Do You Know Whats On Your Credit Report

Writen by Ken Austin

Your credit report is all that companies and lenders have to know about you. They do not get to see who you are or know what is happening in your life. All they know is what your credit report has to say about you. If you haven't taken the time to figure out what is on your report, do so, and do so quickly.

You will want to look at several things on your credit report. First, you will notice there is a credit score. This number is a direct reflection of your credit worthiness. The higher this number is the better your credit rating will be. In most cases, this is the number that they need to know in order to decide on your credit worthiness. This number ranges though through the various credit reporting agencies.

But, what makes those numbers higher and lower is the very important information you need to check out on your credit report. Any time that you take a loan out or open a line of credit, these companies will report to the credit agencies what you have borrowed, how much you owe and if you make your payments on time. You should always make sure this information is correct.

It is also important to insure that you do not have any mistakes on your credit report. You should monitor it for flaws in loans that you do or do not have as well as your payment history.

In the United States, the credit report is becoming free for you to view and monitor your credit at least once a year. This is necessary in order to protect your credit score as well as to insure that your identity has not been used wrongly. The credit report provides information about you to the rest of the world. Make sure it's right!

Ken Austin is the webmaster at http://www.creditreliefonline.com/ and http://www.myfinanceconnection.com/

The Advantages To Owning A Credit Card

Writen by Beth Derkowitz

While some might think that credit cards are troublesome, there are actually more benefits than disadvantages to having a credit card.

Building that credit rating

When it comes to getting low interest loans and getting financed for other bigger purchases, your credit rating is one of the first things that lenders look at. They want to know if you can handle your money in a responsible manner. By having a credit card, charging items to it, and then paying it off, you get the chance to show that you can handle your finances.

You don't have to carry cash

A credit card is much safer to carry around than cash. Even if your credit card should get stolen, you can report the loss and not be held accountable for the unauthorized purchases. When cash is lost, it's usually gone for good.

Things you might not know

Credit cards also offer free insurance on items that have been purchased, allowing you to return items that do not meet your expectations or cancel transactions that weren't authorized.

Credit helps in an emergency

One of the main uses of credit cards is to supply extra funds in an emergency. Many cards offer car insurance and roadside assistance as well as cash advances and checks that can be written from the limit of the credit card. If you have a bill that's larger than you expected, credit cards can help to pay it off until you gather the money that you need.

Online shopping

Shopping on the Internet is safer and easier when you use a credit card instead of a check or money order. Almost all online retailers take credit cards over a secure link, allowing transactions to be completed instantly rather than having to wait for checks to clear.

Widely used

Nearly every retailer takes credit cards as well as restaurants, hotels, airlines, car rentals, and gas stations. You are covered with a form of payment wherever you go and whatever you do.

Rewards

And of course, credit cards also like to thank their customers for using them with rewards like cash back or airline miles. You can also receive discounts on future purchases or gas rebates.

With punctual payments and low balances, you can increase your spending limit as well to give you even more flexibility with larger purchases. Instead of having to start a book of payments, you can charge the item and possibly reduce the amount of interest that may have had to pay with the retailer.

Beth Derkowitz recommends Find Credit Cards for finding an Advanta business credit card for your small business. See http://www.findcreditcards.org/issuer/advanta.php for more information.

How Will Settlement Affect My Credit

Writen by Jeff Dragt

Settling for lesser than the amount owed on a credit card might leave a smudge on your credit report. However, a smudge is much better than the big old smear that would appear if you defaulted completely and the credit company wrote your debt off. So, if you are over your head in debt and need some help, yet don't want to ruin your credit, then consider credit card settlement.

What is a Debt Consolidation Loan?

A debt consolidation loan is like any other loan except for the fact that it is designed to help you pay off debt and consolidate it into one payment and one lender. This has many benefits for the individual in debt and it is really a great way to get on top of that debt that has been causing you so many headaches.

Where to Apply?

The majority of financial institutions offer debt consolidation loans. This includes banks, credit unions, finance companies, and other types of lenders. Once you have applied at one of these places for a debt consolidation loan you will receive either an approval of the loan or a denial. The better your credit the better chances you will receive the debt consolidation loan.

What if I have Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit you can still apply for a debt consolidation loan. However, you will want to do so with a finance company or bank that works specifically with individuals who have bad credit. You will find many times the terms to be higher and stricter than if you had good credit, but there are options for individuals with bad credit who are interested.

What Next?

After you receive your debt consolidation loan you will need to pay off all of your debt. This is basically transferring a bunch of small to medium sized debts to one larger combined one. However, the benefit is that you will only be required to make one monthly pay and it will be less than the combined payments for the other debts you were making before.

What NOT to do

Once you have received your debt consolidation loan and begun paying it back you might feel like you have your debt under control again. This might make you feel like using one of those credit cards that has a balance of zero. However, this is the biggest mistake you can make. When you get a consolidation loan you need to focus on paying it off and not engaging in the same activity that got you into debt in the first place. So, cut up those credit cards, store them in a safety deposit box, or just hide them from yourself. You don't want to close your accounts because that will hurt your credit, but you absolutely do not want to use your credit again unless there is a MAJOR emergency that cannot be taken care of in any other way.

If you follow these tips and suggestions you will find yourself debt free before too long and better able to control your spending. This is important for financial freedom and it simply takes dedication and personal control. You can do it if you really want to, so just make getting out of debt and staying that way a priority!

American Debt Advisor

Poor Credit Auto Financing Getting Approved For An Auto Loan With Poor Credit

Writen by L. Sampson

Getting approved for an auto loan with poor credit may be easier than you think. Auto loans are different from unsecured lines of credit because they use the car as collateral. If you are unable to make your monthly payments, then the creditor has the right to repossess the car.

Dealer Financed Auto Loan

There are several options for obtaining an auto loan. Many small, local, or used car dealerships offer buy-here-pay-here financing. You finance the vehicle through the dealership and send them your monthly payments. These programs are often less selective about the candidates they approve for financing, but they also generally charge very high interest rates.

Bank Auto Loan

Another option is to obtain a loan through your personal bank. If you have a good history with the bank (few to no bounced checks or account overdraws), and you can prove that you are capable of paying back the loan, they may offer to finance your purchase.

Most of the larger dealerships have banks that they work with exclusively. If you chose to finance through their banks, a loan officer will walk you through all of the paperwork. You can attempt to negotiate the terms of the loan prior to agreeing to make the purchase, but you cannot be sure that you are getting the best deal. Most large dealerships will charge higher interest rates so that they make a profit off of obtaining financing for your purchase.

Online Auto Loan

Perhaps the most active and selective means of obtaining an auto loan is to request quotes through an online database. Many companies have websites that are partnered with several loan companies who will consider your credit, income, and work history, and then present you with the terms of the loan they are prepared to offer. These services allow you to compare loans side-by-side and choose the one that offers the best terms.

If your credit is so poor that you have to accept a less-than-desirable loan offer, then make sure to always make your payments on time. Your credit score will improve with each timely payment. With one year's worth of good credit reporting, you should be able to refinance your car and obtain better loan conditions.

Visit Car Loan Sense to view our Auto Loan Lenders online. Also, visit Car Loan Sense for more information about Automobile Financing with Bad Credit.

Business Credit Card Uses And Guidelines

Writen by Russell Weeks

If you are a small business owner or sole proprietor, you are fully aware that business credit and financing is a crucial part of running your business. Any company or firm requires adequate and steady cash flow in order for it to succeed. As a business owner, you have a variety of business credit options available to you.

By a large extent, the type of business credit that you use to finance your business will depend on the size and nature of the business itself.

Perhaps one of the more popular forms of business credit for many small businesses today is in the form of a business credit card. These credit cards are primarily obtained for the sole purpose of funding your small business based on your personal credit history and not from actual business projections.

However; since most credit cards are issued by commercial banks it is important for you, the small business owner to research the best offers possible before applying for a business credit card. If you opt for this type of business credit, you will find that there is no shortage of credit card offers that offer you or your business competitive rates.

Moreover, since these types of credit cards are given based on your credit history they can provide you with essential working capital with few questions asked about the use of the credit extended.

It is always a good idea to examine all credit card offers and the policies and guidelines set forth for their use before you use a credit card to manage or finance your small or new business. You may feel that because a business credit card is issued for the most part in your name that it is okay to use the card for personal reasons.

While this may not be against the guidelines of the particular credit card issuer, it is not a practice you want to make. Keep your business finances separated from your personal expenditures and use the business credit card exclusively for providing that needed extra capital to get your business by.

Draw up a business plan before you decide on what type of business credit card you will be applying for and stick to strict spending habits. If you do this, then you will find there is always going to be that extra cash flow there when you need it the most.

Russ W Thank you and please visit http://www.thebestcreditoffers.com for more tips and advice and to check out The Best Credit Card Offers On Line *Your welcome to post or use this article as written with all links included please.*

Prepaid Credit Cards A Great Way To Control Credit Card Spending

Writen by Morgan Hamilton

There are times when parents would go ballistic when they get their teenage kids credit card bills. Giving someone without financial control over their lives a credit card is like opening up a toy store or a candy store to a kid. Unless you want to have a bad credit rating, get yourself a prepaid credit card instead.

Prepaid credit cards can help in several ways. For example, the holder can control some personal expenses and allowance. It assists the card holder to promote the flexibility to pay over some telephone bills, internet use, restaurant consumption, shopping expenses and even paying training fees.

Most of the prepaid credit card application process is very straightforward. By using prepaid credit cards the you know exactly what you can afford and not go overboard on the spending.

As its name implies, prepaid credit cards have credits on them already because they have been, well, prepaid. A person puts money into the credit card account and he can only charge the amount what is in the account.

The holder can load prepaid credit cards anytime they want, and when making a purchase, the cash should be in the account and credited already to avoid embarrassment in the shop or store or restaurant.

Prepaid credit cards can be the best solution for your financial needs and purchases. Here are some reasons:

• The prepaid credit card can keep the holder away from huge debt because the holder will only spend his own money.

• Unlike other form of credit card, the prepaid credit cards do not encourage the holder to spend too much money that they do not have nor can afford. With a prepaid credit card, the holders need not to worry anymore about overspending because they will be stopped from purchasing if they run out of credits.

• Prepaid credit cards assist the holder to observe the proper spending habits. In major cases, the holder won't be able to spend extra money that is not in the account or purchases they cant afford to pay. This allows them to avoid a bad credit rating.

• In most small business owners, a prepaid credit card can be the best way to pay. The payment method becomes easier and simpler because the funds from the card can be easily projected.

• A prepaid credit card can be use in order to send money from the card holder to their loved ones. It can also be a good instrument to pay tuition fees for education.

• There are some of the prepaid credit cards who give extra number of credit card. For instance one credit card is for the holder the other one is for his relatives and security.

• Prepaid credit card is trouble free. By the time that the holder deposits a load or money, he or she can use it right away. Another important thing is that the holder can easily access his amount of money from the nearest ATM or POS merchants.

• The prepaid load is widely accepted and available globally. The prepaid credit card is cheaper and faster substitute to costly money transfer corporation and is supported by major credit cards globally known and accepted.

• This kind of credit card is a safe and guaranteed way for employees to receive their salary. Based upon statistical studies, prepaid credit card points out that in the United States there are over 3 million payroll that uses this method. If the salary can be deposited early for prepaid credit cards, the lesser the chance that the salary will be stolen or spent right away.

• A prepaid card is very convenient and affordable answer to those holders who suffer from banking needs. In cases like these, prepaid credit cards can be used as a bank account.

• As an addition, prepaid credit cards can also be used anywhere at anytime. In many cases, it is useful because it can simply purchase any goods and services.

• Prepaid credit cards do not require too much requisites like a bank account statement, employment certification, credit checks and security deposits.

Most of the prepaid credit card gives the holder a guaranteed acceptance processing method. It also gives several ways on how to deposit credit load without having an expensive banking set-up.

Those are the special features of prepaid credit cards. The holder should know the additional rewards for using it. For more questions and information the holder should see the nearest bank that offers this crediting method or check out the countless websites that offer these services.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Prepaid Credit Cards

Save Money With A Balance Transfer Credit Card

Writen by Nick Davis

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 make your minimum payment every month

Even though the card issuer offers an interest-free period, you will still have to make the minimum payments each month by the 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 the best 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.

A Credit Card To Suit All Needs

Writen by Lisa R Johnson

In this day and age, a large number of the population is in possession of a credit card, sometimes even numerous credit cards! Banks and businesses are becoming more and more aware of consumer's desires for specialised credit cards, and have thus introduced a myriad of credit cards that are joint ventures between banks and businesses. There are credit cards aimed at men, and credit cards aimed at women.

If you're a sports fan, for instance, then you can't go past the NASCAR credit card. Or there's the NFL credit card, the World Series of Poker credit card, the MLB credit card, and the Bass Pro Shops credit card. People who love to travel would be interested in the British Airways credit card, or the World Perks credit card. If you like your cars, then the Subaru credit card, or the Volkswagen credit card is for you.

With the price of gas escalating out of control in the current world climate, gas reward credit cards are in big demand! Two such cards available at the moment are the Speedway SuperAmerica credit card, which lets you earn up to an 8% rebate on all gas and merchandise purchased at Speedway, SuperAmerica, and Rich Oil locations; and the HESS credit card, which lets you earn up to a 10% rebate on all HESS purchases.

For women, the Starbucks credit card is bound to be a favourite! As is the Borders and Waldenbooks credit card, for all people who enjoy reading. There are even credit cards for entertainment – both the Sony credit card and the Universal Entertainment credit cards provide fantastic rewards programs. If you have children, there's also a credit card for you – the Toys "R" Us credit card can earn you awesome rebates!

Of course, when it comes to choosing a credit card suitable to your needs, it is important to read the fine print, and not just choose a card because it looks 'pretty'. All of the cards mentioned here can be examined in further detail and compared at http://www.getfastcreditcards.com.

About the Author
Lisa R Johnson is co-owner of http://www.getfastcreditcards.com, a website where American citizens can view and compare countless credit card offers, and can also then apply online immediately for credit cards.

Credit Card Services And Why We Need Those Little Cards

Writen by David Riewe

Practically everyone in the United States has credit cards. From teenagers to retirees, almost everyone has at least one credit card. Everywhere we go we see ads - in the television, radio, newspapers, billboard advertisements - on credit cards. Some credit cards are even mailed directly to our homes. But what are credit cards and why should you have one?

Simply stated, a credit card (or for many, just known as credit, is a financial arrangement between you, the consumer or the card user, and an institution (in most instances a bank), that you have to borrow instant money from them and promises that you will repay them back in the future. The institution agrees to that it will give the money you need and expects you to pay them over a certain time period, like on a monthly basis. Your payment will include not just the entire money you owed the group or institution but also an additional charge that is known as an interest rate, if you are unable to pay your full balance on time monthly.

Credit can provide various services, making it an indispensable tool for today's consumers. These include:

Convenience. You saw this wonderful dress in a shop. Perfect for tonight's party, you thought. But you don't have money right now. Thanks to your card, you can buy anything you want right now. Credit cards give you that wonderful allowance not to bring that much cash and to order goods from catalogs. In addition, many of the online-based shops and stores, such as Amazon.com, mainly accept payment using credit.

Emergency Protection. For emergency situation, credit cards can be an extremely helpful tool that could be your friend that could pay for your emergency needs, like when your car conked out in the road, or your mother gets hospitalized, or any emergency situations that you need money but can't get it from the usual means.

Putting you in the right budget. Want to keep a detailed record of your expenditures? Credit cards can do that.

Security. In today's world, carrying large cash has become a problem. If your cash gets lost, there's no way you can retrieve it. Compared with credit cards, money cannot be returned back when it got lost or stolen. If your card, for example, got broken or it got lost or someone stole it from you, you can always ask for a credit card termination or cancellation. You will have another card, a new one that will replace it in a few days.

Traveling. If you're quite a traveler, whether across the town or country, or outside the US, it is relatively easier to travel with a credit card.

When used responsibly, credit cards are can help improve our daily lives. With cards, life could be so much easier.

About The Author
David Riewe is a Publisher and Online Marketer. Visit his Credit Resources Blog Below: http://www.push-button-online-income.com/creditcards/.

Credit Cards And Marriage

Writen by Alan Bernstein

Getting married is a wonderful thing and brings forth a whole new life together as a couple. Part of being married means working together as a team in all aspects of our lives– physically, spiritually, emotionally and also financially. Indeed, the matters of finance and debt have caused much disagreements and breakups amongst married couples. Thus, it is always important to have mutual agreement, openness and correlation between the husband and wife in matters concerning finance.

The major area of concern when it comes to finances is the area related to personal debt, especially credit card debt. Many couples go into a marriage without being aware of the debt of their fiancées. Indeed, although debt is a personal burden while you are single, married couples will eventually have to face the problem of debt together after they are married. This can cause stress in a marriage, which is why 70% of divorces in America are caused by financial issues.

It's best to exercise sound planning towards consolidated finances after the marriage. This means that you should try to clear any outstanding debt that you may have before you are married. Bringing these into the marriage may mean asking your spouse to bear for a debt that he or she didn't get into in the first place. Cancel credit cards that are charging high interests and leave one or two that offer favorable rates. You can always inform the credit card companies that you are getting married and are looking into closing some of your accounts.

The best ways to clear your credit card debt is by planning your monthly expenses and budget an amount each month to pay off your debt. You may transfer some of your outstanding balances to 0% APR card to lighten your burden while you pay with monthly installments. Also, don't charge any more expenses to your credit cards unless really necessary, as these will just increase the debt value that you are trying hard to pay off.

Apart from that, the both of you may also want to cross-check your credit reports so that any discrepancies can be sorted out as soon as possible. If you do this now, you will help to prevent disagreements later on which may arise from debt which you and your spouse had no knowledge of.

After your credit card debt is cleared, strike a mutual agreement between the both of you on the type of expenses that should be charged to credit cards and those that should be paid with cash. Also, be sure that the both of you understand that credit card balances should be paid off each month. Another alternative is to have your credit cards issued under separate names even after you are married so that any credit problems will not affect your spouse's credit standing.

Alan Bernstein recommends Find Credit Cards to apply for a Morgan Stanley credit card today.

Common Credit Card Terms And Their Meanings

Writen by Karyn Kudrna

When shopping around for a credit card, it is very important to understand the terms and fees that each card offers in order to make an informed decision regarding the best credit card for you. Because these terms affect your overall cost, it is important to compare the terms and fees of various cards before opening an account.

Annual Fees

These are the annual membership fees, or participation fees charged by some card issuers. They can range from $25 up to several hundred dollars.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The annual percentage rate, or APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate. By law, this rate must be disclosed to all applicants of a credit card. This rate is often variable, meaning that it can be raised or lowered depending upon the performance of the index, or econonmic indicator, that it is linked to.

Balance Transfer

This is the process of transfering an unpaid credit card balance from one card to another. Often the card receiving the balance will charge the card holder a balance transfer fee.

Cash Back

Some credit cards offer cash back incentives to the card holder. These offers usually mean you will receive some percentage of the total amount charged to the card monthly, quarterly, or annually. This percentage may be paid to you by check or may be reflected on your account as a credit.

Grace Period

This is the period of time offered by some cards that allows the card holder to pay the balance in full without accruing any interest charges. If your card does not offer a grace period, then you may be paying finance charges from the date the card is used.

Introductory Rate

Credit cards often offer special "introductory rates" to new card holders. These rates may be as low as 0% for a specified period of time. After the introductory period ends, the annual percentage rate will increase to the cards regular ongoing rate. It is important to know what this rate is as well as how long the introductory period lasts prior to applying for one of these cards.

Transaction fees

Some credit cards will charge additional fees for transactions such as cash advances or balance transfers. Late fees may also be applied when a payment is received after the due date.

Karyn Kudrna is owner of the website http://www.credit-123.com which offers information on low interest credit cards

5 Tips For Finding No Credit Credit Cards

Writen by Rebecca Spitzer

Millions of people have trouble with their credit each year. From late payments to bankruptcies, families and single individuals work to overcome their poor credit histories and find a way to get along in this world of fast cash and credit card payments. So if you have poor credit or no credit at all, how do you get a credit card? Well, poor credit and no credit are different, but the methods for finding a credit card are very similar. So let's go over a few here:

· Check your mailbox. Unless you have opted out of pre-screened credit offers, you should get a few in the mail. Read the fine print and see if any of these offers suit your needs.

· Search online. The World Wide Web is an endless resource for credit card possibilities. You can use search terms like "no credit credit cards," "poor credit credit cards," and "secured credit cards." You will get a list of results that is longer than you need.

· Ask your bank. Many banks these days offer secured credit cards for people with poor or no credit. A secured credit card is simply a card that is set up after you make an initial deposit to your credit account. Usually, this amount is between two and five hundred dollars. After your deposit is made, you will have a line of credit up to the amount of you deposit, depending on the financial institution's regulations. Use your card as you would any credit card, and after a year, you may qualify for a standard credit card that is unsecured.

· Check out college bookstores. Believe it or not, these are great places to find random offers for no credit credit cards. Companies want to appeal to students, who have little or no credit, by offering credit cards for an annual fee. You can ask for any brochures the bookstore includes in bags at the point of purchase.

· Get referrals from people you know. If you have a friend that has overcome bad credit or has built their credit from scratch, ask them how they did it.

Rebecca Spitzer recommends Find Credit Cards for comparing no credit credit cards.