Fixing A Credit Report: What You Can Do

By iFixCreditReport

The first step in fixing a credit report is to read it. You can get a free credit report online (just look up free credit report). You can get a free copy of your report once a year, as well as when you are denied for credit " you can request a free copy of your credit report from the credit agency which supplied the report to the prospective creditor who turned you down.

One look at your credit report should give you the answers you need on why you were turned down for credit. However, how can you set things right again? Is there items on the report which are inaccurate, or ones which are correct but that you feel to be unfair?

If you want to dispute anything on your credit report, then you can do so in writing to the credit agency. They are required to look into any disputes within 30 days. Be sure to send your dispute by certified mail and include copies of any supporting documentation you may have.

The credit bureau will contact the organization which reported the item in dispute; they will then have 14 days to respond with proof. If they do not do so, then the credit agency must remove the item from your credit report. Afterwards, they will send you an updated copy of your report and if you ask them to do so, they will also send a copy to any creditor who has asked to see your report in the last six months. However, if you want this done, ask the bureau to do so " they will not do this unless you ask.

If the item is over a year old or amounts to less than $500, many creditors will see it as not worth their time and will not respond to the credit reporting bureau. Fixing a credit report can be done, even if the items contained are accurate. If you dont manage to have the item removed the first time, you can submit another dispute in 30 days.

If it is impossible to remove an item that you have disputed, you are permitted to add a brief explanation, which will be visible to anyone who pulls your credit report. This explanation can be up to 100 words in length.

Fixing a credit report can take some time if it contains a lot of late payments or defaults on loans. However, you can often have some items removed and add explanations of others, which will make your credit report a little more positive while you begin the process of getting current with payments and fixing your credit rating.

About the Author:

About the Author: iFixCreditReport is your source that helps fix credit reports. If you are trying to fix your credit report, please check out all sorts of informative articles and tips that are posted on this website.

Should I Pay Off my Debt?

By Brian H. Miller

It is not fun being in debt. When you owe someone money, you always have that in the back of your mind, especially when you don't think you don't know if you can pay it back.

Have you ever borrowed ten or twenty dollars to a friend or family member, you probably didn't feel very obliged to pay it back because you agreed you'd pay it back when you could. If you instead owed them a thousand dollars with a 10 percent agreed upon interest rate, you'd have a bit more of a burden on your shoulders.

Even so, the money you owe to friends and family are rarely burdensome compared to other debts. It's the larger debts with high interest rates that are problematic. Credit cards are some of the worst with interest rates as high as 30% sometimes more. Also, it the debt can build up really fast because of the high interest rates.

Should you pay your debt off? Yes. When it comes to financial management, paying off your debt should be top priority. One of your life long goals should always be to pay off all your debt. Debt grows faster and faster the more you have.

One common argument is that a mortgage is okay because you get the tax deduction. A mortgage is okay, but you should still strive to pay it all off even if it takes the 30 years you originally planned. You can only deduct the interest paid, and not as a credit. If you didn't have the mortgage, you wouldn't have to pay any of it.

For example, let's say you have a mortgage and your interest for the year came to $5,000. You were in the 25% tax bracket, so if you deducted $5,000 you'd only save 25% of it or $1,250, not the whole $5,000. If you had no other deductions, you'd have been able to deduct more than that for the standard deduction anyway, which in that case would mean no savings. If you had no mortgage, you'd save $5,000.

Another argument with a mortgage is that you can invest any extra you would put towards paying it off and earn more than the interest rate. Even if it worked out this way, very few people would actually take the extra and invest it. If you can, then do it, but still pay it off in the 15 or 30 year mortgage you originally singed your mortgage as.

All other debt should be paid off as soon as possible. Credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, student loans, etc. should all be paid off right away in order to save money and start saving for things you really want and need.

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Should I pay off my debt? Learn more about financial planning for retirement and get more solid financial information.

?Think Seriously About Bankruptcy Before You File

By Michael Geoffrey

Before you decide on filing for bankruptcy, you need to weigh the pros and cons so that you can take the right decision and choose the right option. Among the leading reasons why you need to be filing for bankruptcy is that it offers you the chance to make a fresh start in life, because with so many debts to contend with, your financial position could be greatly crippled and the emotional stress too would be unbearable. Coping with mounting debts is never very easy and when you cannot pay them off, the situation becomes even worse.

Buy Yourself Some Time

In case your debts mount to such a degree that paying them off becomes impossible, you will have no choice but to be thinking about filing for bankruptcy, and even though you will still have to pay up what you owe, your chances will increase of becoming debt free by filing for bankruptcy.

If you do decide that filing for bankruptcy is the right choice for you, you will be happy to know that this decision will prevent your creditors from bothering you with demands for money. Some of these creditors will actually offer to allow you to pay them less or at least present a payment plan that works better for you.

Though these are the pros of filing for bankruptcy, there is a negative side to it as well and what was once easy when it came to filing for bankruptcy, has now become much more complicated because now your entire life history is scrutinized under a microscope and it can be quite unnerving as well because of the level of intrusion into your personal life that is caused whenever you are filing for bankruptcy.

If you have to take out a loan to pay off debts that have forced you to file for bankruptcy, they will tend to come with very high interest rates. These rates will only be higher and worse for you if your credit history reveals an inability to make timely loan payments.

And, it is also necessary to have funds to pay for the services of a bankruptcy lawyer who must be engaged to handle your bankruptcy proceedings in a court of law.

Some of the financial problems that can and do occur as a result of filing bankruptcy can have very serious and very long lasting effects. For that reason, it is very important for you to think seriously about your choice to file or not instead of just making a rash decision.

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

Why Should I Chase After A 700 Credit Score

By Frank Froggatt

Isn't it peculiar that who we are is situated on numbers? The same goes when we apply for a loan and if you don't want any troubles, you should at least be 700 and above to be deemed as having a good credit score.

What though is a credit score? It is an indicator which tells a creditor if you will be able to pay back your debt should your loan be authorized. Commonly, the score is from 340 to 850 and if you don't score that well, your loan will be rejected or it will be allowed as long as you accept to pay a high interest rate.

This is likely unfair given that you don't have money already but it is a fact of life.It's either you agree to their terms or you don't get the much needed funds.

In the US, many Americans have a good credit score.This happens because they don't spend beyond their means and pay their bills on time.

If you don't have a wonderful credit score then chances are you will need to find another way to get your bills paid and make ends meet.A good idea will be to talk to your creditor about the situation so they can come up with a payment plan so this will never appear on their permanent record. If you've had a reasonable credit score and you don't want to see it destroyed then this is probably the best decision for you.

If you have many credit cards, you should cancel the others and only keep one. Only keep the oldest card that you have for it will reflect the best on your credit record.

One mistake some people make especially when their credit history is less than 3 years old is opening a new account even when it is not necessary. Try to use common sense when dealing with credit if you can't afford it don't get it.

If you are real close to the 700 mark you should really take a close look at your report to make sure that it is entirely correct. You could very well find an error on your report that is enough to throw your score over that wonderful number 700. You can call the credit agency to tell them about it and send the supporting documents so an investigation can be done and this matter can be corrected.

In order to get a copy of your credit report all you need to do is contact one of the three main credit bureaus they are Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. It doesn't really matter which agency you get your report from as all the information should be about the same for each even though they each score a little differently than the others.This changes yearly so get another in one year and compare the results versus the year before..

If you have a score of 700 or higher you very easily qualify for the lowest interest rates,In most instances without even having any money to put down on the loan. With that money, you can buy a new house or car, pay for college tuition or renovate your home. Achieving this score is not an easy task, it takes dedication and hard work, you can achieve it just be wise and use good judgement.

Before you even go in to apply for a loan you should be aware of what your credit score is.If you are aware of your credit score when you apply there won't be any surprises after you fill out and submit the forms.

About the Author:

This piece was written by Frank Froggatt an expert on credit and debt management. If you found this piece to be helpful you can find more complimentary information at Credit Fix Repair Report.com. Get your complimentary information now

Things You Should Know About Home Loan Calculator

By Deniss Durrell

Getting real estate is difficult procedure , and at the time you are in the market to Buy a house there is something to think about .

On the other hand, another the information that you should to understand , the biggest is possibly how much your home loan will be. This facts will really tell what kind of a house you will be allowed to get.

A Home Loan Calculator is definitely something that can help you determine exactly how much house you can afford.

A home loan calculator handles a detailed formula to determine how much you as a buyer are eligible to get loan against a definite product of real estate. These calculators are also pretty helpful for buyer to evaluate how your loan rate would transform with different interest rates.

The equation is basically compiled with your possible loan balance, number of payments per twelve-month period, the amount of the monthly payment, and the periodic interest rate.

The calculation that the home loan calculator gives you will assist you arrange for how much of a real estate you will be promising to buy . It will indeed help you check the different properties that you should and should not consider observing .

Possibly most importantly , a home loan calculator will advise you to calculate precisely how much your monthly mortgage payment will be.

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About Author: Homeloancalculato-r.com. Get all the best home loan calculator information here ASAP! Here's the only site that provide home loan calculator tips and home loan calculator guide for free!

Bad Credit Home Mortgage Loans

By Elliot Castle

At times it can seem like the world, especially the financial one, but us into categories and labels. It can even seem like at different times you may have something different written across your face. If you currently have a bad credit label it can sometimes feel like things will never get better.

It can seem like a label like that is practically impossible for you to get rid off, but right now is the time to change that way of thinking. If you are trying to get mortgage or a home loan, then right now is the time to do it, with or without that label. You still have lots of options out there, even with your bad credit label.

The great news is that even though just a few years ago it was basically impossible for you to get a loan, right now is the right time for you to try again. There are actually loans that are designed just for people like you with that label of bad credit all over.

As you start to look for a good home mortgage or home loan, you need to keep a few things in mind as you look. This can be a great way for you to get out of your current label and get a new one that suits you better. But because you have so many options, find the right one for you that will have good payments and help you clear out your name.

Because of the many different loans for you to look at, you want to find the right one for you and your needs. You could even talk to a few different bankers and lenders to find the right choice. This may mean that your interest rates and fees may be higher than you would like them, but it will be a good way for you to rebuild your credit.

Because there are plenty of great opportunities for you right now, you need to take full advantage of them. Don't be afraid to ask all the questions that you need to and make sure that you feel like all the answers are clear and concise. And then you can start to wipe off that stamp of bad credit on your name.

About the Author:

Elliot shares his expertise on bad credit home mortgage loans and gives advice about

Car Insurance Tips for Teen Drivers

By Tom Martens

One of the biggest days in any teen's life is the day they get their driver's license. But with that tiny piece of plastic arrive huge responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is auto insurance. Every newly licensed driver must arrange for adequate auto coverage.

Car insurance for teens is usually very expensive. That's because teens, lacking driving experience, tend to get into many more crashes. They are considered high-risk. That fact should not stop any teen from getting a license, however, because with a little planning teens who drive can almost always find ways to lower their car insurance premiums.

The first step in getting the lowest rates is to get several quotes. These quotes should be obtained from authorized insurance agents or company websites. The various insurance companies define teen risk in very different ways. This means one company may charge just a little more than they charge an older driver, while another company may charge you a whole lot more. There is tremendous competition among insurance companies, so companies that know you are doing comparison shopping tend to offer you the lowest rates. They just might offer you a lower premium. But to get it, you have to ask, and you may have to willing to negotiate. Fortunately, it's easy to do research on the net and shopping for low premiums is a lot easier than it used to be.

Also, if you have not already done so, look into taking basic driver ed or defensive driving. Passing these courses shows insurance companies that you are serious about safe driving, and allows them to lower you risk level when assessing your driving record for computing your insurance premium. Talk to a licensed agent about what courses are available that qualify you for an insurance discount.

Ask your agent if the insurance company offers discounts to student belonging to certain clubs, or if they offer good student discounts. Ask whether they will give you a discount based on your parents' policies or organizational memberships. This is where a little research on the Internet is very helpful before you see your agent.

If your parents have additional insurance policies, such as home or life, see if they will ask the insurance provider to bundle the policies. Many providers often give big discounts to customers who purchase more than one insurance policy from them. Check to see if the insurance provider offers discounts for multiple drivers from the same household. This is another way to obtain great savings on your car insurance premiums.

You should be fully informed about insurance (and, usually, fully insured) before you take your driving test. You authorized insurance agent can answer any questions you have and make you get all the coverage you need. You will have to take some time to do your research, but the money you will save on your premiums will make the effort worthwhile.

About the Author:

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.

Family Trust Basics: What Is An Estate Plan?

By Janet X

Estate planning involves considering how assets are to be passed from one generation to the next. The usual components of an estate plan are Wills and Memoranda of Wishes. A Will is a document that deals with an individual's personal estate upon death. A Memorandum of Wishes is a letter written to Trustees of the Trust to describe how assets are to be dealt with within the Trust.

A common mistake is not to link Wills and the establishment of a Trust. As a accountancy and legal practice we often see individuals who have established Trusts but have not prepared new Wills to reflect this. In this instance, they often have existing Wills prepared many years before that pass assets to spouses or children personally upon death. Once a Trust is established such a Will is flawed for two reasons.

First, you do not want assets to pass to surviving spouses or children personally when they can be directed straight into a Trust free of gifting restrictions. That is, it is important to note that any bequests under a Will are not subject to gift duty.

Second, given that a Trust has been established and the individual is seeking to minimise, their personal estate their Will has become redundant to a certain extent.

Broadly speaking, the objective of an effective Will is to direct assets into the ownership of the Trust on death. This will prevent assets from accruing in the hands of the surviving spouse and family members and also prevent gifting programmes from being extended. Having directed all assets into the Trust, it is then under the Memorandum of Wishes where instruction is provided as to how the assets of the Trust are to be dealt with.

A Memorandum of Wishes is not a legally binding document. It is a letter written to the Trustees of the Trust, describing the settlor's wishes as to how Trust assets are to be dealt with.

The key to an effective Memorandum of Wishes is to provide the Trustees with instruction to consider the asset protection requirements of any beneficiaries when making distributions from the Trust. For example, if a beneficiary is in a relationship, the Trustees should consider the stability of the relationship and the desirability of passing assets through to the beneficiary individually, where they could be subject to a relationship property claim in the event of a separation.

About the Author:

Janet Xuccoa BCom LLB, is a director from Gillgan Rowe + Associates. She is a recognised Family Trust and LAQC expert in New Zealand where she leads the Trusts and Estate Planning division. Want to protect your assets and grow your wealth? Get your Free Family Trust Report: "The 9 Deadly Sins of Setting Up a Family Trust

A Guide To Surviving The Housing Market With Interest Only Loans

By Jill Cullen

Many homeowners have suffered the consequences of the subprime mortgage meltdown. The mortgage meltdown followed the greatest housing boom since the 50's, so a lot of homeowners were heavily invested in the housing market. Then it all crashed.

Because of the rising home prices, lenders were constantly looking for ways to give more people the chance to buy a house. Almost any employed person could get a loan to amazing multiples of their income. One of the things lenders invented to give everyone a shot at home ownership was the interest only loan.

If you're confused about the difference between interest and principle, this is something you should know before thinking about a new mortgage. The interest is the fee you have to pay the lender because you've loaned money. The principle is the actual amount of money you've loaned.

The interest only loan is not a mortgage itself. It is an option you can attach to any type of mortgage. With an IO loan, you only pay the interest. Therefore, you do not pay off any principle. This allows you to lower your monthly costs. It is an excellent option when housing prices are going up.

An IO loan can still be a good possibility now that home prices are leveling off or even going down. But you must be sure you can pay the monthly interest payments. If not, you have a much bigger debt to handle when things go wrong. It does give you some financial breathing room by lowering your monthly payments, and many people are looking for exactly that right now.

About the Author:

Jill is a financial advisor writing about loans and mortgages. She also writes in Dutch about lenen and snel geld lenen.

How to Get a Credit Card

By Amanda Somrekli

There are several other things you should watch for in fine print. One of the most onerous is that if you are reported as delinquent on any other account, with any creditor, this creditor can raise your APR, in what as known as "universal default."

The economy still needs to operate to fight off the worsening financial picture, and businesses (particularly small businesses) will still need lines of credit. With the Bank of England base interest rate at a record low, business leaders are now calling on the government to cap interest rate charges on business credit cards to give them a little bit of breathing space.

The government has consistently resisted the calls on the grounds that a cap could harm the consumers they are designed to protect by restricting access to credit and also reducing the transparency of charging structures.

Credit cards - particularly for small businesses - are an additional form of financial income, allowing short-term flexibility and playing a vital role in keeping other lines of credit open to a business.

Using a business credit card can enable a small business to ensure that suppliers are paid on time whilst giving the business an interest-free period in which to bring in sufficient funds to pay off the credit card debt.

The best way to look at what each offer is giving you is to read the back of the offer and not just the front page that summarizes their incentives. The back summary will tell you the APR (Annual Percentage Rate), any annual fees required, fees for balance transfers, what kind of minimum monthly payment they require, and what their rewards or benefits are.

The Visa Black Credit Card is like no other card you have owned before. Not only the card is not made of plastic like most other credit cards, it comes with a rewards program that is not offered to just anyone.

I remember attending an old electronic store back in the day and a younger kid that was about 18 was trying to apply for the store credit card. What little did he know was that you needed some credit to get that approval. Why did he want the credit card? He wanted to get the 10% off deal on the new TV he was buying.

If you are a business, you can keep track of all expenses. There many benefits for using the gas credit cards, but the most important is that you can pay one monthly payment and not have to carry money around for gas.

There are gas cards for business and gas cards for personal use. If you are a business with a fleet of vehicles, the fleet gas credit cards will work better for tracking each vehicles gas consumption and mileage. Many companies use the fleet cards for a savings as well. Usually large fleets receive some incentives for using a specific gas station.

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Making The Right Choice For Your Home Mortgage Loan

By Mijn adviseur

Even in these tough economic times, buying a home is a smart decision. It's a big investment to make, and as with any investment, you have to think long and hard about the type of home mortgage you choose to finance your investment.

When you start your search for a good home mortgage, you will quickly see that there are a LOT of lenders. And they will all tell you that they have far and away the best mortgage deal for you. With so many choices available, many people get confused and overwhelmed. You have to know how to analyze the available information on mortgages if you want to make the right choice for you.

It might be better to look for a good mortgage broker to help you choose the right mortgage. You can study all mortgage stuff yourself, but it's pretty tough to cram all that study in a short timeframe. A good mortgage broker can save you a lot of time and money.

It doesn't matter what route you go, you will always encounter something of a learning curve. If you decide to choose a mortgage broker, you will have to learn what to watch out for in a mortgage broker. You have to be able to see what makes a good mortgage broker. If you decide to study mortgages yourself, you have to know which information to study and what information to disregard.

When choosing a mortgage option, keep in mind what amount you can afford for a down payment. If you currently do not have enough money to make a considerable down payment, you need to be looking for little money down loans or no money down mortgages. These loans will require you to pay higher interest, because of the fact that you have to loan more money because the lack of a down payment.

When you decide upon a mortgage broker, be in the know. Ask him about the reasons why he advices certain things. Sometimes the advice of a mortgage broker is not unbiased, so be sure to get all the knowledge you need to asses the mortgage advice you get.

About the Author:

Mijn adviseur writes articles about mortgages in English and articles about goedkoopste hypotheek and hypotheek in Dutch.