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Monday, January 12, 2009

Reverse Mortgage Money Now Accessed for Investments

By Diogie Vanrock

It comes as no revelation that the market is down some 33 percent since this time last year. Of course lots over 62ers have their money here and many are beginning to call me on the phone.

What they want is to tap into the equity in their home with a reverse mortgage. I'm not one of those loan officers that believe a reverse mortgage is good for everyone. It's not.

Most importantly they must have a desire to stay in their home for an extended period of time. This is vital because the cost to get a reverse mortgage is not conducive for a short term mortgage

As the borrower stays in the home for longer periods the less pricy the loan becomes as we determine the cost of money on an annual percentage.

It's pretty clear to see a certain level of panic as some of these folks have lost much of their all important nest egg. Now they want money to reinvest.

That which is really palatable now is that rates are so low. In particlular the adjustable rate, with a line of credit option, is quity low.

For the week of January 6 to January 12 the rate on the adjustable is well below 4%. If we look at this loan over the last 15 years, it's average is around 6%.

As a loan officer I'm not required to represent my customer's best interests. However, as an ethical person I do my best to discuss the costs as opposed to the return the customer will receive by investing reverse mortgage money.

They cannot expect the low rates to hold up forever and must consider these rates driving up to their average level.

Many in the marketplace are taking the position that rates will be low for some time with so much pressure to keep them low.

The powers that really want to keep rates low are the major companies. The want to be able to borrow at low interest rates. Do they shape policy? Of course.

We'll have to see. My concern for some of these people is that some of these folks are not taking into consideration to true cost of getting this money to make their investments.

The investment best have a pretty good return because it isn't just the rate but the cost of getting the reverse mortgage must be factored in as well.

What is the Perfect Reverse Mortgage Borrower

By Kablamn Vanrock

As a mortgage professional working only with reverse mortgage customers, I am constantly contacted with a myriad of different scenarios. Some are true potential customers, some should think of other options.

I'm not in the business of making a big magnet of myself and trying to get all of them to work with me. The fact is some simply shouldn't, and I tell them so.

It's a bad option for some, a okay option for others, and great option for the remainder. Let's talk about the great ones today.

One of the most important things I like to cover are really two things: Closing costs and length of the mortgage. I want to know the lenght of time the client expects to live in the home.

So, this goes to the questions of the "cost of money". In other words how much is it going to cost this person or couple, over time, to get this loan to solve whatever financial issue they want to solve.

Of all responses i prefer them to say something about being carried out in a box. From a reverse mortgage perspective, from the customer's viewpoint, this is best as the cost to money gets less and less as the lengh of the mortgage extends.

When getting a reverse mortgage you will receive a disclosure which discusses how the costs reduce as the loan length increases.

The disclosure gives snapshots of the annual cost of the mortgage over various years. You'll see how cost reduces over time.

Along with a long mortgage period the best reverse mortgage customers are those without the ability to add income to a financial situation which is already under water.

Fixed incomes play an important role in making up the perfect reverse mortgage customer.

The third identifying trait of the a great reverse mortgage customer is the that of wanting to enjoy the rest of their lives rather than necessarily sacrificing the rest of the their lives for the kids inheritance.

Many have a mind set that they must leave something to the kids. It's vital to them. The reverse mortgage is a financial tool that allows a mortgage without paying monthly. Interest tacks on to the mortgage which doesn't normally give this group warm fuzzies.

So, we want 3 vital traits to come up with a perfect candidate: 1. Staying until death 2. Fixed income which doesn't cover their needs 3. The desire to use the equity of the home on their lives rather than their kid's lives.

Considering Credit Counseling?

By Rob Kosberg

If you considered repairing your credit yourself, but decided that this was not for you, a credit counseling agency may be your choice. Sometimes you may be feeling so guilty and emotional about your debt and poor money management that you have to get help from someone else.

If you choose to take the professional route, you also need to be very thorough in you investigations of the third party options available to you. The public is bombarded with paper media and online information about credit repair. Beware of a lot of this information. Many of these almost unbelievable claims are just that "unbelievable."

If you are going with the third party option, you will need to conduct a serious investigation of the agencies you select for consideration. There is some basic information that you are going to require prior to selecting an agency to meet your needs. Shop and compare.

There will still be more research needed before you will be ready to choose your agency. You will need to know what is "must have" information. You should get information from more than one agency. Comparison shopping is definitely in order.

Information about services provided, cost structure and time frames should be provided to you without any knowledge on the company's part regarding your financial situation.

Once you are satisfied with an initial contact, you can ask further questions such as how the procedure will affect your credit reports, how the agency provides assistance with debt management, how does the agency inform you of their activities and does the company offer other money management services.

One of the most important questions to be answered is: what are the agency fees? Some will ask for large amounts of money upfront and large monthly fees. If you can't afford all your debt payments, how will you afford agency fees? Be careful that you don't get into a long, drawn out repayment situation because of charged fees even if the agency claims to be nonprofit.

Your reward for doing all this preliminary searching will be that you will locate an appropriate credit counseling agency to match your needs.

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Having A Great Credit Score Is Fundamental

By Mark Cunningham

A healthy credit score is principal in our financially driven order. This count tells creditors, employers and business organizations that a individual is dependable and pays their accounts on time. This type of data is in use in all walks of life. Most individuals don't recognize that Receiving a good credit history can aid them with employment opportunities, applications for credit cards, buying a new house or even a new automobile.

To be able to buy a new motorcar or home, an individual must have a good standing in their credit history. If you have damaged your credit history recently, then you must take measures to repair the trouble rapidly. This will enable you to use your credit card to purchase luxury items like holidays. There are free ways to finding this information without too much work.

Each individual can find out exactly what their credit scoring is when they locate free business organizations on the web. There are businesses that will provide people with their credit score for free on an annual basis. After a few simple questions that the person would surly know off the top of their head, they can view their credit marking and any outstanding debts they may have. If an person sees that they have horrible credit or the credit marking will not allow them what they desire, there are various methods to remedy this situation.

The first step an person needs to do to have a higher credit grade is to pay off old debts. Even if this was for 10 years ago, it will assist in credit individual's credit scoring immensely. Once the accounts are totally wiped clean, an person can begin obtaining a no credit or bad credit Master Card or Visa. This will be helpful for a individual to begin acquiring a fabulous credit score and be able to buy their dream house or vehicle.~This can help a person to increase their credit grade, which will enable them to purchase a new automobile or their dream home. Paying off any old bills] will aid a individual increase their credit mark and aid them to buy luxury items on the credit.

It doesn't take too long to damage your credit rating, but it can take a number of years to get your credit grading back. Begin by purchasing one or two items on the new card and then paying it off instantly. Once you have shown your credit card business that you can pay off the balance rapidly, they will increase the amounts you can spend and at the same time step-up your credit rating.

Everyone has problems like this in their lifetime. Paying your accounts for a couple of months may be a trouble. All Of A Sudden your credit history starts to fall, this is when many people have problems with debt. There are methods to ensure that each individual can gain a fabulous credit marking once again. One or two bad months out of life does not need to detour a individual from finally acquiring excellent credit for the things they desire in life.

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401K IRA

By Raul Dutton

Planning for retirement is a vital part of life. No one wishes to be dependent on their loved ones for financial support when they are older, and no one wants to work until the day they die.

There are lots of different retirement plans that people use to avoid that. The two we will descuss now are IRA and 401K.

IRA 401K Almost all companies offer a 401k plan to their employees. In most cases, they will match your contributions 100% for a specified number of years or total amount.nThey have their reasons.

They are required by law, to keep x amount of liquid dollars to back up the benefits they are offering to their employees. By encouraging you to contribute to the 401K they get more money on hand to claim.

Also, they get to earn more money from the money you contribute to the fund whether by investing in the market or using in their own business. So when it comes time to pay it back to you, they will be paying you back with mostly your money and the earnings from the money you contributed.

An IRA is an Individual Retirement Account. This is an account created by the government to encourage people to start investing for their own retirement rather than relying completely on the 401k plan their company offers or the Social Security system. By encouraging us to plan for our retirement, they ease the strain on the Social Security.

Since their are so many types of IRA's, it may be difficult to decide which is the best for your plan. Discuss your retirement goals with a financial advisor and they can help you see which is the right one.

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Benefits of Buying a San Antonio Home

By Jin Kim

A lot of people when they are thinking of buying or selling a home will do so when spring comes around. However, if you are looking to buy a home whether it be in San Antonio or any other US city and looking for some great deals it is worth considering buying at the end of the year instead. There are various reasons for why you should be seriously considering buying a San Antonio home before the year ends.

Below we look at some of the benefits to be gained from you deciding to buy your San Antonio home at the end of the year rather than waiting until the spring.

Benefit 1 - If you are in a position where you can close the sale by the 31st December then when you next file your income tax return you can deduct the mortgage interest payments, the property taxes and points from the loan from it. Plus you have the chance to take away any interest costs associated with the home equity loan you have. This will mean in the early years of repaying the loan you will not pay so much interest on it.

Benefit 2 - A person who is trying to sell their home may be more motivated to do so by year end as they benefit from tax savings as you do when you buy. A person who is looking to sell their home before year end is going to be more willing to negotiate a price that means that they get the property sold. Currently because of the financial climate this is definitely a buyer's market so getting your ideal home may prove a lot easier than you first imagined.

Benefit 3 - If you are thinking of buying a new constructed home then yearend is a good time to do so as many builders will provide buyers with incentives to do so. They will often provide additional items in to the sale price to ensure that they complete the sale of the property before year end.

As we have shown in this article there are plenty of reasons why it is worth considering purchasing a San Antonio home or any home for that matter elsewhere before the end of the year. Certainly with the way the real estate market currently stands you may find yourself getting your dream home a lot more quickly and easily.

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Learning How To Consolidate Student Loans

By Glen Stroude

Many college students are often saddled with multiple debts due to financial assistance required. This can result in a potentially dangerous situation before or after graduation. These students might end up being overwhelmed by the debts they have to pay off even before they have seen any realized income.

It is not the end of the world though for any student facing such a scenario. There are ways to overcome this and come out of it stronger and in a better financial state. It will take some time and patience to do so, but the results are well worth the effort.

One of the main methods to improve the financial health of a student with several loans is to consolidate them. This is not much different from the debt consolidation methods offered by most credit counselors. The difference is only in the technicalities that are in place for school-goers.

How does debt consolidation for a student work? The multiple loans are put together into one main debt by the credit company the student chooses to work with. The company will then liase with the previous individual creditors that own the student's loans.

The individual creditors will deal exclusively with the credit counselor instead of the student. The loan is then repaid over a contracted period with the student, using the offered interest rate. This is where the best part of consolidating student loans comes into play, with interest rates given to students extremely low.

Immediately, two benefits can be witnessed in the favor of the debtor. First, the student will know have to provide a lower monthly payment as a result of the consolidation process. Second, lower interest rates mean a total lower interest payment over the long run, when compared to having to service multiple loans.

Lower interest rates are given to students who decide to consolidate their debt for logical reasons. Most students do not have an income, and servicing their loans in this manner will be more manageable. It also reduces obstacles for individuals who wish to pursue further education.

Finally, it is crucial to consider consolidating your student loan debts before the grace repayment period ends. This is so that the credit counselors are in a position to give lower rates. These will have to be raised after the grace period, as their risk position increases as a result.

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Thrifty Spending

By William Blake

In order to live a thrifty life, you need to know more than just that you need to save money. It is also essential that you spend your money wisely. Consider the following ideas about what a frugal person can do with the money that they have worked hard to save.

Make a list of your needs, wants and desires when it comes to your finances. Include any estimates that you may have (or use guesstimates if you have nothing tangible to go on). Be sure that you number them in the order of importance. Then start tackling your dreams one at a time.

Paying more than the minimum payment on your mortgage each month or even just making one additional payment each year could mean that your mortgage gets paid off in half the time that it would if you always paid the minimum. Doing so will also save you lots of money in interest. When you make such additional payments, make sure that the money is being deducted from you loan's principal. Once you have the mortgage paid off, you can use the money you were accustomed to spending on that on whatever else you want.

Money you have been saving can be spent on home repairs and projects that you have long wanted to do. Some such projects might be simple, do-it-yourself jobs while others will require that you hire a professional. Money spent on making your home more beautiful will certainly be well spent.

Buy a newer pre-owned car. Even if your current vehicle is in good condition, you can get a newer pre-owned one. Your old car can be donated to a church, charity, or friend. Remember, though, that a newer car will be charged more in insurance payments.

Go on a dream vacation. If you plan your trip during the off season, you will be able to do more with less money and thus enjoy your vacation even more than you normally would.

Even though been frugal does mean saving money in case of unexpected costs, it also important to enjoy the benefits that come from working hard to save your money. Thrifty people should also save some money with the intention of using it to enjoy themselves in some special way.

Using the money that you have saved to congratulate yourself will be a great boost to keep on saving and living frugally.

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Common Types of Bad Credit Loans

By Trinity Preston

If you are someone with bad credit, you might think that borrowing money is no longer an option. Maybe you've even been told that you are too risky to lend to. If this is the case, you might be surprised to learn that there are several common types of bad credit loans available.

If you want to know the most common type of bad credit loan, it is probably the personal loan. Personal loans are usually issued in smaller amounts and on a short-term basis. They are sometimes referred to as payday loans because they help get you money before your payday, but you usually need to pay it back by the next paycheck.

Another kind of bad credit loan is a student loan for school. Most school loans are backed by the government. This means that if the borrower defaults on the loan, the government will continue to make payments to the lender. This makes it a lot less risky for lenders to issue loans to people with bad credit.

If you plan to attend college, but you think you won't be able to get a loan because you have bad credit, a Federal school loan is still an option. These types of loans are considered bad credit loans because you can qualify for them if you have bad credit or even no credit at all. The government backs the loans making it less risky for lenders to loan to people without a good credit history.

Really, the main advantage to a secured credit card is to help you build your credit. By establishing a card in your name and making your monthly payments on time, you will improve your credit score. So even though secured credit cards don't really make any more money available to you, they are helpful for building a positive credit score which in turn will help you qualify for other loans in the future.

It is true that if you have bad credit there are a lot of loans you probably won't be able to qualify for. But borrowing money and improving your credit by paying back in full and on time is not a hopeless cause. There are bad credit loans available to help you accomplish your goals.

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Wondering What Day Trading Is? Here's How To Get Started

By Sam Lockwood

Day trading is one of the many possible ways to profit by buying and selling stocks. It uses the volatile nature of the market in a single day. Since the current market is seeing some of the widest daily swings since the late 1990s, it's a great market for day traders!

Day trading can use short selling to profit from stocks even if indicators say that the prices are dropping in the near future. In every case, day traders will be working through brokers, and they'll have to watch two major indicators. These indicators are the TDISC and the NDIX. At the beginning of a given trading day, these indicators will tell you a lot about what's going on in several exchanges. They're sensitive to volatile markets. When markets are going down, the TDISC drops by more than two thousand ticks in a very short time. When markets are rising, the NDIX increases by the same in under a half hour of opening.

The rapid fluctuations that can happen over the course of a single day are what day traders use to make their money. They have to buy and sell quickly. That's why day trading is both a great way to make a big profit and a fast way to lose it all. You're never buying for the long term, so it can be tempting to buy lots and skip researching. You might get lucky trying this, but most of the time it doesn't work.

Day trading really is a job, rather than a passive income source. If you're thinking about starting it, you need to have the right training. This could come through an online course or a seminar. No matter how you learn about day trading, you need to be able to get into it with your eyes open.

In addition to basic knowledge, you will also require a brokerage account. After all, one of the big tricks for day trading is short selling. This is when you borrow a share of stock from the broker you work with, then sell it right away. You're planning to buy another share to give back to him with it comes due. When the price of stock goes down, you make a profit. Time things correctly and read the market right and you'll find things working out well. You can also move larger amounts using leverage.

The opposite of short selling is deciding to borrow or buy a share of stock at one price, then selling it the same day for a higher price.

Day trading means you're going to need good observational skills and incredible nerves. You also have to be willing to have a short memory. That's so that you can stare losses in the face without stressing out or going into a panic.

Now, it is possible to do day trading from home and to do well at it. Use the right programs and tutorials to find out everything you can, and make sure all trades are executed according to a careful plan. Be sure to get them done before the last half hour of the trading day in your market, as well.

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Timeshare Relief " The One and Only Way

By Bobby Kip Hernandez II

Are you a timeshare owner looking for some timeshare relief? No matter the reason, getting rid of a timeshare right now can be be a real nightmare! There are plenty of ways that seem like possible solutions to your timeshare problem, but especially in this economy, many of them frankly do not pan out. So, go with a sure thing on your first try and stop wasting valuable time and money.

Timeshare relief can sometimes be near impossible when trying to go it alone. On the other hand, agents in general simply do not live up to their promises. Unfortunately, many charities are turning down offers of timeshare donations because they do not want to become tied down with the associated maintenance fees. Given the bleak prospects of charities being able to sell under the current financial situation, these fees cannot be tolerated.

There are more and more developers who are renting their unused timeshare inventory for less than owners' annual maintenance fees. This discovery has outraged a great deal of owners. First, the resort itself competes against the owners for renters with discounted rates. Secondly, owners are forced to lower their rent to match offers. Lastly, when you take into account the fact that people can rent significantly cheaper than they can buy, it makes sense that selling a timeshare is a problem.

Similarly, you will find that even people who like the idea of timeshares aren't buying them anymore. With the downturn in the economy, traveling is quickly becoming a luxury. While we travel to see relatives and loved ones, we are forgoing the leisure destinations. Therefore, across the board, owners are trying to get rid of their timeshares. Competition for the rare buyer is fierce. Unless you can offer something that thousands of others do not, you will not get a deal.

There is still some hope however, even if you have previously tried to part with your timeshare without any success. How? There are some reputable timeshare transfer companies which are willing to offer you needed relief by transferring your timeshare out of your name, thus saving you a lot of time, money and stress. Furthermore, the top companies will even go as far as offering you a guarantee once you've agreed to the transaction going ahead.

Sure you paid for your timeshare and it breaks your heart having to dump it. But, if you are honest with yourself, you should agree that there are few reasons, if any, to keep a timeshare that you are not likely to use. By parting with it now, you will save yourself both time and money as you will no longer be responsible for maintenance charges. If your timeshare ownership causes you unnecessary stress and worry, make it a priority to find a reputable timeshare transfer company without any further delay.

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Finding Cash Advance Loans Online

By Trinity Taggart

If youre not going to be paid for a while and you have bills to pay, youre probably trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Dont be embarrassed " almost everyone finds themselves in need of a loan from time to time. Unexpected expenses can cripple almost anyones finances. Sometimes a quick cash loan makes sense and can help you to get by for a few weeks.

Finding extra funds is quite easy in today's world, thanks to the internet. There are tons of companies that you can find online that will provide you with this type of loan. The application process can be completed online and you can receive your funds within about one business day.

Once you decide that this type of a loan will be useful to you, you can have the cash in your hands quite quickly. At this point, you will need to start a looking for a lender. The best thing to do here is use a company that youve already heard of, or a company that a friend or family member has used.

Once you have decided on a lender, you will fill out an application. Most of the time, the lender will then contact you. Before you decide to seal the deal, make sure that you read all of the documentation that is available. This will protect you from getting into something that you didn't expect.

Once approved, the lender will deposit the money into your account. You are then responsible for repaying the loan within the time frame agreed upon. These loans often have terms of two to four weeks. Make sure that you know exactly when your loan will need to be repaid.

In order to avoid a lot of extra fees, make sure that you don't get in over your head. Take out a reasonable amount and make sure that you pay it back on time. This will save you a lot of money in fees.

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Learning How to Use a Civil Service Retirement Calculator

By William Blake

When retiring from the civil service there is a system for figuring what your retirement benefits will be. The Civil Service Retirement System can be complicated to understand. There is a program available that allows you to plug in your personal information, such as total number of years service and your pay rank and it will calculate what you can expect in retirement benefits.

Just as with any retirement calculator, the civil service retirement calculator can not determine precisely what you annuity payments will be. But it can give you a close estimate on what you can expect and can give you information on survivor benefits and annuity with survivor benefits that may apply in your case.

An explanation of how the federal government formulates their calculation

There is a specific formula used to calculate the civil service retirement abbreviated as CSRS. However, because of the complicated nature of it, most people use a civil service retirement calculator that will give you a better estimate. The civil service retirement calculator does not use a 365-day calendar. The civil service retirement calculator uses a 261-business day calendar that credits the number of unused sick leave time that you have and applies it to your years of service.

The Survivor Benefit is a civil service retirement calculator item that goes to your spouse if you are married. Your spouse is awarded fifty five percent of your Basic Annual Annuity. The value of the annual annuity is the cost it takes to provide that benefit to your spouse. However, an effort is always made to provide the maximum benefits to your surviving spouse.

The figures in the civil service retirement calculator are based on the average of the highest earnings over 3 years - normally your last three years of employment. Your highest 3 rates of pay are totaled together and averaged out for a basis of your retirement calculations in the civil service retirement calculator.

A civil service retirement calculator can easily be found on line and they are easy to use and very accurate as long as accurate information is provided. You need to be sure that you input correctly your years of service any unused leave and your average salary along with the age you wish to retire.

Civil Service employees are urged to look to age 60 as their year for retirement. If you are nearing that age start looking into what your retirement will be. The government has provided a calculator online so that you can easily plug in your information and see where you stand.

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Indianapolis Home

By Ok Kim

A large number of people tend to decide to sell their homes in the spring as they feel this is the best time. Normally they do this because they feel that they are able to show their home off better. However, whether you are selling an Indianapolis home or a home in any other place in the US there are other factors which can influence when is the best time to sell.

In this article we take a look at some of the factors that if taken into consideration may well result in you selling your home more quickly and at a really good price.

1. If you can the best time to put your home on the real estate market to sell is when there are very few properties of a similar style and size to yours. Not only does this put you in a stronger position when it comes to the negotiations, but many buyers are willing to make sacrifices if they see a home they like at a price they can afford.

2. If you are selling your home at a time when the real estate market is healthy with lots of properties available do some research before you put it up for sale. Look not only at similar houses which are currently being sold but also those that have been sold recently. If you can find out how many homes that are similar to your Indianapolis are currently categorized as a pending sale.

If you know the ratio of pending sales to properties that are still available you will be able to see how fast the market is moving. The lower the number of pending sales to properties that have recently been listed means the market is slow and it may be worth your while holding off putting yours on the market.

3. Another thing which can influence when you decide is the best time to sell your Indianapolis home is the weather. The reason so many people choose to put their home up for sale in the spring is because this is when the weather is getting better. However, it is worth considering actually putting the property up for sale towards the end of the year as well. If you are able to complete the sale of your home by the 31st December then when filing your income tax return you can make certain deductions on it.

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Centennial Credit Card - Review

By Daniel Moskel

The Centennial card is issued by The First Premier Bank a member of the FDIC. This is an unsecured card created for individuals looking for a second chance.

It has easy approval requirements, but does carry some fees. Including a one time $95 fee, an account set up fee of $29, and an annual fee of $48.

These charges are assessed to your available credit limit. When you receive your card you will have these charges shown on the balance.

It comes with an initial credit limit of $250, and an APR of 9.9%.

It is issued as a Visa or MasterCard your choice. If you apply online you will have an application response in less than 60 seconds.

If you make your monthly payment on time you can build a positive payment history on your report.

Your utilization ratio is also very influential on your score. This is how much debt you have versus unused credit. It will help your score if you keep a monthly balance of around 30% of your limit.

This means you want to keep your monthly balance around $75. After six months you will be eligible for a limit increase.

The First Premier Bank is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They are a member of the Better Business Bureau and have served over 3 million people.

It is accepted everywhere you see the Visa or MasterCard logo displayed. To qualify you must be over 18 years of age and have a valid social security number.

Recently we have seen a rise in interest rates even with prime lending. Some rates have jumped to an outrageous 30% without cause, meaning the customer did not pay late.

In sum we suggest you look into all your options for credit. It may make more sense to do some work on removing negative marks or apply for a secured or prepaid card instead.

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Common Types of Guaranteed Loans

By Trinity Townsend

The term guaranteed loan might mean different things to different people. It might mean that if you apply for a loan, you are guaranteed to get one. Or maybe it means that if you borrow money, it is guaranteed you will pay it back. The reality is that there are a few different common types of guaranteed loans.

One common type of guaranteed loan is a personal loan. Sometimes called guaranteed loans, they are quick and easy to get. Even if you have bad credit, you will probably still be able to qualify for the loan. They don't require any collateral because they are usually only given in smaller amounts and for a short period of time. Once you apply for the loan, you will usually have the money in your hands within one day.

Government guaranteed loans are another very common kind of guaranteed loan. There are quite a few different kinds of loans that are government guarantee. All the government guarantee means is that the government assumes the responsibility of the loan for the lender. Therefore, if the borrower defaults on the loan, the government will continue to pay the lender so they don't lose money on the deal. This obviously makes lenders more willing to loan money since they have the security blanket of the government guarantee.

One type of government guaranteed loan is a guaranteed business loan. For many people who dream of starting their own business, the dream stays a dream unless they can find someone to lend them the money to start the business.

For most lenders, it is just considered too risky to lend money to someone for a new business. Especially in today's economy, there are just too big of a chance that the business will fail leaving the borrower unable to pay back the lender. Lenders wouldn't be willing to take the risk without the government backing the loan. With the government business loan, there are more opportunities for people with a dream to make the dream a reality and become a business owner.

So no matter what your needs are, there are several different kinds of guaranteed loans available to help meet those needs.

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Advanta Credit Card Scam

By John Monderine

I sit at my desk completely frustrated with Advanta. I opened up a business credit card with them 3 years ago and made a purchase of $6500 to help build my business credit for Rapid Recovery Solution, my Collection Agency. I have paid more then the minimum every month, on time. About 3 months ago noticed that my interest rate seemed a little high. No where on my statement did it say the actual interest rate so I called the company. After 10 min or so I get a live rep on the line and they tell me it is 36.1%. Are they kidding, this must be a mistake. I have over a 750 score and never missed a payment. They said they sent me a notice in Aug that they are doing this due to a change in there lending methods. It turns out this is the second time this year they did this. I went from 8.99% in Jan 08 to 18.99 in Feb 08 to 36.1% in Aug 08.

Now, being in the industry for over 10 years I know that I need to watch my credit. I look for charges I didn't make and it is tough to scam me. I have seen it all but this takes the cake. They told me I am now at a high risk for default so that is why they raised my interest rate? That doesn't make any sense. They should lower my rate if they think I will default on my credit card. How will an increase in what you are charging me keep me from defaulting. Luckily, I have the ability to pay off this card today but I want everyone to realize that these companies have you by the short-n-curly's. Watch your statements and lookout for this scam.

FYI, In NY, the maximum interest rate is 30%. They are charging me more then the maximum allowed in my state. I will send a letter to the BBB, the NY Attorney General, the UT Attorney General and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

As a nation we are in deep trouble. If a credit card company can just raise my rate because they feel like it I am positive that 99% of their customers are also paying 36.1%. How many other credit card companies are doing this to innocent people? We need to fight back. I am going to tell as many people as I can.

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do except payoff the card. I was told I am a high credit risk. I paid the bill in full after I realized the rate was so high and the next month I received another bill for more finance charges for about $255. I paid that bill in full. I just received another bill in the mail for $5.65 and my rate was changed to 37.99%. Another point higher.

Just for a laugh I called again to see why the rate went up again and they said "Sir, you have been classified as a very high credit risk and as a company we can't risk you not paying your bill with us." I said "I just paid my bill in full with your company, I have never had a late payment with your company in three years, I have one mortgage on my house for $290K, 25 years left at a fixed rate of 5.375% and it is worth over $500k and almost zero credit card debt personally. I am in the fastest growing industry right now, CNBC expects the debt collection industry to grow at 25% a year for the next decade. What else would I have to do to receive a better rate?" The extremely rude lady said "Sir, you would need to send a letter to Santa Clause and maybe he can help you out."

The Government should put a maximum rate in place for the next year or so on all credit card debt. If the credit card companies are truly worried about consumers defaulting on their obligations, wouldn't it make more sense to lower the rate so we can continue to make the payments? By raising the rate, it only makes it harder to pay and more likely that a consumer will default. The credit card companies are preying on the weak right now hoping you don't pay so they can pound you with the highest interest rate. When you do default, they now have a higher balance to sell to a collection agency. In my eyes, this is a crime.

The Government doesn't care either. Instead of giving the banks 350 billion dollars, They could have sent $1151.98 to each US citizen to pay towards credit card debt. The banks still get the money but we the people get a little break on our bill. The average family of four would receive $4607.92 to pay off a credit card. They reason that the banks need the money so they can lend money again to us? Are they crazy? All the banks did was raise the interest rates on our cards and pocket the money without ever having to say what the money went towards. No accountability!

Now the geniuses in Washington are considering giving billions to the auto industry so they can produce more shit cars that we can't afford. How about giving the money to everybody with a current auto loan so we can pay for the car we already have. The money would still flow to the banks and auto makers via we the people.

Good luck America, your gonna need a miracle.

I feel better now. I was very upset prior to writing this blog. I hope everybody reading this realizes that if it can happen to me it can happen to anybody.

John Monderine Rapid Recovery Solution, Inc.

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