What I call the, "I want it NOW" syndrome, is something that we expect from children. The problem being that many adults never mature enough to grow out of this syndrome. People should get credit counseling at a very young age - it should be a required curriculum in our school system.There are many theories as to why people feel such a strong need to go deeply into debt in order to fill their lives with material things. Credit cards are a...more
How often have you seen someone going through their wallet searching for a credit card in the checkout line- and were shocked by the number of cards they had in their wallet? Credit cards can be used as a form of identification when applying for a major purchase, or when renting a car; and they can be used for convenient purchases that you won't have to pay for until a month after you buy them.Except, that's not how it usually happens. Typically,...more
Credit cards always seem like a good idea at first. Even if you've been burned in the past, when money gets tight, the shiny plastic rectangles seem like the perfect quick fix for any situation. Whether it's over-the-top finance charges, unheard of rates, or identity theft, there are a number of ways for that quick fix to turn into a long nightmare.I, for example, decided very quickly into my college career, that I was not going to get caught in a credit card three ring circus. It was trouble, and the kind I didn't want to get into. However, when my friend invited me to visit her in Europe over my winter break, I didn't see any other solution besides giving into to one of the several credit card offers I had received upon reaching my eighteenth birthday. Armed with a six hundred dollar credit limit about two hundred dollars in Christmas money, and a round trip ticket to Amsterdam, I set off for two weeks of fun-filled adventure. In retrospect, eleven hundred dollars total is a great price for an all-inclusive two weeks stay including Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and Dublin. That is, until eleven hundred turns into seventeen hundred, and you realize one sleepy morning that you're not...more
There are many different opinions from financial experts and consumers regarding the use of Credit Counseling Agencies in order to help get out of debt. Some will tell you it's the best thing you can do for yourself when you've gotten into uncontrolled debt, while others will warn you to stay as far away from a credit counseling agency as possible....more
Having a bad credit rating can be a serious problem affecting people's lives in all kinds of ways. Quite apart from making it more difficult to obtain credit, a poor credit rating will mean that the costs of the credit you manage to be approved for will be much higher, meaning you'll have less money to spend on the more enjoyable parts of...more
For people with a spotty credit card history or bad credit, it can be difficult to get approved for a regular credit card. There are a number of credit card options that are aimed specifically at people who have bad credit and are trying to rebuilt it. There are also, unfortunately, a lot of folks out there who'll take advantage of the desperation to get a credit card. How do you tell which options are good ones and which are just taking advantage of a bad situation?Catalog clubs and store cards disguised as credit cards for people with bad credit are one of the most commonly used scams that prey on people who think they need a credit card. They may masquerade as a way to rebuild your credit, or offer you a 'pre-approved credit card with a spending limit of ' anywhere from $1500 to $5000.What's the catch? Let's take a look at one that I received in the mail the other day. "You are already approved for this credit card!" the letter said in the very first line. All I had to do was call to verify my details and activate my credit card and I could start using it immediately to make purchases 'from our catalog of excellent value items'.The 'credit card type' I was being offered was one...more
So you just opened an envelope that contained a shiny piece of plastic with your name on it. Awesome ... a bank or financial institution just gave you a line of credit! Before you start joyously swiping it on just about any cash register, take the...more
The Church of England is adding a token of financial wisdom to its Christmas message this year, by encouraging consumers to minimise the amount of debt they accrue over the festive period, to avoid a terrible New Year.It is thought that using cash...more
Author: Aldis Roy90 day loans for bad credit are the ideal deals for those who want cash for longer time without any hassle. These loans have additional flexibility for borrower want cash for more time. These loans help you in your tough time. These...more
Pick up a paper or turn on the news, and know you are not alone during these hard economic times which made you realize the need to fix your credit. For many years, more Americans have lived beyond their means. From the big corporations mismanaging...more
Because of the recent foreclosure crisis, new credit standards for first-time home buyers (any home buyer really) have been put into place. Depending on which side of the fence you're on, it's either a good thing, or a hindrance to buying a home....more
Businesses are considered high risk if they have a high charge back rate and accept card-less payments such as online payments, phone payments, etc. Certain types of businesses are riskier than others such as telemarketers, online gambling and casino...more