SDB Finance Information

Finance information for you

Posts Tagged credit card debt

Do You Have Too Much Credit Debt?

Jun 26

Posted by admin in Credit

As a nation, we do not take well to asking for help. The tradition of toughing things out is very ingrained into our culture. But when times are extreme, it is time to change our ideas and accept the help that we need. The recent market crashes, industry bailouts and bank failures have created a seriously negative financial climate.

Add to that the fact that many Americans found themselves entering this time with unprecedented levels of credit card debt. Balances in excess of $10000, once unheard of for the average American, became a common occurrence across the country.

If you are stuck making just the minimums each month, you would take decades to pay off your debt. This has happened to many people who did not realize that they stuck until it was too late.

Making the minimum payments does little to relieve the real problem, the balance on your cards. Minimum payments are designed to be nearly all interest, with very little applied to the actual balances. This may be good business for the credit card companies, but not so much for the families trying to pay off their cards. They need a way to reduce their debt to a manageable level.

One way is to work with the credit card companies to reduce your debt to the point that you can make meaningful payments once again.They can work with your credit card companies and can make arrangements to reduce your debt to manageable levels. By making more than just the minimum payment each month, you will be able to pay off your remaining balance in just a few years. You can also choose to work directly with your creditor too.

You can indeed escape the problem that debt brings into your life. By contacting your creditor you can get a free plan that can help you get debt free faster. Many companies give you free information so you can be informed. There are also many non profit debt reduction companies you can check as well.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

No Comments

The Fastest Way To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Apr 24

Posted by admin in Credit, Personal Finance

You have credit card debt, and you wan to pay it off as quickly as you can. We will assume that you are going to stop creating more debt. You have changed your ways. You also understand that paying credit card balances with a consolidation loan or rolling it into a mortgage isn’t paying it off. In fact, paying a lower interest rate, but paying on the debt for many more years, usually means paying much more, not less.

Okay, so you really want to be rid of that credit card debt. First, you have to understand that not all debt is the same. Of course you know this. Some of your cards have a higher interest rate than others. How do you use this fact, though, to pay off the total debt in the most efficient way?

Credit Card Debt – The Way Out

Find and budget the money to start paying down those balances. If you order pizza every week, for example, you may be spending $60 or $80 per month right there. If you are serious about getting those debts paid, you may have to eat $4 frozen pizzas for now. Do what you have to do, and determine how much you can apply towards the debt each month.

Suppose you can budget $300 per month to pay the credit card balances. For this example, we’ll also assume that you have four credit cards. To keep it simple, we’ll say that the minimum payment on each is $45. With four cards, now, you could just divide your budget four ways, and pay $75 on each card every month. This, however, is all wrong.

Instead, what you want to do is pay the minimum payment on all the cards but one, and apply the rest of the budget to that card. Which card? The one with the highest interest rate, of course. $45 towards each of the other three cards leaves $165 to apply towards the one with the highest interest. Continue in this way until this card debt is paid in full. This is how you pay the least in total interest charges.

Now that one card is paid off, do you have an extra $165 to spend every month? Not if your serious about paying off your debts! Maintain the $300 budget, but again pay the minimums on the lower interest cards, and the rest on the one with the highest interest rate. You’ll have $210 per month to pay on that one now, so things will start to get done more quickly.

Continue this process. At the end, you’ll be paying $300 every month on your last credit card, and the balance will be paid quickly. If during this time, you have the opportunity to transfer balances to lower-interest cards, go ahead and do it – but keep paying that $300 per month, and keep allocating it first to the highest rate cards. This is the most efficient way to pay off that credit card debt.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

No Comments

How To Reduce The Interest Rates Of Your Credit Cards

Mar 22

Posted by admin in Credit, Debt Consolidation, Debt Relief

The interest rate of the credit cards can depend on numerous things; your relationship with credit card organization, your credit history and even the type of card that you are applying for.

Some individuals might know this, credit card banks generally provide three tiers of interest rates that are available to their clients. The 1st tier is offered to clients with extremely little historical past or no history using the credit card company and is the highest sum of interest that is charged. Sometimes, this rate could be upwards of 20 %. This is the least desired interest rate and may be the standard for most cards until the consumer has developed a history with the card firm.

The next tier that’s offered may be the premium interest rate. The rate is offered to these with a higher credit score, because they come as less of a risk to the company. The Elite rate is for all those that have developed a positive history with the credit card or bank and for individuals with an excellent credit score. Understanding these tiers of interest rates could be an effective way to ensure that you’re able to take advantage of methods to reduce the interest rate.

What are some methods that you can use to reduce the interest rate on your card? Something as simple as asking for a lower rate if you have developed a history with the bank or organization. Keep this in mind, in order to achieve a higher chance of reducing the rate on your card, you will require to develop a great history with the bank for example no late payments. Having a good credit rating helps as well.

In the case that these banks are unable to offer you a lower rate, there are many alternative options which are available to you. It is possible to select to conduct your business with another company and take advantage of introductory offers that are open to new clients. The rates can last for as much as one full year into the term of the credit card and can permit you to decrease the amount of interest on the purchases which are made, but can also enable you to have a lowered rate, as low as zero interest, for transfers which are made towards the credit card.

Using these methods, it is possible to potentially reduce your interest rate therefore make big savings from the costs of accrued debt.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No Comments

Financial Literacy–Pay Your Family First Endorses Thrive Time for Teens at Toy Fair 2010

Mar 14

Posted by admin in Credit, Finance

The newly announced ThriveTime for teens game grew to great lengths, gaining international exposure this weekend as Sharon Lechter, founder, CEO, and creator of Pay Your Family First, visited the famed Toy Fair 2010 in NYC to show it’s first-of-a-kind financial board game for teenagers. With more than 30,000 attendees and followers, this annual festival served as a perfect way to introduce the new game to buyers, reviewers, and toy professionals from around the globe.

National statistics state that during the economic crisis the average credit card balance in students rose to above 60 percent, student loan balances increased by a startling 90 percent and there was a 25 percent increase in students using one single credit card to pay off another in debt. Financial literacy is so important in our present day situation with the economy.

That is why ThriveTime for Teens was created. It is a brilliant situation to our crisis, and shows teens that every decision brings them to the top, or the bottom. Financial Literacy–Pay Your Family First Promotes ThriveTime for Teens at Toy Fair 2010 in New York City.

“Right now it is more important than ever for ThriveTime for Teens to be available on an international level,” said Sharon Lechter. “We are so excited to be at Toy Fair 2010 and we feel that having a global presence will give this game the traction it needs to make a difference in the lives of youngsters across the world.”

Sharon Lechter is the author of the new bestseller “Three Feet from Gold” and co-author of the international best-seller “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” Along with her organization Pay Your Family First, ThriveTime for Teens was made, given personal care, and designed to giving teens an excellent, and exciting, experiences with credit card debt, careers, work balance, time management, and confidence and success building. A result of Lechter’s 25 years of raising three kids, the game has been given international respect from top game reviews for its simple, functional, interactive, and family-friendly fun approach to learning about finances and life. It is also endorsed by SuperCamp, the leading summer enrichment program for middle school through college students held at top colleges across the nation.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

No Comments

Will A Debt Consolidation Loan Work For You?

Feb 26

Posted by admin in Debt Consolidation, Debt Relief

Many people think that debt consolidation loans will solve all of their financial problems, but these loans may not be the perfect way to solve everyone’s debt issues. To determine whether or not a debt consolidation loan is right for you, you must know what it is and exactly how it works.

The Debt Consolidation Loan Defined

A debt consolidation loan is used to pay off other debts. Most people utilize debt consolidation loans to take advantage of lower interest rates, fixed interest rates, or for the convenience of making only one payment every month as opposed to several. In certain cases, you may be able to get an unsecured debt consolidation loans, but not all lenders are willing to loan money on good faith alone. You may be required to put up some sort of collateral, such as a house, to become eligible for a debt consolidation loan.

Who Should Consider a Debt Consolidation Loan?

Debt consolidation loans are often recommended for people who carry a large amount of credit card debt. Credit cards often carry the penalty of high interest. Debt consolidation loans typically have a lower interest rate. Still, you should think carefully before taking the plunge. You may be able to get away with skipping a payment or two on your credit cards, but you can?t do that with a debt consolidation loan. Remember, most debt consolidation loans are secured with collateral. If you don?t make your payments, you could lose your house. Here is a list of recommended Debt Consolidation Lenders online. It’s important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your personal information is secure.

Finding a Debt Consolidation Loan Lender

The debt consolidation market is competitive. When shopping for a debt consolidation loan, you should take the time to compare lenders, rates, fees, and loan terms. Never get a debt consolidation loan if you are confused about the terms. The goal of the loan is to provide relief, not undue stress.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

No Comments

Credit Card Judgment – What Does It Mean?

Feb 12

Posted by admin in Credit, Debt Consolidation

A court order which acknowledges that a credit card cardholder owes a debt and explains the way the debt may be recovered is called a credit card judgment. Typically a credit card judgment is issued when a credit card cardholder fails to make required minimum monthly payments and has not attempted to work with the credit card provider to come to an agreement for bringing the account current.

Idealistically speaking, before getting to this point, it would be best to contact the card provider so things do not get out of hand. Credit card providers are often willing to work with a cardholder to either arrange a payment plan or to arrange for a pay off in full for a reduced debt amount.

If you do not make arrangements with the credit card provider, your debt may wind up with a collection agency. At this point, you are no longer able to negotiate with the credit card provider. Collection agencies, as a rule, don’t like to go to court to collect a debt because it costs them time and money for what to them normally amounts to a very small amount. Collection agencies normally purchase debt for cents on the dollar. Therefore, they will normally be willing to make arrangements with you for a lump sum payment or monthly payments.

If your debt does come before a judge for a credit card judgment, you have the right to appear before the judge and plead your case. If the debt is not yours or if the seizing of the assets would mean serious difficulties for you, the judge may take this into consideration. However, this is viewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, not all assets may be seized and a judge may determine exactly which assets may be taken. A judge may also order that money be taken from your bank account to pay the debt , may set a ruling to garnish your wages (depending upon state law), or may even order the filing of a lien upon your real property, if you own any.

Your credit score will be severely damaged if you obtain a credit card judgment. Also, it will be extremely hard to be approved for any credit products. Your credit history can carry this albatross for up to seven years.

Your ability to obtain reasonable rates related to car and home insurance will be affected. Also, a credit card judgment can affect your opportunities for future employment or advancement in your present position.

Once the credit card judgment has been issued, do your best to pay the credit card debt off as quicikly as you can. Keep in mind that you can contact the credit reporting agencies after the debt has been paid in full to request that the debt be removed altogether or, at the very least, be revised to a “paid” status.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

No Comments

TARP Money and Credit Card Debt: The $700 Billion Elephant in the Room

Feb 3

Posted by admin in Finance, Real Estate

If you’re a bank, things are looking up! The $700 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) has largely gone to buoying up financial institutions with some help to the struggling auto industry as well. So if your name is Bank of America, Citigroup or GM then congratulations are in order. In fact, over $25 billion have been eagerly repaid by those institutions who are stockpiling funds and do not want to have any government oversight of their business. Go banks!

But, if you’re a homeowner or a potential homeowner, an average American, or a small business then the news isn’t all that great. From where I often sit behind the desk of a real estate radio show and podcast, it looks pretty discouraging. The real estate system is starting to move homes, but lending requirements are stricter than ever, and even high FICO and truly qualified buyers are not getting approval. It seems like we’ve created a system in which no one is deemed qualified. Brilliant.

TARP Funds should help those in need!
How needy are the banks? Frankly, the banks are posting great profits. They are benefitting from government funds, and even Treasury Secretary Geithner has stated that most banks now have more money than they need. That extra infusion of bailout money to repair the financial system seems to have worked, for the banks.

What about the consumers?
Loan programs are increasing, interest rates are low, but credit continues to deteriorate! Job losses continue as many businesses scale back on staff and are forced into layoffs. If you’re one of many working Americans who has lost a job or lives in fear of a job loss, then the success of Bank of America doesn’t do much to feed your family or put a roof over their head, does it? They still won’t give you a loan. And Bank of America is just one striking example of how the bailout funds are working for the big banks and against average Americans. Bank of America posted a $4.2 billion profit in the first quarter of 2009, yet they have $1.3 billion in credit losses. Doesn’t this point to a huge problem that no one is addressing?

Credit card debt is the elephant in the room!
There’s about $110 billion left in the TARP funds. Where is it going to go? I hear all this talk about bolstering the financial industry and getting credit flowing again, but no one is looking at the credit situation from the buyers’ end! Nothing will start flowing until qualified buyers can actually get loans!

Crazy Ringmasters and Hoops for Home Loans
Home values are down and the real estate market is showing signs of improvement; but folks who can finally buy are forced to jump through double hoops. It’s like the banks are crazy ring masters!
Every day I hear from folks who are forced to go through a pre-qualification procedure with one bank, even though they already have a loan with another bank. Why? Banks that have foreclosures don’t even want to do loans on their own foreclosures, so you have to get pre-qualified by the first bank’s loan reps to get a loan with another bank. That’s crazy!

Why don’t those banks open the doors, loosen credit and make loans on their own bank foreclosures to the people that want to buy? If they make the terms better and easier to qualify they can stop the foreclosures, keep buyer paying the loans, and help to unclog the housing market. Everybody wins!

So why isn’t anyone talking about the credit card and qualifying situations? These are the issues I get calls about on my radio and podcast shows every day. Want to buy a home? There are thousands out there that banks, lenders and homeowners need to sell. It’s too bad that no one seems to be qualified to buy them.
We’ve got a $700 billion elephant in our nation’s financial living room. Maybe we should start talking about it.
Moratorium? Is that still on?? I see everyone got quite!!

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

No Comments