Business owners have options when it comes to the business of credit cards
by Rebecca Lindsey
The freedom to be the boss is just one of the perks sought after by business owners. But along with this freedom comes the concern of fulfilling responsibilities to customers, employees and lenders. Chief concerns are usually those dealing with money. Small business owners frequently borrow funds and often use credit cards to get their business off the ground.
DebtSmart Email Newsletter: 1/11/06
by DebtSmart Email Newsletter
Cool Quote; Credit and Debt Statistics Database; Letter from the publisher; Rising minimum payments; "Reduced the interest rate!"; Household Math™: Pizza deals; Why not lease?; More credit, more options; DebtSmart® Help Center; Cutting Food Costs: Saving Time vs. Money; Voice Over IP Residential Plus Plan!; Rating your credit card; Business owners have options when it comes to the business of credit cards; DebtSmart® Resources; Subscribe/Disclaimer Information; Free DebtSmart® Column for in print publication, ezine, or web site; Advertising
Will a debt settlement adversely affect our credit rating?
by Scott Bilker
Scott, We are drowning in debt--over $80,000 in credit card debt, some at over 30 percent! We are taking a second out on our house to pay it off. Should we ask the credit card companies to lower our payoff amount for paying off the balance in cash? Will this adversely affect our credit rating? Even a 10 percent reduction would pay for a car for my son. Your advice is appreciated! Viola
DebtSmart Email Newsletter: 12/28/05
by DebtSmart Email Newsletter
Cool Quote; Credit and Debt Statistics Database; Letter from the publisher; Will a debt settlement adversely affect our credit rating?; "We are very excited because your advice works!"; Household Math™: Biweekly Payments; Sorting your money; DebtSmart® Help Center; Save money on clothing; Voice Over IP Residential Plus Plan!; The rule of three; More credit, more options; DebtSmart® Resources; Subscribe/Disclaimer Information; Free DebtSmart® Column for in print publication, ezine, or web site; Advertising
Balance transfer checks
by Scott Bilker
Scott, First of all your site is great! Received a blank check from my credit card company that can be used for either cash or purchases. It is a low 3.99 percent rate for life of the loan. The balance on my credit card has a variable 8.99 percent rate. Would I be able to write a check out for the balance on the credit card, deposit it in my checking account, and then turn around and send a personal check to the credit card company for the balance total thus lowering the rate from 8.99 percent to the 3.99 percent. Thanks in advance. MW
How to protect yourself from becoming a victim of credit fraud
by Rebecca Lindsey
The Federal Trade Commission released the results of a Consumer Fraud Survey. Astoundingly, it estimated that nearly 25 million Americans were victims of fraud. The study indicated individuals with high levels of debt are more likely to be victims of fraud. Three of the top categories of fraud reported to the FTC related to credit, including credit-repair scams aimed at those carrying high debt loads or having bad credit. The most frequently reported type of consumer fraud: advance-fee loan scams, in which consumers pay a fee for a "guaranteed" loan or credit card.
DebtSmart Email Newsletter: 12/14/05
by DebtSmart Email Newsletter
Cool Quote; Credit and Debt Statistics; Letter from the publisher; Balance transfer checks; Tell Congress to Support Credit Card Reforms this Holiday Season!;"They raised my interest from 9.9% to 26.2%!"; Household Math™: Early mortgage payoff; Reading the Fine Print in those Low-Rate Credit Card Offers; DebtSmart® Help Center; I wasn't paying attention: Where does my money go and how can I get some back?; Rating your credit card; How to protect yourself from becoming a victim of credit fraud; Voice Over IP Residential Plus Plan!; More credit, more options; DebtSmart® Resources; Subscribe/Disclaimer Information; Free DebtSmart® Column for in print publication, ezine, or web site; Advertising
5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt
by Scott Bilker
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas people are going to spend $121.4 billion using their credit cards! How are you going to pay for the gifts? Credit cards of course! I'm sure many people are going to criticize me for even suggesting such an idea.
DebtSmart Email Newsletter: 11/30/05
by DebtSmart Email Newsletter
Cool Quote; Credit and Debt Statistics; Letter from the publisher; DEBTSMART VIDEO LIBRARY: 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt; SURVEY for Video Library: 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt; "27.99% (Ouch!) on the older account"; Household Math™: Coupon Shopping; More credit, more options; DebtSmart® Help Center; How to save money on your phone service within minutes!; Every penny counts; Manipulating the system; DebtSmart® Resources; Subscribe/Disclaimer Information; Free DebtSmart® Column for in print publication, ezine, or web site; Advertising
Subscribe FREE and start
finding new ways to save
money and pay off your debt.
"The DebtSmart Email
Newsletter is packed with
cutting-edge strategies for
solving credit problems. I
highly recommend it."--Gerri
Detweiler, radio host and
author of The
Ultimate Credit Handbook
