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/.