Paying Twice the Minimum with Your Credit Card Debts

By Paul J. Easton

If you have a number of credit cards, you are certainly aware that keeping the balance unpaid from month to month will end up making you pay more until your financial outlook becomes very troublesome. For some unfortunate cardholders, the situation seems impossible to get through that they even thought of filing a bankruptcy. Getting out of the credit card debt trap is much more doable if you go about it immediately, and yes, it is possible. Here's how to get rid of debt.

The first thing you should do is make a decision for yourself. Come to a point realizing that you truly are in need to get out of this mess and will face it no matter how hard it may seem. Once you collected yourself and set your focus to being debt-free, commit to have the determination needed to get out of this problem.

The next thing you should do is to get rid of all of your open credit card accounts. This avoids all the temptation to use them. Using these cards means more debt. Cut up the cards for now or put them somewhere where you will not access them easily.

Here is the most critical part of our plan. The move which created this mess is developing the habit of paying the minimum amount only each month. It may be affordable up front but it actually will cost you more money in the long term

As an advice, pay at least twice the minimum payment due on each month. Pay more if your budget can. This technique eliminates the interests added each month on your bills. Credit card lenders will only gain profit from interests and other hidden fees they charge. So you have to truly work at those balances by making larger payments every time. You may not observe any difference at first but with several consecutive and on-time payments of twice the minimum or more, you will begin to notice those balances reducing to a manageable amount. Make sure only that don't get a new card yet until they are fully paid and you discipline yourself to make good use of your next credit card.

It would seem painless to get into the habit of making only the minimum payments every time. Since you will mind of only a low amount, it can free up some cash flow for your other expenses. Regrettably, paying the minimum is not that easy and can be a very costly method of managing your finances in the long run. Even with just a low balance, the interests with your debts will likely to grow and will mostly take over a decade to repay. So pay your dues twice the minimum or more and follow this until you pay the whole balance, you will finally be debt-free soon.

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Pay Day Loans UK Process

By Rashel Dan

Pay day loans UK are quite popular. These short-term loans can be very helpful to those who need a quick cash solution when it is really needed. However, one has to understand how these loans can be attained and what might be needed before entering any legal agreements with any loan stores or financial institutions.

Here are a couple of basic things to keep in mind about these personal loans:

The Loan Itself

Since this is a pay day loan, this means that a loan store will expect that a loan will be paid off the next time a person receives his or her paycheck. Typically, a short term lease like this will last for two weeks tops.

There are requirements to present when applying for a pay day loan. The pay day loans UK require that one bring some sort of proof that one is able to pay the loan in full plus the interest rates. This can be proven by giving some kind of proof of income so that a loan company can ascertain the borrower's ability to pay. Other required materials will be contact details, possible collaterals, etc.

Where One Avail Of Such A Loan

Aside from the usual loan from a bank scheme, there are also other loan shops that one can go to. For example, there are many retail outlets in the UK that allow these types of loans. These pay day lending stores will offer small cash loans but expect the loan to be paid back during ones pay day.

They have lower interest rates compared to the usual 390 percent. The best way to make sure that one doesn't forget to pay is to give a loan establishment a post dated check so that it can be cashed on the due date. However, one has to consider the penalties for paying late or not paying at all. These penalties include the lending stores right to add penalty fees on top of the loan that was applied for.

The other place that is getting more popular for lending activities is on the internet. Internet pay day loans UK are now typical and much better since the interest rates are the lowest. These pay day loans are marketed through emails, ads, and through referrals.

All one has to do is fill out an online application that asks for personal information as well as bank information. The lack of a middle man makes sure that these pay day loans UK are cheap and withdrawals of a loan payment can be made electronically on borrowers' next pay day.

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What are the prerequisites for pay day loans UK? Discover how you can get a cash advance payday loan in the UK.

Smart-with-Money Mindset Needed

By Paul J. Easton

Unlike the popular belief we are told over and over again, credit cards are not free money. If you are not cautious enough, it can be the straightforward way to financial hell. There is some good news though. Your way out is still possible with efforts from your part.

Many experts say that one of the best hidden ways to get rid of credit card debt, that your bank don't tell you about, is with the use of a debt consolidation loan. If you have a number of credit cards then a consolidation loan may be a good advice. This comes along with a condition though. Be ready to give up your cards because these accounts will be suspended by your credit card lenders. A good indication that you need this is when you are already having missed payments for three or more consecutive months. This is much better than to suffer the consequences of a negatively impacted credit rating.

Consolidating your credit card debts into one big loan offers you a way to get rid of high interest rates from credit card lenders. This offers you a scheme to pay your bills without the hidden charges and extra fees. It also gives you the time to pay the balances in a much more feasible time frame. In addition, you don't have to keep track of several statements with various credit cards because you will only recall one due date with your consolidated loan. This eliminates the late payments when dealing with a lot of bills at different times of the month.

Explore with various banks and get the best debt consolidation loans with respect to the interests and the terms they offer. Take the time to search and compare loans if possible. Bear in mind that you are trying to better your financial situation, so you need to get a debt consolidation loan that offers you better rates and terms than your credit card lenders altogether.

Take the necessary steps and make the religious payments every time and you are on the right track to a debt-free life soon. There is a bad news however. A lot of people will take a debt consolidation loan to get out of their credit card debts. But after a few months, they get another card and splurge their way to another shopping spree.

This only worsens their problems because they have to make the new set of payments on the new credit cards. And don't forget the consolidated loan payment. Unless a person learns how to deal with the finances, he will still be running in circles with this financial disaster. So to make the most of this opportunity, learn not to go back to this financial trap and be smart with money.

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For more advices on credit card debt consolidation loan and how to get rid of debt, go to http://www.Howtogetridofdebt.net/ by Paul J. Easton.

Wondering What Day Trading Is? Here's How To Get Started

By Sam Lockwood

One way you can make money buying and selling on the stock exchange is by day trading. This method uses the volatility of the market over the course of a given day to help traders make their money. Currently, we're in one of the most volatile markets since the late 1990s, making it one of the best day trading markets.

Through short selling, day traders can profit from stocks even when it looks like the price is on its way down. In every case, day traders will need to use a broker, and to pay very close attention to two basic indicators. These are the NDIX and the TDISC. At the beginning of trading on a particular day, these will tell you a lot about several different exchanges. They're extremely sensitive to volatility, so if the market's going up, the NDIX will rise by two thousand ticks or more in a half hour after opening. If it's going down, the TDISC will drop by that much in the same period.

These rapid fluctuations are how day traders make their money. Doing quick buys and sells are the way that people in this kind of trading make a lot of money. However, these are also the way that they lose it all, if they're not careful. If you're day trading, you won't be buying for the long term. That means it's tempting to ignore your research and buy in volume. You may get lucky, but most times this doesn't happen.

Day trading isn't passive income - it's a job. Anyone who wants to do day trading should make sure that they've been properly trained. There are plenty of good online courses and seminars out there that'll help you be sure you know what you're getting into.

One thing you'll need is a brokerage account, since one of the most important things in day trading is being able to short sell. Short selling is when you borrow stock from your broker and sell it right away, planning to buy another share at a lower price to give back when it comes due. You profit if the stock prices drop. If you time things correctly and read the market correctly, this works out well for you.

The opposite of short selling is deciding to borrow or buy a share of stock at one price, then selling it the same day for a higher price.

To do well in day trading, you must have excellent observational abilities and amazing nerves. You also have to have a short memory. That's because you're going to have to look at losses, and you have to be able to do it without letting stress take over.

One thing that is possible, using the right tutorials and programs, is doing day trading from your home. You need to have a very good plan to execute your trades, and you must make sure you accomplish them before the last half hour of the trading day.

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You can find all sorts of Day Trading Tips online so it's easy to start educating yourself about this exciting way to make money. Click Here for information on a day trading system that makes many people a healthy income.

What are bankruptcy assets?

By Josh Ramos

Bankruptcy serves as a real option for those who find themselves unable to pay off their debts. However, one of the main concerns that people have when it comes to bankruptcy is what will happen to their assets. To understand this, we must first explain the two most common forms of bankruptcy.

In chapter seven bankruptcy, your aim is to discharge, or wipe out, your debts completely. The downside, however, is that you may have to forfeit some of your assets in order to pay off at least part of your debt.

The other major form of bankruptcy is called chapter 13. Instead of just getting rid of your debt completely, chapter 13 is meant to form a payment plan to help you get back on track. This is often used to help people get caught up with their mortgage payments, and the repayment plan usually last 3 to 5 years. The good part about chapter 13 is that you don't have to forfeit any of your assets.

So, if are trying to get rid of your debt completely, then chapter seven would be the way to go. The problem is that you may have to sell off some of your assets in order to help pay for the debts that you owe. This is called liquidation, and it is a part of chapter seven bankruptcy.

The good news (or the bad news, depending on your perspective) is that most people who file for chapter seven bankruptcy don't have any assets that qualify for liquidation. If your financial situation has come to this point, then you probably don't have much to liquidate.

Of course, most people are primarily concerned with their house (and to a lesser extent, their automobile). The details will depend on your state as well as how much your house is worth, but in most cases you have a considerable amount of protection when it comes to your house.

You should realize that finding a good bankruptcy attorney is essential to help you file bankruptcy successfully. There are just too many details for you to try to figure everything out on your own.

Still, you should continue to learn as much as possible about your options from articles like this one before you speak with your lawyer. This can help you become a more informed consumer and get through the process more efficiently.

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Don't let the fear of your debt take over your life. Get the facts about bankruptcy and learn how to get control of your debt. To learn more about what is chapter 7 bankruptcy visit us at http://personalbankruptcyquestions.org

Retirement Life - Plan Ahead For Greater Satisfaction

By Michael Geoffrey

Retirement changes your life dramatically. Some who have reached retirement age realize that though they were financially prepared to care for themselves throughout their retirement they were not mentally and emotionally prepared for this major change in their daily life. It is important to plan not only your finances but also your life.

When you are accustomed to going to work every day you may find it difficult to fill your time with home repairs, housework or yard work. Your "to do" list will just keep getting shorter and shorter.

Of course people who have worked hard throughout their lives deserve to rest in their retirement. However, some find that they need something to fill their time. They are not ready to simply stay at home. They would like to continue to use the knowledge and skills they acquired over the years in a productive way. For these people good retirement life planning can help them examine factors to help them determine what options are available to them during after they have retired.

Everyone lives by certain principals that govern his or her life and decisions. Each individual over the course of his life has set these established these principals and lives by them. When planning your life during your retirement years the principals that govern your life will help you determine what things will take precedence in your retirement.

Dusting Off Those Old Dreams

Part of retirement life planning is to find out what activities you had to give up during all the years spent on the job. Many folks had passions before the reality of living came into the picture and the dreams were put on hold, planning to rekindle them once time allowed. With retirement approaching there is no better time than to rekindle the passions that sparked a dream and now the time is available to live out those dreams.

After a number of years on the job, there is experience that can be shared with others just beginning their work phase of life. By sharing management skills with others they can learn from you and you can feel the gratification of helping others.

Many volunteer positions are also available to help others and for many, retirement life planning involves helping in the medical field. Whatever the experience it can be useful to others and can help keep a retiree's life active and meaningful.

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Before you decide to cut up credit cards to help you get out of debt, you'd better understand how it can affect your credit score. Find out what you'd better know first on the Debt Smackdown website.

Get Out of Credit Card Debt as Soon as Possible

By Paul J. Easton

Using a credit card wisely, one can definitely take advantage of a lot of benefits like bonus points, airline miles, and a cash back you most need in times of emergency. Use it haphazardly and this could be your nightmare for a long time.

For some irresponsible debtors, their financial situation is very much ruined by the bills that haunt them every due dates. It has come to a point where it is so difficult to get out of their credit card debt trap. This is actually the product of year of financial unreliability or simple ignorance.

Credit card companies like it when you carry a big balance in your statement and only pay the mandatory minimum every month. Unfortunately, you will most probably expect to pay that card off for an extended period of time. For some cases, it even takes them decades to pay off a substantial balance. Credit card companies are laughing their way with bigger profits because you are like a cash cow to them. But will you simply be still ignorant over the matter?

Here are simple methods how to get rid of debt as soon as possible. The initial step that you have to take is set your mind to being credit card free. Cut up all your cards except one just for emergency, but still don't use this one for now. At first, this is terribly difficult. You must have the enough determination to get yourself out of this debt trap. Or else, this will be your death trap soon.

When you don't have any access to credit cards, you don't get any deeper into debt. The one that you saved should not be placed in your wallet. Have it in a safe place and should be used only for emergency cases.

Now, when the statements arrive, pay much more than the minimum balance. Ideally, pay at least twice the minimum payment due or more. This lets you deduct the principal to gradually reduce the interest over the balance. Initially, you may not see a considerable difference but with a few moths of timely payments, you will eventually notice those balances come down.

When you are dealing with multiple cards, here's a great tip. Prioritize and concentrate most of your money to the payment of the card with the highest interest. Temporarily, you can have minimum payments for the other cards. When that prioritized car is fully paid, concentrate on the next card with second highest interest and so on. You will finish paying your balances faster with this method compared to paying only the minimum.

Choose not to be tricked by the credit card companies. Decide now and get out of your debt. Work hard and smart towards paying your cards as much as you can. Your goal is to get out of debt as soon as possible and by deciding now, you save your butt from a big financial disaster.

For more tips on how to get rid of debt, go to http://www.Howtogetridofdebt.net/ by Paul J. Easton.

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Debt - Bonus Credit Reports coming soon!

The Guide To Getting Your Teen Interested In Personal Finance

By Jenni Snook

This article has been written to teach people how to get teens interested in personal finance. Nevertheless, before beginning this article, it's important that you know that a lot of patience will be needed as well as 30 minutes of your time on a weekly basis.

The best way to start to get your teens talking about personal finance is to gain their attention and lead by example by applying everything that you are trying to teach them in your own life. You may want to consider getting your teenager a pre-paid debit card or either an active checking account. If you decide to use the credit card, you should set the limit extremely low, around a hundred to two hundred dollars.

After doing this, you should make it clear to your teen that money doesn't simply grow on trees and that by giving them such a responsibility is a huge risk for you. You should make sure that they fully understand that there could be consequences for not being financially responsible with their money.

The third step should involve you explaining all the mathematics involved in maintaining an account to your teen and seeing how this can work. If your teen is able to avoid financial problems, they you should congratulate yourself for a good job. On the other hand, if they encounter financial problems, you should take the time to talk to your teen and explain why experienced problems.

This may be the result of an honest error such as forgetting to transfer the allowance over to the account so that you will need to check out things and make sure it never occurs again. Until these accounting problems are fixed, you should continue to explain the situation to your teen.

Step 4 should involve teaching your teen how they can keep up to date with their account online. Nowadays, modern banking systems make use of the Internet and allow you to check your transactions minutes after they have been done.

Step 5 involves you giving your teen a reward if they have done a good job with their personal finance. You should continue to teach your teenager important money management tools every month.

In the event that you are ready to set-up an account like this for your teenager to see how he or she manages their personal finances, your local bank may be able to set you up with a debit card for free, and they will automatically transfer the pre-determined amount of funds into the account on the dates that you require. Be sure to take advantage of their electronic banking system and free services, especially those that you are familiar with.

The most important thing is to keep any debit or credit account balance at a very low level because teenagers tend to buy things on impulse. You certainly don't want to lose a lot of hard-earned money on an experiment testing your teen's ability to manage their personal finance.

About the Author:

Jenni Snook is the chief author of http://www.HealthyWealthySoul.com, a website dedicated to providing people advice and resources on personal finance for teens to achieve both financial and spiritual happiness in their lives.

Home Buddies Quarterly Economic Report - Part 3 - Opportunities

By Cliff Pape

Over the past several weeks we have taken a bird's eye view of the US economy. In this post I will be addressing what we will likely see happening in mortgage and real estate markets in 2009. Finally, I will point out the unique opportunities that are available in this type of environment.

Mortgage Markets and Credit

It seems the biggest story coming out of 2008 is the Fed's announcement in November to buy up $600 billion in unsecured debt and mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie. The push is an attempt by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to steer toward lower mortgage rates - not just lower short-term rates.

The sole reason the Fed did this was to lower debt cost (i.e. make it cheaper to obtain a mortgage). They are attempting to kill two birds with one stone by making mortgages cheaper in hopes of enticing potential single family home buyers with credit to come off of the sidelines and purchase.

Furthermore, if home buyers jump into the real estate market, this will further stabilize home values which will help the banks' balance sheets. All of this bodes well for mortgage brokers and loan officers because the ultimate goal of the government is to get mortgage lenders to loosen credit and they have committed to do it. At some point during 2009 mortgage lending should begin to pick up. Expect a refinance boom when the mess clears up.

The Real Estate Market

If housing permits continue to slow, it may be some time before the real estate market improves in the US. Keen an eye on a few things in Houston however. Some cities (including Houston) are still countering the global economic trend. However, even in Houston, permits are starting to slow which may lead to a retraction as we move into next year.

However, layoffs will be the big indicator leading into 2009. If we experience substantial job layoffs then the already fragile housing market could experience a deeper setback.

Opportunities for Investors

With all the "fear" that is surrounding the mortgage and real estate markets, there has never been a better time to buy single family residential homes. Consumer concern over the financial crisis is causing real estate prices in stable markets, such as Houston, to fall under what the market fundamentals in Houston would otherwise warrant.

Lastly, with the current credit standards, many buyers (including many investors) are no longer able to get financing for single family homes. Now there is an opportunity for investors with good credit (or those with other financing options) to buy investment real estate at below-market prices.

About the Author:

Home Buddies is a Houston credit repair coach for real estate investors. Home Buddies develops and implements a customized strategy to restore credit and creates a business development strategy to help them overcome obstacles to financing properties and growing their portfolio.

Painless Way To Save Hundreds of Tax Dollars

By K. Russell KA Russell

Keeping accurate business records is essential if you want to save tax money and have adequate records in case of, heaven forbid, an audit.

5 minutes a day...that's all it takes to save hundreds, perhaps thousands, of tax dollars and put money in YOUR pocket!

Getting the largest possible deductions for your business need not be time consuming or hard.

Following good habits like those that follow will reward you in more deductions on your income tax and thus more money in your pocket!

Even small transactions should be recorded everyday. If you post to your Accounting Software daily you will find that it takes less than 5 minutes a day.

Use the following method you will be assured that all your receipts have been accounted for.

Make a folder on your desktop labeled "Daily Receipts" For anything you purchase online, save a copy of that in your "Daily Receipts" file.

Cash receipts should be put in a folder on your desk.

Every day (morning or night) post the receipt in the 2 files. Doing this daily takes only a couple of minutes.

After posting your receipts for the day file them on your hard drive in a file called "Tax Back Up Files"

The easiest way to keep your online receipts in order is to put them in a Tax Backup File in files labeled for each month.

You will want to back up these files at least monthly on a CD or DVD to keep with your year-end tax information.

Use envelops to keep your "hard copy" receipts in after you have posted them. For ease of retrieval I suggest making monthly envelops.

That's it! Receipts are posted, filed and will in all probability never be needed again.

Get in the habit of collecting a receipt for everything you do!

By not posting a lot of small receipts you are losing tax dollars. If you go get copies, do you get a receipt even if it's only 50 cents? If you do not and it is not posted in your accounting software then most definitely you are over paying your taxes. Small amounts add up over the course of the year.

Regular and consistent record keeping will pay off for you at tax time guaranteed!

About the Author:

Karin Russell has owned a home based business specializing in tax preparation for home based businesses for over 3 decades. Her website: Home Business Owners-Reap the Rewards offers more tax tips for home business owners. She highly recommends the book 'It's How Much You KEEP, That Counts! Not how much you Make' for all her clients.