If you are thinking about buying expensive stuff from Sears, here is the chance to get 10% off. The catch is you need to order it online at sears.com. Enter the coupon code ExtraTenAug9 at checkout. The offer is valid till August 27, 2009.
Note: I am not promoting Sears in this blog. I just wanted to pass this news to all readers so that at least few of you can benefit from it.
Some states offer sales tax holidays to buy certain school supplies. Check out http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html to see if your state gives you this savings. Each state offer this in different dates. You are exempted from sales tax up to certain amount, for example $50 is the limit in Alabama for school supplies.
If you don’t live in the state that offers sales tax holidays, look for discounts from retailers that are normally available in the mid-August.
It’s the summertime now and everyone is wanting to get away for a while, but the economy isn’t good and money is tight so you have to keep things to a minimum this year. That is the way it is for a huge amount of people right now, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t able to go on any kind of vacation at all. Make the vacation shorter than normal in duration or go to a place not as far away, but everyone needs a little bit of rest and relaxation at some point. Here are some sites that will help you save money on your next vacation.
Four Travel Sites That Will Save You Money
Give yourself that much needed vacation, but be sure to keep your costs to a minimum as much as you possibly can.
What do you do if you desperately need a loan or insurance but you have no idea about your credit score?
First, understand how the lending process works. Your credit score will determine whether or not a lender can give you the credit you need. In order to get a loan you need a good credit score.
What is a credit score? Basically it’s the score from FICO that tells the lenders about your credit worthiness. FICO Scores are calculated from a lot of different credit data in your credit report. Actual calculation of FICO score is a secret like Coke Recipe. Your payment history, length of your credit history and types of credit used play major role in deciding your credit score.
How can you get your credit score? In order to determine your credit sore, you will need your credit report. This will be sent to you every three months by national credit reporting companies. You can get your credit report for free. However, if you wish to get your credit score, you will have to pay these companies a nominal fee.
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are the three credit reporting agencies in the United States. They use the FICO software to generate credit scores which are then sold to lenders who wish to get data regarding the credit score of their customers. You don’t have to be a lender to get details about your credit score. FICO, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion also sell credit score to their customers. Besides national credit reporting companies, there are several other websites and tools that will enable you to get your credit report and calculate your credit score for free.
1. Quizzle.com – this web site enables you to determine your credit score, the value of your home, property etc for free.
2. Experian.com – Experian is a leading provider of analytical services and their web site has a feature which permits you to check out your credit score.
3. Freecreditreport.com – As the name suggests, this is another website for free credit reports. You can get credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion through this web site.
4. Creditreport.com – Use this site to get both your credit report and your credit score for free.
5. myFico.com – You can get your credit scores directly from FICO at this website.
Now that you have an idea about your credit score, the next question is how you can improve it. If you have a good credit score, you won’t have much trouble getting a loan but poor credit has to be repaired. Start by paying your bills on time. Cut down expenses on food and clothing and focus on paying off your bills. Don’t max out your credit card. Credit card debt can wreck havoc with your credit scores so, use credit cards only if you have to. What can you do if you have already run up credit card debt? Work on repaying it as soon as possible. Try and pay at least the minimum amount each month so that you don’t have to pay higher interest.
If you have applied for credit from different lenders recently, that also can have a negative impact on your credit score. The kinds of credit accounts you have can also affect your credit score. Having a couple of established credit accounts can boost your credit score. On the other hand too many credit accounts can lower the score.
You will need a minimum credit score of 700 points if you plan to get a loan or mortgage. Experts feel that a credit score of 740 gives you the best shot at getting a good loan, insurance or mortgage scheme
Once you learn how to manage and improve your credit score, getting credit should not be all that difficult.
Are you overwhelmed by the medical debt you have accumulated? If so, you are not alone. Many people find themselves unable to pay hefty hospital bills. Unfortunately, medical debt can affect your credit history especially if the hospital decides to refer your case to a collection agency.
How can you manage unpaid hospital bills?
First, get a clear idea of how much you owe. This should be easy. Just ask someone from the hospitals billing department to send you a detailed bill of the services you have received and the cost of service. Details such as cost of tests, scans, and doctor’s fees should also be included in the itemized bill. Once you receive the detailed bill, verify it and make sure it is correct.
Next, think about a plan that would allow you to repay the outstanding amount without getting you in a financial bind. The best thing to do would be to try and negotiate a plan with the hospital. Explain your financial situation to them and work out a plan that permits you to pay off your debt in installments. Remember to be honest and practical about the amount you can pay each month. Ask the concerned authorities about any late fees or miscellaneous you will have to pay so that it does not come as a surprise.
Once you have worked out a plan, try and pay your installments on time. You can either pay in person or by check or online.
Demand that the hospital provides you a receipt for every payment you make. Keep the receipts safely so that you have ample proof that the bills have been paid. You can also ask the hospital to give you a statement mentioning that your bills have been cleared.
If you cannot afford to pay in installments, try and seek help from charities. Several charities are willing to help those who genuinely require financial aid with their hospital bills. Search the internet for charities which offer financial help with medical bills. Medical Billing Advocates of America is one such charity. There are several others which you can approach.
Some people choose to declare bankruptcy in their efforts to get relief from hospital bills. Try your best not to do this. Bankruptcy is sure to be on your credit record for a long time and this will not create a good impression with those who run a background check on you. For instance, you may need to get one done while looking for a job.
Similarly, mortgaging your house or paying off your hospital bills with your credit card is not a good idea. You will have to pay interest while repaying the debt. Medical bills do not charge interest so by choosing to pay it though mortgage or credit card; you will be spending money unnecessarily. Moreover, you will be paying an even bigger amount than you would if you negotiated with the hospital directly. Also you will be putting your home or property at risk.
Debt collection agencies are another hassle you will have to deal with if you have unpaid hospital bills. You can ask debt collectors to verify your debt before they contact you so that you get some time to arrange for payment. You can also request them not to contact you while you work out a suitable medical debt repayment plan.
Clearing medical debt requires a good deal of patience and negotiation from your side and from the hospital authorities. You can work out a plan together that works fine for both parties.
Credit card debt is the major problem for many Americans today. Credit cards make us spend more than our means permit. Agreed, they are of great use in emergencies but they are also a great way to acquire a mountain of debt.
If your hospital bill or the new car you bought has landed you in a mire of credit card debt, it is important to identify your problem and work towards finding a solution.
If you are trying to get rid of credit card debt, take your credit cards and cut them up or hand them over to a trusted friend or spouse. The last thing you want to do is add on to your debt.
How much are you paying your credit card provider each month? Most people feel that paying the minimum amount is enough but paying the minimum means that you won’t be clearing your debt for quite some time and interest will keep mounting. Try and pay off as much as you can each month so that your debts will reduce soon.
If you cannot afford to pay a hefty sum each month, at least try and pay the minimum amount so that you don’t ruin your credit history. If you stop paying anything at all for some time, your credit card issuer will sell your debt to a collection agency. The end result being that you will be hounded for money. In addition, you will have to pay the fees of the collection agency along with your credit card bills.
Pay your bills on time. Whether you pay the minimum amount or more, make sure that the bills are paid on time. Other wise, you will have to pay a late fee in addition to your bill.
Consider the interest rate you are paying. How much does your credit card provider charge? Most companies charge anywhere between ten and twenty percent interest on their cards. If you are not aware of how much your provider charges, it is better to go through the terms and conditions of your credit card provider. Although it may look like a boring task, it will save you some money!
What benefits do you enjoy by using your credit card? Most credit card offer bonus points for each time you use the card. You can also avail rewards like flyer miles, discounts and so on. If your credit card does not have such offers you might like to consider switching providers. Check out CardRatings.com to get an idea of different credit card providers, rates of interest, benefits and so on.
Try negotiating with your credit card issuer. Watch out for unnecessary frills which only serve to increase your bill and talk to your credit card provider so that you can work out a scheme which will enable you to clear your debts at the earliest. For instance if your provider charges an annual fee, ask them to waive it. There are many credit card providers now and competition is intense, so a little negotiation can go a long way towards managing debt. Most providers will be willing to flex their rules so as to beat the competition.
As Americans’ credit card debts spiral upwards, several debt settlement companies have emerged promising to help consumers pay off credit card bills. These companies assure customers that they will only have to pay their credit card provider a fraction of what they really owe. These companies require that instead of paying directly to providers, you will have to pay the company which will then accumulate payments and use its influence with credit card providers to negotiate and help settle your debts. It is best not to approach such companies until and unless you are sure of the benefits. For example, there is no use paying a small amount to your credit card provider and a hefty sum to the debt settlement company. You will ultimately be paying as much as you would pay the credit card issuer if you were to pay them directly.
The best ides for those overwhelmed with their debt is to approach credit counselors. They are professionals you can rely upon to help solve your debts. You can find a credit counselor by calling Consumer Credit Counseling Services. Go through your situation with a counselor and decide whether it is possible for you to repay your loans and if so, how. Your counselor will make a debt repayment plan for you. They will also negotiate with your credit card provider on your behalf. Visit non-profit counseling services such as debtadvice.org , a website maintained by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) to find a counselor. The NFCC sets limits on the amount that member agencies can charge their customers and also requires that agencies provide their services for free if customers cannot afford to pay
Paying off credit card debt and repairing damaged credit record is not easy but it certainly is not impossible. Start now so that you get it over and done with at the earliest.
Related Link: It’s not the time for credit card debt
Spending money is easy. You just can’t seem to get enough of it. Making money on the other hand is a tough job. Who wouldn’t love to own a home, have a nest egg set aside to enjoy their golden years and put their children through college without drowning in debt? You can do all this and much more regardless of your income if you learn the knack of planning your budget such that you spend less and save more.
First, identify where you spend most money. You can do this by keeping track of the money you spend. Maintain a diary to enlist the things you buy in a week or a month and their price. Make sure that you collect bills, receipts etc so that you can refer them for an idea of prices and tax. Note if you have spent money unnecessarily on indulgences and whims. Learn to distinguish between things you simply want and those that you really need.
If you have computer at home, no need to use paper diary. You can use software like Quicken or Microsoft Money to keep track of your expenses. Both software products are not free, but you can use Quicken online for free. You can also access your personal finance information from iPhone using Quicken application. If you are not comfortable storing your personal finance information in Quicken server, you can purchase the desktop software for $39. Whether you use Quicken or Microsoft Money, it will be well worth it because of the convenience and accuracy provided by these products. You can download the information from bank account or brokerage account directly into Quicken and Money to save time entering the data.
When you analyze your expenses, check whether you pay your cable provider for premium channels you barely have time to see. If yes, it would be wise to downgrade your cable plan. You will be able to save $50 per month which comes to $600 per year.
If you find yourself subscribing to magazines you rarely read, cancel those subscriptions. You can enjoy the same magazines in a library. If you rarely go to gym except in the first week of the year, why pay for it?! You can analyze your situation for other subscriptions too and cancel them if you don’t use them much.
Paying your bills on time will help save on late fees and the like. Use online calendars or to-do notes to keep track of your bills and dues. If you use Quicken or Money, you can set the reminders in the software to alert you when the bills are due. You can also save on ATM charges by using your bank’s ATM so that you don’t have to pay transaction fees.
Keep away from credit cards as much as possible. They may be tempting to use but you can run up a whole lot of debt by using credit cards. Use credit cards only when absolutely necessary and pay off at least the minimum balance due each month.
It may seem impossible to save on grocery bills. But you can save a bundle by using discount coupons and buying fruits and vegetables when they are in season. You can make preserves like jams or pickles to use when a particular fruit or vegetable is off season. Buy store brand food products like cereals. They contain the same stuff as the brand name products. Make good use of discount sales and offers at supermarkets. Plan your meals for a week or so and buy accordingly. That way, you will be able to avoid wastage. You can also save on food by avoiding restaurants and fast food outlets. Not only are they unhealthy, they are also expensive. If you are working, try to bring lunch from home so that you do not have to eat out.
Set aside money for a rainy day. Make it a goal to save at least 10% of your income for unforeseen expenses or add it to your retirement account so that you have a good sum set aside for your retired life.
Most people tend to end up paying a lot of money on phone bills because they cannot find a plan that suits their needs. Visit BillShrink.com to find a cell phone plan that is best for you. BillShrink is a web service that uses information you provide such as how you use cell phone plans and find one that suits you best.
Ratesurfer is another website that helps minimize your credit card bills. It will let you know when your credit card account rates change so that you can decide whether to transfer balances between accounts. If you wish, you can permit ratesurfer to do this for you so that you are paying the lowest possible interest.
Our modern lifestyle and soaring expenses may make saving a difficult task but these simple budgeting techniques can help trim our expenses and increase our savings.
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While the overall stimulus bill has received a lot of coverage from the financial networks, one of the areas that has flown under the radar that people should know about is the increase in unemployment benefits, and specifically the improved COBRA subsidies.
What exactly is COBRA? COBRA gets its name from The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which gives families or individuals the right to choose to continue group health benefits as long as they meet the basic requirements set by the act. Want to know if you are eligible to receive COBRA? Look at these basic COBRA benefits frequently asked questions for more detailed information. In order to receive COBRA from the company you have worked for after you are terminated you must have been terminated involuntarily and the company must have at least 20 employees.
What does the stimulus plan do for those who are unemployed and are paying for health insurance through COBRA? The plan allows these individuals to receive a discounted rate of just 35% of the total COBRA premium for the first nine months, with the US Treasury paying the rest of the amount during that time period. Previously individuals were responsible for 100%, this stimulus bill makes the amount they owe for the first nine months significantly lower. This is a huge benefit to those who are laid off because of the tough economic times.
How long does this plan stay in effect? The current time frame is that anyone is eligible to receive these COBRA stimulus premiums if they are laid off between 9-1-2008 and 12-31-2009. There is a possibility that congress will pass legislation to keep this law in effect longer, but that is not clear at this time.
Those who are unemployed still obviously need health insurance. The stimulus package allows the unemployed to benefit from more reasonable health care costs, so you would be foolish not to take advantage of this if you are eligible.
You could see it coming from miles away, there was no way the banks could continue to offer the 4% special CD rates or the introductory money market account rates that yielded 3.5% or more. When the Federal Reserve moved to lower interest rates to zero it did so to try to stimulate the economy by making loans much more affordable, but unfortunately CD and money market holders are starting to suffer quite badly from the paltry returns on their capital.
Let me be clear, there are still some nice benefits to having your funds in assets such as a certificate of deposit or a money market account. There is virtually no risk in these accounts, so long as you have invested them in an FDIC insured bank. The stock market over the past few quarters has certainly showed us that even though low guaranteed rates can be discouraging, they certainly have a place in your portfolio.
What are the best CD rates available right now? According to a quick search at Bankrate.com the best one year CD’s have an APY of 2.8%. The average one year CD rate is about 2%. The highest six month CD rates come in at 2.25%, with the six month average sitting at about 1.7%.
The truth is with the economy staring at constant job losses and negative GDP, there is absolutely no way to predict how long it will take for these investments to start yielding a higher rate of return again. As interest rates begin to tick higher when the economy begins to get settled down, then banks will be able to start offering better rates of return on these types of investment options. For the foreseeable future the rate of return on these assets will be watered down, but it is still a guarantee and it is still better than just stashing your cash away and getting nothing in return!
It is a fact that air travel is expensive. It may be alright for business people or those who are employed but when it comes to students, it is a different matter altogether. With hefty college fees and several miscellaneous expenses to bear, college students hesitate to spend huge amounts on air travel. However, it is impossible to avoid commuting by plane altogether. Several students study in colleges that are thousand of miles away from home. Then there are those who choose to study abroad and those who go on exchange programs. There are also students whose vacation plans involve lots of travel. Whichever category you may fall into, the question is, how can you get cheap airline fares?
Remember, airline fares are highest during peak seasons like Christmas. Just about everyone seems to be traveling at the same time and getting a good bargain looks impossible. But a few adjustments in your plans can work wonders for your budget. Try to fly during the week instead of waiting for weekends. You may be able to get low rates since there is less rush on week days. The problem is that you may have to fly on dates which are not convenient for you. For example, you may have to fly on Easter Sunday or New Years Eve.
You can save a couple of dollars by choosing flights which depart at odd hours. Most people avoid flights that leave at 6am or late at night. By choosing to fly at such odd times, you may be able to avail lower air fares. You can also check out the rates for flights to and from nearby destinations. Sometimes, airlines flying in and out of smaller cities can give you lower fares and better flight hours. For instance, if you are flying to Miami, check out the flight rates to Fort Lauderdale. It is bound to be cheaper and Fort Lauderdale is less than an hour from Miami.
Sometimes, you can get cheap tickets directly from the airlines websites. Airlines prefer to have their flights full. However, they may not always be able to do so. Leftover seats are sold at a fraction of their original price. Make it a point to check the websites of several different airlines and see which one offers the best bargain. Airlines come up with promotional fares from time to time. You can find advertisements on such offers in newspapers. You can set alerts in travel sites like Orbitz to inform you when the fares between two destinations have fallen below a certain amount.
Another option is to approach discount student travel sellers like STA Travel and StudentUniverse that offer great student discounts. They have agreements with different airlines and offer discounted fares on their websites. STA requires students and teachers to pay $22 for a one-year membership. Students will be issued an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). You will need to submit a valid student ID, a current class schedule or a tuition receipt so that the company can verify your student status. You can then use this card to avail discounts on airfares. This card is also useful for study abroad programs. Student Universe does not require you to purchase an ISIC card. You can use their website to book tickets airline tickets, hostel rooms and even travel insurance. StudentUniverse has agreements with several airlines , including some of the biggest in the world, like American, Air France-KLM SA, United, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, British Airways PLC etc.
The price of tickets and the availability of low fares and good discounts depend to a great extent on the economic climate. When business is at a peak, there is sure to be an increased demand for flight tickets since businessmen and executives and marketing agents travel a lot at this time. However, when there is an economic slowdown, like at present, there is less demand for tickets and it is easier to get cheap air fares.
In conclusion, getting cheap airfares for students is certainly not easy. It takes plenty of adjustment and lots of research to find the best bargain. Nevertheless, it is not an impossible task either.
