Ready, Set, Credit!
A credit card is a great financial tool. It can be more convenient to use and carry than cash and it offers valuable consumer protections under federal law.At the same time, it's a big responsibility. If you don't use it carefully, you may owe more than you can repay, damage your credit rating, and create credit problems for yourself that can be difficult to undo.Chances are your mail is full of solicitations from credit card issuers. How do you know if the time is right for a credit card? Here's some important information that may help you determine whether you're ready for plastic, what to look for when you select a company to do business with, and how to use your credit card responsibly.Qualifying for a Credit CardIf you're at least 18 years old and have a regular source of income, you're well on your way to qualifying for a card. But despite the invitations from card issuers, you'll still have to demonstrate that you're a good risk before they grant you credit.
The proof is in your credit record. If you've financed a car loan or other purchase, you probably have a record at a credit reporting bureau. This credit history shows how responsible you've been in paying your bills and helps the credit card issuer decide how much credit to extend.Before you submit a credit application, get a copy of your report to make sure it's accurate. It's available from the three major credit bureaus:EQUIFAX PO Box 105873, Atlanta, GA 30348; (800) 685-1111 (up to $8 fee)EXPERIAN (formerly TRW), PO Box 8030, Layton, UT 84041; (800) 392- 1122 (No charge)TRANS UNION PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064; (216) 779-7200 (up to $8 fee)Establishing A Credit HistorySuppose you haven't financed a car loan, a computer, or some other major purchase. How do you begin to establish credit? First, consider applying for a credit card at a local store and use it responsibly.
Ask if they report to a credit bureau. If they do - and if you pay your bills on time - you'll establish a good credit history.Second, consider a secured credit card. It requires that you open and maintain a bank account or other asset account at a financial institution as security for your line of credit. Your credit line will be a percentage of your deposit, typically from 50 to 100 percent. Application and processing fees are not uncommon for secured credit cards.
In addition, secured credit cards usually carry higher interest rates than traditional non-secured cards.Third, consider asking someone with an established credit history - perhaps a relative - to co-sign the account if you don't qualify for credit on your own. The co-signer promises to pay your debts if you don't. You'll want to repay any debt promptly so you can build a credit history and apply for credit in the future on your own.A positive credit history is an asset, not only when you apply for a credit card, but also when you apply for a job or insurance, or when you want to finance a car or home.If Your Application is DeniedIf you're turned down for a card, ask why. It may be that you haven't been at your current address or job long enough. Or that your income doesn't meet the issuer's criteria.
Different credit card companies have different standards. But if you are turned down by several companies, it may indicate that you are not ready for a credit card.If you've been denied credit because of information supplied by a credit bureau, federal law requires the creditor to give you the name and address of the bureau that supplied the information. If you contact that bureau within 30 days of receiving the denial, you are entitled to a free copy of your report. If your file contains accurate negative information, only time and good credit habits will restore your credit-worthiness. If you find an error in your report, you are entitled to have it investigated by the credit bureau and corrected at no charge.Getting the Best DealFees, charges, and benefits vary among credit card issuers.
When you're choosing a credit card, shop around. Compare these important features:Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly interest rate. Check out the.
Mark Daoust is the owner ofReady, Set, Credit!
A credit card is a great financial tool. It can be more convenient to use and carry than cash and it offers valuable consumer protections under federal law.At the same time, it's a big responsibility. If you don't use it carefully, you may owe more than you can repay, damage your credit rating, and create credit problems for yourself that can be difficult to undo.Chances are your mail is full of solicitations from credit card issuers. How do you know if the time is right for a credit card? Here's some important information that may help you determine whether you're ready for plastic, what to look for when you select a company to do business with, and how to use your credit card responsibly.Qualifying for a Credit CardIf you're at least 18 years old and have a regular source of income, you're well on your way to qualifying for a card. But despite the invitations from card issuers, you'll still have to demonstrate that you're a good risk before they grant you credit.
The proof is...
Ready, Set, Credit!
Car > Ready, Set, Credit!
Toyota Issues Recall. GM Execs Celebrate
Toyota Motor Company announced that it is recalling over 400,000 vehicles to remedy a problem with the steering mechanism. While the defect is unlikely to cause the driver to lose control of the car, the company decided to take the unaccustomed step, primarily as a precaution in regard to the cost of its liability insurance.
Upon hearing the news, GM executives, who generally find themselves in the regrettable role of initiating a recall, while the Japanese look on with a smug air, broke open the bubbly.
As the festivities enlivened the corporate corridors, a GM executive proclaimed, "This is the greatest day for the American automobile industry in fifty years. You know Toyota. They always play the quality card. But at last we have evidence that Japanese cars aren't absolutely perfect.
So there's renewed hope we can compete.".
Tom Attea, humorist and creator of NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway and has written comedy for TV.... Toyota Issues Recall. GM Execs Celebrate
Car > Toyota Issues Recall. GM Execs Celebrate
Cleaning Your Car?s Interior
For most people, cleaning the car means cleaning its exterior only. Some would not even bother to take a look inside. They think that as long as their car looks great outside, everybody else would not notice just how messy the interior could be. The sad truth though is that sometimes, the interiors could become a place for collecting various things ? from food wrappers, to some funny stones you found on the beach, to documents, to plastic bottles, to smelly socks, to some shirts.
Cleaning the interior of a vehicle could be considered an easy task despite the amount of "collections" you have in it.
One of the tips that you should keep in mind when cleaning your car's interior would be to think that after you are done, you would have a car that not only looks new from the outside but also feels and smells new from the inside.
Before starting out, make sure that you park your car in a cool and shady place. This is because direct sunlight actually...
Car > Cleaning Your Car?s Interior
Cleaning Your Car?s Interior
For most people, cleaning the car means cleaning its exterior only. Some would not even bother to take a look inside. They think that as long as their car looks great outside, everybody else would not notice just how messy the interior could be. The sad truth though is that sometimes, the interiors could become a place for collecting various things ? from food wrappers, to some funny stones you found on the beach, to documents, to plastic bottles, to smelly socks, to some shirts.
Cleaning the interior of a vehicle could be considered an easy task despite the amount of "collections" you have in it.
One of the tips that you should keep in mind when cleaning your car's interior would be to think that after you are done, you would have a car that not only looks new from the outside but also feels and smells new from the inside.
Before starting out, make sure that you park your car in a cool and shady place. This is because direct sunlight actually...
Car > Cleaning Your Car?s Interior
Curtains Down For The New Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet
The much awaited Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet will be unveiled soon enough. And all those who would be actually able to witness such an event will find out that, indeed, this new Ford Focus is a vehicle that is worth your while and your money.
The Ford Motor Company states that the new Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet holds an open air motoring feature. And aside from this, it also offers owners and passengers stability, comfort, as well as practicality. Of course, this is very much associated with the current range of the Ford Focus line of vehicles, making it a top selling vehicle in the auto market.
Come October this year, interested parties can start purchasing this new model. And this month, the Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet would be making its debut in the United Kingdom at the British International Motor Show.
Created and manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, the Ford Focus range of vehicles has been produced since 1998. It took the spot that...
Car > Curtains Down For The New Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet
The Four Cornerstones of Nutrition
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on different foods containing them, but the reporters rarely provide any context in which the informaiton can be understood. To receive the benefits of good nutrition, it is important to understand how the different components fit together. Here's one way to look at nutrition as a whole. In nutrition, we have components called micronutrients. There are different ways to group them, but I like to call the following the Four Cornerstones of Nutrition.First, the cornerstones.Vitamins and Minerals Antioxidants Plant Sterols Glyconutrients When you eat, all of these things should be in your diet.
They don't make up the bulk of your food but instead these are the "little details" that make up the smaller parts needed for cellular function.Here's how I think of it. With a car you have steel, glass and rubber. That's like the bulk of the food you eat. It's important.In the same car you have just one little needle to say how fast your car...
The Four Cornerstones of Nutrition
Car > The Four Cornerstones of Nutrition
How to Plan a Car Show Extravaganza and Fundraiser
A car show "extravaganza" is a fantastic opportunity to bring a community or special interest group together ? for more than one cause.
Planning your car show event is not an easy task but the process can be simplified and efficient.
The most important steps to planning your extravaganza are as follows:The OrganizersYou can be the sole show organizer or it can be a joint venture with another group.
Whichever way you decide to go, there is a lot of face-to-face coordination involved.
Also, it may be inconvenient to get everybody to together at a meeting on the same day.
But you will need to make sure that everybody knows what's going on and be reminded of their role and responsibilities.
You're probably wondering how to accomplish that because coordinating people is a major feat itself.
Here's where Atlanta Antique Car Club comes in with those hard-to-find resources.
We recommend staying in contact with helloWorld...
Car > How to Plan a Car Show Extravaganza and Fundraiser
Knees Deep in Dept - Consider Realistic Budgeting
(ContentDesk) July 7, 2005 -- Thousands of people have trouble paying their bills, are getting dunning notices from creditors or have their accounts being turned over to debt collectors.Many people face a financial crisis some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or overspending, it can seem overwhelming. But often, it can be overcome. Your financial situation doesn't have to go from bad to worse.In this situation the following options can be considered: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is yet another option.
How does one know which will work best? It depends on the level of debt, the level of discipline, and one's prospects for the future.This covers the first option, Realistic Budgeting (Self Help).Self-HelpDeveloping a Budget: The first step toward taking control of a financial situation is to do a realistic assessment of how...
Knees Deep in Dept - Consider Realistic Budgeting
Car > Knees Deep in Dept - Consider Realistic Budgeting