallen 14.1% and we will see how soon it can make it back up.

Currently, 30 year mortgage rates in this Nation have dramatically declined. The Federal Government, prompted by the dive of the market, has been put in a position to keep consumers cost of borrowing down by buying $500 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities, announced in November of 2008, by The Federal Reserve. Rates may stay low for only a few months, so if you are looking at a Mortgage Refinance, now is a great time to lock in.

About the Author:

This article is brought to you by the experts at EFD Commercial Investments Inc. For more free information about loan refinance, visit their Mortgage Refinance page.

Your Debt Consolidation Question Answered

By Paul J. Easton

Most people are talking about debt consolidation as a way to get out of debt. What is debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation loan is one of many impressive solutions to getting out of debt. It is a personal loan you apply to pay off all of your debts, particularly on your credit cards. You can obtain it from a finance company, or debt consolidation company. This kind of loan is also accessible now with its growing demand from merchant association, banking institutions, or nonprofit consumer debt service.

A debt consolidation loan provides you with the way to effectively shift responsibility for many debts to one larger debt which is better to track. For added manageability, your payments are extended out over a more long-term period of time with smaller interests.

There are many gains of getting a debt consolidation loan. It offers direct answer to your debt problems like leaving you the convenience of paying only one creditor for monitoring your total debt and concentrating your attention on it. It also extends you a lower interest and thus a lower monthly bill.

With this simple procedure of loan consolidation, your monthly payment is fixed according to the lowest payment amount talked terms with the creditors. Your monthly payments will be remitted to the agency you hired. Your agency will then distribute the amount of your consolidated payment to your individual creditors with their agreed terms.

Your creditors will likely reduce their interest rates with appropriate negotiation, of course depending on your creditors' policy. Eventually, this can save you a big chunk of your balance because interest rates get diminished by a range of 5-12%.

Once you have got yourself in debt, it seems like a downward spiral from which you are most likely feeling helpless. This process of loan consolidation is a promise we can employ to regain our confidence back in our financial life. Definitely, it is a way to spare your credit and save your life. At once, bankruptcy is far from sight and you owe it to debt consolidation.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

The Benefit of Debt Management Consultancy

By Paul J. Easton

Debt management is a way of helping debtors having difficulty repaying their loans. It is the debt management consultants who come to their rescue on resolving their dilemma.

The role of a debt management consultant is to negotiate with his client's creditors. With negotiating, the main purpose is to make the debt much less of a burden. Your consultant will mostly likely negotiate with your creditors for reducing interest rate.

More over, a consultant will help you with options like consolidating debts so that you can now afford paying only monthly payments without much added interests or even taking another loan. Another advantage of a consultant when having a debt management program is that you are protected from any legal action taken against you by the creditors. In addition to that, many debt management companies even provide free consultation for credit counseling too.

The process of debt management consultancy starts with your consultant analyzing your current financial status. A detailed set of documents including all the statements of your debts will be studied for their technical expertise and appropriate solutions.

You can then proceed to discussing ways how to manage debts. You can get advices or you can decide to trust your consultant to notify all your creditors that your debts can be negotiated. You will be required to make scheduled payments each month to your consultant. In return, the company will then pay the creditors with the agreed terms.

Always deal with properly trained and certified professionals who have prior exposure to the industry. Hands on knowledge and experience on dealing with debt is essential in this situation as there a lot at stake. You cannot just trust your peace of mind with just anybody else.

Observe if your consultant has the confidence and the eloquence to exude excellent negotiation skills. Talk to him and explore every angle of his service and you can always back out if necessary.

With that said, go and pay for your debt management plan. It is a well-worth investment even if you are uptight with your budget right now.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Considering How to Buy a Home Wholesale

By Laeverneus Homebuysky

When you think of things that you can buy wholesale, houses are not necessarily at the top of the list, but the truth of the matter is that wholesale houses can go for bargain basement prices. A wholesale house is something that has a great deal to do with the nature of the sale, rather than the house itself, and you may be surprised at the quality of the houses that can en up being considered wholesale.

These homes can be purchased and then resold at retail to make a profit, for long-term investment or even to live in. There are many ways to buy wholesale houses, especially in the current economic environment. The key is to look for a motivated seller who is prepared to sell at a price significantly under market value.

Divorce is just one of the many reasons that people look to get rid of their homes fast. They may need the liquid funds to pay off debts or medical bills as well. In the event of a home foreclosure, lenders will sell the properties at low prices just to get some of their money back.

People wishing to avoid foreclosure may choose to sell their home themselves at a low price so that they get a quick sale but still end up with some money. When it comes to buying a wholesale house, cash is king. If you don't have to obtain financing, you can often get a good buy if the seller needs cash urgently.

Even if you don't have cash and need financing, you can still often enjoy the benefits of purchasing houses at wholesale prices. Just make sure that everything is in order with your financing so that there are no delays. Once you have decided the sort of home you want to purchase in the area you are interested in, you can begin to make enquiries with local real estate agents.

You will also find that searching online can make your search a lot easier. Look for foreclosure sales in your area whether you are looking at wholesale homes or properties, and you will find houses that are not listed anywhere else.

It can also be helpful to drive around the area you are interested in, taking note of suitable properties. For example, if a home looks structurally sound but uncared for, it could be an indication of a lack of funds and therefore an ideal wholesale house. Consider knocking on the door and making an offer for the home. You never know, you might be offering someone a financial solution at just the right time that will also get you a great buy. "Ask and you shall receive" is the foundation of wholesaling success.

Estates belonging to the recently deceased are another good way to get property. Lots of people who inherit homes don't want to keep them, and they are often willing to accept a low offer and a quick settlement if you pitch it just right.

The benefits of purchasing a home wholesale are numerous. Whether your intention is to add value to the home and resell for a profit, add it to your investment portfolio or live in it yourself, you will find yourself streets ahead financially from making the effort.

About the Author:

It is not difficult to find nice wholesale homes. You can buy houses wholesalein for a great price.

A Bigger Loan worth Doing

By Paul J. Easton

Getting a bigger loan to pay your debts? Why not try debt consolidation? A debt consolidation loan is one of many effective solutions to driving out of debt. It is a personal loan you apply to pay back all of your debts, especially on your credit cards. You can obtain it from a finance company, or debt consolidation company. This kind of loan is also accessible now with its rising demand from merchant association, debt pooling services, or nonprofit consumer debt service.

A debt consolidation loan provides you with the means to effectively shift obligation for many debts to one larger debt which is simpler to track. For added manageability, your payments are extended out over a more long-term period of time with lower interests.

There are many advantages of accepting a debt consolidation loan. It provides smart resolution to your debt troubles like leaving you the convenience of paying only one creditor for supervising your overall debt and concentrating your attention on it. It likewise offers you a lower interest bringing you a lower monthly bill.

Taking this move to consolidate your loans into one, your monthly payment is fixed according to the lowest payment total talked terms with your creditors. Your monthly payments will be sent to the agency you contracted with. Your agency will then distribute the amount of your consolidated payment to your individual creditors with the negotiated contract.

Most creditors will cut back your interest fees if your agency negotiated substantially, of course depending on your creditors' policy. Eventually, this can save you thousands of dollars because interest rates get reduced by an average of 5-12%.

When you see yourself gradually drowning in debt, it feels like a downward spiral from which you don't have any idea how to regain your composure. This method of consolidation loans is a hope we can employ to find our self-confidence in our financial life. Decidedly, it is a chance to save your credit and finally save your life.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Should You Do An Ira Rollover, 401k, Or Just Save More Money?

By David C Lewis, RFA

For most Americans who have not started planning for their retirement,401ks seem like a "good bet". A flaw in this approach is the investor's reliance on employer matching for the plan. This could cause an employee to rely too much on the employer and not contribute enough to savings. Nothing will give you a wake up call like using a retirement calculator. You can find them on the internet from a variety of places. Retirement planning is hard, and it isn't something you just throw together at the last minute.

Even when you use a professional adviser, the financial planning process can be difficult. There are just so many variable to consider: how much your retirement savings earn over the years and into retirement, how much debt you have, if any, at the age you plan to retire, and the quality of your health entering retirement are just a few considerations.

Government inflation of the money supply also means you have to account for inflation. That can be hard to do. There are many retirement calculators on the internet to help you though. What most of the calculators will show you, however, is that Social Security - for the most part - will not cover very much of your retirement. You will have to save a lot more money to have even a semi-comfortable retirement.

Recent history shows us that the economy will continue to grow, and with an inflation rate of about three to five percent, your investments are both growing and losing value at the same time depending on both of those rates.

Your parents and grandparents may have grown up in a time when a $50 a week wage was normal. Now, however, that's completely unrealistic. More than 50 years later, there is no way you could expect to live off $200 a week.

If you make $500 or $1,000 a week, you can expect a similar phenomenon when you retire. A retirement calculator will show that you should have a retirement nest egg close to $1 million dollars to retire comfortably in 20 or 30 years.

An online calculator showed that an adult starting with assets of $100,000 and adding $4,000 year to that would retire with almost $900,000 but end up broke by age 85.

Part of managing your existing income is being able to save money and still having access to it when you need it (sometimes hard to do inside a 401K), and still being able to invest for your retirement (though here, a tax deferral helps). Estimating your retirement income and expenses can be extremely difficult, however, there are many different sources of information and assistance available on the internet to get you started.

About the Author:

Author information: There is only so much information that can be covered in one article. If you would like more detailed information about any aspect of personal finance, please visit David's website.

Is A Credit Score Of 700 Actually Worth Going After

By Frank Froggatt

Isn't it peculiar that who we are is established on numbers?The same applies whenever we go down to the bank to apply for a loan or a mortgage if you don't have a score of at least 700 then you don't have a good score, and chances are you will run into troubles getting your desired money.

What though is a credit score? A credit score is simply a way of valuing an individual based on their past to find out whether they will be reliable enough to pay back the loan that they are asking for. Credit scores vary from person to person between the ranges of 340 to 850 the higher the better. When applying for a loan if your score isn't high enough, you can put money on the fact that you will be charged a higher interest rate if you even get approved at all.

You might think that this is an unfair scheme but in truth it is the only feasible way that a prospective lender can get a feeling for who you are and if indeed you are dependable.Whether you like it or not, you have to comply with them and sign the papers if you want the money.

In the US, many Americans have a good credit score.The cause of these good credit scores is the basics of not over spending and paying their bill on time.

But for those who don't score well, they have to find a way to make ends meet by cutting down on their expenses and paying these debts gradually..If this is you talk to your creditors first off and see if they are willing to work with you to get the debt paid off. If you've had a reasonable credit score and you don't want to see it destroyed then this is probably the best decision for you.

If you are packing a lot of extra charge cards you should get rid of all of them except for one .. You should keep the one that you have had the longest as this will look good on your credit score.

A frequently made mistake most often by people without a very long credit history is to open credit accounts unnecessarily. Try to use common sense when dealing with credit if you can't afford it don't get it.

If your credit score is just a few points from 700, look at the document and see if everything stated there is correct. You could very well find an error on your report that is enough to throw your score over that wonderful number 700. You can call the credit agency to tell them about it and send the supporting documents so an investigation can be done and this matter can be corrected.

To get a copy of your credit score, you can get in touch with one of these credit agencies namely Experian, Equifax or Transunion. Though the scoring system they use is different from one another, it states the same thing so you know what it is..Your report can vary widely over the span of a year so you want to make sure that you take advantage of the free yearly reports and find out what is there.

With the much coveted credit score of 700 or higher you most invariably qualify for the lowest interest rates available. You can use that low interest money in any way you choose be it for schooling, a mortgage, or even home improvements. Achieving this score is not an easy task, it takes dedication and hard work, you can achieve it just be wise and use good judgement.

Before you even go in to apply for a loan you should be aware of what your credit score is.If you are aware of your credit score when you apply there won't be any surprises after you fill out and submit the forms.

About the Author:

This piece was put together by Frank Froggatt an expert on credit and debt management. If you found this piece to be beneficial you can find more complimentary information on how to Correct Your Credit Report by visiting creditfixrepairreport.com Get your complimentary information now

What You Won't Believe About Identity Theft!!

By Linda Seamore

Want to protect your identity like the law officials do? You've come to the right place! You'll find out just how these identity theft criminals plot their scams.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, there were almost 12 million incidents of identity theft in the United States in 2006 at a cost of $6.3 billion to consumers. This alarming statistic has increased the alert level of many consumers; however most are still unaware of the specific tactics these identity thieves use. After an extensive interview, one notorious identity thief, revealed 4 misconceptions she used to separate you from your money.

Misconception # 1 All Identity Thieves Are Men

This is a very common myth that makes an identity thief's job so much simpler. One of the main issues is that the media portrays most identity thieves as men. In actuality, most criminals are fashionable and attractive females! You can steer clear from this deception, by closely monitoring your personal data with both women and men. According to researchers, both men and women let their guard down around women, more than they would with men. Remember, everyone is a potential identity thief. You don't have to become fearful that everyone you meet is a crook, but just be aware.

Myth #2: Placing Trust in Your Neighborhood Store Clerk or Restaurant Waiter

We understand this is probably one of the most difficult things to avoid, because we usually have to give our personal information at checkout or when the bill comes at the restaurant. Shockingly, some of the people who wait may have two jobs. During the day, they may work in the department store, and in the evening they take on a side job. This "side" job is sometimes a way to easily steal credit card numbers from their customers. It works like magic, because they have access to your credit card number in hand. If you really want to stay on top of this, you have to check your account statements. Keeping a journal of your expenses may be a good thing to help you monitor.

For example, check your statement when it comes in the mail, that way if you notice anything out of the ordinary, even if it's just $50, you catch it. Question: How long does it really take for a store employee to gain complete access to thousands of consumers' personal information? Answer: A very short time. Based on what our infamous identity thief has stated, most of the identity thieves take on jobs for a little while, and after they've collected the data they need, they are long gone sipping mojitos by the bay!

Mistake #3: Immediately Tossing Out Unopened Junk Mail

Whether you have good credit, great credit or terrible credit, it really does not matter. You will receive in a given month between 12 and 50 plus new offers each month to open new banking, credit accounts. The problem with this is that most of us are lazy. We fall in one of two categories. The first is a person who does not own a personal shredding machine and simply tosses the multiple credit offers in the trash or simply tears them in half and then tosses them. The second is the person who does own a personal shredder but has become too lazy to shred each and every piece of documentation sent to them.

Remember, the only thing a criminal has to do to get his/her hands on your personal data is go through your trash, and you become a victim. Having a hard time believing? Think about this, what are you usually doing at 3 in the morning? Well, let's think about what the trustworthy identity thief is doing. He or she is in your trash rummaging through, taking information and going home to fit the pieces to the puzzle. Hint: Once you get done shredding the documents, add some water to the trash bag before sealing it and then throw it away. Your information will be chopped to little pieces and wet and smeared, which leaves it illegible.

Misconception # 4 Sending or Receiving Mail from at Your Home

By now you are beginning to see the point. Identity thieves commit their crimes in several ways. They steal credit card payments and other outgoing mail from private or curbside mailboxes. In fact, according to our expert, some will go a step further and file a change of address form in the victims name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data. Here is a simple tip. First, drop all of your outgoing mail in a local United States Postal Service mailbox. Second, consider opening a P.O. Box. I know this seems inconvenient but to truly protect yourself, these are some of the preventative measures you must take to win the fight against identity theft.

The real problem is that there are so many opportunities to become a victim; you really need 24 hour protection. Stop trying to make it without help!

It's very difficult to protect yourself and your family, successfully, without help. Trying to do it alone can be worrisome and not very effective. It makes a huge difference when you have someone protecting you who has actually been through the storm! LifeLock is a company who has absolutely outstanding identity theft protection for everyday people.

When finding an identity theft protection service provider, make certain it has been recommended by law officials, and that the service will actually work in a real-life situation.

Identity Theft Protection and Identity Theft Prevention are serious issues. You can put an END to identity theft with LifeLock. LifeLock GUARANTEES identity theft will never happen to you. If you would like more information about identity theft protection, please visit lifelock.com.

About the Author:

Author Linda Seamore is a consumer advocate serious aboutteaching people how to protect their identity. After years of exhausting research, she stumbled upon LifeLock.com the industry leader in ID theft protection. Life Lock is a proactive identity theft protection agency, specializing in prevention of identity theft rather than just the reporting of it.

Annual Credit Report Review

By Samantha A. Bow

If you searched the web for a free credit report, you would find countless amounts of websites out there they claim they will get you your free credit reports. They have commercials and all sorts of ads all over the place. What is causing all these companies to want to give away something for free?

If you have signed up for any of these sites you probably found out that they aren't exactly free. Sometimes it's hidden well and other times it's easily found that they are going to charge you for something, if you're not careful.

Where they get is that after they give you your credit reports, they sign you up for a trial period of their credit monitoring service automatically. Something you will probably never want or need. Normally it's a 7 day trial period and if you don't call and cancel within that 7 days, your card will be charged. If you are wondering why they ask you for your credit card information, this is why.

I've heard people say that it's easy and you get the same thing when you sign up through this service than if you signed up somewhere else and didn't get put on a free trial. I say, why sign up for something and waste time entering your card information and calling to cancel the service when you can avoid that altogether?

Many people will say that you should always read the fine print carefully before you sign up for anything. This is true, but that doesn't make it right for a company to try to trick you. They should advertise their service right along with the free credit report. The free credit report should be the bonus, not the other way around.

Doing it this way, people will just get upset that they were charged for the first month and not give it a try otherwise. Who knows, they could have actually signed up for the service if they were offered it first.

Ultimately, you need to understand that some companies will use unfair marketing tactics. Always read the terms of service before signing up for anything online. If something says it is free and then asks you for your credit card information, find out why.

Sure, you could just get your free reports and then cancel the service, but there is a way to get it 100% free with no hassle. Just check out the link below to find out how.

About the Author:

Samantha can give you more information on an absolutely free instant credit report. Get your credit report and learn more about the effects of credit today.

One Card at a Time to Being Debt-Free

By Paul J. Easton

So, how do we actually pay off all our credit card debts? Let's guide you in a simplified plan to wisely get ahead of that credit card company.

Take a look at the interest rates on your credit cards, compare and analyze. Pick the one with the highest rate. That's the best starting point. Focus on working on that one card with the highest interest first. Getting through this hurdle will make it easier for the next ones to pay off.

Examine the spending you made on that card. Stop for a while paying necessary expenses using this card and use cash with paying those bills. The expense you have to make this time is just for the necessary ones like utility bills and the like. The wanted purchases, not necessarily the needed ones, can be bought after you have paid off this one card.

As a treat to yourself, you can buy something as a reward after every card is paid off. Since paying a considerable amount of credit card debt takes a bit of time, a reward can be more motivational than counterproductive. Of course, limit the reward to something not so expensive. We don't want another debt cycle.

After avoiding some expenses using your credit card, your debts are projected to reduce much faster with continued consistency in paying them off. Pay off that first credit card with the highest interest and just focus the rest of your savings for the month in that debt account. Just leave the other credit cards paid at minimum.

Then after paying that first credit card, take the next card with the highest interest rate. Direct all the focus you have for that previous card you are paying with all your savings to this next card. Send the regular monthly payment you used to pay that previous credit card (which is now paid off) with this second card's monthly minimum. In not time, this card will be done, faster than your first card.

Repeat the whole process with the rest of your card. You will be like an avalanche rolling downhill towards being debt free.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Mortgage Refinance Tips & Tricks

By Mijnadviseur

With current interest rates as low as just over 5%, refinancing your mortgage can be a good choice. However, banks and lenders currently have pretty strict policies and lending criteria, so it's not easy to get accepted.

If you go through the trouble to prepare for your mortgage refinance, you can vastly increase your chances of getting accepted by a lender. We will go over a few things in this article you need to know before getting a mortgage refinance.

Home prices are dropping and for sale signs are popping up left and right. For a refinance, it is oftentimes important to have equity in your home. If you currently owe more than your home is worth, getting a refinance is going to be tough. Lenders will usually ask for an appraisal before accepting a refinance.

The government has announced that there are plans in the making to help homeowners that are in a negative equity situation. The exact details of these plans have not been made public yet.

A lender also wants to know your income. If the income is not sufficient to do a mortgage refinance, equity will come into play. If you have little equity, you will have trouble getting accepted for a mortgage refinance. On the Internet there are many sites that can tell you what you can approximately finance with your current income. Be sure to take a look before applying.

Your credit score is also important. If you have very bad credit, it's not easy getting accepted for any loan or even a credit card. You will also be paying more than the average person with an average credit. If possible, try to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage refinance.

When considering a mortgage refinance, always look at the total costs of this decision. You have to know if the refinance is worth it. You will face some added costs when you decide to refinance, so know that you will be living in your home for another couple of years in order to recoup the costs.

About the Author:

Mijnadviseur is an institution that gives information about mortgages in English. It also writes articles about laagste hypotheek rente and oversluiten dure hypotheek in Dutch.

How To Get The Lowest Home Rates

By Dianne Logan

Even though an economy in recession has put almost all financial dealings to a minimum, it is actually the right time to get a home loan for many reasons. If you have been planning to buy a house, then this is definitely the best time to do so with house prices at an absolute low. Secondly, home loan prices have also dropped, and if you have a regular monthly income that can easily support a loan payment, then you can actually end up saving thousands of dollars in the long run.

However, it pays to remember that even cheap home loans often turn out to be extremely costly over a long term simply because they are taken for long periods of time, and you often end up paying an amount equal to or more than the principal as interest by the time you finish off your home loan payments. Taking all steps to ensure that you get the lowest possible home loan rates can therefore end up saving you loads of money by the time you finish off paying your home loan.

Some things that will help you get the lowest home loan rates are:

A Good Credit Score: If you live in the US, then you can actually bargain for good home loan rates if you have a credit score above 680. No matter what your credit score, there is always scope for improvement, so it is advised that you actually spend some time in improving your score before applying for a home loan. The easiest way of doing this is to get your free credit report from any one of the three agencies that provide it, and correct any errors that might be present, like a wrong address, or a default that has never happened etc. Also cancel all the credit cards that you hardly use and pay all your bills on time for a month or two. Then get another free credit report and when you are sure that your score has improved as much as it can, apply for a home loan.

Try To Avail Of A Scheme: There are a number of organizations in the US like the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration) and the Rural Development Services that tie up with various financial institutions and banks to provide citizens with low interest home loans. Before you apply for a home loan, check out whether you are eligible for any government assisted schemes, because if you are, you can actually save thousands on fees and interest on your home loan.

Shop Around: Due to a high level of competition among lenders in the current scenario, you might find that there is a huge variation in the home loan rates offered by different lenders to the same person. Therefore, make sure that you shop around properly before finalizing a home loan. Get free quotes from as many lenders as possible and compare them. Even if the interest rates seem similar, dont forget to check all the fees and payments applicable, because this is where a lot of unscrupulous lenders are making the big bucks. You will also find that online lenders will offer you better rates than brick and mortar ones, so give preference to one provided the firm is solid, honest and reputable.

About the Author:

Find useful information about Home Loans and Home Equity Loans at TalkingHomeLoans

Deal With Your Creditors Calmly

By Paul J. Easton

Dealing with your credit card debts can burn you out. It can truly ruin your personal life, your family, and your standing in the community. Dealing with debt can be very stressful. But dealing with the creditors is another.

You may be too far on the road of financial problems yet you can still deal your creditors with the same acts of grace and professionalism. The callers from the credit card companies or the collecting agencies may be rude or threatening, your way of correspondence to your creditors must always remain calm and relevant. Be brief and factual with your talk with them and always remain direct to the point.

Always have the impression of efficiency and trustworthiness. It must appear to them that you are fully knowledgeable and already decided with your situation.

The person in the opposite line you are dealing with is merely doing his or her job. The correspondence, which is done on behalf of the employer which is the creditor, must be always be business-oriented and tactful, especially from your part as the debtor. Always bear in mind that this is not personal so you must not let it become so.

As you would respond better to a calm personnel from any company of any product, this individual you are dealing with will respond better to a person who appears to be calm too. Act and speak believable and you will be believed to.

Appearing believable and calm can be hard especially if you know that you owe more than you can afford. Actually, your credit history is less important to the person dealing with your account now than your attitude at the moment of the call.

That cannot be implied that what you have done in the past has no relevance. However, acknowledging your current problems and trying your best to do your part can dramatically improve your relationship and situation with your creditors.

Reacting with anger or aggressiveness when you fail to keep your promises will only make your problems worse. Be prepared and speak with confidence. Confidence equates to responsibility. And make good of all those promises and this can be your first step in working things out in your favor.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Filing for Bankruptcy: Some Important Things That You Should Know

By Michael Geoffrey

It is not always easy to file for bankruptcy, which in many instances, is something that does not go down too well with a person though realizing that the law does offer you protection in case you do file for bankruptcy will certainly make things a little more palatable for you. So, before you go out and decide to file bankruptcy, there are certain things to take into consideration about how to file bankruptcy.

Remember that bankruptcy should only be turned to as an absolute last option. This is because bankruptcy will affect your credit in a seriously bad way for up to ten years.

Types Of Bankruptcy

Having decided that you are indeed going to file bankruptcy, you next need to consider two important types of bankruptcy that will prove useful to you in your endeavors and which will also come in handy for you regarding how to file bankruptcy.

Most individuals who claim bankruptcy choose to do so under chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some people who would like to file under chapter 7 are not able to due to BAPCPA. This forces some people to file under chapter 13 bankruptcy whether they like it or not.

It is also important to do thorough investigation on the various aspects of bankruptcy if you are seriously contemplating filing. Even though it might not be the most appealing choice, hiring a legal professional to assist you in the bankruptcy process may help you handle things in the best possible way. You should also investigate which lawyer or law firm you want to work with before making a choice.

After deciding which lawyer you are going to be working in conjunction with, speak with them about which chapter bankruptcy is right for you to file under. You need to know exactly what costs will be involved in your claiming bankruptcy. Besides the fees your lawyer will charge you, you will incur fees and charges related to the filing process.

The next thing you will learn about how to file bankruptcy is that you should make it a point to refer your creditors to your attorney who will act on your behalf, and after the attorney has filed bankruptcy, would mean an automatic stay that essentially means that no creditors may contact you regarding your debt.

About the Author:

Do you know how credit card reduction services can impact your credit score? There are some things you need to know before using these debt reduction services. Get the inside scoop on what you need to know on the Debt Smackdown website

Get A No Credit Check Loan

By Charles Dominick

Yes, it is imaginable to get a no credit check loan without any problems. The classic loan usually involves a elevated credit score or at least a decent one. And if you have bad credit then forget it, you will not get a loan for anything.

In this day and time it is crucial to offer a loan to a person with no credit check. This is great if you are in need of home improvements, buy a brand new or used car, start your own business, buying a house, etc. You may ask what is the contrast in a loan to a person with bad credit as apposed to a loan to a person using the no credit check routine.

It is very simple; the person with bad credit is going to pay a much higher interest rate than the person applying for a loan with no credit check mandatory. The no credit check loans usually have similar rates as traditional loans, which makes a nice blessing for you.

Just remember that when you are out looking for a no credit check loan to investigate the lender closely and make sure he or she is legitimate. There are also sources where you can get this type of loan online; just make sure to do a background check first.

Just recall that when you are out looking for a no credit check loan to check the lender intently, and make sure he is trustworthy. There are also sources where you can get this type of loan online, just make sure to do a background check first.

The most important element with a new loan is to make your payments on time. Frequently we get into a situation where we can not make the scheduled payment. If this happens, be sure to contact your lender and explain the situation to them. Financial power is right around the bend for you.

About the Author:

Read more about what the experts say about acquiring a No Credit Check Loan

Is it time to refinance?

By Peter Daas

Interest rates worldwide have dropped to all time lows. The national average interest rate for a refinanced mortgage in the US is around 5.5% right now. For homeowners, this means they could be saving serious money by refinancing right now.

Living conditions can be improved by refinancing and oftentimes, improvement of living conditions is in fact the goal of refinancing a mortgage. The money that is freed up can be used for a variety of purposes or financial goals. It can also be used to invest back into the house, by buying home improvement and increasing the value of the house.

These days, houses are not selling all that quickly. A couple of home improvements could mean the difference between selling and not selling at all. Also, if you are planning to sell at a later time, your house will increase in value because of the home improvement. Using money freed up by a refinance to buy home improvements could be a smart decision.

The process of refinancing can best be handled by an expert. Don't choose your lender based purely on the lowest rate, but look at the best mortgage for your situation. Choosing the right kind of mortgage will make you debt free, choosing the wrong type of mortgage will get you in trouble down the road.

About the Author:

Peter writes articles about mortgages in English. He writes articles about hypotheek advies and dure hypotheek oversluiten in Dutch.

Debt Consolidation Coupled with Credit Counseling

By Paul J. Easton

A lot of people around the world are losing their jobs and getting further in debt day by days. This is probably one of the most painful situations of our time and living with it can be very difficult.

Right now with everybody in despair, you are faced with debts from your home, your car, or your trip last year when times were still good. You might be contemplating right now of getting out of this debt situation. What should you do to take yourself out of this situation and get debt free? When will be the time again where you will become financially independent?

There are many options and one of them worth exploring is the credit card consolidation. This is assuming you have credit card debts in your list of liabilities. With so many products from various companies available today, getting help is more accessible. Or until you found out you are getting overwhelmed with all the information.

Attaining that financial freedom and getting out of debt starts with a simple step for your brain not to be overloaded with information. Start with a credit counseling program. Credit counseling is more than just a basic financial education.

After going through some preliminary counseling, there are so many reasons why you might need a credit card debt consolidation. One of the reasons to consider this method is because of getting better rates with interests on your debts.

Suggest an in-depth consultation with your counselor when trying out this option of credit consolidation. Ask if how much you can save with this method. Compare the list of all your interest rates of each credit card. Think of the advantages of getting your debt consolidated and compare it to the current debts.

In addition, take advantage of the credit counseling services. It will not only help your current debt crunch but will also help you plan your financial future. By planning your finances, you will set goals to better your situation today.

Most of the time, you will consult with your counselor and create a customized financial study. The counselor will also assist you in developing a budget for your needs and suited to your lifestyle. Following their suggestions, you are going to be able to get debt under your full control and soon attain that financial freedom.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Debt Consolidation offers you Convenience

By Paul J. Easton

The infamous debt consolidation loan is one of many impressive and convenient solutions to driving out of debt. It is a personal loan you use to pay off all of your debts, particularly on your credit cards. You can obtain it from a finance company, or debt consolidation company. This sort of loan is also accessible now with its growing demand from merchant association, credit counseling providers, or financial service groups.

This debt consolidation loan offers you with the means to efficaciously shift obligation for many debts to one larger debt which is simpler to track. For added manageability, your payments are spread out over a longer period of time with lower interests.

There are many benefits of having a debt consolidation loan. It offers smart resolution to your debt problems like leaving you the convenience of paying only one creditor for supervising your total debt and centering your attention on it. It likewise offers you a lower interest thus a lower monthly bill.

With the procedure of consolidating everything into one big loan, your monthly payment is determined according to the lowest payment amount talked terms with the creditors. Your monthly payments will be remitted to the agency you deal with. Your debt consolidation firm will then pay your creditors individually with the negotiated contract.

Most creditors will reduce your interest fees if your agency negotiated well, depending on the policies of your creditors. Most likely, this can save you a big chunk of your balance because interest rates get minimized by a range of 5-12%.

When you see yourself gradually drowning in debt, it feels like a downward spiral from which you don't have any idea how to regain your composure. This process of loan consolidation is a promise we can utilize to find our self-confidence in our financial life. Definitely, it is a means to keep your credit and redeem your life, in a convenient way. Today, bankruptcy is far from sight.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

How To Obtain Compensation From A Truck Accident In Court

By Chris Channing

The largest vehicles on the road belong to truckers, who power enormous rigs that are thousands of pounds in weight. When they get in an accident, it usually means bad news for the person on the other end of the truck. If you or someone you know has been that person, you are likely going to be entitled to a large reward via the legal system if you have been victimized.

Legal action can be brought against truckers who were in a wreck. Since trucks usually overpower a consumer's vehicle with relative ease, this results in the consumer being seriously hurt as a consequence. When struggling to pay medical bills that can total to unbelievable amounts, consumers should look towards the possibility of filing a claim against the truck driver.

Although the event of a crash is a very sad time for those involved, there is almost always blame to be put on the trucker in the incident. The trucker may be speeding, which is common as they have deadlines, or may have failed to keep up on maintenance of their vehicle. Truckers also tend to stress their body to its limits, and lack sleep- another dangerous act that can easily cause devastating accidents.

When filing a crash report, the police often do a good job in getting to the bottom of why the wreck occurred. If you are hurt, you shouldn't try to do so yourself, but do ensure that police did so once you are better. The details they find out are crucial in getting to the bottom of who was at fault, and who should be put to blame for the wreck.

If you have been in a trucker accident, the first thing to do once feeling better is to contact a lawyer, as you may be entitled to a large lump sum of money in return. If critically injured, medical bills may amount to as much as $100,000 or more, which goes to show that getting money from a settlement is incredibly dire to stay out of debt. If the consumer was at fault, the odds in receiving money are much less, and focus should be instead put on insurance carriers.

Most lawyers are able to cater to a truck accident case, but finding a specialized lawyer with much experience in the niche field is often the best choice for an almost-guaranteed win. They'll likely request a considerable sum more than other lawyers, but the benefit of having the best on your side is hard to pass up.

Final Thoughts

It's horrible to go through a truck accident and then have to pay enormous medical costs. To help ease the burden, start contacting lawyers in your area for more information on your rights, courses of action, and ultimately advice on where to go next.

About the Author:

Learn more on St Louis City Lawyers and Construction Accident Attorney.

American Express Charge Card Services History

By Graham Hawthorne

American Express executives discussed the possibility of launching a travel charge card as early as 1946, but it was not until Diners Club launched their card in March 1950 that American Express began to consider seriously the possibility. At the end of 1957, American Express CEO Ralph Reed decided to get into the card business, and by the launch date of October 1, 1958 public interest had become so significant that they issued 250,000 cards prior to the official launch date. The card was launched with an annual fee of $6, $1 higher than Diners Club, to be seen as a premium product. The first cards were paper, with the account number and cardmember's name typed. It was not until 1959 that American Express began issuing embossed ISO 7810 plastic cards, an industry first.

In 1966, American Express introduced the Gold Card and in 1984 the Platinum Card, clearly defining different market segments within its own business, a practice that has proliferated across a broad array of industries. The Platinum Card was billed as super-exclusive and had a $250 annual fee (it is currently $450). It was offered by invitation only to American Express customers with at least 2 years of tenure, significant spending, and excellent payment history.

In 1987, American Express introduced the Optima card, their first credit card product. Previously, all American Express cards had to be paid in full each month, but Optima allowed customers to carry a balance (the charge cards also now allow extended payment options on qualifying charges based on credit availability). Although Optima is no longer heavily promoted, Optima and Optima Platinum cards are still available on the American Express website. Today American Express offers a wide range of other credit card products including co-branded cards like the JetBlue Card and the Starwood Preferred Guest Card, as well as other credit cards promoting customer rewards like the Blue from American Express Card and the Blue Cash Rebate Card.

In 1994, the Optima True Grace card was introduced. The card was unique in that it offered a grace period on all purchases whether a balance was carried on the card or not (as opposed to traditional revolving credit cards which charge interest on new purchases if so much as $1 was carried over.) The card was discontinued a few years later; however, the currently-available One from American Express card offers a similar feature called "Interest Protection."

In 1999, American Express introduced the Centurion Card which is often referred to as the "black card," catering to an even more affluent and elite customer segment. The card charged a $1,000 annual fee at the time of its introduction (today, it is $2,500 with an additional one-time initiation fee of $5000) and offered (and continues to offer) a variety of exclusive benefits. There have always been rumors of a super-exclusive card that gives American Express' richest and most powerful customers special perks. It was this rumor that caused Amex to profit from the word-of-mouth and sparked the launch of Centurion.

The company made another addition to its products in 1999 by introducing Blue from American Express, which quickly became a popular card among young adults due to an appealing marketing campaign directed towards a youthful demographic. Based on a successful product for the European market, Blue had no annual fee, a rewards program, and a multi-functional onboard chip. A cashback version, "Blue Cash", quickly followed.

American Express also launched an exclusive agreement with Costco in 1999, replacing their earlier agreement with Discover Card. Under the agreement, American Express cards replaced Discover as the only credit/charge card accepted at the warehouse club in the US, and American Express became the first credit/charge card accepted at Costco's locations outside the US. To introduce Costco members to American Express, a co-branded cashback credit card was also introduced with no annual fee with a valid Costco membership. An added benefit of the agreement is that Costco membership fees can also be paid for with the card. At present, the consumer version of the card offers 3% back on gasoline & dining out, 2% on travel, and 1% on other charges. Business versions of the card offer similar benefits, with the gasoline benefit earning 5% back instead of 3%. The cash back rebate is issued annually as part of the February statement in the form of a rebate check which must be redeemed at a Costco location. The rebate check can be redeemed for cash, merchandise, or any combination thereof. The agreement was highly successful and was renewed in 2004 for an additional 10 years.

As of 2005, the US Centurion card has a $2500 annual fee, while other American Express cards range between no annual fee (for Blue the Blue Sky Canadian Credit Card and many other consumer and business cards) and a $450 annual fee (for the Platinum Card.) Annual fees for the Green card start at $95, while Gold card annual fees start at $150.

In 2005, American Express introduced Clear, advertised as the first credit card with no fees of any kind. It also incorporates the ExpressPay technology premiered with the Blue card. Also in 2005, American Express introduced One, a credit card with a "Savings Accelerator Plan" that contributes 1% of eligible purchases into an FDIC-insured High-Yield Savings Account. Other cards introduced in 2005 included "The Knot" and "The Nest" Credit Cards from American Express, co-branded cards developed with the wedding planning website theknot.com. They have also introduced City Reward Cards that earn INSIDE Rewards points to eat, drink, and play at New York, Chicago and LA hot spots. American Express began phasing out the INSIDE cards in mid-2008, with no new applications being taken as of July 2008.

Also in 2005, American Express introduced ExpressPay, a MasterCard PayPass clone, based on a wireless RFID payment method, that requires a card to simply be waved in front of a special reader and not swiped. This technology replaced the smart chip on the Blue card. Many U.S. merchant and restaurant partners including 7-Eleven, CVS/pharmacy, McDonald's, Regal Entertainment Group, and Ritz Camera, now offer ExpressPay at most or all of their locations. The technology was tested on the ski bus from Salt Lake City to local resorts.

In 2006, the UK division of American Express licensed the Product Red brand and began to issue a Red Card. With each card member purchase the company contributes to good causes through The Global Fund to help African women and children suffering from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

In 2007, American Express again raised the annual fee for their American Platinum charge cards, moving the Personal cards fee to $450 and the Business division to $395. With the increase, customers now receive four complimentary companion coach tickets per calendar year. Additionally, a long-rumored[citation needed] "relationship" fee of $5,000 to establish a Centurion card was added. The annual fee of $2,500 remains the same, however. In late 2007, they announced their new Plum Card as the latest addition to their card line for small business owners. The card provides a 2% early pay discount or up to two months to defer payment on purchases. However, the 2% discount is only available for billing periods where the cardmember spends at least $5,000. The first 10,000 cards began to be issued to members on December 16, 2007.

In late 2008, American Express announced they were discontinuing their "domestic companion airfare" program, which previously offered four complimentary companion coach tickets per year.

Some versions of the card include various features such as damage waiver on cars rented with the card, and accident insurance during travel bought with the card.

About the Author:

Graham Hawthorne writes for websites like http://www.bchighway.com/financial-planning/amex-blue-sky.html . His Articles are saturated with financial advice and controversy.

Debt Consolidation: Hope with Paying Debt

By Paul J. Easton

A debt consolidation loan is one of many effective answers to aiming out of debt. It is a personal loan you use to pay all of your debts, especially on your credit cards. You can obtain it from a finance company, or debt consolidation company. This sort of loan is also accessible now with its rising demand from merchant association, credit counseling providers, or financial service groups.

A debt consolidation loan offers you with the way to effectively transfer obligation for many debts to one larger debt which is simpler to track. For added manageability, your payments are distributed out over a more long-term period of time with lower interests.

There are many benefits of getting a debt consolidation loan. It offers immediate answer to your debt problems like leaving you the convenience of paying only one creditor for supervising your total debt and concentrating your attention on it. It also offers you a lower interest bringing you a lower monthly bill.

With this simple procedure of loan consolidation, your monthly payment is defined according to the lowest payment total negotiated with the creditors. Your monthly dues will be remitted to the agency you contracted with. Your debt consolidation firm will then distribute the amount of your consolidated payment to your individual creditors with their agreed terms.

Your creditors will likely reduce their interest rates with proper negotiation, of course depending on your creditors' policy. Eventually, this can save you thousands of dollars because interest rates get minimized by an average of 5-12%.

Once you have got yourself in debt, it feels like a downward spiral from which you are most likely feeling helpless. This process of loan consolidation is a hope we can take advantage with to recover our self-confidence in our financial life. Definitely, it is a means to relieve your credit and save your life. Now, bankruptcy is far from sight. Thank God.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Mortgages 101 For Home Buyers

By Evan Sage

A mortgage is an agreement between a lender and borrower where the borrower puts up a piece of real estate as collateral for a loan to purchase that property. There exist many different types of mortgages with many different options. Outlined below is a handful of different mortgage types and some of the options you may find.

A mortgage is considered conventional when the total loan amount is issued by an institutional lender (trust company, bank, etc.) and is less than seventy five percent of the purchase price or the approved value of the property. To put it simply when you put down twenty five percent or more as you down payment than you qualify for a conventional mortgage.

A mortgage is considered high ratio when you put down less than twenty five percent lesser of the purchase price or the appraised property value as a down payment. A high ratio mortgage must be insured, as required by The Bank Act.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is one of the institutions that is eligible to insure high ratio mortgages. The mortgagee risk is lessened as the insurance pays if the mortgagor defaults. Borrowers are required to pay an application fee, an insurance fee that is typically added to the principal amount of the mortgage, and the cost of a property appraisal.

The cost to insure a high ration mortgage can range from 0.5% to 3.75% of the mortgage amount, the insurance premiums are hefty and can include other administrative and appraisal fees in addition. To receive up-to-date restrictions, requirements and/or additional information that borrowers will need to meet to obtain NHA backing speak to your bank or mortgage broker.

It may potentially be financially beneficial to arrange a second mortgage instead of a high ratio first mortgage, as second mortgages fill the gap between the amount of the first mortgage and the total down payment. It may be advantageous to place a second mortgage on a home when the first is at a very attractive rate for situations like home improvements as they generally have a shorter term and higher interest rates than the first.

Many fees can get reduced or waived if you assume an existing mortgage so it may be to your advantage to look into any opportunities such as these that you come across. If a vendor has an existing mortgage that aligns with your overall financing requirements you may find yourself benefiting in more ways than one.

By Assuming existing financing, legal fees and appraisals are lessened, and the vendor may save by not having to pay a penalty for discharging his or mortgage. As most buyers find low interest rates enticing, existing mortgages are a good way to go, though one will likely still have to qualify as a borrower by the lender.

A low interest rate and liberal pre-payment privileges in combination with negligible fees make vendor take-back mortgages very enticing. They can be issued as a large first mortgage or a small second as the homeowner is the one who offers the financing themselves.

About the Author:

Evan Sage is an award winning Toronto Real Estate Agent specializing in working with clients who are downsizing their homes in Rosedale, and Lytton Park. Evan instills in his clients the confidence to make the right purchase or sale decision. He achieves this by demonstrating a superior knowledge of Toronto real estate and by educating his clients.

Paying the Minimum is Not the Right Way to Start

By Paul J. Easton

Getting rid of debt, especially with credit cards, is simpler than you think. It only requires a bit of discipline from your end.

The first step in getting started with eliminating debts is simply avoiding debt totally. This requires you to stop any new spending using your credit cards and, most importantly, finding yourself getting over that impulse to purchase unnecessary objects to end up collecting dusts in your closet.

This takes us to the next step to examine all of your past and current spending. Getting over that impulse might be easily said than done but it starts somewhere to finally realize that spending with a purpose is practically more important than your shopping spree every now and then.

Find out by the numbers how much money you can set aside towards paying off your credit cards if you become conscious with your purchases. Then, when all is done, it is time to finally start paying off that debt.

Credit card companies generally offer minimum payments ranging from 2 - 2.5% of the current outstanding balance. With the current balance of $1,000, you can simply pay a minimum payment of $20 - $25 for the month. Seems pretty convenient and easy, right?

Let's break it down to the details. Your $25 minimum payment goes mostly to the interest on the balance. The tiny amount left after then interest will go to pay off the actual balance. That is if it is still significant enough to really deduct something to your balance.

After doing this for a few months, check back on your statements. The minimum payments will probably take you, in the example of $1000 balance, about 50 months or so to pay off that balance. That's over four years of paying a $1000 balance. In details, you pay a sizeable amount in interests alone giving a huge profit for the bank. Now, is it still convenient and easy?

This only concludes that paying the minimum is not the right place where you want to start if you want to get debt free soon.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

What It Takes To Find The Right Online School

By Michael Fleischner

There are a number of ways to complete your education today. Getting a degree can happen via the traditional route or through an online institution. Many colleges offer online learning as well as those which are 100 percent online. The only difference is that online universities may not require any on campus activities.

Going to school online requires that students are comfortable with doing assignments and learning online. Additionally, they need to be disciplined and do their work in a structured way. Unlike sitting in a classroom, online universities require students to log on to access work and assignments.

Selecting an online program is easy if you know how to search and what to look for. Start your search by doing an internet search for accredited universities. This means that the school's curriculum has been approved by an accrediting agency. This is important if you ever wish to transfer or have your credits count towards another degree.

After starting your search, focus on the area for which you want your degree. If you are looking for an online degree in culinary, then dont seek out schools with only one offering. There are online schools that specialize by discipline. Your best bet is to find a school that has a strong program in the degree area you want.

Once you have narrowed your list of online programs that meet your criteria, begin to determine how long it will take you to complete the program. Also, what are the specific requirements you have to meet to graduate. Finally, determine the costs associated with the online degree you are seeking.

After your research is complete, its time to start the application process online. Completing school applications take some time so be sure to begin well in advance of any deadlines. Online schools are sometimes more flexible with admission dates but you should be well aware of class schedules. Making mistakes on your application could delay the process so be careful when completing your work.

After completing the application process, your classes will be based on a semester or given time frame. Make sure that you have received all of your materials, schedules, and answers to any questions you may have about completing classes online. You really want to be comfortable with the process of learning online before you begin.

A good computer and reliable internet access is a must for any online student. Those who teach online courses are not all that lenient when it comes to excuses about computers and internet connections. If your computer is reliable and you can log on, then you should be present for all assignments and online activities. By doing so, you virtually guarantee your online success.

About the Author:

Are you looking for help in choosing an online school? Go to the Student Loan Consolidation Blog for a FREE report on paying for your online degree and finding a school that can help you achieve your online learning goals.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Consolidation?

By Amy Nutt

Debt consolidation is something that people turn to when they are unable to make their monthly payments on their unsecured debts. These debts include personal loans, credit cards, and anything else they owe money on that did not require collateral when the credit was extended. While this sounds great, there are some advantages and disadvantages that you must be aware of when you take out a debt consolidation loan. This is so that you can determine whether or not this is the right move for you to make.

The advantages

The advantages are quite obvious. If they weren't, so many individuals would not turn to debt consolidation as a way to get themselves out of debt. The advantages are:

- Instead of paying many monthly payments on your unsecured debt, you are only paying one payment per month. - The interest rates are lower, but it is possible that the long-term debt may not be reduced. - If you compare the amount of a debt consolidation loan payment and the amount of all of the individual payments that have been made each month, the debt consolidation loan payment is cheaper. - There is only one creditor involved instead of multiple creditors.

These are fantastic advantages in that they make debt consolidation seem like a wonderful idea. However, it is also a good idea to be aware of the disadvantages because these can alter your decision regarding debt consolidation. Then again, they may not alter your decision at all.

The disadvantages

There is something to be known about debt consolidation loans. Although the debt that has been paid off by these loans are unsecured debts, the consolidation loan must be secured. This means that the loan is secured by an asset such as your home or a piece of property that is the same value as the loan. This means that defaulting on the loan could result in you losing that piece of property. If the asset is your home, then that means you will lose your home if you do not make your loan payments.

And although the interest rate is lower, the loan is for a longer term. Having a longer term loan means paying interest for a longer period of time. This can cost more money by the time it is all said and done. However, it also depends on how much your interest was on credit card debts. Sometimes, an individual can have a debt consolidation loan that could be paid off quicker than a credit card with a higher interest rate. It simply depends on your individual debt on whether or not it will actually cost you more in the long term.

There are, however, some disadvantages that you can avoid. Those disadvantages are:

- Closing your accounts after paying them off can hurt your credit report because the more unused credit you have, the better. This means keep them open. - Many individuals feel that they can use their credit accounts after paying them off. This simply increases debt. Leave them open, but don't use them.

Are they for everyone?

The truth is that debt consolidation loans are not for everyone. People must take into consideration the debts they are paying off, their ability to pay the loan, and if they can afford to lose the property that they would put up as collateral on the loan. For some individuals, it may be the right move to make. For others it can be a huge mistake. That is why it is important to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages and see if you can deal with the disadvantages. If you can, then you are a candidate for a debt consolidation loan.

About the Author:

Credit Counseling Services teaches consumers how to budget, get out of debt, and use credit wisely. Offers a variety of unbiased debt counselling services and alternatives to help people get their debts under control.