February 3, 2007

Need a credit card?

How many credit cards do you have? If it’s more than one or two you’re a candidate for out-of-control debt, but you probably don’t need me to tell you that. They’re very handy things to have, especially if you’re traveling or if unexpected expenses arise, but they need to be used wisely. you’ve heard the horror stories about people getting into deep debt with credit cards, so I won’t belabor that point anymore.

If you’re looking to open a new credit card account, what kind should you choose? There are many features to select from. Some offer 0% balance transfers, which might be a good option for you if you’re considering closing out another account and transferring the balance. Some offer cash back on purchases or reward points each time you spend. The most important thing is to compare credit cards and the programs they offer before you make your decision.

January 30, 2007

Consolidate your student loans

I have a friend who graduated a couple of years ago with a very prestigious degree. She’s carrying three student loans and living like a pauper, having to sqeeze her budget for the basic neccessities of life. I know that a quality education costs, but it bothers me greatly that it costs so much that folks who get one can’t make enough money to pay their debt and live decently. One solution that can help lower the debt is Student Loan Consolidation, which will shrink her three mothly payments into one lower payment. I’ll be passing this info on to her because I think it’s possible that Student Loan Debt Consolidation can make her life a lot easier. She’s young and independent. This is the time for her to be enjoying her life and the rewards that she’s worked so hard for. I’d like to help her do that by pointing her in the right direction. A big thank you to SecureLoanConsolidation.com for sponsoring this post.

I did it!

I’m refinancing my home! I’ve blogged a little about it in the past and now I’m in the process. It wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be and that’s probably because I’ve been doing my Home Mortgage Refinancing homework. I started studying Mortgage Refinancing and was surprised to find out that I knew more than I thought I did. When it was time to apply, I went in as an educated homeowner looking for the best Home Mortgage Refinance rates and terms and I got them! If you’re paying too much for your old mortgage or you need to free up some cash, you should consider Mortgage Refinance as a way to get your finances in order. I did it and I’m saving big bucks! Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much!) to the Home Mortgage Refinancing folks for teaching me how to secure a home equity loan, and for sponsoring this post!

January 29, 2007

Compare savings accounts

Wouldn’t you just love it if you could go to one place to comparison shop for rates before you open up your next savings account? I just found a site where you can do exactly that. Instead of going to the yellow pages or tramping around town, now one easy click will take you to Savings-Accounts.com a guide to finding your new high yield savings account without all the hassles! We’re not talking little no-name banks, either. Bank of America, Chase, Capital One and ING Direct are just a few of the financial institutions you can select from. You won’t have to click on each one and try to remember what you saw on the last page either, because they’re all right there on one list so you can do a true comparison. Savings-Accounts.com
sponsored this post and just made it easier for you to find the savings plan that’s right for you!

December 31, 2006

Broke before payday?

Have you ever noticed that financial emergencies always seem to arrive just as you’ve finished using up your last paycheck? The boy breaks a tooth and the only dentist available wants you to pay the deductible up front. Your annual insurance premium comes due a month before you thought it was supposed to. Your brother is rescued from Katrina’s flood, but has only the clothes he is wearing (yes, this one is really my experience.) Some things can’t wait until next payday.

My little island of Oahu has numerous military facilities, and many of my friends are in service to their country. Their paychecks are reliable, but frequently don’t stretch from payday to payday. I’ve known for a while how they handle their financial emergencies, and now PaydayCashAdvanceLoans.biz has sponsored this post so I can tell you their secret. When my friend’s step-daughter needed emergency medical care while hubby was out to sea, and when their roof leaked during monsoon-like rains, they were able to get payday cash advance loans to deal with the crises. A cash advance loan lets you borrow against your next paycheck. They’re easy to qualify for, and PaydayCashAdvanceLoans.biz has a directory of services available in your area. You’ll also find other financial services available on their site, so you can bookmark them as your one-stop site for all of your financial needs.

December 30, 2006

After-Christmas Money Blues?

Did you do it this year? I’m talking about overspending for Christmas. It’s so easy to do, and I think most of us have gotten ourselves in trouble with it at least once in our lives. I know my own parents always went into debt to give us a “good” Christmas. I did it a few times when my son was young, despite my determination to not let that happen.

The holidays, of course, are not the sole source of debt misery. It’s easy to fall into a buy now/pay later mindset, especially if you have a pocketful of credit cards. We all know that the balance due will never be reduced by making minimum monthly payments, but we get caught in the trap and many can’t see a way to get out.

Put away your pessimism and face your problems. Explore some common-sense options for solving your debt problems and you CAN DO IT!

The first step is one you’ve heard before, and it’s really not as painful as most of us anticipate it to be. Get rid of your credit cards. Cut them up. OUCH! Sure it hurts, but the pain is brief. Take it from one who has done it. Keep one card for emergencies if you must, but only use it for true emergencies. Gift-giving and a new outfit for a special night out are not emergencies.

So, how do you buy what you want or need without credit cards? By being a practical spender. Buy your Christmas gifts in small increments throughout the year. Set a budget and don’t exceed it, even when the new toys come out in the fall to tempt you. Skip the expensive theme-park vacation and explore your own locale with your family. Check out museums and cultural attractions you’ve been meaning to explore with the kids, campgrounds where you can enjoy the wonders of nature or historic sites that you’ve been saving for “later.” Make a commitment to cut out luxury items for one full year. Most people get by with only a few restaurant meals and movie theatre visits a year. You can do that, too, because you’re serious about controlling your debt.

Now you’re spending less and saving more, but what are you going to do about paying off debt you’ve already accumulated? The most practical answer for most people is to make personal loans. The payments on the loan will be smaller than what you’re currently paying against accumulated balances, so you’ll have more money to live on as an added bonus to retiring your debt.

Most people who own homes can qualify for mortgages against the equity they’ve built up over their years of making payments. If the interest is lower than the total interest you’re paying on credit cards, and the payments for the secured loans are less than the total monthly balance due on existing debt, it doesn’t make sense to NOT do it.

Keep practicing the good spending habits you’ve learned and the budgeting techniques you’ve established while dealing with your debt crisis. You’ll avoid repeating the pattern and have better overall financial health because you faced your problems and brought a dose of common sense into the picture!

This post is sponsored by Loanwize, who can answer your questions about finding the loan that’s right for you.

December 26, 2006

Time for my new kitchen!

I added a screened-in lanai to my house last year and had it fully wired and plumbed so I could move my washer and dryer out of the kitchen. The plan was to create additional space inside before starting a kitchen remodel. I hired local contractors and used cash I had saved for the new room, a new lanai on two sides of the house and a new roof for my old fixer upper. I thought I was being smart by using cash instead of taking on additional debt, but it turns out I was wrong. Since I’m now ready to do my kitchen remodel, I’ve been researching the best way to finance the work. I wish I had understood better about home equity loans before I used up all of my savings. Since the equity in my house has built to about four times what I still owe I can borrow what I need for the work, and maybe a little to pay the few bills that I carry a balance on from month to month. My payments will be low enough that I can begin rebuiliding my savings (I used their mortgage calculators to figure out how to structure the best deal for myself.) I wish I’d known that before I had the previous work done, but it’s never too late to educate yourself about your own finances, is it?

This post is sponsored by PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.Com. I’ve been visiting their site for about a month, learning what I need to know. It’s embarrassing to admit how ignorant I was when I started, but their Mortgages 101 and other educational features have made it painless for me to bring myself up to speed.

December 7, 2006

Need a credit card?

Shopping for a credit card is no fun, what with hopping around from one site to another looking for one that suits all of your needs and that will let you qualify. Now there’s a site that lets you compare different Credit Cards, so you can find one that’s just right for you. Bad credit history? Student trying to build credit history? Looking for a card that offers airline miles or other rewards? They’re all here.

November 26, 2006

Buying a home

One of the things I love about my job is that I know that the structural information I provide helps homebuyers make informed decisions. Perhaps it sounds cliche’ but a home is the largest expense most of us will ever have. It only makes sense to do some homework first, and to find professional advisors who understand all aspects of home buying.

Securing a mortgage is perhaps the most intimidating part of the process to most people. We’ve all heard scary stories about mortgage fraud and hidden fees, and shopping for the best rates can be its own nightmare. Finding the right mortgage broker is the key. Here’s a site that can take you through the entire process of obtaining a home loan. You’ll find educational features that will give you the information needed to make intelligent decisions. Current rates are posted, as well as recent headline news about mortgage lending and the housing market. When you’re ready to start the process, you’ll be working on a secure site, with customer data protected through SecureTrust, which guarantees compliance with FTC, DoNotCall & Can Spam regulations. If you find yourself stumped, check out the forums for feedback and answers to your questions.