Credit Card Application

As they stare down at a teetering pile of bills, so many consumers wonder how they racked up such a large debt. The answer boils down to simple mathematics.

"On a basic, fundamental level, the problem is created by spending more than you make," says Brad Stroh, co-CEO of the San Mateo, California-based Freedom Financial Network, LLC, a company that specializes in debt resolution services.

The reasons for doing so, he notes, are varied:

? Spending addictions

? Lack of budgeting (mistaking the amount of money coming in and going out)

? Loss of income (reduced hours, layoffs, forced to leave the workforce)

? Increased costs (health-related expenses, fuel and other basic living expenses)

? A personal hardship (divorce, medical illness, loss of a loved one or other major changes in a person''s life)

You can, however, get out of debt-but it takes commitment. Here are 5 steps to accomplishing your goal.

1. Start Planning-and Saving

"The only way to guarantee solid financial footing is through proper planning-and that''s where most consumers go wrong," Stroh says. "Proper planning means monthly budgeting of cash flow, combined with saving for long-term security."

Stroh recommends saving at least 5% of your income to ensure long-term financial security.

"Of course, this percent will vary by age group and the individual''s financial goals and objectives," he says. "Younger people can expect to spend their early years saving less of their income, paying off student loans and debts incurred during periods of lower income. Older individuals should be planning for retirement and saving a larger share of income."

2. Seek Professional Help

If you are facing financial hardship, do not procrastinate when it comes to seeking professional advice.

"People often wait too long," Stroh says. "If someone is living paycheck to paycheck, is behind on any revolving financial obligations (including credit cards), is using credit cards to pay for necessities, or is facing collection, he should consider getting immediate advice from a professional debt management firm or financial advisor."

3. Stop Spending

If you continue to spend money, despite your ever-growing debt, you likely have a bona fide addiction that requires psychological intervention.

I have faced this financial question 8 years ago and recently I have friends asked me this same question. I think I should write it up so that it may help some of you that having the same situation.

The decision whether to invest your monthly excess cash into savings account or paying off your debt is a tough one.

There are few factors you need to consider before you make the decision and I listed them down here to help you make an informed decision.

(1) Rolling or fix installment credit account

An example of your rolling credit is credit card. You may continue to add debt into the account while trying to pay off the debt. It is always recommended to pay off your rolling credit before putting into savings account. You should pay more than the minimum payment every month.

Other than paying more than the minimum amount, you should take the following recommended actions immediately to avoid deepen your debt:

(a) Putting your credit card away, keep it at home and don''t carry whenever you go. I actually locked the credit card for months when my debt was reaching the un-tolerate level.

(b) Be frugal. Dont buy unnecessary. Be disciplined. I actually print out big words of ''Be Frugal'' and stick them around the house. In the bath room, bed room, dining hall. I even carry a small ''Be Frugal'' card in my wallet and I will see it when I take money out of my wallet.

(c) Get expert advice. If the debt is too deep and out of control. It is advisable to seek an expert advice

(d) Borrow money from your friends and relatives to payoff the high interest rate c^redit card debt

(e) Payoff the high interest debt with a lower interest personal loan

For the fix installment debt, in some cases you will be penalized if you pay off the loan faster. In this situation, you may want to invest your extra cash into savings

(2) Interest Rate

It is clear that you should pay off your higher interest rate debt than putting your money into savings with lower interest rate. This is not a fix rule, many experts recommended that you should save between 5-15% of your monthly income into savings. You should also save at least 3-6 months worth of monthly spending for emergency use. You have a decision to make between building your nest egg and paying off your debt faster for long term financial health.

(3) Debt Ranking

Debt is quickly becoming an epidemic in America. However, through the past 50 years, America has not seen such large domestic growth. Its citizens have higher salaries now than their predecessors, yet personal debt continues to rise.

Why is this happening? I believe that the number one reason of increasing personal debt is a disease that I call thingitis.

What is Thingitis?

It is a disease characterized by the insatiable appetite of the common citizen to have more and more things in their home. As a recent newlywed, Iâ??ve seen this disease first hand with my loving wife. No matter how many picture frames, candle holders, and kitchen appliances that we received as gifts during our reception, my wife will continue to bring home more.

Thingitis is this constant craving for more. More clothes, larger cars, larger homes, bigger tvs. The effects of the disease are easily seen in the bank statements. With the larger homes comes the larger mortgages, and with the bigger tvs come the larger credit lines.

Why do people develop thingitis? I believe that people develop this disease because of a general decrease in the appreciation of the things that they already have. Simply wanting something to own it has become a sufficient reason to purchase items now. It doesnâ??t matter if it wonâ??t be used but once a year, if that much. The pure ownership of the item has its one intrinsic value that is worth the ever increasing debt.

Unfortunately, thingitis is also incredibly contagious. This is â??keeping up with the jonesesâ??. As prideful citizens, our own self-worth decreases on the accomplishments of others. We also want what is best for our own children. If our neighbor sends their children to private schools, we feel an urging to send our children to private schools. Our children deserve everything that our neighborâ??s children have, right? What most people fail to realize is that their neighbors most likely have large credit debts that we wouldnâ??t wish upon ourselves for the world.

Budgeting -- ooh, what a scary word! If you want to frighten someone whose finances are out of control, suggest that they tally up their expenses on a piece of paper. We all understand the value of such an exercise, but when it comes to the practicality of putting a budget together, we get cold feet. Budgeting doesn''t have to be so painful, when you have a systematic series of steps to follow.

SET YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

As with any other area of your life, it''s pointless to start down a financial path if you don''t you have some idea of where you want to end up. What is your REASON for creating a budget? Do you want to pay off your debts? Save for your kids'' college education? Put money away for retirement? Make a list of your financial goals for the next 6 months, year, 5 years, 10, 25 -- all the way through to old age. And don''t spend a lot of time worrying about feasibility -- if your goal is to be debt free in a year, don''t think about all of the reasons why you won''t be able to make it by that deadline. Just remember, where there''s a will, there''s a way!

CREATE THE SHEET

Start with either a sheet of legal paper -- or a spreadsheet program -- and create 12 columns. Label the top of each column with a month of the year, from January to December (duh!) Each row on your sheet will represent a different living expense -- groceries, gasoline, Starbucks coffee in the morning on the way to work. You''ll have better luck remembering everything that you spend money on if you think according to categories. "Automobile" would include gas, repairs, insurance, and taxes -- while "grooming" might be divided into clothes, makeup, haircuts, and facials.

TRACK YOUR EXPENSES

How can you know what steps you need to take to reach your goal until you know exactly where you are right now? Most of us don''t have a clue where our money goes -- credit cards and ATM''s make it easy for money to just slip through our fingers. The first step is to create a list of STATIC EXPENSES -- things that cost the same amount every month, like rent and your car lease and student loan payments. Now these expenses are not completely "static" in the strictest sense of the word. You can reduce your rent or mortgage payment by finding a less expensive house -- and you could increase your loan payments to get rid of the debt faster. But for now, just itemize your regular monthly costs.

Vehicle repossession may appear justified in circumstances where a person is generally being irresponsible and otherwise able to meet this financial obligation. However, what about that hardworking guy or gal who paid their automobile note dutifully for three years, and missed one payment? Why should their car be repossessed?

Basically, the lender owns your car until it is paid in full. Therefore, one missed payment is considered a breech of your agreement. It gets worse. After they take your car, they can sue you for what is called deficiency. Deficiency is any amount still owed on your contract AFTER your lessor sells your repossessed vehicle at--let''s say--an auction. Often they sell the car for less than they expected you to pay to get your car back. What do they care if they are going to sue you for the difference anyway?

I''ll explain it this way: Imagine paying $18,000 for a vehicle over time with maybe $5,000 left before the car is yours. You lose your job and fall behind a couple of months with the payments. Your vehicle gets repossessed. Now you must pay triple the amount of the two months you were delinquent because of added repossession and storage costs. You cannot come up with the money, so your car is sold at an auction for $1,500. The worst part: you are sued for the remaining balance of $3,500, plus the repo costs! What is the point of this? If they are going to sue you for the unpaid balance anyway, why not just give you the opportunity to pay the bill? Wouldn''t they come out better in the long run? Duh!

The repo man doesn''t care that your finances are in limbo because you have recently divorced or that your employer informed you in the eleventh hour that you were being laid-off. The repo man only cares about the fees that they will receive once they recover your vehicle. So, you must protect yourself.

Here''s an old fashion remedy for fighting the Repo man: If you know you will be able to come up with the money needed to pay your outstanding car note in a couple of months or so, switch cars with a friend until you get your finances straight. Better yet, HIDE IT in someone else''s garage for a while. Make sure it is someone you did not list as a reference on the credit application because the Repo man will definitely check their addresses in search of your vehicle.

\Although many consumers would argue differently saving money doesn''t have to be difficult. In fact by making just a few changes in your normal lifestyle you can find ways to free up extra cash that can be put to better use in a savings account or an investment account. Finding ways to save an additional 5 dollars a day can lead to a more secure financial future in the long run. I have compiled some tips that you can use in order to find those extra dollars.

Tip Number 1 - Are you a daily coffee drinker or a heavy smoker? The simple act of eliminating one cup of coffee a day or reducing the amount of cigarettes you smoke (quitting entirely would be better) can free up a small amount of money daily that when added up equals a large amount at the end of the year.

Tip Number 2 ? Try to avoid shopping at convenience stores. The prices they charge are outrageous when compared to lower priced food stores or super markets. It''s a proven fact that you will spend less on food if you shop with a list, take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items. Take the time to clip coupons for items that you buy on a regular basis however avoid purchasing impulse items if you don''t normally use them just because you have a coupon. If you take the time to compare the fine print you''ll see that you can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels.

Tip Number 3 ? When it comes to purchasing over the counter medicine brand name drugs are usually much more expensive than their generic equivalents, ask your physician and pharmacist if a less expensive generic or an over the counter alternative is available. Purchasing the equivalent generic drug can save hundreds of dollars through out the entire year. With the emergence of online pharmacies the opportunity to save even more money on medicine is significant. Take the time to search online for the best deals.

Tip Number 4 ? With the high cost of gasoline draining consumer''s pocketbooks any way to save money in this area is a welcomed tip indeed. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing prices at different stations, pumping gas yourself, and using the lowest-octane called for in your owner''s manual. You can save up to $100 or more (depending on your vehicle) a year on gas by keeping your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure.

There are two main roads to improving your personal finances: increasing income, and cutting costs.

Increasing income is the harder road to travel. After all, you can''t always get a raise or a new job when you need one.

But cutting costs, that''s a different story!

You''re in complete control in this area. And all it takes is some imagination and discipline-both of which are free.

Below are five major ways to save money in the basic areas of food, shelter, clothing and transportation. They''re major expenses in your life - and places for major savings.

1. Home Cooking

Food is a major expense in everyone''s budget.

But, in today''s convenience food society, it''s easy to overlook how much money can be saved by cooking meals at home. Plus, it''s fun, creative, and healthier to make your own meals.

The key is to cook in "bulk" to stretch the food you buy over several meals.

If you''re a busy person with little time to spare, a good investment is a slow cooker (or crock pot). Generally, they run from $20 to $80, depending on the size.

With a slow cooker, you can set aside some time on the weekend to cook stews, soups, and other delicious meals that can be frozen for weekday use.

After a hard day at work, all you have to do is pop the meal in the microwave!

More than likely, you''ll enjoy an additional benefit - your taste buds will wake up from mass produced food and thank you for the delicious taste of a home-cooked meal!

2. Drive less, exercise more

Is owning a car expensive?

You already know the answer to that question, don''t you?

Gas, maintenance, insurance costs. Plus the mental aggravation of being caught in traffic jams!

Why not carpool or take public transportation-the bus, train, or light rail?

Or, if you live close to work, walk or bike. You''ll lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and see the world at a slower pace.

And, oh yes, you''ll save a couple of thousand dollars in the process.

3. Cut housing costs

This is an easy and fun way to cut costs.

Instead of paying a contractor to come in to make changes or repairs, make them yourself.

Local hardware stores love your business and will help you with tips and tricks on home repair.

Also, do your own decorating and painting. You get two benefits by doing your own changes and repairs - you get the pride of accomplishment and you save money.

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.

Anyone considering Bankruptcy may have experienced fear after reading an article written in The Mail on Sunday with the headline "Bankruptcy cheats face crackdown". But, how much of what was written was in context of the reality of Bankruptcy as it is today?

The article implied that since The Enterprise Act 2002 the rise in the number of people going bankrupt was due to them using the Bankruptcy route as a "Get out of jail free card". The assumption being that The Enterprise Act 2002 made bankruptcy an easy option. However, the writer didn''t take into consideration the actions the DTI have taken to raise financial awareness and to ensure better advice is given regarding people''s options when faced with personal debt issues.

The article gave the impression that one of the restrictions of bankruptcy was that you could not open a bank account until you are discharged from bankruptcy. However, there are infact 40 basic bank accounts, half of which will allow an undischarged bankrupt to open an account. This in itself indicates the writer of the article is not fully aware of the effect of bankruptcy, therefore giving the impression that the article could possibly be the result of poor research.

The Enterprise Act 2002 (bought into force in April 2004) was made to give honest people a fresh start in life, which would be free from the stress of debt. Not for the purpose of encouraging people to "use insolvency as a way of shaking off creditors". The writer implied that the provision, which allows the IP to request a restriction order on a bankrupt, is hardly used. Perhaps this is because, people who lodge petitions for bankruptcy have not gone out to get themselves into huge amounts of debt and are genuinely unable to repay their debt due to unforeseen circumstances, rather than fraud, recklessness or dishonesty.

If an Insolvency Practitioner suspects fraudulent or criminal behaviour, they will apply for a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO) for the court to assess and decide what action to take.

Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you''re sinking in an ocean of credit card debt? Well, fear not--there are many options for reducing your debt way before you have to be concerned about receiving notices or daunting telephone calls from debt collectors. The important thing to remember is to be proactive in handling your credit card debt. Unmanaged debt can ultimately lead to lawsuits, loss of property, and tarnished credit reports.

Here are a few ideas for managing and/or reducing your debt:

-Get in touch with creditors right away. Often times, creditors will reduce credit card interest rates if you simply ask for a break. Explain your situation, and let creditors know if you''re having trouble meeting your minimum monthly obligation. Many creditors will work with you to arrange a customized payment plan.

-Develop a budget. While many people dread this very important step in reducing debt, it can be extremely important in taking control of your financial situation. Compare and contrast fixed expenses-mortgage payments, rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, for example--with variable expenses, such as entertainment and recreation. List all your expenses, even those that seem unimportant. This is an important step in determining your spending patterns, prioritizing expenses, and determining whether or not you have additional money to contribute to the monthly payments on your credit card.

-Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. While debt consolidation is a sometimes daunting and drastic step, it can be an important move in the quest to reduce your credit card debt. If you''re a homeowner, consider a second mortgage or a home equity loan to pay off high-interest rate debt. While these loans often require you to list your home as collateral, remember that if you start skipping out on credit card payments, you could easily lose your home. What''s more, these loans provide tax advantages that are not available with many kinds of credit.

Anyone considering Bankruptcy may have experienced fear after reading an article written in The Mail on Sunday with the headline "Bankruptcy cheats face crackdown". But, how much of what was written was in context of the reality of Bankruptcy as it is today?

The article implied that since The Enterprise Act 2002 the rise in the number of people going bankrupt was due to them using the Bankruptcy route as a "Get out of jail free card". The assumption being that The Enterprise Act 2002 made bankruptcy an easy option. However, the writer didn''t take into consideration the actions the DTI have taken to raise financial awareness and to ensure better advice is given regarding people''s options when faced with personal debt issues.

The article gave the impression that one of the restrictions of bankruptcy was that you could not open a bank account until you are discharged from bankruptcy. However, there are infact 40 basic bank accounts, half of which will allow an undischarged bankrupt to open an account. This in itself indicates the writer of the article is not fully aware of the effect of bankruptcy, therefore giving the impression that the article could possibly be the result of poor research.

The Enterprise Act 2002 (bought into force in April 2004) was made to give honest people a fresh start in life, which would be free from the stress of debt. Not for the purpose of encouraging people to "use insolvency as a way of shaking off creditors". The writer implied that the provision, which allows the IP to request a restriction order on a bankrupt, is hardly used. Perhaps this is because, people who lodge petitions for bankruptcy have not gone out to get themselves into huge amounts of debt and are genuinely unable to repay their debt due to unforeseen circumstances, rather than fraud, recklessness or dishonesty.

If an Insolvency Practitioner suspects fraudulent or criminal behaviour, they will apply for a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO) for the court to assess and decide what action to take.

Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you''re sinking in an ocean of credit card debt? Well, fear not--there are many options for reducing your debt way before you have to be concerned about receiving notices or daunting telephone calls from debt collectors. The important thing to remember is to be proactive in handling your credit card debt. Unmanaged debt can ultimately lead to lawsuits, loss of property, and tarnished credit reports.

Here are a few ideas for managing and/or reducing your debt:

-Get in touch with creditors right away. Often times, creditors will reduce credit card interest rates if you simply ask for a break. Explain your situation, and let creditors know if you''re having trouble meeting your minimum monthly obligation. Many creditors will work with you to arrange a customized payment plan.

-Develop a budget. While many people dread this very important step in reducing debt, it can be extremely important in taking control of your financial situation. Compare and contrast fixed expenses-mortgage payments, rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, for example--with variable expenses, such as entertainment and recreation. List all your expenses, even those that seem unimportant. This is an important step in determining your spending patterns, prioritizing expenses, and determining whether or not you have additional money to contribute to the monthly payments on your credit card.

-Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. While debt consolidation is a sometimes daunting and drastic step, it can be an important move in the quest to reduce your credit card debt. If you''re a homeowner, consider a second mortgage or a home equity loan to pay off high-interest rate debt. While these loans often require you to list your home as collateral, remember that if you start skipping out on credit card payments, you could easily lose your home. What''s more, these loans provide tax advantages that are not available with many kinds of credit.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, according to a recently released FTC study. Did you know that the term "identity theft" did not exist until just a few years ago? It is a recent phenomenon that is causing a great furor around the world.

According to the United States Department of Justice, the terms identity theft and identity fraud refer to "all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person''s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain." If a person becomes a victim of identity theft, the recovery process can be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive.

The pace of this danger is quickening. Many of the largest data collection companies and banks have experienced substantial fraud issues affecting millions of Americans. The IRS recently admitted that their complex and detailed financial records are not protected well enough at all. The fact of the matter is that we are all at risk for identity fraud and there is little that we can do about it. Our personal information is already "out there" for the taking. Please examine the following questions to help you assess your risk factors:

- Do you send and receive your personal mail in a locked, secured mailbox?

- Do you ever provide your Social Security number as a means of identification?

- Do any of the cards in your wallet display your Social Security number? (license, medical, etc?)

- Do you keep your Social Security card and all of your other cards in your wallet?

- Do you ever provide personal information in person, over the telephone or via the Internet?

- Do you use a crosscut paper shredder and use it to destroy all credit card offers, bankcard statements, old tax records, and other documents displaying personal information prior to throwing them away?

- Do you use any of the following to construct various passwords or PIN codes? The last 4 digits of your social security number, your birth date, your middle name, your mother''s maiden name or anything else that could be easily discovered by identity thieves?

- Have you called (888) 5OPT-OUT to have your name removed from marketing lists that are sold by the credit bureaus? This will also decrease the number of unsolicited credit offers you receive.

- Have you requested a copy of your personal credit report in the last year?  Last 3 months?

On one hand consumers are being universally criticised for running up significant amounts of debt on credit cards, yet conversely many companies are capitalising on the growing credit card debt, from charities and political organisations to football clubs, the Association of Surgeons and somewhat ironically ActionAid, an international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide.

Financial comparison site moneynet.co.uk provided 226 credit cards in a general credit card search, from which the consumer could choose a product to suit their lifestyle, as well as their wallet. Credit cards with charity branding involve many major organisations including Amnesty International, Christian Aid, WaterAid, RSPB, Save The Children, the Ramblers Association, Oxfam, Greenpeace, the Vegetarian Society, RSPCA, ActionAid, Children In Crisis, Help The Aged, Tearfund and the Terence Higgins Trust.

Perhaps it is fair to say that if people are going to spend on plastic, they should be helping charitable organisations on the way and should they feel inclined to contribute to a political institution, donating a small % of each transaction is a convenient method. If most consumers were ethical spenders, then associations between transactions and third party beneficiaries would inherit this quality, but as debt spirals out of control, is it responsible or ethical that someone should benefit at the cost of someone else?

Bad Debt Identification

Identifying bad debt is not as easy as it sounds. But the earlier it is done, the better are chances of recovering it. Here are some signs of customer behavior that can identify bad debt early:

Customer fails to pay as per the agreed payment terms.

Customer makes repeated unrealistic complaints about the product or service quality whenever asked about the payment.

Customer continuously asks for more time to pay debts.

Customer''s contact person is not traceable whenever you call for debt collection.

Your phone calls and/or letters are not answered.

Apart from these, you also have to keep an eye on customers who constantly pay late. Ongoing communication between the sales and finance departments can go long way in preventing bad debts.

Keeping track of market sources such as magazines, other customers, and suppliers will also help you identify customers who are not in healthy financial condition and help you recover your dues from them at the early stage.

Bad Debt Recovery

Once you identify the bad debt, the first step is to make attempts yourself to recover it in-house. This way you can maintain a relationship with the defaulting clients. It also helps you create documentation and evidence to show that you have made enough attempts to recover the dues. If the collection staff has knowledge of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and experience in debt collection, some of the debt can be recovered easily.

Negotiable instruments like checks and drafts have become an indispensable part of any business transaction today. As a result, it has become increasingly important to safeguard a business against financial losses arising from the receipt of fraudulent or bad checks.

A check can be considered bad if it is bogus or the NSF checks (non sufficient funds check), also referred as bounced check.

The issuance of a NSF or bad checks is an unlawful act and can attract civil and criminal penalties. The onus of a bad check is assigned to the person signing the check and such a person, upon incrimination, is likely to face legal action as specified by the judicial system of the state.

A bounced or NSF check is the result of insufficient funds in the account of the issuer of the check. An NSF check leads to the disruption of a healthy business cycle and also attracts bad check/NSF fees for the issuer of the check. The credit worthiness of the issuer is put under circumspection, which may blemish the business reputation of the issuer.

Measures Against Bad and NSF Checks

The receiver of the check should evaluate the credit worthiness and conduct due diligence of the business/financial repute of the issuer of the check.

A businessperson wanting to mitigate the risk of NSF or bad checks can employ the services of a check guarantee company. Check guarantee companies take upon themselves the liability of a bad or NSF check for a predefined fee.

The receiver of a NSF or bad check can transfer or sell the check to commercial collection agency, which will pay the receiver an up front sum of a certain percentage of the face value of the check. Later, the commercial collection agency employed tries, with good success rate, to recover the check amount from the issuer by employing difference collection techniques.

In the twenty-first century, there are few documents that have a greater impact on the lives of Americans then their credit report. Credit rating determines one''s ability to buy a home, a car, or to obtain a credit card or a job. Since these things are important, it is equally important that the information be accurate. The only way to be sure of that is to check the report regularly. Prior to last fall, there were two ways to obtain a copy of your credit report: to pay for one, or to obtain one for free after being denied credit. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act passed last year, Americans can now obtain a free copy of their credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once a year.

Due to anticipated heavy response to the offer of free credit reports, the program has been rolled out in stages. People living in the West and Midwest are already eligible to apply for a copy of their report at www.annualcreditreport.com. As of June 1, 2005, those living in the Southeast are now eligible, and on September 1, 2005, those living in the Northeast will be eligible. All that is required to receive a copy of your credit report is to answer a few simple questions. Since it only takes a few minutes to do, there is really no reason to put off checking your credit report, and you may benefit tremendously by doing so.

The credit score is a single, three digit number that represents an individual''s credit worthiness, and that score is obtained through a complex formula that takes into consideration a person''s borrowing and spending habits and payment history. A high score makes someone more eligible for loans and credit, while a lower score may indicate that a person is a risk to repay. While the information contained on a credit report is generally accurate, incorrect information sometimes shows up on credit reports, and incorrect information could result in someone who being denied a loan for which they might otherwise be qualified. Furthermore, a credit report check is the best way to determine if you have been the victim of identity theft, an increasingly popular crime that often goes unnoticed for a year or more. If your identity is stolen, your credit rating can be ruined and you can be burdened with thousands of dollars in debt. The new bankruptcy law, which goes into effect in October 2005, draws no distinctions between debt incurred by an individual and debt incurred through identity theft. This alone should be reason enough to check your credit report regularly.

Credit Cards and Loans sounds like just two things, but in actuality, it is dozens of things. Due to a combination of user preferences, lifestyles, and marketing ideas, there are dozens of different types of credit cards out there. Because of the wide variety of things people need money for and the wide variety of ways to collateralize a loan, there are dozens and dozens of different types of loans out there.

Because of the huge variety of different types of credit cards and loans, you need a really big web site to find out about all of them. If you go off in search of a new credit card, how do you know you''re getting the best deal or even the best type of card for your lifestyle? Sure, you want a card that offers you some sort of a reward, but if you are a soccer mom, do you really need airline miles, or would a card that provides discounts on gas be a better deal for you?

Maybe you are a business owner and your cash flow is getting a little bit tight. You might have thought your only recourse was to get a lousy rate on yet another business credit card. Have you considered one of the many types of factoring that can provide you with quick cash at reasonable rates? What about venture capital to take your business to the next level?

With all my bills who would possibly want my credit? Let them steal my identity and pay my bills! Unfortunately, that''s not the way it works. Many of us mistakenly believe that identity thieves hit only the wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The average person is often more vulnerable that those we consider wealthy?

When someone steals your identity, they probably won''t touch your existing accounts and they certainly aren''t going to use your address. That would alert you to the problem. Last year the Identity Theft Resource Center reported that 73 percent of identity thieves will open new lines of credit in your name with a new address. Sixty three percent will take out loans in your name. Thirty seven percent will have cell phones or phone service in your name. Fifteen percent will even lease a car or apartment in your name. And guess what? They aren''t going to pay the bills!

The Federal Trade Commission reported that in the last five years 27 million identities were stolen. That''s one in every 8 adults. That''s more than 1,100 thefts per hour, three times the number of household burglaries. It''s definitely the fastest growing crime in America.

How will you learn your identity has been stolen? Eighty- five percent learn the hard way. They apply for credit and it''s denied. The collection agency calls trying to collect on past due bills for things they didn''t buy. Only fifteen percent are lucky enough to have a business alert them through verifying an application or an address change.

How does your identity get stolen? The number one way is by stealing your purse or wallet. That gives them your name, birth date, and often your social security number. That''s all they need to establish credit in your name. Your mailbox is also a prime target. If you receive checks or pre-approved credit offers in the mail you are at risk. Some will steal directly from your mailbox. Others will send in a change of address form and let the Post Office bring it to them. Then there is the "dumpster diver" who goes through the trash at homes or businesses to find the needed information.

Credit repair, is in a word, vital to reestablishing your credit. Unless you plan to never use your credit again, then you have to find a way to fix it.

In the world we live in, having credit available to you is important, even if you don''t use it regularly.

What do you do, then when something goes wrong and you end up with bad credit?

Most of us start out wanting to have good credit, but things just go wrong.

In order to fix them, you need to use credit repair.

However repairing credit is not easy.

There is no quick solution.

You will need time and patience not to mention good habits to make it happen.

Your first priority is to stop using your credit cards.

Stop putting more on them.

You will want to talk to your creditors and ask them to help you.

They may be able to help you pay off your credit in several ways.

They may be willing to give you more time between payments.

They may offer to allow you to pay it off without charging additional finance charges if you agree to pay a certain amount monthly.

Or, they may even allow you to pay off your credit for pennies on the dollar.

This means that if you owe a creditor $1000 they may allow you to pay it off by only paying $700 if you pay it off in a certain manner.

The credit card companies make billions each year in legitimate interest charges and fees, but are under constant pressure from the shareholders to increase their earnings. To make this extra money the credit card companies sometime adopt some dirty tricks to make this money. As the credit card industry becomes more competative, less money is being earned from each client from interest charges and the number of these dirty tricks increase. To protect yourself against these unscrupulous procedures that steal your money we will list 10 dirty tricks credit card companies play to their clients so you''ll know what to expect and look out for. Of course that there are not only 10 dirty tricks credit card companies play to their clients but knowing at least these 10 tricks will help you to not be a victim.

The first one out of the 10 dirty tricks credit card companies play is also the worst of them: not posting your payment the day it was received. This is the oldest known trick: the company receives your payment in time but it doesn''t process it immediately; this delay will bring to the company a late payment fee. This is often due to legitimate reasons, but the policies of many credit card companies support a processing time that is not beneficial to you. A second trick is to make you pay late by changing the due date for your credit card payment. For being late the company will charge again a late payment fee and if the situation repeats for few months in a row they can legally increase your interest rate. The third trick played by the credit card companies is a ridiculous one: you can be charged a penalty fee for not using your credit card a certain period of time. As unbelievable as it might seem, this is a new tactic of the credit card companies to take your money. Another two tricks used are in connection with the client''s peace of mind. Both of them are connected with credit card protection and the fees that must be paid. One of them is protecting you in case your credit card is stolen, lost or used fraudulently. Almost all credit card companies do not charge a fee for this service, but there are others that do. The best thing you can do would be to avoid the latter ones. The second credit card protection fee is for protecting you in case you loose your job or die. For this protection, usually, the fees are too high for the benefit received, but many customers purchase it out of fear.

Have you ever wondered why your credit card bill is so high and you can''t seem to pay off the balance? Well you are not alone in this. You should be aware of a couple of trick that they use and you probably don''t even pay attention to it, but you definitely pay for it and BIG!

The next time you open up your credit card statement, take a real close look to all the "junk" inside particularly the very hard to read insert Call "changes to you credit card agreement". That''s right the one you always throw away or say that I''ll read it later and never really do. Since you neglected to read all that fine print you just threw away you should realize what you just did. In essence you just agreed to all the changes the credit card company made IF (and that''s a big "IF") you use your credit card again. Most people do and don''t even read all "that stuff" in the envelope with their statement. Since these were automatic changes effective immediately or on a specific date that they set in the new terms and conditions.

Some of the ones the credit card companies use most often include, but not limited to, changing your APR (annual percentage rates) you thought that 0% would last forever? Changes to your existing fees and/or adding new fees. Let us not forget that they also like to change your grace period, the time that you can pay it off and not receive a finance charge.

If you don''t know or you don''t keep track of your credit limit...stop using it! If not you will get yourself into this next little fix. When ever you do go over the limit (they make sure and give you a little slack so they have an extra fee to charge) they hit you with an "over the limit fee" making you more over the limit and making you pay down your balance even more or you will face yet another over the limit fee the following month. There is nothing like a little $35 or more fees to cheer you up when you have to pay your bills.

If you really like higher rates on your credit card then just make sure the payment is late, that is a sure fire way of getting an increase in you APR. Some credit card companies go as far as saying your payment is late if not received by noon or 1 p.m. on the payment due date. Thanks for another $29 or more fees are the likely response from the credit card company. If you are a procrastinator and wait until the last minute to put money in the bank for your check to the credit card company to clear then you need to be very careful. With all these new high tech devices we have these days they are a lot more efficient at processing their money taking days shorter than they did even 5-10 years ago.

By far the greatest invention the banks have ever come up with came out in the 20th century. Also the new field of Credit Management was born with the invention of the credit card. It is the most available out of any financial product out there. In fact more than 80% of the U.S. households have at least one credit card. If you want to consider yourself as the "Average" American then you have about 8 credit cards burning a hole in your wallet right now. To make sure that you don''t get yourself in any trouble (again) try and follow these 10 Simple Steps for Credit Management.

1. Ignore the bank''s/lender''s rule on what is an "acceptable" level of debt. Your debt-to-income ratio, as they like to call it, is how much debt you can carry to the amount of money you bring make. Depending on how well you have managed your credit in the past it can fluctuate quite a bit. The average is about 25%. The ideal number is of course ZERO but for starters work on getting it down to 10-15%.

2. Remember what a credit card is...A Credit Card. Just because they have waved their magic wand and sent you your "Pre-Approved" Card doesn''t mean go out and use it. The bank does not know your situation or your lifestyle all they look at is the number that you should be able to pay off using most of your "extra" money. They will keep you paying them for the rest of your life if you let them. Which brings me to the next point...

3. Don''t pay just the minimum balances, unless of course you like paying 400% or more in interest. A typical Credit Card debt of $4,500 would take you about 44 YEARS to pay off! And you would end up paying about $17,000 total by the time you are done. When you stop and think about it, does that sound like a good deal to you?

4. Play the Game- Remember that you are the customer and "the customer" is always right. When it come to annual fees and higher interest rates ask for a lower rate. And if you slipped up and got a late fee ask to get it waived (make sure you promise never to do it again...well at least for six month) Remember that it is a lot more cost effective for them to keep a customer happy than it is for them to go get another one. Your $29-$35 late fee does not come close to the money they will have to spend to get a new one of you.

Credit is a funny thing. It can be a useful tool in the hands of an informed individual, or a weight of burden to the unsuspecting. One thing is for certain, you must have a decent credit score to attain a quality mortgage loan.

We speak to hundreds of individuals each month that are in the market to buy property. Unfortunately, many of them have less than desirable credit scores, and because of this, are not able to get prequalified for a loan.

There are numerous reasons for bad credit scores: bankruptcies, late payments, large credit balances, and a host of others. There are many legitimate reasons a person may have bad credit, but frankly, most of the people we talk to have simply made poor financial decisions.

In most cases, bad credit can be easily avoided:

1. On revolving credit card balances, make sure you pay your minimum balance each month. You will even receive a slight credit boost if you pay over your minimum amount, so do it if you can.

2. Avoid "maxing" out credit card accounts. Credit cards are good to have to build your credit, but make sure you keep your spending under control. Preferably, you should be able to pay off any CC balances completely in the same month you spent the money.

3. If you need to make any big purchases, avoid the temptation to place the entire purchase on your credit card. Instead, put money aside each month until you have enough for the purchase. Remember, just because you have a big spending limit on your cards, doesn''t make it your money! You have to pay every penny back plus interest!

4. Try to think of a credit card as a tool for building credit as opposed to a tool for buying the things you want. You spend a small amount each month, and pay it off immediately. This will spike your credit score, and keep you out of CC debt.