Posts Tagged ‘debt problem’

You Can Pay Off Your Credit Cards And Get Debt Relief

June 7th, 2009 by Adam | No Comments | Filed in Credit Score, Credit Score Advice, Credit Score Tips, Personal Finance

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While extremely convenient, credit cards also carry a cost for there use. Most people don’t realize just how expensive carrying around a credit card in your wallet can be. Each year many big spending credit card consumers can throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars out the window using credit cards. Even though you do not use credit card much but still you can save hundereds of dollars each year with these 3 cedit card tips.

Never Pay the Minimum Payment

Your credit card company usually makes sure you know that there is a minimum payment. Even if you owe thousands of dollars, your minimum payment can seem extremely low, sometimes only 3% of your total balance. However, what the credit card companies don’t tell you is that if you have a large balance and only pay the minimum payment for the next few years you will cost yourself possibly thousands of dollars in interest costs alone. In fact, that purchase at the record store for $50 over time will double. To avoid paying interest only and never touching the principle make sure you always pay more than just the minimum payment.

Transfer Your Balance Amount to a Lower Interest Credit Card

Most Americans receive several credit card offers each month and most have some very enticing interest rate offers. For example, many credit card offers will transfer your existing high interest rate credit card for free to the new card and allow you either 0% interest for 5 months or a very low interest rate for a specific period of time. If you have a high balance in which you pay hundreds of dollars each year on interest payments, in many cases it is in your best interest to accept these offers and enjoy zero or low interest for the next 6 months to a year.

Use Credit Card rarely but you can use Debit card in place of it

Frequently using credit cards makes us addicted to it. Avoid expensive things when you do not need it. We can easily pay for that meal or fill up our car with gas with our debit card and not pay any high interest fees. Why not use debit cards when they are just as convenient as credit cards. Use your debit card to avoid high interest fees in the long run and you can literally save hundreds in interest fees each year.

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What Is Credit and Debit Card Blocking

June 6th, 2009 by Adam | No Comments | Filed in Credit Score, Credit Score Advice, Credit Score Tips

Most Frequent travelers know all about credit card blocking, many from painful first hand experience. Hotels post notices of their policy regarding credit blocking, usually in the form of an obscure plaque some clerks will point to when an inquisitive visitor checks in. Car rental companies rapidly recite their policy to callers wanting to reserve an SUV for the family vacation. Still hundreds of unsuspecting customers will experience the pain of credit card blocks every day. So what exactly are these blocks?

Due to the risk involved, credit card issuers block your credit. The amount of credit reduces when a block is applied to your account. Including the amount of the block may be more than you think as the bank may add in additional estimated charges such as gasoline for a car rental or food for a hotel stay. Even a small pay at petrol pump can cause you a block. These blocks or “holds” can cause for some rather difficult times if you unknowingly end up in the worst situation.

Suppose you are flying to Las Vegas for the weekend. Assuming you have not yet acquired high-roller status, you will need to reserve a flight, hotel room and car rental.

Each of these reservations will cause a block to be placed on your ever-faithful rewards credit card. Then in an effort to smooth-over the news of your impending excursion, you take your significant other to the finest restaurant in town. Just think of that situation when waiter lets you know that your credit card is blocked.

Another, and even more heinous scenario, would have the person securing these future charges with a debit card. Each reservation would have placed a block on the checking account underlying the credit card. Then the flowers, dinner, cab fare and concert tickets would have all generate separate overdraft charges. You must be aware of any checks clearing during the time the blocks are in effect will be blocked. Ouch.

Always maintain a balance well below the usable limit of your credit card to avoid any blocking problems. Although this is prudent advice it may not always be possible considering the somewhat varying amounts and timing of the blocks. One tidbit that is unfaltering is that reservations should not be placed on a debit card. Ever.

Another potentially better technique to avoid this trap is to have a spare credit card. A method used by many, using the spare credit card for all your resrvations thereby saving the credit of your preffered card. Then when the actual charges are made the preffered card can be used and any rewards can be accumulated. An additional benefit is the block transactions provide activity on the spare card furthering its value as a tool to enhance your credit score.

Like many credit related issues, knowledge and a little foresight can go a long way in preventing unexpected problems and expenses. Since now you are aware of the credit block, it would be better to take up pro-active steps to ensure you did not fall into the credit blocking trap.

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Tips To Avoid Credit Card Traps

May 26th, 2009 by Adam | No Comments | Filed in Credit Score, Credit Score Advice, Credit Score Tips

If you’re like most Americans, offers for credit cards arrive in your mail on a daily basis. Why are credit card companies so eager for your business? Many intentions are behind it. Credit cards, for one thing, are not free cash. Funny enough, many customers think of them this way, and that—aha!- is how credit card companies build up money.

You’ll notice when you read through the fine print about credit cards that there are varying APRs, or annual percentage rates. It refers to the interest rate you have to pay on your credit card charges if you did not pay your full monthly balance. When did you went shopping last time. Before buying anything make sure you can pay for those things from your monthly salary? Credit card companies bank on customers who are not attentive towards their shopping. Credit card companies work on the chance that users will purchase more than they can actually afford using their credt card. When the bill comes and it can’t be paid in full, the customer pays interest on this borrowed amount, and that interest accrues daily. This money goes right into the credit card company’s bank account. With thousands of customers falling into this predicament on a monthly basis, you can see where the companies get rich quick.

How to avoid falling into the credit card trap? A little forethought and budget planning can help you prevent paying interest and still allow you to benefit from credit card perks.

Take mileage credit cards, for example. Many airlines offer credit cards that earn you frequent flier miles based on the amount of dollars you spend. Alluring, right? Sure.

Just be careful to know how much you are able to spend in a month, and don’t let yourself go over the top. It’s easy to check your credit card balance online or by telephone. Always do shopping within your monthly limit and know when the closing date is for your monthly statement. That way you can take advantage of the bonus without digging yourself into a rut.

Speaking of the credit card rut, let’s go back to that interest thing. Is you did not pay your interest fully in a month it will also accumulate interest? Take a look at this example. You have racked up $10 in interest on your credit cards in one month, based on a balance of $100. (This assumes a 10% monthly interest rate.) The next month’s interest accrues on the new balance of 110$ since you leave it unpaid. That means the next month you owe an additional $11! You have to pay a fees of 21$ on your 100$ purchasing. Did you really find a bargain when you bought that jacket at 20% off? Probably not.

If you buy responsibly and keep track of your purchases, you can avoid credit card traps. Be a smart consumer, and credit cards can work in your favor.

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How To Avoid the Credit Card Debt Trap?

May 20th, 2009 by Adam | No Comments | Filed in Credit Score, Credit Score Advice, Credit Score Tips, Personal Finance

Credit Cards has become the necessity of life, it is being used widely for shopping. Credit cards can be used to do shopping, dining or whatever you want to buy.

Credit cards has become status symbol nowadays so everyone wants to use it. These cards are easy in use they are very slim and can be used to buy anything regardless of the money one is having in his wallet.

Shortage of money and hungry too? No grocery supplies? Want to buy that dress which you have been dreaming of? Do not get upset With your credit card you can buy it. Don’t worry.

Credit Cards: Not Free Money

But wait. A credit card spree may be fun, but that doesn’t free you from responsibilities in paying the expenses you incurred from using your credit card.Credit cards, after all, are interest loans in disguise. Credit cards comes along with number of various charges linked with them, including:

“A finance charge, which is an interest charge for the unpaid portion of your monthly bill;
“An annual membership fee;
” Or you can be charged higher interest rate on the late payment fee.

In fact, many credit-card holders face credit-related problems. Unperfect buying decisions, lack of knowledge on credit card fees, and disregard for upcoming credit payments are among the reasons why many credit-card users are often hard-pressed in paying their debts. Some are not even able to pay for the actual purchases they made, just barely managing to pay credit card company charges.

Before you get totally indulged into your debts, here are some ways to manage your credit related expenses:

“Be credit concious. Along with the credit card comes the responsibility of paying your credit which you should be aware of. You and only you - not your parents, spouse, or whoever - is responsible for that.” Use your credit cards wisely and sparingly. Remember: Paying through credit card cost you more than cash or checks. Credit payments include interest and other fees. Use credit cards as sparingly as possible.

If you really need to use credit cards, carry only the cards that you will actually use. “You should cross your credit limits only when you can pay it. Paying your debt on a credit card using another does not count.
” Avoid impulse shopping on your credit card.
“Keep credit card for money emergencies only .” Seek credit counseling as soon you see financial problems on the horizon.

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