The Reality About Credit Card

By Eric Jilson

Growing credit card debt is a very real problem in the United States today. For the average person this debt grows larger and larger every single day. This situation creates problems not only in the credit card world, but in other areas as well.

US credit debt effects not only the consumer in their pocket book, but also in mortgages, bankruptcies, home and business foreclosures, automobile and student loans. As credit card debt in the United States continues to soar out of control, more and more people are seeking the services of credit counseling agencies and consolidation loans, to fend off the high interest fees and drowning in credit card debt.

More Americans than ever are taking drastic steps to get back on their feet financially. If you do not think the debt is that bad, you need to reexamine the information and statistics. The average person carries a monthly balance of around $1000.00. Of this amount, by making only the minimum monthly payments, it would take 22 years and more money in interest to pay off this debt.

The household average in the US is around $8500.00, and this is just the average on one credit card. Since the 90's this amount has tripled in size. The average credit card holder in the US, pays over $1200 a year just in interest fees alone. This money could easily cover your rent or mortgage payment for a single month, have you really looked at this information realistically? What happens if you ever have to worry about job security?

Have you thought about how you will pay your bills then? The average interest rates for credit cards in the US is around 18.9%, and it keeps on escalating. Some credit cards have introductory rates as high as 23%, and for those people with bad credit this rate can climb to an unbelievable 30%.

Many people would never tell their friends or family how much money they owe on their credit cards, nor would they tell them if they were 30 days past due on making their payments or facing possible collection action.

This is a very real problem and it has a flow down effect on such businesses as real estate, auto, banking, consumer loans, and stock market. Effects of bad credit do not only involve the consumers, but it causes many economic problems as well.

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Credit Repair Form Letter ??" Good to Use or Bad to Use?

By William Blake

There are form credit repair letters all over the internet. They can be helpful if you find yourself needing to correct an error on your credit report or you are being harassed by debt collectors who are constantly calling your house. It is a stressful thing to have to deal with credit report errors or debt collectors. You may not feel that you are able to write an effective letter under such a stressful situation. Should you turn to the form letters on the internet for help?

Warning Signs

There are thousands and thousands of form letters out there to choose from. There is also sample letter prepared by the government that can be found on the Federal Trade Commission website. Which is a better choice? How can you decide?

When you are trying to choose a form letter to go by there are a few warning signs to look for of letters you do not want to use. For example, if a letter is threatening you do not want to use it. Words like, "if you ignore this letter I'll sue" or "you better stop harassing me" are phrases to be avoided. If a form letter contains statements like these keep looking. You do not want to send this type of letter to a credit bureau or any of your creditors.

Another warning sign is sentences in phrases written in all caps or sentences ending with an exclamation mark. This is not a professional way to write. It is like screaming at a person and that is anything but professional. If you send a letter like this you can expect that your letter will be ignored. It is disrespectful and therefore will earn you no respect.

Overwhelmed by Your Choices?

If the form letters intimidate you and you just can't decide it may be best to write you own letter. If you are going to do this remember that you want to keep the letter short. Be direct and respectful. Briefly explain what the letter is and your purpose in writing it. If you have a friend, an accountant or other financial expert that you can talk to, get some advice about how to write the letter.

Write the letter as if you are writing it for someone else and you are not personally involved. You do not want to show any emotion ??" anger, fear or frustration. Just state the facts as clearly and briefly as possible.

About the Author:

Tire of barely keeping up with your credit card balances? Learn some simple credit card tips on the Debtopedia website. Get a free copy of my report "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" at http://www.debtopedia.com

Budgeting your Way to Being Debt-Free

By Paul J. Easton

One can easily accrue a debt but getting rid of it can take the hardest time. In these unstable times, getting rid of your credit card debt is one aspect of your finances you should really focus on today. It is the urgent time to take the necessary steps now and learn how to live only out of your income. Let me introduce you to the concept of budgeting.

One the worst reactions most people have are upon hearing cases of bankruptcy. And for us to avoid that dreaded situation, it is time to face the reality and delve deeper on the root of the problem. Before starting out, we definitely need a plan that will guide us with our financial tracking and that will keep limits to our spending. That plan is the very household term called budget.

A budget is basically a plan, you read that right. When you create a budget, you are putting a record of your supposed spending with the corresponding purpose before your month starts. For a lot of people, this can be perceived as a block that keeps them constrained. Naturally, the freedom to spend and the concept of budgeting really do not go together.

Taking it at an angle where you see and know that your hard-earned money is spent with good intentions, you will in fact experience the real freedom. For many who experienced this awakening, they say that the realization seems to make them more productive than constrained. In the course of the process, they have found out that they even earned more money when they followed a realistic budget. Sticking to it, though, is a very challenging hurdle yet can be very rewarding when accomplished.

As a tip, take your time to tally up all of your monthly debts into a record. Figure out how much you spend on gas, groceries, and other necessary items. Take into account all the rest of the spending. Observe and see if you can cut up some of those extra spending you have throughout the month. Determine how much you can make if you cut back on those expenses. Usual expenses you can reduce are cell phone plans, cable TV programming package, gym and club memberships, and that extra night out session. These changes, although painful, will give you more extra money to add to your payments for getting rid of debt. Get rid of your debt now with more overlooked techniques on how to get rid of debt here.

This time where you are in the midway of getting out of a credit card debt cycle, the focus with your budgeting is very crucial. By deciding today to take some action and be responsible with your spending, this will save you money for the long term and regain your credit standing. At the end, by helping yourself you are ensured of a much better financial situation.

For more expert advices on how to get rid of debt, go to http://www.Howtogetridofdebt.net/ by Paul J. Easton.

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CitiBusiness Credit Cards and the Small Business Owner

By Caressa Waechter

A business credit card is something that most business owners are going to need at one time or another. Because you are not suppose to mix business and personal funds, it is not a good idea at all to be using a personal credit card for business expenses.

You will find many uses for a business credit card if you are an entrepreneur. The possibilities are limitless - you will use it to pay bills, to travel, or to make company purchases.

CitiBank, with their CitiBusiness card, is one of the leading issuers of business credit cards. The CitiBusiness small business credit card is especially tailored to the person who owns their own business.

Because you can request additional credit cards for employees, and set the credit limit for each card, CitiBusiness really lets you control your expenses. You have total control over the management of your CitiBusiness credit cards with the ability to view all charges, view statements and even add employees, all online.

With their business credit cards with low interest rates, they will have a card that meets your needs. Citibank is often running special introductory rates for a certain length of time, which really allows you to control your cash flow during the set period.

CitiBusiness rewards programs with some of their business credit cards. With one of these credit cards you earn a set number of points for every dollar you put on the card. You will have several different choices on how to redeem your points, so you won't be stuck with just one redemption method.

When you own a small business, you really need to have at least one credit card that is the name of your company. This lets you maintain complete separation of personal and business expenses, while giving you the ability to track business spending.

Every business could use a credit card, so it is a wise decision to have a credit card that is specifically intended for business use. The CitiBusiness credit cards are a great choice as far as business credit cards are concerned. CitiBusiness cards offer some useful benefits for the entrepreneur, so you really ought to look into their cards for your business.

About the Author:

Caressa Waechter is an entrepreneur who thinks her business is better off with its CitiBusiness credit card. Visit her website to find out where you can get a small business credit card: Citi Business card

Advice of Debt Consolidation Counselors

By Caden Flynn

Do you know your exact financial situation? If you have a lot of debt, you may not even have a clear idea of how many cards you owe money on, or the exact amount you owe to your creditors. Whether you are just beginning to rack up debt, or owe thousands, you should consider debt consolidation. The best place to go for debt consolidation advice is to experts with the knowledge to help you.

Where can you find debt consolidation professionals? Many banks and financial firms can give you advice to help manage your debts. Many debt consolidation companies can offer you a financial expert or debt management counselor to get you back on track. While you can find some helpful advice on the internet, be careful who you trust with your finances.

When you visit a debt consolidation company, they will start by having you fill out a form with information about your credit history, your existing debts, and who you owe this money to. So before you turn to a debt consolidation professional, be sure you have a clear understanding of your debts. Then, they'll come up with a plan that you can reasonably follow, and help you with the next steps to becoming debt-free.

Debt counselors are very helpful if you've fallen into debt because they can teach you strategies for staying out of debt in the future. Most people fall into debt simply by overspending, and debt counselors can help you change your lifestyle to avoid doing this again and again. Credit cards can be useful, but only if you use them responsibly. If you have fallen into debt with credit cards, they can teach you how to cut down on your spending so that you can pay off your debts.

You may be concerned about how to pay for a debt counselor, but actually it should not cost very much. Most of the advising can actually be free. Discuss the costs with the company or bank with which you are working, making sure that there are no charges on their debt relief service packages that will surprise you later. Of course online advice is free, but it may be wise to go with a professional if you're serious about getting a debt consolidation counselor or getting yourself out of debt.

If you find yourself falling into debt, it's important to start getting yourself out of it right away. Get your advice from a debt counselor who understands your situation and can make a plan that will work for you. If you follow their plan completely, you can find your way out of debt.

About the Author:

Knowledge is power - get more power and find out more about debt consolidation packages. You're only a click away - http://www.debtjerk.com/debt-consolidation-loans.html.

Debt-free Tactics in Economic Turmoil

By Paul J. Easton

With the recent economic fears, most ordinary people are just basically broke because they are in debt with no single hope for help. If you are among these people, you should know that you can get rid of debt, if you are only guided and have the right determination to make the necessary steps required to escape the rut. In here, you will be guided to some basic tips that can help you get rid of debt.

When working your way to being debt-free, the only approach to get out of debt is by transforming your money habits. You will need a great deal of commitment to implement a written game plan. Sticking to it is another hurdle, so we can't emphasize that enough.

Carefully analyze your financial situation and have an honest assessment. Only with recognizing exactly your financial status will you craft a tailored-fit plan of action to get out of this mess.

Check how much debt you have combined with all the daily expenses versus how much income you bring home. Get an extra job and start paying much more than the minimum amount due. Drop some unnecessary expenses and temporarily live on less than you make.

This will be very emotional so be honest with yourself and be very open-minded. When making out this plan, work together with your spouse or your family to have their support toward achieving your goals. Be realistic with your plan. If it is a plan that is not realistically workable and you are just lying to yourself, you may as well concede defeat with your battle to being debt-free by now.

If credit card debt comprises a big chunk of your credit portfolio, cut up your cards for now. Squeeze in your budget an amount set aside to pay at least twice the minimum due for the month. Focus now on that card with the highest interest. Pay it fully and proceed to the next card. Get debt-free now with more secrets on how to get rid of debt here.

Bankruptcy is no longer an easy option for most of us. For some, unfortunately, there is no way to pay off the debts and they are forced with this choice.

It is very difficult to get rid of debt after it has amassed into a financial monster, especially this time of turmoil. Getting out of this situation needs more than just your will power. Live the simpler life now in these times of crisis. Focus on the goal of being debt-free because with due diligence, you will soon get there.

For more financial advices on how to get rid of debt, go to http://www.Howtogetridofdebt.net/ by Paul J. Easton.

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Finding The Right Secured Personal Loans

By Trinity Davidson

Sometimes we need to secure extra funds in a hurry and if this is the case for you, a secured personal loan may be the best way to go. These loans usually offer an inexpensive, fixed interest rate which means your payments are generally pretty reasonable.

You will be able to pay for the urgent expenses over time. The reason this type of loan offers such a reasonable interest rate is because it will be necessary for you to provide proper collateral to qualify for the loan

Obviously, not everyone is able to qualify for this kind of loan since it does require collateral. A true candidate for approval of this loan will have something of large value to back up the loan and lessen the risk to the lender. Some banks will allow you to offer a mobile or manufactured home as security for repayment.

Most lenders will issue loans in the amounts ranging from $3,000 to $250,000. They may require you to offer evidence of what you plan to use the loan for if it is for a larger amount. You should have no problem finding a lending source willing to issue the loan without an early repayment penalty.

That way, you are able to pay off the loan sooner when possible saving yourself money. The term of the loan may be up to ten years long. In some cases, the term may be even longer for certain purchases like boats or RVs.

Since the loan amounts can be quite large, the application process might require a little work on your part. You will probably be asked to provide past W2 information, current utility bills, a copy of your drivers license and social security card in addition to the necessary information to guarantee your collateral.

Once you qualify for the loan, you will not only receive the entire amount up front, but youll usually receive the money in as few as three business days. So if you have an immediate financial need or desire, and you can qualify, a secured personal loan is one of the least expensive ways to finance your expense.

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Trinity shows people interesting options for online personal loans including personal loans for bad credit.

Early Retirement ??" Something to Think About

By William Blake

There are so many people who work hard day in and day out for 40 plus years only to end up frustrated and depressed because they retired with little or nothing to show for their years of hard work. Early retirement is something to be considered if you would rather not still be working when you are 65 or maybe even older.

To plan for early retirement you have to think beyond the regular full time job that you have and even beyond the 401K you are working hard to build. There are other avenues of saving for your future so that you can enjoy retirement at an early age.

These avenues can really help your finances grow so that you will be able to stop working well before you reach the age of 65. And even after you reached your financial goal you may find it easy to continue following the same pattern and continue to build on your savings.

The first key is to not rely on the government for your retirement and to realize that saving your income in a pension plan or a 401k is only setting you up for disaster. Social security is drying up and stocks are crashing literally every 10 years now so those two methods are useless. So how do you do early retirement planning? You invest.

The Variety Is Astounding

What should you invest in? Real estate is the surest investment you can make. Though it may be a sure investment it is not one to be jumped into without educating yourself through courses and books that are available.

There are always advertisements out there telling you how you can make millions in a day. To learn how to avoid the frauds and find the real investment opportunities you have to educate yourself. With a little know how you can find properties to invest in that have real potential for huge value increases.

Another way to invest in property is to buy rental property that you can earn money on during your working years and then sell for a nice profit when you are ready to retire. Or you can invest property that needs some work and fix it up to sell for a profit. There are so many possibilities when it comes to real estate investing.

About the Author:

Would you like to come up with some extra money to help pay off your credit card bills this month? Visit the Debt Reduction Academy website, where you can sign up to receive your free 5 day mini course "Operation Money-Find: How To Find Money To Start Paying Off Your Debt This Month". Go get your copy now at http://www.debtreductionacademy.com/minicourse.php

Car Donation for Autism Programs

By Flower Smith

Do you know a person suffering with autism and want to help affect the future of autism treatments? One of the best methods is to give money or possessions to autism charities. The impact of autism research will affect future generations.

With the need increasing everyday with increasing cases of autism, the chances that someone you know will be affected by autism. Donating an automobile makes a world of difference in going toward the research needed to get to the cure.

If you are tired of looking at your old clunker of a car in the backyard or garage, then consider donating a car. An old car can often be more trouble than it is worth, just to maintain and repair. It can be like throwing money down the drain just to keep up an old car.

If you in the market for a new car and want to avoid the hassle of selling or trading your current vehicle? You can now contribute towards research for the one in 166 children now diagnosed with autism by donating your car to the National Autism Association. It's a hassle-free way to put that clunker to good use, and is tax-deductible as well.

Many people like donating a car because of the tax write-off and it is a lot easier sometimes to an old car rather than get the cash out of the bank. Especially in this economy. One of the best places to begin is the Autism Society of America

If you are hoping to donate a vehicle to any Charity that benefits Autism, we advocate researching various charities and finding out for yourself what is the best fit for your charity giving. It is a big gift so do your reasearch.

I am ecstatic to disclose that the Autism Society of America is effectively working to finance vital research initiatives through their vehicle donation program. If you donate your car, it will help future generations of autistic kids!

If you intend to donate a automobile, van, RV boat, etc., or even property in the form of land, autism is a worth cause to give to. When looking at the charitable organization, make sure they are a 501-C3 nonprofit charitable corporation in good standing with the US government.

About the Author:

Need to know the Autism Signs? Or want to give to a Car to Autism Charity? Visit Autism-Signs.com

Top 3 Business Mistakes that Kill your Profit

By Susan Carter

Have you ever wished that you knew ahead of time how to avoid mistakes that will cost you money? Do you realize that when it comes to your business, these mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars? Well my goal is to help you. I can tell you how to avoid some of the most costly mistakes so that you stay on the right track to making money, instead of losing money.

1. Not setting up your business in the correct Business Structure. Many individuals dont think they need to set up their company as a legal business entity because it's only them working. They dont consider it an issue when they combine their business accounts with their personal accounts. Unfortunately, this combining of funds and expenses can cause a huge crisis for the business owner. However, by keeping their business activity separate from their personal activity, they are presenting to the tax collectors a clear picture that they are acting as a business and not as a hobby.

Always keep in mind that a loan to an individual is considered a personal loan - and its reported to the personal credit bureaus. However, a loan to a corporation, partnership or LLC, is reported to the business credit bureaus " if they have used their EIN on their application. Personal FICO scores are, therefore, not affected (if there is no personal guarantee on the loan). A business will look more professional in the eyes of a lender or bank if they are set up as a business entity. This is critical in the business world.

2. Not presenting your business as established and in working order. This means that your business has its own address and phone number. It is very important that your business is listed in the national 411 directory. Many people run their business using a cell phone number as their business phone number. However, a cell phone number is not acceptable for most financial institutions. When you apply for a loan or line of credit, the lender will call 411 to verify that you are an established business with a specific address and phone number. Lenders also do not want to see P.O. boxes or UPS addresses. They want a real, physical address. The address listed in the 411 directory must match the address listed with the State because the financial institutions will go online and verify your business information with the State. If they do not find a match, you may be denied business credit.

3. Not checking your credit report. You know how important it is to regularly check your personal credit reports to make sure there are no mistakes on them, but it is also important that you check your business credit report as well. When you are a new business and try to apply for business lines of credit, or trade credit (i.e. Home Depot card), vendors and financial institutions generally ask for a personal guarantee before extending business credit to your company. If you have not checked on your personal credit reports, and there are mistakes, you may lose your ability to get business credit because of possible negative data. This also holds true for business credit reports. Dun & Bradstreet is the most well known of the business credit agencies and if false, or negative information is reported to D&B, you will also be denied credit. Financial institutions are looking to lend money to a business that is being reported as a good credit risk. It is critical that your personal and business creditworthiness are reported accurately with the credit agencies, and it is up to you to verify on a regular basis that all your financial activity is being reported accurately.

About the Author:

Find out more about setting up your business structure correctly, and learn more tips to help you present your company to the business world as well established. Get the knowledge you need to get lines of credit and vendor credit cards for your business without putting your personal credit at risk.

How To Consolidate Debts - Help In A Difficult Economy

By John Brennan

People are being hit hard by our current economic situation, some of course more than others. Borrowing money just to hang on isn't the right thing to do although some have little choice. It's not easy planning ways to reduce your debt when you're barely hanging on to begin with. Still, while you can't ever get out of debt by borrowing more you can stabilize your situation by borrowing wisely.

In our credit rich, easy money culture we've conditioned ourselves to think about the size of a loan and the size of the monthly payments and not pay due attention to the interest charges. Even though they seem small, a few percent, the amount in interest you pay monthly can become significant when you have large loans or many loans outstanding.

So we continue to use easy credit as our means of getting by as if we could continue doing that forever, eventually getting by more and more by making minimum payments. All of a sudden we have a ton of debt and are trying unsuccessfully to pay for things we purchased long ago. This is where debt consolidation can be the answer to a seemingly unsolvable problem.

Debt consolidation loans are of course a form of borrowing but the difference here is, if done correctly, you borrow no more than you already owe and you pay a lower rate of interest and make lower, possibly much lower, monthly payments. So you haven't gone any deeper into debt and find yourself in a little better position financially than you were before.

Other alternatives exist for debt consolidation help, mainly circumstances where you can negotiate the amount of your debt down by a certain percentage to help pay off the obligation through a third party intermediary. There are also circumstances where you can negotiate to have the interest reduced based on income and ability to pay back the debt, again through an intermediary and with meeting certain qualifications.

The most common type of consolidation loan is the home equity loan. If you're not a homeowner you will probably have to seek an unsecured loan which will be harder to find and will probably carry a higher interest rate. Still, you'll be better off if you are successful in finding a good consolidation loan as your monthly payments should be less and living within a sound budget easier.

In this circumstance, if you fail to repay the loan then the lender has the right to take your house. Tread carefully with any structure that is backed by your home and be sure that you can afford the pay back agreement.

Finally, it is critical to ensure you are well positioned to pay off any restructuring agreement through a solid monthly budget of your income and expenses. If you do not have sufficient income to meet the repayment terms then you will likely default on the consolidation loan and lose out on opportunities to improve in the future. Use a solid budget, proceed with caution and restructure your debt when appropriate to fix your families finances.

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To find out exactly how you can get debt management help visit my debt solutions website.