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	<title>Newsalistic &#187; Finance</title>
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	<link>http://www.newsalistic.com</link>
	<description>Stay up to date with the news about the stuff that matters to you from all around the world</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:17:07 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Improve Your Credit - Understanding Your Credit Score</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/improve-your-credit-understanding-your-credit-score</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/improve-your-credit-understanding-your-credit-score#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:36:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cheri Nikkel</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/improve-your-credit-understanding-your-credit-score</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you apply for credit, one of the first things a lender will check is your credit score. If you know what your credit score is before you apply, you'll have a better idea of what to expect in the loan process.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Christine A. Mathews</div>
<p>When you apply for credit, one of the first things a lender will check is your credit score. If you know what your credit score is before you apply, you&#8217;ll have a better idea of what to expect in the loan process.</p>
<p>What exactly IS a credit score?</p>
<p>A credit score is simply a number calculated by the three major credit bureaus that indicates how well you handle credit. This is done by reviewing your past credit history and looking at how you are doing with any current debts as well.</p>
<p>The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Each one has it&#8217;s own method of deciding what your credit score is. Then they use a scoring system to show how good you are at handling credit and paying your bills on time. They all use the same scoring system - FICO - which is an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation. That&#8217;s why many people will use the terms &#8220;credit score&#8221; and &#8220;FICO score&#8221; interchangeably. </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t be surprised if your lender just gets a credit score from one credit bureau, instead of all three. This is not uncommon. Since all three bureaus follow the same scoring system, they will likely be giving very similar scores. For example, if Experian gives you a score of 710, Equifax and Trans Union scores should be in the same range. Of course, sometimes one credit bureau may have bad info. Mistakes happen, which is why you should review your credit report annually with all 3 credit bureaus. If there is a mistake, take the appropriate steps to fix it as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Where Do You Fall - What Is A Good Credit Score?</p>
<p>Your credit score can range from 375 to 900 points. The higher the number, the better you are. Getting credit will be easier, and you&#8217;ll likely get better loan terms as well.</p>
<p>You should understand that each lender will have their own underwriting guidelines and cutoff points they have to follow. But here is a general guideline you can use to see where your credit score falls overall.</p>
<p>If your credit score is 650 and above, this usually indicates very good credit history. This means you will probably find getting credit approval is quick and easy. Another bonus for having very good credit is that the terms of your loan will likely be very good, too. </p>
<p>&#8220;Average&#8221; credit tends to fall somewhere between 620 and 650. This is considered basically good, but you may find lenders need a little more documentation or explanation before they approve your loan. They tend to be a bit more careful, looking for any possible credit risks before they approve a large loan or high credit limit. </p>
<p>You may also find that your loan will take longer to finalize. Even so, chances are good that you are able to get approval at a good credit rate.</p>
<p>A score below 620 doesn&#8217;t automatically mean you won&#8217;t get credit. But you may need to shop around a bit to find the right lender. You should also understand that the interest rates and terms of your loans won&#8217;t be as desirable.</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>It&#8217;s easy to see that your credit score plays a big part in the type of credit you are able to get. If you find your credit score isn&#8217;t as high as you&#8217;d hoped, don&#8217;t despair. There are things you can do to <a href="http://credithelp.improvingyourfinances.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/credithelp.improvingyourfinances.com');">improve your credit rating</a> starting today! For more articles on personal credit and how it works, visit <a href="http://credithelp.improvingyourfinances.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/credithelp.improvingyourfinances.com');">http://CreditHelp.ImprovingYourFinances.com</a></div>
</div>
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		<title>Structured settlement payments selling isn&#8217;t frustrating.</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/structured-settlement-payments-selling-isnt-frustrating</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/structured-settlement-payments-selling-isnt-frustrating#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:02:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Frank ReCouper Sr.</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/structured-settlement-payments-selling-isnt-frustrating</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Selling your structured settlement payments need not be difficult if you don't rush into it. Give it some thought. Why do you want sell your structured settlement? To improve your home or to buy a house you have always wanted. Maybe to pay bills or college.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Frank ReCouper Sr.</div>
<p>Selling your structured settlement payments need not be difficult if you don&#8217;t rush into it. Give it some thought. Why do you want sell your structured settlement? To improve your home or to buy a house you have always wanted. Maybe to pay bills or college.</p>
<p>One doesn&#8217;t have to sell the whole structured settlement. There are choices: sell some payments, sell only the lump sum payments or sell part of the monthly payment (say one half) which will give you a lump sum payment while still enjoying some portion of a reduced monthly payment.</p>
<p>Its important to find a company or broker who purchases structured settlements and who will answer all your questions. Is going to take a good 2 to 4 months to do, so I think you will want someone you feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>Your going to need a copy of your structured settlement annuity, the settlement agreement and release, a photo ID, recent check and the company&#8217;s application. The person you are dealing with should be able to help you get the necessary documents.</p>
<p>If you depend on your settlement payments to pay your rent/mortgage, food and electricity, selling your payments may not be the wisest thing to do. Look elsewhere for the money. Your going to find yourself in a jam when the money runs out. Just a thought.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m available for questions and help. My best to you.</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>Frank ReCouper Sr. has written articles and spoken at many financial industry meetings for over 45 years. For more information go to <a href="http://www.money-now.net" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.money-now.net');">FDR Resources</a> or <a href="http://www.rp-capital.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.rp-capital.com');">R &amp; P Capital Resources</a></div>
</div>
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		<title>Can You Achieve A Bad Credit Repair In 24 Hours?</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/can-you-achieve-a-bad-credit-repair-in-24-hours</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/can-you-achieve-a-bad-credit-repair-in-24-hours#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:29:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Caden Flynn</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/can-you-achieve-a-bad-credit-repair-in-24-hours</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Is it possible to build a house in one day? Can your obtain a college degree overnight? Definitely not! It is the same with bad credit - it just cannot be rectified within 24 hours. It takes some time to repair credit that has an unflattering history, despite what those advertisements would have you believe. This article will provide you with some common sense tips on how to increase your credit score as quickly as practicable (but not overnight!).]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Caden Flynn</div>
<p>Is it possible to build a house in one day? Can your obtain a college degree overnight? Definitely not! It is the same with bad credit - it just cannot be rectified within 24 hours. It takes some time to repair credit that has an unflattering history, despite what those advertisements would have you believe. This article will provide you with some common sense tips on how to increase your credit score as quickly as practicable (but not overnight!).</p>
<p>The two items of information that potential lenders will definitely check prior to offering you a car loan or mortgage are your credit report and your FICO score. The credit report is a compilation of your credit history with any number of financial institutions. Did you miss a payment on the car loan some years ago? That will be included as will late payments on an electricity bill. From this sort of information, the three major credit bureaus will generate a score, sometimes known as a FICO score. A score below 700 will see you having to pay higher interest rates and if it is too low, you may find it difficult to even obtain approval for a loan from the traditional, &#8220;safe&#8221; lenders.</p>
<p>Repairing a bad credit rating therefore takes time. You can begin by requesting a free copy of your credit report: if you visit annualcreditreport.com you will be able to obtain it online, once a year, free of charge. You can even arrange online for inaccurate information to be removed by completing a form on the same site.</p>
<p>You should make an effort to lower your debt to credit ratio. This is what you owe in comparison to your credit limit. You can do this by paying down the balances on credit cards. It may also be beneficial to open up a new line of credit; just don&#8217;t use it too much. If it is not feasible for you to obtain a &#8220;traditional&#8221; source of credit, consider a sub-prime merchandise card; one that reports to the credit bureaus.</p>
<p>If you are truly in a lot of debt with your credit card, you may be able to negotiate with the credit providers to lower your liability. It is surprising what a phone call can do.  </p>
<p>So, you have been incredibly good and you have worked very hard for some weeks in an effort to repair your credit. You have employed effective steps on how to increase your credit access. Will there be any change on your credit report?  Unfortunately, not at this stage. The information that the credit bureaus receive from the credit providers also takes time to filter through and the credit bureaus usually will weight the reports from the last 12 to 18 months in order to generate your <a href="http://www.debtjerk.com/improving-your-credit-score.html" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.debtjerk.com');">credit rating</a>. Be patient - you will have to wait to be rid of the bad credit rating.</p>
<p>It should be obvious now that it simply is not possible to fix all of this in 24 hours. The expert opinion is that it can take from between 3 to 12 months to achieve. We all know that good things are worth the wait.</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>The time has come to erase any doubts you may hold on the subject of <a href="http://www.debtjerk.com/improving-your-credit-score.html" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.debtjerk.com');">how to increase credit rating</a>. Visit us for lots of free information at http://www.debtjerk.com/improving-your-credit-score.html.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Free Credit Repair</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/free-credit-repair</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/free-credit-repair#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:16:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Landon McGehee</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/free-credit-repair</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With each day that passes, a poor credit rating will become more of an expense. Improving your credit score really does pay off. A higher credit rating equals lower loan interest rates, lower insurance premiums and may possibly help you obtain a better job. The best news is that it is actually possible to make repairs to your credit rating that are free. The purpose of this article is to address this issue and also in return, pose some questions for you to consider.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Landon McGehee</div>
<p>With each day that passes, a poor credit rating will become more of an expense. Improving your credit score really does pay off. A higher credit rating equals lower loan interest rates, lower insurance premiums and may possibly help you obtain a better job. The best news is that it is actually possible to make repairs to your credit rating that are free. The purpose of this article is to address this issue and also in return, pose some questions for you to consider.</p>
<p>Advertisements for various credit repair services bombard us each and every day - on the TV and in newspapers. Sometimes telemarketers call with offers of immediate credit repair that is &#8220;100% guaranteed&#8221;. Some wise advice from the Federal Trade Commission, which is the government agency responsible for protecting the rights of consumers, tells us in plain English, &#8220;Do yourself a favor and save some money.  Don&#8217;t believe these statements.&#8221;   This agency even claims that it is possible for anyone to improve their credit rating on their own, without the assistance of a credit repair company, for absolutely no cost whatsoever. Is this claim to be believed? Possibly. </p>
<p>If you have access to the right information on dealing with your creditors, debt collection companies and the credit reporting agencies, and if you are able to spend the time involved, then you can make some progress in repairing your credit.  For no cost.  The key word in this statement is &#8220;if&#8221; as it relates to the &#8220;right information&#8221;.  </p>
<p>The best, most highly acknowledged credit restoration companies have a huge amount of experience in working with creditors, credit bureaus, and collection agencies. After all, it is their &#8220;bread and butter&#8221;! Should you wish to obtain the same level of success as these companies, you will need to obtain the information and techniques that they use. It is not as straightforward as simply writing and mailing a few &#8220;form&#8221; letters to your creditors and sitting back, waiting for the score to improve on its own - if you think so, you will be waiting for a very long time! </p>
<p>The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers that there are three things that will improve your credit report - time, a real, conscious effort on your part and adherence to a personal debt repayment plan.  This in turn also appears too easy.  Credit repair has with it a level of unpredictability, so, to ensure that your efforts are going to be successful, you need to be prepared to be flexible in your response to the individual creditors and the bureaus.</p>
<p>The amount of DIY and free credit restoration you are capable of relies upon how well you are able to avail yourself of the right information and techniques together with your abilities and expertise in the field. Do you possess the verbal and written communication skills necessary? Do you have any experience in the legal field? Are you able to control your temper whilst trying to get your point across over the telephone? Are your mathematical skills up to the challenge each time you receive your <a href="http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">one-time credit report</a>? If you decide to take on your creditors without help, all of these questions need to be addressed.</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>Ready to roll back the confusion <a href="http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">a one time credit report</a>. Visit us at http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php.</div>
</div>
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		<title>How Has America&#8217;s Financial Health Changed in the Last 30 Years?</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/how-has-americas-financial-health-changed-in-the-last-30-years</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/how-has-americas-financial-health-changed-in-the-last-30-years#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:28:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>William Blake</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/how-has-americas-financial-health-changed-in-the-last-30-years</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The answer to that lies in remembering just what we were like in the late seventies, and where we are now. There may be many who are not old enough to remember that time, and what our finances were like. Those of us who do, compare these two times with a mixture of nostalgia and good riddance. Let's look at a slice of life back in the late seventies.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by William Blake</div>
<p>The answer to that lies in remembering just what we were like in the late seventies, and where we are now. There may be many who are not old enough to remember that time, and what our finances were like. Those of us who do, compare these two times with a mixture of nostalgia and good riddance. Let&#8217;s look at a slice of life back in the late seventies.</p>
<p>A loaf of bread cost .32 cents, a gallon of gas .65 cents, and the average home sold for around $58,000. We were but two years out of Vietnam, three from having removed a sitting president from office, and Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby both leave this world with tunes still ringing in our ears.</p>
<p>Star Wars brought outer space into our every day lexicon. The average income was a little over $10,000, and Visa and MasterCard are just now entering mainstream consciousness with the advent of electronic payment processing.</p>
<p>Credit card debt was largely unknown as consumers didn&#8217;t have the ability or wherewithal to rack up many thousands of dollars in debt, as the cards were not as readily available. After Congress enacted legislation in 1974 to stop banks from sending unsolicited live cards to anyone with an address, the process of acquiring a credit card became a little tougher.</p>
<p>Consumers in the late seventies were by and large cash and carry group, a product of their parents&#8217; generation, when consumer credit accounts were virtually unheard of. They paid cash or wrote a check for their purchases, or they waited until they could afford the item in question. There were department store cards on the installment plans, but credit cards where you could borrow money at will were not part of the scene.</p>
<p>Fast forward thirty years. There are many more credit card issuing banks than ever before, and other types of installment loans are on the scene, making it easier than ever to acquire and use unsecured credit. Now it&#8217;s possible to finance startup businesses, make movies, and build additions to your home or almost anything else one can imagine with the inventive use of consumer credit.</p>
<p>A person with a good credit profile and not too much previously extended credit can ratchet up a large credit line and then abuse said line in no time at all, often finding themselves with a debt load unsupportable by their current income. It&#8217;s never in history been easier to rack up such a large bill that is largely unchecked.</p>
<p>This has resulted in a generation that has amassed the largest consumer debt in history, and is showing the strain of having to pay all this back at some point. With credit so easily available and debt so ridiculously easy to accumulate, it&#8217;s no wonder Americans are struggling under a consumer credit debt load of some $2.44 trillion dollars. It&#8217;s clear this is no longer your momma&#8217;s credit card!</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>Are <a href="http://www.debtopedia.com/credit_card_consolidation/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.debtopedia.com');">debt consolidators</a> the right solution for your debt problems? Find out how it can affect your financial life at the Debtopedia website. Visit http://www.debtopedia.com for more information and to get your free copy of my report on credit card debt.</div>
</div>
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		<title>What Are Your Loan Options for Graduate School?</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/what-are-your-loan-options-for-graduate-school</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/what-are-your-loan-options-for-graduate-school#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:01:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Gibson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/what-are-your-loan-options-for-graduate-school</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Deciding to commit yourself to a graduate program can be a great way to jump right into a fantastic career. Still, if you are like most people you will need a few extra dollars to get you through the next few years.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by David Gibson</div>
<p>Deciding to commit yourself to a graduate program can be a great way to jump right into a fantastic career. Still, if you are like most people you will need a few extra dollars to get you through the next few years.</p>
<p>Unlike the situation with undergrads, graduate school can cost a ton of cash. There are plenty of loans you can get to pay for it, but keep in mind you have to repay them. Some graduates refer to the debt as their first child given the money involved.</p>
<p>The undergraduate experience has a way of teaching you an important lesson. Any money you borrowed has to be paid back. Seeing those first loan payment invoices can be scary. Well, graduate school is going to usually require loans, which will add to those amounts.</p>
<p>The only difference is that this time around you are older, wiser, and have a better grip on reality, right? As soon as you are approved for that hefty loan, it is really tempting not to take the whole thing. After all, you do need a new laptop, books, and some pocket change for those late night study sessions.</p>
<p>In our modern society, it is hard to convince people that debt is really bad. Everyone is in debt, so who cares? With student loans, this attitude can be a disaster. Think back to the first invoice you received for the undergraduate loans and you reaction.</p>
<p>Shopping around can save you thousands in interest payments on your loans. Two loans to look at are definitely the Plus Loan and Stafford loan packages. Both tend to be in the running for the cheapest student loans on the market. </p>
<p>If you consider yourself a multi-talented person, think about getting a part time job to help pay for some of those bills. This way, you can borrow less, pay for part of your tuition on your own, and have a few extra dollars to spend guilt free. Oh yeah, it also helps to know that you will not end up choking on debt.</p>
<p>You can actually turn the situation into a double win. Try to get a part time job in your profession of choice. Not only will it cut down on your loans, but it can provide you with networking opportunities for the transition once you graduate.</p>
<p>Enjoy your time at graduate school, get the degree that you set out to achieve, and try to land that great job right away. As soon as those caps hit the ground at graduation, those student loan collectors will be there. Hopefully, you will be able to handle them this time around.</p>
<div class='uawresource'>
<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>Learn more about <a href="http://www.usstudentloancompanies.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.usstudentloancompanies.com');">student loans</a> by reading the free articles packed with <a href="http://www.usstudentloancompanies.com/student-loan-information" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.usstudentloancompanies.com');">student loan information</a> by David Gibson at USStudentLoanCompanies.com.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Your Guide to Do It Yourself Bad Credit Repair</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/your-guide-to-do-it-yourself-bad-credit-repair</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/your-guide-to-do-it-yourself-bad-credit-repair#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:53:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Antosh</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/your-guide-to-do-it-yourself-bad-credit-repair</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With each day that passes, a poor credit rating will become more of an expense. Improving your credit score really does pay off. A higher credit rating equals lower loan interest rates, lower insurance premiums and may possibly help you obtain a better job. The best news is that it is actually possible to make repairs to your credit rating that are free. The purpose of this article is to address this issue and also in return, pose some questions for you to consider.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Landon McGehee</div>
<p>With each day that passes, a poor credit rating will become more of an expense. Improving your credit score really does pay off. A higher credit rating equals lower loan interest rates, lower insurance premiums and may possibly help you obtain a better job. The best news is that it is actually possible to make repairs to your credit rating that are free. The purpose of this article is to address this issue and also in return, pose some questions for you to consider.</p>
<p>Advertisements for various credit repair services bombard us each and every day - on the TV and in newspapers. Sometimes telemarketers call with offers of immediate credit repair that is &#8220;100% guaranteed&#8221;. Some wise advice from the Federal Trade Commission, which is the government agency responsible for protecting the rights of consumers, tells us in plain English, &#8220;Do yourself a favor and save some money.  Don&#8217;t believe these statements.&#8221;   This agency even claims that it is possible for anyone to improve their credit rating on their own, without the assistance of a credit repair company, for absolutely no cost whatsoever. Is this claim to be believed? Possibly. </p>
<p>If you have access to the right information on dealing with your creditors, debt collection companies and the credit reporting agencies, and if you are able to spend the time involved, then you can make some progress in repairing your credit.  For no cost.  The key word in this statement is &#8220;if&#8221; as it relates to the &#8220;right information&#8221;.  </p>
<p>The best, most highly acknowledged credit restoration companies have a huge amount of experience in working with creditors, credit bureaus, and collection agencies. After all, it is their &#8220;bread and butter&#8221;! Should you wish to obtain the same level of success as these companies, you will need to obtain the information and techniques that they use. It is not as straightforward as simply writing and mailing a few &#8220;form&#8221; letters to your creditors and sitting back, waiting for the score to improve on its own - if you think so, you will be waiting for a very long time! </p>
<p>The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers that there are three things that will improve your credit report - time, a real, conscious effort on your part and adherence to a personal debt repayment plan.  This in turn also appears too easy.  Credit repair has with it a level of unpredictability, so, to ensure that your efforts are going to be successful, you need to be prepared to be flexible in your response to the individual creditors and the bureaus.</p>
<p>The amount of DIY and free credit restoration you are capable of relies upon how well you are able to avail yourself of the right information and techniques together with your abilities and expertise in the field. Do you possess the verbal and written communication skills necessary? Do you have any experience in the legal field? Are you able to control your temper whilst trying to get your point across over the telephone? Are your mathematical skills up to the challenge each time you receive your <a href="http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">one-time credit report</a>? If you decide to take on your creditors without help, all of these questions need to be addressed.</p>
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<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>Seeking assistance on <a href="http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">a one time credit report</a>. Click on the link to visit http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php.</div>
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		<title>Getting Out of Debt Now and Improve Your Credit Rating</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/getting-out-of-debt-now-and-improve-your-credit-rating</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/getting-out-of-debt-now-and-improve-your-credit-rating#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:42:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Antosh</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/getting-out-of-debt-now-and-improve-your-credit-rating</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Debt is often one of the largest expenses people may have. Paying off a debt should always be of a higher priority than savings and investments. It makes perfect sense that reducing debt quickly will result in a better return to consumers than putting savings into a money market account or into shares whilst still retaining that debt.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Eric Jilson</div>
<p>Debt is often one of the largest expenses people may have. Paying off a debt should always be of a higher priority than savings and investments. It makes perfect sense that reducing debt quickly will result in a better return to consumers than putting savings into a money market account or into shares whilst still retaining that debt.</p>
<p>The best way to deal with debt is to choose a strategy that you can maintain.</p>
<p>Investing in debt</p>
<p>Q: Increasing debt is a growing problem for consumers in our country. Is it then better to pay off the debt or to place the money into savings?</p>
<p>A: It is by far the best strategy to pay off high-rate debt, particularly credit card debt where the interest rates are quite high. Your best strategy is to pay all you can towards that debt and only use your credit card in emergencies.</p>
<p>There are caveats; it&#8217;s also a good idea to establish a savings habit even whilst you are fighting debt. This may be something as small as placing all your change at the end of each day into a special jar and when the jar is full, putting the contents into a bank account.</p>
<p>If you haven&#8217;t established a retirement plan at work, you may decide to put aside a small amount from your paycheck each month so that you get in the habit of setting aside that money, rather than spending it. If, however, you have a high-rate debt, you should focus on clearing that first, as once that debt is gone you will have more money to place into savings or investments.</p>
<p>One size doesn&#8217;t necessarily fit all</p>
<p>Q: Many people manage to claw their way out of debt, only to fall back in again. Would it be the right thing for some people to cancel their credit cards, even if this may result in credit score implications?</p>
<p>A: It would make sense for those people who find that having the credit card is too much of a temptation to spend. If you find yourself in debt, you have to work out why in order to stay out of it.</p>
<p>Everyone&#8217;s situation is different, therefore there is no &#8220;one size fits all&#8221; solution to this problem. If your debt is a result of an unusual one-off incident eg a car accident, then you may not have problems with a credit card, because the temptation is not the problem. If, however, you find that you are constantly using the cards, spending more than you can really afford, you may need to cancel them. </p>
<p>Expensive credit booster</p>
<p>Q: What credit implications would there be for a person who decides to cancel their cards? For someone with a credit card problem, what would be more damaging: the overuse and late payments of the cards or getting rid of the cards?</p>
<p>A: When I speak to upset consumers, most of them say, &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to damage my credit rating.&#8221; This is interesting, because they may already have a very high level of debt but they avoid seeking help thinking that this may affect their rating. Almost a third of a credit score is based on the level of debt, so their rating is most probably already adversely affected.</p>
<p>Most people don&#8217;t see that - they think that paying the bills on time is an indication of financial responsibility.</p>
<p>Often, the problem is how much it will cost to maintain your credit score, rather than the degree of affect. An example of this is a person who is constantly running up debt, therefore paying high interest rates, or someone who has a high level of debt but does not seek advice from a debt settlement company or credit counselling service will end up paying a great deal in order to  maintain their credit rating. This can sometimes be thousands of dollars once they have paid the interest.</p>
<p>If they choose to deal with the problem, initially their credit rating may be affected, but in the long run their costs will be reduced because their debt has been negated and they can start afresh. Both sides have to be considered: what costs there are in damaging your credit rating and what are the expenses in maintaining your rating if you keep the debt.</p>
<p>The average consumer should pay attention to their credit rating as it affects other things as well as credit card costs. It will affect your mortgage, auto insurance etc, but this is commonly less than what you would be paying in interest.</p>
<p>Getting back on track</p>
<p>Q: You speak about dealing with the problem and putting up with the affect on the credit score to get back on track. Are you referring to bankruptcy? Or is bankruptcy only for the most desperate scenarios in these times?</p>
<p>A: Bankruptcy can be a result, but it doesn&#8217;t have to be. This is where my opinion differs from other consumer advocates - there is more than one way to handle the situation.</p>
<p>In the first instance, if you have the ability to get yourself out of the situation in three years or less, then that is what you should do. If that is not possible, you should speak to someone from a credit counseling agency. There are a number of people who would like to do this but are prevented from doing so because of the expense of the monthly payment on the credit counseling program.</p>
<p>Bankruptcy can sometimes be the appropriate solution. I always try to encourage people with a lot of debt to talk with a bankruptcy attorney. This is confidential, it won&#8217;t damage your credit, it doesn&#8217;t cost anything to talk and it will help you overcome the fear of what will happen if you file.</p>
<p>People think that they&#8217;ll lose everything and that their furniture will be taken away. This doesn&#8217;t automatically happen. Speaking with an attorney will help give a person the correct information for their situation. </p>
<p>Between bankruptcy and credit counseling there is an option of debt settlement. This solution has a bad reputation because of the number of companies in that area who are less than reputable. It can be an option and you can decide whether to do it yourself or hire a company to help you. It may be possible to settle your debts for less than what you owe now, enabling you to work on rebuilding your credit and your financial life.</p>
<p>Debt settlement option</p>
<p>Q: How can you decide whether debt settlement is a good option?</p>
<p>A: Ninety percent of the people I speak to have no desire to file for bankruptcy and will do anything they can to pay their bills. This is where debt settlement will work. There are a number of criteria in choosing the best company. The most important things to keep in mind are that, should the company appear to be pushing you towards debt settlement without considering your circumstances or explaining things to you, or if they indicate that it is an &#8220;easy&#8221; way out - do not stay with them. Whilst debt settlement can be painful, like any other solution (not just a fix it pill), with all its negative and positive aspects, it can be a good option. If you choose to do it yourself, I would recommend Zipdebt.com. It was founded by Charles Phelan, who was originally in the industry and it&#8217;s very, very good.</p>
<p>His program costs nearly $400, so it can be out of reach for many people who are deeply in debt. </p>
<p>My opinion is that it is worth that amount because it goes into a great amount of detail about how debt settlement works, things to avoid, dealing with different types of collection tactics, etc and someone who purchases this will save much more than the cost of the package.</p>
<p>There is a basic program available at $197 &#8212; the more expensive $397 program includes some coaching from Charles and this can be very helpful for consumers who need one-on-one help. You should also remember that the average consumer will pay more than that in fees for a credit counseling program and it is also costs much less than the hiring of a consumer law attorney (although that is sometimes the best option for some people).</p>
<p>Bankruptcy</p>
<p>Q: Is debt settlement considered a lesser credit offense than bankruptcy?</p>
<p>A: To be able to go through debt settlement, your accounts have to go delinquent. There is no way out of that as you can&#8217;t settle if your accounts are current. Creditors do not will allow it, so your credit is going to be temporarily damaged. This is a solution for someone who will not or cannot file for bankruptcy. </p>
<p>Both debt settlement and bankruptcy negatively affect your credit report. Chapter 7 bankruptcy will remain on your report for 10 years and with debt settlement, the collection reports  will remain on your report for seven and a half years from the date you first fell behind on the original debt. If you take two years to pay off the debt settlement then the effect would be about the same.</p>
<p>Whether you are dealing with bankruptcy or debt settlement, once it is completed you can start rebuilding your credit.</p>
<p>Best strategies</p>
<p>Q: You had mentioned that it&#8217;s best to try to pay off as much of the debt as possible. What would you say is the best debt pay-down strategy to follow?</p>
<p>A: You should view reducing debt as a marathon, rather than a sprint, because that is what is the reality for most people.The strategy that is the best for getting out of debt is one that works for you. Remember that everyone&#8217;s situation is different. There are many reasons as to why consumers end up in debt. The idea that a solution is to just &#8220;spend less, save more&#8221; can be misleading and frustrating for those who have run into medical debt or those who have done everything by the book for 20 years and then have to leave the workforce in order to care for an aging parent. For everyone it&#8217;s different. So I encourage people to find the approach that suits them best.</p>
<p>If one program or strategy doesn&#8217;t seem to be working for you, try another one. If you feel that you need some support, choose the coach, class or group that&#8217;s going to work for you. Examples of these include Debtor&#8217;s Anonymous, going to Dave Ramsey&#8217;s class at your church or an online support group.</p>
<p>Remember that we are all different and don&#8217;t become discouraged if the first option doesn&#8217;t seem to be working. Look to others who have been successful, examine what they&#8217;ve done and find the way that works for you.</p>
<p>Staying out of trouble</p>
<p>Q: How can we as consumers avoid debt problems in the first instance?</p>
<p>A: The most important thing to do is to build a back up reserve in your finances.  Also, if you are keeping an old Visa credit card you may request for a <a href="http://www.everlife.com/balancetransfercard.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">balance transfer</a> to your mostly-used card from the issuer with 0% interest; this will mean more available balance for you in your new card. For when things go wrong because inevitably a challenge will happen to everyone. Buy the smallest, least expensive house that you will be comfortable in.</p>
<p>The biggest pitfall for most people (I&#8217;ve done it too!) is taking on debt based on where we currently are financially or where we think we&#8217;re going, then realizing for whatever reason that we can&#8217;t follow through.</p>
<p>An example of this is you get the big car payment based on the job you have now, but then a year later you no longer have the job but you still have the car and the repayments. Many  people are going through the same problem with houses right now. They bought the house based on where they were economically at that time; the interest rate has changed, taxes have gone up, the value of the house is reduced etc and the debt is no longer affordable.</p>
<p>Every day we are faced with the pressure to spend, spend, spend. It&#8217;s very difficult to go against that tide and to try to live and save more for the future than for today. This trap is a common one and it is not easy to get out of.</p>
<p>For most of us, debt is something we must take on if we are to buy a car or a house - it cannot be avoided. But we should be careful that we don&#8217;t find ourselves in a situation that is impossible to get out of. When you lose money in the stock market, that can be difficult, but if you cannot sell your house and have to endure a foreclosure, that is something else.</p>
<p>Getting help</p>
<p>Q: What would you like to leave our readers with?</p>
<p>A: Debt is very stressful, isolating and very scary. If you find yourself in that situation, don&#8217;t try to do it all on your own. Don&#8217;t be scared to ask for help, whether this is talking to an attorney, a counseling agency or someone you trust. It&#8217;s very difficult and you need someone to encourage and motivate you.</p>
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<div style='italic;' class='uawabout'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='uawlinks'>To keep you better informed there is lots more on the topic of <a href="http://www.everlife.com/balancetransfercard.php" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.everlife.com');">0% interest visa balance transfer</a>. Drop by today at http://www.everlife.com/balancetransfercard.php.</div>
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		<title>Shred Your Credit Cards</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/shred-your-credit-cards</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/shred-your-credit-cards#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:14:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dan Gibson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newsalistic.com/shred-your-credit-cards</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Saving seems like such a simple task, right? While it should not be hard to do, many Americans simply do not have a dime in the bank. With the sorry state of Social Security, the future economic status of the country is in peril in the opinion of many.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Dan Gibson</div>
<p>Saving seems like such a simple task, right? While it should not be hard to do, many Americans simply do not have a dime in the bank. With the sorry state of Social Security, the future economic status of the country is in peril in the opinion of many.</p>
<p>So, why is saving so difficult for us? Well, you can blame it on a culture that thrives upon spending or you can blame it upon yourself. There is plenty of blame to go around for both. Either way, there is a simple way to save your money.</p>
<p>Setting goals sounds fairly goofy sometimes, but it is a vital step when it comes to saving money. Being generally frugal is difficult. Saving for a specific purpose, however, is pretty easy. Make sure to set some specific goals and things will go easier. </p>
<p>Now put a realistic timeframe into effect. Write down a specific date that you want to have your money saved by. Make sure that this date is one that can be achieved, or you may just wind up frustrating yourself. Now comes the hard part (ready?).</p>
<p>An easy way to save is to make it part of your routine. When a paycheck comes in, just automatically set aside some of the money. Make it the same amount each and every paycheck. Soon it will be a habit and a good one at that. </p>
<p>Saving money is just one part of the equation. Cutting unnecessary expenses represents the other side. Write down a list of every expenditure you have in a month. At the end, total up all the money you spent on extraneous stuff. Shocking, eh?</p>
<p>For example, if you are the type that likes to buy $5 coffees every day, at the end of the week you are spending $25 on coffee. Try and find out if you can cut that number in half or eliminate it altogether. Most of the time, you will be able to find one area within your daily expenses that you can trim just a bit.</p>
<p>Once you start trying to save money, there can be a tendency to overdue it. The goal is to save money, not become offensively cheap. Set aside some splurge money, but do not spend more than that. </p>
<p>We are a society of debtors. Everyone seems to be up to their eyes in debt. It is incredibly stressful, so why do it? Cut your expenses. Save some money. Pay off your debts and be truly free. No credit card company should every have authority over you.</p>
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<div class='uawlinks'>Check out more free articles from Dan Gibson on money, <a href="http://www.commercialloanstop.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.commercialloanstop.com');">commercial loans</a> and other financial subjects at CommercialLoanStop.com.</div>
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		<title>Tips to Roll Your IRA and 401k Into Real Estate</title>
		<link>http://www.newsalistic.com/tips-to-roll-your-ira-and-401k-into-real-estate</link>
		<comments>http://www.newsalistic.com/tips-to-roll-your-ira-and-401k-into-real-estate#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:06:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pradeep Patel</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[It is almost everyone`s yearning to lead tension-free and relaxed life after his retirement. One of the best investment plans after retirement is to roll your IRA into real estate. It is an excellent retirement saving.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Erich Neilson</div>
<p>It is almost everyone`s yearning to lead tension-free and relaxed life after his retirement. One of the best investment plans after retirement is to roll your IRA into real estate. It is an excellent retirement saving.</p>
<p>The most popular way of retirement saving option is an Individual Retirement Account - IRA. It has twofold benefits. It can not only save your money but also can help your tax burden. You can roll your capital gains on the land into a future real estate purchase and can avoid the requirement to pay tax on the capital gains.</p>
<p>You can consult a finance expert for the tax treatment of any future change to your investment strategy. Even a small visit to a land banking specialist can help you out with past performance data from land banking as an investment strategy. But don`t take any past performance data as a prediction for the returns you expect because past performance can not be an indicator of future earnings.</p>
<p>It can be speculative sorts of investment if you invest your IRA into real estate. If it is your well-planed choice of land, you are bound to gain good gains. The best thing to roll your IRA or 401(k) plans into a self directed type account.</p>
<p>The methods relating to rolling over your IRA are not complicated. The methods are simple and painless as well. Such procedures can normally take few days to a week soon after your old custodian discharges your funds and ceases your account.</p>
<p>Land Banking is not only reliable but also safe choice to build personal wealth. As a result, you can have better and secured retirement by focusing on your 401(k) or IRA funds. By making your choose to roll over your IRA or 401(k) plan into real estate, you are not only mastering your financial future but also getting the qualitative life in the same manner. You have a nice opportunity which will facilitate you transform your conditions into real benefits.</p>
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<div class='uawlinks'><a href="http://www.ace4wealth.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.ace4wealth.com');">land banking</a>  is an easy, secure and superior option for building sustainable wealth. How to <a href="http://www.ace4wealth.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/www.ace4wealth.com');">invest your 401k into real estate</a>  for your safe future on Ace4Wealth.com</div>
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