Question about finance

Please help me develop a broad understanding of its structure, key organizations, etc.

Thanks so much in advance!

Spring is in the air across the country and many people are beginning their gardening and participating in the tradition of spring cleaning. It’s the time of year when garages get organized, and clutter is removed so that the floors and walls can all get a much needed cleaning after the family has spent months indoors waiting out the cold weather.

Anyone who’s ever tended a flower garden knows that flowers require some care and attention to bloom fully. You’ve got to keep their area free of weed clutter, watered and with just the right amount of sun to really help them thrive. Your finances need similar attention to bloom – and decluttering your financial situation can save you money.

Weeding Debts

Start with your current debts, since these are likely to be costing you the most money in fees and interest. Get your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com, and see whether or not there are any inaccuracies reported. If so, dispute the problem in writing and get it resolved. A drop in your credit score of just 50 points is enough to cause you to pay more for credit or be the reason you can’t get credit at all.

You’ll also want to take a close look at your credit card and loan statements to see what interest rates you’re paying on each of your accounts. Perhaps you can make a few phone calls and get your interest rates lower; or move balances from higher interest cards to a lower interest card; or pay off high interest credit cards with a lower interest loan. These actions can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars per year, and only take a few minutes of your time to initiate.

Create a plan to pay off your debts as quickly as possible. Debt and the fees associated with debt repayments are like weeds in your financial garden – you can’t expect your finances to grow properly when you’ve got the ‘weeds’ holding you back.

Tending Your Bank Accounts

Take a close look at your bank accounts. You may have multiple savings and/or checking accounts, a money market or other account and you may find it easier and more manageable to consolidate some of these accounts. Additionally, if your bank accounts are charging you fees, you are paying multiple fees when you could combine accounts and reduce the amount of fees you pay for banking.

After determining how many bank accounts you have, compare what fees each bank is charging you to use the account, as well as benefits associated with having the account. Once you’ve determined which account or two you plan to keep, you can begin consolidating. Start by switching any automatic payments you have coming out of an account you plan to close to the account you are keeping open, and once you’ve verified all automatic payments are coming out of the right account – begin closing the ones you’ve decided to eliminate.

You can further declutter your financial situation by setting up online bill payment for your recurring bills, and eliminating the need to receive bill statements in the mail. Switching to electronic banking uses less paper, and you can balance your accounts online as well. Reduce the need to pay for stamps by paying as much as you can online, and only mailing checks to companies that don’t accept online payments. Eliminate late fees by setting up accounts to pay automatically, and you’ll never forget to make a payment on time again since it’s all set on auto-pilot.

Decluttering your finances works like fertilizer to your financial ‘garden’. Taking the time to work out the details each spring will keep you on track for long term financial success.

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Question about finance

A rise in costs for users of any financial service usually results in public outcry, why is it then that so many of those same consumers allow penalty fees and charges to accrue on their credit cards, when the problem could so easily be avoided?

The financial groups Defaqto and MoneyExpert have released a report in which the startling figure that one in five consumers have had to pay just such a charge, and while credit cards were the worst offender, a number of different personal finance services also incurred unnecessary charges. These services included charges for simple personal finance errors such as allowing an overdraft to go over the agreed bank limit, or investing in an inflexible mortgage and then paying off the debt early. In both cases either better preparation beforehand with regards to choosing the right provider (such as using an online personal finance database like Moneynet (http://www.moneynet.co.uk/credit-card/index.shtml ) or Motley Fool (http://www.fool.co.uk ) ) or taking advantage of financial options now readily available would have presented more flexible options which would not have imposed the penalties.

To take an example, credit cards allow greater control over your personal cash flow – you can pay now for a product or service even if the funds you use will not be available to you until the following month, at which point you pay off the credit card. Credit cards also have valuable incentives for their use with larger purchases, featuring, as the majority do, insurance options and traceability. However when you are making smaller purchases, say clothing or household products, then the use of a credit card may not be the best use of your money: searching for a suitable personal loan would most likely result in better short-term rates and the avoidance of penalties such as those imposed on the one in five people surveyed by Defaqto and MoneyExpert.

With the survey also producing the result that one in twenty consumers faced charges in excess of £100 it would seem that this problem is more than a trifle for a large portion of the UK population and that while there are a great number of personal finance options available out there, there are very often not used to the advantage of the consumer as they could so easily be with a little research.

Disclaimer

All information contained in this article is for general information purpose only and should not be construed as advice under the financial Services act 1986. You are strongly advised to take appropriate professional and legal advice before entering into any binding contracts.

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Question about finance

Sure, you will be kicking a few tires but that will only be half of the battle. Know your limitations even before looking for that new car. If you would be paying for all car-related expenses, don’t forget to spend no more than 10% of your total earnings.

When negotiating for the price of your car, decide first on a price range and how much your down payment will be. Should you choose a long arrangement under a car finance loan, your down payment would be at the minimum. If you decide to trade the car within the first year, you will realize that you actually owe more than your car is worth. As a general rule, never apply for a car finance loan that is more than 80% of the price of the car, as indicated in the dealer’s invoice. Try to pay in cash or have equity for the car which is about 20% of the car’s true cost.

Usually, your car dealer will send you to their in-house financing department for a car finance loan. Dealers may have less-restrictive requirements than banks, however, they could insist on cut-rate car financing loans for you to apply for. Such car finance loans have 3% interest rates that could be attractive for the unsuspecting customer. Unfortunately, these low interest rates only apply only to certain models or short term car finance loans of 12 months tops. You’ll be surprised at how dealers make a lot of money on car finance loans, even when it’s done through the manufacturer.

As a good rule of thumb, always negotiate the price before you reveal that you are thinking about applying for a car finance loan. If they know ahead of time that you plan on wrapping up the deal with a car finance loan, they will frequently try to create a dilemma for you by giving you a lower rate on a higher price or a lower price at a higher finance rate. If you do decide on a car finance loan through the dealer, you can negotiate the interest rate. Dealerships usually have several loan sources, including local banks and the manufacturer’s credit company. Each source sets their rates to the dealer.

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Question about finance

You shouldn’t worry too much about bad credit finance options, because there are several financing options available regardless of your credit history… some of them charge higher interest rates or require some additional security, but in the end may be just what you’re looking for.

Vehicle financing

If you’re looking for a bad credit finance for a new or used vehicle, your best option is most likely going to be to visit a finance company as opposed to a traditional bank.

Some finance companies are more likely to offer bad credit finance options for vehicles than others, and the financing will usually depend upon the type of vehicle being financed, where the vehicle is being purchased from, and what sort of insurance and driving record you have.

Other factors that will be taken into consideration include your annual and monthly income, any cosigners that you might have for the loan, and any recommendations or referrals that you might have.

Home financing

Finding someone to offer you a bad credit finance for a house or other real estate can sometimes be tricky, but generally real estate shouldn’t be too difficult to finance.

Major factors in getting a mortgage lender to approve you for bad credit finance options include your income, any insurance that you will purchase for the house or real estate, the amount of a down payment that you’re willing to offer, and any references of former landlords that you can offer.

Mortgage lenders for bad credit finance loans can be found online, at finance companies, and at some real estate and property management services.

Other financing

Should you be seeking bad credit finance options for other items (such as collectibles or electronics), you might find your search to be a little more difficult.

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Question about finance

Car financing has taken a new spin with regard to providing investment for buying a car. So, how do you finance a car? If this question leaves you baffled, then you have to go a long way in the process of buying a car. The term ‘financing’ in relation to buying a car connotes either rendering loan to buy the car or lease the car to you. You are probably concentrating on the former meaning. Many people are in favour of talking car finance from dealership for it seems like a convenient option. It seems easy; you select a car, fill out a credit application, and drive away with your car – all in a day’s work. Car finance through dealership will give you car finance on weekends and even at nights when other banks and credit unions are closed.

Seems convenient, isn’t it? But there is a catch. The dealer will be certainly charging you more for your car finance. Usually car buyers are overcharged by 3% on their car finance. A great number of complaints about car financing are related to dealers. 0% APR is not only attractive but lures the buyers to acquire up car finance not meditating if it is feasible for them. There are very few people who can actually get a 0% APR. Thus car finance deals usually fall midway thereby making car finance experience an extremely distressing one. You are buying a new car and probably for the first time, you certainly want it to compliment your enthusiasm. There are few elementary things that need to be kept in mind before taking that crucial primeval step in car buying.

First and foremost in car buying and financing is checking your credit score before you apply for a car loan. Many people are unaware of the fact that they even have a credit score. You can expediently check your credit score online. So, if you have bad credit history then probably you will be paying more interest rate for your car finance. If your credit score drops below 550, then probably apply for new car finance is not such a good idea. First repair you credit score. Repairing credit score requires little effort, helps you repay your debt and retain your credit report. Online car finance companies can get you car finance loan even if your credit score is lower than required. Your car finance loan can get approved in minutes. Online car finance companies have revolutionized car finance procedure. With lowest online car finance rates, no application fees, or down payments car finance companies provide a formidable competition to car dealers. Car finance companies have set a standard for providing car finance that is worth opting for.

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Question about finance

It’s still not too late, however, to reset the trajectory on your family’s finances, experts note.

1. Build a Budget

If you haven’t already done so, create a realistic budget.

Approximately 85% of your income should be set aside for necessities like housing, food, health care and clothing, according to the professionals at VISA USA.

This leaves 15% for entertainment—and something many consumers completely neglect: savings.

2. Distinguish “Needs” from “Wants”

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you need in life versus what you want in life.

You need to pay for the antibiotics when the doctor diagnoses a respiratory infection. You don’t need to buy the latest movie released on DVD to aid in your recovery.

You need to pay the rent or mortgage. You don’t need to buy the lovely accent pillows that beckon to you from the interior design boutique.

Always separate the needs from the wants—particularly if money is tight.

3. Monitor Your Spending

To see what you really spend each month, keep a running log of all purchases—no matter how small—for a full month. This will give you a visual display of where your money goes after you deposit your paycheck.

You may find that the $3 cup of coffee that starts each day adds up to $90 a month—a pocketbook pincher that may prompt you to buy a pound of coffee beans at the local market and grind them yourself. That $90 blossoms into $1,080 in savings at the end of a year.

4. Create an Emergency Fund

Life is full of surprises—both positive and negative. If you happen to lose your job or suffer an illness that temporarily sidelines you, you will need cash reserves to support you during the rough months.

“In most cases, consumers who find themselves dealing with a financial hardship are unprepared and have not saved for unexpected situations,” says Diane Giarratano, director of education for Novadebt, a U.S. financial management service agency, with multiple locations, that provides credit counseling, budgeting and financial education.

5. Educate Yourself

When you attended high school or college, you studied history, mathematics, language and science, but there was probably no course in basic money management.

If you need help in meeting a financial goal—whether it’s buying a home or reducing your debt—take advantage of community resources.

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Question about finance

Any additional information that could be given would be great, as I'm considering getting my first credit card, and want to know everything I can so that I don't get myself into trouble.

While it may seem obvious to state it, credit reports are predominantly concerned with assessing the risk involved in lending money to you. Lenders are obsessed with one thing, getting repaid, and their entire industry revolves around making this occur. Therefore, they have developed the credit score that will assess your likely hood of repaying them and this is then used to either approve or reject your application for credit. While this is the basic purpose, some more sophisticated lenders desire to get in on an ever larger share of the market and in order to lend to higher risk borrowers, they create different categories of loans which people with lower scores can qualify for. These loans will invariably have higher interest rates and other less favourable conditions and this will be the price you pay for having a lower credit rating.

Since loans are used to finance homes, education, cars, and most other large purchases in life, the inability to get access to credit, or only to be able to get it at less attractive terms and rates, is a substantially reason to care about your credit report and try to keep it in as good a condition as possible.

Credit reports are also used when you apply for renting or leasing accommodation. This is usually because the landlord wants to be fairly certain that you’ll be able to pay your rent as it falls due. So keeping your credit score healthy at this stage will pay off if you need to be approved for renting or leasing residential property.

There is also a trend among employer to start using credit ratings when assessing job applicants. The reasons they are making use of credit reports are of course different for every employer but there is a consensus that a healthy credit report and a good past record of meeting financial commitments is a good sign that the job applicant is someone reliable and worth employing.

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Question about finance

First, you want to figure out where you are going to get your car finance. There are a number of institutions that can get you financing. Banks, credit unions, the dealership, or even auto manufacturers can provide financing for your new or used vehicle.

Second, with a car finance, you need to realize that whether you buy a new or used vehicle will affect your financing. As a general rule, interest rates will be lower on new cars than on used ones. Also, new cars can often qualify for financing over a longer period of time than can used cars.

Next, when it comes to our car finance, don’t believe everything you see or read. Commercials for special financing for those who are first time buyer or have bad credit abound in papers and on the television. These are usually a little too good to come true and come attached with requirements such as extra high down payments and extremely high interest rates. In some cases, both apply to the loan.

Before you go to get your loan, make sure you know about your own credit history. Get a copy of your credit report and go over it with a fine toothed comb. Look at the score as well as the payment histories on it. If anything at all looks incorrect, make sure you get it cleared up. When a lender looks at how much money to give you, they will check out your debt ratios, how long you have been at your job, your history with similar loans, and your credit report as a whole.

Once you are armed and ready to consider your car finance, shop around. It is usually a good idea to look for the financing before you buy the car. You will better know what you qualify for that way. Also, you can use your information to bargain further with the dealer. In order for them to finance your car, you should ask them to beat the rate you have from wherever else you have looked.

Remember that everything is negotiable. Just because the car finance rate you got is pretty good, it doesn’t mean that you have to pay what they ask. Negotiate the rate of your loan, the price of the car, or anything else you can talk to them about. It can’t hurt and you could save yourself a lot of money that way. As the process goes on, don’t get caught up in the numbers. The dealers will try to give you monthly payment numbers only so that you don’t notice any added charges. However, sit down with a calculator and just figure out the payments yourself and you will have nothing to worry about.

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Question about finance

1. Keep Your Bills in One Place

When the mail comes, make sure it goes in one place. Misplaced bills can be the cause of unwanted late fees and can damage your credit rating. Whether it’s a drawer, a box, or a file, be consistent. Size is also important. If you get a lot of mail, use an area that won’t get filled up too quickly.

2. Pay Your Bills on Schedule

Bill paying can be simplified if it’s done at scheduled times during the month. Depending on how many bills you receive, you can establish set times each month when none of your bills will be late. If you’re paying bills as you receive them, chances are you’re spending too much time in front of the checkbook. Although bills may state “Payable Upon Receipt”, there’s always a grace period. Call the creditor to find out when they need to receive payment before the bill is considered late.

3. Read Your Credit Card Statements

Most people take advantage of low interest credit card offers but never read their statements when paying the bill. Credit cards are notorious for using low interest as bait for new customers then switching to higher rates after a few months. Make a habit of looking at your statement carefully to see what interest rate you are paying each month and if any transaction fees have been applied. If the rate increases or a transaction fee appears on your statement, a simple call to the credit card company can oftentimes be beneficial in resolving the matter. If not, try to switch your money to a more favorable rate.

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Originally aired on Friday, October 17, 2008 @ 9pm CST. This broadcast was sourced from an ABC affiliate in Chicago, IL. Apparently, there were affiliates that refused to carry this one-hour special. If anyone has information about this, please let me know.

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