Ever heard of the Oz Blog Network? The Oz Blog Network boasts free autoblogging and rewriting tools. This is a splogger’s dream as they’ve even fixed the Wp-O-Matic duplicate posting problems and issues.
They rewrote the Wp-O-Matic script to fix the double post problem, and at the same time wrote a rewriter that makes READABLE content from Rss and Atom feeds. Once again the sploggers have found a new way to reuse other people’s work.
When will this gross trend end!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a free blog service that easy to use with no advertising over at OZ Blogs Net. Blogger and Wordpress, but I want a free blog service that allows my advertising on it.
Usually when you use a free blog service you have their advertising on it, and I wanted to find one that let me make the money from the traffic, but was free to use.
So far so good with OZblogs.net
You can see there are allot of other webmasters who are trying to build their own Wiki sites these days. My favorite Wiki platform is DokuWiki, and there are others using exactly the same software as Wikipedia.
A good example is this site, called Watstat. They use the Wikipedia software platform for their site. Interesting to me anyway.
I think Watstat is supposed to mean “What’s That?” Hmmm…
Canadian banks, like all American banks, are eager to provide home equity line of credit financing. There is no risk to the banks in Canada, and they make nothing but money with their interest rates.
Canadian HELOC rates have been staying pretty low at the variable home equity loan rate and the fixed HELOC rate. You must shop around a little to ensure you don't get hosed with a bad rate. Found a good article on Canadian HELOC interest rates over at Zulit.com. Goes into depth on HELOC in Canada and what borrowers can expect with a home equity loan.
We’ve been seeing allot of information these days for WF Financial products and services. Becoming very popular due to their customer service quality. Here is a little blurb on their corporate mission.
Wachovia Dealer Services, Inc., the sixth-largest auto finance company in the nation, is a subsidiary of Wachovia Bank, N.A. In addition, Wachovia Dealer Services is the number one used car lender in the nation. With 48 regional offices serving 46 states across the country, we provide a broad credit spectrum of lending to the auto, RV and marine industries. Commercial, real estate and floorplan financing and an array of banking services are available to dealers through Wachovia Bank. We also offer competitive refinancing programs directly to consumers.
Wachovia Dealer Services has established relationships with over 14,000 auto, RV and marine dealers, a consumer loan portfolio of $22.8 billion and a commercial loan portfolio of $4.1 billion through Wachovia Bank.
At Wachovia Dealer Services we are committed to exceptional service. If you have any questions, please call us at 800-289-8004. Personal service is available to you Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT.
You can use the phone number for contact. It’s the latest number we’ve been able to find as of this writing.
Letely, I’ve been listening to a bunch of noise regarding students looking for a guaranteed student Loan program in New Mexico. Finding a guarantee is a pretty tough call you know. I would think that there are not that many banks in New Mexico that provide for such a deal.
Why this is a hard loan to find in New Mexico? Simple. The banks are really tightening up on giving bad student loans, and the Feds have weighed in with some new rules on lending practises.
Provided here is a site that gives guarantees student loans in New Mexico. This is what the do: If for some reason you don’t find the student loan you need, you get your money back for their service. It doesn’t cost allot anyway, but at least you can check it out for yourself.
Happy trails!
Got a kick out of this little ditty over at Lazerloan.com. Do you think he spelled retirement wrong on purpose. Retirment. Who knows…might work for them. Hmmm.
Retirment calculators are a very popular piece of scripting online. Millions of Americans are using these online calculators to figure out what they’ll have left in the bank when they’re approaching the golden years.
Loanallot.com has made their opinion crystal clear as to what retirement calculator they recommend. Here is their snippet below. (I get a kick out
of their web site theme……Lancelot/Loanallot…..now that is CHEESE my friends.
I did a little research on retirement calculators, and I have to give the edge to this retirement calculator in particular. This is the CNN retirement calculator.
Here are the instructions they give for using their calculator:
“Our retirement planner helps you estimate how well your savings program is preparing you for retirement. First we help you figure out how much you'll need. Then we tell you your chances of getting there. And if it looks like you'll fall short, we offer some suggestions for improving your plan.”
Have fun playing with that for awhile. I learned one thing for sure, and that’s that I need to start saving some money in better places if I hope to retire with a pot to piss in.
Found this interesting on Yahoo!. An article that claims consumers can lose up to $1,000,000 over their life-time if they have bad credit. They have some numbers to back up the claim to. It’s really just simple math.
Here is a short quote from their full article, that covers just the mortgage side of a bad credit loss over time.
Pretty scary thought right. Losing that kind of coin over time. I just got my credit rating back after being bankrupt for 7 years, so I won’t be taking any toy loans for a long while.
I had the most unusual email the other day. I had someone ask if we could point them in the direction of a site that gave loans for wedding dresses, in particular a loan for a bridesmaid dress order.
I told them that we didn’t find people loans for wedding dresses, and bridesmaid dresses – that we could help her with a car or motorhome, student loan, car loan, and/or motorcycle loan, but not wedding dresses.
I suggested they use Google and find what they needed there for wedding keywords.
Hmmmm…..what next?
You want to be thorough when you ou are out there looking for a good debt consolidation company to help solve your financial woes.
Make sure they're on the up and up. Make sure you are dealing with trustees, or financiers, that have a long and solid track record, before you sign ANY of their contracts.
If you're self-employed you will most likely have to use your home for collateral, since the banks prefer people who have steady, well paying jobs over entrepreneurs.
There are other companies that will help you manage your debt without having to use another loan. These companies usually charge you a fee and then help negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors and manage your monthly payments. There are various ways to do this and every company is different. Usually these techniques will save you money to start paying down the principle on your credit balances.
A few of these outfits are "sometimes" worth the monthly fee, and you'll end up saving way more than they charge you overall. However, some of these trustees are a little slimy, and they're out to make money by holding their client's cash for collecting interest as long as they can before they make the payment on your behalf. Very slimy indeed.
If you need to consolidate credit card debts, or any other kind of debt for that matter, it can be a real puzzle trying to sift through all the manure online. You may be able to qualify for an unsecured loan, which can consolidate your debt with one monthly payment, and never have to use any hard collateral.
The Plus Student loan, and the advantage for parents and students in the United States.
This is a quick description of what a Plus Student Loan is all about. This is the most popular way to get funding for your education.
Administered by the college or university your child attends, the OSL PLUS Loan is one of the most competitive PLUS Loan products currently offered in the U.S.
PLUS loans are not need-based; however, the parent just needs to meet minimal credit requirements to qualify. Unlike other Federal student loans, repayment of the parent PLUS loan is the responsibility of the parent, not the student.
The Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, or PLUS loan, is a federally-backed loan that enables parents to borrow funds to cover your child's (or children's) cost of attending college, less any financial aid.
A PLUS Loan is more flexible, and less expensive than Conventional Consumer Loans.
Many parents opt to take out a parents PLUS Loan because it offers many advantages over other forms of consumer loans such as a home equity loan or line of credit, credit cards, bank loans, or other private loans.
Student loan information is paramount this time of year, and it looks like there are more students needing some kind of financing than ever before.
The issue being that most university students don't have any real estate and many don't even own a new automobile.
If you're one of those students who doesn't have property, a vehicle, or some kind of decent collateral, consider asking your gaurdians or parents to procure financing for you.
If a bank is certain that you have a steady income, it increases your odds of acquiring a loan. If need low interest student financing, take a look at federal student loans like the Perkins or Stafford loans.
Stafford college loans provide lower interest rates than private loans, but somewhat higher than Perkins loans. Stafford student loans can be obtained by students who are attending college at least half-time and the loan an interest rate that changes once a year.
On the other hand, if a different college student gets the same loan for the same time period (5 years) with 6% interest his monthly payment will be only $116. The difference is more than $10 a month! When 5 years is up, the guy who had the 10% interest rate will have forked out $688.86 more than the guy with the 6% interest rate. That's a lot of money, especially for college students.
Perkins Student Loans offer an interest rate of merely 5%, and the rate is fixed. However, these are available only to students who have extremely bad credit. These payments are scheduled over a 10 year period and can be canceled under particular circumstances.
If you are going to apply for a student loan you'll want to find one with low interest. It makes a big difference particularly with student loans, which tend to be large.
Proof of successfully closing loans: If you've successfully paid off a past loan, bring proof of that to your lender. High credit score: Lenders will be more inclined to give you a loan if you have past experience that shows you are a reliable bill-payer. Offer Collateral: Generally lenders will approve loans faster if you pledge your house or car as collateral.
Here is a quick post on the advantages of working with the Pro Travel Network.
1st advantage of being a Pro Travel Network member: You get to set your own hours and work out of your home. No boss, no alarm clocks, no hassles.
2nd advantage of being a Pro Travel Network member: You get to travel like the pros with all the perks and discount travel fares. You get to take fam trips because you are a Pro Travel Network Agent.
3rd advantage of being a Pro Travel Network member: You are self-employed so you get to write-off any travel expenses you have, a portion of your bills, your mortgage or rent, or almost anything under the sun
4th advantage of being a Pro Travel Network member: You have no cap, or limit, to how much money you can make. You can make ALLOT of money with PTN, and the sky really is the limit.
5th advantage of being a Pro Travel Network member: Your Pro Travel Network is EASY to grow quickly as the benefits are easy for people to see. Creating a team is not a problem becuase it’s still a new revelolution in the travel industry.
See the Pro Travel Network Blog (PTN FREEDOM) for more information.
Found this post about the launch of the Pro Travel Network blog and forum. Thought you might want to know about this two-man team.
Well there is a Pro Travel Network Forum, and Pro Travel Network blog launching. Brent Truitt, and Anil Anil Ramcharitar are heading up the domain, @ www.ptnfreedom.com.
I’ve personally joined the Pro Travel Network ranks, and will be taking part in their online community. I’ve never been much for MLM businesses, but this is a good gig. Nothing like Amway! Look into it and you’ll see what I mean.
I recommend new-comers actually go to the PTN blog and use the phone number (Anil’s). Give him a call, and he’ll explain the whole PTN business –how it works, how you get paid, and how to join Pro Travel Network through him.
If you are smart, which I assume you are, cause you are reading my blog, you’ll join Anil and Brent, cause their team is going to make allot of money.
I signed up with these guys yesterday…
Here is a little article regarding electric motor scooters, and there pros & cons.
Riders around the world are now choosing scooters over motorcycles for different reasons. First off, motorcycles cost more to run, and cost more to by, due to the need for a motorcycle loan.
The electric motorscooters are primarily preferred by the young children for local errands for quick and easy work with fun. The electric scooters are the most cheap and convenient mode of transport. They can be nailed* anywhere and can pass through the narrow lanes with minimum of inconveniences.
There are many types of electric scooters counterfeit all over. Some scooters have a seat and clip activated with motor. Some scooters do not have bottom or slow down and are controlled with throttle.
These types of scooters are specially for young children who have to prevail against on the put on* rest and vehicle. Also there are scooters categorically made for physically flabby people. The electric scooter is a pandect gift for seniors or disabled nation who rely on others for their care and holiday, as the electric scooters have now helped them gain their freedom again. These kinds of motorscooters make them feel sound they actually have their legs working again.
They can now get a glass of water from them and go out and get the morning newspaper or even take the dog for a walk. These types of scooters are totally jumper lead operated and can be get started by pressing a sort. But, the current of such motorscooters is very low.
From amongst populous types of other electric scramblers available in the market, there are some scooters made for power riding. Such scooters can go up to 7-8 kms at exactly 18-20 kph up to speed* limit. Some scooters looks occur a moped with features like moving access, quick-reverse jump leads packs and state-of-charge indicators in different models.
Besides these, there are also foldable motorscooters available. These scooters can be crumpled and can be either carried in the car, bus and strew when you do not want to ride or can be dragged by their wheels if the jump leads runs down. These folding motorbikes are very compact and so can be stored in a corner of your room in folding position.
Other electric minibikes available are the ones quasi- occur the Italy made Vespa scooters that run with gasoline station. These scooters can actually be called as dying photocopy of Vespa scooters. However, there is spread oneself too thin estrangement judge these two scooters. The electric scooters are much light weight compared to motor scooter because the electric scooters have no fuel activated implement like sensuality scooter. The body of electric scooter is plight troth than that of the awareness scooter. The electric scooter can run up to the max. abreast of of 30kmph. The electric minibikes possess all the Lord's day of the features like of perceiving scrambler; headlight, horn, throttle, braking through control cables etc..
There are a few things to look at before you actually buy an RV, or motorhome. You need think without emotion on this, and don’t just jump into a purchase.
We recommend doing a test-run by renting an RV for a short trip, so you can really decide if it’s the ride and abode for you.
Coming to a decision on which motor-home or recreational vehicle to purchase is only part of the buying process. In contrast, more money can be lost on making the financing arrangements than almost anywhere else in the deal.
If you have the money to pay cash for a motorhome, then financing isn't even an issue, but with the rising cost of new and even used RVs, motorhome loans are a necessary part of the sale for many.
There are some mistakes that are commonly made that can cost you dearly if you don't take steps to avoid them and here they are:
I. Don't focus on the monthly payment figure alone to determine if you can afford a particular motorhome model.
This is often done by car buyers too, but the monthly payment is only part of the whole loan picture. You need to take that monthly payment figure and multiply it by the number of months that the loan contract is in force. Once you have that figure, then compare the final cost of the loan contract with the cost of just buying the rig itself.
Usually this will be an eye-opening exercise and can help you see if exhorbitant interest is being charged on this loan. If you find that you are paying almost as much in interest as you are for the motorhome itself, you may be better served to either look at something much less expensive, or make different financing arrangements.
II. Avoid any financing that is not a simple interest loan. Lenders have all kinds of tricks up their sleeve to get more money from lending to you and one of the ways that has been most detrimental to consumers is by writing a contract that doesn't allow you to start paying down the principal amount of the loan in any meaningful way until the loan is in it's final stages.
It's known as front-loading the interest and what it means is that most, if not all, of the money that you pay for the first half or so of the loan only goes toward the interest, not the principal. So when you decide to sell, you will still owe them a huge chuck of money and they make a lot more profit with this kind of loan.
It's best to avoid any loan that is not based on a simple interest process. In other words, the interest is a set part of the monthly payment from the very first payment all the way through to the end of the loan period.
If a lender tells you that you can't qualify for a loan like that, never take their word about that. Always shop around and get other loan quotes on your own. Most often you can come up with a better financing arrangement by doing that anyway.
Getting a motor-home loan doesn't have to be costly or mysterious if you just watch what is going on and keep your eye on the bottom line.
It’s definitely that time of year again, when students (graduate or otherwise) need to look at cleaning up their debt.
There has been allot of information come out lately regarding the student loan industry in the United States, and if you are in the market for student loan consolidation, be careful!
Here is a bit on student loan consolidation
When you have several education debts building interest it is time to consolidate your student loan. You may have campus aid and other federal education grants available so look around for the best possible financial solution before you make a decision regarding a student loan dilemma.
The education we all get when graduating from college is the lesson of debt. Consolidation is essential when your higher education is costing you massive interest payment. Consolidating student loan arrears is paramount if you want a fresh start for the rest of your life.
No matter what you call it; student loan consolidation, college finance consolidation, etc it is no fun leaving college and dealing with a bad interest rate and starting professional world in the hole.
Many students before you have been in the same boat and the only true way to clear off your consolidated debt is by working it off. Try to search all public information sources and education resources before heading off to the bank. If you were not lucky enough to afford your college education up front, get a government grant or win a full scholarship then you learn the hard way when it comes to bad debt.
Graduate college with a bachelor of arts and starting learning how to survive in the world of financing and commerce. I suppose a masters in commerce would be the ideal degree to have when it comes to paying of all your student loan debt.
The student aid organizations on campus and off campus can help you during your schooling so that you are prepared for graduation. Take advantage of their aid when you leave school also as they know the finance game down pat.
Hey...ask your professors for advice too. Many professors taught thousands of students and can give sound financial advice for your future after graduation.
Here are two financing companies that provide financing solutions for Americans that don’t own a home, property, or anything for that matter. I’m sure you’ll need to at least have a steady and secure job.
There are options for people needing financing, if they don’t own their own home. Most financing sites don’t show this offer, but I found a couple that do.
I. Credit.com lends money to people who need financing without home ownership. They do provide non-homeowners financing if their credit is in rough shape. Here is blurb from their site.
Loan options with or without credit checks. We have programs for good credit, bad credit, homeowners and military personnel.II. Direct Lending Solutions also gives loans without home ownership. They do insist on a pretty darn good credit rating though. Here is a blurb from their site.
This is a highly recommended debt settlement and negotiation service, that offers a very short sign up form. Credit Solutions has been featured on NBC for their excellent debt reduction program. With them, you can easily reduce your obligated debt by as much as 60%, reduce your monthly payments into one single, affordable payment, and stop harrassing creditor calls.
This is the most successful and efficient way of dealing with your debt problems. You do not need to a homeowner. Just fill out the form, and someone will contact you today about eliminating your debt. Not many other programs are so easy. If you are behind on your bills, or are about to be, please fill out our short form and speak with a certified debt counselor to see what your options may be.
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Here’s a piece on ATV loans. Basically four good point to be made regarding the purchase of an all terrain vehicle. This founded via Squiddo and Financing USA.
I. Manufacturer ATV Financing
It is likely that if you have spent any time looking at ATV magazines you have seen an advertisement or two highlighting atv financing from top brands like Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Usually these advertisements have a very low minimum payment like $49. While the payment may look attractive you should consider if this is the best ATV loan for you.
In deciding if a manufacturer loan is best, you need to consider the terms. For instance, look at how long the promotional term lasts. If it is 24 months will you have enough to payoff your outstanding loan on the 25th month because making the $49 payment does not pay off the loan? If not your interest rate will increase to the standard rate of 17%-22% and your minimum payment will also increase.
If you have the cash to pay off your loan at the end of 24 months than the promotion may be a good thing for you, if not then you should probably opt for a fixed rate installment loan that is offered by most online lenders and has a fixed rate for a long term.
Manufacturer ATV financing is typically more suitable for those with good credit rather than bad credit applicants.
II. Online Atv Financing
With online ATV financing you will get fixed rate ATV financing for a specific term. These loans are normally called personal loans meaning that they can be used for a variety of personal reasons such as buying an ATV, furniture, home improvements and a variety of other things. Terms on ATV personal loans will normally be up to 60 months and for excellent credit rates can be as low as the 5% - 8% range. Bad credit applicants can also get approved for online personal ATV loans, but the interest rate may be a bit higher.
III. Credit Card ATV Financing
If you are looking for a short term loan for your ATV purchase, a credit card may be a good option if it has a good promotion. For instance some Visa, Mastercard and discover cards offer 12 months no interest for new accounts. If you can afford to pay off your ATV purchase at the end of 12 months this could be a great option for you to use.
IV. Hybrid Atv Financing
The hybrid Atv financing method typically uses a combination of financing options. One popular method is to use a short term manufacturer financing promotion and then when the promotion period ends you transfer your loan to another promotion on a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.
For instance, you could get Honda Financing for 24 months on a Honda promotion and then transfer that loan to a Discover card promotion and get 0% interest for 12 month.
Hybrid Atv Financing is a bit complicated and requires some planning. It is also a bit risky because you are betting that companies will be running the same promotion in 24 months that they are today.
This type of financing is typically not recommended for those with poor credit or that are not very financially savvy.
In the end, the fact that the average ATV is less costly than a motorcycle will allow you more options to finance your purchase. You just have to think creatively and look at all the offers in the market for financing everyday purchases.
If you want to know how to get great interest rates for Good and Bad Credit ATV loans check out: ATV Financing Made Easy Great ATV Video From Youtube |
One of the misconceptions regarding car finance company choices is that the advertised interest rate is what you get. The truth is that all factors must be taken in to account to arrive at your deal. In another article I describe the details of credit ratings and the company that tracks consumers behavior.
See www.fairisaac.com for details on their products and services. When you see a car finance company offer at 3.5% that is the "ideal" situation. This is a client with strong collateral, good credit rating and solid income. A person needs to shop around and find that finance company that wants their business the most.
Competition is truly the most important factor when it comes to business and car finance company viability. This competition has created an environment in the United States where borrowers are getting low interest rates.
The unfortunate thing about pursuing loans is that the banks make more personal interest of the lower income brackets. The borrowers who have a weak credit rating and little in the way of collateral will suffer the highest rates.
The positive aspect is that we get second chances with car finance company guidelines in this country and people can turn it all around if they work hard.
Car finance company options include length of term, frequency of payments, size of payments, and amount of the down payment. It defeats the purpose of a loan for some people because if they had the money to make a large down payment and make large payments often they would not need the loan. It's the Catch-22 syndrome.
There are times when taking on a high interest loan is frugal. When you have suffered a bankruptcy you can build your credit by borrowing money and faithfully paying it back. There are times when you can benefit from an investment in real estate that will bring profits.
Scene From Catch 22 – Alan Arkin 
The hard working Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo is back in the saddle, hacking away at the student loan lenders across the United States.
Story…
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday he is widening a probe of the student loan industry to target underwriting standards, prompting lawmakers at a U.S. Senate committee hearing to raise questions about possible discriminatory red-lining.
The $85 billion student loan industry is under scrutiny by Cuomo and Congress for alleged kickbacks and conflicts of interest involving lenders and college financial aid officers.
The U.S. House approved a bill to crack down on such practices last month, and the Senate is considering action.
Cuomo, who has already reached legal settlements with many colleges and lenders, told lawmakers he has begun looking at loan underwriting criteria used by lenders when deciding whether to offer loans to students, such as the university attended by the student, income and creditworthiness.
Cuomo said he is asking questions such as, "What are the civil rights ramifications of those factors?"
Ranking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd questioned industry officials at the hearing about "the redlining aspects of all of this." Red-lining refers to the home mortgage market practice in which lenders barred potential borrowers from getting loans based on the neighborhoods they lived in.
Dodd, one of 10 Democrats seeking his party's presidential nomination, asked officials, "Why would you brand someone" based on the college they were attending? He asked if "historically black colleges, for example," might be hurt by such a practice.
The Connecticut Democrat said any practices that would prevent the most needy students from getting loans would be "doing the direct opposite of what we're trying to do."
Cuomo urged Congress to legislate a crackdown on student loans, including the fast-growing private loan market.
"I urge Congress to enact stringent legislation to clean up all of the student loan industry," he said.
In recent months, Cuomo's office and congressional committees have alleged that student loan firms offered gifts and payments to college financial aid officers to curry favor with them and drum up business among student borrowers.
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill last month attacking student loan market misconduct. The measure would require colleges and lenders to abide by new codes of conduct, ban gifts from lenders to aid officers, require disclosure of college-lender links and protect students from aggressive marketing.
Dodd said he expects his committee will look at the private loan market, while Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy's Education Committee looks at government-backed loan programs and issues related to the U.S. Department of Education.
"The practices we've heard about are going to stop, one way or another," Dodd said.
[Source CNNMoney.com]
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo – Doing His Thing
Student loans can be a necessary evil in the modern world. In the new century, finding a good job, or career, without a solid education is difficult.
Story…
Student loans are necessary if you want to secure your future. Unless you are lucky enough to have been given a full scholarship or your parents can afford to pay your way through college, you will need a student loan.
This is the reason it is so important to keep your mind open, and your options open when you are deciding on a career. You want to make sure you like your chosen field because you will be paying down your student loan in the early part of your career.
The best university or school will do you no good if you don't enjoy the end state and that is your job.
Now……..if you are not just starting out in life, and you need a student loan to further your education, you already know everything I mentioned in the paragraph above. You may actually need a student loan
Student loan providers are very competitive and use all avenues to advertise their financial services to students. They are very adapt at using the Internet to advertise and I'm sure you are well aware of that.
There are so many student loan companies that it is important to have a road map when choosing who to apply for funding with. If you are approved for a student loan through Sallie Mae then you won't need any services from this site and the odds are you are not approved through Sallie Mae since you are reading this page.
Whatever you do don't sweat it! There are many reputable student loan companies that will help you with reasonable interest rates and terms.
When applying for your loan using our list of recommended lenders be sure to browse their sites carefully and choose a lender that best suits all your needs and not just some of your needs.
If you have had credit problems don't let that throw you for a second. Just keep applying until you find the student loan that is the best deal for you and your future.
Got a kick out of the “Doubt consolidation” video, and the article is based on the best debt consolidation company search.
Of course, ALL financiers and brokers will claim to be the best debt consolidation company on the planet.
The best debt consolidation companies and mortgage brokers can be found by doing a thorough search on the internet as well as consulting local banks and finance companies to fine the best interest rates as well as the best terms.
Consumers may define the best company differently. Some will give high marks for the amount of money that they will save when they consolidate their loans and debt. Other consumers define the best debt loans as loans that has the longest term and lowest interest rate, while others appreciate convenience and support.
If you are looking for the best debt consolidation company, mark down the factors that are important to you and then investigate each web site and local bank or financial institution that is in your area to evaluate each from your perspective.
The amount of money you save is generally the main criteria for choosing a consolidation company and you may want to assign more weight to this particular criteria.
Consumers can find out how much they will save by taking the best offer and comparing the new monthly payment with what you were paying prior to consolidating all of your debt into one loan.
The difference is usually the amount that you will save each and every month, provided that your new loan is actually less than what you were paying before. Most people with credit card debt or department store debt will find a big improvement in their savings.
Customers can use these savings for other things or use it to pay down your debt more quickly and avoid paying even more interest.
Parody on Debt Consolidation Companies 
More on credit scores of 625 and dear old Fart Issac (Fair Issac). Dear old Isaac has many different styles of Fico scores that they sell to lenders around the world.
Classic Fico Risk Scores are similiar to Classic coke, except not that sweet. These scores are the original scores that the Fair Isaac company came up with.
They basically let the lender or bank know the odds on whether or not you will be paying off your debt, or defaulting on your payments.
The credit grantors use the Classic Fair Isaac Score to make give thumbs up/thumbs down decisions like; do you get the boat, do you get the car, do you get the toy, do you get the motorcycle, do you get the house, do you get the shaft...........do you get the point?
They also have different names for their Fico scores. (is'nt that cute) They use Beacon at Equifax - United States and Canada. They use Emprica at Transunion United States and Canada. The same at Transunion ITC in South Africa.
For more direct information on Fair Isaac and their fico scores, or more information about a credit score of 625, you can find all of this information at www.fairisaac.com.
Related Video…
Little piece on debt conolidation services in Arizona.
There are lots of web sites advertising Arizona debt consolidation services and bankruptcies services. If you are in need of some personal financing solutions, there are several ways to manage the existing debt and get it under control.
Debt consolidation experts can help you with your immediate problems in terms of taking all of your loans and credit cards that you currently owe money on and consolidating them into one loan with a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. Any loan manager can assist you in Arizona or in any other state in the United States.
Once you have consolidated your debt, it is important to ensure that you also prepared to change your lifestyle to ensure that you do not get into this situation again. Customers who are unable to pay their debts usually end up in a bankruptcy situation, which can cause the customer to end up with a bad credit mark to say the least on their credit history.
It is also important to take action and consolidate your debt well before you find yourself unable to make your payments. Customers in this situation will have their credit compromised and then it will be much more difficult to obtain a consolidation loan from any of the loan companies you normally deal with.
Loan companies in Arizona will consider you a bad risk and perhaps refuse to provide you with a debt consolidation loan. So remember apply for a debt consolidation loan prior to being in a situation were you cannot make your payments. 
Good little piece on boat loans. Check out the video from Southern Ski Boats at the bottom.
This a partial article on the different kinds of boat loans available in the United States. There are different ways to approach boat financing, and it all depends on what kind of boat you want, the money you have for a down payment, and how much (and how long) you can pay back.
The Different Kinds of Boat Loans
Boat loans, and Rv loans, come in secured and unsecured forms. A secured one necessitates offering collateral such as a house or any valuable asset like shares or the boat itself. The guarantee of regaining of the money drives the lenders to lower their rate of interest. These loans are available for people with good or poor credits also.
On the other hand, unsecured boat loans don’t require any collateral but allot of documents are looked-for. These are best suited for persons who either don’t have anything to offer as collateral or who fear re-possession of their property. To negate their fear of salvage the money some preventive measures like a slight increment in interest rate is followed by lenders.
Getting Started On The Boat Loan Quest
Once you have made your mind to become a boat owner, you need to give some serious thoughts before you actually go on loan hunt. These include making proper estimation of the boat you wish to acquire, how much you actually need to borrow and are you capable enough for the repayments. After you are clear in your visions, you need to approach various lenders. Lenders specializing in boat loans can be pretty handy. They are equipped with persons having a thorough knowledge about boat loans. They especially help you in dealing with second hand boats and protect you from legal embarrassment. Getting information from persons who have previously bought boats can also be helpful.
Eligibility For Boat Loans
Apart from considering the credit history (for unsecured kind of loans) lenders also look for other factors. They include your remuneration, job steadiness, ratio of other debt installments to your earnings (it shouldn’t exceed 30%), your equity in the property (for secured kind of loans) and various other conditions.
Interest Rates On Boat Loans
The amount granted under boat loans varies and depends on lenders and the repayment potential or the value of your collateral. It usually ranges anything between £10,000 to £ 10,000,000.The interest rate varies from 7.9% APR to 16% APR. The loan is available with fixed or floating rates .It depends on your discretion to choose what suits you.
The market overwhelms with lenders so sound prior information about all the nitty-gritty of obtaining boat loans will do a world of good to you.
Steve Clark can tell you how to look better, live better and breathe better by giving you tips to improve your finances.He writes on loans. His ideas can help you re-coop your money.To find Personal loan UK,secured loans,unsecured loans visit http://www.ezpersonalloansuk.co.uk
Semi-Related Video…..Southern Ski Boats…Nice!
Check out this video with this guy blowing up his appliance because of his home warranty debacle.
What is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a policy that covers repair and replacement costs for failed appliances and systems within a home.
Who Purchases the Warranty?
This usually depends on the purchase agreement made between the home buyer and seller. Either party can purchase the warranty. The two parties can even share the cost. Regardless of who pays for it, the warranty is usually purchased during the closing process (also known as "settlement").
How Much Does it Cost?
Cost will vary based on coverage and other factors. Most home warranties are in the $400 to $600 range. When the initial policy expires, there's usually a renewal fee as well.
What Will the Warranty Cover?
Home warranties vary quite a bit. So it's important to ask a lot of questions and read all the fine print before purchasing one. With that said, here are some of the common items covered:
* Heating and cooling systems
* Plumbing systems
* Electrical systems
* Major appliances
* Garbage disposals
What Isn't Covered Under the Warranty?
It's important to understand that a home warranty is not hazard insurance. Hazard insurance (sometimes referred to as disaster insurance) covers your home in case of earthquake, fire, hail, etc. Home warranties cover home systems and appliances that fail.
How Long Do Home Warranties Last?
Most are effective for one year. After that, you have the option to renew the policy. Find out in advance how much it will cost to renew, because renewal is sometimes more expensive than the initial cost of the policy.
Should I Buy a Home Warranty?
In truth, only you can answer this question. The home buying process might drain your cash reserves, so a major repair could put you in a financial bind. In such cases, a home warranty will give you coverage and peace of mind.
Age is also a factor. An older home with systems at or beyond their life expectancy would be a good candidate for home warranty protection. But a brand new home might already have coverage provided by the builder.
If you do decide to purchase a warranty for your home, be sure to shop around and compare prices. Find out what's covered, how long the policy is, and how much it costs to renew. Be a smart shopper.
To learn more about the home buying process visit HomeBuyingInstitute.com, the Internet's largest library of home buying advice. Visit: http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com
Related Video…what happens when a red-neck gets angry with his home warranty policy.
A payday loan is like a personal loan, but has some important differences.
Installment Loans - An installment loan is one where you receive the loan amount in one lump sum and then make regular, set payments until the loan is paid off.
Revolving Credit - A credit card is different than an installment loan because you can borrow less than your approved amount at first and then more later.
Also, you always have the option to borrow more money as long as there is room available in your credit line. A credit card is considered a revolving line of credit.
Payday loans are neither installment or revolving loans. A payday loan is one that is paid off in one lump sum. Payday loans are fast cash. With a payday loan, the approval process is quick and easy. But, the loan is more like an installment loan, not a revolving line of credit.
Payday loans are usually for amounts from $500 - $1000 and personal loans are usually for amounts of $1000 - $10,000.
Payday Loans are Fast Cash - Personal Loans are Long Term - With personal loans, you usually do not receive the cash fast, you usually have to go through a normal loan process, which can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks or more until you actually receive your loan amount.
The loan payments are extended for 1-5 years. With a payday loan, the entire loan amount is due within 1-4 weeks.
Understand your cash needs to determine whether you need a fast cash payday loan or a personal loan.
Misconceptions On Debt Consolidation
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you are better off seeking a loan with a bank in your own town, city, county, or state. Due the ever changing Internet, you can now find better deals with just a few mouse clicks. You can apply for your financing online and be approved securely and quickly no matter where you live.
Most Debt Consolidation Lenders
Most lenders will only approve consolidations if you have a house or some kind of collateral. If you just need a cash loan to consolidate all your credit cards and line of credit (without giving up home equity) click here. It makes sense to wrap all your debts in to one big debt, lower your payments, and ease your stress. I wish I had made the decision to consolidate sooner. It would have been much easier all around.
Biggest Advantage of Debt Consolidation
Probably the biggest advantage you get when consolidating is getting rid of high interest credit card debts. When you do the math it becomes quickly apparent that clearing off all your bad credit card debts (and that includes department store cards and fuel cards) is not something you need to think about....it's something you must consider doing right away.
Once you have done the math and added up the interest you are actually paying every month on your debt you will likely realize it is time to consolidate. Now you need to find a low interest rate on your consolidation loan...... That's where I come in. I provide free information regarding consolidation loans and research this area of the financial market vigorously. As I research different lenders and their policies it becomes very apparent as to which loan providers to recommend. I generally post all the recommended online companies at the bottom of this page.
Once You Choose Your Online Debt Consolidation Company
Once you have chosen your online lender you can enter your information and get their quote very quickly. If for some reason you don't like their interest rate or terms, move on to the next. Entering your information online is secure and safe. The new encryption these these web sites use is impossible to hack or access so you don't need to worry about that.
You came to find information and consolidate your debts. Your present debtors will be disappointed when you step up and clear off all your high interest rate debt. ;-) To consolidate your financial liabilities is a great start but the most important issue is what happens in the future.
Debt Consolidation Conclusion
Once you have the your monthly payments down and your cash flow up you want to keep it that way. In fact you want to eradicate your debt completely and increase cash flow. I suggest looking for ways to build wealth outside the box. What I did years ago was make a decision to never carry bad debt again. That was it. No more credit card debts, department store cards, fuel cards, and whatever other credit cards you can think of. I consolidated all my debt in to one low payment and then changed my hobby. For my whole life my hobbies COST me money. I decided that my next passion or hobby would be something that MADE money. I begin with building this financial information web site. That led to this loan consolidation page and then to many more.
The first step to financial recovery and a sigh of relief starts with a consolidation loan. The second and most critical step is changing your lifestyle and spending habits. The first step (getting your debts consolidated) is extremely easy. The second step is the difficult one. I wish you all the best in the future and be sure to bookmark this page for future reference. Thanks for visiting.
Related Video on Debt Consolidation
I found this article for bad credit motorcycle loans, but I was more interested in the video than the lame info on motorcycle financing.
Motorcycle loans for bad credit scenarios have quickly become a lucrative market for finance companies across the United States.
I go into more depth in other articles on this site regarding credit scores, the Fair Isaac company and their various information tracking products. Our never ending quest to find reputable finance companies delivering motorcycle loans for bad credit scenarios.
The main thing to consider if you are searching "motorcycle loans for bad credit applicants" is that your credit situation is only temporary.
In time the banks and "credit police" will set you free of such a tag. If you have a solid income the lenders will usually take you on for credit repair anyway. I know it is a drag doing that because you pay a higher interest rate but sometimes it is prudent to buy even when it is a motorcycle loans for bad credit situation. You may be getting such a good deal that it is worth to you get the bad credit motorcycle loan.
Onward and upward they say. Motorcycle loans for bad credit consumers make it possible to enjoy you passion of riding even during the years when you are in the bank's "dog house". Why waste up to seven years of riding while you are in your prime. Life is short and even if you are paying more for interest than good credit consumers you will at least be living life to the fullest. Sounds like pretty much like justification for purchasing more "boy toys"........doesn't it? Oh well, I mean it. We could be gone in a few years for all we know so why miss out on living now. All the best on your journey to find low interest rate financing for a motorcycle.
Cool Video of Motorcycle Stunts…
Originally posted on Loanspoke, this is a little ditty about bank rates being hiked up on bike loans.
Story…
Motorcycle loan rates are inflated due to statistics banks have compiled over decades in order to make choices that will ensure their profits. The statistics show that more borrowers with motorcycle loans have defaulted in the past. I don't get it and don't pretend to know if this holds water but I do know motorcycle loan rates are always approximately 3% more than an auto loan. I've tried to find the lowest rates for motorcycle loans anywhere.
Motorcycle loan rates leave the consumer with only a hand full of options if they want to save money. Option one is to simply buy the bike for cash. Kind if defeats the whole motorcycle loan process though right. The other option is to scrape up whatever money you can for a down payment. The more the better so you don't have so much interest to pay. The other option is to setup your payment schedule for a short term and higher payments. Also defeats the purpose of a loan. Either way you go you need to keep down the over-all interest.
If you surfed on to this page looking for low interest motorcycle loan rates you have likely found what you came looking for. Click on of the motorcycle loans link below and you will be on my product page for the lowest motorcycle loan rates available. Keep in mind that using my web site means no middle man cost o you. Their is no extra commission paid to me or anyone else. It's just between you and the merchant. Some days the lowest motorcycle loan rates are provided by Eloan. Sometimes it is Capital One auto finance. Whoever that financial institution is they have to have an easy online application form and the lowest interest rates available. Otherwise they are replaced as my top pick of the day.
Carry Reeder wrote this piece on subprime/bad credit loans. She hits on a few good point regarding zero down loans.
This kind of lending is a bad idea, unless you have a serious and viable plan for repayment, and house-hold income.
Sub-prime lenders now offer financing packages with zero down. Interest rates are higher on these types of loans, but they make purchasing a house easier. And unlike a conventional loan, there is no private mortgage insurance required. There are two types of zero-down mortgage packages, each with their own requirements.
Types Of Zero-Down Loans
100% financing, as it names implies, offers complete financing of your property. The other option, 80/20, finances your mortgage with two loans. Both loans may be carried by your lender, but sometimes the seller or a second lender is required to carry the 20% mortgage.
100% financing is easier to deal with, but not all lenders will offer this type of home loan. 80/20 financing is more common, but takes some negotiation if the seller is involved.
Qualifications For Zero-Down
Each lender has their own criteria for determining who will qualify for a zero-down loan. Most sub-prime lenders require any bankruptcies or foreclosures to have been at least twelve months ago. A conventional loan requires these to be discharged two to four years ago.
While a credit score of 600 or higher is best, large cash reserves can also qualify you. Six to twelve month’s worth of cash reserves in the form of savings, money market, or other liquid assets are considered ideal.
If you choose 80/20 financing with the seller carrying the second mortgage, you can qualify with sub-prime lenders with a score of 560.
Zero-Down Sub-prime Lenders
You can find zero-down sub-prime mortgages with both conventional and niche sub-prime lenders. Make sure that you request quotes from as many mortgage lenders has possible to be sure you find the lowest rate and best terms.
You will also want to decide what type of mortgage you want. An ARM is easier to qualify for and has lower rates. A fixed rate mortgage offers the security of a constant interest rate over the life of your loan.
Typically an ARM will be a better deal if you plan to refinance within a couple of years. After you have improved your credit history, you can refinance for a conventional mortgage with low interest rates.
To view our list of recommended subprime mortgage lenders online, visit this page: Recommended Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders Online.
Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans. Related Video…
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Originally posted on “The WOF”, this is as follows regarding this Q&A on Internet banking. I thought this was over.
By now, you would think the older generation would have caught on to this. Ahh….how naive your humble narrator is.
Question:
I am very scared of "giving my money away" on an Internet bank account. How can I be assured that my money has really gone where it was supposed to and not to some con artist?
Answer:
Bricks and mortar don't make your local bank any safer than the one on the information highway. The audit trail that documents the transactions in your account, combined with banking laws and regulations, protects you from larceny or fraud better than the proximity of a branch ever will. You're looking for the same attributes in both when it comes to the safety and security of your savings.
You want to have your deposits insured by either the FDIC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., or NCUSIF, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Both forms of deposit insurance carry the full faith and credit backing of the U.S. government behind the insurance for insured deposits.
You also want to consider the financial institution's safety rating. Bankrate publishes the Safe & Sound CAEL rating. Bankrate also provides a financial institution's Star rating on the Rate Search page when you're shopping for a new bank account.
Risk-averse investors look to bank safety ratings as a "belt and suspenders" approach to managing risk. Uninsured depositors look to bank safety ratings to evaluate whether the increased yield is adequate compensation for the increased risk.
The FDIC has an electronic pamphlet, "Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet," that puts a finer point on some of the issues and concerns surrounding Internet banking. Take some reasonable precautions concerning deposits, computer security and who you bank with, and you should be fine.
[Via Bankrate.com]
Related Video…
When you’re pulling out some cash from the ATm, you might want to be aware of your surroundings.
You might want to be careful what you do with “wierd” emails from scam artists too. Here are 9 tips to the words of the wise.
1. Look for suspicious attachments. Criminals often capture information through "ATM skimming," using devices that steal magnetic strip information. The Secret Service estimates that fraud losses from skimming are about $350,000 a day in the United States.
At a glance, the skimmer looks just like a regular ATM slot, but it's an attachment that captures ATM card numbers. If you look closely, you may notice the attachment slightly protrudes from the machine and may not be parallel with the inherent grooves. Sometimes, the equipment will even cut off the ATM manufacturer's text.
The skimmer will not obtain personal identification numbers, however. To get that, fraudsters place hidden cameras facing the ATM screen. In Texas, police officials discovered wireless cameras inside innocent-looking pamphlet holders pointing directly toward the keys.
There might even be a sign that says something like: "If for any reason the ATM malfunctions, please input your PIN three times and press cancel."
There's also the helpful bystander (the criminal) who may be standing by to kindly inform you the machine has had problems and offer to help.
2. Minimize your time at the ATM. The more time you spend at the ATM, the more vulnerable you are. If you need to update your records after a transaction, "do it at home or the office, but not while at the ATM," says Tracy Kitten, editor of ATMmarketplace.com, an online trade publication. "If you're making a deposit, don't sign your checks at the ATM."
3. Make smart deposits. Some ATMs allow you to directly deposit checks and cash into your accounts without stuffing envelopes. The receipts have the check images on them, and the funds usually are immediately available.
By eliminating several ATM deposit steps, this new technology has tremendously cut back on ATM fraud, says Brian Bailey, vice president of marketing and product management for the NCR Corp., an ATM manufacturer.
"We have several options available to banks if they want to hide or not print personal details, like account numbers, on receipts," Bailey says.
As for the envelope-based deposits, make sure they go through.
"Sometimes people carelessly shove (the envelopes) in the window. If it gets jammed and it doesn't fully go into the machine, the next person can walk up and take it out," says Laura Criscione, chief financial officer of North Jersey Community Bank.
After you've made the ATM deposit, compare your records with the account statements or online banking records.
4. Avoid using ATMs at night. While robberies are less prevalent than fraud at ATMs, there's still risk, especially at night.
"If you're using the ATM at 2 o'clock in the morning in a desolated area, you're making yourself vulnerable and more susceptible to an attack than if you went at 5 o'clock in the afternoon," Kitten says.
And if you have to use an ATM late at night, patronize one at a bank or credit union.
"Financial institutions have to follow certain guidelines and regulations as far as lighting is concerned. They also have cameras on all the ATMs," Kitten says. "A (bank's) ATM is more secure."
5. Be aware of your surroundings. Before you slide your card into the machine, look around. Does the area appear safe? Is there anybody who can see the PIN pad?
"Always be careful and know your whereabouts," Sorrentino says. "Make sure you complete the transaction."
A good rule of thumb is to always shield your card, no matter how comfortable you are with the place.
6. Keep your receipts and card on your person. Consumers know that many ATMs don't reveal the entire account number and often discard receipts in the garbage next to the machine. That's a very dangerous practice.
Before you leave the machine, make sure you have your card. As much as 83 percent of all ATM and debit fraud results from stolen cards, the TowerGroup says.
7. Check your financial institution's protection plans. Many banks place a cap on ATM withdrawals and build customer profiles to protect you from fraudulent activity. If a person's card was used outside of the normal area, for example, some banks would call the customer to verify the transaction's authenticity.
8. Memorize your PIN. This is a no-brainer, but the reality is many cardholders walk up to an ATM and pull out a piece of paper containing four numbers.
"You especially don't want to keep your PIN, Social Security card and ATM card all together in your wallet," Kitten says. "If someone comes up and hits you over the head, they're going to have all your information right there."
9. Don't provide information via e-mail. TowerGroup says 3.5 percent of ATM and point-of-sale debit fraud originates from phishing e-mails. Phishers attempt to obtain information about your bank account by asking for your PIN, account number and personal information. Much like ATM skimming equipment, these e-mails appear legit. If you click on a link, you will be sent to a Web site that looks exactly like the one the phishers are imitating.
The Federal Trade Commission says reputable companies do not ask for information through e-mail. If you receive one of these e-mails, inform the organization. And if you believe your accounts have been compromised, inform your financial institution and cancel the account.
[Source Bankrate.com]
Related Video…
I like this little article on bad credit loans. Some good points made, and a worthy read. Basically general stuff, but sometimes the obvious is overlooked when looking at your financial situation. Geez, isn’t that what Dr. Phil does. He’s like John Madden on Monday night football. Speak the obvious.
Bad credit for a car loan could bring apon problems such as higher interest rates and higher fees as well as rejection for lending. To avoid dealing with the issues associated with a poor financial history, make wise financial decisions such as opening up a Visa card account and paying the balance off each month. Those who already have poor finances need to apply for lending and take a few steps before entering the dealership to insure getting the best deal possible. The 1st thing potential vehicle purchasers will want to do is research lending options outside of the dealership. When people enter dealerships with bad credit for car loans, dealers usually offer financing options according to payment total not value total.
To limit possible consequences of applying with a poor financial history, go to a traditional lender such as a bank or credit union. These money lenders will take the time to educate someone with bad credit for car loans that fit their income level. This way the applicant can look for the best valued car at a particular price. People trying to borrow with bad credit for a car loan total higher than their income allows will have a difficult time improving their taking a loan for history. Applicants need to use the bad credit for car loan as an opportunity to strengthen their score. By accepting the consequences associated with bad credit for car loans, such as a larger down payment or shorter loan term, applicants can begin making timely payments. This will help them improve a future rating and allow them to avoid the costs added to having a poor financial record.
A poor credit history could increase the payment total 'cause the higher interest rates will swell the total. However, once the vehicle is paid off, the person will be free to take out a loan at a competitive rate. At this point, if finances allow, the applicant can begin to shop for the vehicle of his or her choice instead of being limited to the vehicles available to people who apply with bad credit for car loans. Those who have a blemished record need to take the steps necessary to clean up their credit history, even if that means applying with bad credit for a car loan and paying higher interest rates for a season. When the car is paid off, the owner will be delighted at how much easier it's to finance purchases with a clean record. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one"
Related Video…
Some info from Bankrate on interest rates at the time of this writing. Always good know where we stand before we spend.
Here's a look at the status of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted May 16, 2007.
Mortgages
Rate: 6.32 percent (30-year fixed) Average points: 0.26
Mortgage rates rose a small amount but remain locked in a tight range. There simply hasn't been economic news that has been consequential enough to move mortgage rates either way. In the past six weeks, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has varied from a low of 6.27 percent to a high of 6.32 percent. This week the average 30-year fixed rate rose 3 basis points, to 6.32 percent. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. The average 15-year fixed, which is a popular option for refinancing, rose 5 basis points, to 6.05 percent. On bigger loans, the average jumbo 30-year fixed rose 2 basis points, to 6.56 percent. Adjustable-rate mortgages were mixed. The popular 5/1 ARM rose 8 basis points, to 6.24 percent, as the one-year ARM remained unchanged at 6.05 percent.
Home equity products
Rates: 8.16 percent (line of credit); 7.94 percent (loan)
Home equity products were unchanged. The average home equity line of credit stayed at 8.16 percent and the average fixed-rate home equity loan remained 7.94 percent.
Auto loans
Rates: 7.7 percent (60-month, new car); 8.46 percent (36-month, used car)
Absolutely no change to report in auto loan rates this week. The 60-month new car loan rate is 7.7 percent for the third week in a row. The 48-month new car loan rate is 7.65 percent and the 36-month loan rate is 7.57 percent.
Used car loan rates are also rock-steady. The 48-month used car loan rate is 8.42 percent and the 36-month loan rate for a used car is 8.46 percent.
The nine-year merger between Daimler and Chrysler will end in the third quarter of this year with Daimler unloading the American carmaker onto Cerebus Capital Management. The private equity firm will take over controlling interest in the Chrysler group for $7.4 billion. In a story on MarketWatch.com, Christoph Rauwald noted that this deal will mark the first time a private equity firm takes over one of the world's biggest automakers.
Certificates of deposit
Yields: 3.77 percent (1-year CD yield); 3.95 percent (5-year CD yield)
The average one-year CD yield remains at 3.77 percent this week. It has stayed within a narrow range of 3.76 percent to 3.81 percent so far this year. It's a pattern we may see for quite some time to come. The average five-year yield shed 1 basis point and dropped to 3.95 percent. That's the lowest it's been this year; the high was 4.07 percent. We've had some pretty upbeat news on the economic front the past couple days and, of course, that makes the Fed focus on inflation. But we probably shouldn't expect a rate hike when the Fed meets in six weeks, and if there's some downbeat economic news we probably shouldn't expect a rate cut. Fact is, the whole scenario seems a bit range-bound and the Fed may continue sitting on the fence.
Credit cards
Rates: 13.44 (standard fixed); 14.56 percent (standard variable)
Rates sit tight for yet another week. The standard fixed rate remains 13.44 percent, and the variable is still 14.56 percent. For all cards -- standard, gold and platinum -- the fixed rate stays put at 11.82 percent, and the variable rate is 13.89 percent.
Legislation recently introduced to the U.S. Senate is pushing several consumer-friendly credit card lending reforms. According to the Consumer Federation of America, the proposed "Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act," a bill highly praised by numerous consumer groups, would banish certain lending abuses, such as charging customers a fee for paying their bills and imposing an over-limit fee repeatedly. Read more about the bill on the CFA's Web site (PDF).
[Via Bankrate.com]
Found some interesting numbers quoted at the Terry Zulit blog (Your Financial Freedom), regarding the cost of living and breathing in New York city, and surrounding areas. I’m glad I’m not trying to make a go of it in New York!
I guess the saying is true…..”if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere”.
All this, with the latest forcast for overall housing prices to drop in late 2007 across the United States. I suppose there are some areas where real estate is somewhat immune from fluctuation, and New York is one of those places.
Some of the numbers below are not directly related to NYC real estate, but they either show the trend, or add a little humor into the fray. Interesting number on how much real estate work you can do when you're serving 33 1/3 years in jail.
Enjoy!
$7.25 million =
Going price for the most expensive of One Brooklyn Bridge Park's 26 penthouse units, making it Brooklyn's all-time priciest condo
$3.8 million =
The borough's previous record, paid this past January for a penthouse in Williamsburg's Aurora building
45 =
Stories slated for Donald Trump's planned condo-hotel in SoHo
12 =
Months it took for The Donald's controversial project to finally get approval
$1,550 =
Rent for a one-bedroom loft in Bushwick advertised - without apparent irony - as "punk rock heaven"
$1 =
Amount residents at the former punk squat C-Spot paid to purchase their East Village building five years ago
40,000 =
Square feet in Brownsville and East New York set aside by the city to be used as community farms
33 1/3 =
Minimum number of years drug dealer Alejandro Lopez-Guevara was sentenced to serve in prison following his 1988 conviction
$1.775 million =
Sum of the real-estate deals Lopez-Guevara has pulled off from behind bars
7 1/2 =
Percentage a rent-stabilized apartment could increase on a two-year lease
$1.2 billion =
Entire 2006 gross domestic product of Belize
$2.4 billion =
Value of residential listings held by Prudential Douglas Elliman, according to a survey by The Real Deal
$940 million =
Price that Urban American Management and the City Investment Fund paid for nearly 4,000 units in former Mitchell-Lama buildings in Harlem, making it the second-biggest real-estate deal in NYC history
34 =
Percentage of Mitchell-Lama's original 105,000 apartments that were moved out of the program between 1990 and 2005
750 =
Number of calculators Halstead Property is donating to Harlem public schools
New York City real estate is a little on the expensive side, you might say. Therefore, real estate in New York NY, is prime for those desiring a solid financial investment.
Related Video……cost of living in New York
The financial pressure to create a beautiful wedding is intense. Often enough, oridinary families have to dig deep into their pocket to pay for even an average wedding.
There are some steps you can take, in the form of a financial guide, when planning your wedding, that will greatly reduce the expenses you will incure on the big day. Also, eloping is becoming a popular way to save big bucks.
More on this story…
The key to hosting a wedding that looks lavish but doesn't plunge you into debt for the opening years of your marriage is in making some bold choices in the essential elements -- say, opting for whole-roasted fish as a way to lend culinary drama to the proceedings, or finding locally grown flowers and centerpieces that create a hometown atmosphere, offering cost savings over traditional fare.
No one sets out to scrimp on a wedding. After all, they don't call it "The Big Day" for nothing. But budgeting is a fact of life for all but the wealthiest of brides and grooms, and so it makes sense to ask if there are ways to hold wedding costs in check without looking like Scrooge left you at the altar.
One of the biggest expenses is the bridal gown. Most come with price tags that make them particularly galling, given they are to be used just once. But there are alternatives, including discount and consignment shops that sell designer dresses at up to half off. There's no rule that says you have to have a gown, either; bridesmaid apparel can work for the bride, too.
First Woman Trader On The Floor of The Chicago Board Options Exchange, Terry Savage, lays out “The Savage Number”. She discusses retirement planning for the baby boom generation.
“It pays to plan while you can.”
Changes in the tax laws in 2006 make it possible to move funds from your IRA to an HSA. This leaves many Americans in a position of indecision. When you look at the small print, the answer can become very clear.
Story……
A new tax law signed in late 2006 made several changes to the HSA rules, including allowing rollovers from an IRA to an HSA without taxes or penalties. But the rollover rule isn't quite as generous as it seems.
You can make the rollover only once in your lifetime, and only up to the maximum HSA contribution limit for the year -- which is $2,850 for individuals or $5,650 for family coverage in 2007 (plus an extra $800 for people age 55 and older), minus any HSA contributions you've already made for the year. And you must already have an HSA, which requires having a health insurance policy with at least a $1,100 deductible for individuals or $2,200 for family coverage in 2007.
This rollover can provide a tax-free source of money to cover big medical expenses or help you jump-start your HSA for future savings. But if you have enough cash, it's better to make your full HSA contribution with new money because your contributions are tax deductible and can be used tax free for medical expenses. Then max out your IRA contribution ($4,000 for 2007; $5,000 if you're 50 or older). That way you can make the most of both tax-advantaged accounts without having to raid your retirement fund. If you do want to make the rollover, contact both your IRA and your HSA administrator and tell them that you want to make a direct transfer, so you don't touch the money and incur any taxes or penalties.
[Origin Kiplinger.com]
