By Lashon Fryer
Having a bad credit history can cripple the livelihood of the affected credit user. A consumer often does not even know the severity of his bad financial habits until it is too late. The reality begins to set in when he is constantly refused credit by credit-card companies. Abusing credit, late payments and lack of a credit history mean that some consumers must always have access to cash to pay...
By Gregory Hamel
A zero percent interest credit card is a credit card that does not charge interest on balances for a certain duration of time, usually 6 to 24 months. Credit card companies offer zero interest cards as a way to draw customers in with the promise of cheap debt; however, after the initial period of zero interest, rates often jump to a ridiculously high rate. So, while zero percent interest credit...
By Jackie Harsha
If you are just out of school or have never had a credit card, getting one is the best way to start building your credit rating. It's important to have a good credit rating to get lower car-insurance rates, buy a home or rent an apartment or, sometimes, to get a job. There are several options for people with no credit rating to get credit cards. Open the credit-card offers you get in the...
By Cynthia Wren
Although major repair of your credit is a long process, there may come a time when you need to quickly bring it up a few points to qualify for a loan or interest rate. Despite the claims of some credit repair companies, there is no major quick fix to increase your credit score in a short amount of time, but there are some things you can do to improve your score in a hurry. Obtain your current...
By Jackie Harsha
Having an offshore savings account can give you some financial advantages, and now that it is so easy to bank and spend money over the Internet, it can make sense to open a savings account on foreign soil. Offshore savings and checking accounts sometimes carry higher rates of return, and the income you earn from them may or may not be taxable in the United States. Many foreign banks pay higher...
By Paul Bright
A home foreclosure happens when the homeowner fails to make mortgage payments and turns the home deed back to the bank, voluntarily or involuntarily. This means the homeowners now become occupants and can be evicted by the bank. When a foreclosure happens, a homeowner who tried to keep the home may have been through a number of motions before making the decision to give up the house completely. ...
By John Casteele
Bankruptcy has a major effect on your credit, and it can take up to 7 years to begin rebuilding your credit score after your bankruptcy has been filed. Being able to check your credit report is a vital part of credit repair, and it can be even more important when trying to reestablish credit lines or repair your credit after you have declared your bankruptcy. Many individuals aren't sure...
By S. F. Heron
The struggle to get out of debt is often a long road of payment after payment with plenty of sacrifice. Reaching the point of no debt is a triumph of great proportions. You've re-routed your finances, controlled your own spending, and gone without both big and little purchases to reach your goal. The biggest challenge is how to stay debt free. Continue to use cash for purchases. If...
By B Culp
Identity theft is a serious crime that involves a person wrongfully gaining and using someone else's personal information to obtain credit for his own use. According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. People who suspect that their identity has been compromised or people who know that they have been an identity theft victim...
By Jason Gordon
Credit scores affect the ability of an individual to secure credit in the form of loans for items such as houses, cars, education or a small-business. In addition, credit scores are sometimes used by potential employers as a proxy for an individual's responsibility level, as a person who cannot be responsible for his finances may not be able to finish a project on time. FICO is an...
By Mandi Rogier
You credit report is an important financial tool. This information determines whether or not you will get approved for a loan or credit card, and at what interest rate. It can also affect an employer's decision to hire you or a landlord's decision to rent you an apartment. Having a low credit score can cost you a lot in extra deposits and high interest rates. To make sure that your credit ...