Personal Finance Management GuidePersonal Finance Management GuideQuick and easy strategies for getting control of your money. An all-you-need-to-know introduction to managing and making the most of your hard-earned money. Articles
Kids allowance: How do I know if my child is ready to receive an allowance?
2008-06-20 21:49:00 Teaching money management to a child is much like potty training: you never know when the right time is, and in all probability, you will fail on the first attempt. The parents? specific decision on this issue will depend largely on the child?s situation and degree of maturity. Some children are too young for an allowance?they are not ready to manage money of their own yet. Despite that, it is very important for kids to be taught the basics of budgeting and spending. Once your child shows both an interest in and an understanding of the concept of money - the fact that it can be exchanged for goods - they are ready to start learning the basics of money management. For many kids, this may be as young as three or four. Try to give him a small amount of money first everyday. With this practice, you will see how your son views the additional stipend: Is this something to be... THIS IS CONTENT INTRODUCTION ONLY. Some bloggers scrape my contents without linking back. I'm sorry for the i... More About: Kids , Child , Allowance , Ready
Couch Potato?s Guide to Buying a TV REMOTE Control
2008-06-16 18:32:00 #1. When purchasing a remote, consider whether or not it has backlighting (or, at least, glow-in-the-dark buttons), which comes in handy when you?re viewing in dimly lit scenarios, such as watching a movie at night. #2. The more devices the remote can control, the more expensive it will be. Consider the number of devices the universal remote controls versus the price. A remote can control as few as three devices and as many as 12. The number of devices your remote controls correlates to the number of remotes you?ll get rid of! #3. Some remotes give audio feedback to confirm that a command has been executed. #4. RF, or radio-frequency, remotes can be operated through walls or cabinets and usually have a much greater range than IR remotes. #5. Macros are important for many home theater owners because they allow you to power up the TV, DVD player, and audio system with the... THIS IS CONTENT INTRODUCTION ONLY. Some bloggers scrape my contents without linking back. I'm sorry for th... More About: Lifestyle , Buying , Remote Control , Potato , Guide
Car Leasing/ Car Rental: Leasing Tricks and Traps to AVOID
2008-05-28 19:41:00 A car salesperson?s job is to get as much money out of you as possible, and every new element you add to a deal offers yet another opportunity to do so. Let?s say you decide that leasing is for you and sit down to do the paper-work. All of a sudden you?re facing additional charges for ?conveyance,? ?disposition,? ?acquisition,? ?preparation,? and the like. Say what? ?Oh, don?t worry,? you?re told, ?we?ll just roll them into the lease.?Like fun you will! Charges like these are pure dealer profit, and they are completely negotiable. To give yourself the leverage you need, bargain with two dealers at once and play them off against each other.Second, watch the ?capitalized cost? listed in the lease agreement. Some dealers are not above letting you negotiate the price down all you want and then filling in the car?s sticker price in the lease contract. The capitalize cost of the vehicle should be the price you negotiated based on the dead cost and dealer profit, plus taxes and incidental ... More About: Rental , Tricks , Leasing , Avoid
Putting God First: Bible Based Money Management
2008-05-21 01:59:00 In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to seek God?s kingdom first and everything else will be added unto us. How do we put Him first?1. Stop Worrying?Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?? (Matthew 6:25). Worrying means that we do not think God can look after the practical details of our lives.2. Stop Seeking What the Pagans Seek?So do not worry and say, ?What are we to eat?? or ?What are we to drink?? or ?What are we to wear?? All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all? (Matthew 6:31-32).Trust that God is looking after you and He provides for you.3. Start Seeking God?s Kingdom and Righteousness?But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides? (Matthew 6:33).Get to know ?His way of doing things and being right.? Give God top priority in your life by ... More About: Money , Money Management , Management , Bible , Putting
STOP Foreclosure
2008-05-16 12:06:00 John lost his job six months ago in a round of mass layoffs, and he's been unable to find consistent work since. He and his wife had little in savings, and with every day that passes they're getting further and further behind on their bills.Two months ago today, Mary's husband walked out on her and the kids. Between childcare costs and other bills, she can barely afford to put food on the table.Every day thousands of people across the U.S. fall deeper into debt, often through no fault of their own. Left unchecked, this debt ultimately threatens their number one asset, their home, through the process of foreclosure.It doesn't have to end there, though. There are ways to stop foreclosure, protect your credit and keep your home.What is Foreclosure ?In most states, when you buy a home there are actually two parties on the buying side: you (the mortgagor) and the lender (the mortgagee). You own the home, but the mortgagee holds a lien on the property for as long as the mortgage has an... More About: Stop
7 Proven TIPS for Investing SUCCESS
2008-05-14 04:28:00 There?s no reason why you can?t buy mutual funds and also buy stocks on your own. And it doesn?t have to be a big deal. According to a survey, fund investors typically own just three funds and stock investors typically hold just three stocks. However, before you begin any investment program, you might want to consider taking the following steps:Step 1: Fully fund your IRA, Keogh, 401 (k), and other plans that let you use pre-tax dollars to earn tax-deferred interest. If you?re in your twenties or thirties, this should be your absolute number-one priority. By being an ?early investor,? you?ll reap the benefits of long-term, tax-deferred compounding.It's a smart move that can pay off for you - perhaps even more than you'd think. Do early contributions really make that much of a difference? Consider this: To fund an IRA for any given year, you've got 15 months, from the beginning of each year until the tax deadline the following year. By consistently funding your IRA at the beginnin... More About: Tips , Success , Investing , Proven
An Anecdote of a Smart Business Man
2008-04-16 03:34:00 There were three stores in a row. One day the owner of the right-hand store put up a sign: ?FIRE SALE.?The man on the left end, not to be outdone, put up a sign: ?BANKRUPTCY SALE.?The man in the middle was stymied for a while. Then he came out with a sign: ?MAIN ENTRANCE.? (Personal Finance Management Guide by Marie Claire Cooper. It's all about good reading and smart information.) http://personal-finance-management.blogsp ot.com/ More About: Business , Entrepreneurship , Smart
For Love and Money ? Minimize Financial Trouble in Relationships
2008-04-12 04:54:00 All too often, dealing with money matters within relationships is much like mixing oil and water. The two simply don't mix. Whether we're talking about family members, friends or others close to us, when money concerns enter into the relationship, all too often things turn out badly.This is especially true when dealing with intimate relationships such as marriage. Issues involving money are presently recognized as leading causes of divorce. (It may also be argued though, that while finances are a significant issue in many breakups, money problems are often symptoms, not necessarily the root cause, of the problems in a relationship. But that's another day and another article.)Why is money such an issue? I think, two reasons. One, I don't know many people who aren't passionate and opinionated when it comes to money matters, and two, because as crazy as it seems, a great many individuals still fail to thoroughly discuss financial matters before they enter into close personal relat... More About: Lifestyle , Relationships , Love , Money , Financial
Yuppies Dilemma on Buying or Leasing a Car
2008-04-08 04:02:00 Should I lease or buy a car? It's a common dilemma: to lease or buy a car ? which is better? Everyone who has ever considered leasing has had this question cross their mind.When you buy, you pay for the entire cost of a vehicle, regardless of how many miles you drive it. You typically make a down payment, pay sales taxes in cash or roll them into your loan, and pay an interest rate determined by your loan company, based on your credit history. On the other hand, when you lease, you pay for only a portion of a vehicle's cost, which is the part that you "use up" during the time you're driving it. You have the option of not making a down payment, you pay sales tax only on your monthly payments (in most states), and you pay a financial rate, that is similar to the interest on a loan.From a purely financial standpoint, you should buy the best car you can afford, maintain it, and drive it for seven to ten years or more. After all, once your loan is paid off, use of the car itself is ?f... More About: Buying , Dilemma , Leasing
Top 5 Money Management Tips for Seniors
2008-04-04 11:08:00 While many personal finance tips are geared toward young investors who are saving for retirement, those of us who have already reached retirement age also need money management advice. Yes, the golden years can creep up on us and with more people reaching 100 years old than ever before, we obviously have many more years in which to stretch our dollars.Here are the top five money management tips for seniors:#1. Apply for Social Security ? You become eligible for Social Security at age 62, though you will earn more if you wait to apply when you are 65. If you need the money before age 65, by all means you should apply earlier. Ideally, you should have another source of income, though there are many seniors who get by on their benefits alone.#2. Consider a Smaller Home ? Are you still living in a large expensive home, even though all your birds have flown the nest? While you may be emotionally attached to your family home, it may be more sensible to downsize and reduce your monthly cos... More About: Money , Money Management , Management , Tips , Seniors
Motley Fool 12 Tenets of Value Stock Investing
2008-03-27 00:36:00 #1. Rule No. 1: Don't lose money. Rule No. 2: Don't forget Rule No. 1. Don't be satisfied to let a few stocks in your portfolio lose a lot of money while one hits a home run.#2. Be an investor, not a speculator. Too many investors jump on the momentum bandwagon and chase stocks just because the price is going up. Most believe they can get out before the stock price crashes ? but few do!#3. Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Valuation always matters. Learn how to value companies.#4. Buy with a margin of safety. Estimates of value depend on a wide variety of inputs and are never hard and fast. Buying stocks at a significant discount to valuation estimates provides a margin of safety.#5. Stop trying to predict the direction of the market. Timing the market is a futile exercise that no one has consistently mastered. If your investment thesis is right, the market will eventually come around.#6. Patience is a key element of success. Don't chase a stock with a price above yo... More About: Stock Investing , Investing , Stock , Fool
3-Minute Guide you MUST Know About Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Mortgage Refin
2008-03-20 05:12:00 If you have a sterling credit record and a stable employment history, you can usually pick and choose among various mortgage products. There are two main questions you?ll have to ask yourself: Should you go with a fixed or adjustable rate? Should you pay the loan back over a term of fifteen or thirty years?Fixed-rate, thirty-year mortgage are the most common. The money is paid back over the term of the loan, and the interest rate and monthly payments never vary. With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), in contrast, the interest rate and monthly payment amount can vary within certain defined limits. Here are the key concepts you need to know about ARMs:# Teasers. Artificial low teaser rates are often used to attract borrowers. The teaser rate may actually be lower than the current benchmark, and it is often two to three points lower than the rate on a fixed-rate loan. But teasers rates last for only a limited period of time, usually one to three years.# Overall cap. Be sure your ARM i... More About: Mortgage , Guide , Adjustable Rate Mortgage , Minute , Rate
Something Personal # 1: Karaoke Expression
2008-03-19 08:26:00 I resigned from my job a couple of months ago because I was accepted as a research student in Kyodai (Kyoto University) for a year. After this I hope I will be accepted as a student in their Economics doctoral program.Currently, I am staying at international student?s dormitory and living on my savings and scholarship stipends. Being frugal here is quite challenging because Japan have a high standard of living and prices of consumer goods is quite steep.There may come a time when different customs in Japan put you in an embarrassing situation, especially where money is concerned. In Japan it is common practice to pay for what one has consumed. When having a party with friends or going to a movie upon a friend?s invitation, we usually split the bill.Anyways, yesterday I went to a karaoke joint with my new friends? It was very funny. But so far away from my own culture. I came from the state of New York, and karaoke is considered as an old-fashioned entertainment. Well, I think that w... More About: Personal , Karaoke , Expression
Stop Whining, Start Living
2008-03-14 05:11:00 In order to take control of your personal finances, you have to get a handle on your net worth and your monthly spending habits. Once you have that information, you can focus on ways to reduce spending so that you?ll have more money left at the end of each month to apply to investments and to other goals.The key to achieving nearly any financial dream is really quite simple: Spend less than you earn and invest the rest. It?s not easy, but simple. Fortunately, doing the right thing does not have to be painful. Think of boat crossing the ocean. On a long trip, an all-but-imperceptible change in direction of but a few compass points will have a huge effect on where you land at the end of your journey. (Personal Finance Management Guide by Marie Claire Cooper. It's all about good reading and smart information.) http://personal-finance-management.blogsp ot.com/ More About: Living , Start , Stop
The Uncommon Philosophy of Simple Living or Voluntary Simplicity
2008-03-12 03:22:00 "The more money you spend, the more time you have to be out there earning it and the less time you have to spend with the ones you love". - Tracey SmithSimple living (simple life, frugal living or voluntary simplicity) is a lifestyle in which individuals consciously choose to minimize the 'more-is-better' pursuit of wealth and consumption. Simple living as a concept is distinguished from those living in forced poverty, as it is a voluntary lifestyle choice. The term "downshifting" is often used to describe the act of moving from a lifestyle of greater consumption towards a lifestyle based on voluntary simplicity. If there is understanding of the difference between the body and the soul, then, just as we don?t neglect to supply the physical with food, similarly, we don?t live in the illusion that our inner craving or emptiness can be satisfied by endless material consumption.In order not to consume unnecessarily, we need to make a distinction between the body and the self. You are ... More About: Philosophy , Living , Simplicity , Voluntary
10 Daily LAW OF ATTRACTION Positive Affirmations
2008-03-06 23:44:00 Law of Attraction means that "like attracts like", usually as applied to the mental life of human beings: that a person's thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs and actions attract corresponding positive or negative experiences. This process has been described as "harmonious vibrations of the law of attraction", or "you get what you think about; your thoughts determine your experience."According to this belief, thoughts have an energy that attracts like energy. In order to control this energy, proponents state that people must practice four things:# Know what one desires and ask the universe for it. (The "universe" is mentioned broadly, stating that it can be anything the individual envisions it to be, from God to an unknown source of energy.)# Focus one's thought upon the thing desired with great feeling such as enthusiasm or gratitude.# Feel and behave as if the object of one's desire is already acquired.# Be open to receiving it.Thinking of what one does not h... More About: Daily , Law of Attraction , Positive , Affirmations
FOUR Crucial Investment Realities You MUST Know on Stock Market Investing
2008-03-02 00:12:00 Everything said so far is so solidly supported by facts that no one disagrees with it. Buying and holding stocks over time is one of the best ways ever invented to build wealth.So the next logical question is: What?s the best way to buy stocks? Here opinions differ. And some of those opinions are not untainted with conflicts of interest. Simple solutions do exist, but hold these truths in mind as we approach them:# Reality 1: Hot tips and claims of inside information are usually yesterday?s news. ?A friend of a friend who is the manicurist for the wife of the CEO of General Motors (GM) said to buy Blimpy-Whimpy, X.P.S, right now. Big developments are on the way.? Unfortunately, unless you work at a high level industry, by the time you or anyone you know has gotten an accurate hot tip, it?s history. Leaving aside the laws against insider trading, ask yourself this: Why would anybody who really knew something share it with anyone else?# Reality 2: Investing is often ego-based. The fin... More About: Stock Market , Market , Investment , Stock
Life Insurance Simplified: Buy Term Insurance without Medical Exam
2008-02-26 02:06:00 There are three major considerations when it comes to life insurance. First and foremost is determining whether or not you need it- not everyone does. Second is deciding what kind you should buy. And third is figuring out how much coverage you need. Unlike health insurance, life insurance isn?t a necessity for everyone. For the vast majority of people, the only reason to buy life insurance is that someone depends on their income. If the kids have moved out, the college bills and mortgage are paid off, and you?ve accumulated enough money for your surviving spouse to live in comfort, you probably don?t need life insurance. Similarly, if you are a single individual with no dependents, it rarely makes sense to buy life insurance.Buy Term Insurance . If you need life insurance, most experts agree that the only kind of to consider is term insurance, either annually renewable or level-premium. Forget about cash-value policies (also known as whole life, universal life, permanent life, and ot... More About: Life , Medical , Life Insurance , Exam
How to Choose the Best Credit Card: Credit Cards for People with Bad Credit
2008-02-24 15:38:00 The most important question to ask when considering the credit card deal that is best for you is whether you expect to carry a monthly balance or, like about one third of Americans, you expect to pay each credit card bill in full when it arrives.If you promptly pay off your balance, the card?s annual percentage rate (APR) is irrelevant. So look for a card with no annual fee (or a very low one, like $45) and a ?grace period? of twenty-five days, if possible. (You?ll learn more about grace periods in a moment.)On the other hand, if you usually run a balance, go for the card with the lowest available interest rate. And, should competing cards offer the same low rate, go with the one charging the lowest annual fee.Remember that the real cost of a credit card comprises any fee plus the annual percentage interest rate on your unpaid balance (and the way it is calculated). Additional considerations include fees charged for cash advances and late payments.None of this stops credit-cad issue... More About: Credit Cards , People , Card , Credit , Credit Card
Dollar-Cost Averaging: How to Invest on Mutual Funds and Stocks
2008-02-22 06:28:00 The best way to invest is to, in fact, invest, and to do on a regular basis. It sounds simpleminded, but it?s not. It takes discipline to invest even $300 every month, month in and month out, no matter what. But it is really the key to financial security. And it provides a very important benefit you may not know about: It lets you harness the power of dollar-cost averaging.Dollar -cost averaging frees you from the need to closely monitor the market and the stocks you own to determine (or rather, guess at) just the right moment to buy. By regularly investing the same amount in the same high-quality security month after month, you will acquire fewer shares when the price is high, but you?ll buy more shares when the price is low.For example, suppose you invest $100 a month in a favorite mutual fund. In the first month, shares are $10, so your $100 buys ten shares. The next month, the shares are $20, so you get five shares. You now own fifteen shares and you have invested $200. Your aver... More About: Stocks , Mutual fund , Cost , Mutual Funds
How to Find and Select a Certified Tax Accountant
2008-02-07 11:47:00 #1. Ask around. Talk to others in your profession or business about the people they?ve used and whether they?ve been satisfied.#2. Try to find someone who knows your business. Tax law is complex, so you don?t want to hire someone who knows the service business if your business is manufacturing.#3. Pay candidates a visit. Any worthy candidate should be willing to give you an hour to discuss your situation, needs and desires. This will give you a chance to get a sense of the person and the firm and what they will do for you as a client. And don?t be shy about asking how fees are set.#4. The more questions the accountant asks you, the better. Asking questions shows interest, of course, but questions can also reflect selectivity borne of success and skill.Someone who asks a lot of questions probably doesn?t plan to take every client who walks in the door.#5. Don?t overlook the personal: Find someone you?re comfortable with. Though not as personal as the doctor/patient relationship, the ... More About: Taxes , Select , Accountant , Certified
Video: Building Savings and Ownership in America
2008-02-01 00:32:00 A look at savings and ownership in America . Giving effective voice, on a daily basis, to people rarely heard. BDV-256769-BDV (Personal Finance Management Guide by Marie Claire Cooper. It's all about good reading and smart information.) (Personal Finance Management Guide by Marie Claire Cooper. It's all about good reading and smart information.) More About: Video , Building , Savings
How to Raise a Good Credit Score: What Matters Most?
2008-01-30 12:41:00 A credit score is a numerical expression based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files, to represent the creditworthiness of that person, which is the perceived likelihood that the person will pay debts in a timely manner. A credit score is primarily based on credit report information, typically from one of the three major credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.Americans are entitled to one free credit report within a 12-month period from each of the three agencies. The three credit bureaus run Annualcreditreport.com, where users can get their free credit report, normally without credit scores. Credit scores are available as an add-on feature of the report for a fee.One of the most important elements in determining your credit creditworthiness is your track record in borrowing money and paying it back on time. But, of course, there is also the matter of how much you currently owe compared to how much you currently earn. And something you may not have thought ... More About: Score , Good , Matters
How to BUY Stocks Commission-Free: Direct Stock Purchase
2008-01-22 23:53:00 A stockbroker is someone who invests your money until it is all gone. -- Woody AllenTired of seeing brokerage commissions and ask-price percentages eating into your return? Online brokerage services offers trading stock for the cost of a couple of lattes, but are you aware of the nuisance fees? Well, you may be able to cut out the middleman and buy directly from the company. More than a thousand firms allows you to set up a Direct Stock -Purchase (DSP), Direct Purchase Programs (DPP), or Dividend Reinvestment Programs (DRIP). These are investment service that allows individuals to purchase stock directly from a company or through a transfer agent. Not all companies offer DPPs and the plans often have restrictions on when an individual can purchase shares.Direct Purchase Programs is a no-load stock and the investor can but directly through the company. Dividend Reinvestment Programs is also a no-load stock which can be bought directly through the company but you need to already own st... More About: Stocks , Free , Commission
Personal Finance Guide- Free pdf eBooks
2008-01-22 05:05:00 Personal finance is the application of the principles of finance to the monetary decisions of an individual or family unit. It addresses the ways in which individuals or families obtain, budget, save and spend monetary resources over time, taking into account various financial risks and future life events. Components of personal finance might include checking and savings accounts, credit cards and consumer loans, investments in the stock market, retirement plans, social security benefits, insurance policies, and income tax management.When you reach into a broad-ranging topic like personal finance, you find everyone and their cousin trying to reach across the Internet to give you advice. There?s so much information there that it can literally be overwhelming; there?s literally too much for the average person to sort through. Luckily for you, I am looking to quash that ?intimidation? factor. There?s no reason that personal finance can?t be thoughtful, cohesive, and comprehensive, so w... More About: Personal , Personal Finance , Finance , Ebooks , Free
Parent?s & their Children 5-MINUTE Guide to Paying for COLLEGE
2008-01-17 16:38:00 After buying a house, paying for a child's college education is the biggest expense most parents face. A college education pays off in many ways. Recent studies indicate that college graduates earn more and are less likely to be unemployed than those with high school diplomas. In addition, the "college experience" - new friends, new challenges and new accomplishments ? can provide personal growth and enrichment that last a lifetime.Here are some suggestions and tips that will help you understand the financial-aid game and get you started in the right direction toward finding a way to pay those college bills:Tip #1: Start planning as soon as your child is born. You won?t have to face the expense for another eighteen years, but there are steps, like setting up special tax-deferred accounts, that can pay big benefits in the future.Tip #2: Set up a Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly called Education IRA, EdIRA) for each child as soon as possible. Up to $2000 a year can be co... More About: Children , College , Guide , Minute , Parent
Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX): Should you buy the FUND or STOCKS instead?
2008-01-17 03:59:00 Fidelity Investments' decision to allow investors unfettered entry to its storied Magellan Fund (FMAGX) for the first time in a decade offers a promising opportunity for those who missed out on its quiet success in recent years. But while fund openings can portend a coming run-up in performance as managers lay down new bets, investors shouldn't buy into Magellan with an expectation that it is poised to take off.Like any other investment, isn't without risk and that should be just part of an overall investment plan. Some potential buyers are still enamored with a fund that did great things a generation ago. But Peter Lynch left the fund 18 years ago, and the fund has gone through several lead managers in that time. Since its peak eight years ago, when assets topped $100 billion, the fund has suffered net outflows every year.On the other hand, Harry Lange, who has managed Magellan Fund since October 2005, said a better balance of cash flows would give him the cash needed to pounce ... More About: Stocks , Mutual fund , Fidelity
Practical Ways to Save Gas on your Car
2008-01-11 14:42:00 FINALLY! You?re driving your own car, and life is a highway. Then you realize you?re using way too much gas. The price of gas is going up, up and away. With political tensions rising in the Middle East and South America, and demand for oil skyrocketing in developing nations like China and India, there?s no telling how high gas prices will climb. You can greatly improve your mileage by having your car serviced regularly and by driving wisely. Any of these 12 points can help improve your mileage:Modern cars are equipped with the most sophisticated gadgetry to making driving worry-free. High-tech electronic systems in newer models regulate the overall operational performance of cars, displaying flashes of light to warn the driver of any impending troubles. Even fuel consumption is electronically controlled to achieve optimum fuel efficiency for distance traveled. Add more mileage with these sound driving habits:#1 Fill your tank only when it is ¾ empty. If you always top off your tank,... More About: Save
More Money, More Horny and Better Sex
2008-01-11 13:26:00 According to a survey on high-net-worth individuals conducted by HSGrove Private Wealth Specialist, the richer you are, the better sex you have. It was found that money is an enabler in a number of ways to enhance sexual experiences.The respondents in the survey are people with an average net worth of $89 million, and who make more than $9 million per year.The majority of men and women credit their private wealth with achieving a better sex life. When viewed separately, a larger percentage of women agree with the statement perhaps indicating that females derive a greater degree of empowerment from their financial independence than their male counterparts. The survey participants identified the major contributors to a better sex life and their responses help shed some light on the differing sexual priorities for men and women. Nearly three-quarters of men cited more frequent sex and a greater variety of partners as the primary benefits of having wealth, revealing a fascination with q... More About: Lifestyle , Money , Horny
Bank and Credit Card Company?s Traps and Effectively Simple Counter-Measure
More articles from this author:2008-01-07 03:19:00 Zero percent interest for the next six months, or even a year, on all balance transfers. No annual fees. Rewards points for everyday purchases. Choose airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, a variety of great brand-name products or just get cash back. Low teaser rates and other deals sound great, until you find out what you?re really paying ? if you find out.What red-blooded American credit-card holder could resist such a deal?Well, if you?re smart, maybe you.Tantalizing offers like these from your bank or credit-card issuer are increasingly filled with traps that can pile on unexpected fees or trigger punitive interest rates, some as high as 35%. True, the details are spelled out in the fine print of promotions and cardholder agreements. You have to be incredibly diligent to avoid the tripwire.The strategies that follow will help make sure you don?t get caught.Trap No. 1Bait and Switch: The Oldest Trick in the BookYou?re tempted by one of the many low-rate or zero-percent card ... More About: Card , Credit , Company , Credit Card , Simple 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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