Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Understanding Secured Loans

A secured loan is any loan that is secured on your home or
property. Secured loans are more easily accessible to those with a
poor credit record. This means that persons who are self-employed,
or who have recently changed jobs, or who have adverse credit (ccjs,
arrears, defaults, etc.) can take out a secured loan.

If you're a homeowner, you may get a lower rate through a secured
loan using your property as security. If you borrow money using a
mortgage as security you are agreeing that the lender can claim the
mortgaged property if you fail to keep to the agreement. The risk to
the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower. This is
why secured loans tend to be cheaper than unsecured loans and other
forms of borrowing. The lender has the added benefit of security,
which provides protection in the event of your inability to repay.

You can borrow larger amounts and repay over a longer period. The
amount available usually ranges from £3,000 to £50,000,
although
some lenders will consider lending more. If you wish to borrow a
larger amount or if you require a longer period in which to repay
the loan, secured loans may be the most suitable for you.

You can consolidate more expensive borrowings into a single much
cheaper monthly payment. You may choose to take out a secured loan
in order to consolidate debts and replace high-interest loans with a
low-rate loan. The loans being consolidated may include higher
purchase loans, unsecured loans and credit cards.

Before you take out a secured loan, make sure that you can afford
the monthly repayments. Also, read the loan agreement carefully and
pay particular attention to the rate of interest required, the term
of the loan, the repayments required and the total amount payable.
If you fail to repay the loan, the lender may repossess your
property or home and sell it to repay the loan. Your home is at risk
if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured
on it.

© Copyright 2005, Bwalya Mwaba writes for the Secured Personal
Loans website. To apply for a secured personal loan online, just
fill out a simple form at: http://www.secured-personal-loan.org.uk/

Monday, August 29, 2005

Bad Credit Doesn't Rule Out Unsecured Credit!

Many people believe that because of their bad credit, unsecured
credit cards are not available to them. While it may be more
difficult, there are options for people with bad credit who
want an unsecured credit card to build their credit or have
available for use in an emergency. While a secured credit card
is the most commonly recommended option for people with bad
credit, unsecured credit cards ARE available - even for those
with the worst credit.

Bad Credit: Unsecured Credit Cards vs. Secured Credit Cards

One of the easiest ways to get a credit card when you have bad
credit is to opt for a secured credit card. With a secured
credit card, you deposit money in a bank designated by the
credit card company to serve as a 'security deposit' - an
assurance that they'll get their money if you default on
payments. Depending on the lender, that deposit might be equal
to your desired credit limit, or slightly higher or lower. A
security deposit of $300, for instance, might get you a $150
line of credit with one company, a $300 line of credit with
another, and a $400 one with yet a third. The interest rate is
generally competitive, since the company has a guarantee of
getting its money if you don't make payments.

An unsecured credit card requires no security deposit. A bad
credit unsecured credit card will often have either a high APR
(annual percentage rate), high fees, or both. How do the two
stack up against each other? Here's a comparison from two
actual credit card offers that are sitting on my desk as I
write:

Secured Credit Card
Security Deposit: $250
Annual Fee: $35
Setup Fee: $35
APR: 15.40%

Credit Limit Increases: $100 increments, each require $100
deposit

Bottom Line: It will cost you $370 to maintain a $250 credit
limit for the first year, with at least $250 up front, at an
APR of 15.40%. You'll have $170 available credit upon receipt
of your card. You'll have to put up an additional $100 every
time you want to increase your credit limit.

Bad Credit Unsecured Credit Card
Annual Fee: $48
Setup Fee: $29
Participation Fee: $72 (annual, billed at $6 monthly)
Program Fee: $95 (one time fee)
APR: 9.9%

Credit Limit Increases: $25 (per increase of $100, at their
discretion)

Bottom line: It will cost you $244 for the first year, all of
it billed to your credit card on your first statement, to
maintain a $250 credit limit with an APR of 9.9%. You'll have
$72 credit available upon receipt of your card.

In the long run, while a bad credit unsecured credit card may
cost you more, you won't be tying up your money up front.
Either card will help repair your credit as you make payments
on time and regularly, but the unsecured card has an APR that's
almost 5% lower. You're the only one who can decide which is the
better option for you - but it makes sense to weigh all your
options before you decide that your only way to have a credit
card is with a security deposit.

@ Copyright 2005 - Bill A Smith


About The Author: Bill A Smith is a credit counselor for
http://www.americreditservices.com/ Feel free to visit our bad
credit help center at
http://www.americreditservices.com/bad-credit/


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Sunday, August 28, 2005

The First Step To Getting Out Of Debt: Make The Commitment

These days, getting into debt is easy.

Unfortunately, getting out of debt is not so simple for most
people. But you can do, if you go about it the right way.

The first - and by far the most important step - to getting out
of debt is to MAKE A COMMITMENT!

Personally, I spent years telling myself how much I wanted to
get out of debt. But then something would always happen - a big
expense, a change of jobs, you name it.

And even though I really wanted to get out of debt, I never
made any real progress. Then one day I finally got so
frustrated I said to myself:

"It's now time to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get myself completely
out of debt!"

And for the first time since I got myself into debt (by maxing
out all of my credit cards trying to start a business) I
finally figured out the true "secret" to getting out of debt:
making the commitment!

So, if you haven't already made a commitment of your own, do it
right now. Decide you're going to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get
yourself out of debt...and start doing it!

How long will it take you to get out of debt? If you're like
most people (including myself not long ago), too long!

How To Take Action

Once you make this commitment, it's time to take action.

Write down exactly how you plan on getting out of debt. Here
are some questions to ask yourself while developing your plan:

- How can you save money each month?
- What expenses can you eliminate?
- How much more money can you use to pay off your credit card
bills faster?
- How can you make some extra money?
- Have you contacted your creditors to request a lower interest
rate?
- How can you change your spending habits?
- Have you considered professional help - credit counseling,
debt negotiation, bankruptcy - to find out all of your options?

- Are you really committed to getting out of debt?
- When do you want to be completely debt free?

It's a great feeling being completely free of credit card debt.
But it won't start happening until YOU decide to make it happen!


© 2005 Debt-Tips.com


About The Author: Kris Bickell is the owner of Debt-Tips.com, a
helpful site for consumers struggling with credit card debt. For
tips on getting out of debt, repairing your credit, saving
money, and making extra money online, sign up for the free "Get
Out Of Debt Faster" email course at:
http://www.Debt-Tips.com/course.html.


===============================================================



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Thursday, August 25, 2005

The Credit Bandwagon

The Credit Bandwagon
© Copyright 2005 parone tamont

Everywhere we turn, the word credit can be seen,
flashing huge dollar signs right before our very eyes.
Living in a materialistic world it is hard to keep up with
the Jones and so we revert to credit. Credit makes the
world go round at the moment, where personal debt far
outweighs personal wealth.

We jump on the credit bandwagon by applying for
credit cards, for personal loans, for interest free terms,
for mortgages, for an I.O.U. at the corner store we
even ask for credit on a couple of cigarettes from
friends just to get us by until next pay.

But ask yourself this; where does it all end? Suicide
rates are on the increase, families are breaking down
from financial stress, and people are living below the
poverty line yet we still choose to live on credit. It is
quite ironic to note that the definition of credit mentions
the word ¡°defer¡±. Yes, we are deferring our payments
whilst we enjoy the benefits of such credit, but arent
we also deferring our lives as the bills pile high and our
disposable income is reduced to nil. Arent we deferring
our opportunity to really live life to the fullest by having
to work to pay this credit off?

Meanwhile credit agencies place the debts in the
hands of collectors who hound you for payment, who
promise that you will never be granted credit again,
who make your life a living hell and encourage thoughts
of running for the hills. Most dont run but they probably
resort to never answering the phone again either. Is
that living? No, probably not but it is all done in the
name of credit.

Surely, credit agencies should have societal
responsibilities to ensure that those that apply for credit
actually do have the means to support the credit. An
application for credit could be full of bogus information
and would still get approved. How many times do we
have to write down a reference for our employer but
later find that our employer has never been contacted?
Society really has a lot to answer for! Why was it ok to
live within our means and to do without luxuries in
years gone by, but now in the 21st century it appears
to be totally unacceptable to live without having some
form of luxury item on credit? What ever happened to
budgeting and saving? Ultimately it really is up to the
individual concerned to make up their own mind about
what they will spend and what they will save, however
peer groups, the media and family pressure can often
be very influential.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
parone tamont is the owner of
Credit Rak
which is a premier resource for credit information.
for more information, go to http://www.creditrak.com

======================================================

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Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Planning To Become Debt Free With A Consolidation Loan

If you have multiple debts, and are struggling to meet the
monthly payments, then there's a good chance you will want to
consider, now or later, a consolidation loan to become debt
free.

If you have already studied your monthly expenditure and can
see no way to make savings, and find you have no way of earning
extra money, then your next option may be a free debt
consolidation loan.

By free, I mean no extra charges or arrangement fee for the
consolidation loan; your chances of getting an interest free
consolidation loan are just about zero, unless you have a rich
relative or friend. Should you go down the debt consolidation
route, try to avoid any loan arrangement which involves upfront
fees, or any extra fees at all for that matter. Whether that is
possible will depend on where you live, but in the UK, it is
not difficult to get a free debt consolidation loan.

One benefit of a consolidation loan is that it does give you a
chance to plan your finances in a way that could, if you're
careful, make you debt free by the end of the period of the
loan. By debt free, I will be realistic and mean "debt free
apart from home mortgage", which most people have little option
about, and mortgage debt can be worthwhile financially anyway.

Taking out a debt consolidation loan will not, of course, make
you instantly debt free. However, it may be that such a loan
will give you a chance to structure your finance plan over a 3,
5 or 7 year period. With the correct attitude and perseverance,
this may be an excellent opportunity to improve your finances
in the long term, resulting in being debt free by the end of
the loan period.

The consolidation loan will reduce your monthly outgoings, thus
giving you the opportunity to save. By getting into the saving
habit instead of debt habit, you will be able to set aside
money to pay cash for the things you need in the future; if you
are determined and disciplined, even that next car purchase can
be in cash, rather than an expensive loan. The result: you
become debt free.

In the financial reality of a consumer, if you cannot to afford
to pay cash for something, then you probably cannot really
afford it at all. The one exception is the house, where the
investment potential and rent saving change the financial
aspect.

Can you imagine, waking up at the end of the consolidation loan
term and finding yourself debt free? What a nice feeling!


About The Author: This debt consolidation article was written
by Roy Thomsitt, the owner and author of
http://www.eliminate-credit-card-debt-now.com/Consolidate_Debt.htm
Formerly a finance professional and credit controller, Roy is
now a full time online author.

====================================================================

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Tuesday, August 23, 2005

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Declaration Of Purpose:

An abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and
unfair credit collection practices by many debt collectors led
to the declaration of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The purpose of the Act, approved in September 1977, was to
eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt collectors
and to promote consistent state action to protect consumers
against debt collection abuses and invasions of individual
privacy.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act laid down specific
guidelines pertaining to the following procedures:

1. Acquisition Of Information [Sec 804]
Any debt collector seeking to acquire location information of a
consumer would identify himself and his purpose correctly and if
the need arises also disclose his employer. At no point during
the inquiry process shall the collector state or imply that a
consumer owes any debt, as this shall amount to invasion of
individual privacy. Once the enquiry process has been
completed, any correspondence thereafter shall be with the
attorney of the said consumer only.

2. Communication With the Consumer [Sec 805]
The debt collector may not communicate with the consumer at any
such place or time, which may be known to be inconvenient to the
consumer. If the collector has information that an attorney
represents the consumer, then any communication with the
consumer should be done only if the attorney fails to respond
to the collector's communication.

3. Abuse Or Harassment Of The Consumer [Sec 806]
A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural
consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person
in connection with the collection of a debt. A collector may not
resort to acts of violence or threats thereof in order to coerce
the consumer into obliging to the collector.

4. Misrepresentation For Debt Collection [Sec 807]
A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or
misleading representation or means in connection with the
collection of any debt. The debt collector may not represent or
in any way implicate that nonpayment of the debt will result in
the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure,
attachment or sale of any property of any person unless such
action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to
take such action.

5. Debt Validation [Sec 809]
Within five days after the initial communication with a
consumer, the debt collector shall send the consumer a written
notice containing the exact amount of debt, the name of the
creditor and the due date of payment.

6. Civil Liability [Sec 813]
Any debt collector who fails to comply with any provision of
this act is liable to such person in an amount equal to the
extent of actual damage to the consumer and may be liable to
pay the consumer the defendant attorney's fees reasonable in
relation to the work expended and costs.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides guidelines for
all kinds of debt collection. For all debt collectors, be
in-house or collection agencies, it is must to understand the
act and stay within the legally permitted boundaries. The Fair
Debt Collection Practices Act has enough provisions for
collection agencies and departments to help them get the dues
from the debtors legally.


About The Author: Free collection agency services information
at http://www.collectionagencyservices.net
=============================================================

Debt Elimination Programs Reviews, Articles And Tips On Complete Debt Elimination Get Out Of Debt, Using Only The Money You Already Earn And Not A Penny More! On Any Income!

The secrets of getting out of Debt

Debt

Many Americans are just floating in debt. Are
you 1 of those people? With a home mortgage loan,
a car loan, store cards and credit cards? If you are
then you are probably struggling every month to produce
your minimum repayments, let alone get ahead with
any kind of savings project. While your mortgage and
your car loan are positive steps in the right direction
after all you are building stock in wonderful firm assets, it
is wallmart cards and credit cards which will give you
the virtually all trouble.

Credit debt is a financial epidemic that infects hundreds to
thousands
of people around the globe each year. Rather than live
every day to its fullest, individuals suffering from credit
card debt are forced to pay off their expenses from the
past. Does this sound familiar? If so, then let me
encourage you to attack those credit cards and run
living debt-free! But it can sound like a
wonderful idea, living debt-free is much simpler said
than done. This is especially true for individuals who
are suffocating under thousands of dollars of credit
debt. Unfortunately, there isn't a "quick fix" guide for
credit card debt.

The hardest portion about eliminating credit obligations is
getting rid of the cards. This is especially true for
people who are about dependent on them. Let
me assure you, however, that you are never going to
get rid of your debt if you carry on to spend. So pick
1 (and only one) to reserve for emergencies only,
get out the scissors and chop the others to pieces.
And what if you happen to be already in trouble? What can
you
do to reduce and even eliminate your credit card debt?
There are both keys choices to doing this. The 1st is
taking out a debt consolidation loan. This is where you
take the balances of your great cards and
smaller finance loans and roll them into 1 loan or even
card. This minimizes your monthly repayments however
also minimizes the amount of interest that you are
incurring every month because you are incurring
interest only on 1 great balance rather than
many.

The 2nd is taking out a Debt Agreement with your
creditor. This is a elementary strategy that allows you to
negotiate a binding payment compromise with the
corporations you owe great monies to. This is an
alterative step before filing for bankruptcy and should
be considered as an extreme measure. It's vital
to note however that the debt agreement proposal will
be accepted or even rejected by creditors. A few examples
of the kinds of arrangements that are put in place are:
- Payment of less than the full amount of all or even any of
the debtor's debts,
- A moratorium on payment of debts for a time of
time to give the debtor time to gather funds,
- A transfer of property from the debtor to the creditor
as full or even section payment, and
- Periodic payments of numbers out of the debtor's
income to creditors either collectively or even individually.


padrone dibitoz is the owner of
AFS Debt
which is a premier resource for debt information.
for more information, go to http://www.afsdebt.com


Debt Elimination Programs Reviews, Articles And Tips On Complete Debt Elimination Get Out Of Debt, Using Only The Money You Already Earn And Not A Penny More! On Any Income!

Monday, August 22, 2005

The FICO Score Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about credit scores out there.
There are borrowers who believe that they don't have a credit
score. There are others who think that their credit scores
don't really matter. These sorts of misconceptions can hurt
your chances of gaining employment, obtaining preferred
interest rates, and even your chances of qualifying for renting
an apartment.

The truth is, of you have a bank account and you pay utility
bills, then you have a credit score, and it matters more than
you might think. Your credit score can be called many things
such as a credit risk rating, a FICO score, a credit rating, a
FICO rating, or a credit risk score. All these terms refer to
the same thing: the three-digit number that lets lenders get an
idea of how likely you are to repay your bills.

Every time you apply for credit, apply for a job, or even apply
to some apartment complexes, your credit score is checked.
Another misconception is that employers check your credit only
if you apply for a job that involves handling money. The fact
is that many companies use credit checking as part of their
standard background checks.

Make no mistake, your credit report can be checked by anyone
with a legitimate business need to do so. Your credit score is
calculated based on complex formulas. Things such as your past
financial responsibilities, past payment records, credit
limits, credit line utilization, open and closed accounts, and
public records are all considered. It provides potential
lenders with a quick snapshot of your current financial state
and past repayment habits.

In other words, your credit score lets lenders know quickly how
much of a credit risk you are. Based on this credit score,
lenders decide whether to trust you financially. They use this
information to approve or decline a loan. Even if approved,
your credit score can have a direct effect on the interest
rates you pay. Apartment managers can use your credit score to
decide whether you can be trusted to pay your rent on time.
Employers can use your credit score to decide, perhaps
unfairly, how you manage your life. Some employers find that if
you're poor with money, you have poor organization skills and no
attention to detail -- things that are a must in a corporate
environment.

The problem with credit scores is that there is quite a bit of
misinformation circulated about, especially through some less
than scrupulous companies who claim they can help you with your
credit report and credit score -- for a fee, of course.

From advertisements and suspect claims, customers sometimes
come away with the idea that in order to boost their credit
score, they have to pay money to a company or leave credit
repair in the hands of so-called "experts." Nothing could be
further from the truth. It is perfectly possible to pay down
debts and boost your credit on your own, with no expensive help
whatsoever. There are many free resources on the web that will
enable you to do just that.


About The Author: Lee has done it all in the lending business.
From loan origination to processing to underwriting, even
owning a mortgage company. In
http://www.credit-restoration-kit.com, he exploits the secrets
of the industry to help fix credit, obtain mortgages, and
improve financial standing. Free articles, resources, and a
blog.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Ten Ways To Get Out Of Debt

1) Use your Assets
If you have assets with some significant equity, such as a home
or a car you may be able to use these to get control of your
debt. For example, you could get a loan on your home sufficient
to pay off your debts. You could be saving a considerable amount
of money on interest if you pay off high interest credit card
debt in return for lower cost debt.

If you have a car, consider selling it, paying off your debts
and buying a cheaper car. Be careful though! Your don't want a
"cheaper" car that will cost you a fortune in repair costs.

2) Get a Second Job
Use the money from this job to only pay off your debts. List
your debts noting the interest rates. Pay off the debts with
the highest rates first and work your way down the list.

3) Put your Credit Cards on Hold
One of the best steps you can take to get out of debt is to
immediately stop using credit cards. At the very least destroy
all your cards keeping just one card for emergencies.

4) Set up a Repayment Plan
Cut back on your expenses and/or use freed up cash to pay down
your debts. Pay off the debts with the highest rates first and
work your way down the list.

5) Get a Consolidation Loan
A consolidation loan can make lots of sense. Get a loan to pay
off all your many debts and have just one payment to make. The
new loan usually has a smaller payment and a lower interest
rate.

6) Use the Services of a Credit Counselor
There are two types of credit counselor, for profit and
"nonprofit". We do not distinguish between the two as they
provide similar services and both charge a fee. Credit
counselors can assist you in acquiring the discipline you need
to get control of your debt. Be careful! Many people do not
fully understand all the ramifications involved such as:

Impact on your credit rating

The credit bureau will record that a plan is in place.

Are your payments too high?

Your payments should be high enough to significantly reduce
your debt but not so high that you have "no life". If you do
not have money left over at the end of the month to pay for the
small pleasures in life you may find that you end up defaulting
on your payments.

For how long should you pay?

Most experts feel that the term should be three to four years.
It is a stipulation in the new Bankruptcy Reform Bills that the
term be 3-5 years. Terms longer than this have a very high
failure rate, because people cannot see a "light at the end of
the tunnel".

7) Informal Proposal - Payments over time.
In some cases you can make a proposal to your creditors to set
up a payment plan that will allow you to pay your creditors in
an orderly way and thus help preserve your credit rating. This
operates similar to a debt consolidation loan except you do not
borrow the money to pay off your creditors.

8) Informal Proposal - Lump sum payment.
You may be able to pay less than 100 cents on the dollar. For
example, a relative may be willing to pay a lump sum to the
creditor of say 50% of the amount owed in order for the balance
of the debt to be written off. Your creditors will be more
willing to accept this offer rather than have you file Chapter
7.

This works best when there are few creditors.

9) Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
You are probably a good candidate for Chapter 13 bankruptcy if
you are in any of the following situations:

1. You have a sincere desire to repay your debts, but you need
the protection of the bankruptcy court to do so. You may think
filing Chapter 13 is simply the "Right Thing To Do" rather than
file Chapter 7.

2. You are behind on your mortgage or car loan, and want to
make up the missed payments over time and reinstate the
original agreement. You cannot do this in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
You can make up missed payments only in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

3. You need help repaying your debts now, but need to leave
open the option of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the
future. This would be the case if for some reason you can't
stop incurring new debt.

4. You are a family farmer who wants to pay off your debts, but
you do not qualify for a Chapter 12 family farming bankruptcy
because you have a large debt unrelated to farming.

5. You have valuable nonexempt property. When you file for
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you get to keep certain property, called
exempt. If you have a lot of nonexempt property (which you'd
have to give up if you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy), Chapter 13
bankruptcy may be the better option.

6. You received a Chapter 7 discharge within the previous six
years. You cannot file for Chapter 7 again until the six years
are up.

7. You have a co-debtor on a personal debt. If you file for
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your creditor will go after the co-debtor
for payment. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the creditor
will leave your co-debtor alone, as long as you keep up with
your bankruptcy plan payments.

8. You have a tax debt. If a large part of your debt consists
of federal taxes, what happens to your tax debts may determine
which type of bankruptcy is best for you.

10) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
If these alternatives will not work for you, bankruptcy may be
the only way for you to get a fresh start. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
offers a quick solution to getting out of debt.


About The Author: Nathan Dawson writes for
http://www.mybankruptcycounseling.com, a great online source
for bankruptcy information


==========================================================



Learn How To Get Out Of Debt, Using Only The Money You Already Earn And Not A Penny More! Learn how to put all the money you're wasting each and every month (Paying Interest) To Work for You!
Click Here For: Total Debt Elimination!

Saturday, August 20, 2005

What is a Credit Report?

This article is a concise, informative tell-all explaining what exactly a credit report is, and what that means to you. It will NOT inform you where to get a cheap, or free, credit report. Rather, this article will explain what types of credit reports are available, and why they are used.

A credit report is a retelling of your credit payment history. It can be provided to companies by one of the four credit bureaus in the U.S. as designated by law. Usually, this information is only shared when credit is being extended, although this is not always the case.

A credit report is used to tell a potential creditor about your ability to repay your debts, based on past experiences. All credit reports are hosted in databases housed by the credit bureaus.

If you are one of the 210 million people in the U.S who has a student loan, credit card, mortgage or another type of loan, then you probably have a credit file, somewhere. The information gathered to create your credit file is garnered from the companies with which you have credit extended to you. Also, the government or legal system may provide information as well.

Whenever you apply for more credit, a credit report is usually created which contains all of this information from one of the four credit bureaus in the U.S. (Innovex, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). There are quite a few other, smaller credit bureaus around the states; however, most credit granting agencies will only look at information from one of the big four.

There are several different kinds of credit reports that an agency can request about you:

- Consumer Credit Reports (what we have discussed most of this article already);
- Property Manager Credit Reports: These reports are used by landlords to determine your credit history with regards to your rental payments, and are essentially the same report as the consumer credit report.
- Business Credit Reports: These reports are used by credit agencies to determine if a business is credit worthy. Information gathered can include company background, number of employees, estimated yearly sales, public records, payment trends and how the company compares to others in the same industry.
- Employer Credit Reports: These reports are similar to the consumer credit reports, but are used in addition, and include such information as employment history, education, criminal records checks, and motor vehicle registration and history.
- Mortgage Broker Credit Reports: These credit reports are quite different than the others, as they bring together information from more than one database at a time. These are used to determine if a client is a good credit granting risk for a mortgage, and can include information such as your name, living situation, and employment and educational history.

Credit bureaus collect information about the people who have credit, and then maintain that information for any reports as discussed above. Although credit bureaus are not affiliated with the government, they are strictly regulated to protect the privacy of credit issuers, granters and consumers.

For more more information about credit reports please visit http://www.moneytipsdaily.com/Money-Tips/Keep-Your-Credit-History-Clean-Remove-A-Negative-Credit-Record-From-Credit-Report.html

Friday, August 19, 2005

Planning For Debt Elimination Without Surplus Cash

Previously we looked at using surplus cash each month to chip
away at those outstanding loans, on our long road to debt
elimination. But what can you do if there is no surplus cash
every month?

So, you have examined your monthly outgoings, and there is
nothing to cut out in the way of expenditure. Or you can make
some savings, but it just brings your outgoings and income into
balance each month, whereas before your outgoings were in excess
of the income. Well, at least you have made some progress by
bringing income and expenditure into equilibrium. But where
does that leave you in your debt elimination challenge?

It is probably time to focus on those debts, and see what can
be done to bring down the cost of those loans, and the monthly
repayments. It may still be possible to plan for debt
elimination in 5 years, especially with your newly developed
anti debt mindset.

Taking out another loan will not, of course, bring instant debt
elimination. However, it may be that a debt consolidation loan
will give you a chance to structure your plan over a 3, 5 or 7
year period. With the right approach, this may be an excellent
opportunity to improve your finances no end, resulting in debt
elimination at the end of the loan period. The key will be in
whether you are able to reduce your total loan repayments, and
whether you are then able to set aside those savings each
month.

Let us look at a simple example, of a consumer who has two
credit cards and two other loans. He owes a total of $11300,
and has a minimum monthly payment of $346. Let's say he is able
to obtain a new consolidation loan at 10% annual interest, and
would have repayments of $240 per month over 5 years, a saving
of $106 per month, or $6360 over the 5 year period.

That is a significant amount to put away each month. Enough for
a replacement second hand car? No need for any more loans? In
which case, debt elimination, by our definition excluding the
mortgage, could be achieved within that 5 year period.

There are, of course, millions of permutations of figures, so
you will have to consider your own. But the principles are
always the same. Living within your budget, planning ahead, and
saving for any future purchases in cash. That's a simple
formula.

All it needs to accomplish debt elimination is your new
mindset; the mindset that does not want debt, borrowings, loans
to be a part of your future life. The mindset that has patience
in clearing the debt, and is able resist new purchases of
optional items until the cash is available.

It is worth always remembering, if you cannot to afford to pay
cash for something, then you cannot really afford it at all.
The only exception is the house, where the investment potential
and rent saving alter the financial viewpoint.

Once you have the cash-save mindset, you have all you need to
clear unwieldy and expensive debt from your life, once and for
all.


About The Author: Roy Thomsitt is the owner and part author of
http://www.eliminate-credit-card-debt-now.com

The Five Most Popular Questions About Bankruptcy

WILL MY CREDITORS STOP HARASSING ME?

Yes, they will! By law, all actions against a debtor must cease
once bankruptcy documents are filed. Creditors cannot initiate
or continue any lawsuits, wage garnishees, or even telephone
calls demanding payments. Secured creditors such as banks
holding, for example, a lien on a car, will get the stay lifted
if you cannot make payments.

WILL MY SPOUSE BE AFFECTED?

Your wife or husband will not be affected by your bankruptcy if
they are not responsible (did not sign an agreement or contract)
for any of your debt. If they have a supplemental credit card
they are probably responsible for that debt.

However, In community property states, either spouse can
contract for a debt without the other spouse's signature on
anything, and still obligate the marital community. There are a
few exceptions to that rule, such as the purchase or sale of
real estate; those few exceptions do require both spouse's
signatures on contracts. But the day to day debts, such as
credit cards, do NOT require both spouses to have signed.

Your bankruptcy lawyer will be able to guide you in this
regard.

WHO WILL KNOW?

Chapter 7 filings are public records. However, under normal
circumstances, no one will know you filed for Chapter 7. The
Credit Bureaus will record your filing and it will remain on
your credit record for 10 years.

WILL I EVER GET CREDIT AGAIN?

Yes! A number of banks now offer "secured" credit cards where a
debtor puts up a certain amount of money (as little as $200) in
an account at the bank to guarantee payment. Usually the credit
limit is equal to the security given and is increased as the
debtor proves his or her ability to pay the debt.

Two years after a discharge, debtors are eligible for mortgage
loans on terms as good as those of others, with the same
financial profile, who have not filed Chapter 7. The size of
your down payment and the stability of your income will be much
more important than the fact you filed chapter 7 in the past.

The fact you filed Chapter 7 or 13 stays on your credit report
for 10 years. It becomes less significant the further in the
past the filing is. The truth is, that you are probably a
better credit risk after bankruptcy than before.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Costs for filing your bankruptcy will vary depending on the
type of bankruptcy you are seeking. The rule of thumb is that a
consumer bankruptcy will cost approximately $200. This does not
include attorney fees that can run between $700 and $1500
depending on the nature and complexity of your case. Many
bankruptcy lawyers will give you a free initial consultation.
You can keep the fees down by being well organized and well
prepared. You may also be able to keep the fees down by not
requiring the lawyer to attend the meeting of creditors with
you. Check this with your lawyer. In some states such as
Massachusetts, attorneys must attend the Section 341 meeting
with the debtors otherwise attorneys are deemed to have NOT
represented the debtors.

These fee quotes are mere estimates based on nationally
reported averages and subject to variation and change. Please
consult with your local bankruptcy court and with legal counsel
on fees before commencing any action.


About The Author: Nathan Dawson writes for
http://www.mybankruptcycounseling.com, a great online source
for bankruptcy information

How to Stop Getting Credit Card Offers

Are you getting sick and tired of all the credit card offers that magically appear in your mailbox? Well, you aren’t the only one. Part of the reason why you are receiving so many of late is because the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was changed about 10 years ago to allow major credit bureaus to sell your credit information to credit card companies.

Luckily for U.S. citizens, this Act also states that people have the right to remove themselves from these credit card offer lists. This article will detail some of the ways you can avoid getting those credit card offers.

Credit Card Offers: Opt Out By Mail
The longest and most time consuming of the options, but it also does seem to be the most effective. You can mail a letter to each of the (listed below) credit bureaus, requesting that your name not be included on their credit card offers list(s). Make sure to give them your name, phone number, full address, and Social Security Number to each and every place. Also, if you’ve moved recently, you’ll want to provide updated information for the past two years.

Equifax (http://www.equifax.com/)
Equifax Options
PO BOX 790123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

TransUnion (http://www.transunion.com/)
TransUnion LLC's Name Removal Option
PO Box 97328
Jackson, MS 39288-7328

Experian (http://www.experian.com/)
Consumer "OPT-OUT"
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521

Innovis (http://www.innovis.com/)

Innovis is the new guy on the block when it comes to receiving credit card offers. They started business in 2001, providing credit agencies with marketing information on potential, new clients. One of their features is called FailSafe, which is a list of people who may pose a credit risk, and therefore should be removed from the credit card offers list. Another is called New Movers, which is exactly as it sounds: a monthly list of people who have just moved.

Credit Card Offers: Opt Out By Mail
There is an easier way, although there is a bit of controversy surrounding this company. 1-888-5-OPTOUT is a number run jointly by all four of the credit bureaus listed above. By calling it, you can ask to no longer receive any credit card offers in the mail.

First of all, call the number. Then, select option 2 to stop all credit card offers being sent to your home. Finally, follow the prompts to provide all of the same contact information as before (phone, name, full address and Social Security Number).

Supposedly, just five days after you have made this simple call, you will be mailed a “Notice of Election” form. However, there is a bit of controversy regarding this option. It seems that a large scale bogus email was sent out in July of 2004, stating that this same legislation allows for ANYONE to access your credit information.

The FTC, however, has stated publicly that this is just not true. They say that the legislation in question only gives financial institutions a deadline to let you know about their privacy policies, and some way of opting out of the sharing of private information. In reality, consumers can opt-out of any of these types of information gathering processes by contacting the number listed above; July 1 is not a deadline. And finally, not ANYONE can gain access to your credit information; it has to be for a certain list of reasons, such as an application for credit, insurance, employment or rental.

For more more information about credit card offers please visit http://www.moneytipsdaily.com/Money-Tips/Credit-Card-Delinquencies-Hit-An-All-Time-High,-Indicating-the-Need-to-Better-Manage-Personal-Debt.html

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Credit Repair:

Get Copies of Your Credit Reports
Send a letter to each of the major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, CSC, Innovax, and Experian), asking them for a copy of your credit records. Some states require that you send along a copy of a credit denial letter with this letter, or else they will levy a charge (somewhere between $3-10). If you are serious about trying to repair your credit, you'll need to do this manually, instead of online, for several reasons.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Learn The Truth About Debt!

Credit card debt management tips, shows how you can pay-off your home, credit cards, car loans and other debts the slow, old-fashioned way and maybe end up with a few thousand dollars saved for your retirement years...or by using the unique debt management tips revealed here, you can stop living Pay-Check to Pay-Check. Starting Today!

NOW! Imagine what you will feel like, when you wake up one morning and absolutely know that all of your debts have been eliminated.

What Everybody Needs To Know...Learn The Truth About Debt Elimination Programs!


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Learn How To Get Out Of Debt, Using Only The Money You Already Earn And Not A Penny More! Learn how to put all the money you're wasting each and every month (Paying Interest) To Work for You!
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Monday, August 15, 2005

What is a credit report?

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a summary of your financial reliability for the most part, your history of paying debts and other bills. Itis prepared by credit bureaus primarily for use by lenders, employers and others who, under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, have a legitimate need for the information.

The wealth of information gathered by credit bureaus, coupled with the speed of today's computer systems, explains why consumers can quickly get loans and other services, like free fico scores including approvals of certain credit applications in minutes.

Visit: Debt Elimination Programs for more infomation.

Personal Finannce Books

Try these three - all are regarded as classics and live on through
multiple editions:

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need - Andrew Tobias - title is
only a slight overstatement, but this is an easy read, it's funny - he's
kind of the David Sedaris of personal finance if that means anything.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street - Burton Malkiel - not really a personal
finance book but a great overview on investing and what the stock market
(and markets generally) are all about.

Common Sense on Mutual Funds - John Bogle - or one of his other books
since - you'll probably invest using mutual funds and could do so your
entire life. This is a great introduction to the concept of index funds
and their long-term advantages.

A lot of financial planning involves topics other than investing
(insurance, credit and debt management, taxes) so if that's your
interest a more general book would be better. Maybe something like Eric
Tyson's "Dummies" book on the topic.

Also the Wall St Journal puts out a bunch of slim paperbacks on these
topics, they're really good references and well laid out.

Visit: Debt Elimination Programs Made Easy

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Debt-elimination companies claiming, You Dont have to pay-off your credit cards

Debt elimination companies claim that they can eliminate your debt and
that you do not have to make any more payments with no repercussions
ever.

After They get your money they send you to a webpage or send you a
package with a few prewitten letters in it, where they have you fill in
the blanks on a form letter.

And then they have you send it by certified mail and once it is signed
for by your credit card company you are legally off the hook!(yeah
right)

Sounds to good to be true, huh? Way Too good!

The bottom line alleged by these companies is that the debt that you
have incurred using credit cards is not legal debt.

The murky debt-elimination process is said to be based on legal
information from Title 15 United State Code -- section 1692, the Fair
Debt Collections Practices Act -- section 1601, the Fair Credit Billing
Act and the Uniform Commercial Code -- section 203.

Has anyone ever had this work for them! or not work!

Please Stay Away From These companies!

For More Infomation Visit: Debt Elimination Program Reviews

Things You Should Know About Credit Cards:

Credit Card. Use them carefully. Credit cards offer great benefits, especially the ability to buy now and pay later. But you've got to keep the debt levels manageable. If you don't, the costs in terms of fees and interest, or the damage to your credit record, could be significant.

Choose them carefully. Don't choose a credit card just to get freebies (T-shirts or sports items) or because there's no annual fee. Look for a card that's best for your borrowing habits.
A total debt elimination example: If you expect to carry a balance on your card from month to month, which means you'll be charged interest, it's more important to look for a card with a low interest rate or a generous "grace period" (more time before your payments are due).

Visit:
Debt Elimination Program Reviews

Friday, August 12, 2005

debt-elimination-program-reviews.com

Debt Elimination Programs.

We have been taught to charge, charge, charge and promised Easy Monthly Payments by advertisers who seduce us into debt. So its no accident that the credit, finance and loan companies end up with most of our money, while we end up with all of the bills.

Millions of Americans are living on the edge of financial disaster surviving only on the hope of next week's paycheck. The average American is dying under a load of debt, with little or nothing building in the bank or in investments.

Are you tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck, month-to-month, with little hope of ever getting ahead?

Today, you will have the knowledge and power in your hands to change your life financially!

You can pay-off your home, credit cards, car loans and other debts the slow, old-fashioned way and maybe end up with a few thousand dollars saved for your retirement years...or by using the unique debt elimination, programs listed here, you can stop living pay-check to pay-check.

Visit: http://www.debt-elimination-program-reviews.com

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