Archive for February, 2010

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.

Cost Cutting Tips for Retirees

Friday, 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.