Monday, December 10, 2007

- How To Eliminate Credit Card Debt

By Tony Pescatore

Credit cards are no longer considered a luxury they rule our lives. Purchasing goods and services with credit is so easily accessible which in turn is a path to credit card debt. Your bills are piling up and your scratching your head with no idea of how to pay it off.

If paying the minimum and not much else when it comes to paying off your credit card or any other debt, it's time to reconsider your strategy on how to eliminate credit card debt.

Your strategy should begin by writing down a list of all your expenses and I mean all. Consider what you can do without and keep track of all of your expenses.

It's best to pay off the balance with the highest interest rate first. Then the next highest and so on.

If you are in financial difficulties ask your credit card company for assistance, some companies have special repayment plans for customers who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Another way to reduce debt, which will not correct your problem but at least reduce your debt amount, is apply for a credit card with no annual interest rate and transfer your balance.

You could also consider debt consolidation by putting all your bills and consolidate them into one credit card with the lowest interest rate. If any of your cards interest rate are actually lower then do not include that card. So if you decide to consolidate credit card debt make sure there are no hidden fees and shop around.

The way on how to eliminate credit card debt is to keep up to date with all of your expenses, finding out what suits your lifestyle best to eliminate credit card debt and which way you should go about it. Getting out of debt can seem impossible at first but do not be discouraged take action and follow a plan. Baby steps first can be gigantic steps on the long run.

- How To Start Fixing Your Credit Repair Ratings

By Tony Pescatore

If your aim is to repair your credit rating you might evaluate many aspects before you begin on building your credit. Credit can be seen as good in some ways and bad in other ways. Lot of us have encounters in our lifetime some more then others, credit can put stress on us due to maintaining a good rating.

The first step you should consider on how to start fixing your credit repair ratings is get copies of your credit ratings. You are entitled to one free credit report a year. When you receive it analyze your credit report by identifying items both positive and negative.

Now you should rank your items from the most damaging one first. This is the order of the most damaging items to your credit. Bankruptcy being the first, then foreclosure, repossession, loan default, court judgements, collections, past due payments, credit rejections and credit inquiries.

Check for discrepancies and make sure no false allegations were made against you.

If you are low income and have bad credit there, are government loans and grants available. Check the marketplace, you might find out that you qualify for a loan or grant from the government. There are also possibilities that include getting creditors to drop your credit completely.

Try staying focused on your goal to get out of debt. Always keep track of all your activity such as payments, contact with the creditors, get copies of your credit reports on a yearly basis from each agency.

There are lots of resources available to you that can help you repair your credit. The Consumer Response Center is a great source for finding information about your rights. There are lots of resources available to you that can help you repair your credit. The Consumer Response Center is a great source for finding information about your rights. Also if you are applying for a payday loan online be careful some of the sources are not even institutes that specialize in payday loans.

- How the Credit Card Companies Make Money

A credit card gives you the ability to spend money that is not yours. Of course, you have to pay it back, and unless you pay off the entire balance within the first billing cycle, you will pay interest on the amount of your debt. That interest is one of the primary sources of revenue for credit card companies, but it is by no means the only source.

According to CreditCards.com, the credit card industry took in a whopping $43 billion in late payment fees, over-limit fees, and balance transfer fees in 2004. That is enough to support the entire industry, though you will never hear the CEO of a major credit card company admit it.

Let's talk about the people who do not incur late fees, over-limit fees, or balance transfer fees, and who keep their accounts in good standing. They usually have above average credit limits and below average interest rates. Why do credit card companies treat them so well if they are making so little money from these people? If they pay their balances in full each month, the credit card companies don't even get to collect finance charges; the credit card companies make zero from these folks, right? Wrong!

When a business sets up a merchant account, which gives them the ability to accept credit cards, they sign a contract allowing the credit card companies to collect a small fee for each transaction. This fee generally ranges from five cents to half a dollar; but when you consider how many millions of credit card transactions are executed each day, you can see that it adds up! The fact that credit card companies have several methods of generating revenue is exactly what gives you the opportunity to negotiate with them. They are not one-dimensional with their finances, and neither should you be.

Why Credit Card Companies Will Negotiate

Credit card companies make scads of money from their worst customers through late-payment fees and over-limit fees. As we now can see, their best means to make money from their best customers is to entice those customers to use their cards more often. A savvy consumer can use that fact to his or her advantage.

When to Negotiate

First, be sure your account is in good standing. To be in good standing, your account should meet these criteria:

  • No late payments in the past six months
  • No over-limit penalties in the past six months
  • The account must be open for more than six months (obviously)

If you are not there yet, get there. If your most recent payment was a late one, don't get discouraged. Buckle down, get organized, and start making those payments on time. If you have to wait six months before you can begin negotiating, remember that financial success is an endurance race, not a sprint.

Once your account is in good standing, you are ready to call up your credit card company, unless you have too recently negotiated a new deal. Here again, the rule of thumb is six months between negotiations. You may be able to get away with once every three months with some credit card companies, but do not call more often than that. If you call too frequently, the best that could happen is nothing, so don't waste your time. Simply make a note in your calendar or planner to call your credit card companies twice a year.

How to Negotiate Your Credit Card Terms

Negotiating with your credit card company for better terms is easy, and there is no reason why every card holder in good standing does not do this regularly. Even if you are neck deep in credit card debt, you can get a better deal as long as you make your payments on time and do not spend over your limit.

To begin, you will need your most recent credit card statement and your credit card number. Call the customer service number and push whatever buttons you have to push to speak to a human. Now, here is your script, starring "You" and the credit card company customer service "Rep: Hello, thanks for calling Acme Card Services, how can I help you today?

You: Hi. I was just reviewing my account, and I think my APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a bit high. I would like to have it adjusted, please.

At this point, either the rep will begin reviewing your account, or he will transfer your call to the appropriate department. In any case, you will likely be placed on hold once or twice. It is a good idea to have twenty to thirty minutes free when you call.

Rep: Yes, I see you have been maintaining your account well, so we should be able to help you.

The rep will then make you an offer. Is it the best offer you can get? Probably not. Be prepared to make a counter-offer.You: Hmm, 15.9 percent, you say? I was really looking for about 13.9 percent. Is that possible?

Your counter-offer should be aggressive, but not ridiculous. You may have a target number in mind before you dial the phone, or you may take whatever number the rep gives you and drop it by one or two percentage points. The worst-case scenario is that you will end up with the rep's first offer; more likely, you will get a compromise offer that you will happily accept.

This simple, twice yearly procedure can save you several thousands of dollars in interest over the years. Knowing how the credit card companies make money helps you understand why they can give you a better deal. The script above, though simple in form, is all you need. It is your financial future. Don't squander it - pick up the phone and start bending it to your advantage!

By Michael Rasco

- Bad Credit Personal Loans: Financial Backing In Bad Credit

by : Percy Peter

Our mistakes often reflect back to us only it is above that time when we could resolve the issue. Bad credit is a similar situation but a great comfort in such a time is that there is still a source of money available which can help the borrowers in getting money for their needs. This support system is called by the name of bad credit personal loans.

Through these loans, the borrowers can take up the amount they need with or without pledging collateral with the loan amount. It is totally up to the lender pertaining to his need and suitability to pledge his asset what choice he wants to make. The money may be utilized for any needs like debt consolidation, wedding expenses, educational expenses, home improvement, car purchase, vacation expenses, etc. also, with timely repayment of these loans, another bigger benefit of these loans which is improvement of bad credit history can also be achieved.

The secured loans option of Bad credit personal loans makes the borrower capable of borrowing money in the range of £5000-£75000 for their needs. Just the pledging of collateral with the lender makes the difference in the rate of interest and the amount borrowed as the retrieval of the loan amount is assured with pledging collateral. The repayment term of these loans is 5-25 years with low rate of interest making the repayment of these loans very easy.

Through the unsecured option however, no requirement of pledging any collateral is there which in turn increases the rates of interest involved. The amount that can be borrowed range in £1000-£25000 for a term of 6 months to 10 years. Rate of interest for these loans is higher but can be lowered with the help of an online research. Comparison of loan deals can help in getting low rates for the borrower.

Through bad credit personal loans, borrowers can feel free to get their loan easily with which they can make a new start as well as fulfill their needs.

- Businesses Cannot Live Without Commercial Mortgage

by : James Copper

When starting a brand new business or expanding an existing one you already own, many businesses seek sources for a commercial mortgage they can use to buy property in which to house their venture. Essentially, there is little difference between a commercial loan and a residential mortgage as the credit worthiness of the business owner is considered before taking action on the loan.

The business itself, regardless of how viable it may seem, will not qualify for a loan without the owners or principals of the business having the reputation of repaying their financial obligations. If the owner has a bad credit history, the odds of them receiving a commercial mortgage are reduced without going through some companies that do offer loans to people with questionable credit histories.

Even those with stellar credit reports may have difficulty obtaining commercial mortgage approval if the plausibility of the business does not meet the requirements of the lender. The institutions responsibility is make loans only to those who can show the ability and willingness to make timely repayment of the loan and the property for which the loan is being sought also has to meet specific criteria.

A property is disrepair may not qualify unless it can be shown to be refurbished to a good value for a reasonable cost. Essentially, a lender will not loan money on a building that will have to be replace almost immediately, unless the property itself is valued above the loan value. Even in these situations, the lender may require a time line in which improvement will be made and proof during the renovation stage that the improvements are on track to meet the deadline.

Acquiring a commercial mortgage typically requires more financial information than a regular mortgage in that information about the business is collected along with information about the owner or principals who are accepting the responsibility of repaying the loan. Business information may include the value of any assets such as equipment or accounts receivable as well as projected income show in the form of firm orders for products or services.

If the business has been established for any time, an income history may be required as well as showing that the business has paid its debts in a timely manner. Those seeking a commercial mortgage to raise money to get out of debt, may find the option not very likely. However, funding a business loan to erase debt to enable the business to purchase additional properties may be possible, if all properties are eligible to be used as collateral.

With many commercial mortgage agreements, it is not unusual for an amount of 80 percent to be granted to those with good credit, as the lender may consider a 20 percent down payment as a commitment by the buyer to maintain ownership of the property. Having the financial commitment in place is usually a good indication of the new owners willingness and desire to see the loan through to completion.

- Home Mortgage Reviews - How to Find Poor Credit Home Mortgage Lenders

by : Thomas Rockwood

What would you do if you have very poor credit yet you so desperately want to buy a house and have a home you could call your own?

Relax, there is a solution to your predicament. Though having poor credit would usually make home purchasing a tad difficult, it is not entirely impossible.

The following are some of the options one could consider in finding poor credit lenders.

Ask, ask, ask

It is okay if you ask the seller to be the one who will carry the housing loan. If in case the seller somehow still has money owed on the house, it is possible to acquire a mortgage wraparound.

Basically, this type of mortgage allows one to make a payment every month on a mortgage that is existing as well as additional payment that will cover the other balance.

Pursue an option for lease

Via pursuing an option for lease, this allows one to set the current purchasing price as well as apply a small portion of a particular rent every month towards the down payment.

After each lease period (usually between twelve to thirty six months), the prices should then have increased and should have equity accrued.

Be aware that if such an option is not utilized, money paid to a particular seller will not be returned.

Increase, increase, increase

It is okay to increase the price you are more than willing to pay to a particular seller. After which, asking the seller to credit the money to you back in order for that to be utilized as a down payment for cost closing is perfectly fine.

Do not be afraid to borrow

Borrowing money from relatives and friends would help in defraying costs for closing as well as in increasing down payment

Also, borrowing from retirement or pension plans is another way to increase down payment.

Maybe a mortgage broker could help

Availing the mortgage that is best for you could probably be helped by availing the services of a broker.

This could be done by contacting local and state realtor boards for the list of brokers in your local area. You could also ask around your own circle of real estate friends or agents for additional references.

All in all, buying a home is easy as long as you are willing to spend the necessary time to expend the energy needed to buy the home of your dreams. Because, believe it or not, it is possible.

- Home Mortgage Reviews - How to Get an Allied Home Mortgage

by : Thomas Rockwood

Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corporation (AHMCC), incorporated in 1991, is the largest private mortgage broker and lender in the U.S. The company is based in Houston and provides a wide selection of home mortgage loans.

Allied is a mortgage broker which acts as middleman, which gives them the capability of offering several options to their clients to fit their special needs. What clients get is a customized loan package. Allied is also one of the first in the industry to operate a Spanish-language website.

If you choose to apply with Allied, some supporting documents that they might request from you are:

- Social Security Number - Proof of employment history in the past two years, with salary - Pay slips covering the last 30 days - Current W-2 forms - Bank information including check, savings accounts and certificate of deposit - Other investment info (stocks,bonds) and a list of assets - Insurance company info including face amount and cash value of insurance, if available - Liabilities with creditor's info, monthly payments, balances - Other sources of income - Copy of DD Form 214 and Report of Separation for VA Loans

Allied offers assistance for a wide line of loan choices like new home purchases, refinancing, new construction, debt consolidation and customized loans, among others. These loans are available to most types of clients: first time homebuyers, the self-employed, retirees, singles and investors, including those who might have difficulty getting their loans approved.

Potential clients can apply online to utilize the Express Approval program, which allows them to get loan approval in minutes. Buyers can also compute a loan estimate by using online mortgage calculators. This will give them an idea of the price range of the house they can afford, their mortgage payments and closing costs.

While the calculators are a good indication of loan affordability, they are by no means completely accurate. That is why Allied representatives recommend that you talk to them first, to see how much you can afford to pay and how much you are qualified to loan. The advantage of getting a pre-qual is that you have the confidence to make an offer on your dream house, knowing that you have control.

Allied Home Mortgage has more than 700 offices located in 49 States and in Guam and the Virgin Islands. Should you decide to get their services, there are branches available all across the country. With more than $12 billion loans closed, Allied may just have the home mortgage loan that's tailor-fit for you.

- Tenant Loans: Money For Your Home

by : Turk Malloy

It is difficult for everyone to have a home. But the person can work out for it. His work depends on what his financial circumstances are. If he is short of it he searches out for financial help. For tenants, financial helps come in the form of Tenant Loans. These loans are unsecured in nature. Unsecured money provisions are taken without any sort of pledging placing.

However, money granted to you for these provisions is £5,000. Further as per your requirements, this amount can be requested to be increased. And generous creditors give a push to the scale of the sum up to a maximum of £25,000. You gain the benefits of these money provisions for a period ranges in between 5 years - 10 years.

Usually the sanctioned amount is invested as per requirements. Nonetheless, home improvement, children’s education, business development, car purchasing, debt consolidation etc., are some of the generally utilities of these money provisions.

All its cost of obtaining these loans gets little costlier. Getting costlier of these provisions is due to the absence of the borrower’s securities. And more so, it gets more expensive when a tenant may stink in bad credit rating. First even no creditor wishes to deal with such a borrower who is in its adverse credit. And second if he gets it, he can be sucked to the most. Despite all there is a sigh of affirmation of securing these loans is coming to the borrowers.

Today, a vast of money market is available across the country. You need to shop around for a right lender for your loan provision. Some of the time even this become hard nut to crack. Seeing a great force of lenders, many borrowers get confused. As many lenders so do their policies and plans. Difference at terms and conditions with hiked charges makes borrowers numb. For that, you should take out some loan quotes. With loan quotes you find different rates of loans. By a comparative study on altogether loans, you can able to find the way out of it. This process is being done with help of computer these days.

Online processing saves time and energy. It is a convenient mode of applying. Entire of the processing takes a very little time. The investment of time keeps no watch clock since it works round the clock. And you get your deal in the benefits of yours.

- All about Forex trading broker

By: Chris David

Forex trading broker is a person assisting you to trade in foreign currencies and accountable to give all relevant market information. It is not obligatory to have a forex broker, but in order to trade efficiently you will need one. Forex trading brokers are normally regulated by government. Only a regulated broker will make sure reliability and flexibility of your trade. These Forex brokers work on the commission or charge basis. Some brokers in the present day ask for the a small percentage from your bid/ask spread, those brokers do not have commission or fees system. An individual may be interested in executing their trade without the help of forex broker, but a normal trader with less market information, putting an effort to trade in online forex market is simple like chasing a grizzly bear with bisque spoon. As the market is competitive, your chance of success will be low with our adequate broker. These forex brokers are not centralized unlike other kinds of trading; in fact you will come across thousands of broker that put their own currency spreads, margins and prices.

If you want to deal with online forex trading market, it is must to have a forex broker. It is 24 hour market and you might not be able to handle it alone. Your forex broker will offer you 24 hour support. It is simple – you may carry out trade at 4am in the morning, but that might be the time of good trading and he may support you simultaneously. It is understood that choosing a forex broker is indispensable, but be careful while choosing one. Do not be in a hurry, check out few options around. It is good to have a demo account opened at first to confirm on the working of forex broker and foreign exchange market as well. There are few factors to be considered when choosing forex broker and they are as followed:

• Consider broker only with the required qualification. Do not forget to check all his degrees well in advance.
• In you are in United States then avoid not registered broker.
• Choose forex broker that offers low spread trade, as broker charge their fee depends upon the spread so better to have broker with lower spread. Good to go with fixed spreads.
• Ask the broker if he is willing to provide technical comments, financial calendar, and able to do market research.
• Broker must have up-to-date information on the market structure and should be willing to work with on the flexible timing.
• Must have complete knowledge about margin and spreads – go with some experienced person. • Go with the brokers that offer lower leverages, it is the amount of bucks that he would lend you to trade forex. So with low leverage you will have low risk in this market.
• How much margin is he willing to offer you?
• Do a careful research of the broker, avoid if he is involved in any blacklist or other delegations. • Check out the client history and evidence.
• Have a complete talk on the commission system, better to have a written agreement.
• Must have good reputation within the forex industry.
• Your forex broker must know the rules and regulation of the government.
• Ask all the questions well in advance if you have any to avoid frauds.
• Do some of the paper work and research how your broker works in the running market.
• Best is to go with the references, check out with your office colleagues or friends and relative if they know some honest forex trading broker.
• Do not rely on brokers words; ask for the references where he has by now worked.

- How To Use Certified Diamonds To Invest Your Money Wisely?

By: Dave Darwins

Certified diamonds are those diamonds that have been graded in laboratories and have been issued certificates as to its quality. According to experts, grading and certifying the diamonds make these precious stones fit for trading. Since certified diamonds are considered as tradable commodity, a lot of people all over the world have turned to these precious stones as a form of investment.

Although there are some sectors that discourage people from investing into certified diamonds saying that these stones have variable qualities making it unstable as a form of investment, there are also a lot of people who endorses the diamond as a lucrative form of investment.

Prospects Of Certified Diamond Investment

Investing in certified diamonds can be very lucrative especially if you know how to choose the right types of diamonds. According to some market analysts, the prices of certified diamonds have increased about 305 for the last five years and it is predicted to increase an additional 10-20% in the next couple of years.

Analysts believe that the heightened demand for certified diamonds will further push the prices of these precious stones in the near future. As the buying capacity of Chinese investors increase, there is a big possibility that the prices of certified diamonds will increase up to 100% of its present value in the next five to ten years. Given this scenario, certified diamonds are now considered as better investment compared to gold and will most likely to attract more investors in the near future.

Investing Your Money

Selecting the right type of diamonds is very important. If you have a lot of money to invest, it would be a good idea for you to for the big catch. The value of rare diamonds can double in just a short period of time. Rare diamonds can fetch in a very high price in the market so if you can afford to invest in these rare diamonds, go for it.

On the other hand, if you cannot afford to spend millions of dollars in a single diamond, it would be best for you to buy certified diamonds that are of considerable sizes and very good quality. According to experts, the value of bigger diamonds appreciates faster compared to those certified diamonds that have smaller sizes.

When investing your money in diamonds, be prepared to hang on to your diamonds for a long time. According to experts, investing in diamonds in not for those people who are in a hurry to get their money. It will take some time before the prices of diamonds increase so you just have to be very patient.

- Smart Retirees - Why Phased Retirement Could Save You In Your Golden Years

By: Dean Caporella

The western world is going to experience a major impact from 2010 and onwards and it's an impact that's been predicted for sometime. Strange thing is, there doesn't seem to be much going on to avoid it.

We're talking about the mass exodus expected from the workforce by our baby boomer generation who number about 80 million just in the United States. They also make up about one third of the work population which is a little frightening when one considers the consequences.

The Aging Work Force

It's not just an aging population, it's also an aging work force and the question needs to be asked..."Can industry afford to lose such a highly skilled generation in mass proportions?

The short answer is no, yet retirement planning is one of the main issues when people get close to the golden age of hanging up the work boots. What would happen if one third of the work force phased out over several years? Is there the same skill set to replace them?

Industry To Suffer From Mass Exodus

Industries such as teaching and nursing are expected to suffer through loss of expertise. It's the expertise factor which is going to hurt many industries.

There is good news on the horizon though. Good news if you plan to keep working after hitting retirement age. Planning for retirement should sensibly start at a very young age, preferably in a person's twenties yet sadly, many haven't started building a nest egg until they hit their forties.

The topic of phased retirement has started to become more and more widely discussed and while we may not see it come to fore until baby boomers decide to call it quits, phased retirement is already being tried in some industries.

What Is Phased Retirement?

In a nutshell, it's simply an option for people who want to keep working but don't want the long hours associated with it. In other words, it's a reduced and more flexible work schedule.

It really is a win-win situation; the retiree gets to keep earning income while the employer retains a lot of the expertise they worked so hard to establish over a number of years.

Studies during 2007 have indicated people who suddenly retire without any significant purpose in their lives, find it tough going and having purpose is what makes this option very attractive. There are still some issues which need to be ironed out but when one talks of "buzz words," it's quite likely that phased retirement will dominate discussions very soon.

- Weathering the Storm of the Slipping Dollar

By: Dane Smith

The greenback has been slipping against the euro, the Chinese yuan, and the pound for the past nine months or so, reaching record lows amidst a global credit crunch and plummeting real estate prices. What does this mean for US growth? According to the Federal Reserve, projected economic growth will slow from more than 2.5, and inflation remains a concern. But one figure does not an explanation give.

The dollar is an indicator of how strong and robust the US economy is, relative to other countries and currencies. As news of record mortgage defaults, volatile markets, and skyrocketing oil prices continue to trickle in from throughout the US, consumer confidence has tumbled and with it their spending has tightened. This signals an impending shift that Americans will have to weather, but which actually provides a useful impetus for making some fundamental changes in the economy.

If Americans are forced to actually save, (rather than going into negative savings, as the average American has within the past two years) a falling currency can actually be absorbed without causing economic devastation. Simply put, most Americans don't plan for their economic future very well, and are in fact in debt more often than not. No matter how much growth the US economy may generally experience, it is unsustainable for our present levels of spending to result in a beneficial outcome indefinitely. Therefore, a falling currency forces a necessary economic reality to be faced, which may have a much better end result, even if the transition is somewhat unpleasant.

A depressing currency also makes US exports cheaper for other countries, hence ensuring that demand for American labor will be attractive to foreign interests. While this may guarantee some growth, if US manufacturers aren't hiring Americans, (because we aren't willing to do the work and illegal immigrants are) the US cannot reap these benefits. Hence another attitude shift is in order: That there are no jobs in America that Americans should be unwilling to perform. This has been a huge strength in US history, as American manufacturing and industrialization fueled its development into an economic powerhouse throughout the twentieth century.

The falling dollar is also beneficial in that OPEC prices oil in dollars. This means that even though oil almost reached 100$ a barrel within recent weeks, it was still less expensive than it could be if they decided to price oil in euros. Therefore OPEC absorbs the weakness of the dollar in tandem with consumers, thus placing no special burden on Americans. If they were to price oil in another currency, Americans would be hard-hit, but perhaps the US would be able to cut back its dependence on foreign oil. It's possible that rising oil prices, coupled with the other factors mentioned, could trigger the growth of alternative energy production on a wider scale.

Above all, the US benefits from a less powerful currency because the current model for economic growth is unsustainable, if not downright foolhardy. In order for America to remain a world leader, it must be able to lead more than amount of products consumed. The US also has to be able to produce more sophisticated solutions for its weaknesses at a lower cost, which it now has the opportunity and incentive to do.

- Independent Financial Advisers For The Young

By: Shaun Parker

In today's day and age, it is all too easy to get into debt. Particularly for the young. And the average young person would not consider an Independent Financial Adviser. Many turn to their parents for advice but according to a study conducted by NatWest bank, these youngsters are unhappy with the advice given.

This is because the older generation did not have to deal with such things at such a young age. Further education was only for the well off but these days, if you want to get anywhere, then further education is a must for everyone. Competition for good jobs is strong and anything that can be done to better your chances, the better.

In the news just this week was the case of a young woman who had tragically lost both her parents within a short space of time. Working part time to try and fund her further education, she had to move in with her half sister and was unable to pay any rent. Thus already starting out on that downward spiral of debt.

Easy to say after the event, but independent financial advice is a must for people of all ages. For those with young children, it is a security measure for their future as well as our own. It also imparts parents with the knowledge that they can pass on when their own offspring are taking on their own financial obligations.

Much of the debt young people are stuck with begins before they even get to work. Student loans are the main problem. Where grants used to be awarded by the Government for further educatiion, it now comes down to the individual to pay their way. Immediately, they are in debt with many working long hours after studies to try to re-pay what they owe more than likely jeopardising their studies at the same time.

Another difficulty is the never-ending advertising and offering of easy credit to the young. Socialising is high on their priorities and to keep up with this easy credit is an option that just leads to further debt.

Even if the finances are manageable at college or university and you can walk straight into a job that doesn't mean you don't need an independent financial adviser. Good money management at this stage is crucial to avoid problems later on.

Spiralling debt leads to stress and depression thus leading to a lack of motivation to deal with the problem, time off of work and less finances to repay the debt.

With the precarious job market the way it is, a job for life no longer exists. Many people take on debts and payments plans thinking that their current situation can continue but that is not neccessarily so. All of a sudden you can find yourself out of work with creditors banging on the door and no means of repayment.

The only advice for the young woman at the beginning of this article was to have a baby - that would get her more benefits. That would also get her more debt! Many young people with children of their own will struggle to get what their children need due to an inefficient benefits system and resort to easily obtainable mail order catalogues.

An independent financial adviser would be more likely to help her manage what little money she has to avoid the pitfalls of drowning in debt. The misconception that independent financial advisers are there for people with plenty of money is wrong. They are there for anybody that needs good advice on their finances - and that probably means all of us.

- Young Britons 'May Face Financial Pressures'

By: Steve Smith

Millions of young people could be putting themselves under financial strain in later life, new figures indicate.

In a study released by Endsleigh Financial, it was suggested that some 41 per cent of those under the age of 35 do not have a pension account. Should they not set up a scheme until they are older or even fail to do so at all, such consumers could be liable to find themselves under pressure to meet demands on their spending such as loans, utility bills and mortgages after giving up work.

Out of those young people who do not have a pension scheme, more than half (52 per cent) claim to have given no thought towards getting such a product. Meanwhile, about a third (32 per cent) state that borrowing demands such as credit cards and personal loans are the reason for why they do not have a scheme.

Further research from the firm also revealed that pension take-up is slightly higher among those in the 31 to 35-year-old age bracket, as 65 per cent of people in this age group have such a product. In comparison, just 58 per cent of consumers under the age of 30 have taken out this savings scheme. An estimated 18 per cent of those aged between 23 and 30 cite problems paying back credit cards as the main reason they do not have a pension scheme. Among 31 to 35-year-olds this figure rises to 28 per cent. Meanwhile, more than 90 per cent of those who do have a pension have taken out a scheme via their work.

Elaine Etheridge, spokesperson for Endsleigh Financial, said: "The results of our pensions survey are concerning, as they show significant numbers of young people across the country are not even considering having a pension. Young people in their 20s need to realise that pensions are not just for the over-30s and that now is the time to get into a 'savings habit'.

"Britain reportedly has the lowest state pension in Europe, so it is increasingly likely that today's 20 and 30-year-olds without pensions, due to increased life expectancy, could face 20 to 30 years with little or no income when they retire. It's never too early to start a pension, whatever you can afford to contribute and contributions can then go up as earning power increases."

Consumers worried about their ability to save an adequate amount of money in a pension fund, however, may wish to consider applying for a low-rate personal loan. In using such a loan as a means of debt consolidation, borrowers may be able to pay off money owed to a number of creditors, especially if they owe across a number of credit cards and loans. Meanwhile, a recent Birmingham Midshires study showed that more young people are taking steps in securing their financial future as over the last six months the number of 18 to 24-year-olds opening up a savings account has doubled. In turn, it was claimed that people in this age group are the most likely to have opened up such a product. However, again those worried that they cannot put as much money into schemes as they would like may wish to consider taking out a loan to help free up disposable income.

- Thinking Positive Can Help You Financially

By: Court Tuttle

Do you have to be in an upbeat, cheerful and enthusiastic mood all day to be positive minded? No! Positive thinking simply means the absence of negative thoughts and emotions, in other words, inner peace.

When you are truly at peace within yourself, you are naturally thinking positively. You don't have to fight off negative thoughts, or search desperately for more positive thoughts; it just happens on its own.

Having daily happiness and success is all about developing a habit. You'll need to start making a few changes in your life to experience this on a regular basis and you'll want to create an environment that encourages this.

One of the first things you'll need to do is to develop a "happy habit" to change the way you look at things. Keep the focus on the bright side and think of the good most of the time.

You may find that your mind will try to drag you down and look at the negative things, but you have the power to change that focus. Those that make positive thinking a key goal tend to visualize and attract their desires into their lives.

In order to have success with money you have to believe in yourself and tell yourself you will. "I will be a financial success because I believe in myself and in my abilities to make all my financial dreams come true."

Believe it or not simple phrases repeated over and over make a difference. Instead of complaining that you do not have enough money, be thankful for the money you do have and the control you have over it.

Good money management involves being truthful about your spending habits, prioritizing what you spend your money on and enjoying the abundance that already is in your life. Don't be weak around money, be powerful and tell yourself that you will be.

It's important to acknowledge that you have the power to spend money on the things that you feel are personally worthwhile, not carelessly because others choose to. Money should not be a burden it should be a joy.

When you change your attitude about money from a negative to a positive view you free yourself from stress and worry. Your attitude and view control your entire world.

More you envision your dreams in a positive way and repeat them verbally to yourself consistently, they will seep into the subconscious mind to cultivate the new positive you.

Being grateful and thinking positive go hand in hand for daily happiness and achievement in any area of life that you choose success in.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

- The Tax Problem No One is Telling You About

By: Marc Cram

You have been saving diligently now for many years, looking forward to the day, not too far down the road, when you can retire and begin living off those hard saved dollars. You have done everything the gurus and planners have told you to do. You have used the vehicles they suggested, invested in the products they sold and taken advantage of every tax saving idea you have read about. You were even smart enough to move into cash in March of 2000 (well, maybe not that smart). You are going to be ok though, right? Maybe not!

Regardless if this is you or you have been planning to save for retirement as soon as you get that last bill paid off, it is time for you wake up to the tax problem that nobody mentioned to you until now.
How many times have you heard or been told that you are going to be in a lower tax bracket when you retire? Is that true and do you believe it? If it is true then putting all of that money into those tax-deferred vehicles may still be a good idea, but if it is not true, what are you going to be looking forward to?

Let's start with some simple logic. First, what sort of income would you like to live on in retirement? My guess is that you would like to keep your standard of living about the same as it is today. What is your current tax bracket and how many deductions do you currently have? Most people have at least a mortgage deduction and if the kids are still at home you get a deduction for them. If you are smart you might even have a home based business that affords a few more deductions. So, you have current income (fully taxed) and current deductions.

What are you hoping or planning will happen before retirement? The kids are gone (and not coming back), the house is paid for and your income is replaced by your investments, right? Great plan but what happens to your taxes if your dream comes true? Every dollar coming in is fully taxed and you have lost every deduction you had. Does that sound like you being in a lower tax bracket?

Now let's think through a little more of the problem. There are about 80 million baby boomers out there getting ready to join you in retirement. According to the Congressional Budget Office about 50% of them are on track to save enough money but are unlikely to experience the kinds of returns their parents did. In addition, there is no guarantee that the public benefits that were paid to your parents will be there for these future retirees. They are also likely to live at least 2 years longer in retirement than their parents which means that they will need either more assets or better growth of their assets if they want to maintain their lifestyles.

If you got from the last paragraph that there are also 50% who have not saved enough for their retirement then you are starting to get the picture that taxes may well be going up just when we need more money to fund our retirement and that as more and more boomers retire that need will only increase. This, my friend, is the part no one is talking about and this is the dilemma you will need to address for yourself, now, regardless of how close retirement is to you.

Does it make sense to be shoveling extra dollars into those tax-deferred savings plans if you know that just when you need to pull it out it is going to be taxed at rates even higher than today? Do you realize that if you live a normal retirement (from 65 to 85) and tax rates just stayed the same, you will pay 10% more in taxes on the money coming out of these plans as you saved by putting it in those plans? What kind of retirement planning is that?

So, what is a boomer to do? If what I just laid out makes sense to you, then you have only a couple choices in front of you to overcome this problem. First, stop overfunding your 401k plans. Put in whatever amount your company will match but don't keep compounding your future tax problem by adding more to it. Next you could begin putting more money into your taxable accounts. At least this way you will be paying taxes at current rates and you can hope that congress will leave the capital gains rates alone for your entire retirement.

A better choice is to begin using vehicles that can create tax-free income in retirement. There are several that you should look into. First, you should be funding your Roth IRA if you can. You must be making less than $160,000 per year in joint income to be eligible though. If you can't fund a Roth you might consider moving some or all of your IRA or 401k money into a Roth in 2010. That year anyone can make this conversion and have 2 years to pay the taxes on the transfer. This will effectively take that money and tax it at today's tax rates and allow you to continue to grow it and use it tax-free in the future.

The next idea may sound strange but hang with me here as this might just be the real winner. Why not create a private retirement plan using cash value life insurance? If you have never considered this idea let me explain the benefits. First, life insurance, if properly structured, can create a nest egg that can grow tax-free, be accessed tax-free and passed on to your heirs tax-free. There is no limit to how much you can put into it, no requirement to ever take it out and the money is taxed only once, when it goes into the policy.

If we are using this as a cash accumulation vehicle we will want to structure it to be the most efficient it can be. We do that by buying the least amount of protection while putting as much money into the policy as fast as the tax laws will allow us to, without causing it to be classified as a modified endowment contract. A modified endowment contract functions much like an annuity which means that any money we take out will be taxed instead of being tax-free. If it is structured properly and held for 20 years or longer the internal costs are not much more than the average loaded mutual fund, about 1.5 to 2%.

There are also some great benefits to creating this supplemental retirement concept. Unlike your IRA or 401K, there are no restrictions on how or when you use the money inside the contract. You can even use it as your own banking source once it is fully funded. Why borrow money from the bank to purchase your next car or send your kids to college when you can borrow it from yourself, and pay it back to yourself. Your money is fully protected from lawsuits and creditors in most states and the dollars inside the policy never show up on college financial aid forms. And when you are ready to tap into it for retirement income, you can create a tax-free income stream that could be at least 50% greater than what you could create from those tax-deferred accounts.

If this idea makes sense to you, you will want to talk with someone who knows how these policies need to be structured and what type of policy would be the most advantageous for you. Regardless of what you have done in the past to plan for retirement, you should consider the ideas here as a way to overcome the tax problem no one has told you about, and to take control of your own financial future.

- Making Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Work for You

By: Bill Byrnes

Exchange traded funds are index funds which have advantages over open-end index mutual funds. ETFs trade all day long on the stock exchanges, may be purchased through any broker, have lower fund expenses than mutual funds, and have less likelihood of generating unwanted taxable gains than mutual funds.

There are a number of reasons, which we'll discuss, for investing in index funds (Exchange Traded Funds or mutual funds) but let's start with the fact that the S&P 500 index beats 80% of all actively managed funds. (And, an index fund has lower expenses than an actively managed fund, further enhancing its net return.) If you can invest in an index fund and be in the top 20 percentile of fund returns, that's a pretty good place to start.

You can construct a well-diversified portfolio entirely out of ETFs. There are Exchange Traded Funds for almost every type of investment you can imagine. Exchange Traded Funds enable you to diversify into assets which you may not otherwise feel comfortable owing because of expertise, risk and/or liquidity issues. They are well-suited for investing in exotic areas such as currencies and commodities. Of course, they're great for sectors such as small cap or international stocks.

One of the most attractive features of Exchange Traded Funds is their ability to provide you with greater liquidity than if you were to directly own their underlying investments. Take municipal bonds, for example. Most Muni issues trade infrequently and the transaction costs for the individual investor are substantial. Minimum investment size can be another problem. Munis typically have a $1,000 denomination and trade in large blocks. ETFs are the answer to all these issues. You can buy as little as one share of an ETF (generally less than $100) during market hours and at the same cost as for a stock.

You can hedge an investment and/or lock in gains using ETFs. Unlike open-end mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds can be bought on margin and shorted. Investing on margin can magnify your returns and your losses. The ability to short enables you to make money when something goes down in value. Think shorting the dollar or home building stocks. However, to paraphrase TV commercials, these strategies should only be employed by a professional driver on a closed course.

It's also important to note that you don't have to short an ETF if you think an asset is going to decline in value. You can probably find an ETF which is structured to generate an inverse return to that asset. ProFunds Group has a number of ETFs designed to perform this way. So, for example, if you think the Chinese stock market will decline, you can purchase a ProFund which should increase in value if you're right.

All ETFs, even those which track the same index, are not the same. One S&P 500 ETF may weight its stock holdings by market cap, another may weight them all equally. This will result in different returns. Two ETFs which track the technology sector may hold different stocks and/or in different weightings. Since most indexes are not strictly defined, think technology versus S&P 500, there will be a variety of different investment strategies employed.

Different strategies to mimic an index are not good or bad, but they may have different risk levels and will produce different returns. Some ETFs also use leverage to enhance their returns or structure there holdings to magnify any gains (thus, also losses) of an index. You need to know what you're investing in. To understand how a specific ETF works, visit its website and read its prospectus.

Within five years most investors will have at least one ETF in their portfolio. Also, within five years, there will be more money invested in ETFs than in open end index mutual funds. The advantages of Exchange Traded Funds-liquidity, transparency and lower expenses, to name a few-will force changes in open end mutual funds. Happily, the investor will be the winner in the competition between these two investment vehicles.

- Online Debt Settlement – Negotiation you bad debt with or services

By: Gibson Petry

Debt negotiation, commonly referred to as debt settlement or debt elimination, is considered a specialty service mostly offered to people who "fall out" of a debt consolidation program, can't make the minimum payment of a debt consolidation program, or have large outstanding debts on which they haven't paid in the past 3 months. The main benefit of a debt negotiation service is that client’s usually only pay around 50% of the amount they owe to their creditors.

Once you sign up for a debt negotiation program you stop making payments to your creditors (if you were making payments). No payments are made to your creditors during your participation in the program. The debt negotiation company then either takes monthly payments from you, whom it stores up in a holding account, or it has you store up the money in your own account. During this process of accumulation, the debt negotiation company is handling your creditor calls and negotiating with your creditors for a lower payoff amount.

Debt settlement or negotiation can severely damage your credit. Many creditors will immediately forward your account to their legal department for collections and clients may find themselves faced with judgments, liens, and even garnishments. Even though it is rare, if the creditor never agrees to settle, you end up with bad credit and in worse shape than where you were before. To offset the bad credit problem, there are some settlement companies who include a credit repair service for a fee that will remove the negative items which were caused by the program.

Like bankruptcy, debt settlement may have a lasting impact on your credit report which will affect your ability to get credit at favorable interest rates. Fees for this service vary significantly from company to company so do your homework.

- Texas Mortgage Loan

By: mam2000

A Texas mortgage loan can be yours for the asking. Just do your homework first, make sure you have a decent credit score, get a down payment in hand for the home you wish to buy, and then contact a good mortgage broker. Remember that a mortgage broker can only make money when he or she finds you a loan, and assists in the state of Texas of acquiring a Texas mortgage loan.

If you live in Texas, and you are in the market for a home, visit with a mortgage broker and he or she will help you determine what Texas mortgage loan you currently qualify for.

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between you and mortgage lenders, helping you find the right mortgage product for your needs. Brokers may work independently, be associated with a lender, or actually be employees of lenders. A mortgage broker or any other lender will generally have paperwork for you to fill out and questions to answer to see how they can best help you. Many times they will allow you to go through this process online. If you have questions, be sure to ask for assistance. A good place to start looking for mortgage brokers in Texas is in your local chapter of the Texas Association of Mortgage Brokers.

Getting a Texas mortgage loan for you are financially beneficial to the mortgage broker or lender, so they will use their experience to help you fill out the forms properly. At this time the mortgage broker will also run a credit check, explain it to you and show you how you can make improvements in your situation in order to better obtain a Texas mortgage loan.

Texas mortgage programs will still ensure you can take advantage of the home value appreciations currently on an upward trend in this state. Texas mortgage loan companies can be agents between the client and the lenders or they can be the lenders also. A mortgage loan company would be able to offer suitable loan options like lower rates for clients with excellent credit rating or no-income verification loans for self-employed individuals having good credit history.

Texas mortgage loan companies also offer refinance mortgage loans for clients who are planning to decrease their current loan burden. There are several kinds of mortgage loans available in Texas: FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans, consolidation loans, land loans, conventional loans, balloon loans and special loans like hard equity loans, interest only loans, 100% cash out refinance, construction loans, commercial mortgage loans, farmers home loans, no PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) loans, vacant land and acreage mortgage loans and cross- collateralization of properties.

However, many people get preapproved for a loan, either online or offline before they are ready to buy and that expedites the process of getting a Texas mortgage loan. Saving time is always a good thing. Whatever method you choose, getting a Texas mortgage loan is easier than ever, so enjoy your new home.

- Government Grant Helping You To Get Your Start In Business

By: Sean Tan

Getting into a business is much more important than actually carrying on the business. At least that is what most entrepreneurs from around the world with limited financial resources will believe. However, in a developed economy like the US, this problem is not that major. The reason for that is there are many private and federal bodies in the US that are willing to provide grants for startup businesses so that they can provide wings to their business pursuits.

Each year, the US government itself sanctions billions of dollars in the form of grants to people who have a noble intention of starting a profitable business. The limitation for this grant money is up to $500,000 per starting business. These are grants and not loans in the sense, they are not meant to be repaid like loan money.

Once a grant is given, it becomes the money of the beneficiary, and they can have it for keeps. Of course, if a business grant is given, the grant providing organization will keep tabs on how the business is running, and even reports will have to be provided to them from time to time. But that is a small measure when you take into consideration that a business gets finance for its establishment and starting operations.

Why does the US government give so many grants then? There are many reasons. But the first and most important reason is that the government needs to ensure that its people have a commendable standard of living. By providing grants to deserving people, it is making sure that several lives are getting improved, since these businesses will also be employing people as they grow. It is a total economic planning procedure. Another thing is the nation's own development. America is a capitalist economy. If there are more people manufacturing things within the country, it becomes very good for the national economy, since the self-sufficiency of the country rises.

The most important thing to remember is that grants are available if you want to start a business with a great proposal in mind. But there are so many proposals given to the government each year, that it is very difficult for them to select the right candidate for the grant. Also grants are given out only during a fixed period each year. Individual entrepreneurs would find it very difficult to manage these things on their own.

That is the reason why some almost philanthropic services have been set up to help them in the grant processing. US government grants provide all information necessary for applying for these grants. One of the most important things that government grants trains people in is how to make a very effective proposal, because that is what the entire procedure is pegged on.

Government, grant seekers can be assured that their applications will be placed at the top of the heap during consideration. The government also allows for individuals to apply, but a very small number of them actually have the ingenuity to sail through the lengthy procedure and actually get their government grant.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

- Selecting Low Interest Equity Loans

By: Emanuele Allenti

If you are considering taking out an equity loan against your home, there are various questions that are important to ask yourself. The questions can be answered by reviewing your current monthly statement mortgage loan, especially the details, including interest and payment. If you have a bargain loan already, then taking out an equity loan on your home may not be wise; in fact, looking for even better rates, could land you in a financial mess by accepting a loan from a business with questionable practices.

However, if you do decide to take this first step-to consider whether or not you want an equityloan--you will want to consider the associate fees, costs, interest rates, repayments, and equity. You will also want to consider the risks involved in taking out equity loans. The majority of lenders generally base the equity loans are various aspects, including the equit of the home itself. The lender will next consider the loan amount based on "3 times" the borrower's wages. Scores of the lenders will demand an upfront deposit, which may be as much as ten percent of the house price.

Thus, if the homeowner wants an equity loan amount of ninety grand, then the homeowner would need to make around thirty grand per year. Again, the deposit is a percentage of the home amount; therefore for a ninety grand/thirty grand ratio the borrower would need around five grand upfront.

This sounds ludicrous, since you would think paying the first deposit was enough; however, you are applying for a loan against your home, which means you are paying off the first loan and increasing the current amount with another loan. The 100% equity loans do not require a deposit, but instead integrated into the mortgage repayment. If you intend to go this route, you should get multiple quotes from multiple lenders-and then read each quote thoroughly before making a final decision.

- Consolidate, Before It's Too Late.

By: Nicky Pilkington

Credit cards have revolutionized the purchasing experience since Diners Club released the first credit card in 1950.

It gave consumers limited credit that, at times, even surpassed their own personal savings. It allowed them to buy items they cannot usually afford with a straight cash purchase. It also provided the convenience of not needing to carry wads of dollar bills.

Thus, on the average, American households possess 4 credit cards or a total of 13 payment cards including debt cards and store cards aside from credit cards. There are, actually, 1.3 billion payment cards in circulation in the United States.

But if you think that credit cards have made the lives of modern American consumers easier, think again.

Statistics show that the average credit card debt for each household per month is $4,800. This lead to 1.3 million credit card holders declaring bankruptcy in 2003.

And if you still consider yourself unaffected by this, then consider this one: upon retirement, most Americans can only expect to receive about 37% percent of their annual retirement income because of debt payment, leaving them to depend on the government, family and charity.

That's scary. So before you find yourself in the same situation, it might be time to evaluate your credit card debt.

One way of resolving debt that you might consider is credit card consolidation.

So what is credit card debt consolidation?

In a nutshell, credit card consolidation is taking all your credit card debt dues and consolidating them into one monthly payment. This way, you don't have to worry about managing the payments individually. Aside from that, it may also provide you the additional benefits:

- Reduce interest payments
- Waive late and overtime fees
- Low monthly payments
- Debt relief in a shorter time
- Credit improvement
- Save more money in the long run

You will also need to know that there are actually two major types of credit card consolidation.

First is through a Credit Card Counseling firm. They assist consumers by consolidating all their monthly payments into one single payment and then disperse this to the creditors in behalf of the consumers until they are debt-free.

The other type is through a home equity loan or other secured loan. This is done by exchanging an unsecured debt (such as credit card debt) for a secured debt (a debt backed by specific assets such as real estate).

Now, credit card debt consolidation isn't a magic balm that will drive all your credit card debt malaise away. But it will make paying all your debt easier and might save you money in the long run.

- REAP MORE, SAVE MORE WITH THE BEST UK CREDIT CARD

By: Nicky Pilkington

In the United Kingdom, the credit card phenomenon is not at all different from what the United States or any other country has for that matter. This just goes to show that a lot of people are finding credit cards as feasible means as well.

However, most people in UK would rather obtain the best credit card there is than to suffer at a later stage. And so, getting the best UK credit card is very significant for most English people. In most instances, the best credit cards would usually mean low interest rates, offers rewards, and excellent introductory rates.

But then, it is really important for every UK consumer to shop around for the best credit card deal.

And so, here are some of the best UK credit cards:

1. Virgin credit cards

The very best feature of Virgin credit card is that it allows their consumers to prefer which features they would want to have on their credit cards. That means they could have the chance of getting a 0% balance transfer rate for 9 months, a fixed annual percentage rate of 15.9%, plus more rewards every time the credit card holder uses the card.

What's more, people get to choose their very own creative Virgin card motif making it way above the rest.

Virgin credit card also offers great flexibility.

2. The Marbles credit card

This UK credit card is considered nowadays as the card with the best value and has a high orientation on customer service. They have a 24 hour customer service hotline. Plus, they also provide a regular monthly statement through online announcements.

It also has 0% stable balance transfer rate for 6 months from the start the account has been opened.

3. Morgan Stanley Credit Card

This is considered as one of the best UK credit cards because it has 0% introductory rates for balance transfers good for 6 months. It also offers a fixed rate of 14.9%, and their 1% cashback is considered as one of the highest available in the UK market today.

4. The egg credit card

In UK, egg credit card is considered as one of the best credit card in the industry today. It also offers 0% introductory offer not only for balance transfers but also for ordinary purchases, and that is available all through out the 6-month period. Their annual percentage rate is also set to a standard rate of 14.9%.

With all these 0% introductory rates, low APRs, and everything, these credit cards are definitely the best UK credit cards in the market today. Hence, for most UK consumers, shopping had never been this better.

- Why Does My Auto Loan Hate Me? I Thought We Were Friends!

By: Albert Medinas

Most of us fall in love with a car at a dealership and that's the end of the story. Hey, where do I sign? Even if we do a great job of chipping away at the sticker price and feel pretty darn good about ourselves, we often get burned on the financing end of things. This is especially the case for people trying to score an auto loan with some bad marks on their credit report. Many times, these people are so surprised to hear that their auto loan has been approved that they sign on the dotted line before the dealer has a chance to change his mind! Only later do they realize just how poor they will be for the next 5 years because of the interest rate on that auto loan.

What are my financing options?

See, now you're thinking! Impatience will cost you in the auto loan game - every single time. Potential auto loan sources include: a traditional bank, a credit union, financing through the dealership, and the newest darling on the scene - online auto loans.

OK, so what is the best option?

Well now, this all depends. How does your credit history look? If you have a mortgage and checking account with a traditional bank, then they will probably give you a great rate on your auto loan. The dealership will often find an auto loan for people with a poor credit history - but the cost of driving that car off the lot could eventually lead to even worse credit, when they have the car repossessed because they can't afford the payments. The best place to shop around for the best rates on an auto loan is definitely online.

Uggh! I hate that stupid Internet! It takes me forever to find what I am looking for!

Oh come now - how long can it take to type "auto loan" into Google? If you don't care about possibly paying thousands of dollars more in interest by letting the dealership "help you out" with financing, then by all means go that route. But, for people that want the best rate possible on their auto loan, the Internet is the place to start the search.

But how do I know that I can trust those Internet people with my financial info?

Very good point - and that is definitely something to consider. To begin with, many traditional banks offer online auto loan applications as a service to their customers, which also saves the bank processing costs. You can apply for Chase Manhattan auto loans online or down at one of their branches. In many cases you will find that banks offer these online loans at a smaller APR than you can get by actually going down to a branch. Chase Manhattan auto loans is one example of this, but many financial institutions offer their online customers a better rate.

Now why would they do that?

Not too trusting, are you? Hey, that is a great trait to have when shopping for auto loans - don't forget it! What you are looking for is the catch, and here it is: In most cases, you will get a lower rate on your online auto loan because you will be required to sign up for automatic electronic payments. Plus, seeing a loan officer at the branch takes up the time of employees, and uses other resources that aren't needed when you submit your application online. But remember, not all institutions offer lower rates like Chase Manhattan auto loans. And even Chase requires you to sign up for automated payments in order to get a break on the rate.

And what else should I know?

At the very least, shop around for rates on auto loans using the Internet before talking with the traditional institutions, such as bank branches or dealerships. Just knowing what kind of interest rate you can get on an auto loan can help you when you are down at the dealership drooling over that hot new car! Remember, knowledge is power - so don't just walk into a dealership without knowing what kind of interest rate you can expect for an auto loan.

- Help Me! Bad Car Loans Have Ruined My Life!

By: Albert Medinas

When you are sitting across from the credit manager at the dealership and only a few feet away from the car of your dreams, you really want to believe every word he says. But if you have poor credit history, you know there is no way to get that shiny new car through a bank loan - and he knows it, too! You may not have thought a new car loan was possible because of a couple of bad decisions made in the past - so when the credit manager says "you're approved", your heart begins to race!

Suddenly you start to imagine yourself taking road trips and having one adventure after another - and the last thing on your mind is the interest rate on the car loan. Before you know it, you are driving off the lot in your shiny new car thinking that you pulled one over on those fools! Three months later, surviving off of peanut butter and saltine crackers, it hits you - car loans financed through a dealership are evil!

But what can I do?

Well, after sticking the voodoo doll with a few more pins and hoping that the credit manager feels it, you need to start thinking about how to refinance the car loan, bad credit and all. But it isn't easy to refinance a car loan with bad credit, is it? Truthfully, you may not be able to do so - for awhile...

So I was right-bad car loans are the end of the world, aren't they!

Now now, pilgrim - just breathe. While you may be in deep trouble at the moment, all hope is not yet lost - but you may have to get used to those crackers and peanut butter for awhile. What you cannot do is panic, or throw your arms up in despair. Bad car loans happen, and they happen to people with bad credit more often than you think. But bad car loans can be fixed by improving your credit, so make sure to pay everything on time - for at least six months. I don't care how disgusting saltine crackers become during that time, do not miss any (any!) payments!

OK, I have lost fifteen pounds, but I have paid my bills on time for six months-now what?

Now, you get smart. You need to shop around online for a place that refinances bad car loans. After building your credit by making the payments on that bad car loan for the past six months (and all of your other bills, too!), your credit rating should begin to improve and options will start to open. You do not want to refinance your car loan with the same bad credit you had when that credit manager lured you in six months ago, because you probably won't get a better rate anyway. But, if you have been a good boy or girl, and ate all your crackers and paid your bills on time, you can probably find a better rate now on a new car loan. And potentially save yourself thousands in the process.

Now, don't get me wrong, it may take longer than a year to find a rate on a car loan that will make it worthwhile to refinance. Even if it takes a year to get your credit rating to a better place, be patient. On a five year car loan, an interest rate that is even 1% lower can save you a bundle over the next four years. Just take your time, and shop around before signing on the dotted line when refinancing that bad car loan. You don't want to go back to eating crackers, do you?

Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Car Loans Plus, which answers the most common questions people have about Car Loans. Please visit us at www.carloansplus.net today.