Monday, August 18, 2008

The Unsecured Student Credit Card

Category: Finance, Credit.

Student credit cards come in a variety of forms.



The first is an unsecured student credit card while the other is a prepaid debit card. But, there are two primary forms in which a student credit card can be found. Understanding the differences and the pros and cons of each will help you to better determine which is best for you. An unsecured student credit card is like a traditional credit card. The Unsecured Student Credit Card. With this type of student credit card, the college student( or high school student, as the case may be) receives a line of credit. The lower limit is also in place in order to help prevent the college student from accruing an insurmountable debt.


Typically, student credit cards keep low lines of credit of about$ 500 to$ 1, 00This is partly because those applying for student credit cards typically have very little credit history and do not qualify for higher credit limits. Not all credit cards for college students have such a low credit limit. Similarly, if you want the restriction of a small credit limit in order to keep yourself under control when it comes to spending, be sure to seek a student credit card with a low credit limit. So, if you require a student credit card with a larger limit, you might want to shop around. The Student Prepaid Debit Card. In order to make purchases with a student prepaid debit card, money needs to be placed on the card first. A student prepaid debit card is a card that looks like a credit card and is accepted everywhere a credit card is accepted, but has one major difference: a line of credit is not extended to the cardholder.


This money can come from a variety of sources. Or, the student s parents can choose to add money to the card. The student can place the funds on the card him or herself. In fact, parents can generally set it up so a portion of their checks from work is added to the debit card each pay period. Student credit cards can go a long way in helping to establish a student s credit history. Pros and Cons of Student Credit Cards.


In addition, a student who does not have money to pay up front can certainly benefit from being able to take out small loans with the credit card in order to make purchases. So long as there is credit available on the card, the student can spend as much as he or she wants. Another perk is the fact that the student doesn t have to wait for money to be added to the card before using it. On the other hand, a student credit card increases the chances of creating a poor credit history. In addition, many students are already starting their adult lives in debt as they pay off college loans. If the student accumulates a debt he or she is unable to pay, or if the student is late making monthly payments, it can reflect poorly on the credit reports. Adding more debt from a credit card can be overwhelming and seem impossible to overcome.


A student prepaid debit card makes it easier for a student s parents to keep track of college expenses and to monitor the student s spending. Pros and Cons of a Student Prepaid Debit Card. In addition, there is no risk of destroying a credit history that has yet to be created because the student cannot spend more than what is placed on the student prepaid credit card. Unfortunately, prepaid credit cards generally have many more fees than credit cards for college students. Many of these cards also report to credit bureaus, which helps in building a positive credit history. In fact, there usually are no fees associated with credit cards. There are also fees added every time more money is placed on the card.


Debit cards, on the other hand, often have an application fee and an annual fee. All of these fees can easily add up to hundreds of dollars each year. When it comes to choosing which is right for you, it is really necessary to evaluate your own needs and spending habits.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Choose An Agency That Offers A Variety Of Services

Category: Finance, Credit.

Seeking help from a credit counseling agency requires careful consideration. The truth is, there are a lot of agencies in the business, some even claiming to be non- profit agencies, yet require unreasonable charges from their clients.



Struggling with a difficult debt problem, the last thing you need will be to be taken advantage of by dishonest credit counseling agencies. To avoid dealing with the wrong credit counseling agency, here are some points you need to remember: Ask for recommendations. If they speak from experience, these people will know best whether a particular agency provides reliable service or not. If you know some friends or relatives who have been through credit counseling, you can ask their recommendation for a credible agency. Check if the agency is an accredit member of a large association. Check from the Department of Justice. A credible agency should be accredited by national organizations such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling( NFCC) , the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies( AICCCA) , Council on Accreditation( COA) and the International Organization for Standardization( ISO) .


To be sure, you can seek credit counseling from an agency recommended by the Department of Justice. Has there been any complaint? Visit the DOJ s website at www. usdoj. gov/ and check from its list of approved credit counseling agencies. Make sure if there has been any complaint filed against that particular agency from the BBB or from your State Attorney General s office. A legitimate credit counseling agency should not be offering debt consolidation as the only" solution to your debt problems. Choose an agency that offers a variety of services. If the agency forces you to go through debt consolidation immediately without even considering your actual situation, look for a different credit counselor.


You will be discussing very personal information with your credit counselor so it is crucial that your privacy is duly protected. Make sure that the agency guarantees confidentiality of your information. Don t pay unreasonable fees. To avoid wasting your time and money, inquire about all the possible fees you will be expecting right at the start. A credit counseling agency should never be asking high fees from their clients, considering that money problem is the main reason why they seek the services in the first place. A business license does not guarantee reliability.


If you live in a state where this is the due process, make sure that the credit counseling agency is licensed one. In some States, an agency is required to obtain a business license in order to operate. However, this doesn t mean that you will be letting your guard down just because the agency is licensed one. A non- profit status does not guarantee credibility. You still need to be aware in case the agency has questionable practices. This is an important point to remember.


However, there have been a lot of cases reported where certain" non- profit" credit counseling agencies ask for" donations" or fees for their services. Some people easily let their guard down as soon as they learn that the organization is a non- profit one. It is always recommended to check on the company s background even if it claims to be a non- profit organization. To be sure, choose the non- profit debt counseling agency that already has a long track record of being in the industry.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

This Is Known As A Credit Report

Category: Finance, Credit.

Before reading this article, here are some definitions you may find insightful.



However, they normally charge a fee for this service and they may propose arranging more credit! A debt management company will advise you if you wish to re- arrange your financial affairs in order to see you out of debt. The National Debt Line is a national phone- in helpline. Their helpline service is accessible all week long and they also have an online website that has a lot of valuable help and support on it. It gives( free of charge) , individual and confidential guidance to individuals on dealing with debt troubles in Britain. National Debtline is an element of MAT( the Money Advice Trust, which is a registered charity.


Experian is one of the significant credit referencing agencies in the UK. MAT offers consumers an ordered approach to dealing with critical debt in order that they can take back control of their finances. Loan providers will turn to credit referencing agencies to consider the qualifications of a customer as determined by their credit record. As a borrower, it s possible to apply for a printed copy of your file from Experian so that you can see that all the statistics on it are truthful and that your particulars haven t been used fraudulently. This is known as a credit report. A credit score is a technique that prospective lenders use for evaluating the credit eligibility of a potential borrower.


They will then apply a mathematical rating system to assess the size of risk connected to lending to the potential borrower. They will check the prospective client s credit report, the data on their application and the level of loan requested. A CCJ is actually short for County Court Judgement. This judgement will present an appropriate payment strategy in order that the debtor will begin to cover the money they owe. This signifies a judgement decreed by a County Court connected to someone who remains in debt to others( an individual or company) or a circumstance where they have not met the conditions of a contractual credit agreement. CCJ s are registered on official public record and will have an impact on the debtor s possibility of getting any more credit for up to six years. You may have seen the ads saying: We can repair your credit! Or: We can get you a mortgage/ loan even if you have bad credit .


Credit repair companies advertise that they can free you from the problems associated with bad debt and can clean up your credit report. However, you should be wary of companies that advertise this service. These credit repair companies cannot remove county court judgements( CCJs) from your credit report. They may use illegal methods of cleaning your report or may be using the service as front for what they really do- providing high interest loans. CCJs can only be removed once they have been discharged or if they have been incorrectly granted. Simple things like checking the accuracy of your credit file( contact one of the major credit reference agencies such as Experian, CallCredit or Equifax for a copy for around& #65533. 2) may help in repairing your credit. Anything that these companies say that they can do, you can do yourself- and at no cost.


This is because your credit file may hold some inaccurate data. Make sure that you are on the electoral roll. So, if you find and put right inaccuracies. And remove any no longer valid financial connections, this will help repair your credit.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Obtain A Credit Card Having The Lowest Rates On Interests As Much As Possible

Category: Finance, Credit.

There are different credit cards that will surely put you in deep trouble if you don' t know how to properly use them.



This matter will be easier to conquer if you will learn the important factors helpful when finding the credit card which suits your needs the best. It should specifically give a thorough financial sense to you. Obtain a credit card having the lowest rates on interests as much as possible. Interest rates will not affect you significantly if you are planning to pay all the charges upon acquiring it in that same month. Make sure that you have the capability to pay for the credit card expenses at a particular occasion where you are obliged to pay for the charges. It is true that 0% APR does not exist because credit card companies would not make money out of that.


Choose a credit card that allows a balance transfer wherein you are able to transfer the other balances under the initial APR lowest interest rates. Great deals on the percentage rates of APR could be found through different ways. Although these offers are only limited, in the end you will find that it will procure a lot of savings. Pay the bill on the designated time and keep fair low balances so that you could request for a 0% APR even over a limited period of time. Be always prompt as a customer. Most companies will find it a good deal because they don' t want to lose their business and their good clients as well.


Make comparisons when shopping. Search for different companies offering 0% APR in the internet. Some companies offer a zero percent APR to their clients within a year upon acquiring the credit card. Know what periods are exactly covered because it might shock you to find out that you already have overhead charges. Always be aware of the terms and condition regarding 0% APR. Make an assessment regarding the future interest rates after the trial periods.


Read carefully the fine prints of the agreement. It could be higher than what you expected and soon you will regret that it is much better if you get the credit card having no trial periods or whatever 0% APR offers. Most of the credit cards that are available today are featuring different reward programs. It is either in the form of points or cash back. Make enough time for researching so that you will get the best reward program according to how you are going to use it. The cash back reward program enables you to get a particular percentage from all the qualified purchase back, which is usually credited to your account. Then a product could be redeemed using those points from a particular store, or sometimes to several designated redemption stores, or others could even have airline tickets.


The point reward program enables you to obtain points with every purchase you make using the credit card. However make sure that the redemption will benefit you according to your needs. The factors that should be considered include financing fees, introductory offers, annual fees, credit requirements, availability of online banking, and others. The credit card should possess a credit limit that is enough to satisfy your needs. A lot of websites are great help when doing a research. Make a wise decision today.


You will never go astray if you follow these guiding principles on finding the best credit card.

Monday, August 11, 2008

In The World Of Credit Cards, American Express Is One Of The Best

Also known as AMEX, American Express is easily one of the most recognized names in the world of credit cards. With Visa, and AMEX being, MasterCard the most popular and preferred types of credit cards, they are all great although there are also differences between them as well.



Even though many people have Visa or MasterCard credit cards, they are still interested in AMEX. Both Visa and MasterCard are methods of payment. Neither of the two issue credit cards on their own behalf, instead they rely on banks throughout the world to issue the credit cards for them, and then charge, provide the credit the interest. Both will allow different businesses to accept credit card payments using their systems. Your credit card bill goes to the bank, as Visa or MasterCard doesn' t see any of it. American Express has their own payment system, and they also issue their credit cards directly to consumers. AMEX on the other hand, is very different.


Unlike Visa and MasterCard, AMEX runs the entire show. Even though MasterCard and Visa are used more throughout the world, American Express is always expanding their networks. Therefore, when a credit card says American Express on it, you instantly know who has issued the card, what payment system it has, and everything else you would need to know. Visa and MasterCard are used in over twenty five million locations over the world, including third world countries, which makes them global credit card payments. It is a great credit card, although it isn' t used around the world in areas where the other 2 dominant credit cards are. AMEX on the other hand, doesn' t quite reach this degree.


You can get AMEX credit cards with rewards, although you' ll need to be careful where you look and what you select. With AMEX, you can look at their website and find out what they offer and what type of APR you' ll have to pay. Normally, with Visa and MasterCard, you' ll have to look at hundreds of banks before you can find the best choice. Most of the time, you can find a credit card with low interest and a great spending limit- providing you have good credit. The credit card is accepted widely in both areas, offering you credit cards with great features and very attractive looks. AMEX also has several advantages that it offers customers in North America and Europe. AMEX offers you great rates, and excellent customer, good rewards service as well.


US Government Grants for Citizens. Get up to$ 500, 000 from venture capital companies for your new business. Claim your FREE$ 79 Gov Grant book! Depending on your credit, you may be able to get an extended period with no interest. American Express also offers you Blue, which is a newly introduced credit card that offers you increased security, and 0, no annual fee% APR for the first year or so. After that time has expired, you pay low fees, which makes it a great credit card for anyone looking for a deal.


Guaranteed US Government Grant for USA Citizens at http: //www. trustedreviews. info/ money/ usm/ index. html. Blue is the newest card from AMEX, and will rapidly become one of the best- due to it's amazing features. In the world of credit cards, American Express is one of the best. You find them online or through a local provider, although online is the preferred way to go. They offer you a variety of different credit cards, designed to meet just about everyone's needs. Simply fill out your application, and if you have good credit, you' ll be approved.


Before you know it, you' ll have a credit card from AMEX- and be ready to experience life in the fast lane.