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British Families and Debt
There is current concern from the Bank of England that British families are getting deeper into debt, however, it has been said that lenders are putting themselves at risk because people are now more willing to make themselves bankrupt. Despite...
Credit Counseling -- Why It Doesn't Work For Most Debtors
"Cut Your Payments in Half!" the headline screams. "Consolidate Your Bills into One Low Monthly Payment!"
When you see ads like this, they are often from Credit Counseling firms. In this article, I'll explain the principles behind the Credit...
Debt Consolidation Plan - Your Way Out Of Debt
A debt consolidation plan be the solution to getting out of debt. Getting into debt has never been easier than it is in today's society. No one wants to wait until they've saved the money to buy the things they desire.
Even though a debt...
The Battle of the Budget: How To Get Out of Debt
A lot of people I talk to tell me that they have a great idea for a home business, but when I ask them when they are going to start it up, more often than not they say something like, "Well, I would start, but I don't have a lot of spare cash right...
The Burden of Debt
Over recent years personal debt in the UK has exploded. Since 1997 the total debt including mortgages was in the region of £940 million. Approximately 18% of that figure is unsecured credit, accounting for about £8000 per household. This is a...
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Debt consolidation – Options for Reducing Credit Card Costs
Americans are using credit cards more than at any time in history, and credit card companies are reaping record profits. One of the reasons that the credit card industry is so profitable is that so many of us use our credit cards unwisely.
If you have good credit, you can get a credit card with a reasonable interest rate; say 10% or so. You can keep that rate by paying your bill on time. On the other hand, if you pay your bills late or fail to pay in full, then you will have to pay late fees and interest. Late fees often range between $15 and $29; some card issuers may charge even more. Adding to the pain of paying late fees, however, is the likely change in interest rates on your card if you pay late. A late payment may trigger a substantial increase in the interest rate on your card, and that “reasonable” interest rate of 10% may suddenly rise to 20% or even 25%!
It’s hard to pay off your credit card balance when you have late fees and 25% interest, so this is something you definitely want to avoid. If you usually pay on time, and you pay late once and are charged a late fee, ask your credit company if they will waive the fee. They will often do it – once. Some will not do it at all, but it is always worth taking the time to ask. If they are unwilling to help you, then you may be better off shopping around for a better credit card deal elsewhere.
You can often save money by transferring your balance to a lower interest credit card, if
you have one. Competition has been fierce during the last few years among credit card companies, and it is fairly common to receive “promotional” rates of less than 5% if you transfer your balance to another card. Be sure to read the fine print, however. Those low rates usually apply only to transferred balances, and not to new charges placed on the card. There is usually a time limit associated with the promotional rate, and higher rates may apply at the end of the time limit, perhaps even retroactively!
In summary, if you want to minimize your credit card costs, try the following:
Shop around for a credit card with a low interest rate.
Pay your bills on time. A good way to do this is to pay online. That way, you won’t have to worry about your check being delayed in the mail.
Transfer balances from high interest rate cards to cards with lower rates.
Use your cards wisely. If you can pay cash, do it.
A few simple steps can save you a fortune in interest charges and late fees.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans.
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| Advertisements Promising Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy |
| Cautions consumers about ads in newspaper, magazine and telephone directories that offer quick fixes for debt problems. |
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