Controlling those Credit Card Purchases | Applying for good Credit Cards
If you're like most people, you probably keep a couple of credit cards in your wallet to pay for most of your purchases. Writing checks is too cumbersome - two forms of I.D., etc. - and paying cash for gas, groceries, or any other daily expense is just not practical. That's why most people end up paying by credit card. On the flip side, credit cards can easily get you in over your head, as you can easily pay for any impulse item by simply handing the clerk your card. Before you know it, you've spent thousands of dollars over your monthly budget for items you could simply do without. How do you control that urge to spend but still take advantage of a credit card's convenience? Read below for some of our "credit card spending" tips.
Keep to a monthly budget
At the beginning of each month, set a monthly budget for credit card purchases. When you reach your limit, take out your credit card from your wallet and keep some cash available for any necessary purchases. It will limit your "impulse' buying. If you consistently go over your budget, you might need to reassess your overall spending habits and either increase your budget if necessary or reduce any extra purchases. You can easily assess your spending habits by reviewing each month's bills line by line. Just be honest in your assessment, though.
Check monthly purchase totals online
A great way to keep tabs on your monthly credit card tab at any time is check your account via online banking or through your online credit card account. It should show you both individual and total purchase amounts for any given day. That way you know if you've reached your limit by any selected time period. For example, if you want to find out if you can still make credit card purchases past the 23rd of the month, simple go online and see if you've past your budget on that date.
Ask yourself if you really need it
Before you make that "impulse" or "extra" purchase, ask yourself if you really need it. You don't have to deprive yourself; just try to maintain some balance. Otherwise, you won't really get to enjoy your "special" purchase if you have a really huge bill to pay off at the end of the month.
Finding the perfect home, apartment rental, vacation rental, etc., is easy to find through online property listing sites on the web.
Not paying a bill is the financial equivalent of breaking a mirror. But instead of seven years of bad luck, you get seven years with a ding on your credit record, making it potentially more expensive for you to borrow money when you need it. That doesn't mean you should sit by for seven years and wait for your credit score to improve. Rather, it will take hard work and discipline - and not just luck -- to improve your credit score after a serious delinquency. Here are 7 steps to rebuilding a bad credit record:
1. Do some self-reflection
Figure out why you got into this situation in the first place. Did an unexpected event - such as a job loss -- throw you into financial crisis? Were you sloppy with your bookkeeping? Or did you just overspend? Have a plan for how you'll avoid delinquencies in the future.
2. Check your credit record
Get a copy of your credit report at 3-in-1 Credit Report and dispute any errors you find. You can also submit a 100-word statement, to be included on your report, explaining any negative information that remains.
3. Contact your creditors
Write to any lenders who reported the negative information to the credit bureaus and ask them to remove it. Be polite, explain your mistake and promise to never, ever do it again.
4. Get a loan
It may seem counterintuitive to be taking on more debt when your credit score is low, but the idea is to increase the amount of positive information on your report to show creditors that you are once again creditworthy. Borrow a small amount you know you can manage, perhaps to buy a car or make home improvements. Make sure you can refinance the loan without penalty, so when your credit score improves you can shop for a lower interest rate.
5. Get a credit card
If you get turned down for an unsecured credit card, try a secured one, which will require you to make a cash deposit to serve as collateral. If you pay your bill on time for several months, ask the credit card issuer to convert it to an unsecured card. Make sure the card issuer reports to the three major credit bureaus, and always shop around for the card with the lowest fees and interest rate.
6. Pay your bills on time
Along with credit card and loan payment delinquencies, late-paid rent and utility bills can also mar your record.
7. Avoid scams
Not that we're superstitious, but that black cat crossing your path may just be an unscrupulous credit repair company. It makes sense to get help from financial experts, just make sure they are legitimate. The justice department keeps a list of government-approved credit counseling agencies for your reference
What You Should Know About Health Savings Accounts
Three Things Everyone Should Know About Health Savings Accounts
California PPO Rating Tool
Poizner launches online PPO insurance coverage rating tool
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio 'Zero, Zero, Zero' Medicare Advantage Health Benefits Plan
California Unveils Report Card for 5 Health Insurers
California unveils report card for 5 health insurers — none get top rating California CIGNA, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Announces 2010 Medicare Options
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Announces 2010 Medicare Options
Bad credit car loans