Credit And Loan Article

Finding the Right Credit Card

2008-08-02T22:55:00.014+07:00

There are so many credit cards out there to choose from that deciding which one to get can feel really daunting. What makes one offer better than the hundreds of others you've seen? Take this little quiz to find out what you should look for in a card.

First, Are You a Student?
If you are, then you'll be best off with a student card ? you'll probably have trouble getting accepted for anything else. It would be best to contact the bank where you have your student account before you do anything else.

Do You Have a Balance to Transfer?
If you do, then you need to be looking for a card with a low APR on balance transfers ? preferably one that stays low for more than a few months, unless you intend to switch often.

Are You Planning to Make New Purchases?
If so, then pay more attention to the APR for purchases, which is usually entirely different to the one for balance transfers. You should also look at what kind of grace period different cards offer, so you don't end up paying interest on your purchases straight away.

Do You Pay Off Your Balance In Full Every Month?
If you have a lot of money or you only keep a credit card for emergencies, then you might just pay it all off each time you get the bill. If you do, then you're in a position where you obviously don't need to worry about the interest rate much at all, since you won't be paying any interest (make sure there's a grace period, though).

Many people don't realise, but the credit card company still makes money from you even if you pay no interest ? the money shops pay to be able to accept credit cards. The credit card companies want to give you some kind of reward for letting them make this money without causing them any trouble, and you basically have a choice of three things:

Get cashback. For always paying everything off, they're quite willing to throw a few dollars your way. If you spend much with the card, this can add up to a tidy sum.

Take vouchers. You might, for example, be able to earn points as you spend that get you money off flights, or other rewards.

Give it away. If there's a charity or other cause you support, the chances are that you can donate money to them using an affinity card. This is a credit card that gives a very small percentage of each transaction to your chosen cause, and over time it adds up to a pretty decent donation for them.

Take Your Time?
Don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision before you're ready. Any offer that says it's for a limited time only is one you should ignore, as there's no reason to do it other than as a sales tactic. Think hard about your spending habits and what you want the card for, consider all the options you can find and then, once you're sure, go for it.

Read and Understand Your Credit Card Statement

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Have you ever looked at your credit card statement and ended up just scratching your head in frustration? Well join the club! But don't take any comfort in the fact that you have plenty of company, because lack of knowledge can cost you?.right on your credit report, and once there can stay with you a while.

Adding to the challenge is that almost every creditor's statement is slightly different, varying in format and billing cycle and interest calculations. You first want to check what you purchased and what you borrowed, so make sure you save all your receipts to make sure you weren't charged for something you didn't buy or were double billed. Immediately dispute any discrepancies via phone and in writing.

Next you'll want to verify the interest rates being applied for each type of purchase. Remember, cash advances almost always carry a higher interest than normal purchases and interest usually accrues from the date you received the money. Also, if you have any balance transfers with introductory interest rates, verify that it is correctly noted and hasn't been increased prematurely.

Review how your interest is calculated (this information is usually on the back of your statement) and make sure that the right rate has been used for each category. On purchases, most cards take your average daily balance over the billing cycle and divide it by one-twelfth of your annual percentage rate (APR).

Lastly, but maybe most importantly, make sure you send your payment in well before the due date. In order to have your payment credited on time to avoid a late fee, it must be posted by the due date shown on the statement. Therefore, if paying by mail, it is advisable to mail your payment at least a week in advance. For those whose cash flow doesn't allow an early remittance, paying by phone or on-line might be a good alternative.

The Truth About Credit

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Credit is currently and has been historically an integral component of our economy. Credit contribute a person's net worth, and financial power. No matter who you are or what type of business you are considering, credit is a vital component to be considered when developing your business idea and business plan.

Your credit history and status will always be a factor when lenders consider financing your entrepreneurial endeavor. No matter what type of loan, even loans for those who may struggle to acquire traditional financing, such as the SBA funded micro loan, will consider credit as one of the underwriting factors.

Because your credit history and status greatly impact your bank ability and ability to acquire business funding, it behooves you to spend a significant amount of time developing and creating positive credit status and repairing poor credit history.

Now, here is the not-so-secret formula for developing good credit and repairing poor credit.

1. Time
You will need to plan ahead if you want to acquire business financing. It takes time for bad spots in your credit file to be removed. It also takes time to engage in the process of having them removed. You must also spend some time engaging in positive credit behavior.

2. Diligence
You will need to pay very careful attention to your financial details. If you want to start a business in two years, you'll need to begin keeping very careful and detail files concerning all of your credit practices. You'll need to be on top of payments and purchases you make and always be alert to avoid behavior that could be detrimental to your credit status.

3. Patience
Developing and repairing credit is a process that does not happen over night. Every time you challenge an item on your credit report it involves a process that requires patience. Every time you apply for credit, the application process will require patience. This goes hand in hand with time; developing good credit that you can invest in a business idea takes time and won't happen overnight so be patient. That's why you need to be passionate about your business idea. It must be able to stand the test of the financing and credit process.

4. Financial Wisdom
You must begin to start making sound financial decisions. Consider every financial decision you make as if it were contributing to you becoming a millionaire. Be wary of high interest commercial credit and instead attempt to acquire lower interest banking credit such as vehicle loans, mortgages, or home improvement loans. Consider each purchase you make in light of it's impact on your credit. If you make a give purchase will it inhibit you from making a loan payment and reducing debt. Begin to think in terms of debt reduction and expense reduction as ways to increase your wealth and credit status. Having less debt is just as important and financially beneficial as having extra spendable cash.

In the end, you need to take a long term view concerning funding and credit as you begin preparing to make your business dreams come true. It won't happen overnight but if you do it right and pay attention to the details, such as building sound credit, it will happen and you'll increase your wealth and power.

Applying for a Payday or Cash Advance Loan Online

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Applying for a payday loan online is a quick and effective alternative compared to actually driving to a payday advance store. There are several reasons why applying online is in your best interest. When you apply online you save the time and the trouble of applying in person, you can find better rates than you may receive at your local payday advance center, and it's safer to access all your private information from home. When you are applying online for a payday loan there are several things you can do to make the process even easier.

When you go to apply online you should make sure that you have the following information in front of you; Drivers license, Social Security Card, Blanks checks, and your pay stubs. Most online lending companies will require that you give them your address , phone number, Sin number, Your bank name, Check number, Bank Account number, references, and if you are paid weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. When you are filling in the area on take home pay, you should look on your pay check under net pay and fill in that amount.

Usually, you will need to fax in your verification to the payday loan or cash advance company. But, there are payday loan companies online that have no faxing or faxless verification programs. They will usually verify information electronically or by phone.

There is no need to be concerned about giving out this kind of information to payday companies as all of them have very strict privacy rules in place and follow them closely. When you are giving out this information you should ensure that the page address you are entering them into begins with https://. The s at the end of http states that you are on a secure site that uses encryption to protect your valuable information.

When you apply for your payday loan online you will be required to give two references and your work number. These numbers will be called to ensure that they are working numbers and that you work for the company. No information regarding your payday loan will be given out during these phone calls.

There is no credit check with cash advance loans online, so it doesn't matter if you have bad credit. The payday loan company is lending based on the fact that you are employed or have a steady income.

Money With The Click of a Mouse

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Online payday loans seem to be popping up everywhere. A simple web search will positively crowd your screen with online payday loans sites hoping to get your business. Are online payday loans sites as legitimate as the corner "Cash Advance" business near your home? They seem to be identical, with a few crucial differences.

Online payday loans websites won't make you stand in long lines, or cause you to feel uncomfortable for being there. Online payday loans appear to be as easy as clicking your computer mouse and filling out some forms with personal information. Online payday loans can be gargantuan. Some online payday loans sites offer you from five hundred to one thousand dollars in an overnight delivery for the next morning. But it would be smart to do research on online payday loans before signing any of your personal information away.

Also, take the time to calculate whether or not the online payday loans system will actually work to your advantage. Some simple mathematics can save your budget in the long run if you're smart about online payday loans today. For example, before you sign up for anything upfront, find out how much interest the online payday loans site is planning to charge you when you repay the loan. It could be anywhere from eight and a half percent interest to over ten percent interest.

This amount sounds small, but ten percent of three thousand is three hundred, and if you're in dire need of online payday loans now, you might also have trouble coming up with an extra three hundred bucks in the future, when online payday loans will no longer be an option for you. Given the fact that several if not all online payday loans websites raise the interest rates based on how many days or weeks or months it takes you to pay them back, asking for online payday loans might be a bad idea. Still, if this is a rare situation and you know you'll be back on your feet soon, go for it. Perhaps for you, online payday loans will pay off in the long and short run.

Online Loans Made Easy

2008-08-02T21:55:00.006+07:00

What will it take for you to get a low interest, low payment loan? The answer to that question could be an online loan from one of the many companies that specializes in granting online loans, or e-loans.

Some analysts forecast that as more and more customers expect better interest rates, and as competition for their business intensifies, loan institutions will focus even more on their efforts to lure as many customers as possible to use their services, and online loan institutions are no exception.

Both traditional lenders from financial institutions such as banks, mortgage lenders and credit unions as well as on-line lenders compete fiercely for the privilege of lending money. Incentives such as zero percent or low-interest-rate financing, giveaways, and cash rebates are just some of the ways to gain your business. All this appears to be great for consumers, but the wise person must discern between true incentives and come-ons by deciding whether a rebate or a super-low interest rate is most beneficial. A rebate is not a bargain if the interest rate makes the pay-off on the loan higher.

Online loans are quick, convenient and easy. Just fill out an application from your computer. You are usually approved or disapproved within a matter of minutes. But before you begin the application process, there are basic matters that you should be aware of.

Your credit rating can affect the amount of the loan and the interest rate of your online loan. Check your credit score before you start looking for a loan. Having a high credit score will result in a better interest rate than a poor score. If you are considered a credit risk, many lenders will work with you, but your loans may have a much higher interest rate. It's important to clear up your credit problems before you apply for an online loan to help you negotiate for the best loan possible. Not knowing your credit score may hinder your efforts.

As with traditional loans, you should always comparison shop when searching for an online loan. If you are making a high-dollar purchase such as a home or a car, it is advantageous to be pre-approved for your loan to keep your financial arrangements out of negotiations on the price. Online loan institutions may be of tremendous help in this area.

You should focus on the overall amount of the online loan as well as the interest rate. There are several online sites where prevailing interest rates can be viewed to help you decide which online loan institution to use. The overall length of the loan is another factor to keep in mind, as the length of the loan decides what your monthly payment is going to be. Obtaining a short-term loan could save many dollars in interest.

Online loans are relatively easy to get if you have a good credit rating. The usual purpose of an online loan is to finance a home or automobile. Online lending institutions realize that the loan is backed by collateral, and they are not likely to lose money if you fail to pay the loan.

Online loans are just one more way to make your search for money to finance your purchase easy and convenient. Online institutions will make every possible effort to approve your loan because doing so benefits the lender as well.

Understanding Mortgage Basics

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As common as mortgages are, there are a surprisingly large number of us who are under false impressions about the way they function, and what they actually are. For one thing, though we do commonly call mortgages "home loans," this is not at all what they actually are. In fact, mortgages aren't loans at all, nor are they something that have been given to you by lenders. More accurately, it is a security instrument that you have provided to a lender. It is a document that protects your lender's interest with your property itself.

A mortgage functions in the following way:

- A mortgager (you) ? also referred to as a borrower (leading to the false impression that it is a home loan) and the mortgagee, who is also called the lender (again, falsely leading you to think that a loan has been lent).

- The mortgage document itself produces a lien on your property. This is the collateral ? the security ? for the mortgagee who has provided the security instrument. This lien is recorded within public records ? likely at a county courthouse or similar establishment.

- Ownership of the property is then yours and cannot be transferred to anyone else until you have paid off the amount required to reverse the lien.

- Even if your property is mortgaged, you still own the property wholly and completely. Nobody else, not even the mortgagee has title to the property.

- The only right that your mortgage gives to the mortgagee over your property is to sell it to recover funds in the case that you do not pay off your debt. This is the dreaded process referred to as foreclosure.

- Should the mortgage be used for security, then the foreclosure must progress through the court system in order to be legal in the majority of circumstances. This type of foreclosure is referred to as a judicial foreclosure.

Obviously there is much more to mortgages than this, but these are the basic foundations upon which the mortgaging system has been constructed.

Mortgage Basics for First Time Home Buyers

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Anyone planning to take out a mortgage for the first time will most likely find the job a little daunting, not least because the financial jargon can often be very difficult to make sense of. As with any major financial decision, it is essential to fully understand every aspect of a mortgage plan before making a commitment. It's also vital to simply do the math, to calculate exactly how much each type of mortgage will cost for the overall life of the loan, how long it will take to repay, and what the monthly repayments will be. Buyers would be wise to make the financial calculations before choosing a home, to get a clear picture of exactly how much home they can really afford to buy. More information is available at http://www.money-smash.com

One of the most important decisions to make is choosing the term of the mortgage. Most fixed term mortgage plans work on either a 15 or a 30 year period. Generally speaking, a 15 year plan means the monthly repayments will be higher, but less interest is paid over the long term, so often the mortgage will work out cheaper over the life of the loan. A 30 year plan will normally mean more interest in the long term, but the monthly repayments will be lower, which may mean the borrower can afford to buy a more expensive home.

Another important choice to make is between a fixed and an adjustable rate mortgage. The terminology is as simple as it sounds, although making the choice between the two types of plan may be a lot more complex. Fixed rate mortgage means the interest rate is set at the time the loan is made, and remains the same throughout the life of the loan. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the first few years, then after that, it is determined by various external economic factors which are outside the control of the lender and the borrower. Usually there will be some kind of cap to protect borrowers from excessive interest rate rises. A fixed rate plan is the less risky option, but an adjustable rate plan generally offers lower rates initially, and should interest rates fall in future, borrowers can take advantage the lower rates immediately, without having to refinance.

Loans Guide

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Many people are confused by the different types of loans available.Here is a helpful summary of the most common loans available today.

Bad Credit Personal Loan

A Bad Credit Personal Loan is a loan designed for the many people with a bad credit rating. However created, your past record of County Court Judgements, mortgage or other loan arrears can live on to deny you access to finance that other people regard as normal. If you are a home owner with equity in your property, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can bring that normality back to your life. Secured on your home, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can give you the freedom, for example, to do the home improvements or buy the new car you really wanted. With a Bad Credit Personal Loan you can borrow from £5,000 to £75,000 and up to 125% of your property value in some cases.

Bridging Loan

A bridging loan as the name implies is a loan used to "bridge" the financial gap between monies required for your new property completion prior to your existing property having been sold.

Bridging loans are short term loans arranged when you need to purchase a house but are unable to arrange the mortgage for some reason, such as there is a delay in selling your existing property.

The beauty of bridging loans is that a bridging loan can be used to cover the financial gap when buying one property before the existing one is sold A bridging loan can also be used to raise capital pending the sale of a property.

Bridging loans can be arranged for any sum between £25000 to a few million pounds and can be borrowed for periods from a week to up to six months. A bridging loan is similar to a mortgage where the amount borrowed is secured on your home but the advantage of a mortgage is that it attracts a much lower interest rate. While bridging loans are convenient the interest rates can be very high.

Business Loan

A business loan is designed for a wide range of small, medium and startup business needs including the purchase, refinance, expansion of a business, development loans or any type of commercial investment. Business loans are generally available from £50,000 to £1,000,000 at highly competitive interest rates from leading commercial loan lenders. A business loan can be secured by all types of UK business property, commercial and residential properties. Business Loans can offer up to 79% LTV (Loan to Valuation) with variable rates, depending on status and length of term. Business loans are normally offered on Freehold and long Leasehold properties with Bricks and Mortar valuations required. Legal and valuation fees are payable by the client.

Car Loan

The main types of car loans available are Hire Purchase and Manufacturer's schemes. Hire purchase car finance is arranged by car dealerships, and effectively means that you are hiring the car from the dealer until the final payment on the loan has been paid, when ownership of the vehicle is transferred to you. A Manufacturers' scheme is a type of loan that is put together and advertised by the car manufacturer and can be arranged directly with them or through a local car dealership. You will not be the owner of the vehicle until you have repaid the loan in full, and the car will be repossessed if you default on repayments.

Cash Loan

Cash Loans also known as Payday Loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds. A Cash Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans of between £80 and £400. Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until subsequent paydays. To apply for a Cash Loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a cheque book. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.

Debt Consolidation Loan

Debt consolidation loans can give you a fresh start, allowing you to consolidate all of your loans into one - giving you one easy to manage payment, and in most cases, at a lower rate of interest. Secured on your home debt consolidation loans can sweep away the pile of repayments to your credit and store cards, HP, loans and replace them with one, low cost, monthly payment ? one calculated to be well within your means.

With a Debt Consolidation Loan you can borrow from £5,000 to £75,000 and up to 125% of your property value in some cases. It can reduce BOTH your interest costs AND your monthly repayments, putting you back in control of your life.

Home Loan

A Home Loan is a loan secured on your home. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home loan. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, new car, luxury holiday, pay of store card or credit card debt and debt consolidation. With a Home Loan you can borrow from £5,000 to £75,000.

Home Improvement Loan

A Home Improvement Loan is a low interest loan secured on your property. With a Home Improvement Loan you can borrow from £5,000 to £75,000 with low monthly repayments.

The loan can be repaid over any term between 5 and 25 years, depending on your available income and the amount of equity in the property that is to provide the security for the loan.

A Home Improvement Loan can help you with a new kitchen, bathroom, extension, loft conversion, conservatory, landscaping your garden or new furniture. You can even use it on non-house expenditure like a new car or repaying credit card or other debts.

Home Owner Loan

A Home Owner Loan is a loan secured on your home. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home Owner loan. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home owner loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, new car, luxury holiday, pay of store card or credit card debt and debt consolidation. With a Home Owner Loan you can borrow from £5,000 to £75,000.

Payday Loan

Payday Loans also known as Cash Loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds. A Payday Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans of between £80 and £400. Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until subsequent paydays. To apply for a loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a cheque book. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.

Personal Loan

There are two categories of personal loans: secured personal loans and unsecured personal loans ? See individual titles below. Homeowners can apply for a Secured personal loan (using their property as security), whereas tenants only have the option of an unsecured personal loan.

Remortgage Loan

A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender thereby saving money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.

You can borrow from £25,000 up to £500,000. Rates are variable, depending on status.

Secured Loan

A secured loan is simply a loan that uses your home as security against the loan. Secured loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured loan; or, have a poor credit history. Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to secured loans, making a secured loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured loan. Secured loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime. You can borrow any amount from £5,000 to £75,000 and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years. You simply select a monthly payment that fits in your current circumstances.

Secured Personal Loan

A Secured Personal Loan is simply a loan that is secured against property. Secured personal loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured personal loan; or, have a poor credit history.

Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to Secured personal loans, making a Secured personal loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured personal loan.

Secured personal loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime. You can borrow any amount from £5,000 to £75,000 and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years.

Student Loan

A student loan is way of borrowing money to help with the cost of your higher education. Applications are made through your Local Education Authority A student loan is a way of receiving money to help with your living costs when you're in higher education. You start paying back the loan once you have finished studying, provided your income has reached a certain level.

Tenant Loan

A tenant loan is an unsecured loan granted to those that do not own their own property. A tenant loan is always unsecured because in most cases, if you are renting your accommodation, you do not have an asset against which you can secure your loan. Tenants sometimes find that some loan companies will only lend money to homeowners. If you are a tenant you need to look for a company, bank or building society willing to give you an unsecured loan.

Unsecured Loan

An unsecured loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments.

The amount you are able to borrow can start from as little as £500 and go up to £25,000. Because you not securing the money you are borrowing, lenders tend to limit the value of unsecured loans to £25,000. The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. Unsecured loans are offered by traditional financial institutions like building societies and banks but also recently by the larger supermarkets chains.

An unsecured loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements.

An unsecured loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot obtain a secured loan for example; a tenant living in rented accommodation.

Unsecured Personal Loan

An Unsecured personal loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments. The amount you are able to borrow can start from as little as £500 and go up to £25,000. The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. An Unsecured personal loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements. An Unsecured personal loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot obtain a secured loan for example; a tenant living in rented accommodation.

Facts You Should Know About Types of Loans

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When you set out to borrow, you often come across terms like unsecured loans, revolving loans, adjustable rate loans, etc. While these terms are more or less self-explanatory, it is still useful to be clear on their exact meanings and what they imply before you finalize a loan contract.

Unsecured versus secured loans

As the name implies, a secured loan is one where you offer some kind of collateral against the loan. The agreement is that if you default on the loan, the lender has the right (but not the obligation) to take possession of the asset you have pledged.

In most cases, this asset would be what the lender has financed. For example, when you take a home loan, you offer the home as collateral.

There may also be cases where you may need to offer additional collateral over and above the asset that is being financed. This happens, for example, when the lender is financing close to 100% of an asset that is prone to rapid reduction in market value. In such cases, the lender may insist on your putting up another asset so as to provide a reasonable margin of protection in case of default.

Unsecured loans are those where such collateral arrangements do not exist. These loans are granted based on your credit standing, ability to repay and other factors.

In cases where there's a choice available to the customer to take either a secured or an unsecured loan, the former may be offered at a somewhat lower rate. That is, assuming every other factor remains equal. This is because of the lower risk involved to the lender, who has recourse to a specific asset in case you default. However, this situation is comparatively rare in consumer financing, although it is more common in financing businesses.

Installment versus revolving loans

A revolving loan is one where you have access to a continuous source of credit, up to a pre-determined credit limit. If the limit is say, $10,000, you can borrow any amount up to $10,000. And typically, you can repay all or part of the amount you borrowed at a time of your choosing, within the overall tenor of the loan.

You pay interest only on the amount you borrow for the time you borrow it. Sometimes, banks may charge a commitment fee for making a revolving line of credit available to you. This fee is usually charged on the average unutilized amount of your limit.

You can also re-borrow the amount you have repaid. In effect, you have a loan that's always available to you on demand.

Unlike revolving loans, installment loans have a fixed repayment schedule. In most cases, the full amount of the loan is drawn down (i.e., borrowed) at once and both repayment schedule and amounts are fixed in advance. You do not have the option to re-borrow the amount that has been repaid.

Adjustable rate versus fixed rate loans

A fixed rate loan is one where the interest rate charged is fixed for the entire duration of the loan. The advantage is that you are immune to fluctuations in interest rates and can budget your cash outflows precisely. The disadvantage to you (the borrower) is that should interest rates fall, you lose in terms of opportunity costs. That is, you could have obtained a lower interest rate had you opted for an adjustable rate loan.

In practice, you can always choose to refinance the fixed rate loan at a lower rate if interest rates fall sharply enough to justify it. Bear in mind that your current lender may charge a pre-payment fee if you choose to repay before due date. So the difference in interest rates between your old fixed rate loan and the new loan should be large enough to justify a switch.

An adjustable rate loan is one where the interest charged fluctuates in line with a benchmark rate. This benchmark rate is usually the Prime Rate, which is what the US Treasury charges its prime (or best) borrowers. The advantage of an adjustable rate (or floating rate) loan is that what you are paying is more or less in line with the market. If interest rates decline, so do your costs and vice versa. The disadvantage is that your cash outflows for interest are unpredictable.

As a borrower, if you hold the view that interest rates are going to decline, it is best to opt for an adjustable rate loan. But arriving at the correct view consistently is easier said than done. Predicting interest rates is a game where even professional market participants and institutions frequently go wrong.

If it is important to you to be able to budget for your interest obligations in advance, a fixed rate loan may be the best choice. After all, you can refinance it should the interest rates fall significantly.

Keeping these basic facts in mind should help you make more informed borrowing decisions.

4 Steps to Creating Good Credit

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As a consumer you've learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.

A bad credit history or bad credit habits will place "black marks" on your credit profile. These include things such as late payments, having an account assigned to a collection agency, and of course bankruptcy.

Establishing good credit habits and therefore a good credit rating will improve your credit worthiness. This will be reflected in potential lenders offering you substantially lower interest rates and better deals on credit offers.

Here are 4 tips to help you create a shining credit profile:

1) Pay Your Bills On Time

Lenders only have your past payment history on which to decide the type of credit risk you present to them. How you pay off your debts now indicates to them how you will pay off future debts.

2) Don't Use Too Many or Too Few Credit Cards

How much is too much ? How little is too little ? Many credit experts and financial planners suggest two to four credit cards is just the right mix.

3) Pay At Least The Minimum Due

Always pay at least the minimum due payment, but never less. And remember, just paying the minimum payment means it will take you years and years to pay off that credit card.

Example: Paying off a $2,000 credit payment at 18% APR with a minimum monthly payment of 2% ($40 dollars or less) will take you 30 years to pay off the amount plus interest.

4) Review Your Credit Report Regularly

Monitor your credit report from all three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - on a regular basis. Check your credit profile at least annually. Review it carefully and make sure that any past mistakes or disputes have been corrected.

Also, if you notice an account listed that you know that you have not personally opened, contact that creditor and the credit bureaus immediately. This could be a sign that you've had your identity stolen. Request to have a fraud alert placed on your profile and account to protect yourself and your credit. Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in America, with an estimated 1 million people victimized each year.

Establish good credit habits early in life and reap the benefits that your good credit rating will provide you for the rest of your financial future.