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Posts Tagged ‘Money’

Why are premium notices a source of stress?

03 Dec

Life is never fair. Just when you think you have hit rock bottom and things cannot get any worse, they get worse. You would have thought that a recession would mean premium rates would stay the same. In your dreams, you might have hoped for the rates to fall. After all, there’s massive unemployment – it’s the worst level of unemployment for more than sixty years. With household incomes falling and no job security, this is not the time to find premium rates increasing. Yet when those premium notices drop into your mail boxes, the evidence is there. And it’s not just you. Premiums are going up for most drivers. This is so unfair! All but three states in the union have mandatory liability insurance. For everyone who wants to stay legal on the roads, the price of driving is getting to deterrent levels. First it was the price of gas shooting up like a rocket. Now it’s those premiums! What’s going on?

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Keeping your business protected from external risks

01 Nov

You are prosperous and you feel like the world is at your feet. Yes, many of us want to believe we own the success and we stand behind it alone. But in reality, there are people standing behind our back that are involved in our rises and falls. These people are the employees. Therefore you need to think of them as a part of your team that was there to get you to the top of the world. You should know your staff needs a reward. But how could you possibly reward them? If your company takes care of more than two but less than 50 people, there is an insurance that works for you and your business. It is very valuable when people that run the business for you are proficient employees who are in charge of their duties. But no matter what happens in the companies, no matter how many mistakes one can make, because we are only human after all, the staff needs to feel like they are cared even when they fail, as it can happen to anyone.

The “cream” off the top of the Policy

Right before you head into the office of the insurance company and put your signature somewhere get yourself together and remind yourself why you are there. Make a list of questions you need to ask before you sign anything. Make sure all the answers satisfy you. It is preferable to show up with statistics about the staff you want to insure, gather all of the important information on them that is necessary to apply for the coverage. Remember to introduce the slightest details and help the insurer to collect all the fact as accurately as possible.

There are certain discounts and special offers that the business insurance allows you to take advantage of. They are the following:

  • Medical assistance. The insurance will take care of all the events that would involve you or any member of your team getting hurt.
  • Tax-free options. All the co-workers have a possibility to economize some money on taxes and some special payments.
  • Low payments. If you are the owner of a small enterprise – small business insurance will cost you less than other policies would normally cost you if purchased separately. Therefore it always makes sense to shop around some more instead of jumping on the first opportunity you see.

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How cheap is your life?

01 Nov

Before we try to answer this question let us define what life insurance is. What is it really? Well, first thing that should be said is that life insurance is meant to solve any financial situations that may occur regarding your everyday existence. Everybody has certain responsibilities. Not only do we commit to some things we plan in our life, but also it happens so that we are responsible for our partners, kids and sometimes even entire family. So when somebody promises us to help with a guarantee of being safe and doesn’t charge us too much, we take it a joke. But is it really this impossible to get a rational life insurance deal without risking too much?

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School Demanding Money for Transcripts, Is it Legal?

28 Oct

A friend of mine took out loans to pay for college. She got enough to completely cover the costs. Now she is changing schools and her school is saying that she has to pay them over $2500 or they won’t give her the transcripts. She doesn’t owe the school any money that she knows of because she used the loans to completely pay for tuition. Can they legally hold her transcripts hostage like that? Of course she is going to have to pay back the loans, but the school has its money. What can she do?
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Are You Trying to Cut Your Credit Card Debt?

12 Sep

Over the past few weeks many people have given their credit cards a good bashing, using them to fund their Christmas purchases and take advantage of the early sales that were put on by many retailers. Whilst this may have proven convenient at the time it may also have left many of us with high balances on our credit cards, and with Christmas now over we are left to deal with the financial hangover resulting from our Christmas spending.

Most of us are aware that this coming year is going to be a difficult one, with the recession setting in and financial conditions still difficult. With this in mind many may be looking to reduce their credit card debt, and this means dealing effectively with the debt that you may have accrued on your credit card over the Christmas period.

According to reports the first two weeks of January are set to be amongst the busiest of the year when it comes to applications for instant decision credit cards, with many of us hoping to compare credit cards and get hold of a low interest or interest free credit card to help us to manage the debt that we have accrued. However, industry officials have warned that people thinking of doing this will need to act quickly, as the credit card industry is becoming increasingly constricted, which means that getting a suitable credit card later on may be even more difficult than it already is.

You may find that if you compare 0% balance transfer credit cards to switch to a promotional rate you could reduce the amount of interest that you pay and help you to save money. However, officials have warned that if you cannot do this and you have a high interest credit card with outstanding debt on it you need to try and repay the debt as quickly as possible to save money on interest and get rid of the debt altogether.

Those that are already dreading getting their statements and do not think that they will be able to handle their credit card debt need to speak to an industry professional for assistance. One official recently stated: “Many people will look for a new start in the New Year and getting finances in order will be top of the list. If you feel your borrowing is out of control or you are concerned about servicing debts or slipping in to arrears, seek advice.”

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Personal Finance – What Does The Money Get Spent On

12 Sep

Everyone spends his or her money differently. While one person may find eating out a necessity, another prefers to put a little extra aside for faraway vacations. How you ultimately spend your paycheck is up to you. However, when applying for a mortgage, or other large loan, you financial institution will be looking at some important spending ratios to determine if you qualify. It’s important to try and stay within these limits on certain spending items. Check with your particular lender for limits.


According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Spending Survey, most American consumers spend the following amounts on the following items:


Food: 14.1%

-At home: 7.7%

-Away from home: 5.4%

-Alcoholic beverages: 1.0%


Housing: 32.9%

-This includes mortgage/rent; utilities; insurances and upkeep/maintenance.


Transportation: 19.1%

-Vehicles: 9.1%

-Gasoline: 3.3% (In 2003)

-Insurance: 6.7%


Apparel and Services: 4.0%

-The cost of new clothes, dry cleaning expenses, etc.


Healthcare: 5.9%

-Doctors, dentists, eyewear expenses; over-the-counter-medications, medical co-pays and deductibles. This does not include healthcare premiums.


Entertainment: 5.0%

-Movies, outings, vacations.


Personal Care products and Services1: 1.3%

-Haircuts, salon fees, etc.


Reading: 0.3%

-Magazine subscriptions, books, etc.


Education: 1.9%


Tobacco Products: 0.7%


Miscellaneous: 1.5%


Cash Contributions: 3.4%

-Religious tithes, charitable contributions, etc.


Personal Insurances and Pensions: 9.9%

-Health insurance premiums, 401K contributions, life insurance, disability insurance, etc.


Every family’s expenditures will be different. However, if you notice one of your own spending accounts in excess of these national statistics, it may be time to reevaluate why you are spending so much in a particular area.


Some areas that may be cut, according to most financial experts include:


Transportation: if your transportation (car) costs are much higher than the 19.1% national average, the odds are you own too much car for your budget. Try downsizing to a less expensive vehicle. You’ll not only save on monthly loan payments, but also on insurance premiums, upkeep and gas.


Miscellaneous accounts can be a budget killer for many. This is where we spend on the most frivolous items: morning coffee; specialty items; expensive gifts; etc. Try and keep this percentage under 1.5%, warn experts.


Entertainment can be a budget buster for some. While the average percentage is 5% f your annual bring-home salary, that amount can be excessive, especially for higher wage earners. This is an easy area to bring down expenses. While it’s fun to g out every weekend with friends and pick up the tab, try staying at home or having a quieter, more low-key (and less expensive), get-together with friends instead.


Food. Most Americans spend more than 14% of their monthly income on food – regardless of their family size! Considering that more than half of that amount is spent eating out at restaurants and fast food joints, it ma be time to hit the grocery store and eat at home in order to save a bundle at the checkout.


Saving money doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking the time to see where the money waste in your household is spent can be a great way to streamline expenses and learn to save.

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5 Easy Tips for to Save Money on Credit Card Balance Transfers

12 Sep

In today’s financial market more and more people are turning to credit card balance transfers instead of the traditional home equity lines that they have been used in the past. During the refinance hay-day throwing a tax deductible line of credit on the home to wipe out the credit cards was a no-brainer. Nowadays, shrinking home values and a turbulent secondary market are causing most banks have to hold these loans as opposed to selling them. This means the HELOCS of yesterday are only available to those with impeccable credit who have an abundance of equity in their homes.

Luckily, interest rates are low and balance transfers are a pretty good alternative if your credit card debt is out of control and need some help. This being said there are a few things that you want to look out for when transferring credit card balances from one card to another. The golden rule is that when you use a balance transfer card as an avenue to pay off balances on your other cards let this be your sole purpose. Make a budget and timetable to pay off the debt where there is a beginning and an ending payment otherwise you may get yourself into deeper debt.

Things to look for when transferring credit card balances:

Life of Balance Transfer cards – Life of balance credit cards are just what their name implies, they offer a low rate that applies to the balances you transfer within a certain time period. What you want to look for is a fixed rate that will not fluctuate over time. Depending on your credit level these may not be available to you, however if they are we highly suggest that you seek these cards out. The “gotcha” with this class of cards is that they usually will give you an extra thousand or two on your limit in hopes that you spend it at a higher interest rate, and most people do.

Again, we suggest that you use balance transfer credit cards for the single purpose of transferring higher interest credit card balances to a lower fixed rate. Once the transfer is completed, we recommend that you shred the transfer card and the one you transferred from to keep yourself from using them again. Over 75% of people that transfer balances use the transfer card and the old card again and end up owing more money than they did before the transfer. If the cards do not have an annual fee keep the accounts open for emergencies but shred the cards to keep yourself honest.

The Fine Print – If credit card issuers are similar in one area it is most definitely their fees and the fine print. It seems like they have fees for everything including one for on-time payments. Seriously you need to read the fine print and weigh the fees that apply for balance transfers, late payments, grace periods and other “gotchas” like universal default clauses. Over 80% of people that apply for credit cards will not read the fine print from beginning to end only to be surprised when their bill arrives in the mail. Most credit card websites offer handy calculators to help you calculate the best deal considering all of the fees.

Most credit cards have reduced the grace periods for repayment from 30 days to 20 days in an attempt to earn more fees and interest. If you are like most people, including yours truly, you pay your bills at a certain time of the month that usually coincides with your pay periods. The problem with this is that the 20 day grace period is relative to the due date of last month’s charges and is forever changing. If you pay your bills once a month like I do this will cause you to get late payment fees and could even trip the universal default clause which brings me to my next topic.

Universal Default Clauses – A universal default clause is a nasty little trick that credit card issuers use to jack-up your rates and fees to intolerable heights. If you look at the top of the fine print on each credit card you will usually see the regular APR and one below it that is through the roof. The one below it is the rate you will get should you pay late or even if your credit deteriorates. These clauses range from annoying to nasty and most states are trying to outlaw them but the majority of credit cards still have them.

The only card issuer that I can think of that doesn’t have this clause across the board is Capital One. I’m sure there are others but the clauses differ from issuer to issuer and card to card. Read the fine print for each card you are considering, see what their rules are that will trigger this clause. Some are mild which apply only if you are habitually late, where others monitor your credit and can jack up your rates and fees if your credit is deemed riskier than when they issued the card.

Introductory & Variable Rates – Beware of the asterisks. When you see one of these next to an interest rate you can bet it’s going to change on you. Most cards will advertise 0% interest on balance transfers 12 – 15 months but have cute little asterisks next to the rate. Find the fine print; chances are that your sexy 0% rate is going to morph into a giant wallet munching monster after the intro rate is over. Find out what the adjusted rate will be.The “gotcha” here is that most people know their rate will adjust in the future but they rationalize the transfer thinking that they will have the balance paid off in that time frame. Chances they won’t and the credit card companies know this. How else do you think they can offer 0% interest rates?

Variable rates are almost inescapable because 95% of all cards have variable rates. The ones that do not have them are hidden deep within most websites and offer very few frills. The reason they are hidden is that they are a little tougher to qualify for and offer lower profit margins to the issuers. When searching credit card websites take an extra minute to go all the way to the last page in each category, you may be surprised what you will find. Most credit card websites are arranged with the most profitable credit cards on the first few pages, these are rarely the best credit cards.

Reward Cards – If you are using your balance transfer card as you should, the bells and whistles on reward cards shouldn’t concern you. The bells and whistles cost you more, period. They cost the issuer more and they pass the cost right back to you. If you stay true to the purpose and transfer your balances in order to pay them off you should get a plain-Jane generic card without the usual frills hat comes with most cards. The only frills you should seek are the life of balance feature, fixed rate and a manageable or nonexistent universal default clause.

In closing I hope these tips help you get your very best deal should you decide to use a balance transfer card. This category of credit card is becoming more and more popular every day due to the financial chaos surrounding us today. This is generally a good thing though; this causes the card issuers to come up with different cards that offer better deals to keep up with their competition. Just remember the golden rule, only use balance transfer cards with a specific plan to pay off a balance. If you are “robbing Peter to pay Paul” the credit card companies will usually win in the end. Remember, Las Vegas wasn’t built on winners and neither are large credit card companies.

Aubrey Clark is an author and editor for Direct Banc. He is a graduate of Johnson and Wales college and resides with his wife and four children in Atlanta Georgia. His area of expertise is primarily financial in nature and ranges from topics like how to find low interest credit cards and tips and tricks on how to find no transfer balance fee credit cards.

 
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Save Money With A Balance Transfer Credit Card

11 Sep

It is estimated that about a third of people fail to pay off their credit or store card balances in full every month, and therefore pay interest on the balance. If that applies to you, the chances are you could save money by applying for a new credit card which offers zero (or low) interest balance transfers.

The way this works is that you take out a new credit card offering such a deal and immediately ask them to pay off the debt on your old card. The balance on your old card then becomes zero, and the entire balance goes on to your new card instead, with its zero or low interest rate.

A number of card issuers offer these deals. Zero rate offers typically last from five to twelve months. If you are confident that you can pay off the entire balance during this time, they are a good choice for saving money.

If you think it may take longer to pay off the outstanding balance, a better option may be to apply for a card which offers a low rate for the entire life of the balance (i.e. until it is repaid). American Express™ offers a fixed, low APR for the life of the balance with its Platinum card.

If you are currently paying interest on a balance with your current card, it makes sense to transfer your existing store or credit card balance to another provider. There are a few points to watch out for, however.

1. Check if there is a charge for balance transfers

Balance transfer fees are becoming more common as credit card issuers try to recover some of the money they lose by offering interest-free periods. Fees range up to 2% of the total balance. However, there are still several card providers offering free balance transfers.

2. Remember to pay off your balance every month

Even though the card issuer offers an interest-free period, you will still have to make the minimum monthly payments by the monthly due date, or you will be charged interest.

3. Avoid spending extra on the card used for the transfer

Most credit cards pay off balance transfers preferentially, so if you incur any other debts on the card, they will not be discharged until the entire transferred balance is paid off. That means any new spending will be “trapped” on the card, accruing full interest charges. If you are using your new card to service a balance transfer, therefore, do NOT use it for additional spending as well – use another card instead.

4. Switch again when the introductory period expires

If you have failed to pay off the balance completely once the 0% introductory rate for balance transfers expires, you could apply for another card and transfer your balance again. However, if you plan to do this you should always remember, in the month the 0% deal ends, to move the debt again to another 0% offer. This means you will need to apply for another card about six weeks before the introductory period ends. You will need to be well organized and remind yourself to do this.

5. Note that your credit rating may suffer

If you apply for a number of credit cards, especially at the same time, your applications will be noted by the credit reference agencies, and your credit score may suffer. The most important preventative measure is to spread card applications out. Do this and most people with reasonable income and no bad debts will be fine, though be aware that there will be a small risk to your ability to get competitive credit in future.

Having decided on the type of balance transfer deal you are looking for, do take the time to study the market and see what is available. Do not simply fill in and return the next credit card application form that arrives in the mail. Credit card comparison sites such as www.finest-credit-cards.com can make this easier for you by listing all current card offers for you to choose from, and also have a range of articles offering unbiased advice and information.

Nick Davis is the owner of http://www.finest-credit-cards.com, which aims to match you up with the ideal credit card to suit your situation. With details of all the leading card offers updated daily, plus informative articles to guide you in your choice, you will never pick the wrong credit card again.

 
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Low APR Balance Transfer Credit Cards – Help You Save Money on Interest Charges

10 Sep

Balance transfer credit cards help you consolidate your credit card debt into one card, which enable you to save money on interest charges. The concept is simple enough, but you need to know how to move money owed from high interest credit cards to low APR balance transfer credit cards. These credit card companies also market these as a credit card with ‘zero interest on balance transfer’ as well as a ‘cheap balance transfers credit card.’

First, assess your current credit situation. If your credit history has a consistent pattern of timely payments, you may well qualify for any of the low APR balance transfer credit cards. Transferring all or some of your outstanding balances to this card can help you to save thousands of dollars, annually, in interest charges. With planning and exercising discipline, you can bring down your large credit card balance. You can take advantage of the low APR, and apply all the money you save on the interest to the principal.

Many low APR balance transfer credit cards offer zero interest on balance transfers for a period ranging from six months to one year. They start to charge interest after the expiry of this period. It is imperative that you find out what interest they will be charging at that time. As of September 2005, most credit card companies typically charge APR of 10.24%, and this increases dramatically if you default on any agreement with your credit card company. You need to shop around to ensure that your cheap balance transfer credit card do not turn out to be expensive.

Many credit card companies offer zero interest on balance transfer, but charge a processing or a transaction fee. This could be as high as 4% of the balance being transferred. Look out for companies that charge a flat fee irrespective of the balance you transfer. Many companies charge a flat rate of $50 to $75 as processing or transaction fee.

Low APR balance transfer credit cards seem very attractive, but you need to look into some hype:

- Check the period of the low APR on balance.
- Check the rate after this period expires.
- Is there any balance-transfer fee? A flat 4% transaction fee means the higher balance you have the higher fee you pay. Look for companies charging a flat amount.

Balance transfer credit cards are indeed one of the best ways for you to slowly eliminate credit card debts due to high interest. The rest will be up to your discipline to wisely spend money on credit cards.

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Balance Transfer Credit Cards Save you Money

09 Sep

If you choose a balance transfer credit card, it can save you a lot. Balance transfers can be helpful to consumers in many ways. Let’s face it, a lot of credit card providers are offering a 0 balance transfer credit card, so you are probably looking for a 0% balance transfer credit card that stands out from the crowd. First and foremost, understand what a balance transfer is. A balance transfer is when you transfer the balance from one card to another in order to get a better interest rate than the one that you are currently getting. Second, to find the absolute best deals, look to transfer balances on cards where the initial interest rate is 0% and the amount after that is lower than the one you have now. You must also realize that in order to qualify for the best balance transfer credit card deals you must have a solid credit history. You also need to discern whether or not the zero percent introductory rates are just for balance transfers or include purchases made during this period, and it will be well worth taking your time to understand all of the terms, rates and fees in order to find the best balance transfer credit cards that suit your financial need.

Transferring balances from high APR charge cards to low rate credit cards is one of the very best ways to keep your hard earned money where it belongs. When it comes to getting rid of credit card debt, the utility of these balance transfer offers is pretty obvious; simply transfer balances from higher-rate cards to a 0% credit card and save a ton on interest while you pay off your debt. Balance transfers are available for good reasons and should be used as such, in that way they will benefit the credit card holders in a big way. Some of these benefits include no annual fees, on most balance transfer credit cards, longer grace periods and additional rewards, rebates or points just for transferring your balances to one program.

Once you have transferred your balances over to a new credit card it is vital to pay your bills in full and on time, if you want to keep great rates and all your rewards benefits. Balance transfer credit cards don’t tolerate late payments, so if you miss out on a particular repayment all the benefit is lost and instantly the high regular APR’s are applied.

The biggest gotcha when it comes to balance transfers is fees. You won’t want to use a balance transfer if your fees outweigh your saving potential. Over the credit line fees is one of the biggest fees that are involved with balance transfer fees. Many people who utilize balance transfers are not aware of their new credit limits and if they go over the credit limit they will have to pay for it. You may get charged a set fee, usually between $15 and $35, or in many cases card issuers charge a balance transfer fee, typically in the ballpark of 3% of the amount transferred, whereas other card issuers do not. Obviously, if you’re looking to maximize the value of your balance transfer, you’ll want to avoid fees. So, the ideal situation would be to have a credit card which doesn’t take any balance transfer fees. The good news is that there are a number of fee free balance transfer options, as well as others that normally have a fee, but waive it for new applications.

Balance transfer cards are a great way for you to reduce your rates and in most cases the banks do most of the transaction work. But, perhaps most important, is that balance transfer cards are a great way to save money by consolidating higher interest credit cards to a single credit card and reducing your interest fees.

Art Taylor has been a successful internet marketer for 10 years. He writes articles about credit cards and other topics. For more information or to apply for credit cards visit his websites at: Ecreditcardworld or Eshopperworld.

 
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