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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Successes of Real Estate

By Jackie Silver

Real estate knowledge may be the most important aspect of creating a fulfilling real estate career. It doesn't matter what type of real estate business you want to partake in, you need to have knowledge to prevent you from making mistakes.

This type of knowledge can be found in many sources and it is up to you to find the right advice to help you and make your business stronger.

Those who don't have the educated knowledge in real estate need to stick with their real jobs of working for "the man" or whatever you may be doing as a means of income.

The good times will be back again... there really is no denying history. The true question is where will you be when it does bounce back? You can be the individual who looks back in 5 years and say "I should have invested when real estate was at its lowest" or you can say "I'm so thankful I purchased in that down market."... it's your decision. As the clich goes... you can lead a horse to water... but you can't force the horse to drink!

If you have already decided that real estate is your dream career you may be ready to take an online course. This will help you prepare for the licensing exam in your area and give you the guidance you need to get started.

This is where a good business plan can go a long way. You will not be running around in circles wondering what you are going to do next, you will have a clearly defined plan.

One of the most important parts of being successful in real estate is to have good knowledge. If you take the time to gain the skills needed, you will not make mistakes that could potentially harm your career. Real estate can be an exciting career if you know what you are doing.

A good realtor should know the area well, especially the area where you live. If they've sold houses there before, that is a big bonus. They should know not only houses, but businesses, schools, transportation and other details about your area.

Learning real estate can be done by a simple internet search. This is a great place to start if you are undecided about this type of career.

You can often follow someone if they have a blog or website and they often offer tips of tricks that they have found to be successful.

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Unsecured Credit Card

By Amanda Somrekli

Speaking of paper, tear up the pre-approved card offers receive in the mail; otherwise, they can be stolen and sent back in with a change of address request. Good record keeping will also help keep the wolves from your door.

Keep a list of all credit cards and their appropriate contact numbers handy in case of theft or loss. Also, be vigilant in checking monthly statements to make sure all purchases on a card are valid. Finally, though it may seem obvious, make sure you get your card back after making a purchase.

Know your limits - Many cards have limitations on how you can use them. Some may only let you spend $5,000 until you get the maximum rewards while another card may only let you cap out at $5,000. Try and find a card that has no expiration dates or caps. There are some out there but you have to do some searching.

Of course you want to do everything in your power to keep your rating up and as high as possible. But getting rid of or closing a credit card account will only cause a possible drop in your rating or credit score. Make sure you get your copy of your personal free annual credit report online to check the status of your accounts.

Credit cards are a necessary must have to establish any kind of credit. Many people unwillingly just sign up for as many credit cards as possible with the hopes that it will build up their credit. For others, the lure of being able to purchase a huge ticket item is too hard to resist signing up.

For this they should try to realize creditors that they are willing to pat off the total credit card debt but it's impossible for them to pay in full so if they wipe off some portion of debt against credit cards they can more easily manage monthly payments.

Learn how you use a credit card - A credit card isn't hard to use but if you've had trouble in the past, try and use some of these steps in order to use a card the proper way. Learn how to pay your balance off in full each month as well as know what you're putting on your card.

You can get gas cards at many stations all over the country. If you need a specific gas card, you can apply online as well. There are many different types of cards. Some are only for gas and some are for any purchase.

Thus, concentrating on a few simple things will greatly enhance your chances of avoiding enriching the lives of strangers at your expense. For example, sign the card as soon as you receive it.

For instance, the Conoco gas credit cards can be used at Phillips 76 and the 66 gas stations. Some credit cards are open for any gas station. If you need a card for a specific gas station, you can apply onsite or on the Internet.

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Avoid Paying the Credit Cards Late

By Paul J. Easton

A credit card debt is a form of unsecured debt accessed with plastics or credit cards. When a client of a certain credit card company purchases an item or service through the card system, credit card debt is incurred.

Usually, however, it is not the purchase of the item or service which gives clients the problem. Debt can accumulate with credit card interests when the client does not pay the company for the amount due. The result of not paying this debt on time is in the form of a late payment penalty. In addition, the credit card company will report the late payment to credit rating agencies for a note in your credit score.

Being late on a credit card payment is referred to as being in default. Moreover, this penalty increases the amount of debt too. The sad thing with the credit card systems is that when a consumer defaults on a payment from one card, it is possible that other creditors can increase their interest rates charged against you. This applies even with credit card companies you pay promptly. This situation is a way for credit card companies to tell one another and to show you their lack of interest to you and is referred to as universal default.

As much as possible, have the responsibility to pay even the minimum payments to avoid late payments. But this does not recommend you to continually pay the minimum only since this will affect you in the long run. If you have only been paying your minimum payments on your cards, analyze your budget to pay at least twice without having late payments too. This plan will at least bring those balances down and reduce the finance charges too.

It is always easy to get yourself in debt but hard to keep up in paying it back. Have the items or services you wish but have the responsibility to pay for them alter. That's what credit cards wanted to tell you. Until your credit scores are at its very bottom, protect your credit and get rid of debt as fast as possible. Pay promptly and you will just be in good financial shape.

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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Avoid Identity Theft With These 5 Tips

By Harvey Warmuth

As you live your daily life, you need to be aware of the steps that you can take to not become identity thefts next victim. There are several common sense steps that you can take to minimize the risk to your identity. Only you truly care about the security of your personal information, so make sure you do what you can to ensure its safety.

The 5 tips outlined below are a great starting point to making sure that your identity is secure. You have to take the necessary precautions to ensure your identities security, so read the below suggestions.

1. Personal information in mail: The mail you receive on a daily basis probably contains a lot of personal information. This includes bank statements and credit card applications which can be used to steal your identity. Consider opting out of receiving credit card applications and start getting your bank statements delivered electronically, so that you eliminate a lot of your personal information from the regular mail.

2. Debit card issues: You might want to think twice when you use your debit card as a credit card. Because the money is taken out of your savings or checking account immediately, someone can very easily drain your account before you know what is going on. Use a real credit card instead because you will be better protected.

3. Stop using checks: A check contains both your account and bank routing number, which can easily be used by a criminal to drain your bank account. There is no reason to use checks to make purchases with when you should really be using a credit card, which offers greater protection.

4. One-time use credit card: If you are making purchases via a catalog or online, consider using a virtual credit card. These are one-time use credit card numbers that can only be used for one purchase, thus offering you protection if this card number ever gets in the hands of a criminal.

5. Copy personal information: Keep a record of all of your banking account numbers, including credit card numbers. You should also keep copies of important personal documents like your drivers license and social security card. This information will be necessary if you ever lose any of these documents, or if you ever become a victim of identity theft.

The suggestions listed above are a great way to start making changes in your life to ensure that your identity is secure. Another step that you can take to make sure you never become a victim of identity theft is to make use of an identity theft security plan offered by a reputable company. Take the necessary steps to ensure your identity is safe.

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How Can I Receive An Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loan

By Frank Froggatt

Nobody wishes to get wind or even think of the word bankruptcy, but for numerous individuals who are overwhelmed under a load of debt, they may think that it is their only alternative. The truth of the subject is that there are options to this drastic step. Alternatives that can free you from the load and help you to feel a little more comfy in your spot.

Entertain consolidating your debt in a single loan, a variety of refinancing that assists you in putting your finances back in your command and your life back in order. But refinancing is for individuals who own a house, right? What if you don't have a home, or you don't want to risk losing it by putting it up for collateral? That's where an unsecured debt consolidation loan comes into play.

These brands of loans don't call for you to possess any collateral. They give you the power to compensate all of your fiscal debt without suffering to put your home, or lack thereof into any peril. In most examples the interest rates are a bit loftier because of the risk the financial institutions are making, but the consolation of not having your holding at peril is most times worth the additional cost.

Even though the interest rates are a bit loftier for an unsecured loan it can nonetheless give you a lower overall payment then what you have without it. Especially if your credit cards are bearing high interest rates. Be sure to shop more or less though as the lending industry is a capitalistic marketplace and you might be able to spare a bit on your interest rates. Even a half a point spread out over many years can extend into thousands of bucks.

If though, even after browsing, you still can't find a rate of interest that is going to really make any difference in your payment sum, or make living even a little bit more comfortable, you may want to look into a long term loan. This will most definitely cost you more in the long haul but to be genuine we are not looking at the long haul in this place. We need to alleviate your struggling now. Payments spread out over a longer period of time will be less and that may be precisely what the Dr. ordered for your fiscal situation.

Probabilities are that, if you are in this situation, the late payments are already bringing mayhem on your credit score so the prospects of acquiring this unsecured loan are remote right? Well yes and no. With the current economy and the fiscal crisis banking companies are getting more demanding on whom they will loan to but there are still establishments out there who will lend you money to consolidate, especially if you have a solid work history. Having this history isn't always necessary either though it certainly helps, there are organizations who will lend out to anyone you can just reckon on bearing a steeper rate of interest.

If you are right at the brink of filing for bankruptcy, stop for a second , assemble all of your bills together including public utilities, medical bills, credit accounts and whatever else you may be paying out on and investigate an unsecured debt consolidation loan. There isn't any real rationality to be missing all this rest and suffering from this stress. Discover how uncomplicated it is to be financially free.

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Face your Number Problems Now

By Paul J. Easton

More people are feeling the crunch and already start to wake up in the reality that their financial security is already in the ruins. Now, a lot of people have massive amount of debts and don't know what to do.

If you belong to this group of people, you should get some help. With financial knowledge and awareness, people can find solutions to their financial problems and can start all over again. Financial help will awaken you in the world of financial literacy. Without the awareness, you are lost in the jungle and will just go around in circles. In this article, you might get some tidbits of information, so read a bit more.

Most people are in great fear of numbers. But money is all about numbers and money should be studied well. Like in working towards being debt-free, plans should be created to reach your goals including carefully analyzing your financial situation and other related factors. And all of these require you to face numbers in many ways

Numbers should be used to carefully assess your assets versus your liability. With numbers, you also will have a careful contrast between your debt to be hurdled and a reasonable time frame to finish a certain goal. Without this, you will just simply work without a guide and will most of the time not help you toward achieving your debt-free goals. Eventually, you will just be doomed to failure.

In working out your numbers, you especially need a financial planner or advisor when doing this. If the simple record book filled with statements gives you chills, you better find a professional whom you can trust. By doing so, you will be guided in creating a detailed step by step guide to your financial goals, whether it is being debt free or achieving some form of financial security in your retirement.

Find a way to face your problems in life rather than escape it, by taking the courage, you will be rewarded. For problems will still reach you wherever you go, it's time to stop it from bothering you now. Take the action and just believe in yourself.

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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The Bankruotcy Means Test What It Means

By Janice Kay

One of the more complicated, controversial and frustrating aspects of filing for bankruptcy today is that every person who wishes to file must first take a bankruptcy test. The bankruptcy laws have changed over the years. Known as a bankruptcy means test, it is a mathematical calculation that is used to figure out the kind of bankruptcy that an individual is most suited to file for.

Income and expense information must be entered into the form and then the necessary calculations done. The calculations and the results of your test must be brought with you to bankruptcy court and they then become a part of your schedule of present income and expenditures. The bankruptcy means test is distributed by the state.

The bankruptcy means test contains two variables. These include the Median State Income Figures which are published by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the IRS National Standards for allowable Living Expenses.

If a debtor takes the test and does not pass it, he or she is unable to file for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy which would see all of his or her debts gone. However the person can still file for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. In this instance, a debt repayment plan is arranged that takes place over a period of three to five years

If you make too much money you may be turned down for bankruptcy, depending on where you live. If this happens to you, you need to seek an alternative to your situation. One option is to apply for a cash-out refinance loan from your financial institution.

The court needs to make a ruling on an individuals behalf and the bankruptcy test helps to do this. The main purpose of the bankruptcy means test is to weed out the individuals who really see no way out of their debt besides bankruptcy and those who have other options to consider.

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy you need a good bankruptcy lawyer as well as a mortgage professional in your corner. The lawyer can provide guidance for the decisions relating to the bankruptcy as well as the means test. On the other hand, the mortgage specialist can help the debtor navigate all of the financial ropes inherent in the bankruptcy.

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Unique Bank Foreclosure Properties

By Charlie Reese

The controversy over bank foreclosure properties just keeps growing

As of the end of September reports, the number of bank foreclosure properties is up a whopping 71% over the previous year. The root cause of these astonishing figures lies with the banks and mortgage lenders. During the period of the well-touted 'ownership society', just a few years back, banks were making loans to many people who were clearly not qualified to assume a home loan which their income could not support.

It was recently revealed, largely through corporate whistle blowers, that mortgage brokers were encouraging applicants to not supply relevant information and even to inflate their income on paper, so that their loan would go through. Many such borrowers could barely make the payments at the lower initial rate. When the higher rates kicked in, the number of bank foreclosure properties began to rise rapidly, as almost none of these home owners were then able to meet mortgage payments.

It's disingenuous to believe that the banks did not see this coming. However, they did receive their money for a while, including interest and whatever late fees might be involved. As borrowers began to default, the banks, on the whole, failed to attempt renegotiate lower rates in order for the borrower to avoid foreclosure.

The result? People lost their homes, their investment and their credit standing. Millions of bank foreclosure properties flooded the market. Often, the values of homes, in entire neighborhoods across the country, plummeted. Therefore, people who owned homes and made their payments are now faced with property values that fall far below what they owe on their mortgages. Perhaps these are future bank foreclosure properties in the making.

This $700 billion bailout of the banks is a thinly veiled payoff, leaving the banks hale and hearty, while saddling the taxpayers with this debt for generations to come.

Following the initial approval of this bank bailout, AIG brazenly threw a $440,000 party to celebrate their largess, while they and other failed banks threw millions in 'golden parachute' packages at the CEOs, who logically and ethically were accountable for making the loans in the first place. At the same time, banks were still refusing to loan, even to other banks. Now they are reportedly moving $2 trillion amongst themselves and won't disclose to whom they are lending!

Other controversial issues arise in this scandal of bank foreclosure properties. Falling values make this buyers market. With the current credit crunch, few can qualify. This invites foreign investment, which doesn't bode well for our economy.

How about all of the people who already lost their homes, pre-bailout? Why did the government wait until bank foreclosure properties had reached such a crises point?

Moreover, this proposed home owner bailout addresses only home owners who are at least 3 months behind, owe more than the property is worth and who face imminent foreclosure. This represents only 20% of mortgage delinquencies. Will this make a real difference to resolving the crises in the end?

It remains to be seen what the final resolution to the problem of bank foreclosure properties will be. The situation begs the question, how much more quickly might the economy be stimulated if some of this $700 billion were paid to working people, instead of buying up the debt of failed and unscrupulous bankers?

instead of the rescue at the top, give some of this money to working people " this will stimulate economy if no one qualifies, consumers aren't buying, small business will go out of business, job losses

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Harassment Debt Collection

By John Cooper

Regrettably debt collectors are often less than ethical. This has caused the government to pass legislation to protect you from unethical debt collection tactics.

If the debt they are contacting you about is accurate then you should ask for debt validation. This should be done in writing.

If you neglect to do this and ask for validation over the phone 99% of the time it will be completely ignored. Additionally send it certified mail so you have proof that they received your validation letter.

If your debt is validated by the creditor and is within the statute of limitations of your state, then you should negotiate payments. Statute of limitations are commonly seven years from the first date of delinquency.

When negotiating payment you should never pay the full amount. This is because your account has been purchased from the original creditor for pennies on the dollar. Thus we suggest you start your offer at 50% of the balance.

The agencies will always accept partial payment. This is because there only way to recoup the money they spent on your account is by accepting your payment or selling it for a fraction of what they paid for it to another agency.

When you agree on a settlement payment you should get in writing from them that in exchange for your payment they will not report any derogatory information to the bureaus. If you do not do this you will stop the phone calls, but you will have a whole new set of problems because of a poor credit score.

Also if you just pay the debt it will be reported as a paid collection. This is still a very bad mark on your credit report and will not improve your score.

Again, you must get in writing that negative information is not going to be posted to your report regarding the debt. Occasionally that negative information has already been reported you must get them to agree to remove it from your report.

If you do not do this you will not benefit from paying the collection. Also always pay with a paper check and no other form. Just so you know you can actually use the memo line to repeat the agreed upon contract, when the check is cashed you will have a binding contract.

If you are being harassed by an agency you are not alone. Also they only can legally take so many steps to collect.. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act says that a debt collector can not;

- Threaten arrest or jail

- Harass you with calls

- Call your place of employment (once asked not to)

- Claim to be anyone they are not

- Threaten a lawsuit (unless they are taking legal action)

- Threaten to garnish wages or seize property (each state is specific about what is legal, often a court order is needed)

- Call your friends or family members and speak with them about your debt

- Only call between 8am and 9 pm

- Call you after you have notified them that you will not accept calls regarding this debt.

Unfortunately these regulations are often ignored. If you have been a victim you should report the agency to the FTC and the Attorney General. Many collection agencies have been fined because of violation of the FDCPA.

Additionally you can file a lawsuit against the agency and be awarded monetary damages. Make sure to keep all communications in writing in case they are in violation.

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Market for Chicago Condos

By J. Kim

It has been a dismal 2008 for Chicago condos, but it doesn't look like it is going to get any better, especially for South Loop, once a hot sizzling market during the building frenzy of 2005 and 2006. What made this neighborhood so hot during the building boom is its proximity to the lake and the museum campus for all the cultural attractions.

In 2009 developers will bring over 2,000 new units to South Loop which is 66 percent above 2008. Even with many incentives and lower prices, the pure number of units will be hard to digest in this down market. Definitely you will find some bargains with many developers having over supply of inventories.

This year many condo sellers and condo developers will see price declined as the over supply and new condos coming to marked drive down the prices. You can find deals and other incentives that were never offered before, you will definitely see greater value than any time before. Many buyers that have signed the purchase agreements couple of years ago will unload or back out of their contracts.

If you are a long term investor, you should take a look at Chicago condos. With the possibilities of Summer Olympics coming to Chicago, these prime real estate just south of downtown loop might be a gem for investors who want to take some risk in the short term. The games will be held in close vicinity to homes along the lake front.

Another reason you might want to take a look is the low interest rate currently being offer by many financial institutions. The interest for mortgage have been lowest in recent years. The 30 year and 15 year fixed mortgage is around 5 percent.

Many housing experts have predicted that the market for housing will rebound sooner or later. Whether it is South Loop area or busy downtown area, right now be just the right time to purchase before the real estate market rebounds.

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Get Out of Debt Explained

By Anne Durrel

There are tons of methods to get out of debt with no trouble. The primary thing that you should do is pledge to wasting less overall.

Many who are tempted by the urge to "spend now" mostly end up amassing very many debt. There are two major regulations to expending and that is, if you are not able to pay for it at this moment, do not purchase it.

The next regulations is, if you can't afford it, don't buy it. If you fancy to get out of debt, follow these two easy guidelines . It is also important to make certain that you stay away from spending more than you make overall.

Several individuals spend according to bonuses and "possible" overtime. Most of the time, these individuals find themselves in debt. Follow these simple guidelines, and you can get out of debt easily!

The next regulations you can take to get out of debt is to not set yourself up for debt. It means that you must avoid expending credit cards and getting loans unless it is absolutely essential. Many persons will apply credit carelessly simply since it is convenient.

You have to evade doing this unless you are in a position in which the actual hard cash is not there. If you want to get out of debt, it is significant to make sure that you do all that you can to pay those bills that you have on time.

This includes utility bills, credit card bills, house payments, and even car payments. If you heed the advice contained here, you are sure to get out of debt quickly!

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Getting Computer Financing For People With Bad Credit

By Terry Piper

It is hard to see everyone's situation, but in general computer financing for people with bad credit is yet another brick in a wall of doom. Regular credit usually isn't possible for one in this position for a reason.

Bad credit ratings protect you as much as they protect businesses that might lend to you. If they decide due to your credit rating to turn you down, then they have actually done you a favour by not letting you dig yourself a bigger pit of debt. Going beyond their recommendations and getting a bad credit loan might not be the answer, it might only get you in trouble. It is often a better idea to save the money up and buy for cash.

After you have looked at your overall financial situation, if you still are looking for computer financing for people with bad credit you need to pay attention to what sort of deal you are signing up for. Unscrupulous individuals and businesses are always ready to prey on the weak.

Bad credit means high interest rate. If the loan is a revolving debt like a credit card, then with a high interest rate such as 30%, your monthly payments will barely cover the interest. This is a recipe for disaster. Even if you have bad credit, computer financing should not leave you impoverished for years.

A big down payment will shorten the loan or lower your monthly payments, so you should always put as much down as you can up front. Zero down is a fancy way of saying, "be our slave" as you pay for your poor credit rating. with that large down-payment your monthly payments can be lower, or your loan length can be shorter, or both.

Another important fact to remember is that the longer this loan runs the more you will pay for interest. It is bad enough to pay for a whole year on a computer. Imagine paying for three years! By that time you will have paid more than three times the value of the machine and it will be hopelessly outdated and ancient.

The best decision might be to get a personal loan from a friend or relative, or save money for a couple months to make an outright purchase. Either way, I hope you weigh the pros and cons before getting computer financing for people with bad credit.

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Avoiding Foreclosure

By Martin Harris

Losing your home is something that no one wants to have to experience. Even the most responsible home owners can find themselves in situations that threaten foreclosure on their home. The stress that the possibility of losing your home causes can wreak havoc on a relationships and family life. If you find yourself facing foreclosure, there are ways to avoid it before it's too late.

There are a few rules you will want to follow to avoid foreclosure. Rule number one is to not be afraid to talk to those that can help. Having financial struggles can cause some people to be embarrassed and ashamed. It's important that you don't let your feelings stop you from getting help.

First off, you can to talk to a housing counselor who can help you make sense of any options that might be available to you. Second, you might want to talk to your lender. Make sure that they tell you what all of your options are if you are struggling to make full payments on time each month.

Secondly, you will want to talk to your loan officer. Lenders are just as concerned with getting their money as you are with getting it to them. They don't want to end up with a home on their hands that they might not be able to sell, so if there is a way to work something out to ease the stress of the loan, they will often be willing to work with you.

If you are unable to meet the payments and terms of the mortgage as they are currently set out, lenders can modify the loans with a loan modification assistance process. Sometimes this process involves refinancing your home.

When your bills start to pile up and you aren't able to make your mortgage payment each month, it might be tempting to go into denial by ignoring the letters from the banks. Don't ignore letters from your lender. There might be important information about your loan standing. It is better to know the facts.

Educate yourself on what your mortgage rights are. Every state has different rules and regulations regarding foreclosures.

If you are facing foreclosure, all is not lost; there is still hope to keep your home. Do your homework and educate yourself about your options and be sure to talk to your lender to have them help you find a way to save your home.

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Pay your Full Credit Card Balance

By Paul J. Easton

The convenience and free credit feature of credit cards can be very useful for everyone. The bad news however is that most consumers maintain large balances on their credit card accounts thus making them continually pay for sizable interest payments.

With the society telling us that it is needed to own a new car, your new house, and a complementary entertainment showcases, follow the latest fashions, and normally live beyond what you can afford, you are just simply lured to take out that credit card out to avail these comforts. And with access to these funds, life can be easier. Anyway, credit card issuers make an easy scheme for you to take advantage. By asking you to make only a minimum monthly payment, you think you are paying your debt well in a very opportune manner.

The down side, which some of you might have a hint already, is that the minimum payment can barely cover the finance charge of the previous month. Only a meager percentage of the principal is left paid in the process. Making only the minimum payment is actually a way for credit card companies to ensure you to remain as a long-term client they can profit from. Obviously, this minimum payment scheme will make you take a long time to repay the debt. It only assures the card company a big return in interest payments and finance charges.

Given the cycles of unemployment and under employment today, it can be difficult to avoid falling into debt. But falling into debt has its price. And the price can be your very own freedom.

For now, avoid carrying a balance on your credit cards. If in cases that you have to carry a balance, have the priority to pay it down first unless you want to live your whole life paying the minimum payment of that credit card debt.

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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Student Loan Consolidation Benefits

By Michael Fleischner

For anyone attending an online or traditional institution, paying back college loans is an area of concern. There are a number of options for paying back your college debt and student loan consolidation is one of the best. With a variety of loans, all with different interest rates, loan consolidation is a great way to lower your payments and simplify the process.

Loan consolidation is essentially the process of taking multiple loans from different providers and paying that loan with a single umbrella loan from a single provider. There are significant benefits when you take this approach. The result is a lower payment amount and simple repayment process.

With loan consolidation you use a single lender. The best part of the repayment process is that you only have one monthly payment to take care of. Consolidated loans also have a number of payments options to choose from. Research your options and decide which option works best for you.

Student loan repayment options include standard repayment. This is where you make a fixed sum payment. Most student loan repayment periods are for ten or fewer years. If the monthly amount is too much for your budget, a second option is to extend your payment for a longer time period of time. The last repayment option is to pay a graduated amount during the repayment process, stepping up about every two years.

With selecting the graduated repayment option, your payments are made over an extended period. Keep in mind however that payments are not the same over the life of the loan. Every couple of years your payment amount increases. This graduated payment schedule is right for individuals who need the lowest payment amount when repaying their loans.

Keep in mind that once a loan is consolidated your interest rate is fixed (except in the graduated repayment option). This means that you will be expected to make your payment each and every month. This is incredibly important when you are repaying a consolidated loan. Not repaying in a timely manner can result in default and a damaged credit score and an inability to acquire future loans.

One way to ensure that you make your payments is by coordinating your payment options with your lender. Today, with the help of direct deposit and withdrawal, your best bet is to have your payment taken automatically from your paycheck or account each month. The sooner you do this, the easier it will be to make your monthly payments.

When you start to repay your school loans, consider student loan consolidation. Loan consolidation makes the repayment process easier to manage and provides flexibility. Set up and automatic repayment program and find a well known lender who can work with you as your ability to pay changes over time.

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5 Tips On Finding The Best IVA Company

By Sara Young

There are a lot of companies offering IVAs and debt help. How do you pick the best one? That is a good question that many people ask themselves. It is very important to choose the right IVA company, yet it is hard to check each company's background with a clear mind when you are so worried about your debt.

An IVA company will help you deal with your Insolvency Practitioner (IP). The IP is the person who will be in charge of your IVA - you will want to have one with a good reputation. It is hard to find and deal with a good IP, so getting a good IVA company will give you some piece of mind with you debt solution.

Follow the advice below in order to save time and frustration:

1. If you know somebody who has already went through the process of getting an IVA, ask them about their experience. This will help you figure out if you want to use that IVA company or not.

2. Phone some IVA companies to get an idea of what you want. Arrange meetings with 2 or 3 of those companies so your options are not limited. Make sure you are comfortable talking to the advisor on the phone, and if you are not - just don't pick that IVA company as one you would like to meet with.

3. Don't pay for the initial consultation. The initial consultation and paperwork should be free of charge. Before any work is done, make sure that the IVA company does a thorough analysis of your financial situation. This is very important.

4. Never choose a company that guarantees you an IVA. Until the majority of companies that you hold debts with have agreed to the IVA then your application may still be rejected. The companies that say otherwise are only after your money. Also, beware of those stating that you will only have a low premium at the end of it because if it sounds too good to be true then it most likely is!

5. Last but not least, since you don't know if your IVA will be accepted, make sure that the IVA company agrees to give you a refund if your IVA application has been refused. You might need to pay for some of the work before the application has been completed. If you don't get such a guarantee, the IVA company is not obligated to give you a refund. So make sure you get that straight before you pay anything.

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Business Checks - Order Online And Save 50%!

By Peggy Ann Morgan

You're almost out of checks and before you run dry you may be thinking about running to the bank. But you can order checks online and save the middleman bank markup. There is no need to let the bank profit from your purchase.

Your bank marks up the price of checks before they sell them to the customer. By purchasing direct, the middleman is cut out and you put the difference into your wallet. Oder checks online through your computer and save taxes, time and gas.

There are a great diversity of check designs and categories to look at. You'll be surprised at the varied categories and artists that contribute to designing checks.

By ordering direct you'll save about 50%. Personalized check quality is equal or better than that you'd get at your financial institution, delivery is fast, security details in the check comply with all bank standards. There are a larger selection of designs, categories and motifs.

Checkbook covers, matching address labels and contact cards as well as various check formats are offered as well. Side tear, top stub, 3 to a page formats and many other formats are available. Note that when you write your checks that your drafts are covered. Check registers in simple to read and record formats make that possible.

Checks are deposited at the bank. Sometimes, when the payee is uncertain about a check, they will cash that check in the bank against which it was drawn.

When a check is presented and refused at the drawee's bank because of insufficient fund the check will not clear. It's called a bounced check.

Bounced checks make money for the banks via steep service charges. It can be extremely depressing whey one gets a steam of bounced checks because of deposits that do not clear.

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Entering the Market-

By Singaporooo

This is the decision that can quiet often get overlooked, the entry decision. The other big decisions in trading and investing, such as how much to trade, or what your exit plan is, is the timing right etc.

But the truth is that whether you're a trader the entry decision is crucial as without this decisions the other decisions cannot take place.

It is quiet often seen that new traders often worry about their first entry point, trying to make it perfect and there are some important points to be considered when you're entering into a trade. It is therefore crucial to take a glance at this often overlooked subject.

Which brings to another important point, what platform are you looking to enter the trade through? The CFD FX REPORT has recently researched the CFD an Forex Brokers, looking carefully at the subject what company gives the best fill prices, no slippage to find out more visit the website or if you are looking for a forex broker or CFD provider email them at support@cfdfxreport.com

IT IS RIGHT TO ENTER:

Now for the bad news. Most traders believe there is no perfect entry point signal when it comes to trading. Sound Strange.

But there are certain things things to look for to help guide you towards the correct time. So lets take a look at the simple market rules.

Dust OFF the Charts:

You can base your entry decision using technical analysis, what this can do is increase your chances of entering the correct trade as the best time. It can be benefical to look at the sectors and what sectors are performing the best? Is your favourite trading company in a strong sector? Is the overall sector performing?

Most great companies belongs to a great sector, because it is very rare that a company's stock price will move in the opposite direction of its overall sector for an extended period of time. They tend to follow one and other.

In an nutshell, you should use technical analysis to follow the underlying trend for your stock that you are looking to trade, especially when entering. The underlying trend is the most important consideration when entering a trade at the correct time.

Remember the old saying, Trend is your Friend.

Listen to the Facts-

Make sure it is very simple. Do not over complicate it.

Keeping it simply, is often the best strategy. How often do hear it . Thorough research, an understanding of what you want from your trades and a commitment to your trading strategy is so important when it come to trading and more importantly making money from it- but quiet often we want to make it seem difficult. Simple is simply the best.

Try not to over complicate it, why It's no good trying to base a decision looking at numerous indicators crossing each other at various angles, changing colours, and a host of other useless information.

Of course, employ a technical analysis of the company in making your decision, but there is no need to go overboad.

After all, trading plans are easier to follow if they are simple.

If you are a long term trader is it not just timing the market, in this instance it is time in the market.

Remember use your rules, make it simple, and the profits should follow

Happy Trading

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