Are You Having Sleepless Nights Because Of Your Finances?

Financial Debt is a fact of life for everyone at some point; day to day pressures can sometimes be a cause. All is not lost if you have acquired a bad credit score; there are companies that will be able to provide a bad credit loan.When finance is arranged under these circumstances, the loan can still be used in the same way any other type of loan. Poor credit histories can be caused by deliberate actions from defaulting on a loan to simple mistakes like a missed or late credit card payment. If a person is accepted for a loan then there is a good chance they may help their credit rating.

The money from a bad credit loan might be needed for a forthcoming wedding, for a child's further education or even to consolidate existing debts which have become a burden. It is not uncommon for a person to arrange a loan just so they can repair their damaged credit history. They may not require the money for any specific situation.

There are two options available, secured and unsecured loans, but with the secured option the amount of loan will be greater, up to 150,000 dollars and the repayment period can be extended to a period of twenty five years. However, if you take the unsecured loan route the maximum you will be able to lend will be dramatically reduced to 50,000 dollars and you will only have 10 years to pay it back.

There will, however, be either a home or car, for example, used as collateral for the loan and this will result in the lender offering the loan at a lower interest rate; albeit, the borrower could lose their possessions if they fail to make their repayments. However, the unsecured loan route offers no protection for the lender and the interest rate is higher so if interest rates are an important aspect, the best course of action is to find a lender with the lowest unsecured rates.

To find out more about the available options it is best to carry out some research online as there are even a few lenders who will provide a bad credit loan even if there are outstanding debts and court judgments. However, there aren't many lenders giving this type of loan so if you want to get credit at a rate of interest which fits your pocket and has an acceptable time scale for repayments, you should opt for an online loan facility.

These bad credit loans aren't usually too difficult to organize even when there is a poor credit rating but they can make a big difference to person who needs the money. By making the loan application online it will speed up the process so you will be able to get back on with your life.

Finally, with loans for someone with bad credit, the opportunity to maintain credibility in the financial market by paying previous debts whilst rebuilding credit history, has got to be a good thing.

Stefan Seguin provides valuable information tips on business finances to educate anyone with a curious mind. Be sure to stop by our site and get a free education at http://www.internetmarketingvalues.com/finance/

The Debate Over Buying a New or Used Car

Deciding whether to buy a new or a used car can be difficult. When considering your options, which of these three do you fall under:

1. I am looking for a particular car, and am not concerned with its depreciated value over time.
2. I am looking for a balance between investment value and features/preferences.
3. I am looking for a car that will retain the highest value possible over time.

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages no matter which way you choose to go. But let's look at my recommendations based on the above categories. If you fall into Category 1, you should buy a new car, and drive it for years to come. The key thing here is, that you do not sell you car within the first two years, as new cars lose 60-70% of their value during this time. You should expect less maintenance costs with a new car, but I highly recommend obtaining a great warranty package as well to further reduce your maintenance costs, the point being that since you will be making a car payment, you want to have as few unforeseen costs as possible.

If you fall into Category 2, your decision is the toughest. You will most likely want to buy a used car, looking to take advantage of the first owner's loss in value, but not too old (maybe only 2-4 years old). But, you also have preferences, such as how large the vehicle needs to be to suit your family, bad weather performance capabilities, gas mileage, and aesthetics like color, interior type, etc. This will instantly narrow your list of potential candidates to choose from, and you may want to consider buying a dealer authorized pre-owned vehicle. You may still end up with a car payment, but you will have the satisfaction of retaining the value of your vehicle longer, and the advantage of a dealer warranty and inspection/guarantee. For many middle income families, this is a very popular and often chosen method.

Category 3 is where I fall. This type of person is looking for maximum value and Return-On-Investment (ROI). They will buy an old car (I usually buy cars that are 10-15 years old) that has high mileage and only a small blue book value. Many times I will buy my cars for around $2,000-$3,000 in cash. I have no car payments, high gas mileage, and low car insurance costs because old cars aren't worth much. Maintenance costs tend to be a little higher, but still far less than a car payment every month. The key here is to choose a reliable vehicle, and my personal preference is to go with small 4 cylinder Hondas. My last Honda Civic lasted about 3-4 years and was pretty reliable, with only a handful of maintenance problems. Hondas run forever (many people putting 200,000+ miles on them) and are known for their lack of maintenance nightmares.

In closing, I recommend buying an old used car, paying with cash, and driving the car for as long as possible. You will be able to take advantage of someone else losing all the value of the car due to depreciation, you will not have a car payment, and your car insurance costs will be less due to the lower value of the vehicle. It just makes the best sense financially speaking.

Get more great finance and investing tips at Jeffry Evans' personal finance blog. Should I Buy a New or a Used Car? is just one of many great articles you will find at Personal Finance Resources.

5 Questions About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are getting more and more popular each day. But still we don't know many things about them. Here are the most frequently asked questions.

1. Why are hybrid cars becoming so popular?

With the price of gasoline hiking up to astronomic proportions, a lot of motorists are resorting to different ways to save on fuel. Some of them use alternative diesel. Others resort to using bikes, which can also contribute to the clean air program.

Some who cannot do away with their rides, however, chose to buy hybrid vehicles.

2. What exactly is a hybrid car?

Primarily, a gasoline-electric hybrid car is a combination of an electric car and a gasoline-run vehicle. To make things clearer, it is first necessary to distinguish the characteristics of those two kinds.

A gas-powered vehicle is equipped with fuel tanks, which gives gasoline to the engine. The engine operates the transmission, and the transmission operates the wheels.

3. What is the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?

An electric car is equipped with a set of batteries which gives electric power to a motor. The motor then operates the transmission and the wheels.

Now the hybrid car is a mix of the two. The reputation of hybrids is that they add to the car's mileage with fewer emissions usually coming from cars run by gasoline, while eliminating more or less the disadvantages that comes with electric cars.

Motorists usually take three considerations in mind when judging the usability of a vehicle. These are:

-it should run at three-hundred miles at least between fuel stops.

-Should be easily refueled, in the minimum amount of time.

-It should catch up with the other vehicles zooming on the road.

The thing is, a gasoline-powered car has all these features, but it produces lots of emission plus the mileage is poor. On the other hand, an electric car gives off almost zero pollution, but the speed is relatively slow, and can only run 50-100 miles between battery charges.

4. What are the parts of hybrid cars?

a. Gasoline engine

Compared to the engine of other cars, hybrids use smaller ones and is more technically advanced in order to maximize fuel and lessen emissions.

b. Fuel tank

This serves as the device for hybrids to store energy for the gasoline engine.

c. Electric motor

The motor present in hybrids is a study in sophistication. It can serve as both generator and motor.

d. Generator

Much like an electric motor, but its only purpose is to provide electrical power.

e. Batteries

Acts as the storage device of energy for electric motors. The advantage of hybrid car motors is that they can charge the batteries with energy as well as get energy supply from them.

f. Transmission

Acts the same as conventional car transmissions.

g. How are the energy sourcecs used in hybrid cars?

There are two ways in combining the energy sources found in hybrid cars. The first one is the parallel hybrid, which is equipped with a fuel tank that provides gasoline to an engine, and a battery set that supplied energy to the electric motor.

The second one is the series hybrid. In contrast, the generator is powered by the gasoline engine, and the generator is capable of either energizing the batteries or provide power to the electric motor that starts up the transmission.

Want to know how you can save 50% of your money you spend on gas this month? Come to http://www.squidoo.com/hybrid-cars-101 and see how hybrid cars work.

No Nonsense Money Saving Tips

There are many ways to make saving money easy and doable. You don't need a lifestyle change to succeed in saving money. Listed below are helpful tips to make it easier for you to start saving money.

Make it a habit to prepare a grocery list. Write down the items that you genuinely need. Be strict with yourself and strike out superfluous items. Your grocery list will steer you away from pointless purchases as long as you stick to the list you've made. This routine will only take a little of your time each week but the benefits can be substantial.

Take advantage of discounts and coupons. Buy things that you use often in bulk to enjoy discounts. Toilet paper, dish washing soap, and detergents are some of the items you can purchase in larger quantities. Since they are non-perishable, you don't have to worry about them getting spoiled. On your spare time, cut out coupons and use them on your next grocery trip.

Enjoy homemade meals. Include on your grocery list food items you can use to prepare a homemade sandwich for lunch. Pack them well and take them with you to work every day. This not only saves you money for cafeteria food but also helps you eat healthy. For dinner, stay at home and simply prepare easy-to-cook dishes that are cheaper than restaurant food.

As much as possible, pay for what you buy in cash. Credit cards may be more convenient but it is also the fastest way to temptation. When shopping, leave your cards behind so you don't get tempted to buy unessential items. Use your card only when doing so would be more economical such as when there are installment plans or cash rebates you can avail of.

Check your pantry for natural body and skin care products. Milk and honey are known to be good for the skin. Using them instead of your usual lotion can help you save money and can even be healthier for your skin in the end.

Prepare your own snacks. Instead of always buying chips from the store, create your own popcorn or French fries at home. You don't only save money by doing this; you can also be creative and come up with even more delicious flavors!

Take your home-made snacks to the cinema. Save money on over-priced drinks and snacks being sold at the movie house and simply bring your own snack creations with you.

Reduce your electricity bill. Turn off lights in parts of the house that you don't use. Use energy saving light bulbs which consume less energy than the usual incandescent bulbs.

Don't substitute walking in the shopping mall for real exercise. More often than not, you wont stick to just walking. You'll go look in a store and find something you'll be lured into buying. Resist the call of the mall and choose a nice park to walk, jog or run in during weekends.

For more family budget tips, visit http://www.familybudgetguide.com

IVA UK Advice: Good Solutions to Get Out of Debt in the UK

Struggling with debt is now a common occurrence in the UK. You are not alone with the feelings of stress and despair it can cause.

When debts become overwhelming, it is common for thoughts of bankruptcy to be seen as the only solution. However, there is an alternative which is far less restrictive but can be just as beneficial for the debtor, the Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

An IVA, which was established by the Insolvency Act 1986, is a legal contract between you and your creditors. It is a legally binding arrangement supervised by a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, the purpose of which is to enable you to reach a compromise with your creditors and avoid the consequences of bankruptcy. Insolvency Practitioners are accountants and they will present your IVA case to the Creditors.

The IVA enables you to cut your debts to an affordable level and clear them over a fixed period. The compromise should offer a larger repayment towards your debt than could otherwise be expected were you to be made bankrupt.

You can even take out a fresh mortgage while in an IVA. What's more, it is a totally private arrangement nobody needs to know about it apart from you, your advisors and your creditors (people you owe money to). An IVA ensures that your home is protected and your job is not at risk.

You make one single manageable monthly payment, based on your budget, for 3-5 years. After that the remaining debt is wiped clean, leaving you completely debt-free. This means that an IVA can write off up to 75% of your debts.

However, under the terms of the agreement you undertake to contribute as much as possible within your budget. So in reality, an IVA presents an opportunity for you to pay whatever as you can in a manageable way in a way you can afford.

The advantages and disadvantages of an IVA compared with other debt solutions are particular to a debtor's individual circumstances and professional advice should be sought to decide on the best option.

Advantages

You only pay back a percentage of your debts. If you follow the agreed terms, you will be debt free in 5 years time. Up to 75% of your debt may be written off.

This is a legally binding solution so no further interest or charges can be added to the debt. Enforced by law creditors can't change their mind once they've agreed. You also get protection against possible court action.

Agreed monthly payment plans will remain fixed unless your income level dramatically increases.

It is a private agreement and only you, your advisor and your creditors need know about it. There is no publicity in the local papers, as is the case for bankruptcy.

You can continue to practice as a professional person (i.e. accountant, solicitor, doctor etc) or as a director of a company and can hold public office, as an IVA does not affect your professional status.

You can open a regular bank account, without an overdraft facility and have no/fewer credit restrictions than if you go bankrupt.

You can safeguard your property, as the proposals can be made flexible to suit personal circumstances.

Disadvantages

If you have equity in your house, an endowment policy linked to your mortgage, or valuable assets you may be required to release them in to pay your creditors. (This is usually done near the end of the arrangement). However this is preferable to repossession and enables you to safeguard and retain your home.

Normally, an IVA cannot be used if your total debts are under 15,000.

You must be able to afford to make an offer of repayment to your creditors. Generally you need to be able to afford monthly payments of 200 or more.

If you fail to keep up the payments set out in the agreement, your creditors WILL be able to take other action against you, which could result in bankruptcy, and your home could still be at risk if not specifically excluded from your IVA proposals

In their bargain to allow you to avoid bankruptcy, IVAs are expected to be for a longer period than bankruptcy (ie 5 years). People who go bankrupt can be discharged from bankruptcy within between 1 and 3 years. So it takes longer to be debt-free.

More information about how to get out of debt with a UK IVA solution is available online.

College And Money - A Students Downfall!

College life is totally different from the days that you spend with your parents going to the nearby school. It is the first step towards more freedom and more responsibility at the same time.

The things that you do during you college days shall probably have an unending impact on your future life. This includes the people you hang around with, the things you do and the effort that you put in your academics.

Most children tend to make the big mistake of feeling too secure during the college days about money. The splurge and spend money on whatever they feel like without giving the future a thought. They treat girlfriends, spend money on clothes and accessories and create a large debt by the time they are ready to leave college and get into the real world.

They start with a disadvantage of a negative bank balance when they start. The mistake that these juvenile people make is that they assume that when they get out of their colleges they shall land a good job and be able pay back all the debt. They do not realize that along with paying off the debt, they shall also have rent and bills to pay.

What you can do is to start early and if you know that your family will not be able to und the tuition fee then you start looking for options. One small start is to take up part time and vocational jobs that you can do while you are still at school and save up for you college. Even though this money is likely to be a pittance as compared to the college tuition fees, it can be a good source of pocket money if you have saved up well.

Other ways in which you can fund your college education is by making use of grants. These are becoming increasingly popular but are seldom adequate enough to enough to take care of al the expenses. Student loans are the most comprehensive way of covering the tuition fees in full. But the catch lies in the fact that these loans attract a high rate of interest and you need to think awhile before signing on the dotted line.

Even though many children take student educational loans for going to college, what you need to keep in mind before closing the deal is that you should be in a position to pay back the amount comfortably after you have completed college and enter the real world.

To find more information about college and money for college visit http://juniorcollegesuniversity.com

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Money Gone?

Oh Where, Oh Where Has my Money Gone?
Oh where, oh where can it be?
It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb
I scrimp and I save whenever I can
But my money's still gone and I need it again
Oh where, oh where can it be?

As stay at home moms, one of our greatest responsibilities is money management. It is not a subject most of us would like to talk about.

But the fact remains that choosing to survive on one income means that we must be very conscious of every single dollar that goes out of our pockets.

Yes, its time to talk about budgeting, or, more accurately, where it is your money is going.

What kind of budget are you using in your home? If you are like most of us, the answer is none. That needs to change, now.

Having a budget does not need to be restrictive, intrusive, or even expensive. You can write any sort of spending you want into your budget.

Before you can accurately put together a budget, you need to know where your money is going. Take a month to monitor it.

Carry a little spiral bound book with you, and make sure you give one to your husband as well. Each time you spend, whether its 35cents for a newspaper or its $100 at the grocery store, make a note of it in your book. Jot down the date, amount, and what the purchase was.

Don't try to curb your spending at this point. It is mainly important that you get an accurate accounting of your expenses. Though I will say, having to write it all down is an excellent way of getting you to spend less right off the bat!

After a full month has gone by, take the notebooks and compile a list of your spending. You may want to do this for a month or two if you felt like the particular month you started this in was an irregular month.

Put your spending into different categories. Somethings, like housing, fuel, and utilities are expenses you will have each month that you cannot change. But other expenses, like dining out, entertainment, snacks and even your food bill can be trimmed.

This exercise is very important. When you take the time to truly examine just what it is that you are spending your hard earned cash on, it can be both enlightening and frightening at the same time.

For instance, we found that my husband was spending almost $40 a month on coffee in the morning at his favorite gas station. $40 a month!

For me, it was bottled water ($2 each) at the gym three times a week. That works out to be over $300 a year.

By eliminating just those two simple expenses, we were able to add almost $800 a year to our savings account. This did not take into account the spending we were doing on the kids; toys at the checkout line, snacks at ballet practice, dollars here and there for video games.

The discretionary spending fund can eat away at your wallet.

After finding out where your money is going, you will be more open to a budget. You don't have to take all the fat out of your money diet, but just trim it back a little, and prepare to be amazed.

Rayven Perkins is an expert at saving money at home. She has spent 7 years finding and implementing unique cost-cutting tips that allow her family to live comfortably as a one-income family. Her site http://www.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com/budget.html examines resources and tips on Reducing Expenses, Stretching Your Dollar, and Supplementing Income in order to stay a SAHM

All You Need To Know About Debt Consolidation

Are you in debt? You may have debts from 5 credit cards. And may even have some personal loans. Do you have a feeling that you cannot afford the minimum payment every month? You may think of debt consolidation in this case.

In fact, some people, who are also in debt, may think that it will be the best option for them. Yes it is true that to some extent it may help since it can lead to a lower minimum payment each month. However, before you decide to go for debt consolidation, you should know what the advantages and disadvantages are.

First of all, let us talk about the advantages. The number on advantage is that you will only need to deal with a single payment each month after debt consolidation. However, if you do not go for a debt consolidation, you may need to deal with 10 different creditors if you have a few loans and credit cards. This will probably help you to handle your debts in an easier way.

As discussed, the minimum monthly payment will probably be lower after debt consolidation. The main reason it that the interest rate will usually be reduced after debt consolidation. The interest rate of credit cards can be as high as 20% p.a. For example, if you go for a second mortgage, the interest rate will be significantly lower. And as a result the monthly payment will also be significantly lower.

Of course there are also some disadvantages regarding debt consolidation. After the consolidation, you may find that you can manage your debt a lot easier. And after months, or a year, you may start using your credit cards again. And this will certainly lead to some new debts.

Besides, debt consolidation can also be something risky in a sense that the loan will usually be a secured loan. This means that you are borrowing the money against your assets. One of the most obvious situation is your second mortgage. You are indeed borrowing against the value of your home. If you are unable to repay, you may lose your home. And this can be more problematic than before.

From the above, you will know that there are both pros and cons for debt consolidation. The key is that you have to think about it carefully before you may the decision. As a small piece of advice, you should also try to cut all your credit cards after debt consolidation so that the risk of having new debts will be a lot lower!

The author has great interest in finance. You can check his blog on Financial Planning and Insurance Tips. Be sure to check Individual Health Insurance or Family Insurance and Debt Consolidation IVA.

Looking at the Difference Between Roth and Traditional IRA Accounts

Deciding whether to invest in a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA can be a difficult decision, especially if you are unaware of the differences. A Traditional IRA is an approach typically taken with an employer sponsored plan where before-tax dollars are contributed, thus allowing the employee/investor to invest more money over the life of the IRA. However, a Traditional IRA is subject to income tax at the time of withdrawal (typically retirement).

On the other hand, a Roth IRA is funded with after tax dollars, and none of the principal or growth of the fund is subject to taxation at withdrawal. All tax has been paid before money is ever invested, and the government allows for tax free growth. Sounds like the better option, huh? Lets look at example and find out.

Let's look at 30 years of investing between a Traditional IRA and Roth IRA, assuming the investor gets an 8% return, contributes $200/month to the Traditional IRA, and only $160/month with a Roth IRA (due to an assumed 20% taxation before investing).

Total amount accumulated after 30 years of investing.

The Traditional IRA accumulates approximately $60,000 more than the Roth IRA. But wait Jeffry, the Roth IRA doesn't get taxed during retirement and the Traditional IRA does, won't I end up with more if I go with the Roth IRA? Maybe, maybe not.

Typically folks that go into retirement tend to have less income, and less expenses (they have already paid off a mortgage, kids are grown up and gone, etc.). So, assuming the tax bracket declined from 20% before retirement to 10% after retirement, the total after tax dollars you would have with the Traditional IRA would be $268,264.70. The total after tax dollars you would have with the Roth IRA would only be $238,457.51.

That's a difference of $29,807.19, quite a difference!

Most financial experts advise their clients to contribute to a Traditional IRA for this reason. It usually turns out to be the better financial choice. Of course, this is based on many assumptions, some of which may or may not turn out to be true. It really depends on your situation.

If you have an employer sponsored retirement account, chances are likely that it is a traditional IRA, the employer matches it with some money, and of course, this would be the better approach. But if you are military, without a employer sponsored plan, especially if you are in active duty, then a Roth IRA may be of much more value to you. Because you do not get taxed while on active duty, then in essence, your contributions to your Roth IRA are also tax free (even though they still qualify as after tax dollars).

Get more great finance and investing tips at my personal finance blog. Invest in a Traditional or Roth IRA? is just one of many great articles you will find at Personal Finance Resources.

The Truth About Online Credit Reports

So many people are worried about identity theft and the status of their credit report these days. But with so many companies claiming to offer you a free report, it is no wonder consumers are confused and overwhelmed about how to get the information they need. The truth is many companies are not entirely interested in giving you a free credit report, as they are in making money off of you with their other products and services. How does a consumer know where to turn for the information they need?

The Federal Trade Commission is Your Friend

The Federal Trade Commission, a Federal agency set up to protect consumers, is the only place online that offers a truly free credit report through Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can receive reports on your credit every 12 months with no strings attached. Consumers often times are not even aware that they are entitled to review reports on their credit at least once a year, much less get it from a government agency.

Pitfalls to Getting Your Credit Report

Other companies will entice you to their website by stating you will receive a free credit report. Once at the website, you will often times find that you have to buy other products or services before your report will be issued to you. That's great, if you are interested in the other products and services, but most times consumers just want to see their credit records only.

You may see ads on television or the Internet, or hear ads on the radio from companies offering free credit reports. Be alert to the fact that when you visit the website you might be obligated to buy additional products or services before receiving a report on your credit status. The FTC receives many complaints from consumers who have fallen into this credit report trap. In fact, they encourage you to report any spam websites that you come across.

How to Get Your Free Credit Report

The FTC advises consumers that you cannot get your free credit report directly through Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. You must contact these companies directly through the FTC website. Simply type in "annual credit report" and look for the official website in your search engine. There are many websites that will have a similar name to this one, so be sure you are on the correct website by typing your search carefully. The site will guide you through the appropriate steps to receive a free report on your credit status.

Consumers typically type in search phrases such as "free credit score," "free credit history," and other similar phrases only to land in a website that wants to sell you something you don't need. Avoid using these searches in the future to avoid spam websites.

You can get your annual report on your credit status for free. You can keep a watchful eye on your credit history in these days of high identity theft rates. You just have to know where to go to get the information you need.

Gene Pimentel is the author of "Identity Theft Trap" and other informative
personal finance publications, freely available at his resource site
JustCreditReports.com and
IdentityTheftTrap.com

Debt Management Help For Everybody

It's called "debt" because all of the other four letter words were taken. Everyone at one time or another is going to be using this four letter word quite often in their vocabulary. Credit cards, no cash down financing and adjustable-rate mortgages makes getting what you want easier than ever. However, keeping what you want by being able to pay for it is what gets most of us into trouble. You are in good company looking for debt management help.

Write Down All Of Your Expenses

The first step in proactive debt management help is in knowing where the money all went. You need to keep track of your expenses. It might be daunting to keep track of one month's expenses, so try for one week. Write down everything you spend money on from food, public transportation, bills, lottery tickets, anything. In this way, you might be able to see what you can immediately stop wasting money on.

Have Only One Credit Card

You should have only one credit card per person in your household. If you have a home business, then you might allow yourself one credit card just for business expenses and one for personal expenses. In this way, you cut out the sky-high interest rates that will keep you in debt for several lifetimes. If you owe more than three figures to one credit card, then you need professional debt management help.

Spend Less Than You Earn

This piece of debt management help is, of course, easier said than done. But it is actually easier the more you practice good spending habits and not buying what you do not need. In tracking your expenses, you can get a good picture of how to change the course of where your money is flowing. You will need a lot of willpower, but it gets easier the more you practice self-restraint.

Take a total inventory of what is in your house. Are there clothes in your closet you've never worn? Are there computer games you've never taken out of the wrapper yet? In these examples, consider yourself banned from buying more clothes or video games for one year. Consider going to the library instead of the bookstore.

Also, keep track of your bank's little extra fees. Many banks will charge you up to $3.00 (US) just to use an ATM card. You need to plug up those money leaks. Check all of your utility bills for little charges like that. Perhaps you are paying for a service you hardly ever use get rid of it. Every little bit of debt management helps.

For more information about debt management please visit my website at http://www.debtfinanceproblem.com

Make Your Credit Cards Work For You

Convenience is the name of the game these days. Most people have credit cards so they can easily pay for their bills and things they want to buy. For these people, convenience is identical to swiping their cards.

Credit cards have made it now optional to carry cash. This greatly reduces the risk of getting held up as you are on your way to shop. It also speeds up things at the counter because you do not have to count out bills and coins anymore. By charging your water, phone and electricity bills to your credit cards, you also avoid having to line up at the payment centers just to settle bills.

These conveniences bring you benefits but there are also drawbacks to using credit cards. Poor management on your part can lead to more unplanned purchases that you cannot pay anymore. Sooner or later, you end up just being able to pay the interest charges and so your outstanding balance never seems to get smaller!

You can sidestep this trap by being credit card savvy. The tips below can help you take better control of your credit cards.

Always review your credit card statement. Check the entries and see if you truly made the purchases listed. Keep your store receipts so you can go back on them and compare the amounts charged to you. Be on guard against billing errors and report them immediately.

Study your purchases. Admit to yourself if they were merely for luxuries you simply could not afford but failed to resist buying. Make a resolution to think first before buying next time you go shopping so your purchases will be limited to the necessities.

Compare credit cards. Study the terms and conditions of other credit card companies and see if they offer lower membership fees and finance charges. If you have a huge outstanding balance, then check if there are balance transfer promotions being offered by other card companies. Here, you can move your outstanding bills to the new credit card company and pay for them longer with lower interest charges.

Reduce the cards in your wallet. They may look nice and give you a feeling of security but having too many cards have its pitfalls. It encourages you to purchase more since you can always swipe one card after another. Soon, you will not be able to make sense out of all your credit card bills. Keep in mind that in the case of credit cards less would definitely mean more.

Make timely payments. Note on your calendar the payment date for your credit card bills and pay them on time. This helps you to avoid penalty charges. If possible, pay the total amount due in full so that you do not incur additional interest charges. This habit will also reflect on your credit record and improve your credit rating.

Managing your credit card can be simple and convenient too. Just remember never to bite off more than you can chew.

For more information on how family budget and how to spend wisely, visit
http://www.familybudgetguide.com

Tips and Ideas On Saving Energy In The Home

Energy saving in the home is central to your personal responsibility in reducing harmful carbon emissions as part of wider personal, local, governmental and international initiatives to develop an environmentally more stable environment. Energy saving in the home will benefit the environment far more than any waste reduction measures.

Saving energy at home helps save the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Saving energy in the home can be accomplished in many ways,some large, some small. By saving energy we can all help fight climate change. By bringing energy saving into our everyday lives we can all help to prevent climate change, from simple actions turning off lights to installing loft insulation.

Key energy saving measures; Energy saving appliances use less power and are cheaper to run. When replacing appliances (especially large appliances like fridges and washing machines), look for ones displaying the energy saving recommended logo.

There are several energy saving ideas that you may want to consider applying to your home: Use energy efficient appliances: There is a universal labeling systems now in place to help you choose energy efficient electrical goods for your home.

Are you really an efficiency angel or is there room for improvement. Energy efficiency means getting the same job done while using less energy. Efficiency is usually done by replacing an older, less efficient appliance with a new one.

Dishwasher: Load dishes in their proper locations to ensure maximum cleaning efficiency.

Keep your stove's reflector pans shiny to maximize efficiency.

Check for products bearing the Energy Star logo, which have been determined by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to increase efficiency and save money.

Place your dryer in a warm space for maximum efficiency.

By upgrading heating controls you will improve the efficiency of any central heating system and cut your energy wastage and costs by up to 17 per cent.

Educating tomorrow's consumers about energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important given the potential impact of climate change. However, through intensive research, I realised how little I knew about various aspects of energy efficiency and began to take action on saving energy at home and at work.

For those with the know-how and persistence, optimizing your home's energy efficiency can be a fun challenge. But not everyone knows enough about energy efficiency, appliances, and insulation to make informed decisions.

HEATING AND COOLING Space heating and cooling accounts for about 45 percent of your utility bill and offers the greatest opportunity to improve energy efficiency.

Keep furniture and drapes away from the HVAC air supply and return air ducts to increase the energy efficiency of your system. When installing a new furnace, check the energy rating and choose a high-efficiency unit for maximum energy savings.

Empty your clothes dryer lint screen between every load to improve energy efficiency.

One of the little-known ways to save energy is to drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every few months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers it's efficiency.

To improve energy efficiency even more, replace the incandescent light bulbs in your home with energy saving compact fluorescent lamps. For more energy efficiency, remove both light bulbs from your garage door opener and replace the garage wall light switch with a motion sensor control.

Replace your lighting with fluorescent bulbs they last 5 to 10 times as long as regular tungsten filament bulbs; so, between much longer life and much greater electrical efficiency, they are significantly less costly to operate, and their widespread use would save significant energy on a national and global scale, with all the benefits that would accrue from that.

Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers,furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning units and water heaters all have high-efficiency models. Keep the top of your refrigerator free of clutter, and clean the coils once a year for maximum efficiency. Send this article to everyone you know and start a "social virus" of energy efficiency. The numbers you set for your air conditioner, thermostat, hot water tank and refrigerator are all critical to energy-efficiency.

Outside, clear away yard debris and shrubbery from around a central air unit for maximum efficiency.

Believe it or not, the impact of dirty, dusty, insect-laden globes, diffusers, reflectors, or shades on your fixtures' light production and efficiency is enormous. So, if you're aiming for efficiency, get up there and clean them off.

Adding insulation, caulking, replacing windows or remodeling your kitchen can affect the efficiency and safe operation of flame-burning appliances. Air conditioniners can have leaks that can lessen their efficiency. Your local utility may provide technical guidance and rebates or other financial incentives for many energy efficiency measures.

Improve your home's heat efficiency by adding insulation, installing insulated window coverings, weather-stripping doors, and putting gaskets behind electrical outlets. Select a high efficiency water heater: Higher-efficiency water heaters may cost more, but actually save you money over time because they use less electricity to operate.

Just stop for a minute and think about all the things in your home that use electricity. And electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. Every time you use electricity generated from fossil fuels, it contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and adding to the greenhouse effect.

If possible, replace light bulbs with low energy ones, these on average use four times less electricity and last eight times longer than a standard bulb.

Switching to fluorescents would trim the world's electricity bill by nearly one-tenth. Washing at 30 oC rather than normal temperatures means you use 40% less electricity. It is easy to fall into the trap of not considering it important to, for example, turn the lights out when you are not in a certain room; after all, light bulbs use relatively little electricity.

The way most of us use electricity to heat our homes is wasteful. Moreover home heating causes the highest peaks in electricity demand. As a rule-of-thumb you can assume that mechanical and electronic appliances use electricity efficiently, but anything that produces heat is likely to be quite wasteful.

Will saving energy at home also saves you money? You can save money, create a more comfortable home and help prevent climate change. You can weather-strip around windows and doors and you'll save money and energy.

It may be a chore to clean behind your fridge once every three months, but it will save you money. Fix those Drips. If you have a leaky faucet, you're pouring money down the drain. In just one day a dripping hot water tap can waste enough water to fill a bath and costs you money in fuel costs.

Simply changing the small things you do every day can help to save energy, money and the environment. Not only will you feel better about yourself, you'll be healthier and it might save you money too. Living areas switch to compact fluorescent lights to save up to 80% of CO2 emissions and money.

The good news is that by being energy smart and environmentally responsible, we also save money and help conserve our valuable energy resources.

Storm windows, caulking, weather stripping and double paned windows can save you money.

Replacing a dirty air filter can save money by reducing the amount of electricity needed to run a blower motor (because there is less resistance to airflow with a clean filter). Appliances that aren't working properly can run inefficiently and cost you money.

Properly seal your ducts: When the duct work in your cooling and heating system has leaks or is not properly sealed, air is allowed to escape into the attic, which ends up wasting energy and costing you money.

Select a high efficiency water heater: Higher-efficiency water heaters may cost more, but actually save you money over time because they use less electricity to operate.

The process of implementing thousands of energy saving ideas and overcoming obstacles to success can be lengthy. Also, it can be expensive, although it will save money in the long term. Start saving energy today by implementing the easy things such as replacing lighting, checking and changing filters, etc. Then develop a long term plan for fixing the big items. Set aside a portion of you savings each month to help defray the cost of the expensive items.

Get started today improving your home's efficiency. Get the whole family involved. Make a list of things that everyone can do to help, such as turning off the lights when not needed, turning of radios and televisions when not watching or listening.

There are many little things you and your family can do to make your home more energy efficient.

Think about it, devise a plan, do it! You'll be glad you did.

Jack Bowles authors articles on various subjects, and maintains a web site where you can learn to make money from home. http://solid-homebusiness.com/ Also an audio book download site where you can get over six thousand titles immediately by download. http://www.4553.leisureaudiosales.com/

Consumers Have Financial Concerns

A significant number of Britons are worried about the country's economic prospects, new research shows.

In the Cracking the Credit Crunch: Recession Veterans vs Recession Virgins study by Fool, it was revealed that 17 per cent of people believe Britain is already in a state of recession. Recession veterans were indicated as being those who have experienced economic difficulties during the past 40 years, with recession virgins yet to face the impact of a slump in the monetary markets. Findings from the personal finance publication also indicated that one in five respondents admit being filled with fear at the smallest hint of an economic downturn.

The drop was attributed to the continuing impact of the credit crunch, which was seen the availability of cheap loans and other types of borrowing diminish. Consequently, just under three-quarters (74 per cent) of Britons claim that they are to change their spending habits to help protect them against a financial slump.

Following an economic downturn it may be possible that significant numbers of consumers develop problems in meeting demands on their finances. Such areas could include home loans, store cards and mortgage repayments.

An estimated 41 per cent of recession veterans claim that recent difficulties in the financial markets have already had a negative effect on their own money management. One in three of people yet to experience a slump are reported to be "clueless" about the predicted difficulties that they may face. In addition, a third of recession virgins believe they are in a fiscal situation where they are forced to go into the red. Furthermore, 33 per cent of Britons state that they are unable to afford saving money.

Commenting on the research, David Kuo, head of personal finance for Fool, said: "The term credit crunch has become a part of our everyday vocabulary over the past eight months but it's instructive to see how people feel about a looming recession. In an economic downturn there will be opportunities and threats and we can take steps to maximise the first and minimise the second. And simple measures such as reining in spending will ensure that we have a pot of spare money tucked away to see us through a slump."

Mr Kuo reported that those who have cash to spare may be able to manage various financial commitments such as making mortgage repayments or investing money into a savings account. "It won't make the credit crunch go away but it will make life more bearable until it does," he added.

Research from Fool also indicated that 31 per cent of people think that a recession will last for at least two years. Some five per cent of respondents meanwhile claim it will carry on for an indefinite period of time.

For those consumers who are concerned about their ability to manage money as 2008 progresses taking out a low-cost loan now could be advisable. By applying for a UK loan it is possible that borrowers can meet numerous demands on their spending at once, leaving them with a single low-cost repayment to make. This may be particularly helpful to those experiencing difficulties in paying their mortgage. A recent study by the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that 27,100 homes were repossessed during the course of 2007.

Abbi Rouse is Editor in Chief for All About Loans. Our visitors have access to homeowner loans of all types: From self employed loans to bad credit tenant loans.

Financial Decisions Split Between Parents

Men and women tend to have a fairly equal say in how money is spent within the family home, a new study indicates.

Research released by the Norwich & Peterborough (N&P) Building Society shows that in the 16 subjects studied families tend to make decisions about money together, with 13 areas reported to be addressed this way. However, in the three topics where spending is not agreed upon by both parents, females were revealed to be dominant. The study indicated that women decide how much is splashed out on supermarket shopping in 59 per cent of households, with the same proportion also in charge for expenditure during festive periods. In addition, just under three-quarters (71 per cent) of women are in control of food shopping.

Meanwhile, the building society claimed that men and women often work out spending on "major outlays" as partners. It was revealed that 85 per cent of Britons make a joint decision when moving home, with 78 per cent deciding together on where to go on holiday. More than half (56 per cent) report that expenditure for household bills is managed between them.

It was also revealed that just under half of parents make use of a joint account for their household spending. Research from the financial services firm also revealed 44 per cent of mums and dads take decisions about saving money together, with two-thirds of those questioned setting cash aside every month. The study also indicated that just under a fifth (17 per cent) of respondents claim that they have never put money into a savings account for their families.

For those consumers who are struggling to save for the future, it is possible that they may encounter difficulties in meeting demands for payment on areas such as personal loans and utility bills in later life.

Commenting on the figures, Gary Lacey, group product manager for N&P, said: "Although men are generally the main income earners in a family, it is fascinating to see that most financial decisions are actually made jointly by both the mother and the father. Indeed, this puts the myth of the father as the financial head of the family to rest. In addition, while men rarely appear to have the final say so in matters of finance, women often step up to make the day-to-day decisions with regards to spending on their homes and children. This may be due to the fact that they are the main caregivers or - possibly - because mother often knows best."

For those households which are looking to supplement their finances as the year progresses, taking out a cheap loan could be advisable. In doing so it is possible that consumers can meet costs for areas such as property repairs, electrical goods, holidays and moving home. A loan may prove to be of particular assistance to parents after a recent Engage Mutual study showed that more than half of mums and dads believe they will have to cut back on expenditure for their children due to the impact of rising living costs. It was also suggested that about one in three of those who previously believe they were living comfortably now think they have to reduce their spending.

Abbi Rouse writes for All About Loans where visitors can apply online for tenant loans. We also specialise in homeowner loans, and self certification loans for the self employed.

Tips To Get Rid Of Extensive Debt

If you are going through some rough times, bad debt seems to pile up faster than you can make money. During these trying times, life becomes incredibly stressful. But there are ways out of every impossible situation and getting out of bad debt is no exception. Through abiding by several tips, even the worst of debt can be subsided with a little valor and effort.

Several Basic Tips to Debt Relief

The first thing one should do when faced with debt is to think of repayment plans. If you haven't contacted the company associated with the debt, be sure to do so and discuss possible payment plans. This will allow yourself time to get the money, while still have cash flow for necessities.

The above tip will also help avoid borrowing money to pay bills. Borrowing money will only worsen your situation, since the money will have to be paid back with interest. This method should be avoided at all costs. In some cases, a family member or close friend will be able to act as a bank, and allow money to be borrowed with a little friendlier term on interest rates. Although housing is a necessity, it is important to not go overboard. Generally, housing situations should not cost more than 30% of your monthly income if it can be helped. The luxury of a nice apartment is nice to have, but there is no sense in living like a king when there are bills to be paid.

Controlling Spending, Maximizing Earnings

To pay debt off, it's logical to think that you should be earning more money than you spend. This logical thinking is exactly right! Make sure that all unnecessary expenses are cut. Always seek to take the cheaper way out wherever possible. Cutting out unnecessary expenses can save a lot of money and turn bad debt into a hopeful situation. To make the process minimize further, another job could be taken to maximize earnings. This way your expenses are cut and your profits are maximized. If this kind of plan is followed, bad debt will only be temporary.

Strategic Repayment Plans

If you owe money to several different sources, always put the high interest debt as your priority. Over time this will end up saving a good deal of money for anyone with bad debt. Since high interest will always cost more money than low interest, this is logically the best solution. Debt can also be consolidated- meaning that all of your debts will be consolidated into one monthly payment. This requires the help of special agencies and businesses most times- but it is well worth the effort. Instead of stressfully remembering who you owe money and when it needs to be paid, you only need to look forward to one monthly payment. This also helps you budget your expenses with much more ease.

Final Thoughts on Bad Debt Situations

Bad debt isn't always impossible to get out of. Following the above tips will ensure that bad debt is a temporary stressor not long term. Of course this depends on the level of debt- but with the right budget all that is needed is time and a little effort. Also be sure to look into debt consolidation. We all know how stressful debt can be- and the phone calls from multiple companies never helps. Keep your head up high and your nose to the grindstone, and the bad debt will be gone for good.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about Commercial Collections and debt collections.

Investment Strategies for the Average Joe

Investment strategies for the long term are a vital to our future. How you invest now may be the difference between a comfortable retirement, and working for the rest of your life. Nobody likes the idea of having to work for the rest of their life, and we have put together a list of do's and don'ts to secure a comfortable retirement.

Tip #1 Educate yourself

There are people out there who play the stock market like they play the lottery. This is very dangerous, gambling on the stock market is the equivalent of going to Las Vegas and putting your life savings on the line. With any investment that is going to provide a decent return, there is risk. How much risk you take on with any investment directly affects the return. The general rule of thumb is, the higher the risk, the higher the return on your investment, and likewise, the lower the risk, the lower your return. The risk of investing into just a savings account has been explained.

While investing in stock is riskier, educating yourself can reduce the amount of risk you take on. This includes finding out what common terms are and what they mean. Understanding the financial statements of the company you want to invest in, and understanding the market that you are investing in.

Tip #2 Devise a plan

This step is just as important as the first, having the education is useless without having some kind of direction. Decide where you want to be by the time you retire, where you want to be when you hit fifty. Evaluate where you are now and what you want to accomplish in the next year, you can never plan too much.

You will also need to decide what kind of retirement you want to have. Do you want to maintain the quality of life you have now? Do you want to retire rich? Filthy rich? Or do you want enough to just get you by every month? Realize what you want to do and devise a plan.

Tip # 3 Investing is vital to your retirement

This cannot be stressed enough. It used to be that you worked for a company for 30 years until you retire, you get your office party and the faux gold watch, but you had a pension and social security waiting for you afterwards. Nowadays you have companies cooking the accounting books, and executives being the only ones with guaranteed pensions, and CEO's abandoning their companies leaving their employees with nothing while they take their guaranteed multi-million dollar pensions home.

What does this mean? It means that the person with your best interest is you. Nothing is guaranteed any more, not even social security. Corporations are replacing pensions with 401k plans, in essence they are shifting the responsibility for your retirement from them to you. It is up to you to decide whether you want to invest in your future. Realize that if you decide not to invest at all, you are throwing you future away.

Tip # 4 Research Research Research

There are so many reasons that you need to research whatever investment vehicle you choose. Whether its real estate, stock, whatever, you should never invest off of an assumption. Most investors refer to this as due diligence. First and foremost, never invest off of a "tip." There is always someone out there that knows what the next big investment is. They'll tell you to buy some shares of so and so stock because they are guaranteed to give you phenomenal returns.

While the advice may have some truth, it is best to do a little research first before putting any money into it. When doing research, it helps to understand financial statements. In general, if a company has more costs than it does revenue, this means the company is not turning a profit. In 2000, Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) was selling its shares at $113.00 per share, all while never having turned a real profit since the company started.

Today Amazon's stock can be bought for $45 a share. Imagine if someone invested their entire life savings into Amazon's stock at this time, they would have less than half of what they saved left. This is the reason for the most recent stock market crash, investors were buying shares from companies that could not show a profit. Companies were having lavish office parties every week because their stock was flying through the roof, all while their product sales could not fund these expenses.

Another reason for the recent stock market crash is because a lot of investors invest with emotion rather than knowledge. Over the holidays investors feared another terrorist attack, so they sold shares fearing another attack would drive the stock market back down. The emotion was fear. And that fear is detrimental to the stock market. If enough investors get scared and begin to sell their shares, the market will surely drop. If more investors are buying than selling, the stock market will rise.

Tip # 5 Inflation

The final tip is also a part of research, understanding inflation. It is important to know that as it pertains to your future, inflation is not good. The Webster's dictionary defines inflation as: an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services resulting in a continuing rise in the general price level. In other words, as time goes on, prices rise.

A good example of inflation, is how a million dollars today, isn't what it was 20 years ago, and it wont be what it is 20 years for now. If it would take $2 million to retire today, find out what $2 million will be by the time you retire, otherwise you will be selling yourself short.

Robert Abrom is the CEO of Abrom Research Inc., find more resources for your journey to entrepreneurship at http://abromresearch.com

Household Budgets: The Secret Weapon in the War on Debt

Ah, America...land of the free, home of the indebted. According to CNNMoney.com, the average American household has almost $9,200 in debt. That's the average. Some have much, much more. Interest rates generally run in the mid to high teens, so counting interest and payments on other debt, such as mortgages, the average American is dealing with a heavy debt load.

So what can you, Mr. or Ms. Average American, do to get yourself out of this nasty situation? The first step, which may be the most uncomfortable, is the most critical: get your life under control!

And that means preparing a household budget.

A successful business prepares a budget. It attempts to anticipate funding needs going forward, and then does its best to stay within the budgeted amount for its expenditures. You probably have an advantage over most businesses in that you have great foresight in anticipating your financial needs. You know what you typically spend in a given month on various things such as food, clothing, utilities, and rent or mortgage. If you don't have an idea of what you spend on these things, take a look at your checking account registry, or your online checking account information. Your past financial dealings are right there for you to see.

It may also be helpful to use a financial tracking application such as Microsoft Money. You can find out more about Money at http://www.microsoft.com/money/. These types of applications are excellent for becoming more aware of where your money goes. A free online application that is designed specifically for improving your awareness of your spending patterns is http://mint.com. The application automatically labels many of your expenses and lets you classify expenses any way you want. One unique feature of the site is that it lets you compare your spending to the spending habits of people in any city, state, or nationwide.

Just becoming aware of how you spend your money will greatly increase your power. You will likely find yourself becoming less prone to wasting money once you develop this awareness. Once you have a handle on where you money goes, the next step is controlling where it goes. And for that, you need a budget.

The first items in your budget should be the necessities - expenses that are not optional. These would include things like your house payment or rent, electricity, water, car payments, gas so you can get to work, and food. Many financial experts recommend that you pay yourself before paying anyone else, and by that they mean you should take 10% (or however much you can afford) and put it in savings or an investment account. However, if you don't have a roof over your head or food in your stomach, then saving is a moot point. So for purposes of creating your first realistic budget, I recommend that first you take out the necessities. Necessities, of course, vary greatly from the mind of one person to the next, but think of it in terms of BARE necessities - things you absolutely have to have to survive.

If you're really, really serious about getting out of debt, you might want to take a hard look at those car payments. If you could get by with something less, and you're not "upside down" (meaning you owe more than the car is worth), it probably makes a lot of sense to sell and downgrade. It will likely save you some money on a monthly basis, and may even put some immediate cash in your pocket.

Next, take out 10% for your savings. If you can't afford 10%, allocate SOMETHING. But strive for the magic 10%. It is also recommended that you allocate another 10% for charity. This may be an item you leave off until last, but many good things happen to those who are willing to give away some part of their income with nothing expected in return.

After savings and possibly funds for tithing, factor in your debt payments. Yeah, this is when you start to feel the pain. There are steps you can take to help ease the situation, such as debt consolidation. Another strategy is to pay off your debts in ascending order of size; i.e., pay off your smallest debts first, as fast as you can. As debts are paid off, add the amounts you were spending on those debts to what you pay to service larger debts. It's a snowball effect, whereby over time you end up paying larger and larger amounts on your biggest debts in order to get them paid off faster.

Next, factor in your non-necessities. This is where you really have to take a hard look at your life. Are you spending too much money on entertainment? Alcohol? Clothes? Fancy cars (as discussed above)? If you are serious about getting out of debt, then you've got to scale down these types of expenses. Just becoming aware of how much you spend on non-necessities may shock you into action. You should budget for these types of expenses, but cut them back, and allocate the remainder for debt repayment.

The final step in preparing your budget is to write down your income, and make sure everything balances out. You can't spend more than you make (that's probably how you ran up all that credit card debt to start with). If your expenses are too high, start cutting back on the non-necessities. In the end, you'll have a nice, balanced budget.

Once your budget is in place, you've got to find a way to stick to it. One recommended strategy is to use a cash system. The problem with the way money is handled today is that it's just too easy to spend it. Just whip out your debit card. No cash required. No check book and no ledger entry required. But you quickly lose track of how much you're spending. The solution is to allocate your budget requirements into cash categories. Literally put cash into envelopes every month for various categories of expenses. You will be less likely to spend money needlessly if you literally see your pile of cash getting smaller. And you will have much more clarity about your financial situation.

If you follow these steps, it can have a profound impact on your life. You can get out of debt quicker, take control of your finances, and feel much better about yourself. It's all up to you. And it all starts with a budget.

ClearOne Debt Relief is a full-service debt management company providing debt settlement services such as credit card debt relief to hundreds of thousands of customers. We help people cut their debt in half, lower their monthly payment, and get out of debt in as little as 24 months.

Identity Theft - The Warning Signs

If you are like alot of people, you have probably heard of identity theft. You have gotten mailings from various companies warning you about it and possible steps to take to prevent it. You probably understand the financial ramifications of it. You even understand that it can leave you financially devastated if you do not take certain steps to deal with it correctly and swiftly. But do you recognize the warning signs?

The sad reality is that alot of people do not recognize the possible warning signs of identity theft and fail to react in time to prevent it from becoming a real problem. They simply do not pay attention to those little warnings that something could be very wrong. Here are a few warning signs that you should be aware of.

Your regular bills arrive late or not at all. Usually the postal service is good at keeping the mail moving in a timely manner, but when your bills start showing up two weeks late or not at all, a better question might be: Is someone watching your mailbox?

A Related warning sign (to the above) is unexpected bills. Particularly credit cards, cell phones, etc. A potential thief may watch your mailbox to see when the mail arrives and when you pick it up. He can then steal a credit card application (Or any credit or mail in loan application), fill it out and send it in. When the card arrives, he can then activate it and start using it with you being none the wiser till you get the bills.

Denials of Credit can be especially embarrassing, but when you are rejected without a reason, it is even harder. An especially good idea here is to get and keep yearly copies of your credit report. This can be invaluable to you in detecting and dealing with unauthorized activity that is related to you. This can protect your credit rating which is invaluable when shopping for that first house or buying that next car. In many cases now, it is also a factor in landing a job.

You start getting letters or calls, or both, about items that have been purchased in your name, but not by you. This one is my personal favorite as it related to my own family.

A relative of mine started getting calls regarding a purchase he supposedly made in another city. At first, the calls were mainly notices of overdue payments. After a short while, however, they started getting nasty with threats of legal action and even some name calling.

It didn't take long to realize what had happened. His identity had been compromised. My relative took his dad and they traveled to see the merchant in question regarding this entire incident. It was discovered that the thief did not look like my relative in any way. This visit also stopped the calls. The irony of it all was that the thief knew my relative.

These days a little inattention can land you in a heap of financial trouble. Keep an eye on your bills. Keep track of your financial records. If you get any credit card applications that you have no interest in, make sure they are destroyed. Use a good crosscut paper shredder. A few simple steps can go a long way in protecting yourself from identity theft.

Ryan Smith is the author of the hot, new, blog "The 10 Commandments of ID Theft Protection" Learn more at http://www.e-profitsubmissions.com/wordpress

Be Careful of Identity Theft

According to some surveys, there are nearly a thousand victims of identity theft every hour. This large number is mainly due to the extensive use of online banking. As a result, you should really be careful if you are a person who constantly uses financial services on the internet.

Of course some banks may have fraud protection and you may not be liable if someone use your bank account to purchase. However, it will still require you some time to resolve the problem. You may need to apply for new credit cards and change all the information associated with the bank accounts. It will not be worth spending the time to do that if there are ways to protect yourself from identity theft.

In order to stay away from identity theft, you should take some measures. The first thing is to be careful of scams on the internet. For example, you may have received emails asking for your login information of your internet banking account. You should never reply to these emails with your login information.

Nine out of ten times they are only phising scams, this means that they are trying to get your account information by the scam emails. As a matter of fact some banks even warn their customers that they will never ask for the password of the online banking account of a customer!

Since the technology is so advanced these days, the scam emails may not ask you for your login information directly. Instead, they will give you links in the emails and ask you to follow the link to log into your bank account for maintenance or updating information.

You should never follow any link from these emails and enter the login information. It can be just a link to a fraud website and the theft can get your login information once you enter the password and log into your "bank account". The theft will just withdraw all the money you have in the account within a few hours! It may be already too late when you discovered that it has been a scam.

You have always bear in mind that when you try to log into your online bank accounts, you should try to type the url on the navigation bar instead of clicking links. If you have any doubt about emails that are sent from the bank, you should try to contact the bank in person before you make any decision based on the emails you receive. By doing that you will be able to be saved from identity theft.

The author has great interest in finance. You can check his website on Financial Planning and Forex Blog. Be sure to check Stock Market Analyzer and Life Insurance for Over 50s Tips.

Home Is Where The Money Is

In today's world, practically everyone is interested in having more money. Unfortunately, for too many folks it's become necessary just to make ends meet. Locating "extra" money is not as hard as it might seem, as long as you're looking in the right places.

When most people are looking for extra money, they try to figure out how to get more. Most people will work overtime, get a part time job, check out various money making ventures and even buy lottery tickets.

However, the best place to start is by looking at how you spend the money you already have. Many people can take anywhere from 10% to as much as 30% off of their spending by cutting frivolous purchases. The way to begin is by creating, then actually using, a budget.

When asking around, I've found very few people who create and use a written budget. In reality, there is little-to-no chance of being in control of your spending without using a budget.

The best way to start a budget is to begin with your regular monthly expenses. These would include such items as rent or mortgage, car loans, credit card payments and all other bills you pay regularly each month. Then you would account for your spending on such items as food, gas, prescriptions, etc. From there, you would add in other items such as car insurance, newspaper and magazine subscriptions and anything else that you pay quarterly, semi-annually, or annually and then calculate the monthly cost for those things.

Next, you need to account for all the other spending you do each month. So, for one month write down how every penny is spent. Now, this really is not as hard as you might think. Simply carry a small notebook and pen at all times and write down each purchase you make no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. It is in tracking this kind of spending where you'll find most of your potential savings.

Look over your spending in these areas and ask yourself it you really need or use all these things your hard earned money is going to. Do you really read that magazine or does it just sit on your coffee table until the next addition arrives? Do you use readily available coupons on the things you're already buying? If you carry a balance on your credit cards, are you make your payment as soon as the bill comes in or do you wait until it's close to the "due date"? That alone is one area where people fail reap huge savings.

If you're honest with yourself, you'll quickly discover the waste in your spending habits.

Finally, do you pay yourself first? "Do I what?!?" You're read that right. You should be paying yourself first every payday. It's the smartest way to build your savings. You can even start small with the extra saving you find in your budget. In a few short months you'll get used to not spending that extra money and you'll likely find in fairly easy to increase that savings amount.

If you have a computer you can easily set up a spreadsheet keep track of all these expenses, even if you don't, a hand written budget will work just as effectively. If you stick to it that is.

Get control of your spending and you'll find the "extra" cash you've been looking for.

Tom Schaffer is an escapee from the corporate world and is pursuing a life of affiliate marketing at http://www.jerseyshoremarketing.com. A great way to get your finances under control is this: http://www.jerseyshoremarketing.com/redirect77.html

Retirement Starts Early if You Desire to Retire With Money

Perhaps it is looking toward the future in terms of insurance, planning for college and other issues such as this also gets your mind moving on how you will be ready when retirement gets here.

But if we were able to step back above our lives, the best time to start preparing for retirement is not the middle age years. Retirement planning experts tell us that if young people in their twenties or even teens can start putting a little bit back toward retirement, the rewards when they reach their golden years will be phenomenal. If a youth in his early twenties or teens were to just put one percent of what they make back, and that money stayed in some form of investment vehicle that would grow into a retirement account, the growth between the time of investment and retirement at 60 or 65 can be explosive even at a modest interest rate.

Unfortunately, few young people are looking that far ahead when they are in their early adult lives. That is a time when the transition from teen years to family life is pretty all consuming. So it might be the responsibility of parents and older advisors to help youth see the value of starting to work on their retirement savings well in advance so they have a well developed program when their retirement years come along.

One of the best places for a young person to start their retirement program is with the 401k or retirement benefits at their job. Now, in the last decade, many businesses have eliminated retirement benefits where the company pays for the retirement. But if the young person works for a company that offers 401K, they can set aside a percentage of their income and it will be put into a retirement fund before taxes. Moreover, often the company will match the funds up to dollar for dollar and the company will manage the investment of the funds as well.

The outcome is a healthy and rapidly growing fund that starts out with an immediate doubling of the invested funds and then grows steadily over the years as more is put into the fund with each paycheck. The young worker gets used to the retirement money coming out so they adjust their budget to live without it. And without giving retirement much more thought than that, within a few decades, the 401K can evolve into a very impressive retirement account to be sure.

If you are a young person and you are considering if you might think about starting a retirement account, congratulations. You are one of just a few people who have the foresight to think about retirement this early in life. And by starting now, you take advantage of the thing that is your greatest asset is time. Because if you only put a little bit back, that can grow and grow and grow and become a sizeable retirement nest egg for you and your spouse even if he or she is the spouse off in your future.

Wayne Miller has written two e-books and has traded serious money inside different stock and commodity markets. One is called The US Financial Crisis of 2007-2007 and the other e-book is called Opportunity of a Lifetime. Top Ten Books Blog for Top Ten Book

Credit Repair Essential Guidelines

The Answers You Need

How long can derogatory items remain on your report? How can you spot the items that should be removed? Nationally recognized credit repair expert, Jim Kemish, offers a powerful overview of the most important credit repair guidelines.

Let's Get to Work!

We speak with people all day long about their credit reports. Here is a review of the most common questions that we encounter, as well as guidance on understanding and resolving the related issues. These details, if properly understood and acted on, can make a significant difference in your credit score.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

A discharged Chapter 7 bankruptcy will show in the Public Records section of your credit report for 10 years from the initial filing date � please note that the filing date is different from, and prior to, your discharge date.

Debts that are discharged in a bankruptcy can continue to report for seven years. It is important to note that once a debt is discharged it should not report with a past due balance, or in a charge off or collection status.

Dismissed Chapter 7 bankruptcies will report for ten years. A dismissed bankruptcy is a bankruptcy which was filed and thereafter cancelled or disallowed.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy which has been completed will continue to report for seven years from the initial filing date, rather than the discharge date.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy which was not completed will continue to report for seven years from the initial filing date.

Bankruptcy and the Fair Credit Reporting Act � A Legal Note

It may be of interest to note that the only reference to bankruptcy in the Fair Credit Reporting Act is a blanket rule that limits the reporting time to 10 years following the filing date. See � 605. [15 U.S.C. �1681c] (a). The credit bureaus, however, voluntarily make exceptions for Chapter 13 bankruptcies as noted above.

Collections - Overview

Collections are unique for the reason that they typically change hands, often several times during their lifetime. Important credit repair tip! Please note that only one collector at a time can legally report the debt; and only the collector that owns the debt can legally report it. All duplicate collection accounts for the same debt should be deleted from your credit report.

Collections can report for seven years from the original default date. The original default date is defined as the first time that you missed a scheduled payment. The original default date cannot be reset, and the reporting period cannot be extended by subsequent collectors.

Collections of Charged Off Accounts

Collections of charged off accounts have a slightly different reporting period than other collections. Charged off accounts can continue to show on your credit report for seven years plus 180 days from the date of original default, as defined above. This means that this extended reporting period does not start with the charge off date, but rather with the earlier default date.

Once a creditor has passed a charged off account to a collector, the original creditor cannot report the charged off amount as a past due balance. The balance should report as zero; the charged off amount may report on a separate line.

Unpaid Judgments

Unpaid judgments can continue to report for seven years or until the governing state statute of limitation has expired. You need to check your state statute of limitations to know for sure. State statute of limitations for judgments range from 4 years (PA) to 21 years (OH), and in some cases may be renewed one or more times.

Paid Judgments

Paid judgments can report for seven years from the initial filing date. This is handy to know if you are in a credit repair program; you may quickly remove a judgment from your report if you are willing to pay it, as long as the original filing date is seven years old. For legal support see FTC Official Staff Commentary � 605(a)(2): �Paid judgments cannot be reported for more than seven years after the judgment was entered, because payment of the judgment eliminates any "governing statute of limitations'' under this subsection that might otherwise lengthen the period.�

Tax Liens

Paid tax liens may not report more than seven years beyond the date of payment. Unpaid tax liens may report as long as they are in effect. If you are in doubt consult a CPA or tax attorney.

Student Loans

Late payments on your student loans will cease reporting after seven years. Defaulted student loans are another story�

A 1991 amendment to the Higher U.S. Department of Education Act lifted all time limits for collection of student loans. The reporting of defaulted student loans on your credit report can now go on forever. In addition, a 1998 change in federal law made it virtually impossible to discharge a student loan in bankruptcy.

If you are in default on a student loan you are well advised to address the issue, sooner rather than later. Fortunately, there are excellent rehabilitation and consolidation programs now available to everyone. These programs offer affordable repayment options and can even erase the default status from your credit report! This can prove to be a painless and powerful step for anyone in a credit repair program. Explore your options today with the Student Loan Ombudsman Office at (877) 557-2575.

Copyright 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Jim Kemish, a nationally recognized credit repair and restoration expert, is the president of Sky Blue Credit, a leading credit repair business since 1989. For more information visit http://www.skybluecredit.com