Before Accepting that Credit Counseling Service

By Paul J. Easton

Are you the type who is not disciplined enough to stick to an already tested workable and personalized budget? Or probably you are among those who cannot work out a plan to repay your creditors. Maybe you cannot keep track of your bills that's why it has amassed into the amount you currently face. Why not consider the help of a credit counseling organization?

Today, there many non-profit credit counseling organizations that can be trusted to work with your financial problems. Of course, be conscious of the fact that for these non-profit organizations to survive, they have to monetize their services in a way or two. Despite their claim that their services are free, they can ask you some form of a voluntary contribution. Nevertheless, it is affordable than most commercial credit counseling services for big companies. And if they are legitimate and well worth your trust so far, the contribution is justifiable.

In contrast, some credit counseling organizations out there charge fees pushing you deeper into debt. These may come as a surprise in the form of hidden fees so always ask for payments and rates before committing to any financial service.

With today's convenience and high demand for these companies, credit counseling services are everywhere with local offices, online, and they can also be contacted through phone. If available, find an organization you can visit for in-person counseling. Ask friends, colleagues, and family members for referrals as well. They might know one they already have trusted in one way or the other. Always search for valuable information in choosing a reputable credit counseling organization. Since these companies offer their knowledge in the filed of financial services, ask for a sample of how they employ their expertise. Ask them what they can advise you on managing your debts. Can they do it for free?

Request further if they can help you create a workable budget or find some problems with your current one. Inquire what other free educational resources like workshops can you get before finally signing a deal with them.

Remember, only the well trained and certified counselors follow these standard protocols in providing their customers a guaranteed satisfaction in their services. Take the time to find your counselor; after all they are the answer to solving your problems.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Before Accepting that Credit Counseling Service

By Paul J. Easton

Are you the type who is not disciplined enough to stick to an already tested workable and personalized budget? Or probably you are among those who cannot work out a plan to repay your creditors. Maybe you cannot keep track of your bills that's why it has amassed into the amount you currently face. Why not consider the help of a credit counseling organization?

Today, there many non-profit credit counseling organizations that can be trusted to work with your financial problems. Of course, be conscious of the fact that for these non-profit organizations to survive, they have to monetize their services in a way or two. Despite their claim that their services are free, they can ask you some form of a voluntary contribution. Nevertheless, it is affordable than most commercial credit counseling services for big companies. And if they are legitimate and well worth your trust so far, the contribution is justifiable.

In contrast, some credit counseling organizations out there charge fees pushing you deeper into debt. These may come as a surprise in the form of hidden fees so always ask for payments and rates before committing to any financial service.

With today's convenience and high demand for these companies, credit counseling services are everywhere with local offices, online, and they can also be contacted through phone. If available, find an organization you can visit for in-person counseling. Ask friends, colleagues, and family members for referrals as well. They might know one they already have trusted in one way or the other. Always search for valuable information in choosing a reputable credit counseling organization. Since these companies offer their knowledge in the filed of financial services, ask for a sample of how they employ their expertise. Ask them what they can advise you on managing your debts. Can they do it for free?

Request further if they can help you create a workable budget or find some problems with your current one. Inquire what other free educational resources like workshops can you get before finally signing a deal with them.

Remember, only the well trained and certified counselors follow these standard protocols in providing their customers a guaranteed satisfaction in their services. Take the time to find your counselor; after all they are the answer to solving your problems.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

The Truth About Foreclosure

By Danny Thomas

Foreclosure happens when a person fails to make payments whatever the reason may be on their mortgage. Foreclosure is what the lender, usually a bank or credit union, does to try to recoup some of their losses since payments haven't been made. The lender essentially takes back the home from the borrower.

Foreclosure is when the mortgage lender takes back ownership of the home you live in because you have defaulted on the loan. Default is a term that is usual to understand so you can make sure you never do it. If for any reason, you fail to make payments on time and in full according to the terms and conditions set forth in the mortgage, you are considered in default on the loan. When you default on the mortgage, you give power to the lien holder.

There are a few foreclosure related terms that are important to know about. The first is lien holder. The lien holder is usually a bank or credit union. It is the company that offers the mortgage and therefore has put the money up for you to purchase the home. In some ways , the lien holder owns the home until you pay off the mortgage. If you fail to make payments on time, they can take the home, or foreclose on it.

Acceleration is another term you will hear in association with foreclosure. When something accelerates, it speeds up. Acceleration is the term used to describe the action of speeding up your loan repayment. If you are failing to make payments on the mortgage, the lien holder can accelerate the terms of the loan and require the entire loan amount be paid back.

In order to do this, there must be an acceleration clause written into your mortgage. Most lenders won't issue mortgages these days without an acceleration clause because it protects them. If they didn't have the ability to accelerate the loan, they could only seek to reclaim the amount you have failed to pay.

Default is another term often associated with foreclosure. Default refers to the lack of payments on time and in full to the mortgage. This means that the borrower failed to stick to the terms and conditions of the loan and therefore defaulted on their payments and the loan. Default often leads to foreclosure of the home.

Even though foreclosure can seem like a tedious concept to understand, knowing these terms will help you navigate your way through and hopefully even avoid foreclosure. Understanding the terms will help you be able to communicate better with your lien holder so you feel like you are not left in the dark.

About the Author:

Danny explains mortgage loans for bad credit and mortgage loans for bad credit.

How Bad is Bankruptcy?

By Paul J. Easton

Personal bankruptcy can be your worst nightmare. As far as debt management options are concerned, filing a bankruptcy is the last resort you have to undertake. Unless there is no more option left, filing a bankruptcy must be thoughtfully considered as it has long-lasting effects all throughout your lifetime.

Bankruptcy is a declaration of the inability of an individual to pay its creditors. Creditors may likewise file a bankruptcy petition against you in their effort to recover a percentage of what they are owed to. A restructuring plan can also be initiated. This is because, in most cases, voluntary bankruptcy is initiated by the debtor.

People in bankruptcy status follow rules where they don't have to repay certain debts. This situation is where a court order called a discharge will be released to you.

Bankruptcy makes a mark in your credit report for 10 years. Information like the date of your filing and the later date of discharge will likely stay on your credit report and this can make your application for credit later difficult. Buying a home, getting a life insurance and even getting a job in the future can be a little tougher because of this information on your credit report.

There are two types of personal bankruptcy. The first type is the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and the other is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. A bankruptcy case must be filed in the federal bankruptcy court. With both types of bankruptcy, one may get rid of unsecured debts. In addition, the discharge will stop foreclosures, garnishments, repossessions, and utility shut-offs. It will likewise put off debt collection activities.

With bankruptcy, one can be allowed to keep certain assets, although the exemption amounts vary by state. Personal bankruptcy, on the other hand, does not eliminate child support, alimony, and fines. It also does not exempt one from taxes and student loan obligations.

Bankruptcy can be very traumatic as it brings along a stigma in the society. For the few, however, it remains as a way to have a fresh start for people who went through financial difficulty and thus were not able to satisfy their debts.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Getting the Best San Antonio Home Insurance Rate

By J. Lee

Texas has one of the highest rates for homeowners insurance than rest of the country. Many natural disaster like tornado's, hailstorms, and hurricanes seem to hit this part of the country really hard. This makes homeowner to shop around even more to get the lowest rates possible on San Antonio Home Insurance.

What can you do to protect yourself and get the best rates on your homeowner's policy? The easiest way to get a discount is to carry multiple policies with the same company. Compare rates not only for home, but for auto and life insurance as well. Home security systems and other improvements to the home can lower your insurance rates.

Good credit scores, the age of the owners will either raise or lower the rates. If you have good credit score statistics show that you will be less likely to file claims. Also many association offer discounts for it's member. So, educate yourself on all of the factor that might lower you San Antonio Home Insurance.

Understanding your coverage is also an important aspect of purchasing a homeowners insurance. Basic standard policy should cover fire, natural disaster, theft, and injury liability. Majority of the policies exclude earthquake and flood. You will need to purchase additional coverage. In Texas, having a flood policy may be a good idea.

When purchasing San Antonio Home Insurance, determine whether you will need to have actual cost value insurance, which is the value of the property minus depreciation from age/use. This may not be enough to replace the item. Replacement cost coverage will pay the cost to replace the lost or damaged items. When you consider the cost of furniture, electronics, and clothing, replacement cost is preferred.

Educating yourself regarding the San Antonio Home Insurance via web or an insurance agent is a wise move. This will save you from overpaying for insurance coverage you do not need or not having enough coverage on your property. Whether or not you get the lowest premium for the best coverage, make sure you do not lapse on your insurance policy.

About the Author:

To get the lowest rate for San Antonio Home Insurance, please review San Antonio Home Insurance Guide, and San Antonio Home Insurance

Pluses and Minuses Of The Payday Loan

By Hugh Grapling

If you go around the Internet to look for quick cash, you'll soon find numerous payday loan companies. Right now, there are over 10,000 payday loan businesses in the US alone. If there's not one near you, you don't have to look hard to find one online.

Every payday loan company or site will give you a neat list of the advantages of a payday loan. On top of the list you will find that a payday loan is quick. If you've tried the regular loan process before, you know that getting a loan can take weeks and requires you to fill out all sorts of forms. The payday loan application process takes less than 20 minutes. No complicated forms to fill out and you have the money in your bank account within a day. That's quick and easy.

Most people use it to cover a temporary shortage in their monthly budget. If you use it in that way, it's not a bad solution. As long as you know you'll be able to pay it all back in time.

The payday loan companies are not in business to give you financial support in tough times. Like all other businesses, they need to make a profit. They do this by charging interest. In the case of payday loans, pretty high interest.

Many bureaucrats have uttered their disapproval of the payday loan business. They profile payday loan companies as 'predators', and say that they prey on the unsuspecting consumer. The main complaint is that the interest rates of a payday loan can reach very high levels, even higher than credit card debt. The interest rates really kick in when you're forced to renew or extend your payday loan because you can't pay it off in time. When you do this, your interest rate usually doubles up. If you do this a few times, it can end up costing you about $ 50 in interest to get a $ 100 payday loan.

A payday loan can be a solution, but only if you're careful about the deadline. Make sure you pay it back in time, or the high rollover interest rates ramp up very fast and you may find yourself even deeper in the hole.

About the Author:

Hugh writes about payday loans and other short term finance options. He also writes in Dutch about mini lening and minilening rente.

Correct Your Broken Credit The Proper Way

By Frank Froggatt

You know you must do something about your finances when you start having trouble acquiring approval for loans from prospective lenders. Those with superior credit scores and positive expenditure habits need not worry about such affairs, but if you discover yourself struggling with debt and small scores, you can do something about it. It'll take some time and research plus a whole lot of exertion, but you can restore your credit report.

A person's fiscal account is the best means for lenders to determine if an applicant is a worthwhile candidate for a loan. Creditors don't wish to put on the line rendering a lot of money to an individual who is unlikely to repay their debt.

You need to maintain a pattern of fiscal duty in order to accomplish a high credit score. The healthier your standing, the more opportunities and deals will be obtainable to you even lower rates of interest and fees.

But when you sustain a low credit score, the worst disadvantage is that most of your credit requests will wind up being disapproved by most credit institutions that you come to. They will verify you as a hazardous candidate to lend their money to. And if ever you do get approved for credit, frequently it comes with a higher interest rate. This signifies that you will have to pay back higher sums than what is regular. This can also become a weight in the long haul.

Repairing your credit score is not a simple matter and may take a lot of effort and time. But there are ways that you may be able to employ to fix your credit score. You may have got wind of several credit fix companies on-line that will offer to repair your credit score for you. Some even offer to fix your damaged credit rating in a matter of weeks. It would be a very attractive offer considering that you have a low credit rating score and need to have it fixed as rapidly as possible to get that credit application okayed.

There is no prompt repair to a poor rating. The reparation of even evident mistakes can require months to show positively on your record. There are a lot of scam companies out there waiting to rip you off, so be careful and relinquish yourself to an uphill climb of sorts, if you're serious about gaining control of your finances and restoring your good name.

Not all credit repair companies are detrimental. The key is complete research of a potential repair company. Engage only those with favorable customer critiques, a healthy track record and reputation for excellence and honesty. Anything less could result in yet more damage than you began with.

About the Author:

You can get more FREE info on improving your credit report by going to www.creditfixrepairreport.com

When You Should Choose an Interest-only Loan

By WIC

Interest-Only loans have become popular in recent times, partially thanks to the housing boom. Despite it's popularity, you may not be right for an IO loan. We'll take a look at a few determining factors to decide if an IO-loan is right for you.

An IO-loan is a great option when you're expecting an increase in income. You can have low monthly payments now and be ready for the higher monthly payments when your income has increased. If this fits your picture, an IO-loan is one of the best options for you.

Maybe your in a situation where you have ups and downs in your income. If this is the case, an IO-loan gives you the option of paying only interest in the leanest months and paying more when times are good. With an IO-loan, you can pay off principle without a penalty. But be sure to pay off principle when you can, or you will be unpleasantly surprised by the rise in payments when your Interest-only loan ends.

Many first-time home buyers choose an IO-loan because they can get more home with this mortgage option. Many first-time homebuyers buy a small house with an IO-loan, wait until it appreciates and then sell it for a profit. Then, they can buy a bigger house with a 'regular' mortgage because.

An IO-loan has many advantages, but only if you have the financial discipline that is needed. You have to keep in mind that you should pay off the principle whenever you can. If you decide to spend the money on something else, this will come back to bite you when your Interest-only loan ends.

About the Author:

WIC is an institution that writes about financial matters. They also write articles about minilening and geld lenen in Dutch.

Refinancing Your Home

By Joseph Ryan

If you've been considering home refinancing but aren't sure about how to proceed, read on.

Refinancing your home is an sound decision if you want to lower your interest costs, reduce your mortgage payments, or cash out. By "cash out," I mean using your home equity as collateral for a low-cost loan which you can then use to finance other things, like a vacation, a new car, or a child's education.

Here are the three steps in refinancing:

1. Find a new mortgage that offers you better terms than your current one.

2. Apply for the better mortgage.

3. Pay off the old mortgage.

Four All-Important Caveats

First, note that refinancing is only one of a several ways you can tap into the equity in your home? You may also wish to consider a second mortgage, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit. It's a good idea to talk with your broker or lender about these options before going the home refinancing route.

Second, also realize that there's often a huge difference in the terms you can get from various brokers and lenders. It's vital to not jump too fast. Shop around for your refinancing deal. Yes, you should definitely contact your present lender and give them a chance to keep your business. But also apply through several other lenders as well. Even a seemingly tiny difference in your loan terms (such as a quarter or half point in the interest rate) can amount to a very large difference in your monthly payment or the total interest you pay, or both.

Third, be cautious about advertising pitches about refinancing offers that promise extremely good terms. Usually, these pitches are applicable only to people with excellent credit scores (700 or above). In any case, home refinancing is a decision you should make based completely on whether it will be financially beneficial to you, not on what deals are out there at any given time.

Fourth, be aware of prepayment penalties. Does your present mortgage have a prepayment penalty built in? This may render refinancing uneconomical. Research this out before proceeding. And try to avoid agreeing to any such penalties in your next mortgage.

The Basics of Refinancing

You'll quickly find that refinancing is not a lot different from the experience you had in getting your original mortgage. You'll have to jump through most of the same hoops all over again. Your goal, presumably, is to get a significantly better deal the second time around. For this you'll need one or more of the following:

-A significantly higher income than you had when you applied for your first mortgage -A higher credit score -A build-up of equity in your home -An untarnished history of on-time mortgage payments

The bottom line is: unless you can get a better deal, forget it. You will almost inevitably incur substantial closing costs in refinancing. Unless you can recoup the costs of refinancing, and do so quickly, it's usually not in your best interest to refinance. (An exception would be if you absolutely need to lower your monthly payments, even if it costs you some money to do so.)

Notice, however -- and this is a point a lot of people miss -- it's not always necessary to get a lower interest rate. You may be able to get a better deal by switching to a different kind of mortgage, such as a variable interest mortgage, or maybe you can extend the term of the mortgage and thereby lower payments.

Understanding the Details of Home Refinancing

The Internet can help a lot in unraveling the complexities of refinancing. Financial calculators are widely available which can help you crunch numbers and quickly figure out how long it will take you to break even -- i.e., recoup your loan costs -- for a given mortgage. You can also check out mortgage rate data nationwide and get referrals to lenders and mortgage brokers nationwide.

One of the better websites for researching refinancing deals is Bankrate.com, which is the Internet's leading financial rate information website. But in addition to any research you do at Bankrate.com, it's also a good idea to discuss your specific situation and financial goals with a reputable lender/broker before signing for a new mortgage, which, after all, is one of the most important decisions of your life.

You'll need to sit down and calculate exactly what terms you must get in order for a home refinancing package to be beneficial to you, given your specific goals. There are, as I said, financial calculators on the Web which can make this reasonably painless. One is at Home Finance.

Let's assume for example you now have a $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 7.25 percent. Given this mortgage, your monthly payment is (as the financial calculator shows) $1,364.35 and the total interest you'll pay over the term of the loan (30 years) is $291,166.

Now suppose you receive an offer from a lender for a 6.75 percent loan for the same $200,000. That's just a half a point lower than your current mortgage. However, the financial calculator reveals that your monthly payment would drop to $1,297.20 and the total interest you'd pay would drop to $266,992. So you'd save $67.15 per month and also $24,174 in total interest paid in 30 years.

The vital question is, Would this amount of savings be worth the time, effort, and cost of refinancing? For most people, the answer is probably yes.

Of course, to benefit in this way, it's not necessary that general interest rates decline. You may be able to refinance and obtain a somewhat lower rate even if rates have held steady provided your own credit standing has improved or you've built up a good deal of equity in your property. Another possibility is to take out an adjustable rate mortgage that offers lower rates. This need not involve greater risk. Suppose you plan to move in three years and you can find a mortgage whose interest rate is fixed until the fourth year, at which time the adjustable rate feature kicks in. Then you don't really care -- you're selling the property at that time anyway.

Paperwork To Prepare For

Remember the big paperwork hassle it was when you took out your first mortgage? The second will be a repeat performance plus one or two additional irritations. But if you prepare the documents you're going to need to get the loan ahead of time, the hassle will be greatly reduced. Here's what you'll need --

- All the following: the current value of your home (the lender will arrange an appraisal to verify your estimate); amount owed on your mortgage; terms of your mortgage, including interest rate; your credit report and credit score

- Pay stubs from at least the last month

- W-2 forms for the past two years (or, alternatively, tax returns for the past two years if you are self-employed)

- Bank statements for the past two months (three months is even better)

- IRA and Investment account statements for the past two months

- Copies of your present mortgage documents which you received at the closing

Major Points to Remember about Refinancing

-You should refinance only if it makes financial sense, given your particular goals. Most people's goals involve one or more of these: obtaining a lower interest rate, shortening or lengthening the duration of the mortgage, cashing out the equity in the property.

-Always shop around for the best deal. The Internet can help a lot here.

-Always shop around for the best deal. The Internet can help a lot here.

-Remember that most refinancing ads are targeting unusually credit-worthy individuals (those with credit scores above 700). Average consumers usually won't qualify for the great deals they're promoting.

-Don't focus entirely on the interest rate or the monthly payment. You must also figure out the fees involved. When comparing the refinancing deals offered by various lenders, always focus on the loan's APR, which reflects the total cost of the loan.

-Today, much or all of your home refinancing-deal comparison shopping can be done via the Internet. It's no longer really necessary to personally visit banks and other lenders, unless you are more comfortable doing it that way.

There are numerous refinancing businesses online. Spend some time researching them to find the one likely to be of most benefit to you.

About the Author:

Joseph Ryan is Director of Washington Research Associates, Inc., Washington DC. The firm's website, Web Search Guides provides helpful 10-minute tutorials on topics of current interest, such as asset-searching, home refinancing, people searching, identity theft, and many others.

Set Yourself Free From Crushing Card Debt Successfully

By Frank Froggatt

Credit cards have many advantages, such as the fact that they offer you a good deal of convenience, nonetheless it is very simple to get into credit card debt and very hard to then do away with charge card debt.

If you are one of the numerous individuals suffering with charge card debt the succeeding info could prove accommodating to you.

Recall that the key to using credit wisely is to avert unnecessary debt. Do not spend frivolously just because you have access to a charge card, and instead only use it when you absolutely need it and when you know that you will have the money to pay it back.

In situations where you are already in charge card debt however, one of the foremost things that you should do is straight off stop charging anything additional on your charge cards. A lot of people in charge card debt figure that they are already in trouble so what does it matter if they proceed spending, but this is the absolute worst thing that you can do.

To gain control of the state of affairs, stop using them cards. Then figure out how much you owe altogether. Now set about paying more than the nominal needed requital. Try to overpay as much as manageable. A charge card will NEVER be paid if you only pay the minimum necessary.

This feeds your lenders the feeling you in truth do desire to pay your bill. It shows you're not only prepared to pay, but that you intend to pay it in full. Yield more and pay on time. If you do this the interest will stay low and your debt will begin to shrink. It can be tough to do this with multiple accounts however, if that's your situation, a debt consolidation or balance transfer may be the choice for you.

You can get out of credit card debt, just stay positive and recall this helpful advice and you should be fine.

About the Author:

This article was penned by Frank Froggatt, an authority on Bad Credit Debt Consolidation. You can clear up a lot of your confusion about this topic while sitting at home in your easy chair by visiting mydebtconsolidationsite.us

What are Debt Negotiation Programs?

By Paul J. Easton

A debt negotiation is different from the credit counseling or the debt management plan. It can be a very risky decision and if not handled well can create a long term negative impact on your credit report. As an end result, it can hamper your ability to get credit in the future.

Debt negotiation agencies claim that they are actually nonprofit. And that they can arrange for your credit card debt. With such an ambitious claim, it even further assures you to pay off for anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of the balance owed.

To exemplify, a credit card debt amounting to $10,000 can be handled by a debt negotiation firm. By claiming it can arrange for you to pay off the debt with a much lesser amount like $4,000, you will likely think that this is too good to be true.

The debt negotiation firms often pitch their services as a better alternative than bankruptcy. They even assert that their way is the best for you to save yourself from bankruptcy.

Debt negotiators assure you also that their services will have little negative impact on your ability to get credit in the future. In the event that you have a negative rating with your credit score, they always guarantee that this negative information can be removed when you complete the debt negotiation program.

Debt negotiation is actually the process of negotiating with a creditor to pay off just a percentage of your unsecured debts like credit card balance.

Since this process is commonly used in debt arbitration, this type of solution to get settle debt is often in the best interest of creditors to negotiate appropriate debt repayment schedules. With debt negotiation, the firms usually tell you to stop making payments to your creditors directly. You send the payments instead to them as the debt negotiator. The firms then promise to put your funds in a special account and pay the creditors on your behalf. With most of their clients experiencing hardship, debt negotiators could be the final hope.

Only be wary with using this process though as many states have laws regulating debt negotiation companies and the services they offer. Their claims might just be an exaggeration and a false hope for your part. It always pays to check the fine print and do your homework.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

How To Buy An Owner Financed Home in Austin, TX

By Laeverneus Homebuysky

If you are on the market for buying a home of your own but don't meet the requirements for a traditional mortgage, you might be surprised to learn that owner financed homes can help you on the path to becoming a homeowner. Instead of throwing away money each month on a rental payment, you can take advantage of an owner financed home in Austin, TX to begin to build your own home equity. With owner finance options, your payments will someday allow you to own the home outright.

Owner financed properties in Austin, TX can allow you to borrow the sales price of the home from the lender in full or in part. This means that if you only need to cover the deposit in order to qualify for a traditional mortgage, the owner will finance that portion of the asking price. However, if you require a hundred percent owner financing from the owner this can also be organized depending on the terms offered.

If you've been looking for an owner finance home in Austin, TX by perusing real estate listings and ads, chances are you haven't seen too many owner financed homes for sale. Don't get discouraged " they are available " you just need to know where to look, and how to approach a seller about an owner finance option. Though a particular seller might not advertise owner financing, if a home has been on the market for a while and the seller does not want to budge on the price, then they might be willing to consider owner financing. Of course, this depends on whether the current Austin owner is in a good financial position to take on an owner finance contract, but you'll never know unless you make a proposal.

There are also sites on the Internet that specialize in owner finance homes in the Austin, TX market. Do be aware that even though you won't need to meet the stringent standards of a conventional home loan, you will need to prove your creditworthiness and ability to pay before most sellers will consider owner financing. Also, you can expect your house payments with an owner financed home to be higher than what you would pay with a traditional lender, but if you have the ability to make these payments, owner finance homes can be a means to an end if you can't get any other kind of financing. After you've built a solid payment history, you can always refinance with a traditional lender later on for a lower interest rate.

Before you decide to buy an Austin area owner financed home, make sure to hire an attorney to review the purchase and sale agreement. You need to clearly understand the terms of the loan and any associated risks of buying owner finance homes. Make sure there are no steep pre-payment penalties for early payoff " you'll want to be able to pay off the loan should you choose to refinance later on. You'll also need to be very clear about your rights and responsibilities under the contract.

Owner finance homes provide seller with the opportunity to quickly sell a home at the price they've set. But, buyers need to realize that the seller isn't doing you a special favor. It's important for buyers to exercise caution in evaluating any type of seller financing. All of the steps you would take for buying a home with a traditional lender, like a building inspection report and professional survey, should be undertaken.

In some cases, overeager buyers are quick to jump the gun and enter into an owner finance contract without really thinking it through. Make sure you're not buying someone else's problem home or being taken advantage of with a predatory lending contract. Doing your due diligence is important " resist the temptation to jump in with both feet without good research and planning.

With careful planning and research, an owner financed home in Austin, TX can create a path to homeownership when other avenues are not available. If you have a long term plan for your success in buying an owner finance home, you can switch to a traditional mortgage later on when circumstances allow.

About the Author:

If you are tired of throwing money away on rent, start searching for owner financed homes in Austin. Buying owner financed homes in Austin, TX will help you can begin building equity.

Debt Management Plans: the Pros and Cons

By Paul J. Easton

A debt management plan is on of the methods used for paying personal unsecured debts. This usually involves taking note on all the debts, assessing income versus a budget, and negotiating lower interest rates.

A debt management plan also incorporates in the plan the schedule of payments with the lenders. With a guided debt management plan, the interest is best achieved with the end of the lender to collect all the debt. This is due to the well-studied evidence projected by your counselor to your lenders that there will be a higher likelihood of collection due to the more realistic monthly repayment from the debtor.

A debt management plan is best suited for individuals who acquired certain credit card debts which were taken to the level where they have already no control with. In this situation, the client have already late payments and the amount due are taking a huge part of income or even exceeding it. If the above mentioned situation is very familiar, your financial problems are probably stemming from your inability to repay your credit card debts. It is then recommend that you enroll in a debt management plan.

Consult your certified credit counselor and spend some time discussing with him or her possible pros and cons of enrolling yourself with this plan. Only sign on those plans after a thorough analysis of your financial situation and you are prepared to follow the plan strictly.

Here is a warning before you get started with the debt management plan. When someone participates in a debt management plan, the probability that the credit rating will most likely be damaged is very high. But it is not the debt management plan per se affecting the credit rating. It is rather the inability of the debtor to meet with their contractual payments they signed before getting that credit card. These details will be recorded on their credit file in the form of a default notice, thus leaving a negative impact on their credit report.

Before deciding on these plans, ask yourself first. Is debt management plan really for me? I hope you are guided.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Insight to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

By John Parker

Have you heard of the new bankruptcy laws? It's been around since 2005 and you might have heard or read something about it. These new laws will assist in regulating the process of bankruptcy that occurs on the debtor. As you see, there are many different laws of bankruptcy that anyone would want to opt for. It can be quite a task to choose the appropriate law that will cater to your needs.

Most individuals would prefer Chapter 7 bankruptcy because it seems that this law have many favorable terms for the debtors. However, there are some qualifying criterias that a debtor must fulfill so that he can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Whatever the case, here are some pointers that will help you applying for chapter 7 bankruptcy properly:

- Always put bankruptcy as the last avenue and apply for bankruptcy only when there is no way out.

- Have a bankruptcy attorney. The attorney is a professional and has the knowledge and the ability to help you in the entire procedure.

- You must attend credit counseling.

- File petition. It will prevent your creditors from getting you into deeper legal troubles.

- Finish the required paper works promptly.

- Make neccessary fees payment promptly.

- After you have filed a petition, a meeting will be held after 20-40 days. All your creditors will be present and they will ask questions about your financial situation which you need to answer. You cannot miss this meeting, it is very important.

So to conclude, once you have taken the above advice you know you are well on your way manage your debts.

About the Author:

Bankruptcy is a status that no one like, but if you have no other alternatives, you have to file for it. You should understand more about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and find out how you can qualify for it.

Take Action On Your Credit Card Application

By Kurtis Richards

Charging it to the Plastic is a term which although prevalent doesn't do justice to the service a credit card supplies. And at the rate the economy is going and with the pace of life that we have right now we want everything done the express way. An instant credit facility is the magnet to those people desperate for a credit card and ready to spend.

We all want the benefits and ease of use which the credit card gives us but all this means that cash is slowly dying out. The down side to credit cards is many people fail to recognize the care with which they should be used. Credit card applications, as we all know take a lot of time with regards to the verification of the identity of the person on top of the credit card application. Although identity verification is a worldwide problem and the number one cause for delay, US Citizens will have to get used to the situation for the foreseeable future as extra checks are carried out under the banner of The US Patriotic Act. These delays are not stopping US citizens from applying for their credit cards; such is the demand for this near cannot-live-without facility.

Now used at least once a day, the number of credit cards an American citizen will have could be up to ten, one of which will be used on a daily basis. With over 100,000 credit card applications in the system every day in America,, there certainly isn't any problem with demand for this small piece of plastic. There is a genuine need for credit and credit card applications are set to rise even higher in the coming years. Unfortunately much of this credit card use is for services that only benefit the people that create them, designed to tie people into services they do not need or can afford. If you have learned anything so far then you might be a little clearer about your obligations and what to expect when you make your credit card application.

Be warned though that just because you receive a priority application in the mail, you will still have to make a full application which is obviously for security reasons. The obvious reason for this to ensure that you are the person the notification has been sent out to and not someone who has just moved into that address. The advent of online credit card application forms has speeded up the delivery and confirmation that the application has arrived even if the acceptance process is still slow.

When filling out your credit card application, there are some important details that should be considered one being the possibility of hidden fees that can be quite expensive.

About the Author:

Today is the perfect time to find out more about apply for mastercard. Join us Mastercard application.

Student Loan Consolidation Basics

By Michael Fleischner

If you are attending college and have taken out student loans, then you may be thinking about repayment. The good news is that repayment does not have to be difficult. There are many options and a great deal of flexibility involved with the repayment process. If you have more than one loan, then student loan consolidation is for you.

Loan consolidation is the process of taking multiple loans and replacing them with a single loan from one lender. This process, referred to as consolidation, often results in a lower payment and much easier process for repayment. There are significant benefits when you take this approach and you often have more flexibility in managing your loan payments.

With loan consolidation you use a single lender. The best part of the repayment process is that you only have one monthly payment to take care of. Consolidated loans also have a number of payments options to choose from. Research your options and decide which option works best for you.

Loan consolidation repayment options include a variety of repayment types. Standard repayment is where you make a fixed payment each month for up to ten years. If the monthly amount is too much, you can always extend your payment for a longer time period, usually for up to 30 years. The last available option is a graduated repayment schedule. This requires a higher payment each year of repayment.

With selecting the graduated repayment option, your payments are made over an extended period. Keep in mind however that payments are not the same over the life of the loan. Every couple of years your payment amount increases. This graduated payment schedule is right for individuals who need the lowest payment amount when repaying their loans.

Once a loan is consolidated, your interest rate is fixed. This is true except when using the graduated repayment option. This means you are expected to make your payment each month. This is important when you are repaying a consolidated loan. By not repaying your loan in a timely manner you can damage your credit score.

A good way to make sure you pay your loan in a timely manner is by discussing your repayment options with your lender. By using direct deposit and automated withdrawal, your best bet is to have your monthly payments automatically taken from your account each month. By setting up an automatic payment program, you can pay your debt sooner and easier than trying to remember the need to write a check.

When you start to repay your student loans, explore student loan consolidation. Loan consolidation makes the repayment process easier and gives you a number flexible repayment options. Think about a budget that allows you to make your payments in an automated fashion. Lastly, work with a legitimate lender who can work with you and your life situations during the repayment process.

About the Author:

Are you ready to discover more about Online Schools? Go now to The Student Loan Consolidation blogspot for helpful resources and advice on Student loan consolidation.

Types Of Mortgages

By Eric Jilson

Are you thinking of making an offer on a new home? Perhaps you are looking to refinance a mortgage you already have and need to work out what your monthly payments will be. Making the decision as to how much to pay is a good idea.

There are types of mortgages that have features that adjust payments for the borrower. These are called "innovative" or "exotic" mortgages and they allow for a borrower to make smaller repayments at the start of the loan in return for increased repayments later on. A good number of borrowers in this group feel that they will have refinanced the loan long before the increased repayments start. The problem with this sort of loan is that borrowers often do not understand the risks that accompany the mortgage and this in turn can lead to financial stress or at worst case, financial ruin.

This article will be concerned with the organization of such mortgages and the potential risks thay have.

How Much? So, how much are you prepared (or able) to pay monthly?

To make this decision easier, we should look at the four common categories of these loans, which are: (1)fixed-rate interest-only loans; (2)adjustable-rate interest-only loans; (3) fixed-rate graduated payment loans and (4) payment option ARMs.

Interest-only Mortgages

These types of mortgages give the borrower the option to pay only the interest that is charged on what is outstanding on the principal balance of the mortgage. This is worked out by dividing the interest rate by 12 (for the months) and then multiplying that by the balance of the mortgage. Using this loan system, the balance does not decrease.

You are able to obtain this style of mortgage in both with rates that are referred to as either "fixed" or "adjustable" rate loans (ARMs). Generally, mortgage with an interest rate that is fixed of 30 year's duration will have a period of 10 years of interest only payments. The amount to be paid after that time is then calculated to ensure that the balance is paid in full by the end of the term.

Mortgages that can be adjusted monthly and 5-6 ARMs are interest-only adjustable-rate mortgages and are quite popular. Those that are adjustable monthly generally have as a policy an interest-only period of 10 years, whereas the interest-only period of the 5-6 ARMs lasts for a five-year fixed-rate period only. After this period the payment has to be recalculated to meet the fully indexed interest rate plus a margin and to ensure that the mortgage is paid in full by the end of the term.This is also known as "fully amortized". The name 5-6 ARM comes from the fact that the interest rate is adjusted every 6 months.

Negative Amortization Mortgages

This style of mortgage goes further than the interest-only mortgage. Borrowers using this mortgage are able to make payments that are less than the "interest-only" payment. This creates a situation where there is deferred interest that accumulates and is added to the principal balance, creating a "negative amortization".

These are also available in both "fixed-rate" and "adjustable-rate" mortgages.

Fixed-Rate Or Graduated Payment Mortgages

Otherwise referred to as "negative amortization" mortgages, these have a starting payment schedule less than the "interest-only" payment, which is increased over the period of the loan to ensure that it is fully paid.

Adjustable-Rate Or Payment Option Mortgages

These types of loans are the most complicated of commonly used mortgage products. They are also referred to as payment option ARMs. To begin with the lender calculates a "minimum payment", which is considered to be a temporary start interest rate and which will usually last from between one to three months. The monthly payment during this time is fully amortizing.

Add the end of this initial period, the borrower is able to decide whether to continue with this rate, with the interest rate actually converting to the fully indexed interest rate. In the majority of cases the minimum payment is below than of the interest-only payment and as such deferred interest is created. This deferred interest is then added to the mortgage's principal.

How much the fully indexed interest rate changes decides the rate of the deferred interest that is placed on top of the principal ie the rate of negative amortization. This is complicated enough, but there is also a clause in the mortgage contract stating that the minimum payment is to rise by between 7% or 7.5% each year, with the mortgage being "recast" at the conclusion of five years.

When this eventuates, monthly payments are adjusted to ensure that the mortgage will be paid in full by the end of the term. This new payment is decided according to the fully indexed interest rate at that time and becomes the new minimum payment and so the cycle is recommenced.

Note: There is a "negative amortization limit" on these types of loans. This declares that should the outstanding principal balance of the mortgage get to a particular percentage of the original principal balance (which is generally 110-125%), it will trigger an "unscheduled recast" to occur.

The Benefits and Risks All these types of mortgages have certain risk factors, but there are many legitimate reasons why they are offered to consumers by both mortgage lenders and financial planners. These are the potential benefits as well as possible risks:

Benefits

* "Interest-only" and "negative amortization" mortgages are popular in areas where housing costs are higher as they allow a borrower to purchase a better quality home. (but they are subject to underwriting standards). * They can often be a suitable option for a borrower who is assured of a future increase in their income over an extended period of time. * Interest-only" and "negative amortization" mortgages could be a viable consideration for those borrowers whose income is irregular. An example of this is someone for whom an annual bonus is a significant percentage of their income. Risks

* The majority of people who opt for "interest-only" and "negative amortization" mortgages rely on the premise that their home will appreciate to the extent that it will cancel out any increases on the principal balance of the mortgage. This is an extremely risky thing to do as there are a number of variables that could cause this sort of plan to fail. * Adjustable-rate "interest-only" and "negative amortization" mortgages can be negatively affected by a phenomenon known as "payment shock risk". This means that the monthly payments, which increase as as result of the contract, may occur at times when there is financial strain or they may increase by an amount that was not expected. * If you use the minimization of a mortgage payment to allow for investment, you are taking a huge risk. "Interest-only" and "negative amortization" mortgages are meant to be five-year products and five years is not a long enough period of time to ensure that you achieve a stable rate of return on the stockmarket. Stockmarkets are volatile and inpredictable by nature and it is not a guarantee that you will make enough of a return in five years to cover any interest charges.

Conclusion It is only when a consumer becomes familiar with the actual nuts and bolts of these types of mortgage, understanding all the implications,will surely give you a secured debt or a good consolidation loans, both good and bad, that they will be able to make the best decision according to their individual needs.

About the Author:

For more information about secured debt consolidation loans. Visit our evergrowing library at http://www.everlife.com/debt-consolidation-loans.php.

Do It Yourself Loan Modification

By Janette Coolen

It's possible to handle your mortgage loan modification process yourself. If you decide to take on this job, it's important to know what to do. Even more important is knowing what NOT to do! In this article, we'll take a look at a few mistakes to avoid when turning in your mortgage loan modification application.

Mistake: Talking with the wrong person. If you get called at home by someone from the collections department, don't start talking to them about mortgage loan modification. Then can not and will not help you. They may say that they will help you if you pay up, but in reality they can't help you. Speak with the correct department at your lender's office instead.

Mistake: Not doing proper preparation for a mortgage loan modification. If you don't take to study the mortgage modification process, save yourself the hassle of sending in the paperwork. There's an enormous chance you'll get declined, because you haven't prepared properly. Reading this article on this site is a good starting point.

Mistake: Not telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when applying for mortgage loan modification. Your lender WILL check up on the facts you provide with your mortgage loan modification application, so don't even try to tell a white lie or omit information. There's a big chance you will get caught, which will result in you losing any chance whatsoever of being accepted for a mortgage loan modification.

Mistake: Not checking up on your mortgage loan modification company before paying them an upfront fee. With the current foreclosure boom, mortgage loan modification companies are springing up left and right. Many of these companies are unqualified and plain unethical. Make sure you don't give a company money before you've assured yourself that they are reputable and in it for the long haul. Your objective is to get out of financial hardship, not make it worse.

Mistake: Not reading up on the approval criteria of your lender. If you fail to study the approval criteria for a loan modification proposal, you will almost surely get denied. Most mortgage loan modifications get denied because of the fact that the applicant has not read up on what should be included in his or her modification proposal.

If you make sure you don't make the mistakes we've outlined in this article, your application will look good to a lender. It doesn't guarantee approval, but it vastly increases your chances. Good luck!

About the Author:

Janette writes about financial matters and mortgages in plain English. She also writes Dutch articles about hypotheek oversluiten and rente aflossingsvrije hypotheek.

Personal Loans With Bad Credit

By Krissy Mangum

When the economy is bad and people are losing their jobs left and right a lot of people will have bad credit. Whether it is due to losing a job or just because you lived an excessive lifestyle there are still many things you can do to qualify for a loan.

Do not fret because there are still a lot of options brought to you by the financial industry. The main thing that you are going to want to focus on is cleaning up your credit history. You don't want to be applying for bad credit personal loans any more then you have to so do what you can to be responsible.

Get all of credit cards and other unpaid bills out and add them up. Even include your car loan and anything owed to gambling debts. Be honest with your self and pay attention to the interest rates you are paying. Once you have added it up go and get a credit history report. Here you will be able to reconcile any differences between your amounts and the amount that the bureaus have on file for you.

Once you have a full accounting of all the different places and amounts that you owe, figure out what your weighted average interest rate is and see what you can do to pay it off or at least lower the overall rate on the debt. Now go through the report and see where you need to pay things off fast and where there are errors. Credit reports are famous for having bad errors.

If you have found any errors and gotten them fixed then you can now move over to the next step. You can now start applying for a loan. Go to the bank and to some other local banks and see if they have any bad credit programs available to you.

Make sure that you try and avoid pay day loan places unless there is no other option. They charge high interest rates and should be avoided.

There is a good chance that no matter where you apply for a loan you will initially be denied the loan. Do not worry because there are still a lot of options. One of them is that if you can get a co-signer you can likely get the loan with a low interest rate as well as repair your bad credit history.

Once you have the loan you need to make sure and pay it off on time according to the loan agreement. By paying it off you will improve your credit and it will be easier to get a loan next time.

About the Author:

Krissy explains personal loans bad credit and personal loan for people with bad credit.

Easy Tips To Save Money In This Economy

By Warren Buffers

Whether we like it or not, money is a part of life. Everyone needed to survive and some people are less careful with it. Even though, there are people that are responsible and watching their assets in savings shrink to nothing.

We are now in an unprecedented time and everyone is worried about how much money they're going to have. How much money you spend today may vanish as quickly as the stock market continues to go down. With corporate cutbacks, and job layoffs, for many it is a smart idea to learn how to save money now and live on less.

There is a bright spot however. If you take proactive action now you can ensure that you are insulated in event of a downturn. If you just start with the simple things and ramp it up slowly you may not notice a change in your lifestyle but a change in your pocket book. Changing your habits just a bit can easily allow any individual to save a few hundred dollars each month. There are things you can do now and let's take a look at them.

Use coupons and club savers cards when grocery shopping. Using coupons when shopping can save a person several dollars every time they shop. If a person shops once or twice a week, they could save a good deal of cash. Do not lose sight of rebates. Companies like to offer rebates because you need to take action and send in to get the money back. They are hoping that you forget, essentially paying full price.

Cut back on non-essential items. Smoking is one of those things. Other people drink a $2 cup of coffee everyday. Now is the perfect time to stop doing all of those unhealthy things that cost money.

Some of those things you should cut out because they're just not good for you. But there are ways that you can still enjoy some of those luxuries that are not bad for you. Don't buy coffee at the coffee shop, brooding yourself and save big money. By making that one change, you can save $1.50.

Find ways to spend less gasoline. Carpooling is one of those ways. The interesting thing is that oil barrel pricing continues to go down and gas prices are starting to go down. Even though gas prices are low it is probably not going to last for ever. Either carpool or use mass transit as much as possible.

Now is the time to learn how to do things yourself. Wash your own car, change your own oil, mold your own lawn, and clean your own pool. Even if you were to do every other one, basically you would cut that cost in half. Follow a few of the above tips will easily give you the chance to save a few hundred dollars extra each month.

About the Author:

To learn more about the best ways to save money on debt , visit yourmoneysavingsecrets.com. Find out more onbest ways to save money at home today.

The Debt Collectors Following You

By Paul J. Easton

Secured debts are tied to an asset like a car loan. If you stop making payments in this situation, lenders can repossess your car. This also applies with your home loan. On the other hand; unsecured debts are not tied to an asset, including most credit card debt. Because of this risk, most unsecured debts especially with credit card companies are very aggressive with the debt collection. They even offer free credit counseling to educate clients with their debt repayments.

When having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors immediately. Tell them the reason for your current hardships and why it is difficult for you to pay your debts. Try to work out with them a modified payment plan. This move will likely reduce your payments to a manageable level. Most lenders, to your surprise, are actually willing to work with you if they think you are acting in good faith and the situation is just temporary.

Never ignore this situation and let your accounts be turned over to a debt collector. With your account in the debt collection list, your creditors have already given up on you and the worst is yet to come.

With debt collection, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the federal law that regulates how and when a debt collector may communicate with you over your financial obligations. As stated in the Act, a debt collector cannot call you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. In instances where you specified before applying for that credit card that your employer doesn't approve of any calls while at work, your debt collector cannot call you too.

Collectors are prohibited from harassing you or using unfair practices when they try reaching you to collect a debt. In addition, they must also honor a written request from you when you wanted them to stop the further calling.

At the end of day, you should always be vigilant for your name not to be blacklisted with the debt collectors. It certainly has its negative impact with your job later, your credit in general, and your reputation Take the responsibility to pay your debts as soon as you can. Debt collectors are just doing their part; fulfill your part as well.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Thinkorswim- The Best Brokerage

By Walter Fox

There was a time when people have not been relaxed credit financial institutions because of its stringent conditions. The movement of the currency market is limited, despite the huge funds lying on the bank. As the neo-liberal economic policies of countries in the world, ordinary people have the opportunity to easily from bank loans.

With money in their hands, people to invest their money and stocks and currency options trading business found great new methods of detection. Online option and people with the beginning of the trading system jumped into the fray. Within a few trading sessions, felt the importance of the business techniques.

Many new investors to help agencies, the commission set up by the experts are. Traders, trade societies and the lack of basic knowledge from different sections of the options trading hail very useful tips given by these agencies, the commission found. This is a win - win situation for both traders and brokers in the case of a successful business is for.

With the development of the market, new agencies are coming into existence and some of them very popular and successful. Thinkorswim for brokerage clients around the world who live in and online education service also provides a U.S. based brokerage company. They futures and options spread in the area of trade are key adviser. Private traders and institutional users that they include more than seventy thousand manage client accounts.

Thinkorswim options prompted brokerage was found to be a very useful account holder is a very healthy rate of success. They help their clients on different types of investments, including stocks, exchange-traded funds, bonds, mutual funds futures. Thinkorswim has reached a slot in the ranking of the list many times, because it's customer satisfaction index levels.

The satisfaction rate of Thinkorswim customers and the popularity of their option trading tips gave them the best brokerage in NASDAQ and also in other prominent markets of the world. In an international market you need to have enough knowledge to meet the challenges so that you can earn money from your trade.

Tricks and techniques to broker through a market in which trade can have some important tools. In addition, a software product you as a professional adviser can buy. A new visitor in the market for these devices and advice very few benefits to your business to make are important. A long time in the market for the period can not survive without the help of these aids.

The way, in which these financial markets are growing, the chances of making profit from your hard earned money is very remote unless you are equipped with resources like tips and techniques and it is more applicable to an immature trader. The best option for a trader is to get online advice from brokers who are on the business for a very long period and make continuous research on the financial performance of the companies and their best bet is Thinkorswim.

About the Author:

TheScienceOfTrading.com provides 90 free minutes of videos on option trading systems and provides a complete and detailed stock trading education for beginners to experts.

Protecting Yourself with Credit Counseling Agencies

By Paul J. Easton

Protect yourself with credit counseling agencies! That's the main concern right now with the financial meltdown. With your hard earned cash, it is time to only trust with a legitimate and the sincerest credit counseling service you can find. Always be careful with credit counseling organizations that charge high monthly fees, or even excessive upfront money, just for enrolling in their credit counseling services or a debt management plan.

Most so called non-profit organizations will likely pressure you to give voluntary contributions. Be wary as these are just another name for their fees. Others will not send you free information regarding their services without you to providing personal financial information such as credit card account numbers. These companies have high motive at the very beginning and these are signals for red flags.

With the haste of making you commit with their service, some companies will just simple recommend to enroll you in a debt management plan without spending a good amount of time reviewing your personal financial situation. This can have certain consequences on your credit report and you have to protect it yourself. The companies don't mind about your financial situation, but you should.

As one of the requirements before enrolling in a debt management plan, ask a counselor to teach you budgeting and money management skills. If the company or the counselor refuses, you refuse their service right away too. In addition to a free information that are valuable, companies should never demand immediate payments from you into a debt management plan. Much more if they demand payments even before your creditors have accepted you into the program. Run as fast as you can if they do, they are only after your money.

Personal bankruptcy can be long-lasting and far reaching. Thus, it is generally the last option in your management of your debt. As a last resort, do not let your credit counseling agency make your route to bankruptcy a little faster than you thought. At this time when you are seeking their help, you only should trust companies that truly care for you and those that will help you with your troubles.

Play your cards well; let them build first a relationship with you. It is their responsibility to do so as it is their business. Talk to them in person. Ask for free information and let them present to you their service. From their words and actions without you paying first, you will know if they can be trusted.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

About the Author:

How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

South Loop Chicago Condos

By J. Kim

It has been a dismal 2008 for Chicago condos, but it doesn't look like it is going to get any better, especially for South Loop, once a hot sizzling market during the building frenzy of 2005 and 2006. What made this neighborhood so hot during the building boom is its proximity to the lake and the museum campus for all the cultural attractions.

In 2009 developers will bring over 2,000 new units to South Loop which is 66 percent above 2008. Even with many incentives and lower prices, the pure number of units will be hard to digest in this down market. Definitely you will find some bargains with many developers having over supply of inventories.

This year many condo sellers and condo developers will see price declined as the over supply and new condos coming to marked drive down the prices. You can find deals and other incentives that were never offered before, you will definitely see greater value than any time before. Many buyers that have signed the purchase agreements couple of years ago will unload or back out of their contracts.

If you are a long term investor, you should take a look at Chicago condos. With the possibilities of Summer Olympics coming to Chicago, these prime real estate just south of downtown loop might be a gem for investors who want to take some risk in the short term. The games will be held in close vicinity to homes along the lake front.

Another reason you might want to take a look is the low interest rate currently being offer by many financial institutions. The interest for mortgage have been lowest in recent years. The 30 year and 15 year fixed mortgage is around 5 percent.

One thing for sure, this down market in housing will rebound. If your sitting on the sidelines looking for right time, this might be it.

About the Author:

For reason why you should buy Chicago condos, please review Chicago Condominiums, and Chicago Condos

Thinking About A Payday Loan?

By WIC

The introduction of 'payday loans' caused quite a stir in the financial world. Nowadays, payday loans are a lot more common. Many jurisdictions in the US have imposed limits to the interest rates charged and the market as a whole is more regulated. It's safer than ever to choose a payday loan, but should you consider a payday loan in your situation?

A payday loan is also known as a paycheck advance. This pretty accurate describes the purpose of the loan. Many times, there is a little month left at the end of the money. With an upcoming paycheck, a paycheck advance looks like an ideal solution.

The good thing about a payday loan is that it's quick. They are usually very small loans, many times not more than a few hundred dollars. The payday loan is an extremely short term loan. It can be issued very quick, but payment needs to be done in a couple of weeks tops. If you're not too sure about your ability to pay back the payday loan in time, don't go for it. It will cost you a lot of money if you're late.

However, if you are convinced you can easily pay back your payday loan and you need to get out of a messy situation, by all means apply. A payday loan is definitely not the most cost effective way of borrowing money, but it is quick and easy.

These days, many jurisdictions have decided to impose severe limitations to the interest amount a payday loan advance issuer can charge by law. Some jurisdictions have almost no rules whatsoever, so always check on this. If you ever find yourself in a tough situation, remember the upsides and downsides of a payday loan.

About the Author:

WIC writes articles about loans and finance. He also writes about mini krediet and zakelijk krediet in Dutch.