By: Matthew Gause

More and more credit is becoming a bigger part of our lives. Your credit score can affect your quality of life. The car you drive, what house you live in, and the jobs you get can all be affected by your credit score. As time goes on your credit score is more and more important. That's why you need to build solid credit history as soon as possible. If you are just getting started or you're rebuilding your credit score this article is very important. It will teach you the five credit mistakes made by rookies and how you can avoid them.

First Mistake-Too many credit inquiries. When you apply for a new loan, credit card, or rental agreement you allow creditors to pull your credit report. The new creditor might not be completely forthcoming but somewhere in the small print you give them permission to pull your credit. ... Read more »

By: Philip Nicosia

Very few people actually understand their credit score or how it affects their ability to get future credit. They fall behind on their credit card payments, max out their cards, get even more credit cards to pay off another, and then think, "as long as I'm making the minimum payments, I'm okay."

However, even if you've not quite fallen into bankruptcy, your credit score has taken a sore beating. You may not be able to get a good interest rate on your cards, the interest rates of your mortgage (you may not even be eligible for a mortgage), and even your insurance premiums. There are even some employers who see credit scores as a sign of your responsibility and dependability, and they won't hire you once they find out that you're barely skirting above the minimum.

By: Stephen Snyder

I want to address a question I've been asked a lot lately...

"Why have my credit scores gone down since I last checked them even though I've made all my payments on time?"

First let me tell you that the only way your credit scores can go down is if information appearing on your credit reports changes.

Your credit scores are calculated from:

1. Information provided by lenders you have accounts with

2. Lenders when ... Read more »

By: john cena

Some companies advertise that they have a credit report repair Software and also they will teach you credit repair secrets, for a fee of course. There is a lot of free information here, if you know where to look. Before you take a credit repair course or sign up for credit report repair, read the facts and the laws relating to credit repair. In this way you may avoid some disappointment and save some money.

What is credit report repair or software? The best kept "secret" is that creditors and credit reporting agencies (commonly referred to as the credit bureaus) make mistakes. What can you learn in a credit repair course? You can learn the basics of bad credit repair, without paying a penny. If you cannot achieve results on your own, then you may need to hire a credit repair lawyer to help you. If you feel that you hav ... Read more »

By: Garret Belisle

Here is STEP 1: Read your credit report to discover what things are listed on the report that have led to your bad credit rating in the first place.

STEP 2: If you note inaccuracies on your credit report, you'll need to dispute those with the individual creditors reporting them. You can't dispute accurate information even if it does reflect poorly on your credit report, but you can make repairs and improve your credit. 

STEP 3: Contact individual creditors and ask if they're willing to work with you to create a repayment plan you can afford, but also assures the creditor of your intent to repay the debt owed them. 

STEP 4: Contact your credi ... Read more »

By: Blondie L.Clayton

Money worries have many different voices: "How am I going to pay my phone bill? My lights are almost two months behind. The rent is due. What are we going to do about the mortgage? We don't have money for football uniforms. No field trip. That cost money. No, you can't have that, it cost more than what we have in our budget. They're coming to take the furniture back; our payment is overdue. The kid needs her braces removed but the dentist won't do it unless we pay the rest of the money we owe. I've lost my job. I'm sorry, honey, they have downsized my position. If I want to keep my job I will have to take a cut in pay. How can I afford these child support payments? I can't take this any more. What are we going to do?"

A mind that is cluttered with money worries may be flooded with one or two or all of these tho ... Read more »

By: Paul Haughney

Taking on a new credit card may seem like a good way to control and handle some of your spending. However, it's vitally important that you think carefully before taking on a new credit card, otherwise you build up not just spending debts but extra charge debts too.

When you're looking at a new credit card offer, make sure to look at the small print - it may seem like a maze, but it's vitally important you pay special attention to it. With new regulations ensuring that credit card companies highlight the main credit card terms and conditions, there aren't as many excuses for ignoring the terms as there used to be. However, credit card lenders can be devious, while operating within the confines of the law, and there are plenty of things they do to 'catch you out'.

... Read more »

By: Jessica Peterson

Not all debt can be consolidated and given that there are different consolidation programs you should check if the one you choose or the one that the agent chose for you is really to your advantage. 

There are many reasons why debt consolidation may not be the right solution for you. Debt consolidation cannot solve debt problems for all kind of debts. Debt consolidation may be too expensive if debt has already affected your credit and you don't have collateral. And certain debt consolidation programs may be nothing but scams. Thus, you need to be well aware of what you are getting into. 

Debt Not To Be Consolidated 

For starters, you should understand than not all debt is suita ... Read more »

By: Janet Williams

With the popularity of plastic money these days, credit cards are gaining immense importance. With growing usage of credit card the number of people in debt and the amount of debt for each of them is also increasing at a fast pace. Almost every household in the US today is undergoing the threats of debt problems. People undergoing credit card debts should ideally opt for debt consolidation in order to lead a debt free life. In the US more than half of the population has an average of $8000 debts, only because of the usage of credit cards.

You must be eager to know:

How is the process of debt consolidation beneficial to settle credit card debts?

How is it useful to consolidate my credit card deb ... Read more »

By: Jennifer Hershey

Having a blemish on your credit report can lead people to believe that it will be impossible for them to obtain a mortgage or refinance their current one.

Although having less than perfect credit can be a challenge, all hope is not lost.

There are lenders out there, and many of them, who specialize in doing mortgages for people with challenged credit. These lenders are known as sub prime lenders.

You may not be familiar with sub prime lenders because they are not the type of institution to set up shop on every street corner like the banks.

Sub prime lenders deal with ... Read more »

By: Pat Hicks

Too many people are being confused, mislead and taken advantage of by tem, "Free Credit Report". We set the record straight so that won't happen. Text How many of us have looked at anything offered to us for "free"? Not me? Of course I have. In this day in age when gas prices are listed as "Arm" and "Leg", providing health insurance for your family costs more than some mortgage payments and the cost of raising kids looks like a hockey stick pasted onto a graph, you bet I look at offers to save money. 

Therein lie's the problem. It seems like the vast majority of American consumers are desperate to cut costs, any costs, and will jump too soon at offers promising to do just that. Sometimes when you combine a cost cutting mentality with the importance of credit, not only to purchase the big ticket items important to ... Read more »

The Debt

In America, it is not only accepted that the majority of us are knee-deep in credit card debt, it is normal. Two generations ago it was just flat out wrong - a sin, to have any kind of debt at all. Today it is quite a different story and credit card debt is a mega, multi-billion dollar a year industry. The major credit card companies are eating it up like hotcakes and our credit reports are taking a lot of the heat. More than 75% of all college students are in credit card debt within their first year of school. From Sears to Visa to Diner's Club, people are adding to the debt stock pile that the distributors thrive off of. There are tens of thousands of websites that support and offer more to this enormous problem and it has got to stop! We have to draw the line individually, because there are no boundaries on the excessive spending in America.

... Read more »

By: Tom Justice

Debt is a Product in America

The #1 sickness in America concerning finances right now is debt. Debt is a product in our culture and it is vigorously aimed at you and me everyday, everywhere. As a society, we borrow more money than the last two generations times two and your online credit report reflects these habits! Some companies like Sears make more profit from their credit department than from all the physical products they sell.

But It's the Norm Isn't It?

We are programmed from childhood to make automatic decisions regarding our personal spending habits thus negatively affecting our online credit report. A few 'real world' examples are listed below:

lea ... Read more »

By: Tom Justice

Your Credit Report (the Boring Part)

Your online credit report is a collection of files and records pertaining to your credit history. It is often referenced for hiring, renting, mortgages, loans, background checks and many other situations which may require an involvement of a larger sum of your income or a need for your personal services. Your online credit report contains the good the bad and yes, the ugly, within its pages. There are 3 major credit report bureaus from which the information comes from: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. For the most they are similar, but between the three bureaus there may be some different items listed.

What If!?

What ... Read more »

By: John Janney

Executives at Debt Shield, Inc., a Maryland-based debt settlement firm, said that the increased minimum monthly payments on credit card balances will most likely not double, as it is widely reported, but that the increase might push financially struggling cardholders into bankruptcy or bankruptcy alternatives, like debt settlement.

"While credit industry experts and the media claim that credit card companies are doubling their minimum monthly payments from 2% of the outstanding balance to 4%, the actual minimum payment increase is more complicated and less drastic for most cardholders," explains Mark Baylis, President of Debt Shield. "The new rules require credit card banks to set their minimum payments to cover all interest and fees plus 1% of the outstanding balance, which will result in significant increases for h ... Read more »

By: Pat Hicks

Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody. Agatha Christie (1890-1976)

You notice I called credit cards by their real name. Make no mistake, the outcome of using a credit card is to create debt. It would be a lot more difficult to market a "Debt" card but that is what they are. In case you weren't aware of it, Federal regulators are pressuring banks into raising the minimum credit card payment from 2% to 4% to "help" consumers get out of debt quickly but somehow failed to address the usury interest rates charged by these companies.

Here are a few things you might not know about the credit card industry.

Credit Card Industry F ... Read more »

By: Gerard Korsten

I want you to take a good long look at your debt. Do you really know what it costs you to be in debt? Are you thinking that you can handle it or is it getting you down?

Once you start really analyzing your debt position and the cost (to yourself) of having the debt, the results can be mind-numbingly shocking. 

I've found that debt is a lot like smoking. When you start out, you believe you're in control and you can quit at any time. As the months and the years roll past, this initial belief does not fade away. With every debt you incur, the mantra "I can afford this", repeats itself in your subconscious until you wake up one morning and realize that you're in over your head.

... Read more »

Considering soliciting the services of a debt consolidator is a good idea if you have massive debts, and are struggling to stay afloat. The economy is such at this present time that even many middle class families are having a difficult time. Housing is a big issue - homes are not selling, big reductions in the price of a home is seen, and new building construction is down. The evening news has many stories about people unable to pay rent, pay an ever-increasing heating bill, and unable to pay the high price of gasoline to even go out and look for work. We are a nation in deep economic trouble.

People today are more and more turning to debt consolidation services to help bail them out of an unstable financial position. Services provided can help you to bring down your rate of interest and your amount of repayment on a scheduled basis. It will also help to decrease the st ... Read more »

By: Heather Peters

Credit cards are fast becoming a blight on the American economy, but they also help stimulate growth. The problem comes when users are forced to (or voluntarily) overspend and begin the never ending cycle of paying less than the full balance on the credit card. At this point you officially have credit card debt.

When we got married we had over $34,000 in outstanding debts, much of it on credit cards. After sitting down to have a good cry I got things into perspective. With a solid plan and the determination to stick with it, we could have those debts completely paid off within a couple of years.

The time it takes to clear those debts depends on your income and ability to trim other expenses in order to funnel as much money as possib ... Read more »

By: Lee Dobbins

When you start to get behind in your bills, your creditors often wait a several weeks before notifying collection agencies. During this time, it might be smart to write your creditors and request an extension or a reduction on what you owe so that you can pay the debt off slowly.

Since most creditors want the money they will extend your time to repay the debt. This is to their benefit too as it is a big hassle for them to go through the motions of reporting you. Most creditors want their clients to come back and believe that if given a chance you will pay off your debt and start a new account.

After you have talked to each creditor, set up a budget plan that will help you through eliminate your debts. The first thing you must do is add ... Read more »

By: Lee Dobbins

If your debt is out of control you must take some time to seriously think about your situation. Think before you charge anything and stay alert to the charges on your credit report. 

Don't stop paying your debt all together - paying something toward your bill is better than avoiding your obligations. If you take review your bills and compare to your funds and decide that you do not have enough to pay the entire amount of the bill, you might be able to pay the minimal balance temporarily.

If you have a bill and the money to make payment tell the creditor that you intent to send the money via regular mail immediately - and do so. Creditors prefer that you phone them to negotiate payment schedules and sometimes creditors will even lo ... Read more »

By: Lee Dobbins

Keeping your credit clean is a matter of due diligence and you should make it a priority to give yourself a "credit checkup" every year, much like you would make it a priority to get a medical or dental checkup. 

Even if you don't think you have credit problems, you should get copies of your credit report. You can get them from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Check these to make sure everything on there is correct. If you find errors on your credit report, clear these up immediately.

If you apply for a credit card or loan, then you can get all 3-credit reports for free. Additionally, if you receive a letter that denies you credit, make a copy of it and enclose it with your written request for a copy of your credit report.

By: J Shipper

Keep Your Credit History Clean - Remove A Negative Credit Record From Your Credit Report

It can make a difference of up to 18% in loan repayment costs. For example, on a 30-year, $150,000 fixed rate mortgage, a borrower with the best credit score, 760-850, will pay 5.59%, or $860 per month, while someone in the worst score range will pay 7.18%, or $1,016 per month. This can make a big different to the household budget, so it's to your advantage to keep your credit score as low as possible.

The 3 major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union are similar and feature a "Credit Score", which is derived from credit report information submitted to them about you.

... Read more »

There are 2 sides to the changes in bankruptcy rules.

It will be a lot harder to file bankruptcy under chapter 7 and get a totally clean slate.

For businesses, relying on issuing credit, the new personal bankruptcy law is doing great, reducing personal bankruptcy claims from the thousands to double digits (in the short run). 

However, lawyers working with the actual people filing for bankruptcy say that the new law is seriously flawed because it puts more financial burdens on already broke clients and reduces potential debt repayment to small businesses. 

And then of course you have the credit card companies charging high interest rates which in quite a few ca ... Read more »

Need a credit card? No problem! And that's exactly the problem. In a nation where instant gratification is touted as a virtue, credit is available to anyone no matter what their credit history. This is causing personal and financial problems for many consumers who abuse the easy availability of credit and find themselves unable to pay back their loans.

There was a time in history when extensive credit was available only to the aristocracy, and debt carried a social stigma for anyone else. The poor and middle class were carefully scrutinized when they applied for loans, and debtor's prison awaited those who did not repay their debts.

Americans are more indebted than ever in the nation's history. The amount owed on loans for cars, homes and credit cards adds up to nearly 100% of annual after ... Read more »

By: J Shipper

Many consumers are overwhelmed by accumulated debts. In most cases, the problem creeps up gradually, until the total debt load reaches unmanageable proportions. Sometimes even minor problems such as temporary illness can tip the balance for the heavily indebted because they have no savings on which to fall back. Here are some suggestions to help ease the debt burden. 

Credit Cards

If you know you are tempted to overspend on credit cards, leave them at home when you go shopping. Pay with cash and you will not have the temptation to overspend.

Develop a Budget

To take control of your financial situation you must have a realistic assessment of how much money ... Read more »

By: Michael Colucci

Whether you own a credit card that offers reward points, a credit card with a low ongoing APR or one with a 0% APR intro rate, it helps - and pays - to act smart with your credit card usage. If and when you own a credit card, it's not just simply a matter of swiping and paying off bills. There are ways to maximize the promotional offers and rewards of your credit card and we're here to teach you how to be a smart credit card owner.

The Zero Percent (0%) APR Intro Rate Credit Card - So, you've been approached by a credit card representative offering you this type of credit card, have you? He made it all sound so simple and wonderful, didn't he? Or maybe, you accidentally came across a credit card website and you found yourself mesmerized with the words zero percent. 

... Read more »

Mano y mano, which one is better do you think - a credit card with low, ongoing APR or one that offers 0% APR as an intro rate?

There are so many types of credit cards that offer all sorts of promotions and rewards that it's definitely hard for a consumer to pinpoint which one would best suit their wants, needs and present financial situation. If, however, you've already managed to reduce your choices to just two and the battle's simply between the low ongoing APR credit card and the 0% APR intro rate credit card then here are several tips to help you determine which one is the best credit card for you.

Are You Planning To Buy Anything Expensive - Yes, the words zero percent can certainly be dazzling to the eye but is it something you really need? If you're planning to buy something very m ... Read more »

You've finally come to that stage in life when you can afford to own a credit card, not as a supplementary cardholder but as the principal cardholder. Finally, you've earned the right to have a credit card in your own name and to be able to purchase whatever you want without having to ask anybody else's permission. But now that that time has come, you find yourself in a quandary - what type of credit card should you apply for?

There are just two basic choices for you - do you want a credit card that offers rewards and one that doesn't?

The Non Reward Type of Credit Card

These credit cards do not offer you any reward points or bonuses no matter how many times you use their credit cards or how prompt you are w ... Read more »

Unpaid monthly payments will damage a person's credit history. Even though you may plan to make double payments the following month, the missed payment will show up as a negative, and may compromise your future ability to borrow money or extend your credit limit on existing accounts. That is why it is important to make every effort to pay your bills on time. Sometimes a creditor will let you make partial payments temporarily for extreme conditions, such as disability or unemployment. Still, you will have to find sources of funding that will help you make those credit card payments and either avoid a negative credit history or prevent your financial standing from damaging reports if the bills remain outstanding.

A debt consolidation loan may be the answer to your problem. Although a loan will not automatically reduce your debt load, it can provide smaller payment options ... Read more »

Nobody enjoys being up to their eyeballs in debt. I mean let's face it life is hard enough without having to worry about how you're going to pay bills that seem to keep piling up all around you. If you're feeling this way I can assure you it's not just you. Sadly millions of people suffer from having to pay a large financial obligation due to an enormous amount of debt they have accumulated over time. Just doing a quick search on Google shows that there are over 16,000,000 million web pages that use the term debt reduction which explains the hundreds of debt reduction programs that are offered online. Stop and take a breather for a second because this article will give you several ways you should be able to reduce your debt.

Debt Reduction Tip Number 1 - Consolidate Your Credit Cards

Credit cards, credit cards and still more credit ... Read more »

By: Adam Jackson

Now that we're over half way through our first decade of the new millennium, it is interesting to look back and see how our attitude to debt has changed. It seemed that many of us had an invincible view towards our debt, brushing it under the carpet, extending our credit line further and secretly hoping that our numbers would come up on the Lotto.

Now that we're all a little older with perhaps more responsibilities, we've decided that it is hard time we addressed the little problem of our credit card debt, head on. One of the most affective ways to do this is by taking out a home equity loan. In many cases, the equity in our home represents the only form of savings we have. It is important to reduce debt as quickly as possible in order to start saving money.

... Read more »

Tired of reading review after review about 0% APR intro rate credit cards? Having no luck when it comes to finding an all-in-one-review about 0% APR intro rate credit cards? Confused with what you've read so far about 0% APR intro rate credit cards because everything seems to be contradictory? Well, look no more because this article is indeed what you're looking for. 

In here, you'll learn everything you want to know about 0% APR intro rate credit cards. In this article, you may also discover more than you bargained about 0% APR intro rate credit cards - in a good way, of course. Ready for Lesson Number One about 0% APR intro rate credit cards? Well, here goes.

It's True - Yes, 0% APR intro rate credit cards do exist and if we have our way about it, you'll be one of the lucky people t ... Read more »

Are you tired of attending untimely harassing calls from your creditors reminding you about the due payments? Is making huge monthly payments becoming tough for you? If your answer to the above question is "yes", then you are facing Debt problem. Debts become a problem when you don't know how to manage it and the way out of it. 

Human desires are unlimited, there is no saturation point for the satisfaction level. Desires keep on growing day by day and vary from time to time. An individual has limited funds with him and to meet all the desires at one time is impossible. Thus, to fulfill all the desires, one tends to borrow money from the market it could be in the form of loans or using credit cards. It is good that you want to meet all the needs and requirements of your family members to the best. But, it is always advised to keep one's expenses in limit and don't le ... Read more »

Loans are one of the best sources to finance your cash needs. UK loan market is filled with infinite number of loan options that aim to meet the diverse needs of borrowers. You too must have taken a number of loans or used credit cards at many occasions. It's good if you have used them wisely and paid them on time. But, if you have defaulted on loan or missed a credit card payment, then your credit report will reveal that you have an adverse credit. An adverse credit is an evil if you don't know how to get out of it. An adverse credit debt consolidation can help in managing your debts effectively and ensures freedom from debts.

First of all, you need to understand the fact that you are not the only one who has an adverse credit. It is estimated that one in four people in the UK would be turned down by a mainstream, high-street lender just because they have adverse credit ... Read more »

A Debt consolidation loan is a loan used to repay several other loans or other debts. A Debt Consolidation Loan is a low cost loan secured on collateral in the form of any securable property, your home, your vehicle or any valuable asset. Debt consolidation loans consolidate all debts incurred through personal loans, credit cards, overdrafts, or any number of unpaid bills that have built up over time. These loans can give you a fresh start, allowing you to consolidate all of your loans into one - giving you one easy to manage payment, and in most cases, at a lower rate of interest. A debt consolidation loan can reduce both your interest costs and your monthly repayments, putting you back in control of your life. 

Debt consolidation solutions are practical means for eliminating credit card and other high interest debts, and getting your financial health and future ba ... Read more »

Almost all of us are fond of overspending! We buy things we don't really need. Once we see something that catches our eyes, we automatically buy it - often without even thinking if we still have money or not.

People usually do this in order to please themselves. And lots of them have their own credit cards as a reserve once they run out of cash. They tend to spend a large amount of money in order to serve their caprices or to make them feel better about themselves. Unfortunately, this never really works, and it causes more damage than it cures.

Almost everybody has a credit file, maintained by a credit reference agency. Many people have bad credit facts on their files, such as defaults and bad payment history. This means that when these people apply for credit, such as loans, mortgages, cr ... Read more »

Banks and their marketing associates and divisions are vying with one another to capture a thick slice of the "credit card pie." Offers by phone and mail of free credit cards, pre-approved credit cards, cards with special bonanzas, money back schemes, low introductory rates, and umpteen other perks pour in tempting you everyday.

A credit card is just a form of borrowing that does not come free. Credit terms, interest rates, fees and more can lay a stress on your bank balance. Credit cards are a temptation to spend now and pay later. What invariably happens is that people spend more than they can handle.

Informed consumers must always weigh carefully the pros and cons and compare different options before deciding on a credit card.

... Read more »