Friday, August 29, 2008

But As Far As Struggling Home- Owners Are Concerned, The Rate Cut Has Done Little To Ease Pressure On Their Burden

Category: Finance.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by three- quarters of a percentage point yesterday as part of another attempt to hold up the financial institutions on Wall Street from further speculation worries.



But as far as struggling home- owners are concerned, the rate cut has done little to ease pressure on their burden. The stock market took some confidence from the move and posted the largest one day gain on the Dow Jones index for quite some time. In fact, by cutting interest rates and further weakening the dollar, the Fed had invited higher oil prices, increasing energy and transport costs at a time when most households are already feeling the pinch. Bear Stearns had been trading a year ago at nearly$ 150 dollars a share and fell victim to a run on their shares following rumours over their exposure to the sub- prime mortgage market and the extent of the losses they may have suffered. The rate cut which is the third in as many weeks follows the collapse of Bear Stearns, who were eventually bailed out and purchased by JP Morgan for the sum of$ 2 a share. The positives from this story are that the Federal Reserve was able to move quickly to back the takeover, helping to minimize the loss of confidence in the general banking sector.


And when your stoic republican points towards the tax rebate that is about to be delivered to every household, as an indication of what the government is doing for the average American in this time of need, don t be fooled. The negatives however, which will effect more on the average blue collar worker in America through the imported inflation that the lower dollar will bring, seems to reflect more on the political view of the current administration, who will bend over backwards to prop up the corporations at the expense of the man in the street. The maximum$ 800 dollars rebate is more of a cynical move to help prop up the employment market before a presidential election than it is designed to combat higher gas, food and energy costs. A large problem with the mortgage lenders at the moment is that they have out- sourced their administration to companies who are ill equipped or poorly trained to deal with the problems that are arising. If the administration wanted to do more to help those affected by the current mortgage crisis they could start by suspending the ability of the banks to foreclose on homeowners by auto- computer programs. These outsourcing companies never foresaw the numbers of cases that they would be dealing with and computerized most of their procedures to cut costs. If each case was required to be reviewed independently, it could be determined whether it was sold incorrectly to begin with and where possible it could be re- written so that those home- owners who were never going to be able to afford the true cost and were effectively swindled, could refinance under terms they may allow them to keep their home.


What has resulted is computerized foreclosure, without consultation and where consultation occurs, it may already be too late to achieve a positive result. This would, create a back, of course- up of cases, but this effective delay in foreclosing on peoples homes maybe the delay required to unravel the truths behind the companies that made billions of dollars profit from those who could least afford it.

Read more...

The Money Inexplicably Siphoned Off Is The Hidden Fees - Gladys Larrow's Finance blog:

A merchant account can be described as a relationship between a businessmen and a merchant bank that allows them to accept payments through credit cards from their customers. Advanced Merchant Services is an undisputed leader of the merchant accounts industry.

Although Credit Cards Only Used To Be Available From A Small Number Of Banks, Nowadays You Can Get Credit Cards Just About Anywhere - Finance Blog:

Although credit cards only used to be available from a small number of banks, nowadays you can get credit cards just about anywhere.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Portion Of These Taxes Are Used To Pay For The Basic Needs Of People Who Have Lost Their Job And Have Become Unemployed

Category: Finance.

One of the most unfortunate things that can happen to any person is to lose your status of employment that provides a steady source of income. Becoming unemployed can be a devastating event and will tear down a person s feelings of self- confidence and achievement if another job is not quickly obtained.



Once a person loses a job, it becomes very difficult to purchase basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical supplies, especially if they have not saved up any money. This event of unemployment can be even more devastating if you are trying to support a family that relies on your source of income for all of its basic needs. The United States is one of the best countries to deal with when it comes to being unemployed, and many people probably wonder about how unemployment actually works in this country. It is a very unfortunate event and different countries around the world try different approaches to help the people who are unemployed in their country. Within the United States, in order to receive unemployment benefits you must qualify for two different requirements. This proof can be shown through income tax forms or background checks that show your employment history, which may include the loss of your most recent job. The first and most obvious is that you have to show proof that you really are unemployed and do not currently have any source of income.


The second requirement that must be met in order to receive unemployment benefits is proof that you are actually in the process of trying to find another job that will provide a sufficient amount of income. Your job search should be a continuous process until you eventually find what you are looking for. This can be proved with copies of various job applications that you have turned in as well as reports from different companies that you have interviewed with. Once you have met both of these requirements of the United States, you can then officially register as a person who is currently unemployed and need financial aid from the federal government. These funds can either come in the form of actual currency or as official papers such as food stamps. The government will then take a careful look at your financial situation and provide enough funds to provide you with the basic needs of life. Many people often wonder about how the federal government gets all the money to support people who are unemployed, it comes from, and in reality a number of different sources.


A portion of these taxes are used to pay for the basic needs of people who have lost their job and have become unemployed. The first and most common source of employment benefits is taxes, which every citizen of this country has to pay. Another source of this money is the social security tax that comes out of every person s paycheck. The social security tax that was originally taken out of a person s paycheck may now help that same unemployed person to buy essential things.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

In Such A Situation No Credit Personal Loans Come For Help

Category: Finance.

Monetary problems can arise any time without prior notice or warning. In such a situation no credit personal loans come for help.



To get through personal loan process easily with bad credit can be daunting. Even though finding loans with no credit is slightly difficult, this is a new way of overcoming credit problems. To get a no credit personal loan, the borrower should satisfy certain basic requirements like the person should be a US citizen residing in the US with an income of US$ 800 or more per month and should have an active checking account. No credit personal loans are perfect when there is an urgent need for cash right away and approval can be obtained in less than a day. No credit personal loans can be obtained even if there is a bad credit. This has a higher interest rate than a simple long- term loan. A pay day advance is an excellent way to get a no credit check loan for bad credit or any credit since it provides a high risk loan to anyone with an active checking account.


Unlike bad credit personal loans, no credit personal loans do not have high interest rates and the borrowers must weigh down their options before deciding. Without hurrying to sign for a loan it is better to ask for free notes, compare the quotes and then decide the credit loans that offer the maximum benefits without credit checks. No credit personal loans can be availed from banks or credit institutions, which are the most searched keyword on the net. The policies and repayment terms should also be taken into consideration. It is advisable to take good notice of APR, which is the annual percentage rate- the total cost for a loan per year given as the percentage of the loan amount. No credit personal loans are not dependant on the credit score and generally do not require a collateral for the loan and therefore have a higher interest rate than secured loans.


It is the sum of the interest and any other fees compared to the amount of the loan. If the loan amount is more, then collateral is needed. It is required to concentrate on APR while comparing no credit personal loans because loans with lower APR will cost lesser. Usually no credit personal loans can be utilized for home improvement, debt consolidation or car purchase etc. where the loan term is three to five years. If there is any difficulty in repaying no credit personal loan, it should be promptly reported to the lender who might help, the reasons being genuine. No credit personal loans are not advisable for a longer term because they cost more in the long run.


Even no credit personal loans are liable to be deceptive since there may be many hidden costs. Clarifying all the doubts with the lender will help in clearing any confusion. In fact, no credit personal loans usually demand a cosigner and an exorbitant late fee. Otherwise no credit personal loan will become a personal liability.

Read more...

Then Always Consider Market Conditions - Finance:

Timing is everything!

Through Your Mortgage Broker Marketing, You Ll Take A Series Of Steps - Finance Blog:

For loan officers and mortgage brokers on the market for mortgage leads, the quality of the lead should be a top priority when determining which company to invest in.

APR Stands For Annual Percentage Rate - Finance Blog:

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. The reason it is important is because this number determines how much interest you will have to pay on any charges that you carry over on your credit card.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

A Payday Loan Is A Solution To Your Short Financial Needs

Category: Finance.

To find your- self in need of urgent money is common amongst many of us.



It is known that a bank or a company doesn t offer lending of small amount of money and even if a company does it usually requires long procedures. This can due to different reasons namely unexpected traveling, car repairs, medical bills, house repairing and many other expenses. Well there is no need to worry about that anymore. Payday loan is offered by many companies these days and you can easily find one, both in a nearby town as well as online. A payday loan is a solution to your short financial needs. Payday loan is a convenient way to get loan for a short period of time.


Now the question is what the procedure is and where to apply. A payday loan lends you money instantly within 24 hours of filling an application. As mentioned above payday loan is nowadays a common service and can easily be availed with one phone call. You can find thousand of different reputable companies online or listed in directories that allow you to lend the payday loan service. You can find a payday company over the internet or in a nearby market. Remember to contact at least three to four reputable payday loans services before deciding on one. The usual lending amount is between$ 100 and$ 500 and in some cases$ 100The interest rate is between$ 10 and$ 10The payback time is a period till your next paycheck plus a further of over two weeks, which can be extended to 18 days with negotiations.


Understand their terms and conditions and ask any related question such as the amount that can be loaned, payback time etc, interest rate. When applying for a payday loan you need to have few documents. Secondly, a proof that you are permanently employed is required. First is bank statement. No credit check hassle is involved. After you apply, you just need to wait for a call from the company regarding whether your payday loan is approved or not. The process of applying for payday loan usually takes about 20 minutes and is upfront without involvement of a third party.


In most cases the call is positive. When considering a lender you should make sure that it is certified as well as reliable. After this within 24 hours the money is deposited in your account and is ready for use but if applied over the weekend that you can expect the money to be deposited by Monday. Once lend you should make sure that it is paid back on time to avoid late fee. Though this should be avoided since it means that the loaned amount is increased with charges due to interest rate. You can extend the pay back time as well, known as roll over, incase you cannot pay back the loan in stated time period.


Always remember that when you apply for a loan you should understand their lending terms and condition to avoid any problem later.

Read more...

It Has Also Made San Diego California Real Estate Very Valuable - Finance:

Miles of beaches and warm and balmy weather all year round has made San Diego one of the favored destinations for most individuals.

A Wedding Loan Can Help You To Fund All Or Part Of Your Wedding, And Means You Can Have The Ceremony You Really Want - Finance Blog:

Weddings are becoming more and more expensive, with the average UK wedding costing well over 15, 00Each year the cost is rising, and people are spending more and more on their weddings.

And A Credit Card With Lower Interest Is Of Utmost Benefit To The Consumer - Dominique Diniz's Finance blog:

Credit cards when used in a proper manner can be very beneficial to the cardholder.

Friday, August 22, 2008

You Gotta Know Your Equity Market Structure

Category: Finance.

In today s electronic trading environment, traders and investors alike react to market structure.



Quantitative trading is popular and successful because it manages risk through mathematical analysis of market structure. In general terms, Market Structure means the number, kind and distribution, size of participants in a market. Results? On it goes. Fundamental and quantitative investors alike manage capital with programs, structured products, algorithms, crossing platforms& #133. Here s is what we are observing: the act of investing is increasingly the domain of private equity, while the practice of trading in pursuit of alpha( divergences from norms) and beta( the degree of divergence) is the prevalent form of" investing" today in the equity markets. Trades on what remains of the floor of the NYSE are driven by mathematics and execute in 200 milliseconds or less.


Consider: The Nasdaq and the NYSE, having absorbed Archipelago and Instinet( and BRUT) , are essentially ECNs. High- frequency firms like Octeg( the equity trading arm of Getco LLC) , Renaissance Technologies, Millenco, Citadel Derivatives( hedge fund Millennium Capital) and BATS Trading move billions of shares per month& #150. Also, now the world, Goldman Sachs s largest hedge fund, grew revenues 52% in 2006 to$ 38 billion and had an all- time investment- bank high net income of$ 5 billion( after paying out$ 15 billion in bonuses) principally on the strength of trading operations. Often more than the global market s biggest equity program trader, Morgan Stanley. And Fidelity is among the largest algorithmic traders. So IROs, if you re still practicing investor relations the same old way, you re ill- equipped for Reg NMS markets. Any wonder why?


You gotta know your equity market structure. If you conduct your IR program& #150. If you don t, you re the only participant in your own market who doesn t. Messaging, shareholder- base goals, measurement, outreach& #150. Risks? Without considering market structure, you re neglecting a key facet of what drives your external target market s decisions.


Inaccurate answers about why your equity appreciates or declines. Ineffective measurement of your Investor Relations program. Wasted time on outreach and messages inappropriate for your market structure. Net effect: Reduced value at the management table, less functional relevance. "But we focus on the business and let the stock take care of itself. " Okay. That s why they re pumping literally trillions into private equity. Investors will always follow the cash& #133. So go private.


Then adapt by learning the new key value drivers embodied in market structure. Or accept that the short- term nature of today s equity markets is at odds with altruism. IROs, The Street isn t what it used to be. And your management team& #150. If you& #150. Want to navigate today s equity market with calm confidence, you must cozy up to market structure and make it your friend.

Read more...

So, How Are These Credit Scores Calculated - Finance Articles:

So, how are these credit scores calculated?

Without Fulfilling These Requirements, The Contract Is Good For Nothing - Finance Articles:

For those of you who have been pondering upon the thought of buying a property in the Dominican Republic, there are a few tips that could bring this business on the road of good winnings.

Military Credit Cards - Rosella Spiva's Finance blog:

Partnered With Hundreds. There is a style for every person and for every degree of credit worthiness.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The City Of Chula Vista Is The Second Largest In San Diego County, And The Fourteenth Largest In The State Of California

Category: Finance.

You have a goal, home ownership in San Diego County, and a Southern San Diego mortgage loan can help you achieve this goal. The city of Chula Vista is the second largest in San Diego County, and the fourteenth largest in the state of California.



South Bay is a vibrant, friendly community rich in cultural history. Roughly translated, the name of this city means beautiful view, Chula Vista was part of a Spanish land grant known as Rancho del Rey, or The Kings Ranch, encompassing the areas known now as National City, Bonita, Chula Vista, Sunnyside, and Sweetwater Valley. The first South Bay mortgage was finalized in 1880, when promotional tracts of land were offered at low rates to help attract settlers to the area. In 1847, the United States claimed California after the Mexican American War, but land grants were allowed to continue as private property under American law for twenty more years, when the land was sold to one of San Diegos premier city planning firms, the Kimball Brothers. The purchaser was required to build a home within six months of purchase, and many people took advantage of this offer, leading to a great housing boom n the area. The last citrus groves and produce fields were gone from the landscape after this point, but this area expanded into one of the largest San Diego communities, as many more southern San Diego mortgage loans were issued, and many more houses, and schools were, businesses built to accommodate the growing need. The city of Chula Vista was officially incorporated in 1911, due to both the housing boom, and the discovery of citrus trees in the area in 188 After WWII, the demographic of South Bay was forever changed, due to the influx of service men that settled in the area.


The areas most recent developments, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, and surrounding areas, have brought a further influx of both population and housing to the region. As this city continues to grow, now is the perfect time to secure your Chula Vista mortgage loan, and become a part of this thriving community. The downtown area of the city has undergone recent renovation as well, and in the Eastlake area, many new shopping centers, including the premiere Eastlake Town Center, have been built. Your mortgage lender can help you to review all of your options, and determine the type of loan that is best for your individual needs.

Read more...

See Below For More Information On Financial Advisors - Finance Articles:

The job of the personal advisor begins with client consultation. Using these to pieces of information, an advisor with then create a thorough plan that identifies problems as well as offer remedies and solutions.

Why Can T I Get A Loan - Finance Blog:

For some people getting a loan can seem impossible, due to poor credit or other circumstances out of their control. If you follow these simple steps, then you can improve your financial status and get the best loan deal for your individual requirements.

Bankruptcy - Lindsey Dalessio's Finance blog:

Remember one of the most popular board games of the 80& rsquo.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

So, Gas Up With A Generic And Save Big

Category: Finance.

You can t do much about gas prices, but you can still save at the pump.



While this may not sound like a lot of money it does add up to as much as$ 200 per year or more, depending on your driving habits. Not a bundle of money, but perhaps two or three dollars per fill up. Who doesn t want to save at the pump? Name v. You know that you do. Generic Brand- Perhaps you have long used BP, Texaco or some, Exxon other big name oil company s gas station over the years. Well, the" Gas and Go" down the street- you know, the generic" no name" gas station always charges less, as much as a dime less per gallon, but you have avoided them.


Heck, their gas really isn t any different now, is it? Well, did you know that many generic stations get their gas from the same place as the Exxons, and other big, Mobils name companies of the world? They just don t get charged a franchise fee covering advertising and other expenses. They certainly do. So, gas up with a generic and save big. Plus v. Premium v.


Regular- Most pumps have two grades of fuel while some have three: regular, plus and premium running at 87, 89, and 91 or 92 octane. Therefore, unless your owner s manual specifically says you must run premium gas, don t bother- pocket the extra dime or quarter per gallon that you would save. Did you know that most cars will run on regular gas? Ethanol v. Depending where you live[ the Midwest USA for example] and what gas prices are doing at the moment, you could pay as much has 50 cents less per gallon for ethanol. Gasoline- If you own one of the millions of vehicles on North American highways that can run on either ethanol or gasoline then you may be in luck.


One caveat: your fuel mileage drops by about 20% when filling up with ethanol. Naturally, driving within the speed limit, and keeping your, avoiding fast starts engine tuned, and tires inflated are other ways to save on gas. Therefore, if the savings per gallon isn t better than 20% , then don t bother. Altogether you can do your part to restrict your gas usage without going nuts doing it. Otherwise, opt for a hybrid and hope that you can get some sort of government rebate to justify your purchase.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

What Is Identity Theft

Category: Finance.

What is Identity Theft?



Each one of us is unique. We are all proud of our name, our reputation and our accomplishments. We each have our very own distinct identity. A coach, parent or boss, teacher may have misunderstood, more than the problem being the other person who got all the credit. We have all been annoyed when someone took credit for something we accomplished. You are just annoyed that they bask in the glory of the moment when you think they really should give you at least some of the credit.


It usually doesn t really matter in the big scheme of things. You soon learn its part of life, and to" just get over it" and move on. The problem becomes much more serious when your identity is not just borrowed for a moment, but is actually deliberately stolen and used for profit by someone else. You may incur financial losses, or even legal issues in the form of a criminal record. Worse, there may be serious consequences for you personally. You could face severe difficulties just getting on with the routines of your life.


You may find it difficult to get employment. Insurance companies, and lending companies, banks may not want to do business with you- or they may only offer tough terms. It may be hard for you to rent a home. You could face large bills from having to engage identity theft lawyers to protect your identity. Foreign countries may not admit you as a visitor if the records show you are a criminal. You may well have every right to feel frustrated.


Nevertheless, the processes to recover your losses and put your reputation right will probably move very slowly, and perhaps at great emotional expense and financial cost to you. These kinds of identity fraud are crimes, and you become a victim of crime. The problem for those in leadership is deciding who, is the perpetrator, in fact of identity fraud- you or the thief. We all have rights, even thieves pretending to be you. Put yourself in their position: both you and the identity thief seem to be the same individual. We are all assumed to be innocent until proven guilty under our legal system. You may find it necessary to engage an identity fraud attorney.


Until you or an investigator can show clear evidence one way or the other, and until those in authority accept you are the" real" you, and what you have or have not done, then you may feel under suspicion as the thief yourself. Expect to be somewhat discouraged as the wheels of justice slowly grind away to sort out these questions. It is very wise to take what measures you reasonably can to prevent your identity from being stolen to begin with. And expect it may take a long time to fully clear your reputation of the damage an identity thief can do to you.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Point 1- Avoid Day Trading Systems

Category: Finance.

There are many forex trading courses and educational material that a person can find online. Certainly there are huge amounts of information that will educate you about Forex trading, but not all of it will help you to achieve your goals of making a profit rather than losing.



However how does someone go about finding the best Forex trading education information? Below are some guidelines which should help you to find the best forex trading education course. Many people when starting out in Forex trading will be enticed into thinking that the best way of making money is through day trading. Point 1- Avoid Day Trading Systems. Certainly if you were to ask a person who is selling a Forex trading course for details relating to their real time track record with regard to profits relating to day trading they will not be able to provide one to you. Point 2- Real Time Profit Records.


So if you are looking to produce an income from your trading then do not waste your time on day trading. When buying any sort of forex education course, you need to be provided with these records. Unfortunately some of these courses being offered online today are from people who have either never traded in their lives or have failed when they have used the system themselves. If a person selling their system does not have confidence in the abilities of their system and are not investing their own monies then why should you. Point 3- Understand It. It is important that you learn everything you can about the system in question so that you understand it completely. Once you find a forex trading system which either has a track record or is willing to show their real profits then there are some other things which you will need to take into consideration.


Unfortunately if you have no understanding of how the system works then you will not have the confidence to trust in it and follow the system through to a likely conclusion if you start to suffer losses. There are literally hundreds of places on the web that can offer you an education as well as free advice on Forex trading so do some investigating and you will soon find one that is ideal for you. By keeping these points in mind, you will find the best Forex trading education that is suited to your kind of personality.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

No Matter Where You Look, There Is No Such Thing As A Free Merchant Account

Category: Finance.

Seasons change.



Businesses come and go. Snakes shed their old skins. New Products get old in a blink of an eye. However, one thing remains unchanged- for merchants all over the planet- free merchant accounts are not free. Merchants used to sell in the streets, now they sell on what some call the Internet highway. Ever.


This shouldn' t faze merchants from applying for a free merchant account though. No matter where you look, there is no such thing as a free merchant account. Discover the 5 reasons why you should choose a free merchant account for your merchant account needs. Start up businesses are always striving to save money. Affordable Set up. Most can' t even cough up the money needed to get their own merchant account- they might even get rejected if they try.


That's one freebie for you! A free merchant account is the easy solution to processing payments online at prices you can afford- in fact, some providers free merchants from set up fees! Open to all businesses. Because of the nature of your business- classified as high risk due to the higher risk of fraud- applying for your own merchant account will be next to impossible unless you apply for a free merchant account. Do you have a business in the area of pharmacy, online gaming, travel, or adult entertainment and wish to do business online? A free merchant account sets more relaxed rules for businesses, and some in fact specialize in high risk businesses.


Ever heard of businesses applying for a merchant account at 9 in the morning and selling before the day has ended? Paper work is minimal with free merchant accounts- not free but definitely easy. 24 hours. No, that's not a rumor. Due to less paperwork and more lenient rules, approvals are done in less than 24 hours. It's true for free merchant account. International market. However, one cannot discount the fact that it improves cashflow, and with millions of shoppers out there, one can easily ignore the cons.


Selling to the international market has both its pros and cons. If you' ve ever wanted to sell to Australia? Or any country in the planet no matter how large or a small a dot in the world, a free merchant account affords you the ability to sell securely to a bigger market. UK? Beats building a store in the middle of nowhere. Yes.


Monthly fees= Zero. You' re reading it right. There are still a lot of reasons why one should consider a free merchant account. To attract more merchants to sign up with them, a lot of free merchant account providers slash their rates and the first that falls are the monthly fees. From the reliable service( given that the provider is a legitimate one) , the freebies involved and the affordable rates, the facts remain: free merchant account are easy to acquire and easy to set up. Whether you' re making a killing in your business or earning as small as$ 10 a week, cashing in on the ecommerce onslaught is pretty fuss- free when you have a free merchant account.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Balance Transfer Charges

If you have just gotten a new card with a great rate, you might want to take another look.



If you are unaware of them then these fees and penalties can really add up, and end up making your great deal cost you a lot of money. Although you might have secured 0% for the next 6 months, there are often a range of cleverly disguised fees and penalties to take into account. Here is some advice about how to identify and avoid these sneaky card charges. One of the sneakiest charges is not really a charge at all, but rather a removal of the benefits that you have on your card. Removal of benefits. If you have a low APR or balance transfer rate, then you should not take these for granted.


If you are even 1 day late with paying your bill, or go over your limit by the smallest amount, these offers can be taken away from you and replaced with a much higher APR. Although you might believe this deal is secured for the next 6 months as promised, this is subject to you meeting strict criteria. Although this is explained in the small print of the contract, many people overlook this and then feel the sting when their 0% credit card turns into a 20% one. Balance transfer charges. Make sure that you know the conditions for keeping your deal, and then stick to them as best you can. Although some cards offer a 0% rate on balance transfers, that does not stop them charging you a handling fee for the transfer. If your balance is relatively low then you could be forking out a hefty percentage of the total amount.


Despite you not having to pay interest on the transferred balance for a period of time, it will cost you money to transfer the balance. Make sure that you check the associated fees for balance transfers before proceeding. Another procedure that can cost you money is the way that your card issuer pays off the balance you have. Paying off the cheapest debts. As you begin to pay off the balance, the card issuer can decide whether to pay off the higher rate part of the balance or the lower rate part. If you are going to get a new card, check out the way that the issuer pays off the balance, because if you can find one that pays the expensive part off first then you could save some money. For example, if you have made a balance transfer of 1000 to your card at 0% , and then have 500 in new purchases at 17% interest, the bank is more than likely to pay off the 0% amount first so that they can make money in interest off the other amount.


Penalty fees. For example, if you have a balance of 990 on your card with a limit of 1000 and you do not pay your bill on time, you could be hit with a 25 charge. Although your card might have low APR and a nice credit limit, if you do not stick to making your payments on time then you could end up paying huge amounts in penalty fees. This charge will put you over your credit limit, and trigger another 25 charge. Although some credit card charges are disguised well, it is important to read the contract thoroughly and check all the charges before signing anything. Before you know it you could have paid 100 in charges just for being a day late with payment. If you do this then you will avoid most sneaky card charges and be able to take advantage of your low rates.