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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

USEFULS ARTICLES



Credit (4)

Credit Repair - What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You Some credit repair companies are giving the kind of advice that could get you put in jail.

A Guide To Applying for Credit Cards over the Internet. Over the last few years the internet has become your one stop to finding credit cards.

What Is The Big Deal With A Cash Back Credit Card? If you are one of the heavy credit card users and you make a lot of purchases in a month, a cash back credit card probably sounds like a wonderful deal. But there is the catch...

3 Stept To Get A Clean Credit History When applying for a home loan, you need more than just savings. Generally you will need to prove the stability of your employment and income, show your savings history, provide tax information and give details of your current financial commitments. On top of all of this, you will need to have a clean credit history.

Debt Consolidation (9)

Is your small business failing? If you own a small business, then you need to be aware of its chances of success, or failure. What are the potential warning signs that could indicate your small business, and you, could be heading for trouble?

Terms explained in plain english - Jargon Buster This article explains some commonly used financial terms in plain english.

Debt Relief Part 1 Are you swimming in debt? Would you like to find a way to get of debt and stay out of debt? Read more if you answered yes to either of these questions. Help is just a click away.

Debt Relief Part 2 Are you swimming in debt? Would you like to find a way to get of debt and stay out of debt? Read more if you answered yes to either of these questions. Help is just a click away.

Debt Relief Part 3 Are you swimming in debt? Would you like to find a way to get of debt and stay out of debt? Read more if you answered yes to either of these questions. Help is just a click away.

Debt Relief Solutions - Get the Way for Financial Relief The expertise describes how professional debt settlement company helps you in negotiating debt related issues with your creditors.

Why Most Debt Elimination Programs Are a Waste of Money Credit card debt is paralyzing millions of Americans today and sadly, thousands fall prey annually to scammers promising they possess a "secret legal loophole" that forces creditors to forgive their debts without repayment.

5 Important Things About Bad Credit Thousands of Australian consumers are struggling with the burden bad credit ratings as a result of difficult personal or job circumstances, a bad run of luck, bankcruptcy or adverse court judgements. Read this article to find out how to handle this situation.

Payday Mayday! The Hidden Danger Of Payday Loans Paydays are the most eagerly looked forward to days in the entire month. It's the day our coffers fill up and a general sense of wellbeing pervades the atmosphere. The long awaited personal gift can be bought, dinner at the fancy restaurant is a possibility and some wise folks even add up to their savings faithfully at the end of that day.

Money Saving Tips (11)

Surety Bonds

The construction industry is a very good competitive marketplace. Contractors used to come across several projects that require them for as long as surety bonds guaranteeing their recital of the contract and looking out for sustaining a steady flow of work as well.

Is It Really Necessary To Buy Bottled Water? This article is to inform consumers on how to save money.

Shopping Online? Here Are Some Ways To Save! This article is to inform consumers on the positves and negatives of shopping online.

Reduce Your Mortgage Interest Painlessly! Reducing your mortgage interest can be done painlessly. Read my tips for your information.

Online money transfer services Advice on the best deals for online money transfer, international wire transfers, where to send and receive money online and sending money abroad.

Tips for selecting a debt management service provider For many customers, to get out of debt can be treated as the need of the hour. Debt management service providers will help you to overcome your debt by offering several measures. To get best results out of the service of a debt management service provider you have to select the best suited service provider using the following useful tips.

Money Saving Tips Looking to save time or money? You\'ll find hundreds of helpful articles to stretch your day and your dollar.

Gas Prices Too High? Save on Everything Else Coupon sites on the World Wide Web provide a very valuable and FREE resource that can save consumers a lot of money. A lot of people don\'t think about looking at coupon sites before they shop for something online, but if they do, they\'ll find special coupons, discounts, or promotions.

Rebates: Savings or Scam? Don\'t get ripped off by rebate fraud. Follow these tips and tricks to make sure you\'re getting the savings you signed up for!

Helpful Tips to stretch your day and your dollar Helpful Tips to stretch your day and your dollar

Fulfil Your Wishes by Clever Money Management The article shows the readers how they can manage their money in order to fulfil their wishes.

Personal Finance (7)

5 Places That Give Out Truly Free Money Is there really such a thing as free money? This article will answer that question!

Cash Advance - Boon or a Bane Cash advance may look like a nice offer when you are short of cash at times of emergencies. But the inflated rates for borrowing the money make the deal far less attractive. These loans can surely help you if you can closely study the offer and only take them when you need them desperately.

Creating Surplus Cash For Savings and Investments Living below your means is more a matter of self-discipline. A few adjustments here and there could be all it takes to have the necessary funds available for saving and investing.

How to Manage Your Money & Avoid Living Paycheck to Paycheck Over half of all Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Are you one of them? By the time you finish reading this article you will have a simple tool to help you out of this frightening statistic.

5 Ways to Get Extra Money for Christmas Shopping Christmas shopping is getting more and more expensive each year. With over 70% of Americans reported to be living paycheck to paycheck, where does the money come from for Christmas shopping?

Avoid Credit Card Late Fees! Late payments can turn an otherwise normal credit card balance into an unbearable burden. Some credit cards charge incredibly high amounts as punitive fees when you fail to pay on time. Thus, you should avoid such situations as the road to bankruptcy is a one way path and late payments are the first steps.

5 Tips For Identity Theft Protection Looks like just in time for the holiday season identity theft has become more of a threat than normal. While there are no one hundred percent guarantees against identity theft you can take some steps to cut the risk down considerably.

Real Estate (5)

Confessions of a Real Estate Agent For the newbie, real estate can be a thorny, if not downright frustrating venture. It's basically a gamble; profits will come rushing in only after one or two years down the road. To really have the sweetest victories in real estates for sale, it takes patience, tactics, and well, a bit of imagination

Real Estate Agent A real estate broker or an agent is a person who act on behalf of the buyer and the seller i.e. customer and the supplier. Real estate agent is otherwise called as “sales person”. More or less a sales person and the real estate agent are one and the same. They find the buyer and the seller who wish to buy and sell.

Puzzles of Property Market Cool, sleek, swish, slick and all the other words that go their inadequate way to expressing the luxury and joy of a Nothing but where you live your life, means your home. And that has all the style and sheer gorgeousness that you might expect from a building designed by one of the hottest transatlantic architectural partnerships

How Do You Find A House? Are you searching for your dream house? Are you waiting for a listing? Are you looking a newspaper for a best house? Did you find a good real estate agent?

Bad Credit Loans Are Available Finding home mortgage loans are a reality for people with bad credit. Bad credit mortgage loans are offered by sub prime lenders. Hard money loans and bad credit mortgage loans are reserved for borrowers with poor to bad credit.



Confessions of a Real Estate Agent

Article Written and Prepared by: Neoli Marcos
So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent?
There's the persistent myth that the real estate business is an instant money-generating, easy treasure trove. Well, it is, but with hard work, patience, and best of luck.
For the newbie in the business, though, real estate can be a thorny, if not downright frustrating venture. It's basically a gamble; profits will come rushing in only after one or two years down the road. After all, you are just establishing yourself and building your name and credentials. Add to this the fact that you're up against more cutthroat veterans.
In the meantime, there's always the temptation to regret the day you traded your regular and stable job at the office for the more unpredictable, often heartbreaking real estate bubble. Times like this, you have to focus on the future benefits, not the present drawbacks.
Lose some, lose some.
As everything changes along with technology, so does real estate. You'll still need your pen and paper of course, but it would be heaps easier if you armed yourself with a PC or a laptop and a fast internet connection. Now, more than ever, information on current real estate trends and marketplace behavior is available, so take advantage of all that. Knowledge is power, so goes the cliché® 
Real estate is all about making connections. Not necessarily the right connections; any connection is good and will come in handy in the future. Any tip, juicy scoops, or new finds in the business is always appreciated, and that?s what connections are for. The point is, in the real estate business, people skills is a virtue always worth honing.
Win some, lose some.
Partnering with someone is a good way to get started especially if you don't have enough money to lay on the table. Your partner will be the one to worry about the finances, while you do the legwork (scouting properties, looking for buyers, touring them around, etc). And then you split the profits between yourselves depending on the agreed percentage. A commission of twenty percent may not exactly be top-notch cash, but what you're really after?since you're just starting?is learning the ropes of the trade.
Win some. Then win more.
You make new contacts everyday, know who the key players in the business, and earn their trust regarding future team-ups. Overall, you?ll be growing comfortable in a business best characterized by constant ups and downs.
Whatever the case, in the real estate business, you are your own boss and you own your time. There are no routines, no office chair restraining you. What replaces these are sweet victories with every successful deal made.
Before long, you?ll be glad you made the switch.

Real Estate Agent

A real estate broker or an agent is a person who act on behalf of the buyer and the seller i.e. customer and the supplier. Real estate agent is otherwise called as ?sales person?. More or less a sales person and the real estate agent are one and the same. They find the buyer and the seller who wish to buy and sell.

They provide you information regarding the property and guidance to assist you while you?re willing to buy and sell the property. We find real estate agent any where around the world to guide us. In America, the relationship of agent or broker has been formed as per English common law to have a cordial relationship with their clients. The term estate agent is used to refer the agent.

What is equity?

The term equity refers to the cash value or a monetary interest given for your house minus the loan you obtained for your house. Even the additional cost incurred for selling a house will also be included. While buying a home you don?t have money for down payment, you can enter an agreement with the seller that you pay in a proper sum. It allows you performing needed repairs and maintenances such as painting, electric work etc

In a real estate agent we have two types of agent: seller?s agent and the buyer?s agent.

Buyer agent: buyer agent is a person who acts on behalf of the buyer who wishes to buy. The agent will find the properties which are listed in the market for sale. The broker will act as per the desire of buyer. The real estate agent will provide information regarding each property in the market and they also guide you in every aspect. They recommend on behalf of the buyer about the terms & prices offered for sale. A real estate agent will help you while negotiating the transaction and guide you in the final process.

Seller?s agent: he is a person who acts as per the desire of the seller. If the seller wants to sell his property, he calls upon the agent to list in the market. The real estate broker will give you details regarding the worth of your property, financing, terms and condition prevailing in the market for your property. Even the brokers list your property to other agents and also to general public. They help you in all aspect to complete your sale.

Do you identify your agent, how?

? Analyze properly in the market who is the ideal broker.

? Make sure that his listing are brought and sold correctly in the market.

? Ask him, how he will list your property in the market.

? Ask him to describe, how he identified the true value of your house.

You can ask yourself a variety of queries to identify a proper agent. When you identified, you don?t have to worry how to buy or sell a house.

Brokerage: for completion of his work successfully, a broker or agent get commission or brokerage for the services rendered. The commission percentage will be decided upon the value of the property, he/she arranged for the seller or the buyer. Usually states like America they have a fixed percentage around 5 to 10% Commission for a real estate. Both the seller and the buyer have to pay the commission. They can even transfer among them self. Commission will differ for each country according to their popularity. The expenses incurred by the broker will also be paid by the buyer and the seller.

Thus, real estate is a type of business where three parties involved. Namely seller, buyer and the agent. With the help of this service many are benefited. Real estate agent plays a vital role in developing the economy of the people. They provide useful services for the economy. One wants to sell or buy a property he/she can refer a real agent.

Ron victor is a real estate professional for Real Estate Investing Information. He written many articles in various topics.For more information about real estate business, real estate investing tips and real estate investing.Contact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/23357/1/Real-Estate-Agent

Puzzles of Property Market

Cool, sleek, swish, slick and all the other words that go their inadequate way to expressing the luxury and joy of a Nothing but where you live your life, means your home. And that has all the style and sheer gorgeousness that you might expect from a building designed by one of the hottest transatlantic architectural partnerships
Buying a house (property) is a big deal, not to mention a big expense. If you're thinking about buying your first property, it pays to know your rights as a buyer and how the buying process works. If it's been a while since you've been in the market this might be just the refresher you need.
It's obvious that buyers are starting to gather by the sidelines and homes sales should slide by about five percent. But that's nothing to panic about, Evens continue, Keep in mind that housing sales have reached new records every year for the past five years. Also, home prices are still expected to rise.
What can be http://www.onlineghar.com/"> property Only when items are relatively scarce with respect to people's desires they become property. For example, hunter-gatherers did not consider land to be property, since there was no shortage of land. Agrarian societies later made arable land property, as it was scarce.
Who can be an owner?Ownership laws may vary widely among countries depending on the nature of the property of interest (firearms, real property, personal property, animals). In some societies only adult men may own property.
TypesOn the basis of common law that can be divided in to two1.real property- interests in land and improvements there to 2.personal property - interests in anything other than real property
Investing in property: In recent years land investment has become an increasingly valuable commodity. Today investing in plots is just simple but possibly a better hassle free alternative. The difference is when one is buying a property it would involve a higher initial outlay, comparatively more than buying land. However, the interest in many investors including tester investors - are not simply looking for land for sale. The popularity of buying plots is manifesting worldwide. An opportunity for developers not to miss land for sale in an area where so many rich fruits are being offered all at once.
For know about India real estate and property go to:
http://www.onlineghar.com/
http://www.property-india.in/
Here you find the good real estate marketing flyer will also be attractively designed, neat and devoid of clutter. It should also be done in clear and easy to read type fonts. They give you an idea about property management and real estate management and what a real estate manager do?Onlineghar.com is a privately owned company with offices in North India. Its web site consists of the largest single collection of properties and estate agents in India, with over 200,000 unique visitors every month.
About Author: Firoz KhanFor listings of real estate auctions, please visit http://www.onlineghar.com/ (India Property Portal) OnlineGhar.com - India Property Portal, you can also go to http://www.property-india.in/ Open Source Solution to Real Estate Listings .

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/23360/1/Puzzles-of-Property-Market

How Do You Find A House?

Are you searching for your dream house? Are you waiting for a listing? Are you looking a newspaper for a best house? Did you find a good real estate agent?
You may search in any of the above option. Through any of the process you may find your dream house. Within the limited time, you can search your house using the following steps.
To search your home, take the real estate guides and books, refer to newspaper and browse in the online to find the area you are interested in. This searching helps you to know the area available for sale and also in what place you would like to live on. This is just a process which guides you to learn more information regarding your house. Then, decide the requirements you are needed in your house. It is an important thing because everybody has certain expectation in their house. You can start with the requirement that satisfy your needs. As per your budget you can increase your requirements you wanted. Feel free while your real estate agent calls upon you. The customer has to list the requirement wanted and they have to mention the price list to suit their budget. Next, choose the best real estate agent. If you are not sure then ask them a variety of queries which satisfies you. If you feel that particular agent is an ideal one for your project, you can call upon him. By listening to the advertisement also you can choose the best real estate agents who have a good publicity in the market who buy and sell ideal houses. They are the one who guides you in very aspect. When you have time, ask your real estate agent to show many number of houses in a day which match your criteria. The home listed, should be based on your desire. Also mention to the real estate agent to list the houses that are found in the newspaper and in the online. When you are ready to watch the houses which have been listed, make sure that the particular house matches your criteria. At first come around every house which has been listed, then select the house which relate to your desire. When you know the details regarding the houses, we can then decide whether you can select or not. If you to decide to buy a house in the city first, set the steps, before the agent start to list the house.
Select the agent specifically that he is a buyer?s agent. Then only he can list the houses which are for sale. Once you have selected a good agent, you can find your dream house as per your desire.
If you pay to the agent properly, then he lists the houses as per your requirements.
Good negotiating on the part of the agent makes him a familiar personality.
Ron Victor is a SEO copywriter for We buy homes cash.He written many articles in various topics like Sell your house fast. For more information visit We buy home fast .Contact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com
http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/23462/1/How-Do-You-Find-A-House%3F

Bad Credit Loans Are Available

Finding home mortgage loans are a reality for people with bad credit. Bad credit mortgage loans are offered by sub prime lenders. Hard money loans and bad credit mortgage loans are reserved for borrowers with poor to bad credit. There are basically two types of loans in the context of traditional home buying: A-paper loans and subprime loans. A-paper loans go to those who have good credit -- as defined by the lender in question.
What is an A-paper loan for one lender may be a good loan risk but not worthy of A-paper. For example, with one lender a 660 middle FICO score qualifies as an A-paper loan. However, with another lender, the 700 middle FICO score is the cut off point. The point here is that each lender is different. Nevertheless, there are general guidelines for major lenders when it comes to the grading of a client's credit score.
The subprime loan is for those who have bad or average credit. There are shades of gray here, however. In truth, bad credit mortgage loans are specifically designed mortgage loans for people afflicting from a bad credit history. While rates may be higher than those with solid credit histories, bad credit mortgage loans are still available at historically low rates. They're available, believe me. There are numerous companies that cater exclusively to this clientele. Even major lenders like Wells Fargo, Chase Manhattan, and others have established subprime division to have options for those customers who don't have good credit.
To be clear, subprime mortgage loans are offered to individuals with low credit scores. Even interest only home loans California are available. (Interest-only home loans -- even subprime loans are also available -- but I dont recommend them as the principal doesnt get paid on such loans. Only the interest gets paid, hence the term "interest only home loans".)
As mentioned, prime mortgage loans are offered to individuals with excellent credit. A good strategy commonly employed is for someone with bad credit to use bad-credit mortgage loans to repair your credit score. Once their credit is rebuilt, they can then refinance for a better loan -- an A-paper loan.
The most common sources for mortgage loans are banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Clearly, mortgage loans are one of the biggest forms of debt that most people incur during their lifetime. Second, all home mortgage loans are based on two things: Risk and viability. Bad credit home loans are a risk to a lender. The better the credit, the less the risk -- that's why subprime loans have a higher interest rate. Nevertheless, reasonable rate bad credit mortgage loans are available.
Here are some basic tips I recommend to help you get a good subprime loan to rebuild your credit. Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Insider information about how to get the best mortgage. When I was a loan agent, I was often asked, "Does credit report counseling affect my credit report." No, but debt consolidation does. If a lender sees debt consolidation on your credit report, some lenders consider that as bad as a bankruptcy. So, if you can avoid that. The best advice I can give you to rebuild your credit so you can become worthy of an A-paper loan is this: Pay every bill on time, especially your new subprime mortgage loan. It doesn't have to take long. I turned a 538 credit score to 722 in only a year and a half.
In conclusion, make sure you get an affordable home loan with good or bad credit. You can do this online with numerous vendors. If you need help getting a home mortgage, these credit tips and general subprime loan information will help you in getting a better deal or to at least guide you in the right direction. Clearly, subprime mortgage loans are geared to individuals with low credit scores.
In addition, hard money loans and bad credit mortgage loans are reserved for borrowers with poor to bad credit. Just remember, though, there are bad credit mortgage loans (and companies) that exist to provide mortgage loans for people afflicting from a bad credit history. The basics of home loans are pretty easy to understand with credit being perhaps the most important.

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/23502/1/Bad-Credit-Loans-Are-Available

5 Places That Give Out Truly Free Money

With the cost of gasoline rising to over $3.00 per gallon, Americans need to save money where possible. But is there really such a thing as free money? I will not insult your intelligence, no, nothing is absolutely free. However, there is ?free money? available BUT the catch is it does take your time and filling out some internet forms or paperwork to receive it. If you are willing to put in a few minutes you can have some money in hand!
1 ? Money for College
With the cost of college rising yearly about 5-8% and the average tuition, room and board reaching $15,566 for four year public and $31,916 for students at four-year private colleges and universities, students and parents can use all the assistance they can find. There are 1.3 million scholarships and over $3 billion in grants, scholarships and financial aid. There are some sites that will take student information and perform a search of scholarships available. The top two sites are http://www.fastweb.com and www.collegeboard.com.
2 - $20+ Billion in Unclaimed Money
There is over $20 billion in unclaimed money in the US. On the Oprah stated 8 out of 9 Americans have unclaimed money. This money comes from many places. For example it could be an old checking or savings account your forgot about, an inheritance, savings bonds, uncashed checks or money orders, the list goes on and on.
This money is yours and just sitting there waiting for you to claim it. A simple search in a quality database that includes all states and federal unclaimed money could mean a check in your mailbox! www.cashunclaimed.com is the largest unclaimed money site and is a great place to conduct your unclaimed money search.
3 ? Coupons! For stores you actually shop at!
Coupons are available for most of the major stores frequented. Before making an online purchase visit www.allonlinecoupons.com and www.dealcatcher.com. Enter the store name at these sites and it will show you the coupons available for the store. Sometimes the discount will be a ?coupon code? which you enter when ordering online to receive your discount. The sites also offer printable coupons for in-store purchases. Discounts include free shipping, 5%-25% off total purchase and dollar discounts on purchases. There are great coupons that can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
4 ? Free Money for Buying, Selling or Repairing Your Home
There are assistance programs for people who are buying homes, selling homes or even trying to repair their home. HUD offers information on local homebuyer assistance programs, including money for down payments and closing costs at http://www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm. HUD also offers assistance programs for people who own homes that are in need of repair as well as Veteran?s assistance at http://www.hud.gov/owning/index.cfm.
5 - Cash Back Credit Cards
Cash back credit cards are not simply a gimmick from credit card companies but can truly be cash in your account. Cash back credit cards are particularly beneficial for people who use their credit cards frequently and then pay the balance off monthly. People who manage their credit cards in this manner are not benefiting from low interest or 0% interest rates and can reap rewards with cash back credit cards. Cash back benefits can range from 1-5% and have other dollar amount benefits ranging from $20-100. You can compare cash back credit card offers at www.creditcards.com. http://www.creditcards.com/cash-back.php?a_aid=1004&a_cid=1020&a_did=1790
Although these ?free money? places make take a little personal administration to get, they are worth the small amount of effort for some potentially big gains. In a world where nothing is free, these are pretty close!
Nicole Anderson offers more information about unclaimed money at www.cashunclaimed.com. Would you like to receive your lost funds check without searching 100+ individual databases? A simple unclaimed property search could mean a check in your mailbox. Click on www.cashunclaimed.com for a free money search, that includes all state and federal databases, and locate your missing money today!

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/20470/1/5-Places-That-Give-Out-Truly-Free-Money

Cash Advance - Boon or a Bane

Nowadays a lot of people are inclined towards borrowing cash in advance to make their ends meet. There are finance companies, which are offering short-term cash advance loans or payday quick loans on a higher rate. Although cash advance seems like a good offer in cases of emergencies when you are out of cash but looking at the exorbitant rates at which the money is offered, the deal doesn?t seem that attractive. However, it is of great help in times of emergency.
Cash Advance: How does it work?
Generally you are paid the money on your next paycheck. An additional fee is charged and you are supposed to pay back the money at the time you agreed to. Now here comes the twist, if you are not capable of paying the money you took on cash advance loan on time then you might have to pay a fee which may be at the rate which is five hundred times the amount that you originally borrowed. Moreover, even if you get the cash advance loan payback period (roll over) extended, you might have to pay a fee for the extension.
According to the lending act you must receive in writing the finance or the amount you have borrowed and the APR or the annual percentage rate, which is the cost of credit on the yearly basis. A cash advance loan is generally an expensive credit. If say for a $100 borrowed you have to pay $60 as fee, it?s not that good a deal but if you are seriously in a need for money and you don?t know where to go, you can?t do much but pay those extra $60.
Cash Advance: When to take?
Cash advance or payday quick loans are not desirable ways to pay regular bills such as mortgage payments, apartment maintenance dues or car payments. They must only be used for unexpected bill payments and in emergency situations. Once you borrow you may end up being trapped in a vicious circle where you take a loan to pay for the other and this circle keeps going on. In addition to the heavy dues, which you need to clear, you are also paying costly fees to the loan companies. It is better to first assess the nature and working of the cash advance loans and the payday quick loans before going ahead with the borrowing of cash. For further information, you can visit Payday loans .

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/20791/1/Cash-Advance---Boon-or-a-Bane

Creating Surplus Cash For Savings and Investments

You know you need to be saving money but you never seem to have enough at the end of the month or worse, you are further in debt.
Living below your means is more a matter of self-discipline. A few adjustments here and there could be all it takes to have the necessary funds available for saving and investing.
Some mutual funds can be opened up for as little as $200 with minimum contributions around $50.
Here?s a list of ways to save money by spending less.
*Open up bank accounts that have little or no service fees. Keep a cushion to avoid accidental bounced checks. These can eat you alive. Be sure to maintain your minimum balance to avoid service charges.
*Try to avoid banks that charge you a transaction fee for using their debit cards. If you have no choice, plan how much money you will need in a given period and then withdraw it all at once to avoid too many transaction fees.
*Compare credit cards. Look for the ones that have little or no annual fees. It?s not too hard to find those with no annual fee.
*Avoid specialty store charge cards as they often have interest rates six or seven points higher than major credit cards.
*Never choose a card based solely on incentives or reward programs. These include auto reward points and air travel miles. These cards may lead you to spend more money over time than you can afford.
*Most importantly, avoid unnecessary interest charges by paying off the complete monthly balance. You can avoid hundreds of dollars in interest expenses on an annual basis.
*When you buy a car, consider buying one that is one to three years old. A one-year old car will be about 20% to 30% less than a new car. A three-year old car is a good buy because it could be around half the price of a new car. A car depreciates the most in its first three years. After that the depreciation levels off and it will lose less of its value.
*Another good saving when buying a used car is you will pay less for the insurance.
*When going on vacation, consider staying in your home state instead of long distance trips or even international travel. It's often cheaper to travel within your own borders, that way, you avoid visa and passport costs, border hassles, currency exchanges, tropical shots, medication, and additional health insurance. Frequently, people travel thousands of miles to see sights not nearly as spectacular as what's next door.
*You should consider off-season vacations. Travel at a time when everyone else is at work or school, and the staff will actually be glad to see you. You may also save 50% or more on the usual travel expenses.
*Avoid large cities and tourist traps; you'll save a ton by avoiding these places, where you pay more to eat, drink, sleep, and travel. If you do decide to visit a big city, consider accommodations in a smaller town close by.
*If you have a lot of credit card debt at high rates, look into consolidating your debt at a lower rate.
*Refrain from making impulse purchases. Exercise self-discipline.
*Refinance your mortgage or debt at a lower rate.
*Refinance your car loan at a lower rate.
*Shop around for cheaper car insurance rates. There can be a big difference.
*Lower your phone bill by using self-control on long distance calling.
*Use a phone card for long distance or international calls.
*Use coupons when you shop.
*Don't buy things just because they are on sale.
*Wait for things to go on sale before buying them. Keep a record of when things go on sale. Some items will seasonally go on sale. Ask stores when certain things will go on sale.
*Buy generic, or non-name brand merchandise. Most times the quality is just as good.
*Stop smoking. This habit is extremely expensive.
*Contribute the maximum each year to your 401K or to an IRA.
*Remember, paying down debt is also a way to save money. If you can make extra payments on your mortgage or go for a 15 year mortgage instead of a 30 year mortgage. The savings are enormous.
*Reduce the number of times you eat out. Oftentimes eating out at a restaurant involves paying a lot of money for over-priced and over-sized meals. For healthy meals and to save money, eat at home.
*Watch videos or DVDs at home instead of going to the movies. Pop your own popcorn instead of paying a lot for theater popcorn.
*Evaluate your entertainment and recreational activities. Many are very expensive to participate in. There are many others that are just as fun and entertaining that are at the fraction of the cost.
*Don't try to compete with your friends and neighbors. Sometimes, an apparent prosperous lifestyle can be an illusion. Those illusions come with a lot of debt. It?s much better to have peace of mind.
Be alert. There are always ways to save money. Soon you will yourself with money you never knew you had. The key is to put that money to work for you instead of spending it.
Richard Kimball is a successful entrepreneur, artist, and teacher. His latest project is to share the universal principles of success so that others can achieve prosperity and the fulfillment of their dreams.
Website: http://www.buildingasuccessfullife.com/

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/20914/1/Creating-Surplus-Cash-For-Savings-and-Investments

How to Manage Your Money & Avoid Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Over half of all Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Are you one of them? By the time you finish reading this article you will have a simple tool to help you out of this frightening statistic.
Alarming Statistics
Over half of all Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
40% of Americans live beyond their means.
One-half of American households have accumulated less than $1,000 in ?net financial assets?, the value of money in the bank, stocks, bonds and other securities after subtracting loans, credit card debts, and other secured debt
A majority of Americans in households with incomes of $35,000 or less believed that they are more likely to accumulate a $500,000 nest egg by winning a lottery or sweepstakes (40%) than by patiently saving and investing of relatively modest sums (30%).
- Project C.A.S.H.
You spend such a great deal of time working to make money but most spend so little working on how to make that money work for you.
How do you learn to handle your finances?
Everyone should manage their money. The first step is Money 101: Create a Budget!
START MANAGING YOUR MONEY BY CREATING A BUDGET
1 ? KNOW YOUR TRUE INCOME
Start with the basics. Identify how much money you make.
Begin by figuring out your net paycheck and multiplying the number of checks you receive per year then divide by 12 (months in a year) or taking your annual net income and dividing it by 12 (months in a year).
For example:
If you are paid weekly $1200 then your monthly income is
$1200 x 52 (weeks in a year) = $62,400 / 12 months = $5200 per month
2 ? MAKE A VERY, VERY DETAIL BUDGET
What are your actual expenses? Take a look at how you are currently spending your money. By looking at your current spending habits you can identify areas where you need to modify spending. Some ?necessities? are often luxuries we like to think of as necessities (morning coffee, dining out, new shoes for every new outfit, etc).
It is smart to evaluate your current spending and set goals that take into account your financial goals. Once you?ve set your budget, STICK TO IT and track your spending to make sure it stays within the guidelines you?ve established.
It is important to detail every standard monthly expenditure you have. Be realistic on how much you actually spend. Look at how much you spent last month these items and you may be surprised.
Here is a sample list of expenses:
EXPENSE #1
Savings - 10% of income (remember PAY YOURSELF FIRST!)
Household Expenses
Mortgage or RentHome Owners AssociationFood GroceriesDining OutCoffee/TeaLunches (kids)
ElectricGasCableTrashWater/SewerDSL or Highspeed InternetTelephoneHome Office Supplies
Personal Expenses
Car PaymentCar InsuranceGasHealth Insurance MedicationsCell PhoneClub or Membership Fees/DuesClothesShoes & AccessoriesToiletriesSubscriptions Entertainment (movies, theater, amusement parks, etc.)
Debit Payments
Credit Card PaymentsLoan PaymentsStudent LoansSecond/Third Mortgage PaymentBoat, Motorhome, Time Share Payment(s)Medical Bills
If you have children
Tuition/Day careClothesSports, classes or club feesSchool expenses (formals, pictures, uniforms, etc.)Babysitting
Miscellaneous Expenses
Special Savings (see #3 for more explanation)Include any items omitted from the above list that you spend money on
***NOTE: Now that you know how much you spend each month SPEND SMARTER. Make changes to your budget and change your spending habits to be able to save monthly.***
3 ? SAVINGS YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR BUT USUALLY OVERLOOK
There are items in your budget that come up irregularly but will inevitably come up. Things like new tires, vacations, Christmas, etc. If you have not created a separate savings budget to plan for these items you will soon find yourself overbudget and in a jam.
Know the ?special savings? figure you actually NEED to save each month.
This list will include the cost of the following:
Income TaxCar maintenance such as new tires, oil changes, brakes, etc.Vacation(s)Christmas Expenses, gifts, etc.Car Registration
If you own a home:
Homeowners insuranceProperty TaxHome repairs or maintenance costs (water heater, roof leak, etc)
4 ? SAVE, SAVE & SAVE MORE
Whatever method of savings works best for you, DO IT. Even if it a jar on the dresser you fill with money, a savings account, whatever. Take 10% of your earnings and pay yourself first, meaning save. This money will not only build a cushion for emergencies but will help you sleep better knowing you have a little stashed away should something come up unexpectedly.
It will also create the habit of saving and budgeting will lead to smarter spending, which in the years to come will develop into a solid future.
Even if you finish you spending and savings budget and it is more than you make it is a starting point. 40% of Americans live on 110% of their annual income! Don?t be one of them. Cut back expenses or find more income. It is better to have to tackle your finances than to not even know you have a problem.
More sophisticated money management, such as investments, can be tackled later. Start with getting the basics in and working!
Nicole Anderson offers a free search for your portion of the $25+ BILLION in unclaimed money in the United States. Millions of Americans are unaware they are owed money. It could come from old savings bonds, uncashed checks, checking and savings accounts, the list goes on and on. Click on to www.cashunclaimed.com for your free search and see how much money is owed to you and your family.

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/21050/1/How-to-Manage-Your-Money-%26-Avoid-Living-Paycheck-to-Paycheck

5 Ways to Get Extra Money for Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping is getting more and more expensive each year. With over 70% of Americans reported to be living paycheck to paycheck, where does the money come from for Christmas shopping? Here are 5 tips to getting some extra money for holiday shopping:

1- Sell items on Ebay

Everyone is buying right now. Why not have them buy what you have for sale? All different types of items sell on ebay ? the clothes your kids never even wore that still have the tags on them, DVD?s, collectible items sitting around just collecting, and any other ?hot? items you may have lying around.

2 - Garage Sale

Do a little ?Winter Cleaning? and make room for those Christmas decorations and presents. A Saturday morning garage sale can make you $50-$500, or more.
One person's junk is another's treasure!

3 - Collect your
Unclaimed Money
There is an estimated $25 billion dollars of unclaimed money in the U.S. On the Oprah Winfrey TV Show it was announced 8 out of 9 Americans have unclaimed money.This money comes from many places. For example it could be an old checking or savings account your forgot about, an inheritance, savings bonds, uncashed checks or money orders, the list goes on and on. This money is yours and just sitting there waiting for you to claim it. A simple search in a quality database that includes all states and federal unclaimed money could mean a check in your mailbox!
A simple search in a quality database that includes all states and federal unclaimed money could mean a check in your mailbox! http://www.cashunclaimed.com/ is the largest unclaimed money site and is a great place to conduct your unclaimed money search.

4 -Holiday Job or Overtime
Companies are hiring for the Christmas shopping rush. Usually they are simple retail positions that don?t require specialized training or experience. A couple nights or days a week could be $1000 by Christmas!

If you are paid hourly at your job, and have enough work and flexibility with your schedule, you can put in some extra hours.

Workers who have restaurant jobs can pick up extra shifts.
Special Note: Many people claim 0 exemptions on their W4. If you have children, own a home, etc. increase your exemptions to the correct number. Your employer can assist you in filling out a new W4. This can mean an extra $50-$400 per paycheck!

5- Reduce Expenses
You can reduce simple monthly expenses to keep more of the money you already have. Here are a couple money saving ideas:
- Eat in instead of dinning out
A family of 4 that eats out twice a week spends about $100 per week.
- Pay minimum payments this month on credit cards
Don?t make this a habit, but for December it will give you a little extra rather than racking up more credit card debt
- Leave your ATM card at home, carry a little cash for what you need
- Make coffee at home and skip your morning latte (you?ll live, really you will)

Now that you have the extra money ?
Merry Christmas Shopping!
________________________________________
Nicole Anderson offers more information about unclaimed money at http://www.cashunclaimed.com/. Would you like to receive your lost funds check without searching 100+ individual databases? A simple unclaimed property search could mean a check in your mailbox. Click on http://www.cashunclaimed.com/ for a free money search, that includes all state and federal databases, and locate your missing money today!

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Avoid Credit Card Late Fees!

Late payments can turn an otherwise normal credit card balance into an unbearable burden. Some credit cards charge incredibly high amounts as punitive fees when you fail to pay on time. Thus, you should avoid such situations as the road to bankruptcy is a one way path and late payments are the first steps.
You may think it somewhat overstated but the truth is that most people who end up defaulting and ruining their credit score for many years start by missing payments and paying late. Fees pill up, interest rates grow and before you know you can t even pay the minimum. Believe me when I say, if action is not taken, that s the beginning of the end.
The advice would be then: Avoid paying late and NEVER miss a payment. If your financial situation is complicated you may find the following guidelines useful to avoid penalties and bad notes on your credit report that may compromise your ability to get finance in the future:
Don t just pay, pay in time and form
Lawyers have a saying he who pays wrong, pays twice. Pay before payment is due, if possible a week before or more. Otherwise, if something comes up you won t have enough time to solve it and you ll get penalized. What you may think justifies your late payment surely doesn t make it for the credit card issuer. Within your credit card bill you ll find all the instructions regarding payment. Follow them accurately; pay where you are supposed to pay, how you are supposed to pay and when you are supposed to pay.
Can t pay full? Always pay the minimum!
If you don t have money to pay the whole balance, don t worry. But you should always pay the minimum. In fact even if you ll be able to pay more in a week or two, pay the minimum amount required first. You can always add up to it by sending additional payments. As soon as your credit card bill arrives you should have the minimum set aside and you should pay it immediately. Once you are sure you won t be charged a late fee, you can always consider paying a higher amount. But you ll rest assured that no additional fees will be added to your next bill.
Skip-a-payment services
Make sure your credit card issuer offers this service. A Skip a payment service let s you request a waiver on your payment that month when something unexpected happens and you can t pay on time or in full. Use this service wisely as it usually can be used only once a year. So make sure the current situation is really an emergency and you have no other means to solve your problem. Obviously this service has a cost and you ll have to pay it the following month so ensure that the fee for such a service is not larger than the amount you ll be saving for not paying late fees.
Change your due date
Finally, if your credit card bill arrives at a time on the month you don t have enough money to cover it and the due date is just too close to your payment date, just contact your credit card issuer and ask them to move the due date to a more comfortable day on the month so you can be sure you ll have time to arrange payment if there is any problem. About the AuthorBryan Quinn is a financial advisor with more than thirty years of experience in the field of finance who aids people undergoing financial problems and helps them obtain personal loans, home loans, student loans and grants, consolidation loans, car loans and many other financial products regardless of their credit situation. For more smart tips on Credit Cards and Bankruptcy you can visit http://www.badcreditloanservices.com and also learn more about other financial options.

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/22210/1/Avoid-Credit-Card-Late-Fees%21

5 Tips For Identity Theft Protection

This is when we all start getting those emails that want to steal our secret codes and passwords. You know the ones: ?Your Account Is About To Be Closed,? ?There?s A Block On Your Account,?, ?Congratulations ? You?ve Won The Lottery (that you never entered).?and my favorite ?Could You Help Me Claim My Funds??.
This is also the time of year when we start shopping for gifts and the last thing you need is for your bank or credit card accounts to be stolen by ?cyber grifters?. They are counting on some of us to follow the instructions in the email.
First and foremost, DON?T FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL! If you think there might be a problem, access the account in question as you normally do on your PC and not with the link supplied in the phony email.
I?ve had some very authentic looking email supposedly from banks, that even went so far as to copy the colors of the bank logo and stationery style. But, don?t fall for the scam. In fact, don?t even open the email, because many are just set to loose a virus program on your computer by being opened. Simply forward the suspicious email to the ?spoof email? address supplied by your bank, or credit card company.
Identity Theft is a worldwide epidemic. According to the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Research, almost 9 million Americans fell prey to identity theft this year with fraud costing businesses and individuals over $56 billion dollars.
There are ways to reduce your chances of identity theft:
1. Understand debit card dangers: When it comes to fraud, debit cards carry much greater personal liability than credit cards, depending on how quickly you report the loss of the card. If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statements, you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been tapped from your line of credit.
2. Rethink check writing: That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers. On top of that, there?s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules). Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying.
3. Secure your mail: Your mailbox is a goldmine of information. Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name. Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us in Santa Clarita have our mailboxes at the curb in front of our house and the postman frowns on carrying dozens and dozens of keys around. The other solution is to have a rented mailbox, or to foil ?dumpster-diving? thieves by buying a shredder and destroy documents before discarding.
4. Go virtual: For shopping online, there are ?virtual? card numbers. These are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on-line shoppers use once and throw away. It?s linked directly to your real credit card account so purchases show up on your monthly bill. The service is easy to use ? and it?s FREE! All you need to do is register with companies offering the virtual card, and they are MBNA, Discover, and Citigroup.
5. Create an emergency identity kit: Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency? Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. While you?re at it, make copies of your driver?s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. I like the safe deposit box best, because this gives you protection in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, earthquake, etc.
This may all seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you?re ever the victim of identity theft ? even just once ? you?ll realize that it?s well worth the effort.
Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we?re all John and Jane Doe?s if we can?t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us. How much less stressful is it to know that in a bank box, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity. Better to be safe, than sorry!
Daryl Campbell?s website provides more free tips, resources, feature articles and advice from security experts plus up to the minute news and information to help you protect yourself against identity theft and credit card fraud. Check it out http://fightidtheft.winthemarket.com

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/23149/1/5-Tips-For-Identity-Theft-Protection

Is your small business failing?

If you own your own small business, then you need to be aware of its chances of success, or failure.Like anything to do with debt, being able to spot the warning signs early on is often the key to preventing more serious debt problems further down the line. But unfortunately, spotting these signs can be far from easy.You?ll probably be struggling away at the coal face of the business and find it hard to step back and see the bigger picture. Or you could just be feeling disenchanted about your struggling business and unable to make clear judgements about your situation.Here are some potential warning signs to be aware of, that could indicate your small business, and you, could be heading for trouble:No New CustomersNew customers are the lifeblood of any business. If you just rely on your existing customer base you?ll end up with problems. This is because existing customers have an unfortunate habit of defecting, self destructing or even dying off.Unfortunately the process of gaining new business invariably involves investing money in sales and marketing ? money which may often be hard to find, for the very reason that the business is stalling.In addition, the prospect of selling may put you off. If you have a small business and you are your own sales director, then the prospect of putting yourself out there whilst you are also worrying about the business can be off putting to say the least.Brick Wall SyndromeThis warning sign is most often found amongst new start-up businesses, but can also occur in more established businesses as well.Basically, how long can you go on banging your head against a brick wall before you realise your business just isn?t working?It might be that your great idea for a new product or service simply isn?t selling, even though you?ve tried every possible combination of pricing and promotion.It could be that the structure of your business isn?t working. For example, your fixed overheads could be too high because you are overstaffed, holding too much stock, or your premises cost too much.In this situation, you need to make tough decisions. You can call it a day, and wind up the business or hopefully sell it before you get swamped with debt.Or you can make radical changes to the business itself, even if this means redundancies, restructuring or shifting your focus.Why are we here?With all the day to day distractions of running a small business, you can often overlook the very reason why you do it.The answer is surely to make a profit. But it?s surprising how many small businesses actually lose sight of their own profitability; the very reason for their existence.Some business owners focus too much on cash flow and making sure that the money is there to pay the bills and wages on time. Cash flow is important, it?s true. But not at the expense of knowing if the business is actually making a profit or not.If your business is running at a loss without you knowing it, it won?t take long for the problems to start mounting. And simply extending the overdraft isn?t the answer. You need to look at the key issues contributing to your business finances:- What price am I selling at, am I making a profit, and can make more?- How much am I selling, is it enough, and how can I sell more?- What am I spending, is it too much, and where can I save money?A small change in each of these key areas can mean the difference between business success and failure.Running a small business is hard work but ultimately rewarding, both financially and personally. But having invested so much time and effort into your business, you owe it to yourself to be honest, objective and realistic about its prospects.In business, one thing?s for sure. Doing nothing simply isn?t an option. Or else you'll end up with type of debt problems you can read about at www.debtblogger.co.uk
http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/19293/1/Is-your-small-business-failing%3F

Terms explained in plain english - Jargon Buster

Adverse Credit: used to describe a person who has a history of defaulting on credit repayments, has county court judgements or has been declared bankrupt.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate): the total amount of interest and other fees charged on a loan. Arrears: when a borrower has fallen behind on loan or mortgage repayments. Bad Credit: Common practices that can damage a credit rating including making late payments, skipping payments, exceeding card limits or declaring bankruptcy.
Broker: an individual who sources financial products best suited to an individual's needs Cashback: an incentive whereby the borrower receives back a sum of money when taking out a loan CCJ (County Court Judgement): a court order against a borrower demanding they pay back money owed Credit Agreement: a signed agreement between the lender and borrower, outlining terms and conditions relating to the loan
Credit Reference Agency: a company the provides lenders with individual's credit details and history
Credit Score: an applicant's credit status based on searches carried out by credit reference agencies
Fixed Interest Rate: an interest rate the remains the same throughout the loan term Over-Repyaments: when payments are higher or more frequent than stipulated in the credit agreement Payment Protection: an insurance plan that will take care of loan repayments on your behalf in the event of illness or redundancy
Secured Loan: where a borrower's property is used as security to guarantee repayment of the loan Self-Certification: where the loans company allows the applicant to state his income without providing evidence
Term: the period of time between the beginning loan date on the legal documents and the date the entire balance of the loan is due
Under-Repayments: when payments are lower or less frequent than stipulated in the credit agreement, often authorised by lenders if the borrower is struggling to make repayments but is committed to making some contribution until the situation improves Underwriting: the assessment made by a lender to decide whether to approve a loan application Unsecured Loan: a loan that does not require the borrower to use his home as security Variable Rate Interested: an interest rate that will fluctuate throughout the loan term, either up or down depending on market forces.
For more advice, please visit http://www.chasesaunders.co.uk/debt_management/index.html or http://www.ivahelp.org.uk

http://www.valuablecontent.com/articles/19562/1/Finance-Terms-explained-in-plain-english---Jargon-Buster