Archive for June, 2010

Consumer Confidence In Banking Takes A Hit

June 27, 2010 at 6:01 am

A recent survey has shown that consumers’ confidence in banks has taken a real hit, with one of the major causes of this decreasing confidence thought to be the recent situation with Northern Rock. According to the results of the survey close to 25% of Brits state that they do not trust lenders, and less than 50% thought that high street banks could be trusted. The turmoil and chaos that erupted after Northern Rock was found to have taken a loan from the Bank of England, fuelling rumors of a near collapse and resulting in many of the bank’s 1.5 million savers withdrawing billions of pounds worth of savings.

As a result of this situation the Bank of England has stepped up assurance over the guarantee of savings of Northern Rock customers, as well as the savings of customers with other banks that fall into a similar situation. However, it seems that these assurances have done nothing for consumer confidence in banking, with over fifty percent stating that they no longer trust high street banks.

The survey revealed that of the 2484 people interviewed only 46% now trust high street banks. Building societies fared a little better, with 48% expressing confidence in building societies. Online banking has also taken a knock, with experts stating that reduced access to online bank accounts by Northern Rock customers also affecting this area of banking. Only 25% of consumers now trust online banking according to the survey results.

One industry professional stated that consumer confidence in banking and finance was already fairly low, and added that the recent turmoil with Northern Rock has contributed to this lack of confidence. It is not just the banking industry that has taken a knock, however, according to professionals. Lenders across the whole financial sector have been affected by lower levels of consumer confidence. It is thought that this could be as the result of problems throughout the whole of the financial sector, which has stemmed from the credit crunch sparked in the sub-prime sector in the Unites States, which has resulted in global repercussions.

The Right Time To Pay-Off Your House Mortgage

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June 26, 2010 at 10:10 pm

If you are in dire need of money and don’t have the financial means for a large cash transaction to buy a house, then opting for a home mortgage is worth consideration.

Basically, a mortgage refers to a long-standing credit that a debtor obtains from a financial institution or from a property seller.

In most cases, the house is the usual collateral for the mortgage, thus the term “home mortgage”. In turn, the mortgage lender will be entitled to some legal rights upon the property as long as the mortgage is in full force or until the debtor pays back the loan.

A home mortgage serves as security for loans, thus giving the lender the power to acquire the property through foreclosure in the event that the borrower fails to pay the loan on time.

Generally, a home mortgage is comprised of a large loan. That’s why in most cases a home mortgage can take 15 to 30 years before the borrower can pay back the due amount.

In a home mortgage, the due amount to be paid by the borrower stipulates the principal amount of the mortgage and the interest owed relative to the outstanding balance. The real estate taxes and property insurance are also factored into the total mortgage balance.

Some home owners who find it difficult to make their mortgage payments may opt for refinancing of their mortgage. But for those who wish to pay off a home mortgage quickly, there are things to be considered…

First, make sure you have a stable source of income. Organize your overall financial assets to ensure that paying off your mortgage will not over-extend your cash flow. There are many such considerations that should be carefully planned and organized before resorting to pay-off your home mortgage.

It’s also important to your financial security to have a ready reserve of cash just in case of emergencies. This can be in the form of stocks and bonds, a bank savings account, or any other readily available form of cash.

Paying off your home mortgage can be a rewarding experience, but be sure to consider your overall financial status before making the decision to do so. The wrong decision can put you at great financial risk.

If you think that you are ready for the mortgage “experience” and that you have your finances securely organized, then by all means, go for it. After all, nothing beats a worry-free, mortgage-free financial status.

Best Savings Accounts | Tags: Chump Change, Chunks, Closing Costs, Document Preparation Fees, Full Disclosure, Interest Rate, Junk Fees, Kickback, Lenders, Lookout, Match, Money, Mortgage Company, Mortgages, Right Off The Bat, Savvy Consumer, Simple Steps, Title Company

Keep Your Closing Costs Low

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June 25, 2010 at 1:42 pm

Closing costs can surprise many homeowners if they aren’t prepared for them and can seriously deplete savings at a time when most people need money the most. It seems that lenders are constantly finding new and creative ways to tack on a few dollars here, and a few dollars there to the tune of thousands. However, by taking a few simple steps you can keep your closing costs low and know when to tell your lender that enough is enough!

First, you should always be a savvy consumer when it comes to title work. You have the right to select any title company you want and not the one that the mortgage company wants to force upon you. Of course, the mortgage company they want you to use always turns out to be one of the more expensive ones (because they are getting kickback fees). Shop around for a title work company and you can often save 30% right off the bat, and if you are willing to really work at it, save upwards of 50%. It’s not chump change either – a title company can easily charge $1,200 for basic title services.

Next, be on the lookout for junk fees. Lenders love to pile on the document preparation fees, interest locking fees and anything else they can think of. Often times they throw these fees onto mortgages that have no points attached to them. Make sure that you ask your lender for a full disclosure of all the fees and then ask them about any that seem out of line. If you aren’t happy with what they quote you, tell them you are looking around at other lenders. The last thing a lender wants to do is lose 30 years worth of interest because of a $200 junk fee!

If you aren’t going to be in the house for more than a few years, ask the seller to pay the closing costs. Sure, you’ll end up paying a higher interest rate, but if you plan on moving in a few years then the cost of the interest won’t match the closing costs you would have to pay up front. Plus, you pay the extra interest off is small chunks each month rather than being out a lot of money up front.

Watch out for lenders who try to sell you add-on products with your mortgage. They love to try and get you to buy credit insurance (a total waste of money) and some lenders even try and sell you services such as “plumbing protection” or “whole house appliance protection”. Just say no!

Remember, you have the power to say no thanks at any time before you sign on the dotted line. If you don’t like the figures your lender is talking about for closing costs, shop around – in fact, you should around and get several mortgage offers before you even consider one. Don’t be afraid to get up and walk away from the table. After all, it’s your money – don’t let a greedy lender try to squeeze another $1000 out of you when you have enough stress taking place buying a home in the first place!

Discover What to do When Your Credit Worth is Damaged

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June 24, 2010 at 4:51 am

Discover What to do When Your Credit Worth is Damaged

The good thing about bad credit is that you can fix it. If you start now, over time, your bad credit can turn into good credit, and you could qualify for the loans you want at the rates you want. The most important aspect of rebuilding your credit after it has been damaged is showing lenders and creditors that you are serious about repaying your debt and that you can be a reliable borrower over a significant period of time.

Negative account histories remain on your credit report for up to 7 to 10 years, depending on the type of action. Bankruptcy can stay on your report for up to 10 years, and collections drop off after 7 years.

Advice varies widely as to the best methods to rebuild your credit. Some points most experts agree on include:

Starting small – Don’t be intimidated by large debt amounts. Even small payments, made on a regular basis, will improve your payment history and, eventually, your credit score.
Spending less than you earn – Borrowing money to finance a lifestyle that is beyond your means will only land you deeper in debt.
Paying your bills on time – Building credibility as a borrower involves meeting your commitments to pay, early if possible.
Keeping your balances low – When using your healthier or newer accounts, keep the balance that you owe between 25% and 50% of your line of credit. An average of 30% is suggested.
If your credit is damaged and you need more information about the three major credit bureaus, go to www.apscreen.com

Other tips might not seem related to your credit score. Staying at least two years on the same job demonstrates steady employment, and you appear more stable to lenders. You can also open an emergency savings account. Contribute to the account a little at a time on a regular basis. This will not only appear as positive activity to lenders, but also will serve as reserve money to keep you from charging unexpected expenses. Finally, stop borrowing for a while. Certainly avoid borrowing more money from home equity or other lines of credit to pay off credit card debt. Shuffling the debt does not make it disappear.

When establishing new credit, it may be necessary at some point to open a new account once you have paid down your existing ones. Credit unions usually offer the best deals to people with damaged credit. If you are unable to qualify for a credit card, try a smaller company, such as a department store or gas station that might offer you a line of credit.

You may want to look into getting a secured credit card. Offered by several banks and credit unions, secured credit cards are a positive way to show lenders that you can pay bills on time and be trusted with credit. To use a secured credit card, you will deposit a sum of money into a savings account and pay a small yearly fee to the institution offering the card. If you deposit $500, you will have a line of credit up to $500. Using your card on a regular basis and paying it off monthly in full could lead to a traditional line of credit. Once the bank or credit union sees that you are capable of maintaining your secured account, they may extend an offer to you with a fair interest rate.

Another option is to have a friend or relative co-sign for a line of credit with you. This step is risky because you are not only gambling with your loved one’s good credit, but also with their good faith.

After a few months of good behavior, order copies of your credit report from all three credit agencies and check for improvements or errors. Be sure that negative information that you have remedied has been removed. File any complaints in writing and check your report again in a few months to ensure that the changes have been made.

Repairing damaged credit is time-consuming but well worth it, both to your peace of mind and to your pocketbook. For more information about credit reports, you can visit

Best Savings Accounts | Tags: Accurate Answer, Answer The Question, Cash Flow, Financial Goals, Financing Option, Financing Options, Gamut, Interest Rate, Interest Rates, Loan Term, Loan Terms, Owning A Home, Saving Money, Term Savings

Is Re-Financing Always Worthwhile Anyway?

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June 18, 2010 at 12:39 am

This is a very important question which all homeowners should ask themselves both at the start and towards the end of the process of re-financing. The answer to this question can spur the homeowner to investigate re-financing further or convince the homeowner to table the thoughts of re-financing for the moment and concentrate on other aspect of owning a home.

Establish Financial Goals

This should be the first step in the process of determining whether or not re-financing is worthwhile. Without this step, a homeowner cannot accurate answer the question of the worth of re-financing because the homeowner may not fully understand his own financial goals. While financial goals may run the gamut from one extreme to another the most basic question to ask is whether the more significant goal is long term savings or increased monthly cash flow. This is important because re-financing can usually achieve these two goals.

Do You Want to Save Money in the Long Run?

Homeowners who establish a goal of saving money in the long run should consider re-financing options such as lower interest rates or shorter loan terms. Both of these options can considerably lower the amount of interest the homeowner is paying on the loan. This is significant because paying less interest will result in a greater cost savings.

Consider an example where a homeowner has an existing debt of $100,000, an interest rate of 6.25% and a loan term of 30 years. Just by reducing the loan term to 15 years the homeowner can significantly decrease the amount which is paid in interest during the course of the loan. However, this option will also result in an increase in the monthly payments made by the homeowner. Therefore this type of re-financing option may only be available to those who have enough cash flow to compensate for the increase in monthly payments.

Do You Want to Increase Your Monthly Cash Flow?

Some homeowners may have a chosen goal of increasing their monthly cash flow. For these homeowners the overall cost savings may not be as important as having more money available to them each month. These homeowners might consider a re-financing option in which they are able to extend their loan terms. This means they will be repaying the existing debt over a longer period of time. The homeowner will pay more in interest in the long run but will achieve their goal of lower monthly payments and an increased cash flow.

How Will Re-Financing Affect Tax Deductions?

This is another serious consideration for homeowners who are interested in investigating the possibility of re-financing. The interest paid on a home loan is often tax deductible. A homeowner who re-finances in a manner which results in less interest being paid annually may adversely affect their tax strategy. The implications of this type of chance can be amplified for homeowners who were previously just below a significant tax break line. A significant decrease in the amount of interest paid will mean a significant decrease in the deduction the homeowner is allowed to take. This reduced deduction can put the homeowner in an entirely different tax bracket and could end up costing the homeowner money in the long run. For this reason, homeowners who are considering re-financing should have a tax preparation professional determine the ramifications re-financing will have on their tax return before a decision is made.

Change A Light, Change The World With Energy Star

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June 17, 2010 at 2:54 am

Most people want to do their part to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on their energy bills, but don’t know what they can do. Using energy efficiently at home is an important start; and, it can be as easy as changing a light bulb. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) are calling on Americans to join the growing number of individuals switching their current lighting to energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures.

Many people don’t realize it, but the average home is responsible for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car. In fact, if every American home replaced its five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified ones, the amount of greenhouse gases we could prevent is equivalent to the emissions from more than 8 million cars. Not only does energy-efficient lighting help protect the environment, but it also saves consumers money since lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of home electricity costs. Each home making this “5 light fixture change” could save about $60 a year in energy costs.

As part of the annual ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign, the EPA and DOE have declared Oct. 4, 2006 “ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day.” Americans are invited to take a pledge online at energy star.gov/changealight and commit to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture in their home with one that has earned the government’s ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency. Individuals who have pledged are already having a dramatic combined impact. Pledges taken in 2005 alone will result in the reduction of 33 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to encourage at least 500,000 individuals to join the community and take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. This is a step in the right direction, to ensure that our children have a bright future ahead.

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping individuals and businesses save energy and protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

The Pros and Cons of the Bankruptcy Option

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June 14, 2010 at 10:30 pm

Being insolvent is one of the worst situations a person can find himself in. The threat of foreclosures, or losing ones home and valued possessions looming over ones head would cause sleepless nights. This predicament would force a person to grasp any possible solution. However, if all possible solutions fails to deliver the desired result, the last course of action is to opt for bankruptcy.

If you have tried credit counseling and you still can not pay your bills, and if you have exhausted your savings, then you should consider filing for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is considered as the last debt management resort because of its long lasting effect. Bankruptcy will stay in a persons record for at least 10 years. Needless to say, this would affect his future financial standing. Lenders will have to think twice before extending credit because of his being a potential credit risk. Acquiring credit cards and mortgages will be difficult if you have this on record.

Bankruptcy records are easily accessible because they are published and also can be viewed on line. This far reaching result would be detrimental to future financial dealings and employment. A person who declares bankruptcy should be prepared for the consequences face the rejection and ridicule of the society and associates, being branded as a failure and oftentimes judged as culpable and dishonest.

With a bankruptcy order the debtor can expect to have all his bank accounts closed. Credit cards will also be closed. On a positive note, closing of credit cards will be beneficial since credit cards could be one of the causes of the bankruptcy.

Contrary to the notion that bankruptcy would give a distressed debtor a new slate, not all debts can be discharged or written off. Examples of this are student loans, unpaid taxes and child support.

On the positive side, bankruptcy will give the debtor peace of mind, will free him from harassment of creditors and will give him a chance to have a brand new start. Stress in dealing with countless creditors will be eliminated because once the bankruptcy order is made; the appointed trustee will do the administration and the payment of the debts.

A bankruptcy stops the creditors from filing collection actions. Creditors are prevented from foreclosing, repossessing and garnishing your assets. In some states, bankrupt individuals are allowed to keep the house, the car and other possessions and a reasonable amount of cash to live by. The primary purpose of this is to lessen the risk of the bankrupt person to be bankrupt all over again.

Filing for bankruptcy could be a “habit” though. Many filers have been noted to file again. This could be attributed to the absence of proper finance and debt management. People who have experienced financial downfall would commit the same errors again and will eventually grab the last resort to get them out of the difficult financial situation…again.

Repeat bankruptcy filers are strongly advised to get proper counseling and to learn how to manage debts and finances effectively.

Different Types of Lenders

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June 14, 2010 at 2:30 am

According to Carrier Reeder, debt adviser: The most important type of loan is home loan and as in other cases the choice of lenders are immense. She analyses the various types of loans available and the options offered by them. The various types of lenders are a. Mortgage Banker, b. Mortgage broker c. Credit Unions, d. Savings and Loans and e. Government Loans.

According to Reeder, in case of Mortgage Banker one person is responsible for the borrower from beginning to end, who guides through the various process of loan facilities, the various offers, choosing the loans which best suits one, the time period etc he also follows on the repayment factors, interest involved and till the end when the loan is all paid up. A Mortgage Broker on the other hand is engaged when there is not a good credit history for a borrower, he acts as a mediator between the bank and the borrower and gets the entire process done. A Credit Union is present in many of the associations or groups, in case the borrower belongs to such association then he/she can check out the various loan facilities offered by them. The best bet for a borrower is the local savings and loans groups. Government does not themselves offer loans but back some of the loans already in offering.

According to Kevin Stith, a debt adviser, financial institutions, banks and private lenders offer loans or mortgages. The reason to approach a private lender is when the borrower has a bad credit rating. The private lenders ask for security for the loans advanced by them. The security is usually in the form of property or house. The private lender here takes a risk by lending loan to someone who has a bad credit rating, hence to reduce his risk he asks for a higher fees and property as security.

The difference between applying for a loan online and through a broker is that the rates of interest are fixed in case of a online loan facility and in case of a broker the rate of interest can be negotiated and various facilities which suit the borrower can be offered by the broker. It is said that in case of a mortgage broker, if a business deal is fixed and the lender seems to gain advantage then he may offer may facilities to the borrower. Also according to Stith the market is full of borrowers and hence shopping around for one who offers better deal is definitely advantageous to the borrower.

Debt Settlement & Income Taxes What You Need To

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June 8, 2010 at 8:21 pm

Debt Settlement & Income Taxes What You Need To Know

Debt settlement has become a popular approach to resolving problem debts without having to file bankruptcy. With this approach, creditors agree to accept a portion of what you owe (usually around 50% or less) to settle the account, and the remaining balance is forgiven. This technique will certainly continue to grow in popularity now that the new bankruptcy law makes it tougher to fully discharge debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

As with anything, there is no free lunch, and creditors are required to report canceled debts to the IRS on Form 1099 (when the canceled balance is $600 or greater). Therefore, the possibility exists that you may owe taxes on the forgiven portion of the debt. For this reason, many financial writers and debt counselors are strongly critical of debt settlement, to the point where they actually recommend against it just because you might end up owing taxes. But the tax consequences of settling your debts are greatly over-emphasized, and this is a really just a minor issue at best.

First, even if you end up owing taxes on the canceled balances, that’s because you saved a bunch of money off your original debts. The total of what you paid the creditor, plus the taxes, will still be much less than what you owed to begin with. There is still a net savings. So it’s hard to understand why this is viewed as a problem in the first place!

Second, the great majority of people who settle their debts are not required to pay taxes on the forgiven part of the balance. That’s because of the “insolvency” rule, described in IRS Publication 908, “Bankruptcy Tax Guide.” Don’t let the title fool you. You don’t need to have filed a formal declaration of bankruptcy to take advantage of the insolvency rule.

Basically, “insolvent” means that you have a negative net worth — that is, you “owe” more than you “own.” As a consequence, most debtors do not have a tax liability on the canceled debts, simply because most debtors are insolvent! It usually comes down to home equity. If you have enough equity in a home (or other property) to outweigh the total of your liabilities (debts), then you have a positive net worth, and will likely have to pay taxes on the forgiven debt amounts. However, the majority of people in serious debt trouble have a negative net worth, and are therefore insolvent. The way it works is that you can offset the canceled debt up to the amount by which you were insolvent at the time you did the settlement.

Come tax time, be sure to get professional tax advice specific to your situation. Also, be sure to read the section in IRS Publication 908 on “reduction of tax attributes,” which requires people using the insolvency rule to reduce their basis in such things as rental property, loss carryovers, etc. Most of that probably won’t apply to you, but again, get specific advice before winging it.

So, the message is, relax about paying taxes on canceled debt balances. That should be the least of your concerns if you’re upside down financially. Don’t let the misguided criticisms of financial writers (who haven’t done their homework) discourage you from looking into one of the most popular and flexible options for achieving debt-freedom.

Cash Advance Loans Online – The Plus Side

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June 8, 2010 at 4:39 am

Cash advance loans online can be a huge lifesaver when you find yourself in a bit of a pinch in between your paydays. So just what is a cash advance loan and how will it be helpful to you?

A cash advance loan (or payday loan) is a very short-term loan that carries extremely high interest rates. Generally, these types of loans last from a period of one to four weeks and you either write a check out that the company will cash when the loan is due or you would have to authorize the company to be able to make withdrawals out of your savings or checking account.

If you are in a bad credit situation when it comes to obtaining a loan, getting a cash advance loan may just be the answer you are seeking. Most all payday loan companies only require that you have either an active savings or checking account and have held your current job between 3-6 months and be able to prove how much you make in a month.

You can obtain your money very quickly when you decide to into applying for cash advance loans online. After you have provided the loan company with all of the information that they require and you are approved you are likely ti have your cash within 24 hours sometimes instantly depending on the company you are getting your loan through.

Getting a cash advance loan can assist you in making your credit score better. Just make sure that when you are getting an advance you make sure that the loan company reports to one of the three major credit agencies.

Now the next time that you are in a bind and need some cash quickly, if you are you sure you can meet the terms, applying for cash advance loans online would be a smart move.

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