My Credit Report Info

The recession has made consumers much more aware and vigilant about their household budgets – especially when it comes to potentially hazardous credit card spending – and it has also hit banks and other lenders hard. So while cardholders strive to hold on to their savings and avoid high credit card debt, late fees, and other related charges those companies that issue credit cards are trying to ensure that their customers do not get overextended on their payments. (more…)

We all want to pay the bare minimum in taxes when April rolls around, and those who want to take as many deductions as legally possible often start thinking ahead of ways to deduct additional business expenses. But not all of these tax deductions are necessarily a good idea, even if they can save you a few dollars each year. The reason why is that they may also create a situation that puts you at greater risk for intense scrutiny from the IRS – including a dreaded tax audit. (more…)

With consumers angry and legislators under pressure to do more to rein in the banking industry, officials in Washington have pledged to pass new tougher laws in the coming months regarding credit cards. (more…)

As soon as a brand new car is purchased and rolls off the dealer’s parking lot it loses a considerable amount of its retail value. That makes the purchase of a fine pre-owned automobile a great investment, but the trick to buying any used car is to avoid purchasing a vehicle that has hidden problems that will impede performance or cause costly and aggravating repairs. (more…)

Many companies offer extended warranties on their products at the point of purchase. When you go to a large electronics store, for example, and buy a camera or CD player you will usually be offered an extended warranty at check-out. The warranty might cost $10-20, and the impulse of most consumers is to go ahead and buy it in case something goes wrong with their item. But according to consumer experts most of those warranties are not worth buying. (more…)

Going overseas with plastic in your pocket is the safest and more secure way to travel. Carrying cash can turn into a disaster if your wallet is stolen or you accidentally forget and leave your purse in the back of a taxicab.
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Most people who rent a house, condo, or apartment have no idea that the financial credit of their landlord has a potentially dramatic and life-changing influence over their own situation.
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Credit card companies are lowering limits without warning, because of the continuing credit crisis. Because they are afraid of losing money on people who fail to make their payments, declare bankruptcy, or go into foreclosure, almost all the lenders in the country have tightened up their rules and regulations and have reigned in their lending.
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Here are five expert tips on how to navigate the current credit crisis to ensure success when applying for a mortgage.
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A HELOC or home equity line of credit is a kind of second mortgage that behaves much like a credit card. The line of credit is established based upon the value of your home, so the more equity you have in the property the more money you can borrow. You borrow what you want, when you want it, and pay interest on your outstanding balance. After repaying the balance your line of credit is reinstated so you can borrow it again in the same way. Usually HELOC loans carry not extra fees and they offer rates that are cheaper than those associated with credit cards.
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