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Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Ultimate Home Budget Planning Strategy For The Entire Family

By Jenni Snook

When money is tight, you need home budget planning, when money is good, you also need a family financial plan and strategy. It's important that you understand that you need a strategy to organize your income, debt, and resources. By controlling your family finances, you'll be able to save for you and your children's future.

It doesn't matter if you are earning large amounts of money on a yearly basis, or are barely surviving financially, you will still need a financial plan for your family. The great thing about a plan is that it makes you more goal oriented and allows you to see how much you have progressed.

The best way to start is to look at what is coming in and going out financially. This means looking at where your income have been coming from in the last 3 to 6 months and detailing all your expenses in a list.

Once you have worked out a list of the expenses incurred by the family, it's time to get out all the receipts. The reason why you should do this is so that you can plan for those things that you forgot to buy during those three to six months. One can easily forget expenses such as club memberships or other fees which are yearly or quarterly in nature. You then need to add these to the expenses account, so that the money is budgeted.

You can now start to set objectives and budget things, now that you know how much money is coming in and going out. You may be having trouble making your bill payments on time and if you want to find money to make this easier, all you need to do is look at your receipts and reduce other expenses. It's important that you understand how much that mocha cost you on a monthly basis, other items that are not needed can really add up. And by cutting them out you be surprised how much money you can save.

In order to fully understand your budget, make sure that you have categories so you understand exactly where your money is going. One of your categories could be called house expenses and would include the utilities bills. In order to make your expenses more specific, you can add subcategories under each category. Budgeting is an easy exercise once you know exactly your income and expenses.

It's much easier to see how your family financial plan is moving along when you have a budget set up and ready to go. Pretty soon, you might be saving up for retirement without even knowing about it. It's vital to have a home budget planning strategy if you really desire to secure your family's financial future.

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Consider This Before Using Online Loans

By Trinity Tomlinson

If you could use some quick funds, online loans can be a great way to go. However, if you're going to go this route you will want to make sure that you understand the risks. If you do, you will save yourself a lot of heart ache.

Online loans are loans that are applied for and given online. You will usually fill out an application on a website and the lender will take a look to find out of you are eligible for a loan. You normally have to be at least 18 years old to qualify for a loan.

Once you apply for the loan, finding out if you qualify usually only takes a few hours depending on the lending institution. If you do qualify, most companies will directly deposit the loan amount into your checking or savings account within one day. All of this can happen without you ever having to leave your home to go to the lending institution.

Before you fill out an application online, make sure that your lender is legit. If a lender is asking you irregular questions, they are probably trying to do something shady. We'll give you in the next few paragraphs what each lender should be asking you for.

For almost any online loan, you will have to provide your social security number, or at least your driver's license number. This is normal and isn't any kind of red flag. This is sensitive information but the lender will need it to run your credit and verify your identity.

You always want to protect personal information sent out over the web as identity theft is increasingly occurring these days. It is still possible to make online transactions safely and securely. Companies should state on their website that they are a secure website. But just because they claim this, doesnt mean it is entirely true. They should also disclose the type of security or encryption they use.

As long as your lender has set up the proper security and is running a reputable shop, you don't have anything to worry about. Go ahead and proceed and get the funds you need.

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Common Types of Guaranteed Loans

By Trinity Townsend

When you hear the term guaranteed loan, most likely you think of a loan that is guaranteed to be issued. Or maybe you think of a loan that is guaranteed to be paid in full. Depending on your perspective, a guaranteed loan can mean different things. In truth, there are several types of guaranteed loans, some more common than others.

Personal loans are a common type of guaranteed loan. They are considered guaranteed because they are almost always granted. They are really easy to get, even for people with poor credit. Guaranteed personal loans don't require a credit check or collateral most of the time. Since there is very little personal information required to apply, there is not a lot of paperwork to fill out. The turnaround time for processing of the loan usually only takes a day or two.

Government guaranteed loans are another kind of loan. Within the umbrella of government guaranteed loans, there are a few different kinds of loans. The title of the loan comes from the fact that the government is backing up the loan. Lenders don't have to shoulder the responsibility of the loan since the government will continue to pay on any defaulted loans.

One very common government guaranteed loan is a student loan. There are several different student loans including Stafford and Perkins loans that the government backs. Since the government is backing the loan, lenders are usually not as concerned with the borrower's credit history. Students can usually receive pretty good interest rates with their student loan as well thanks to the government guarantee.

The guaranteed business loan is another type of loan that falls under the umbrella of government guaranteed loans. It can be really difficult for someone who has a new business idea to get financial backing to start the business. Lenders see them as very high risk. With government business loans, the risk is assumed by the government. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the government will continue to pay the lender so they are not out any money. Thanks to these kinds of loans, lenders are more willing to take a risk on a person with a new business idea.

Generally, business loans also offer repayment schedules of about ten years. This is beneficial to a start-up company since it can take at least two years to start making a profit in most cases. Government guaranteed business loans help make small businesses a reality for many people. So whether you need a short-term loan quickly, funding to complete your higher education or assistance to start a business, there may be a guaranteed loan option for you.

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Low Interest Or High APR Credit Card?

By Caden Flynn

Many people only consider low interest credit cards when looking to signup for a new card. One reason for this is that the credit card suppliers advertise these low interest cards more than other types of cards. However, shouldn't you consider other types of cards when looking for a new credit card? It is true that for some people, interest rate should be the most important factor in credit card selection. While low interest cards are a viable option to consider, there are also other factors to consider.

First, you need to understand what an APR (annual percentage rate) is, and why it is important in selecting a card. APR is the interest rate, which is used to determine the interest on your credit card balance. If you make the full payment of your credit card bill, no interest will be charged. However, if you only make a partial payment, the balance will incur interest until it is paid off.

Because of this, if you are not sure if you will be able to pay the full bill every month, you should look into low interest credit cards. The low interest rate can help reduce your total amount due by reducing the interest you will pay on your card's balance. Low interest cards will slow the rate at which your credit card debt builds up, making it easier for you to pay it off faster. As a result, low interest credit cards can be a viable choice for many people.

However, there is another group of people who don't really need a low interest rate. If you are capable of paying off your credit card bill in full, and intend to do so every month, then you will not incur interest at all, so the interest rate is irrelevant. For this group of people, credit cards are mainly used for convenience and other benefits. The interest rate should not be an important factor in selecting a credit card.

Thus, the need for a low interest rate or knowledge on apr rates are more felt by a particular group of people. However, even if you are searching for a low interest credit card, there are other benefits to consider. You should compare the various cards side by side to choose the one that is right for you. Nobody should choose a card based only on the interest rate.

First, you need to evaluate whether you will be able to pay off the balance on your card each month. This will determine how much the interest rate should be a factor in your decision. Then, you should compare the various card options, in order to find the one which will best fulfill your needs. After all, choosing a new card is not a frequent task, so it should be done well.

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?Starting a Credit Repair Businesses

By William Blake

These are difficult financial times that we are caught in. Many people are without work and lenders are not extending credit as readily these days. These circumstances are making credit repair a necessity for many and credit repair business a good business to be in.

The fact of the matter is that more and more Americans are going to need to improve their bad credit and this is where an enterprising person should jump in; open your own credit repair business and make a tidy sum of money for their efforts.

Experience Matters

It pays to have some experience in doing business from home and if you have tasted success at any kind of home business then opening your own credit repair business makes a lot of sense.

Or maybe you have some personal experience with credit repair. If you have experienced credit problems in the past and have successfully worked through them you probably learned a lot about reading credit scores, correcting errors on your credit report or creating and sticking with a payment plan. The knowledge you have gained will be a great benefit to you and help you be more successful.

It is important to understand exactly what you are getting into and what the market is for this type of work before you try to start your business. You need to understand in detail what is involved in a credit repair business. Knowledge of the specifics is vital. Once you have a comfortable knowledge of what you are getting into you are ready go take the first steps in starting your business.

One of the first things you need to do is count the cost to see what type of investment you will need to make to get your business started. Also you need to check out your competition, know who else in your area is in the same line of work. Then educate yourself on what services your business will need to provide and how to go about that.

One you've started pulling your business together you need to start thinking about drawing in customers. It might be helpful to check your local newspapers for foreclosure and bankruptcy listings to see if you can create of list of potential customers.

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The Rumors about the American Express Black Card

By Gray Rollins

If you are using a credit card for your purchases, you are probably aware of its privileges. When it comes to privileges, American Express was rumored to have issued a Centurion Card or the black card that features extra ordinary exclusive benefits to high ranking and dignitary celebrities and private individuals. It has been rumored that the cardholder is entitled to many benefits and privileges.

When certain criteria are met an invitation from American Express will be sent along for the Centurion credit card. The requirements are quite different from the other credit cards you may have had in the past. This credit card charges $2500 for their annual fee and there is another fee that must be paid which is an initiation fee of $5000 for the first year.

The black credit card started from a legend which states that American Express issued the black credit card to its cardholders; most of them are celebrities and well-off personalities, allowing them to avail high class products and services from high class establishments. The fact behind this rumor was the information card issued by the American Express to cardholders containing important American Express Travel numbers and hotel assistant services numbers.

When the Centurion credit card was first heard of there were a number of rumors that surfaced about the mysterious black credit card. One was that if you had one of these types of cards you could buy anything you wanted to buy. There never was actually anyone who had this card but they had friends who had seen someone using one of them.

In the year 1999, when the rumor was so controversial, American Express grabbed it and used it in the creation and development of a new card. In addition to their credit cards, they made such card with the exclusive features of high end privileges and benefits like no other cards available worldwide. The card was known as Centurion Card and it was only offered to Platinum cardholders who met the strictest criteria.

American Express sends invitations to qualified cardholders. Once the cardholder is qualified to have met the criteria, he will then be invited to avail the Centurion card. For cardholders located in different countries, they can also be qualified as applicants by the American Express through sending the invitation. The Platinum card will serve as the exclusive "invitation only" Centurion Card that is electronically linked to the American Express.

American Express black Centurion card started in 1999 with an introduction of $1000 as an annual fee and a one-time initiation fee of $5000. Now the annual fee was raised to $2500, the highest annual fee for credit cards as of today. Among the first persons who availed it was the comedian and American Express spokesperson, Jerry Seinfeld.

As long as there are urban legends circulating, the ones about the Centurion black credit card will probably persist. The tales of exclusive stores being closed for the whim of one person who wanted them all to himself to shop are only part of the rumors that have been told. Until a new rumor comes along to take the place of the old ones or people tire of the stories surrounding the black credit card, the tales will get more elaborate. Who knows what will be next?

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Do you Know when Credit Repair is Needed?

By Rob Kosberg

Can you remember when you received your first credit card, signed your first apartment lease, applied for your first car loan? We were so proud and careful about our spending. Then we became more successful, made a higher salary, had more money, could get more credit. A lot of us probably got too comfortable and increased our use of credit. You might need credit repair.

One day, it dawns on us that we have serious debt and money management issues and credit repair is necessary. How will we realize this? Sometimes we sort of have a "feeling" that all is not well. At other times, we may be suddenly shocked by our credit card balances, experience a crisis that seriously affects our money and lifestyle.

We need to thoroughly investigate our finances, figure out where we are making money mistakes and develop a plan to remediate the serious situation. First of all, are we spending more than we make? Yes, it can easily happen particularly when we have available credit, loan options, generous families, or ability to borrow from a savings account. Before we know it, we might be living a lifestyle that we cannot afford. You need credit repair.

Often, we might actually be using financial manipulations such as using credit or loans to pay utility bills, phone bills and others for which we should be using money. You need credit repair.

When we need money for the usual, everyday expenses, like food, clothes, gas, etc, we should be using our cash. It's not helpful to use credit for things that will be already used by the time you get the bill. This is especially true if you don't pay credit card bills in full each month.

Some people will actually use credit when they have the cash available. Perhaps they just like having cash in the pocket. However, this can also lead to rather lackadaisical credit card payment patterns. It's possible that before they know it, credit cards are maxed out. You might start to juggle payments, paying some and not others. Now what?

If we are using one credit card to pay another, transferring balances, getting more loans, we incur charges and don 't solve the problem. Credit repair is needed.

Does the material you have just read sound familiar to you. If you see your financial habits here, you must look at your pattern of debt and spending habits. You need credit repair now.

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Why Bankruptcy Assistance

By Jon Pete

With the economy in the state that it is has been in, also the financial analysts are not positive about the near future, a number of us have had to consider our money and we may not like what we see! The fact is that you may very well find yourself in debt and do not have the ability to pay them off. Usually, the first thing that should come to mind is bankruptcy. Take note, though, that it is not necessarily as easy as it may sounds. When you are looking at bankruptcy, remember that bankruptcy assistanceis something that you need to look in to.

When you are thinking of bankruptcy assistance, keep in mind the idea that bankruptcy is actually not a small issue. There are 6 different chapters of bankruptcy that are delineated under law, and though most frequently you will find that you are in a position to file under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, there are still many things to consider. Unless you have adequate bankruptcy assistance on your side, you may fall into a trap of long term payments and be forced to move forward in much the same way; what is worse, and your credit will be very low too!

If you are do want to go with bankruptcy proceedings, remember that you do not need to proceed on your own. There are people who file without professional aid, and in many ways, they regretted not looking for assistance. When you are in a position where you are looking to move forward and to make sure that you are getting the results that you need from your bankruptcy, don't leave it to chance.

When you are able to get reliable bankruptcy assistance, you will be in a situation to stop and really consider other options. Are you going to be able to get out from under all of your debt free and clear, or will you stop and check what sort of payment plan needs to be set up? It will make a big difference when it comes to filing, and once it is done, you will find that many self-help guys are not in a position to make these decisions by themselves.

Whether you understand that bankruptcy assistance is the only way out, or still procrastinating on the idea of whether bankruptcy is the right choice, you will realize that this is not a choice that you want to go through by yourself. Getting a local expert who can make you make the right decisions at this decisive moment is something that is quite important, and if you want to make sure that this is the result that you don't come to regret, it is important to find assistance fast.

Finding professional bankruptcy assistance can assist you get around this trying period and come through it relatively unscathed.

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