Archive for the ‘credit cards’ Category

Fees You’re Charged But May Not be Aware of

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Managing the family’s finances can be a daunting task and not easy to do as some people might think. It’s not just about adding and subtracting because other skills are required to ensure that money that comes in and goes out are properly accounted for.

In terms of dealing with credit cards, bank accounts and other financial matters, it pays to be meticulous about the fees involved. Being educated about the company or financial institution’s terms and conditions or policies can be a big help towards avoiding unnecessary fees and saving money moving forward. Recent financial reports and research findings revealed that many consumers still lack knowledge about the costs involved particularly in their use of the credit card that they end up facing huge bills and struggling to pay for them.

Financial experts strongly recommend reading and understanding the policies of each company that you deal with to ensure that you stay away from charges that are not supposed to be charged to you. This is the first and very important step to take when applying for a new credit card, a personal loan and even before you open a bank account.

Take for instance the credit card. Many consumers own more than one card but not all are perhaps aware of the fees involved every time they use the card for purchases or for withdrawing money. They may not even be aware of the annual fees they need to pay. But you need to be aware that some credit card providers have started charging annual fees on cards that are not active. The aim is to encourage them to spend using the plastic. Fees can range from $40 to $60 if consumers don’t use the card for a period of one year.

There are also credit cards that charge certain fees if you wish to redeem rewards points or frequent flier miles. The fee can range from $25 to $50 although some airlines can charge you up to hundreds of dollars just to avail of your mileage credits. Experts advise consumers to stick to one airline and do your best to achieve their gold or platinum status to avoid redemption fees. Also, it’s important to weigh the yearly fee against the benefit you will get because it’s not all the time that companies are fair in their dealings.

Another issue with rewards cards is that they can take away some of the points you’ve already earned during a certain billing cycle once you’re late paying your monthly due. If you request for a reinstatement of your points, you have to pay for it or it’s gone for good. The point here then is to pay your dues on time and the best way, according to experts, is to schedule automatic payments.

With short term personal loans, you should develop the same attitude. In other words, ask your questions first from the fees to the repayment terms before signing the contract. It’s better to be informed beforehand than later when you’re already feeling regretful. It’s been reported that some loan providers apply hidden fees that borrowers don’t know of so to avoid this, always read and understand the terms and conditions of the lender you’re dealing with.

Simple Steps towards Debt Management

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

For many consumers, debt is a normal part of life. It’s something they can’t avoid as they journey through life with their family. To some of them, it may even be considered a need just to get through with their daily lives.

But although this is the case around the world, people can always see to it that they are able to manage their debts. It’s not a complicated process if only borrowers think hard about it. As long as they know their financial obligations and plan well ahead using simple steps, they can achieve their goals of reducing their debt and eventually eliminating it from their life.

In the U.S., an average household today faces a credit card debt amounting to more than $9,300. Despite news reports revealing research findings that confirm the negative effect of using the plastic, many people continue to use their credit cards owing to the great convenience it provides. It’s been found that maintaining a credit card and using it regularly for even minor purchases is a costly habit. The main reason is due to the various finance charges involved for every transaction made using the card.

A good way to start towards settling your financial obligations is to assess all your debts. Find out how much of your take home pay goes to paying your basic bills and other debts such as loans. If more than 20 to 30 percent goes to debt payment every month, it’s time to sit down and plan ways to set your budget straight. Also if you’ve been taking out loans to pay for your other loans and paying only the minimum amount due each month on your credit cards, it’s time to make some changes. These should include adjusting your spending habits and making sure that you spend only on your very important needs.

When it comes to paying debt, the best option is to pay off those with high interest rates first. This applies to credit cards, assuming you use more than one. Financial experts advise that paying a bigger amount than the minimum on the card with a high interest rate and a lower percentage on the card with lower rate can help you save hundreds of dollars in interest and pay off your balance in a shorter period.

Another tip is to transfer your debt with a higher interest rate to your credit card with a lower APR. This can already be part of a debt consolidation process which can also save you money. Consumers just need to be aware of the tricks presented by some credit card companies that offer a low interest at the start but increases its rate after a month or so of its introductory period. But then again credit card owners can take advantage of this period by paying off their entire balance or at least a big percentage of that if possible during that low interest period.

Finally, in case you need to take out a personal unsecured loan such as the cash advance and payday to pay for debts, do this only to finance valuable things. It would be better to use the loan to pay for your house or your child’s education and important appliances that you can use for the long term. At least you can be sure they’ll still be with you even after you’ve paid off your debts.

Not All Debts Can Be Solved by Settlement

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

For people drowning in deep debt, sometimes their most desired solution is joining a settlement program. They think that through this method that will enable them to pay lower amounts every month, they can easily solve their financial troubles.

But financial experts warn that not all types of debt can be settled. It is because some companies won’t agree to a settlement plan. However, consumers can try some simple strategies that may greatly help them in lessening their financial burden moving forward.

When it comes to utility bills covering electricity, telephone and water, talking directly to the company is a good start. If you often delay in your monthly payment, you can just call the company and explain your situation. Being honest is a virtue and if you know how to explain your financial situation in the most sincere and truthful way you can, you may convince the utility firm to come up with an affordable payment plan. If they agree, you can then pay your monthly bills in the amount that you can afford.

In terms of tax debts, these are also not allowed to be included in settlement plans.  So in case you’re having difficulty paying the full amount, there are other options available. Again, a simple consultation and explaining to the IRS may help you apply for an alternative way to pay your taxes over time. In this situation, it will help you if you honestly reveal to the IRS your real financial situation and then request for a solution which will allow you to pay your dues gradually.

For divorced couples specifically for the breadwinners or husbands who are required to pay child support and alimony, there is also a solution if in case you miss out on sending them to your loved ones. It’s the court that issues the order for this support so the best way to settle them is by contacting the court. You just need to provide concrete proof that you lack sufficient funds and that you’re facing financial difficulty.

Additionally, be aware that creditors normally don’t accept a settlement plan for secured debt. Remember that this type of debt involves possessions such as a home or a car with high value. When you default on your payments, these are taken away from you and then repossessed by the credit company or lender. In other words, no settlement is allowed. No ifs, no buts.

This is the reason why experts stress to prioritize your house payment more than any other debt even including your credit card debt. The house is more important because it is where you live with your family.

So what’s essential here is to learn to communicate your real situation to concerned companies and lending institutions. Instead of going for debt settlement, making a call or a personal visit can be of great help to lessening your financial burden. Honesty and sincerity are also important when communicating your issues so that you can convince company officials to take immediate action on your specific situation.

What you Should Know about Debt Settlement

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Many people are in debt today. This is a reality and while some are finding ways to solve their problems, there are others who don’t know where to start.

Debt can stem from a number of factors. These can be due to large medical expenses, loss of a job, divorce or separation, unexpected expenses and abuse of credit especially the credit card. The frequent use of the credit card, however, has been the most popular cause of debt in recent years notably among people who own several of this plastic. Many were not knowledgeable about what’s involved in using the card including the finance charges. They rely most of the time to this form of credit for their minor and major purchases not mindful of the charges applied to them. They will only clamor once they see how much high the balance they have already accumulated.

Financial counselors usually advice people facing huge debts to go for a consultation and consider debt consolidation. This will enable them to gradually settle their debts in a way that’s most affordable to them. But it’s not easy for people to consider a debt settlement process. Some are not knowledgeable about how it’s done while the others are hopeless as to where to turn to.

For those familiar about debt settlement and consolidation processes, however, they may consider these steps if only to cut down and finally settle their debts. But what do these actually involve? Do they really help a person in deep financial trouble?

With debt settlement programs, what’s usually required is for the debtor or the borrower to pay a monthly deposit into a bank or trust account. Once this has reached about 50 to 60 percent of the total amount the person owed, the settlement company gets in contact with the lender and offers a lump sum as a form of settlement for the account.

Unknown to some people, though, these settlement firms may charge a huge fee from the debtor’s bank deposits. The sad part is that this fee is deducted from the deposit even before the settlement takes place.

It may also be worth knowing that going for a debt settlement may not even help you in terms of your credit score. From the time you accumulate your debt until you enroll in a settlement program, you will gain a negative status on your credit report.

So what do all these point to? Just one important thing — that you need to pay off the money that you owe lenders. Borrowing money comes with a great responsibility and this people who often avail of credit should be conscious of all the time.

Whether you’re taking advantage of unsecured and short term loans such as the payday and cash advance or other types of loans, you should always make sure that you pay for the amount before its due date. Never wait for the due date to come if only you have the money to pay.

Additionally, avoid using the credit card as much as possible. Frequent use of this alone already entails a high cost so if you can freeze it while you’re in the processing of settling your debts, the better. If you want to be free from debt later one, then eliminating the plastic is a good choice.

What Debt Consolidation Service to Choose

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Debt consolidation are two words that have become a common household name today particularly among families in deep financial trouble. Either this step was recommended to them by financial advisors or they themselves thought about it after learning how it can help them settle their debts.

The debt consolidation move is very ideal for people facing huge credit card bills. This not only involves a single card but several cards. It’s a fact that many people are fond of owning more than one credit card only to regret it later when they’ve already accumulated so much debt. Many fall into deep trouble because of the lack of knowledge that frequent use of the plastic can be quite costly. They are often unaware of the hidden charges involved and only get to realize it when they get their billing statement.

The first step to this move is to obtain a credit card debt consolidation loan. This is not such a problem today as numerous unsecured debt consolidation services can be availed of on the internet. But take note, not all online services maybe legitimate as some are purely scams. And so it’s your responsibility to check first the identity of the companies you’re targeting to utilize. Learn as much as you can beforehand about their background, terms and conditions and customer support to ensure that you’re dealing only with a legitimate online service.

When selecting a loan for purposes of consolidating debt, the most important consideration is affordability. Since your goal will be to pay all your outstanding balances, what you should be taking into account is how much you can afford to pay for that particular loan you’re going to take out. Normally, it’s a fixed term loan that is recommended with an easy and affordable repayment schedule.

Most online debt solution services strongly advise their clients to acquire an unsecured loan that will allow you to pay your credit dues into one payment each month. This solution is aimed at taking off a huge part of your financial burden especially when you’re already being barraged by calls from creditors. Borrowers facing huge debt can experience a lot of stress when being pressured by debt collectors whether at home or in the office.

Going for this option is also very beneficial as it helps debtors save time and money. Unlike if they continue with their usual situation not paying their dues in a timely manner and missing monthly payments, the balance further increases due to the additional charges being applied. Debt counseling services usually have a legal counsel who talks to lenders about the most appropriate terms for their clients specifically a repayment schedule that suits their budget so they can continuously pay their monthly dues without fail moving forward.

In line with this, it is a must to choose a lender that can meet your needs for your debt consolidation effort. If it’s possible, make sure to get quotes from several lending companies and then compare their rates. Check as well the charges they include.

Is Freezing Your Credit Card the Right Thing to Do?

Thursday, 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.

Prioritize Debt Payments

Thursday, 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.

Start Getting Rid of Debt

Thursday, 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.

Aussie Attitude towards Credit Card Use Changing

Monday, 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.

Don’t Pay High Credit Card Interest Rates

Friday, 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!