Thursday, June 23, 2005
Free Money Saving Tips – Part 1
With the high cost of gasoline and the amount of money needed to lead a comfortable life slowly increasing many consumers may be worried about how to make ends meet. Fortunately there are lots of ways to save money in a variety of areas. Using any of the 5 tips outlined below will leave a little something extra in your bank account at the end of month and eventually could influence the quality of lifestyle you lead.
Tip Number 1 – If you want to find out whether or not your home is wasting any of your money you can have a home energy audit done. This simple procedure can identify ways to save up to hundreds of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). In some cases your utility company will conduct an audit for free.
Tip Number 2 – In many cases your utility bill can be adjusted in your favor simply by performing your regular chores at a different time of the day. Ask your utility company if they offer discount rates during non-peak usage hours. If they do modify your current routine or schedule in order to take advantage of lower rates. For instance instead of doing laundry during the day wash your clothes at night after 9:00 pm if your electrical company offers cheaper rates at that time.
Tip Number 3 – Your phone bill is another easy target when it comes to looking for ways to save money. Once a year, review your phone bills for the previous three months to see what local, local toll, long distance, and international calls you normally make. Write these figures down and then call several phone companies, which provide service in your area. Using the phone usage amounts you previously wrote down compare what these other providers offer in order to find the cheapest calling plan that meets your needs. Another popular money saving alternative is a bundled package. A bundled package offers local, local toll and long distance, and possibly other services at a better rate then you would normally pay separately. Be sure to also check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you don't need. Every non-essential option you drop could save you $30 or more each year.
Tip Number 4 – When making your phone rate comparison as outlined in tip number 3 make a mental note to identify if you make very few toll or long distance calls. If so then avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. Another option would be to disconnect your phone service altogether and use dial around services such as 10-10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.
Tip Number 5 – If you make a large amount of your phone calls away from your home make sure to shop around to find the best deal on cell phones and calling cards. Make sure to compare per minute rates and surcharges for cell phones, prepaid phone cards, and calling card plans to find how to save the most money. Cell phone plans offer so many options that failure to compare and find the best one that closely matches your calling patterns is like throwing money down the toilet.
These 5 quick tips could easily save you several hundred dollars a year which you could put to better use in a savings program or to pay off higher interest loans and other bills.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
Tip Number 1 – If you want to find out whether or not your home is wasting any of your money you can have a home energy audit done. This simple procedure can identify ways to save up to hundreds of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). In some cases your utility company will conduct an audit for free.
Tip Number 2 – In many cases your utility bill can be adjusted in your favor simply by performing your regular chores at a different time of the day. Ask your utility company if they offer discount rates during non-peak usage hours. If they do modify your current routine or schedule in order to take advantage of lower rates. For instance instead of doing laundry during the day wash your clothes at night after 9:00 pm if your electrical company offers cheaper rates at that time.
Tip Number 3 – Your phone bill is another easy target when it comes to looking for ways to save money. Once a year, review your phone bills for the previous three months to see what local, local toll, long distance, and international calls you normally make. Write these figures down and then call several phone companies, which provide service in your area. Using the phone usage amounts you previously wrote down compare what these other providers offer in order to find the cheapest calling plan that meets your needs. Another popular money saving alternative is a bundled package. A bundled package offers local, local toll and long distance, and possibly other services at a better rate then you would normally pay separately. Be sure to also check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you don't need. Every non-essential option you drop could save you $30 or more each year.
Tip Number 4 – When making your phone rate comparison as outlined in tip number 3 make a mental note to identify if you make very few toll or long distance calls. If so then avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. Another option would be to disconnect your phone service altogether and use dial around services such as 10-10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.
Tip Number 5 – If you make a large amount of your phone calls away from your home make sure to shop around to find the best deal on cell phones and calling cards. Make sure to compare per minute rates and surcharges for cell phones, prepaid phone cards, and calling card plans to find how to save the most money. Cell phone plans offer so many options that failure to compare and find the best one that closely matches your calling patterns is like throwing money down the toilet.
These 5 quick tips could easily save you several hundred dollars a year which you could put to better use in a savings program or to pay off higher interest loans and other bills.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
How To Deal With Credit Denial
Understanding what's on your credit report is extremely
important. Especially, if you have applied for credit and
the creditor denied your application.
If you are denied credit, do not ignore this fact. Most
individuals will move on to the next creditor, never
questioning why they were denied or asking vital
information.
If a creditor denies you credit, be prepared to ask several
questions. You may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed at
this point; however, this is your life and showing concern
is showing responsibility.
* Question 1: Why was I denied credit?
This question is the most imperative of any question you
may ask. In some cases the creditor will not know why you
were denied. Most frequently a creditor will respond with a
quick answer, such as:
1. Not enough credit history;
2. Low credit score;
3. Several delinquent accounts and/or to much debt.
With this information you are able to determine if it is
necessary for you to order your credit report. After being
denied credit from a creditor, you are able to obtain a
free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau
within 60 days of your denial.
* Question 2: Which credit bureau do you use to supply
customers credit reports? You will need to know the credit
bureau who supplied your credit information to the
creditor; in order, to request your free credit report.
* Question 3: May I please have the contact information for
the credit bureau, along with a copy of the denial letter
provided to you?
The creditor should have no problem providing this
information for you. You will need the contact information
of the credit bureau in order to contact the bureau and
request your free credit report. The contact information
should include a toll free number and possibly a website
address.
You may want to keep the denial letter for your records.
The denial letter may include vital information and also,
the date of your denial.
After collecting all of the necessary information, your
next step is to contact the credit bureau and request your
free credit report. You are able to review your credit
report and argue any inaccuracies; however, this process
may take several weeks.
So, credit denial doesn't have to mean you can't get the
finance you need. Just follow the above steps and you'll
soon be back on the road to good credit worthiness.
Find out how to repair your credit. Discover why a good credit report is vital to your financial future, and how tomake it the best. Click Credit-Repair-101.com
important. Especially, if you have applied for credit and
the creditor denied your application.
If you are denied credit, do not ignore this fact. Most
individuals will move on to the next creditor, never
questioning why they were denied or asking vital
information.
If a creditor denies you credit, be prepared to ask several
questions. You may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed at
this point; however, this is your life and showing concern
is showing responsibility.
* Question 1: Why was I denied credit?
This question is the most imperative of any question you
may ask. In some cases the creditor will not know why you
were denied. Most frequently a creditor will respond with a
quick answer, such as:
1. Not enough credit history;
2. Low credit score;
3. Several delinquent accounts and/or to much debt.
With this information you are able to determine if it is
necessary for you to order your credit report. After being
denied credit from a creditor, you are able to obtain a
free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau
within 60 days of your denial.
* Question 2: Which credit bureau do you use to supply
customers credit reports? You will need to know the credit
bureau who supplied your credit information to the
creditor; in order, to request your free credit report.
* Question 3: May I please have the contact information for
the credit bureau, along with a copy of the denial letter
provided to you?
The creditor should have no problem providing this
information for you. You will need the contact information
of the credit bureau in order to contact the bureau and
request your free credit report. The contact information
should include a toll free number and possibly a website
address.
You may want to keep the denial letter for your records.
The denial letter may include vital information and also,
the date of your denial.
After collecting all of the necessary information, your
next step is to contact the credit bureau and request your
free credit report. You are able to review your credit
report and argue any inaccuracies; however, this process
may take several weeks.
So, credit denial doesn't have to mean you can't get the
finance you need. Just follow the above steps and you'll
soon be back on the road to good credit worthiness.
Find out how to repair your credit. Discover why a good credit report is vital to your financial future, and how tomake it the best. Click Credit-Repair-101.com
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
How To Report An Error On Your Credit Report
John Simpson works in software development. A few years ago, he got in trouble with credit card debts. Now he's written a series of articles explaining how he recovered, and repaired his credit. Find out how to repair your credit. Discover why a good credit report is vital to your financial future, and how to make it the best Credit-Repair-101
Have you been turned down for a loan recently? Have you applied for store credit and been refused? Did you really want that car and find out that because of your 'credit score' that they would have to require an unreasonable down payment?
Credit reports are designed to help businesses evaluate the risk factor in giving you money or valuable products on a line of credit.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act promotes the accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of the nation's credit reporting agencies. The act is enforced with regard to the consumer's rights and requiring new responsibilities for the credit reporting agencies.
For example, a reporting agency must give you a copy of your report and they must provide a list of every inquiry about your credit report within the last year.
The agencies collect data on personal identification (name, address, social security number, current employer, etc), payment histories with all current and closed lines of credit that details how much you owe, when you've paid on time and what, if any have been reported to a collection agency.
The final two items are all inquiries that have been made on your credit report as well as anything that is considered a matter of public record such as bankruptcies, foreclosures and tax liens.
To repair or report errors on your credit report, you must obtain a copy of your personal report and score. The reports themselves are not uniform from company to company.
Experian may not list all the data of Equifax and vice versa. So, be sure to obtain credit history reports from the same company as the creditor who turned down your application. In some states, that may require a small fee, but after September 1, 2005 all states will have to be in compliance with providing a free credit report.
Once you have the report, verify the information. Every report is also scored. Scoring is the system that creditors use to determine your credit experience. These scores are valid for all three companies and are uniform in value.
Credit scores range from 375 to 900 points, but those numbers mean little on their own. A score of 650 or better usually indicates a very good credit history. Scores between 620 and 650 are considered average, while scores below 620 may prevent a person from getting a loan. If they do receive one, it is likely one with prohibitive interest attached.
If you look at all the information on your credit report and it's correct, then you are faced with having to improve either your payment history, lower the number of debts.
If the score is low because you possess very little credit history, investing in a secured credit card can help generate good feedback to your credit report or a co-signer who can provide the creditor with a good credit history as security for your lack of one.
Inaccurate information, however, such as reported late payments that you disagree with or a listing for a debt that is not yours is repairable. Some companies offer debt consolidation or credit repair. Before getting involved with either type, be sure you thoroughly check out the company to avoid scams.
Doing the credit repair on your own is simple enough. Write a letter, detailing the inaccuracy to the reporting company. Send the letter and copies (copies only) of any documents supporting your claim to the credit-reporting agency. Some agencies allow you to do this online through their websites; however, if you need to send them hard data it's better to use regular postal mail.
The credit agencies are then required by law to investigate the item in question, usually within 30 days. They must forward all information to the reporting creditor and if they cannot verify the veracity of their report or the creditor does not respond, the report will then be changed and updated to reflect the data provided.
The company must then notify you in writing of the change as well as provide you with an updated credit report.
It's important to note, that if there is an inaccuracy on Experian that there is likely a similar one on Trans Union and Equifax. Each company must be notified, separately for each item.
Also, if you have more than one item you are disputing on your credit report, then you may have to send a separate letter for each instance, to be certain that each item is addressed.
While this can be a time-consuming task at first glance, it is the best way to remove inaccuracies from your credit history and repair misinformation damage to your credit report. If you request it, the reporting agency must also send notices of any corrections to anyone who received your report in the previous six months.
If the negative information reported to your credit history is accurate, then only time can repair the damage of the negative score. Most information rolls off after 7 to 10 years, but felony convictions, information on jobs paying you over $75,000 a year or credit of more than $150,000 has no time limit.
If you had a car repossessed, you'll have to wait about 8 years to see the repossession removed from your credit history. Open credit lines, whether the information is negative or positive, will remain active on your credit history whether you actively use the credit or not.
Applying for credit is never a fun, even for people who are considered to have good credit. There is always an inherent fear of rejection by the creditor you are applying for. If you are concerned about your credit history, keep an eye on it.
It's recommended that you check your credit history once a year at least, because in an age of identity theft, negative credit history can be part of the collateral damage.
Practical Ways To Save Money When Shopping Online
There are various ways to save money while shopping online. You can save hundreds or even thousands a year by comparing prices on various products and services before deciding to buy.
To make informed choices when buying products, you need information on the price, quality and the types of products available. You can get this information by shopping around - either directly, or by going to a number of different websites and comparing what is on offer. Look at the prices and then weigh up what you will get for your money before you make up your mind.
Use shopping bots
Shopping bots are essentially search engines for gathering prices for products from a variety of vendors. They allow you to quickly search for merchandise across a wide variety of sites. They are an effective way to quickly get a feel for the available deals. Most experts recommend using at least three different shopping bots. Some popular ones include
Froogle, BizRate, DealTime (Shopping.com), MySimon, PriceScan and PriceGrabber.
Use Discount Sites / Bargain sites
These are general discount sites where you'll find deals on everything from clothing and digital cameras to diamond earrings. They get excess merchandise from other retailers and sell the merchandise at bargain prices. Examples of bargain sites include Overstock and Smartbargains.
Use Coupon sites and Deal Aggregators
These sites provide a wide variety of coupons, promotional codes and discounts across the internet. They lead you to retailers, rather than selling you the merchandise directly.
Examples: Wow-Coupons, CurrentCodes.com and FatWallet.
Use Classifieds or Auction sites
With most goods, buying straight from the high street will add a considerable sum to the price tag. It's possible to make vast savings by purchasing your item second-hand. You can buy most merchandise cheaper from auction sites such as EBay and Ubid online.
Drop Brand Names
You can easily get cheaper products by opting for lesser-known names in the market. These cheaper items are usually as good as some of the more expensive varieties from the big companies. In some instances, you'll only be paying for the name because some of the products are manufactured by the same companies.
There are many other ways to save money while shopping online, but shopping around before you buy makes it easier to get the best value on various products and services.
© 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for Half-Price-UK.com. Find news and advice about online shopping plus internet-only deals and links to retailer websites including music, gifts, games, computers, clothes, home and garden, travel and more.
To make informed choices when buying products, you need information on the price, quality and the types of products available. You can get this information by shopping around - either directly, or by going to a number of different websites and comparing what is on offer. Look at the prices and then weigh up what you will get for your money before you make up your mind.
Use shopping bots
Shopping bots are essentially search engines for gathering prices for products from a variety of vendors. They allow you to quickly search for merchandise across a wide variety of sites. They are an effective way to quickly get a feel for the available deals. Most experts recommend using at least three different shopping bots. Some popular ones include
Froogle, BizRate, DealTime (Shopping.com), MySimon, PriceScan and PriceGrabber.
Use Discount Sites / Bargain sites
These are general discount sites where you'll find deals on everything from clothing and digital cameras to diamond earrings. They get excess merchandise from other retailers and sell the merchandise at bargain prices. Examples of bargain sites include Overstock and Smartbargains.
Use Coupon sites and Deal Aggregators
These sites provide a wide variety of coupons, promotional codes and discounts across the internet. They lead you to retailers, rather than selling you the merchandise directly.
Examples: Wow-Coupons, CurrentCodes.com and FatWallet.
Use Classifieds or Auction sites
With most goods, buying straight from the high street will add a considerable sum to the price tag. It's possible to make vast savings by purchasing your item second-hand. You can buy most merchandise cheaper from auction sites such as EBay and Ubid online.
Drop Brand Names
You can easily get cheaper products by opting for lesser-known names in the market. These cheaper items are usually as good as some of the more expensive varieties from the big companies. In some instances, you'll only be paying for the name because some of the products are manufactured by the same companies.
There are many other ways to save money while shopping online, but shopping around before you buy makes it easier to get the best value on various products and services.
© 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for Half-Price-UK.com. Find news and advice about online shopping plus internet-only deals and links to retailer websites including music, gifts, games, computers, clothes, home and garden, travel and more.