Is Freezing Your Credit Card the Right Thing to Do?

February 25th, 2010

During tough economic times, like what many of us went through last year when the global financial crisis badly affected the world, people seem to think twice about their spending habits. There have been many reports since 2009 about consumers cutting down on their unnecessary expenses and starting to save. Credit card use was also found to have gone down in many developed countries.

It’s a reality that people tend to take action only pertaining to their debt and finances when they are in a difficult situation or to put it specifically, when the world is in a crisis. Otherwise, they ignore the warning signs as they go through their daily lives. They delay or even miss out in repaying their loans and credit card as well as other household bills. They have little savings or none at all. They rely on credit to pay their debts.

The credit card most especially is what many people rely on not only in making their purchases but even in borrowing money through its cash advance feature. But as what financial reports and counselors have proven, the cost is high when you use the plastic. Apart from the interest, there are other finance charges involved such as the annual membership fee, late payment charge and so on. Additional charges apply each time you take out a cash advance through the credit card.

You may have read the news that the Credit Card Act has been carried out effective February 22, 2010. The aim is to ensure that credit card companies only approve applicants who have the ability to pay their bills. This means that they will be stricter in checking an applicant’s financial status. And what this means as well is that those not earning enough or are not employed will have a hard time applying for a card.

So, is this a pro or a con? For consumers who have accumulated huge debt owing their frequent use of the credit card, the implementation of the Act is beneficial. At least those who wish to get a new card will not be able to do so that easily with the stringent rules in place.

Think about this.  A consumer research found that in 2009, 30 percent of consumers had accumulated a debt of $10,000 or more due to their use of the credit card. Of that figure, 44 percent admitted they would experience financial difficulty within a period of six months if they can’t use their credit cards in paying their monthly bills. Most of the high balances were attributed to repairs in the home and their car as well as medical bills.

But there’s an affordable option you can turn to and these are the short term loans such as the cash advance and payday loans. This can fulfill your financial needs especially during emergency situations and you can even choose your preferred repayment schedule. There’s no need to take out a huge amount as those employed can apply for just the minimum amount they need while their monthly pay is still weeks away. Compared to the credit card, these payday and cash advance loans don’t normally involve hidden charges.

Cost Cutting Tips for Retirees

February 12th, 2010

Cutting down on expenses is the call of the day. This is important in times of global recession but should also be done consistently with or without a financial crisis. If people are able to commit to this act, they will surely lessen their debts going into the future.

Cost cutting, however, should not be done by the young ones alone because even the retirees today must also adjust to hard times. Good for those who have saved beforehand, they can continue the lifestyle they’re used to even after retirement. Although they now have every opportunity as well to lessen their expenses what with no need to commute and spend for their work outfits and no small children to raise or send to school.

Financial advisers say retirees will require only about 80 percent of their previous income in order to have the same kind of life they were leading while still working. Unfortunately, not all senior people will agree to this. This is because of the luxurious lifestyle many retirees often lead while enjoying their freedom from work.

You may have observed how they engage in much travel to the different parts of the world or join club memberships. Some also develop the habit of dining out and other forms of socializing as often as they wish and all these acts require much spending. Splurging seems to be a natural instinct for many retirees who get overwhelmed with the huge amount of money they get after finally reaching that age limit at work. Some financial advisors equate this emotion to winning the lottery.

When it comes to huge spending, experts attribute this to the fact that retirees are no longer conscious of any limit unlike before when they’re just receiving a fixed amount each month from their salary. But because they know they have so much money from their retirement pay, they’re tempted to spend as much as they can.

But before you do that, it would be best to make sure that you apply some cost cutting measures in your life. There are many aspects from where you can spend less. If you’re fond of traveling, why not do it during the off season to take advantage of lower fares. For health insurance, you can choose a cheaper policy with lower premium but offers comprehensive coverage.

Not adding another car is also a good step. Be content with what you have or you can just trade in your old one before buying a new car. Another tip is to share just one automobile with your children if they still live with you.

Being senior citizens already, you can take advantage of several discounts from numerous establishments. If you’re resourceful enough, you’ll enjoy these freebies that will allow you to cut down on your expenses.

Finally, make sure you pay your outstanding debts including loans once you get your retirement pay. Whatever loans you have such as home or personal unsecured loans to include the cash advance and payday types, you are responsible for paying them. In this way, you can enjoy your freedom and life in your senior years.

Prioritize Debt Payments

January 28th, 2010

For many people overwhelmed with the debts they have accumulated through the years, it can be difficult to decide which ones they should pay first. From credit cards to loans, debt indeed is a major source of stress. And the more stress it gives to a person who earns a meager income.

The use of credit cards has been proven to be a major cause of debt. In the U.S., for instance, of the 90 million households that own a credit card, the average debt they have accumulated amounts to more than $10,600 based on data provided by CardTrak.com. It might also help open your eyes that people who belong to this category actually pay just the minimum amount due every month. If this situation continues assuming that you’re one of those with the more than $10,600 debt, did you know that it can take you 33 years to fully pay off your balances? That’s right, 33 years.

So just imagine if you’re in your 30s now, you will still be paying that minimum amount until you reach the age of 60 or even your retirement age. This situation is not very ideal as you won’t be able to manage your debts well by following this route. There are other ways you can solve your problem.

Start acting now towards your goal of reducing and eliminating debt in your life. For those who own more than one credit card and who have outstanding loans of various types from student loans, payday loans and auto loans, your focus should be on paying a single debt.

Experts in the field of managing personal finances suggest directing your attention to the debt that involves the highest interest rate whether it’s a cash advance or payday loan or a credit card. This is the one that gives you the most debt so make this your first priority. What you need to do is to focus on this and if you can, pay more than the minimum amount required to save money in interest for the long term.

This is not to say, though, that you won’t continue paying the others. You will have to keep paying the minimum amount of your other debts or credit cards. Remember that the regularity of paying your monthly minimum amount due affects your credit rating. So avoid late payments if possible to maintain a favorable credit score.

Another method you can apply is by focusing on paying the debt with the lowest balance. Assuming you have an outstanding payday loan and this has the lowest balance among your outstanding debts, then you can focus on paying off this balance and then eventually go up the ladder gradually paying the others that involve higher amounts.

Again, what’s important here is you make a clear cut list of your debts according to the strategy that you want to follow. If you opt for the first method, then list your debts according to the interest rate from highest to lowest. If you’d like to use the second technique, then list your debts according to the total balance from lowest to highest.

Act Green and Stay Away from Debt

January 15th, 2010

With the recent holding of the international conference on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark last December, the campaign against global warming gained much attention from all sectors of the world. There was much debate among political figures before the presence of environmental advocates regardless of age.

But not many people know that this global environmental campaign has also impacted even the financial sector. There is now the Emissions Trading Scheme or ETS being implemented in many developed countries worldwide with the cap and trade as the most common form currently in place. This program offers economic incentives such as tax cuts to households that meet certain criteria. Specifically, households that are able to lower their carbon emissions are eligible to avail of the incentives.

Following this scheme is a good way to cut down on debt and start saving for the future. It’s been reported that some families have started taking action by submitting their homes to a so called green audit. Through this audit process, a home’s power consumption is checked to determine which electrical appliances contribute greatly to the electricity cost. For homeowners who are conscious of their high power bills, this is an ideal action to take going forward.

People who are suffering from too much debt whether from the frequent use of credit cards as well as from loans should also think about following this step for their own benefit. It’s a brand new year and if you’re one of those who have been struggling to make both ends meet for a long time now, it’s definitely time to make a change. A positive change and one of these should be to face your debts and slowly settle them.

If you can afford to get another job other than what you already have, why not? In times like these, it’s best to work hard for the money than sit down and wait. Even the millionaires keep thinking of ways to earn more money so take it from them. Nothing’s going to happen if you dilly dally especially if you have a lot of financial obligations to think about.

Just make sure to avoid the credit cards as much as possible. We need to reiterate the high cost involved in using the plastic card not only when making purchases but even when taking out cash using its cash advance feature. So this year, commit to paying off your balances and freeze your card.

When emergency strikes and you’re in dire need of cash, it’s better to approach the short term lenders which you can easily access over the internet. As an employed individual, you have a good chance of taking out a loan in the minimum amount that you need. This you can pay then according to the term that is most affordable to you with no additional charges involved.

Again remember that as individuals, we are responsible for our own actions. When it comes to managing our finances, the more responsible people are, the better they can stay away from debt. Follow the green movement then and you’re on your way to enjoying peace of mind.

Start Getting Rid of Debt

December 31st, 2009

It’s now the year 2010 and for sure, many of you have made your new year resolutions. Traditionally, we make these resolutions in the hope of improving ourselves and our lives. So what better way to start the year 2010 than with a positive attitude.

By having a positive attitude, it would also be helpful if people make the commitment to stay away from debt this new year. According to the latest Australian financial news, Australia achieved a record level of debt in 2009 even surpassing that of the Americans. New figures from the Reserve Bank in the country showed that Australian debt reached $1.2 trillion.

Financial experts reveal that thousands of people in the country are currently facing serious financial hardships. It’s either they’re losing their homes, their cars and household items are being repossessed or their on the brink of bankruptcy. Different records have been set such as in terms of bankruptcies, mortgage stress and waiting lists in financial counseling agencies.

The root cause of this huge debt problem is people spending beyond what they can afford not using their cash but rather using their credit cards. In other words, they live beyond their means which is not a good trait because it can cause financial troubles especially if people don’t take seriously their responsibility in paying their bills on time. When bills and loans are not paid back on time, charges can add up thereby further increasing the debt.

Some people take advantage of the availability of easy credit and fast cash loans. They rely on these credit options and spend on whatever they want. What’s worse is they keep on leading a luxurious life not mindful of their financial obligations until they encounter an unfortunate situation such as a spouse losing a job.  It has always been that way – people seem to be not worrying about their personal debts confident that they can easily get a payday or cash advance loan or even a new credit card to pay their existing bills.

So how do you start reducing your debt? There are many ways you can do. You can start with one strategy and then use a combination of methods as you go along.

Budget, budget, budget. One of the most effective ways to keep track of your expenses is to make a weekly budget. List down your expenditures for the coming week and spend according to the budget you have.

Cut down on the extras. It wouldn’t hurt if you cut down on your weekly treats to the movies or eating out in restaurants and cafes. You can change this habit it to just every other week and then if you’re earning well again, you can always return to your weekly treats.

Freeze credit cards. If you’ve been using your credit cards, try to stop using it for some time just so you can pay up your bills. Make a commitment to continue paying and you’ll eventually see the positive results.

Attend financial counseling. If all other strategies fail, you can always seek counseling from financial advisors. With professional advice, you will be guided on the right steps to take towards reducing your personal debt.

Cash Advance Loans Beneficial this Christmas

December 11th, 2009

As the festive Christmas season is within our midst, people can’t help but look forward to a merry celebration with their loved ones. And what better way to make the holidays a happy and memorable one than to have a get together dinner or small party with family, relatives and friends.

As people whether couples or parents make their preparations in advance, though, some can’t help but feel a little stressed. This is a natural feeling especially when money is of major concern. Let’s face it, not all people earn much these days notably when they just hold a rank and file position in the company they’re working for. Some just earn enough to make both ends meet and don’t have any extra to spare when emergencies crop up. What results then is that although they look forward to the Christmas holidays, they worry about where to get the extra funds for their food and gifts for their children.

Here is where the short term loans then prove their worth. Cash advance and payday loans can be availed of even just for this Christmas season. People who are currently employed are very qualified to apply for such loans which they can use during the period in between payday. In times when there’s no extra budget for other important things, these short term loans can be of great help.

For workers who are not aware of these loans, it’s time to consider them instead of using their credit card and its cash advance feature. The reason is that when you obtain a loan and not use your card, your focus is only on repaying the amount of money you borrowed. Whereas if you tend to use your credit card frequently and then take out a loan at the same time, you will surely have a hard time prioritizing which one to pay first especially when you’re not earning that much. So it could be that the loan you take out will just be used to pay your credit card bills and not for other important needs.

Now as you plan your preparations for the holidays, it’s best to set a budget for your food and gift giving or for your travel if it’s necessary. If what you’re expected to earn for the month of December including your bonus is not enough, applying for a cash advance loan may be one of your best options.

With many lending companies doing business on the internet today, it’s fast and easy to take out a loan. So long as you’re employed and have a current bank account, you can borrow money in the most minimum amount you need. With some lenders, you can even request for a repayment schedule that is most convenient and affordable for you.

A major attraction of these cash advance loans is the absence of credit checks and collateral which take away the fear from most borrowers with poor credit history. As they only have their monthly income to bank on, they can still borrow money from short term lenders without having to improve their credit rating first or present a property as collateral.

Aussie Attitude towards Credit Card Use Changing

November 30th, 2009

It’s about time that Australians change their spending habits especially in terms of credit card use. With recession still reeling, several recent reports have shown how Australian shoppers have finally learned to change their spending habits. The same situation is seen in other developed countries including the U.K.

While it’s true that some Australians have depended on their credit cards to buy their basic needs and pay for their bills, many have also learned their lessons. Some have even developed a fear of the plastic cards all because of the debt they have accumulated due to the card as well as due to the fraud that continues to hound the credit card industry.

Recent reports specifically from the Reserve Bank of Australia have it that credit card use in Australia went down in August this year. For a period of one month alone, the total value of transactions dropped by more than one percent. From July which recorded a credit card spending worth $19,159 billion, the value fell to $18,865 billion in August 2009. The number of purchases using the plastic card was lesser by four million in August compared to the July figure. In addition, the bank report revealed that cash advances via the credit and charge cards also went down by almost three percent.

This statistics only proves one thing – that Aussie shoppers are indeed affected by the global recession and the high cost of using credit cards. Unfortunately, some remain attracted to the offers of credit card companies done through aggressive promotional campaigns.

Australians should, however, be aware that other than the credit cards, they have other options when it comes to borrowing money for their urgent financial requirements. One of them is the short term loans that include the payday and cash advance loans. In fact compared to the plastic cards, these unsecured personal loans are rather more affordable. Ideally meant for emergency use in between payday, the amount can range from as little as a few hundred dollars to a thousand or two while the loan period is also shorter. This means then that employed borrowers don’t have other reasons not to afford to pay back their loans.

Growth in Personal Loans Continue

November 30th, 2009

It is without a doubt that personal loans are the preference of people today to meet their urgent financial needs. Understandable enough because these loans are easier to obtain, have lower interest rates and require less time for approval. This has been the choice of many people who failed to secure loans from banks, major lenders or from their friends and colleagues.

Across Australia, personal loans are experiencing rapid growth this year. The Bureau of Australian Statistics, in its latest report, confirmed that personal loans reached a record figure in August 2009 alone.

What these latest figures mean is that business is thriving for short term lenders. Their numbers continue to increase especially those that operate online. This can be attributed to the presence of low wage workers notably in the service sector whose salaries may not be sufficient to meet their family’s needs. Many of them experience financial difficulties especially in between payday forcing them to take advantage of short term loans. For these people, cash advances and payday loans are cheaper compared to those offered by banks.

Despite being a fixed rate loan, cash advances and payday loans are considered by many consumers to be more affordable.  Short term lenders can also attest that they don’t receive many complaints from their customers because in the first place, they understand that they made the right decision when they approached these lenders.  Some even no longer bother to ask about the annual percentage rates as long as they are able to obtain a loan the quick and easy way. This is a usual attitude of borrowers who bank on their regular salaries to repay their loans.

Lending companies don’t usually hesitate to accommodate high risk borrowers such as people with low income. What they do is to ensure that those applying for cash advances and payday loans are employed and with a current back account. In this way, they are assured of repayment of the amount when the borrowers get their checks come payday.

A common come on used by short term lenders are the fast approval of the loan and transfer to the borrower’s bank account. The absence of a credit check is another incentive used by online companies. Most people with poor credit history would normally have second thoughts getting a loan for fear of being turned down. But with willing lenders especially those that operate online, they see a good resource to help them in their financial requirements.

Cheap Fast Cash Is Within Your Reach!

October 16th, 2009

Cheap and fast?  Am I talking about McDonald’s?  Well, food there is cheap and fast, true, but I am actually talking about money here; cold hard cash.  Another question may arise: is it possible to find cheap fast cash these days?The answer is a resounding YES.  It is really possible to get cheap fast cash.  Even better, it is fairly easy to get your hands on some!  This is where I start talking about payday loans.  These are short term loans that are perfect for meeting the emergency needs of the average person.  When I say average person, I mean someone who has a job.  With a cash advance loan, any working guy (or gal, for that matter) can get some cash, fast!So how can you do this for yourself?  Easy – follow the steps below.First, go online and look for a cash advance loan provider.  Looking is the easy part, really, as there are so many cash advance loan lenders that operate online today.  All you need to do is type in the words “cash advance” or anything similar into any search engine.  You will see hundreds of results – maybe even more.  Now your next task is to make a decision as to which cash advance loan lender you should use.This brings us to the next step, which is taking a look at your options.  Before you make a decision, you have to know that what the cash advance loan lenders have to offer.  More than this, you have to know exactly what you want and need from the lender.  This means that you have to determine what things are necessary for you.  A good thing to do would be to write down these conditions and keep the list handy – you are going to need that list for the next step.The third step is to go over the offers of various cash advance loan lenders.  You can get a lot of information from the web site of a cash advance loan lender.  You can go through their FAQ section and browse the rest of the web site as well.  If you are not satisfied with the information from the web site, or you can’t find the answers there, you can get in touch with the lender.  You can do so either through e-mail or by phone.  Based on the information that you get, you can then make an informed decision.Fourth, send in your application.  The form is found on the web site and will need you to put in the most basic of information.Fifth, wait for the approval notice.  This should come within an hour – probably even less – of your application.Sixth, wait for the cash to be deposited into your bank account of choice.  Take note, however, that your account must be a current bank account in most cases.  This waiting period can take 24 hours – again, usually less.So why wait?  Cash advance loans can give you that money you really need.

Don’t Pay High Credit Card Interest Rates

October 2nd, 2009

How many credit cards do you have?  I don’t think there is such a thing as the “right” number of credit cards to have, but there is such a thing as having too many.  If you are struggling to pay off your credit card debt left and right, then the chances are that you ought to cut up one or more of your cards.  You should realize, though, that just because you cut up your credit card, it doesn’t mean that you do not have to deal with the debt anymore.  One of the biggest problems when it comes to credit card debt is the fact that the interest applied to outstanding balances is SO high.  I would even go as far as to say that high is not applicable.  Astronomical is perhaps the best adjective to use in this case.  The only way that you can drastically reduce the charges is to pay off the bill – if not totally, then with HUGE payments.But what if you do not have the cash to make huge payments?  One very appropriate solution is to go get a fast cash advance loan.  This is a short term loan that takes a very short period of time to acquire.  It is perfect for paying off your credit card debt – partially or in full – and getting rid of the responsibility of paying very high interest rates.  I would have to say, though, that the best course of action is to borrow money from a fast cash advance loan provider – enough money to cover the whole amount of your credit card debt.  This will ensure that you only have one creditor to worry about.Why is a fast cash advance loan better than having to make small payments on your credit card?Most fast cash advance loan providers offer amounts from $100 to $1,500.  If your debt is within this range, then nothing should stop you from using a cash advance loan lender.  For one, fast cash advance loan lenders are so prevalent these days, that you will not have a problem finding one.  Indeed, you only have to go online and you will find lots of choices.  The trick is to sort through your choices and pick out the fast cash advance loan lender that has the best possible offer that meets your needs and preference.Another reason that taking out a fast cash advance loan is better is that it is quite affordable.  Unlike credit cards, which charge a certain percentage of your balance as interest, cash advance loan providers charge a fixed fee for every certain amount borrowed.  This means that you will know exactly how much you owe right from the very beginning.  If you make ALL your payments on time, you will never have to worry about changing payment amounts.More than this, you can get the money from a fast cash advance loan provider within 24 hours of your application.  These things are not called fast for nothing!