Your Credit Rating Is Important

By Steve Collins

Credit ratings, at their most simple, are personal debt histories. Credit ratings can follow us for our entire life, providing a often worrying picture of our financial behavior. Lenders and credit card companies look to credit ratings for the most simple assessment of whether we are a good or bad risk. But what kind of information does a credit rating contain?

For starters, credit ratings contain all the vital personal information you would expect them to have, such as full name, address and social security number. Any debt you owe will be added to your credit report. Credit ratings contain every store credit card you carry, their maximum limit and how close you are to reaching that limit. Payment history is included as well.

An unsoiled credit report will show no late payments, few applications for new credit or loans and low balances on existing credit cards. Excellent credit ratings win a higher rate of approval and lower interest rates with banks and credit card companies.

Negative comments, past foreclosures and bankruptcies undoubtedly do not look good on credit ratings. Credit ratings carry negative information for a long time. Late payments, for instance, remain on your credit rating for 7 years. Bankruptcies can stay on for 10 years. Frequent loan and credit applications are also problematic. It pays to keep a good financial profile. You can help yourself by checking your credit report yearly. Credit ratings sometimes contain information that is out of date, such as your maiden name instead of your married name or an old address. Negative errors can occur, too. These need to be found well before you apply for credit or loans. Credit ratings can take weeks, even months, to correct.

In high school, children joke about what goes on their permanent record. Credit ratings are permanent records that are no laughing matter. You should make it a point to know what is in your credit ratings.

About the Author:

Steve Collins is a writer and journalist. In these trying times, he knows the importance of obtaining effective credit card debt solutions if necessary. Read his article about credit card debt solutions here.

Reverse Mortgage Guy Has Brush with History

By Johnwahn Vanrock

This is not one of my typical articles. Usually, I'm attempting to educate the public about one aspect of the reverse mortgage.

Not today. I had a brush with someone last night that made me feel just damn good about my country and my business.

So you know why I'm so interested to write to you about this subject you should know a little tidbit about me. I'm 41 years old and am an avid history buff. Most particularly I hone in on post 1900 American history.

Fortunately I'm in the reverse mortgage business. If I wasn't I wouldn't have talked with the man I spoke to yesterday. We talked for at least a half hour about him getting a reverse mortgage.

We weren't too far from saying our goodbyes when a made mention in passing about where he was stationed in 1947. That was close enough to WWII that I was compelled to ask if he had served.

He affirmed that he served in WWII and was in Pearl Harbor the day the Japanese attacked.

Whooohh Nelly! Now the whole conversation has turned into a little gold mine for me. There aren't many of these guys left.

Not only was he there but he was on the West Virginia when it was hit by seven torpedos. He said he looked out the port hole and could see them coming just before they hit.

In one of the explosions from a torpedo he was hit hard and blacked out. In all the confusion in the hours and days thereafter he was listed as dead. And his family was notified.

The family memorialized his death as well.

I have to admit I'm a bit of a skeptic and don't take everything at face value. So, i looked him up on the internet later. There he was. And the story was a spot on match.

I had to relate this story about an American Hero. It has absolutely nothing to do with reverse mortgages, but I think a great story anyway.

What a great phone call to speak to a man who was actually there and remembers the day. I have to say I'm glad to be in the reverse mortgage business. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the pleasure.

About the Author:

For an educational experience regarding the California reverse mortgage you can do so here. Also, put a great educational guide in your bag about the California reverse mortgage head down the hall to this site.

Divorce Affects Credit Big Time

By Rob Kosberg

Your marriage is about to dissolve in the divorce court. This is a tremendously emotional time in the lives of both partners. Both will need to learn about how financial issues affect each partner. You may want legal advice to help you with these issues.

It is strongly suggested that the financial issues be worked out prior to the actual divorce date. You need to examine the credit reports for each spouse. Any errors should be fixed so that both reports are accurate. Then you can see what credit issues need to be settled.

Joint responsibility for a home mortgage will need to be reworked. Such an issue needs careful management especially when child support and alimony is in the mix. It's possible that you may decide to sell the home and split the proceeds or you may sell the home to one partner as responsible party.

Other debts including cars, credit cards, utilities, loans also need to be only in one name. These decisions are not easy ones but are necessary.

When credit cards are in both names, get them changed to one name only. If this is not done and payments stop (even though one of you has been deemed responsible), creditors can come after the other partner. This can lead to going to "collection" and numerous unpleasant collection calls. Eventually this situation can lead back to court battles. You should know that the poor credit of one partner can affect the credit of the other.

Determine cash assets, decide on a split of same and close all joint checking and savings accounts. Then open new accounts with one name only. This way, neither partner can access the other's accounts.

It would be very positive if all joint debts could be paid even if some things have to be sold. This would ensure that each partner is responsible for his/her own debts. You want to move on with your life knowing that your financial base is secure albeit smaller than before the divorce.

Remember that even though the divorce decree spells out the person responsible for debts, this will not negate any joint financial responsibilities which can come back to haunt you if not settled prior to the final decree. Be proactive during the divorce process and get your financial status in order.

About the Author:

With never before seen challenges in the credit markets it?s more important than ever to have excellent credit. For more information check out Rob Kosbergs' Detailed FREE Guide on Maintaining and Repairing your Credit Score by going to Bad Credit Repair for your FREE information.

Online Loans Can Be Risky Business

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 obviously are loans that you apply for online. You basically give your basic information to an online lender who decides whether you fit their criteria. If you are 18 years old and are employed, you're usually eligible for an online 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.

If you are considering applying for a loan online, there are a few things youll want to be aware of to make sure you find the best lending source for you. First, youll want to check to see that the personal information they are asking for is the typical information. If its not, you might want to proceed with caution.

In most cases, you will need to supply your social security information or drivers license number. Second, youll want to make sure the website you submit your application on a secure one. The personal information you are providing could be very damaging to you if it was stolen. It could ruin your credit score or other aspects of your identity.

Knowing that their personal information is going to be sent over the web makes some people very nervous. While it's possible to do secure transactions online, you might want to make sure you think it through. If you're very uneasy about the process, you may want to just walk into a bank. If you proceed online, you should make sure that the site uses encryption and runs on a secure server.

The company that will provide you with the loan should be doing anything in their power to provide you with the security you need. If the site looks shady, don't trust it. If you feel something funny, there's probably a reason.

About the Author:

Trinity helps people to learn the dangers of online loans and about many types of online bad credit student loans.

Protect Yourself From Credit Card Identity Theft with TrustedID

By Harvey Warmuth

Identity theft is a quickly growing crime and there are a few companies that are ready to do battle on your behalf. Through the use of credit fraud alerts, these companies lock down your credit so that you have to be contacted before any new credit is opened in your name. These services also use advanced technology to monitor multiple sources to ensure thieves are not trading your personal information.

If you need identity theft protection, then you really need to take a look at the leading company, TrustedID. With personal plans costing just $10 per month, TrustedID gives you the most comprehensive protection from identity theft of any of its competitors.

When you use TrustedID, you get fraud alerts posted on all of the major credit reporting agencies, which means you are notified before any new financial accounts can be opened using your personal information. This means you are the only one who has the authority to open up new credit in your name.

TrustedID will also supply you with annual credit bureau reports from all three credit bureaus, which allows you to see if any inaccurate information is showing up on your credit. When you make sure your credit reports are accurate, you are helping to ensure you credit remains good.

TrustedID is truly a full service identity theft protection service with their constant monitoring of the Internet and black market to make sure thieves are not selling your information. If anything is detected, you will be quickly notified, allowing you to know what is going on with your personal information.

TrustedID has a household plan costing under $16 per month that protects your entire family, and they offer 24 hour customer support, which all adds up to an excellent identity theft prevention solution. They offer a 30-day free trial so that you can see if TrustedID is the right identity theft protection service for you.

TrustedID is not the only service that protects your identity, but they are one of the best. When looking at other solutions, pay attention to the number of features offered, as most competitors cannot match TrustedID's level of service.

Start protecting your identity today by using an identity theft protection service. The piece of mind that comes with such a service is worth much more than its monthly cost. Take the necessary steps to not be the next victim of identity theft by enrolling in identity theft protection today!

About the Author:

Harvey Warmuth wants you to stand up to identity theft and is an avid supporter of credit identity theft services. Start your free 30-day trial of TrustedID by visiting his website: Trusted ID

Understanding Individual Bankruptcy

By Joseph Then

If you are in a spot where you have debt collector on one side and no way to pay them back on the other, it is not hard to feel as though you are in-between 2 hard rocks! It is even more applicable in today's economic situation, where people are getting laid off. To some people, Bankruptcy is an option that needs to be given due consideration. When you are thinking of filing for individual bankruptcy and when you are thinking about getting a new beginning, you will see that there are a number of issues that you need to keep in mind.

First thing that you want to understand when you are looking at filing Individual Bankruptcy is that the U.S. Bankruptcy Code has reviewed and revised in October, 2005. The revisions made it hard to file for bankruptcy, and there is a lot to be said for making sure that you have a professional on your side! When you are still keen to file for bankruptcy, and you want to make sure that you are in a position to get the desired outcome from the whole process, make sure that you go to a professional local bankruptcy lawyer who will give you a professional recommendation of how to continue and how to make sure that you are going to get the outcome that you want.

These are important Bankruptcy Assistance that you need right now.

When you are preparing to file for individual bankruptcy, remember that you would stop and think about organization. Virtually every piece of paper that has something that involves money on it will need to be presented, the items can be from bank statements to receipts to copies of mortgages and car loans. Gathering them and organizing them will allow you and your lawyer a much clearer appreciation of the situation and what may be the good route to proceed.

When you are in a situation where you want to move forward and when you want to make sure that you are going to be receiving the expected results that you need with your financial status.

This is a big measure to make, and when you are looking at sorting out what needs to happen, keep in mind that the more illumination you have on the process, the better equipped you will be!

About the Author:

If you are thinking of file for Individual Bankruptcy, perhaps you do need some help. Go to our website for more information on bankruptcy and how you can move ahead in life after bankruptcy

Insurance Companies; More Than Quotes

By Susan Tanner

Everyone has to have car insurance. It can be a pain because not everyone can afford their car insurance rates. Many companies have systems and algorithms that can calculate a person's rate based on their risk. This risk is key to car insurance. Just as a driver's calculated risk is important to a car insurance company, a car insurance company's service is important to the customer.

A car insurance's customer service is the key factor in how many customers an insurance company will receive. When a new customer submits his insurance claim, this is the most important area in factoring how the different insurers will treat you. Thus, this area is one of the focuses of all insurance companies.

One example is Progressive, a well known, highly advertised car insurance company. With Progressive it takes less than ten minutes to set up your claim. They provide quick access to repair shops where you have a qualified mechanic to work on your vehicle while providing you with a rental car so you are not at loss for transportation. Now they are trying to catch the eye of customers through offering cheap insurance quotes compared to their history of high insurance costs.

A cheap car insurance quote can be attained from many other companies besides Progressive. Companies such as Allstate have been focusing on providing customers with a cheap car insurance quote in order to gain market share. They do not have the customer service and simple processes when submitting a car insurance claim compared to others, but they do provide many discounts and incentives to customer's that continue their insurance policies with them.

You should read customer reviews about many insurance companies that are national brands and local brands. You will be able to find those that provide you with very good quotes for a policy you want. This can be a local firm offering you certain rates because you are a local of the area. These reviews can help you narrow down you choice. Again, focus on the claim service.

You want a company that will be as helpful as possible when submitting your car insurance claim. The less stress you have the better. If you have to submit a claim, you are already going through a stressful time, and why make it worse with a company that provides poor service?

You can find many companies that can provide you a cheap car insurance quote with quality customer service. This treatment is not for the elite. It is becoming more and more prominent to people of all policy levels, and it doesn't matter whose fault it was. This is a great improvement from the years before.

Over the years insurance companies have been pushing and struggling to lower their prices while maintaining a good image and good customer service. As the industry becomes more competitive with lower and lower prices, your odds of striking gold with a car insurance company improve even higher. More discounts, lower quotes, and better claims are just a start to the new car insurance world - have you looked into it yet?

About the Author:

To find out exactly how I got car insurance, visit my website about auto insurance quotes