Get help, advice and information on all your Finance issues. http://advice-and.info/Finance/offers.htm Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:35:57 GMT en At the age of 18, I was ready to establish a credit history. While living in my college dorm, I received all manner of credit card applications in my student mailbox. College students are bombarded with tons of credit card offers, many of which are misleading and can get you into trouble. Credit card companies show up at campus events, offering free t-shirts in exchange for completed credit card applications. I actually knew one kid who had seven t-shirts that were freebies for signing up for credit cards! How scary... Having been forced to take a personal finance class for my major, I was learning a lot about credit cards--interest rate fluctuations, fees, penalties, etc. I felt like I was pretty well equipped to apply for my first credit card, so that's just what I did. I began my quest for credit by rummaging through all the credit card offers I had accumulated over the semester. Then I sat down for a couple hours of exhilarating reading--the terms and conditions of various student-targeted c redit cards. All of the offers, for the most part, had a zero interest introductory period of six months, following by a regular rate of around 10.99 to 14.99. I obviously chose a card with the lowest regular APR that I could find, even though the plan was to have the balance paid off by the end of the introductory period. Just in case that wasn't possible, I didn't want to get killed with interest. Credit cards for college students have some pretty nifty rewards, I must say. One card I found gave a 3 rebate on purchases at grocery stores, drug stores and gas stations. Another one even offered VIP passes to MTV spring break! I knew I didn't want to be caught dead drinking margaritas and shakin' my tail-feathers on national television, so I opted for the one that offered rebates and discounts instead. Once I found the card I was looking for, I filled out the application, then prepared myself to wait several weeks before getting my new card. I wasn't too concerned that I wouldn't get approv http://advice-and.info/Finance/89774_Credit_Card_Offers_For_College_Students.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:15:11 GMT Credit cards are accepted in most situations that call for some sort of financial transaction, but there are times when cash is preferred to a shiny piece of plastic. Perhaps you need money to pay rent or make some other purchase that can only be done with cash-money. Cash can be quite handy, but only when it is procured without interest. Don't trick yourself into thinking that a credit card cash advance is the same as using your credit card to make a purchase. There are some pretty hefty fees and regulations attached to this service that you need to know about before you decide to get cash from your credit line.<br> Probably the most important thing to know is the interest that applies to normal credit card purchases does not apply to cash advances. The rate is actually much higher. Rates vary slightly from creditor to creditor, but usually the interest rate on a cash advance will be anywhere from 20 to 25 percent. This comes as an upsetting shock to many people who aren't aware of the separate interest rate tied to a credit card cash advance.<br> Some creditors charge you a processing fee of two to four percent of the amount you're advanced, while others charge a flat fee--regardless of the amount you take or how often you take it. In other words, your credit card company could be charging you 10 just for allowing you the privilege of withdrawing 20! There are also the ATM fees to account for. So, after taking into account the amount of the withdrawal itself, plus a 10 fee (this is just an example as fees vary), plus 25 percent interest, plus approximately 2 just for using the ATM, what is the total amount you're dishing out? If you are advanced 100, you are actually paying closer to 140!<br> While regular purchases tend to carry a grace period for making payments, cash advances do not. From the second your money shoots out of the ATM, interest charges begin to accumulate. Many card companies req http://advice-and.info/Finance/87061_Credit_Card_Offers_For_Cash_Advances_The_Last_Resort.html Tue, 27 May 2008 06:51:59 GMT Growing up, I never realized how difficult it could be to get approved for a credit card--I thought the process was simple. But when I began thinking about applying for my first credit card the summer before my freshman year of college, the thought had finally occurred to me: "Hey, how am I supposed to get my credit card applications approved when I don't have any credit history to start with?" Thankfully, there was a lot of helpful information online about credit cards for college students and young people looking to establish credit history.<br> First thing's first. You need to have a bank account. Since it doesnt require any credit to open a checking or savings account, it also doesnt get reported to the credit bureaus in order to establish credit. However, your bank account history can be a decisive factor when lenders consider giving you a credit card or loan for the first time. In fact, don't even fill out any credit card applications unless you have a bank account. When you have active bank accounts in good standing, you are showing that you can manage money.<br> Assuming you have a bank account, it's not a bad idea to begin your quest for credit at your own bank. If you have a history with your bank, your chances of obtaining a loan or credit card through them are a lot better than if you're just coming to them off the street. They already know you and value your business. This existing relationship should carry some weight when seeking credit--even if you're just starting out with a small credit line. This little bit of credit is your path to more credit from major lenders at a later time.<br> Another way to establish credit is buy applying for one of the credit card offers from one of the many retail stores that offer them. This was how I got started--my first credit card was for Belk. Though their interest rates are usually quite high, retail credit cards are usually much easier to get a http://advice-and.info/Finance/86996_Those_Tempting_Credit_Card_Offers.html Sat, 24 May 2008 11:46:36 GMT In todays credit-driven world, companies want your business, and often offer enticing deals to get it. Perhaps one of the biggest of these deals is the 0 APR feature. Many credit cards come with a certain period in which you pay absolutely nothing in interest. This can really work to your advantage. If you understand how the 0 APR offer works and plan strategically, you can make the most of your credit card deal. Heres how. What APR Means http://advice-and.info/Finance/83549_0_Apr_Credit_Cards_How_To_Take_Advantage_Of_0_Introductory_Offers.html Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:45:03 GMT Online car insurance offers customers the benefit of gaining access to information and an experienced broker by using a web site. Rather than sorting through directories and listings with potentially hundreds of insurance providers, an online motor insurance entity creates a virtual one-stop shop with resources and information for motorists. Lists of tips and features to watch out for are commonly provided by online car insurance sites. Many note specific money savings or benefits based suggestions on how customers can get the most value from the appropriate insurance product. Insurance specialists are helpful by helping customers narrow in on the right products at the right price. http://advice-and.info/Finance/82970_Online_Car_Insurance_Offers_Convenience.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:45:37 GMT Credit cards are among the best mode of payment today that is available for people. They have replaced nearly all cash transactions as they provide a very convenient way of payment. In fact, credit cards are the major mode of transaction for both domestic and business consumers for receiving or making payments. However, each day thousands of people receive credit card offers. Many people just toss their credit card offers in the trashcan, while a few may just get interested in such schemes. So note the following for help with your credit card decision making: http://advice-and.info/Finance/81727_Credit_Card_Offers.html Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:12:03 GMT Why do homeowners go for a home loan refinance? If you want know more, continue reading this article. If it has been at least a year since you purchased and financed your home, it could be a good idea to consider refinancing your home. A home loan refinance offers great financial advantages under the right circumstances. In order to make sure you get the most benefits of refinancing; however, it is important to make sure you consider whether now could be right time to refinance your mortgage. http://advice-and.info/Finance/81019_Home_Loan_Refinance_Offers_Advantages_When_Timed_Right.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:38:49 GMT There are some things in life that go well together: fish and chips, strawberries and cream, soap and water, and your debts and savings together in a cheque book mortgage. You might think the latter is an odd combination, but nevertheless it works. What is a Cheque Book Mortgage? http://advice-and.info/Finance/80041_A_Cheque_Book_Mortgage_Offers_You_More.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:48:17 GMT