Thursday, April 28, 2011

Consolidating Unpaid Medical Bills

Unpaid medical bills can be a drag. Most of the time, people don't save up for a medical emergency. Part of the reason for this is the thought that bad things only happen to other people. That sense of invulnerability has driven many into bankruptcy because of unpaid medical bills. If you count yourself among these people, don't worry. There are options. Consolidating medical bills is a great place to start.

Counseling0 can have its distinct disadvantages and advantages, just like any option. However, it's important that you weigh the pros and cons of Credit8 with other alternatives before you proceed. Generally speaking, you should consider consolidating your unpaid bills if you have exhausted all possibilities for charitable funding, such as asking the hospital for discounts, applying for medical assistance programs from the state, or borrowing money from a rich relative at little or no interest.

There are two methods to consolidate your unpaid bills:

First is through a loan from a bank or financing institution. You must remember that this type of loan is secured so you may need to offer collateral-either your house, car or any other asset. One advantage of this route is that it carries a lesser interest rate compared to unsecured loan. Essentially, you're putting your credit history at stake here. Banks, especially now when times are dire, are not wont to offer Credit8 to somebody with a credit score below of 600. Counseling0 will restructure your unpaid medical bills so you can make lower monthly amortization payments. However, you will pay more in the long run because the process stretches your principal loan in addition to the interest rate that accrues over a longer payment term.

The second way is to seek the help of a Credit7 Counseling5 company which can bargain with the credit collection agency trying to recover the hospital's money or the hospital itself to reduce the unpaid medical bills to more manageable levels. One advantage of this method is you don't risk your credit history, although you will have to pay the Credit7 Counseling5 company for its troubles. The service provider should be able to provide you with details, but you should still insist that they report to the credit bureau that your unpaid medical bills are already paid as agreed or paid in full.

When dealing with unpaid bills, the important thing is to never panic. Talk it out with your family, doctor, friends, or even colleagues and solicit suggestions to find out the best option for your situation. Know that you are not in an island by yourself. Millions of Americans are in the same boat as you. While that thought may offer no consolation, it does means there are avenues to settle unpaid medical bills if you just put a little effort into tracking them down.

Unpaid medical bills can be a drag. Most of the time, people don't save up for a medical emergency. Part of the reason for this is the thought that bad things only happen to other people. That sense of invulnerability has driven many into bankruptcy because of unpaid medical bills. If you count yourself among these people, don't worry. There are options. Consolidating medical bills is a great place to start.

Counseling0 can have its distinct disadvantages and advantages, just like any option. However, it's important that you weigh the pros and cons of Credit8 with other alternatives before you proceed. Generally speaking, you should consider consolidating your unpaid bills if you have exhausted all possibilities for charitable funding, such as asking the hospital for discounts, applying for medical assistance programs from the state, or borrowing money from a rich relative at little or no interest.

There are two methods to consolidate your unpaid bills:

First is through a loan from a bank or financing institution. You must remember that this type of loan is secured so you may need to offer collateral-either your house, car or any other asset. One advantage of this route is that it carries a lesser interest rate compared to unsecured loan. Essentially, you're putting your credit history at stake here. Banks, especially now when times are dire, are not wont to offer Credit8 to somebody with a credit score below of 600. Counseling0 will restructure your unpaid medical bills so you can make lower monthly amortization payments. However, you will pay more in the long run because the process stretches your principal loan in addition to the interest rate that accrues over a longer payment term.

The second way is to seek the help of a Credit7 Counseling5 company which can bargain with the credit collection agency trying to recover the hospital's money or the hospital itself to reduce the unpaid medical bills to more manageable levels. One advantage of this method is you don't risk your credit history, although you will have to pay the Credit7 Counseling5 company for its troubles. The service provider should be able to provide you with details, but you should still insist that they report to the credit bureau that your unpaid medical bills are already paid as agreed or paid in full.

When dealing with unpaid bills, the important thing is to never panic. Talk it out with your family, doctor, friends, or even colleagues and solicit suggestions to find out the best option for your situation. Know that you are not in an island by yourself. Millions of Americans are in the same boat as you. While that thought may offer no consolation, it does means there are avenues to settle unpaid medical bills if you just put a little effort into tracking them down.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer - Thing to Consider

How do you know if a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer is what you need? The basic process in filing for bankruptcy varies on a set of factors. These factors include your assets, you liabilities, and whether you will be filing Chapter 13 or Chapter 7. If you've evaluated your options and decided that filing is the best option, it is crucial that the proper amount of research be put into finding a quality bankruptcy attorney. In this article, we will provide a few considerations to ponder while choosing your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer.

Ask yourself these questions: What are the reasons for decision to file? Have you taken the time to look into the available alternatives or tried seeking credit counseling? Keep in mind that filing is not something that will magically solve your problems, but rather a Credit0 hurdle that will be present on your credit report for a period of up to 10 years. When looking at candidates to represents your case, you should inquire in regard to their experience, education, specialty, and other aspects that may influence your decision.

Cost

Thankfully, there are a set of standard fees in place when declaring bankruptcy. The current court fee rates range from $299 to $274 depending on what chapter you decide to file. Attorney fees are generally fixed rates as well, but range anywhere from $600 to $4,000. Take the time to educate yourself on the current rates in your area from qualified firms. That being said, it is quite unlikely that the same price will be offered to clients in New Orleans as in Los Angeles. In some circumstances it is even possible to have a judge rant a fee waiver, if the necessary application is attached during the filing process.

Consider This

Prior to making a decision on your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer, ask them about their communication styles. Are they the type to contact you on a regular basis, or will you only see them in the court house. Do they handle creditors? What if you have questions regarding the case? Some lawyers set up their practices so that their assistants take care of the majority of the paperwork, leaving the client somewhat in the dark, with little interaction. Ask yourself whether you are comfortable with that approach and base some of your decision around this aspect. In addition, you should consider what the attorney feels they can do for you, how much they are willing help out, and what their fee schedule is like.

Make your decision based on what feels right to you. Don't allow yourself to feel pressured into something you're uncomfortable with, and trust your gut. It's your decision, do what feels right. Hire the Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer that is the best for you.

How do you know if a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer is what you need? The basic process in filing for bankruptcy varies on a set of factors. These factors include your assets, you liabilities, and whether you will be filing Chapter 13 or Chapter 7. If you've evaluated your options and decided that filing is the best option, it is crucial that the proper amount of research be put into finding a quality bankruptcy attorney. In this article, we will provide a few considerations to ponder while choosing your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer.

Ask yourself these questions: What are the reasons for decision to file? Have you taken the time to look into the available alternatives or tried seeking credit counseling? Keep in mind that filing is not something that will magically solve your problems, but rather a Credit0 hurdle that will be present on your credit report for a period of up to 10 years. When looking at candidates to represents your case, you should inquire in regard to their experience, education, specialty, and other aspects that may influence your decision.

Cost

Thankfully, there are a set of standard fees in place when declaring bankruptcy. The current court fee rates range from $299 to $274 depending on what chapter you decide to file. Attorney fees are generally fixed rates as well, but range anywhere from $600 to $4,000. Take the time to educate yourself on the current rates in your area from qualified firms. That being said, it is quite unlikely that the same price will be offered to clients in New Orleans as in Los Angeles. In some circumstances it is even possible to have a judge rant a fee waiver, if the necessary application is attached during the filing process.

Consider This

Prior to making a decision on your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer, ask them about their communication styles. Are they the type to contact you on a regular basis, or will you only see them in the court house. Do they handle creditors? What if you have questions regarding the case? Some lawyers set up their practices so that their assistants take care of the majority of the paperwork, leaving the client somewhat in the dark, with little interaction. Ask yourself whether you are comfortable with that approach and base some of your decision around this aspect. In addition, you should consider what the attorney feels they can do for you, how much they are willing help out, and what their fee schedule is like.

Make your decision based on what feels right to you. Don't allow yourself to feel pressured into something you're uncomfortable with, and trust your gut. It's your decision, do what feels right. Hire the Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer that is the best for you.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Budgeting With A Low, Unpredictable Income Go Figure - Part 2 of 2

Plan For The Reality Until God Changes It
Is it defeatism to accept your circumstances as a base? Absolutely not! You are where you are, nowhere else; so you need to move from there, not where you would prefer to be--be realistic! We see another excellent Bible example of budgeting with uncertain cash flow in Proverbs 6:6-8:

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

Your income will be erratic! Accept it; plan to work with it, and adjust your lifestyle, accordingly. That's what the Proverb tells us. What are you trying to achieve by budgeting? Precisely what Joseph did in Genesis 41, and the writer tells us in Proverbs 6:6-8. After accepting your volatile income, estimate expenses that might be required in the specific future period to achieve known goals. Here is a rough outline of a simple approach to budgeting with an erratic income:

  1. Joseph knew he had to build barns, store grain, and set up distribution systems. Your income will be limited! Estimate likely income over a fixed period--monthly for the next 12 months. Don't know? Look at the past. Reflect on the present and future. Estimate the worst it could be, the best, and most likely.
  2. You know you need to pay rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and so on. Will any of your estimates be sufficient to meet your view of the bare essentials? You might need to reassess essentials, especially as some of today's essentials weren't invented 20 years ago! Still, you must choose an income level to work with--the worst, most likely, or an average of the two--stay away from the best.
  3. Now your challenge is to answer this question: With your current lifestyle, realistically, will your likely estimated income be enough? If not, you must adjust your lifestyle, probably by a combination of these: Stop eating out, eliminate junk from your diet (that's a health bonus), cut satellite, cable, cell phone (subject to penalty), and other frills. You can complain, but this is reality. You might want to seek help from your church. Still, it's a lifestyle matter.
  4. Joseph's estimate was wrong. He didn't build enough barns. That's fine because part of budgeting is adapting to present realities.
  5. As you enter your budget period, regularly, initially weekly, look at your estimates of income and expenses, and where feasible, adjust your lifestyle. Longer term, look at lowering fixed expenses, cost efficiently.
  6. Like Joseph, you need to formalize a system to save funds during surplus periods, for spending when famines arise. How folks view annual tax refunds is a classic example of the abuse of surpluses. Rather than seeing these funds as a base to save for famines, folks spend them before they get them!

Please understand, a budget is your best estimate of how much time, talents, and other resources you will need in a given future period to do specific tasks. And you budget based on limited resources available. Start by accepting these resources and understanding God will provide for your needs. Joseph had to estimate what he needed to do to prevent Egypt from being wiped out by famine. Ants know they need to store food in summer so they have food in winter. Are you prepared to accept your circumstance as the basis to plan to get out of it? Are you prepared to turn over your life fully to Messiah Jesus? He has promised you the abundant life when you seek Him first. Contrary to popular TV evangelists, He has not promised you to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Copyright (c) 2011, Michel A. Bell

Plan For The Reality Until God Changes It
Is it defeatism to accept your circumstances as a base? Absolutely not! You are where you are, nowhere else; so you need to move from there, not where you would prefer to be--be realistic! We see another excellent Bible example of budgeting with uncertain cash flow in Proverbs 6:6-8:

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

Your income will be erratic! Accept it; plan to work with it, and adjust your lifestyle, accordingly. That's what the Proverb tells us. What are you trying to achieve by budgeting? Precisely what Joseph did in Genesis 41, and the writer tells us in Proverbs 6:6-8. After accepting your volatile income, estimate expenses that might be required in the specific future period to achieve known goals. Here is a rough outline of a simple approach to budgeting with an erratic income:

  1. Joseph knew he had to build barns, store grain, and set up distribution systems. Your income will be limited! Estimate likely income over a fixed period--monthly for the next 12 months. Don't know? Look at the past. Reflect on the present and future. Estimate the worst it could be, the best, and most likely.
  2. You know you need to pay rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and so on. Will any of your estimates be sufficient to meet your view of the bare essentials? You might need to reassess essentials, especially as some of today's essentials weren't invented 20 years ago! Still, you must choose an income level to work with--the worst, most likely, or an average of the two--stay away from the best.
  3. Now your challenge is to answer this question: With your current lifestyle, realistically, will your likely estimated income be enough? If not, you must adjust your lifestyle, probably by a combination of these: Stop eating out, eliminate junk from your diet (that's a health bonus), cut satellite, cable, cell phone (subject to penalty), and other frills. You can complain, but this is reality. You might want to seek help from your church. Still, it's a lifestyle matter.
  4. Joseph's estimate was wrong. He didn't build enough barns. That's fine because part of budgeting is adapting to present realities.
  5. As you enter your budget period, regularly, initially weekly, look at your estimates of income and expenses, and where feasible, adjust your lifestyle. Longer term, look at lowering fixed expenses, cost efficiently.
  6. Like Joseph, you need to formalize a system to save funds during surplus periods, for spending when famines arise. How folks view annual tax refunds is a classic example of the abuse of surpluses. Rather than seeing these funds as a base to save for famines, folks spend them before they get them!

Please understand, a budget is your best estimate of how much time, talents, and other resources you will need in a given future period to do specific tasks. And you budget based on limited resources available. Start by accepting these resources and understanding God will provide for your needs. Joseph had to estimate what he needed to do to prevent Egypt from being wiped out by famine. Ants know they need to store food in summer so they have food in winter. Are you prepared to accept your circumstance as the basis to plan to get out of it? Are you prepared to turn over your life fully to Messiah Jesus? He has promised you the abundant life when you seek Him first. Contrary to popular TV evangelists, He has not promised you to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Copyright (c) 2011, Michel A. Bell

Monday, April 25, 2011

7 Tips For Building A Family Budget

For many families, staying within a budget can be challenging. If sticking to a budget seems impossible, then don't worry - there are many ways to stretch your household budget and still enjoy a quality lifestyle.

Some budgets will work well for your family, but others may not. If one technique doesn't work for you, then don't give up. Try another technique - after all, it's worth some trial and error to get you to your Credit0 freedom.

Here are some strategies for managing your family's budgets

  1. Use the Envelope System. Grab a bunch of envelopes, mark each one with a designated expense, and put in an allotted allowance for each expense. Use this money to pay for groceries, dry cleaning, eating out - and when you're done, you're done until the next month.
  2. Freeze Your Credit Cards. It's true, you can freeze your credit cards n a block of water if that's what it takes to deter you from using. It's too easy to forget the true costs of the things you buy when you just swipe your card. Don't feel guilty about falling for this trick; the easiest way to combat it is to keep your cards hidden away. Only bring them out when they're truly needed.
  3. Use Cash. Pay with your hard earned cash and you'll stop to think about what you're buying. Not a fan of carrying cash? Then opt for using your debit card. Just remember to stay on top of your balance so you don't overdraw your account.
  4. Cut Back. Yes, you can pinch back the family budget - without feeling pinched. Set aside an hour or two one day and call your service providers for phone, cable and cell phone. Discuss different lower cost plans. Maybe you can switch to a lower cell phone plan or forgo HBO.
  5. Grocery Shopping. You can save money on groceries without carrying a huge binder of coupons. Always shop from a list. Plan out a menu for the week and shop for those items. Look for sales and stock up on basic items that you know a lot. Look at your bills over two or three months and figure out a weekly average. Try to spend that or less each week. And don't be afraid to look at coupons. Sometimes it pays to plan your weekly menus around sales items.
  6. Budget for a Splurge Item. It's ok to spend money on something you really want - as long as you stay within your budget. Set aside a separate savings account or envelope for this splurge. Write down some items you might like to treat yourself and when it's time to reward yourself, look at the list, look at your budget and go shopping guilt free.
  7. Great Crafty. Gift giving occasions aren't just confined to the major holidays and birthdays - between mother's day and Valentine's Day there are a lot of times gifts are expected. But you don't have to blow your budget buying presents for other people. Learn to make some homemade gifts - from a special baked good, to homemade soap or bath salts, there are a lot of thoughtful low cost gifts to give. Add some pretty packaging and you've delivered a truly one of a kind present.

Keep Tweaking the Family Budget

If you're still having trouble balancing the household budget, it's important to keep trying new things until you have a system that works for you. The goal is to create a budget so you can save money for your future, while still having fun with your family today. A sound family budget plan will help you take control of your finances and lead you to freedom.

For many families, staying within a budget can be challenging. If sticking to a budget seems impossible, then don't worry - there are many ways to stretch your household budget and still enjoy a quality lifestyle.

Some budgets will work well for your family, but others may not. If one technique doesn't work for you, then don't give up. Try another technique - after all, it's worth some trial and error to get you to your Credit0 freedom.

Here are some strategies for managing your family's budgets

  1. Use the Envelope System. Grab a bunch of envelopes, mark each one with a designated expense, and put in an allotted allowance for each expense. Use this money to pay for groceries, dry cleaning, eating out - and when you're done, you're done until the next month.
  2. Freeze Your Credit Cards. It's true, you can freeze your credit cards n a block of water if that's what it takes to deter you from using. It's too easy to forget the true costs of the things you buy when you just swipe your card. Don't feel guilty about falling for this trick; the easiest way to combat it is to keep your cards hidden away. Only bring them out when they're truly needed.
  3. Use Cash. Pay with your hard earned cash and you'll stop to think about what you're buying. Not a fan of carrying cash? Then opt for using your debit card. Just remember to stay on top of your balance so you don't overdraw your account.
  4. Cut Back. Yes, you can pinch back the family budget - without feeling pinched. Set aside an hour or two one day and call your service providers for phone, cable and cell phone. Discuss different lower cost plans. Maybe you can switch to a lower cell phone plan or forgo HBO.
  5. Grocery Shopping. You can save money on groceries without carrying a huge binder of coupons. Always shop from a list. Plan out a menu for the week and shop for those items. Look for sales and stock up on basic items that you know a lot. Look at your bills over two or three months and figure out a weekly average. Try to spend that or less each week. And don't be afraid to look at coupons. Sometimes it pays to plan your weekly menus around sales items.
  6. Budget for a Splurge Item. It's ok to spend money on something you really want - as long as you stay within your budget. Set aside a separate savings account or envelope for this splurge. Write down some items you might like to treat yourself and when it's time to reward yourself, look at the list, look at your budget and go shopping guilt free.
  7. Great Crafty. Gift giving occasions aren't just confined to the major holidays and birthdays - between mother's day and Valentine's Day there are a lot of times gifts are expected. But you don't have to blow your budget buying presents for other people. Learn to make some homemade gifts - from a special baked good, to homemade soap or bath salts, there are a lot of thoughtful low cost gifts to give. Add some pretty packaging and you've delivered a truly one of a kind present.

Keep Tweaking the Family Budget

If you're still having trouble balancing the household budget, it's important to keep trying new things until you have a system that works for you. The goal is to create a budget so you can save money for your future, while still having fun with your family today. A sound family budget plan will help you take control of your finances and lead you to freedom.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Advantages of Buying Final Expense Insurance Leads

There are several advantages buying final expense insurance leads could bring to your insurance company, especially if you are new in this business. You might be astonished and surprised to learn about all of the benefits that signing up for an account with a superior lead generation company can provide you and your insurance business. Nevertheless, you also have to take into consideration a few factors: the amount of your workload and the manner in which you would like to make the sale.

In general, most insurance agents do not know the benefits of working with an excellent and reliable online final expense leads provider. These agents need to see why buying FE leads is an important addition to their investment. There are actually rational and sensible reasons why purchasing leads is noteworthy and significant.

When you buy final expense leads, you need to have a guaranteed return on your investment. This does not mean though that you will 100 percent sell a policy. However, with a lead, you will get the chance to talk to a possible customer who is genuinely interested in what you are selling. This is more assuring and certain than what you get when you put in your money in other methods of advertising.

You know that each FE lead you purchase has been confirmed as a potential client when you obtain your leads from a lead generation company of good reputation. This is important because you do not want any of the leads you bought to end up as a waste of money. If the leads you get are not of good quality, then you are spending on something that is not going to do much for you or your business.

When you buy leads, there is no need for you to worry about finding them. You will have a much easier and more productive day if you could chuck out cold calling completely from your daily work activities. Imagine how much more you could get done without that tedious task. When you buy quality leads, you will be spending your time on the phone with potential buyers, and not with people who are going to put the phone down because they are busy and not interested with what you are offering.

So you see, these are very good reasons to buy your insurance leads. Set up an account with an established and highly regarded lead generation company and purchase leads as soon as possible, if you feel that you could get more out of your job as an agent.

There are several advantages buying final expense insurance leads could bring to your insurance company, especially if you are new in this business. You might be astonished and surprised to learn about all of the benefits that signing up for an account with a superior lead generation company can provide you and your insurance business. Nevertheless, you also have to take into consideration a few factors: the amount of your workload and the manner in which you would like to make the sale.

In general, most insurance agents do not know the benefits of working with an excellent and reliable online final expense leads provider. These agents need to see why buying FE leads is an important addition to their investment. There are actually rational and sensible reasons why purchasing leads is noteworthy and significant.

When you buy final expense leads, you need to have a guaranteed return on your investment. This does not mean though that you will 100 percent sell a policy. However, with a lead, you will get the chance to talk to a possible customer who is genuinely interested in what you are selling. This is more assuring and certain than what you get when you put in your money in other methods of advertising.

You know that each FE lead you purchase has been confirmed as a potential client when you obtain your leads from a lead generation company of good reputation. This is important because you do not want any of the leads you bought to end up as a waste of money. If the leads you get are not of good quality, then you are spending on something that is not going to do much for you or your business.

When you buy leads, there is no need for you to worry about finding them. You will have a much easier and more productive day if you could chuck out cold calling completely from your daily work activities. Imagine how much more you could get done without that tedious task. When you buy quality leads, you will be spending your time on the phone with potential buyers, and not with people who are going to put the phone down because they are busy and not interested with what you are offering.

So you see, these are very good reasons to buy your insurance leads. Set up an account with an established and highly regarded lead generation company and purchase leads as soon as possible, if you feel that you could get more out of your job as an agent.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Choosing Your First Credit Card

Have you been offered your first credit card? Then congratulations! This must mean that you now have a steady income stream, and that banks feel confident that you can pay back money that you owe.

Before you activate the card, though, consider comparing it to several other credit cards so you can get the best deal. Here are some features you should look for:

1. Low interest rates

As a newcomer in the workforce, the last thing you want is for your entire salary to just go to paying off interest rates. Many credit cards try to lure you in with low "promotional" interest charges at first, and then start charging you their "regular" (read: high) rates just after a few months.

To make sure you don't fall into the trap, clarify how long the promotional rates will last. Better yet, sign up with a card that guarantees fixed interest for at least one year.

2. Minimal hidden charges

Most banks charge "miscellaneous" fees left and right. You pay an application fee, an annual fee, account service charges, overlimit fees, late payment fees, cash advance fees, etc. That's how they make most of their money.

You can generally avoid these hidden charges if you pay at least the minimum amount on time, every time. However, there may be months when you simply forget to pay or run out of funds, plain and simple. By getting a credit card that charges a sensible amount for late payment, you can save a few hundred pesos.

3. Perks that suit your lifestyle

If you travel a lot, choose a first credit card that gives you miles you can use for free flights or upgrades, companion tickets, and other airlines perks. Citibank's "Premiere Miles" card lets you earn a non-expiring mile for every P45.00 you spend. What's more, you can use them on more than 50 carriers, including Cathay Pacific, PAL, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

There are also providers that give you free life and hospitalization insurance coverage, such as EastWest Bank and BPI.

4. Manageable credit limit

Most first credit cards let you borrow anywhere from P10,000 to P40,000. That may seem small, but for a first-time user, that's enough. You're just starting out, so don't get too carried away. Start with a lower credit limit, and once you feel confident that you can already manage your finances properly, apply for more.

Have you been offered your first credit card? Then congratulations! This must mean that you now have a steady income stream, and that banks feel confident that you can pay back money that you owe.

Before you activate the card, though, consider comparing it to several other credit cards so you can get the best deal. Here are some features you should look for:

1. Low interest rates

As a newcomer in the workforce, the last thing you want is for your entire salary to just go to paying off interest rates. Many credit cards try to lure you in with low "promotional" interest charges at first, and then start charging you their "regular" (read: high) rates just after a few months.

To make sure you don't fall into the trap, clarify how long the promotional rates will last. Better yet, sign up with a card that guarantees fixed interest for at least one year.

2. Minimal hidden charges

Most banks charge "miscellaneous" fees left and right. You pay an application fee, an annual fee, account service charges, overlimit fees, late payment fees, cash advance fees, etc. That's how they make most of their money.

You can generally avoid these hidden charges if you pay at least the minimum amount on time, every time. However, there may be months when you simply forget to pay or run out of funds, plain and simple. By getting a credit card that charges a sensible amount for late payment, you can save a few hundred pesos.

3. Perks that suit your lifestyle

If you travel a lot, choose a first credit card that gives you miles you can use for free flights or upgrades, companion tickets, and other airlines perks. Citibank's "Premiere Miles" card lets you earn a non-expiring mile for every P45.00 you spend. What's more, you can use them on more than 50 carriers, including Cathay Pacific, PAL, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

There are also providers that give you free life and hospitalization insurance coverage, such as EastWest Bank and BPI.

4. Manageable credit limit

Most first credit cards let you borrow anywhere from P10,000 to P40,000. That may seem small, but for a first-time user, that's enough. You're just starting out, so don't get too carried away. Start with a lower credit limit, and once you feel confident that you can already manage your finances properly, apply for more.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Chevy Chase Online Banking Review

Started in 1892, the Chevy Chase Bank is one of the most prolific Credit0 institutions in the District of Columbia. It comes with more than 230 branches and a large array of ATM's amounting to 800 in number within the area.

In December 2008, the bank has been purchased by Capital One, initiating a change in name and launching an online banking service in an effort to make the institution more accessible to its many members. Hence, it would be more accurate to say that the Chevy Chase online banking review today would reflect the Capital One service.

Currently though, very few people are complaining about their online banking. Some of the pros of the site is their excellent layout as well as the easy manipulation of the site. Other features of the include:

Transfer from One Account to Another

Transferring money from the savings account to the checking account and vice versa is completely possible with the Chevy Chase online banking. The great thing here is that members don't have to wait 24 hours before their transfers are processed and reflected in the account.

Security

The bank's online banking utilizes a high quality security program that ensures the protection of members from possible hackers and fraudulent individuals. They also enforce a security measure in which transferring money from a minor's account is prohibited. However, depositing or transferring money into the said account is completely acceptable.

Visible Records

Pending transactions are also provided in the user's account, making it easy for them to track their deposits or withdrawals. This is especially useful for people who are not used to writing down their bank transactions and often forget their balance in the bank.

Customer Service
The customer service is also good, especially through the online banking support.

One of the advantages of having Chevy Chase online banking is the fact that even member outside the DC area can now access their accounts without any problems. Prior to online banking, the amount of Chevy Chase ATM's outside the District of California are rare, making it hard for non-residents of the place to manage their money effectively. Some members have also complained that the charge when using a non-Chevy Chase ATM is too large compared to other Credit0 institutions, prompting them to close off their accounts.

All in all, the Chevy Chase bank has expanded its service to be accessible in the most used media of all: the internet. Members of the institution will find that their accounts are now more transparent, allowing to make transactions at the comfort of their own home, especially for those who live outside the District of California. For those residing within the district of Maryland, Virginia and DC, the abundance of Chevy Chase ATM's makes it doubly easy to acquire cash and manage their account through the online service. They also have a no-minimum balance option, unlike most of the banks that require members to keep a certain amount in their ATM.

Started in 1892, the Chevy Chase Bank is one of the most prolific Credit0 institutions in the District of Columbia. It comes with more than 230 branches and a large array of ATM's amounting to 800 in number within the area.

In December 2008, the bank has been purchased by Capital One, initiating a change in name and launching an online banking service in an effort to make the institution more accessible to its many members. Hence, it would be more accurate to say that the Chevy Chase online banking review today would reflect the Capital One service.

Currently though, very few people are complaining about their online banking. Some of the pros of the site is their excellent layout as well as the easy manipulation of the site. Other features of the include:

Transfer from One Account to Another

Transferring money from the savings account to the checking account and vice versa is completely possible with the Chevy Chase online banking. The great thing here is that members don't have to wait 24 hours before their transfers are processed and reflected in the account.

Security

The bank's online banking utilizes a high quality security program that ensures the protection of members from possible hackers and fraudulent individuals. They also enforce a security measure in which transferring money from a minor's account is prohibited. However, depositing or transferring money into the said account is completely acceptable.

Visible Records

Pending transactions are also provided in the user's account, making it easy for them to track their deposits or withdrawals. This is especially useful for people who are not used to writing down their bank transactions and often forget their balance in the bank.

Customer Service
The customer service is also good, especially through the online banking support.

One of the advantages of having Chevy Chase online banking is the fact that even member outside the DC area can now access their accounts without any problems. Prior to online banking, the amount of Chevy Chase ATM's outside the District of California are rare, making it hard for non-residents of the place to manage their money effectively. Some members have also complained that the charge when using a non-Chevy Chase ATM is too large compared to other Credit0 institutions, prompting them to close off their accounts.

All in all, the Chevy Chase bank has expanded its service to be accessible in the most used media of all: the internet. Members of the institution will find that their accounts are now more transparent, allowing to make transactions at the comfort of their own home, especially for those who live outside the District of California. For those residing within the district of Maryland, Virginia and DC, the abundance of Chevy Chase ATM's makes it doubly easy to acquire cash and manage their account through the online service. They also have a no-minimum balance option, unlike most of the banks that require members to keep a certain amount in their ATM.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Check Your Free Credit Score Online

You can obtain your credit score yearly for free online from the website annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining an excellent credit score can be important for individuals who may require borrowing money at prime rate to purchase a house or a car. A person's score is measured by how they make payments and keep current accounts balanced.

Other factors are cash in hand and income which are required to calculate a person's ratio of Credit7 to income. This DTI compares the amount a person has to pay to creditors by making minimum payments necessary to the amount which he can take home every month. The most important thing which can hurt your personal credit score is having discrepancies. When the account which an individual never acquired, or had paid off already, is shown in default, superb credit scores can go down in a less desirable status which makes lending undesirable. Due to this reason, getting a report and score online is very important.

Don't Get Duped by Reporting Companies Which Claim Being Free.

It is not wrong paying to get your credit report, but law has entitled everyone to get free annual credit report from the site annualcreditreport.com.There may be some sites which claim to be free you have to check them carefully.

What Should Be Done to Check Credit Score Again Which Has Been Checked Before.

For individuals who have obtained their annual free credit score report but need to check again for making sure they are correct, purchasing the report can be an alternative. You can purchase it by paying about $30 and it can be done easily through various sites which offer this reporting service.

This is necessary for individuals who have found out discrepancies in their reports and also who do not believe that the reporting agency can correct it on time.

How Can You Fix the Discrepancies in the Credit Report?

When discrepancies are found in a credit report, which may be due to the negligence of the lender as well as due to fraud, your credit reporting company requires receiving the letter through Certified Mail along with Return Receipt mentioning the discrepancies with the statement which says that 30 days are given to remove the discrepancies according to Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, otherwise legal action can be taken for character defamation. Getting online free credit report is the consumer's right and it can be thought as his responsibility.

You can obtain your credit score yearly for free online from the website annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining an excellent credit score can be important for individuals who may require borrowing money at prime rate to purchase a house or a car. A person's score is measured by how they make payments and keep current accounts balanced.

Other factors are cash in hand and income which are required to calculate a person's ratio of Credit7 to income. This DTI compares the amount a person has to pay to creditors by making minimum payments necessary to the amount which he can take home every month. The most important thing which can hurt your personal credit score is having discrepancies. When the account which an individual never acquired, or had paid off already, is shown in default, superb credit scores can go down in a less desirable status which makes lending undesirable. Due to this reason, getting a report and score online is very important.

Don't Get Duped by Reporting Companies Which Claim Being Free.

It is not wrong paying to get your credit report, but law has entitled everyone to get free annual credit report from the site annualcreditreport.com.There may be some sites which claim to be free you have to check them carefully.

What Should Be Done to Check Credit Score Again Which Has Been Checked Before.

For individuals who have obtained their annual free credit score report but need to check again for making sure they are correct, purchasing the report can be an alternative. You can purchase it by paying about $30 and it can be done easily through various sites which offer this reporting service.

This is necessary for individuals who have found out discrepancies in their reports and also who do not believe that the reporting agency can correct it on time.

How Can You Fix the Discrepancies in the Credit Report?

When discrepancies are found in a credit report, which may be due to the negligence of the lender as well as due to fraud, your credit reporting company requires receiving the letter through Certified Mail along with Return Receipt mentioning the discrepancies with the statement which says that 30 days are given to remove the discrepancies according to Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, otherwise legal action can be taken for character defamation. Getting online free credit report is the consumer's right and it can be thought as his responsibility.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Chase Ink With Ultimate Rewards Card Review

If you run a business in America, you know how important it is to always have available funds. Of course, that is often easier said than done with banks restricting their financing options. However, you don't have to worry so much about getting capital if you can find the right credit card.

Consider, then, the Ink with Ultimate Rewards card offer from Chase Bank. It offers superb benefits that will save you money and time, which are two assets that you cannot afford to waste.

With no annual fee and a low introductory rate, the Chase Ink with Ultimate Rewards credit card will immediately save you money over competing cards. This gives you an edge that you can use to supply your business with the tools that you need to be successful. Even without these extra costs, you still get access to premium business service, live help from a business professional, and other exclusive benefits.

Among these benefits are air miles rewards. Earn a single point for every dollar spent on standard purchases, double points towards airline tickets, and up to ten points on the dollar for things that you buy within the Ultimate Rewards Mall. This is basically a network of affiliate partners that are exclusively available to Chase credit card customers.

No matter how you earn miles with your Chase Ink Ultimate Rewards Credit Card, you can use them on more than just airfare. You can also use these points towards gift cards, brand-name merchandise within the Ultimate Rewards Mall, and even cash rebates. Just because you earn the points, doesn't mean that you have to keep all the rewards for yourself! Of course, since the points never expire and there is no limit to how many you can have, you can also save them for a big family vacation.

If you run a business in America, you know how important it is to always have available funds. Of course, that is often easier said than done with banks restricting their financing options. However, you don't have to worry so much about getting capital if you can find the right credit card.

Consider, then, the Ink with Ultimate Rewards card offer from Chase Bank. It offers superb benefits that will save you money and time, which are two assets that you cannot afford to waste.

With no annual fee and a low introductory rate, the Chase Ink with Ultimate Rewards credit card will immediately save you money over competing cards. This gives you an edge that you can use to supply your business with the tools that you need to be successful. Even without these extra costs, you still get access to premium business service, live help from a business professional, and other exclusive benefits.

Among these benefits are air miles rewards. Earn a single point for every dollar spent on standard purchases, double points towards airline tickets, and up to ten points on the dollar for things that you buy within the Ultimate Rewards Mall. This is basically a network of affiliate partners that are exclusively available to Chase credit card customers.

No matter how you earn miles with your Chase Ink Ultimate Rewards Credit Card, you can use them on more than just airfare. You can also use these points towards gift cards, brand-name merchandise within the Ultimate Rewards Mall, and even cash rebates. Just because you earn the points, doesn't mean that you have to keep all the rewards for yourself! Of course, since the points never expire and there is no limit to how many you can have, you can also save them for a big family vacation.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Chase Credit Cards A Lot of Variety

Without a doubt, credit cards have become indispensable in our society. Although some people use them to get credit and defer the payment of their merchandise, others use them just as a means of managing their money. They put purchases on their credit cards but then pay the balance off in full every month. That way on any given day, they are sure to have enough funds to cover their expense.

There are hundreds of different 'brands' of credit cards in the market today. One of the most popular is the Chase card. Like many other cards such as Visa and MasterCard, Chase is accepted worldwide. The Chase bank empire has its roots in J. P. Morgen and David Rockefeller. It is one of the oldest economic service firms on the planet.

And also like many other cards, there are several different flavors of the Chase card, each with slightly different benefits and features.

Chase offers things like the Counseling8 and Gas card, which gives you a percentage back when you use the card at the gas station. There are travel cards, better known as the Chase Sapphire, which give you extra benefits if used for travel.

The Chase Slate card has a low APR. It starts off with a 0% APR rate.

There's also the Chase Freedom card which has an interesting model. It gives you 5% cash back on purchases, depending on the category. These categories rotate every quarter.

For instance, one quarter the category might be groceries, so you would get 5% cash back every time you shopped for food. Then the next quarter, it might be home improvement. Any trip to Home Depot would give you some money in your pocket. It's easy to plan ahead and work on home projects during the months that give you the most money back, unlike groceries that you have to purchase each week.

And if you spend it on purchases that don't fall into the category for that time period, they still give you 1% back.

There's also its sister card, the business cash back card known as Chase Ink. And even that has its own flavors, such as the Ink Bold, Ink Cash, and Ink Plus.

And it also has some of the more common place cards such as the Chase card and Chase Platinum card.

So the family of Chase credit cards really makes it easy to pick a specific card tailored to your lifestyle and individual needs.

Without a doubt, credit cards have become indispensable in our society. Although some people use them to get credit and defer the payment of their merchandise, others use them just as a means of managing their money. They put purchases on their credit cards but then pay the balance off in full every month. That way on any given day, they are sure to have enough funds to cover their expense.

There are hundreds of different 'brands' of credit cards in the market today. One of the most popular is the Chase card. Like many other cards such as Visa and MasterCard, Chase is accepted worldwide. The Chase bank empire has its roots in J. P. Morgen and David Rockefeller. It is one of the oldest economic service firms on the planet.

And also like many other cards, there are several different flavors of the Chase card, each with slightly different benefits and features.

Chase offers things like the Counseling8 and Gas card, which gives you a percentage back when you use the card at the gas station. There are travel cards, better known as the Chase Sapphire, which give you extra benefits if used for travel.

The Chase Slate card has a low APR. It starts off with a 0% APR rate.

There's also the Chase Freedom card which has an interesting model. It gives you 5% cash back on purchases, depending on the category. These categories rotate every quarter.

For instance, one quarter the category might be groceries, so you would get 5% cash back every time you shopped for food. Then the next quarter, it might be home improvement. Any trip to Home Depot would give you some money in your pocket. It's easy to plan ahead and work on home projects during the months that give you the most money back, unlike groceries that you have to purchase each week.

And if you spend it on purchases that don't fall into the category for that time period, they still give you 1% back.

There's also its sister card, the business cash back card known as Chase Ink. And even that has its own flavors, such as the Ink Bold, Ink Cash, and Ink Plus.

And it also has some of the more common place cards such as the Chase card and Chase Platinum card.

So the family of Chase credit cards really makes it easy to pick a specific card tailored to your lifestyle and individual needs.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Cash Back Credit Cards - Discovering the Cards With the Greatest Value


Before making a selection regarding the many cash back credit cards that are available, you'll want to ensure that you are not just getting advantageous interest rates that you are having to pay on the charge card. This is not really a reward and examining the interest rates before picking a card offering these types of bonuses is an approach to finding out if the card will likely be beneficial.

There are many bank cards that provide a portion back on selected expenditures and a more affordable percentage on regular purchases. Along with a lower rate of interest as well as a 12 month introductory period of 0% APR, this really is one of the better promotions available. Then again, they may use quarterly restrictions in regards to cash rebates and this might not be advantageous at all.

Others have membership charges along with a more costly annual percentage rate which takes back the cash you are given as a cashback incentive. The issuers have their terms and conditions displayed in the fine print of the agreement.

You will want to make certain you take the time to examine the agreement in advance of submitting an application for any card. The cash back credit cards that don't have annual service fees or high rates of interest are often reserved for those applicants that have almost perfect credit histories.

The objective of the incentives made available from the providers to start with is to give an incentive to the account holder for paying by the due date and also to retain the clients they already have. When you pay when they're due you will have a top notch consumer credit rating and this will allow you to pick a charge card that features the very finest incentives.

Just about every purchase you're making using cash back credit cards will enable you to earn bonus points which may be used once they are at a specific point. Despite the fact that a number of Credit0 institutions offer excellent rewards packages, there are some that make their benefits sound a lot better than what they really are.

Traditional incentives start at 1% and can all the way to 5% and further still. The higher money back rebates usually are granted when making specific expenditures or at select merchants and they are very typically much more restrictive for obvious reasons.

Undoubtedly, cash back credit cards, most notably the Discover More card, are usually more preferable in comparison with air travel points or any other forms of incentives bank cards which can be a lot more restricted in what they offer. Cash back makes it possible for an individual to spend the money when and where they prefer.

Before making a selection regarding the many cash back credit cards that are available, you'll want to ensure that you are not just getting advantageous interest rates that you are having to pay on the charge card. This is not really a reward and examining the interest rates before picking a card offering these types of bonuses is an approach to finding out if the card will likely be beneficial.

There are many bank cards that provide a portion back on selected expenditures and a more affordable percentage on regular purchases. Along with a lower rate of interest as well as a 12 month introductory period of 0% APR, this really is one of the better promotions available. Then again, they may use quarterly restrictions in regards to cash rebates and this might not be advantageous at all.

Others have membership charges along with a more costly annual percentage rate which takes back the cash you are given as a cashback incentive. The issuers have their terms and conditions displayed in the fine print of the agreement.

You will want to make certain you take the time to examine the agreement in advance of submitting an application for any card. The cash back credit cards that don't have annual service fees or high rates of interest are often reserved for those applicants that have almost perfect credit histories.

The objective of the incentives made available from the providers to start with is to give an incentive to the account holder for paying by the due date and also to retain the clients they already have. When you pay when they're due you will have a top notch consumer credit rating and this will allow you to pick a charge card that features the very finest incentives.

Just about every purchase you're making using cash back credit cards will enable you to earn bonus points which may be used once they are at a specific point. Despite the fact that a number of Credit0 institutions offer excellent rewards packages, there are some that make their benefits sound a lot better than what they really are.

Traditional incentives start at 1% and can all the way to 5% and further still. The higher money back rebates usually are granted when making specific expenditures or at select merchants and they are very typically much more restrictive for obvious reasons.

Undoubtedly, cash back credit cards, most notably the Discover More card, are usually more preferable in comparison with air travel points or any other forms of incentives bank cards which can be a lot more restricted in what they offer. Cash back makes it possible for an individual to spend the money when and where they prefer.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Business Lines of Credit Online How They Can Serve Your Business

If you are seeking a line of credit for your business you may want to look in more places pay your local bank. Although your bank has established practices for lines of credit which you may prefer you should at least consider all of your options before doing business locally. Many business owners have turned to the Internet to seek funding and have had much success in doing so. Business lines of credit online work very much like those in the off-line world only there is no building for you to walk into.

Just because a company which offers business lines of credit online may not have a building which you can walk into, does not mean that they are not legitimate. Many of these companies have been around for many years and have successfully funded hundreds of companies such as your own. The important thing is to look into their practices to see if they are a good fit for your business. Also they should have established loan officers who can assist you by answering any questions you may have about the process which they use to find companies.

Make sure that you have a firm understanding of their processes before signing anything. Also remember that we are looking online as a comparison to going local with a bank. So you should compare them in the wider net of all available means of funding and not just against other online businesses. In many ways doing business online can be more convenient as you do not need to go from place to place and most paperwork can be sent electronically.

This is one of the main reasons that business lines of credit online are becoming so popular. In fact, they will one day supplant going into the office and doing it by hand. Getting this done online saves you time and allows you to focus on your business and its growth rather than dealing with paperwork. This also means a lot to deal with less stress as well, simply because the process is a lot quicker than it would be if you did it by fax or in person. The key thing to remember here is that you always need to have your documentation ready and organized to make this go smoothly. If you don't, you may find that the process takes just as long and that neither helps you nor your business.

If you are seeking a line of credit for your business you may want to look in more places pay your local bank. Although your bank has established practices for lines of credit which you may prefer you should at least consider all of your options before doing business locally. Many business owners have turned to the Internet to seek funding and have had much success in doing so. Business lines of credit online work very much like those in the off-line world only there is no building for you to walk into.

Just because a company which offers business lines of credit online may not have a building which you can walk into, does not mean that they are not legitimate. Many of these companies have been around for many years and have successfully funded hundreds of companies such as your own. The important thing is to look into their practices to see if they are a good fit for your business. Also they should have established loan officers who can assist you by answering any questions you may have about the process which they use to find companies.

Make sure that you have a firm understanding of their processes before signing anything. Also remember that we are looking online as a comparison to going local with a bank. So you should compare them in the wider net of all available means of funding and not just against other online businesses. In many ways doing business online can be more convenient as you do not need to go from place to place and most paperwork can be sent electronically.

This is one of the main reasons that business lines of credit online are becoming so popular. In fact, they will one day supplant going into the office and doing it by hand. Getting this done online saves you time and allows you to focus on your business and its growth rather than dealing with paperwork. This also means a lot to deal with less stress as well, simply because the process is a lot quicker than it would be if you did it by fax or in person. The key thing to remember here is that you always need to have your documentation ready and organized to make this go smoothly. If you don't, you may find that the process takes just as long and that neither helps you nor your business.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Business Line of Credit Are You in Need of One

As a business person, you know that there are different stages in the life of your company, sometimes your company is ready to expand into new markets and into new product lines, and it is at these points that you will need to invest money. Some people who have saved up, will use finances from their own personal bank account or equity they have built up in business or personal assets, to put into their business endeavor. However, having a large stockpile of personal funding available is not applicable to everyone, and is not an available option to most.

When you don't have the backing funding for your business needs on hand, you have many different avenues that you can go down in order to borrow the money that is needed. A few of the many ways that you can obtain business funding, is through large scale Credit0 institutions, or private lenders. The type that we will be talking about today, is known as a business line of credit.

When you run a small business, there will occasionally be situations that arise that will require additional funding to deal with, you will need to have a way to provide financing for these needs. There are several options you could consider as we've discussed previously, one of the more viable option for a situation such as this is a business line of credit.

A business line of credit is quite similar to, and can be compared with a more commonly known form of money lending, a credit card. Unlike with a loan, you can borrow against the line of credit over and over, provided that you have an available balance, much like a personal credit card. A major difference between a business line of credit and a personal credit card, is that a personal credit card is for your own personal use, meaning you can go out and buy whatever you want.

This is not the case with a line of credit for your business. When you have a business line of credit, the purchases that you make are only supposed to be used for things pertaining to your company. But they are functionally similar to a credit card in how they have an available amount of funds, as opposed to an upfront disbursement of funds as you would have with a business loan. As always you should consider that a business line of credit is just one of several options available to you, you should consider alternative means of funding and choose the funding source that is best for your personal circumstances.

As a business person, you know that there are different stages in the life of your company, sometimes your company is ready to expand into new markets and into new product lines, and it is at these points that you will need to invest money. Some people who have saved up, will use finances from their own personal bank account or equity they have built up in business or personal assets, to put into their business endeavor. However, having a large stockpile of personal funding available is not applicable to everyone, and is not an available option to most.

When you don't have the backing funding for your business needs on hand, you have many different avenues that you can go down in order to borrow the money that is needed. A few of the many ways that you can obtain business funding, is through large scale Credit0 institutions, or private lenders. The type that we will be talking about today, is known as a business line of credit.

When you run a small business, there will occasionally be situations that arise that will require additional funding to deal with, you will need to have a way to provide financing for these needs. There are several options you could consider as we've discussed previously, one of the more viable option for a situation such as this is a business line of credit.

A business line of credit is quite similar to, and can be compared with a more commonly known form of money lending, a credit card. Unlike with a loan, you can borrow against the line of credit over and over, provided that you have an available balance, much like a personal credit card. A major difference between a business line of credit and a personal credit card, is that a personal credit card is for your own personal use, meaning you can go out and buy whatever you want.

This is not the case with a line of credit for your business. When you have a business line of credit, the purchases that you make are only supposed to be used for things pertaining to your company. But they are functionally similar to a credit card in how they have an available amount of funds, as opposed to an upfront disbursement of funds as you would have with a business loan. As always you should consider that a business line of credit is just one of several options available to you, you should consider alternative means of funding and choose the funding source that is best for your personal circumstances.