Student Credit Cards
August 31, 2006
STUDENT CREDIT CARDS
With graduate debt averaging over £12,000, the ability to spread the cost of further education using a student credit card is obviously attractive. Adding to their appeal is the fact that these cards are relatively easy to obtain. Unlike many standard credit cards, they are available to people who do not have a regular, minimum income and credit history. They often come with tempting offers including low rates for an introductory period, shopping discounts and free CDs. Flexing student plastic has the additional benefit of creating a credit history that can be used to support future loan and mortgage applications.
So, with no regular income and credit history, what exactly is the attraction of students for the credit card companies? Well, the fact that graduates can expect to earn, on average, £400,000 more over their lifetime than the national average, means that financial institutions are eager to attract this extra earning potential. Banks and credit card providers know that the general public are reluctant to go through the hassle of changing accounts, so by attracting students early in their career, they are likely to stay with them for life.
Poll Names Coin Laundries Best Investment For 2005
August 31, 2006
According to Morton Pollack, CEO of PWS, The Laundry Company and editor of the newsletter, "Historically, laundry owners have been a quiet group. Knowing they are onto a good thing, they’ve been pretty reticent. However, many now agree that it’s time for respect to paid to this powerful investment vehicle and we hope the poll will play a part".
Coin Laundries have historically been a very attractive investment yielding strong returns regardless of the ups and downs of Wall Street and the economy. Deemed one of the top ten safest investments by the Small Business Administration and Dun and Bradstreet, neighborhood laundries offer a dependable ongoing 20 to 30% yearly return on cash invested, according to the Coin Laundry Association.
"Today’s modern laundries are all cash, no inventory businesses that offer great tax benefits and require modest oversight," says Morton Pollack. "We believe they are the best part-time, investment venture available and their future looks even brighter. The demographics coin and card laundries serve are the fastest growing segments of the US population. With so many proven benefits, we weren’t sure whether Laundry Center MarketWatch should name today’s Card and Coin Laundries the Sexiest or Safest Investment for 2005. So, we are leaving it up to readers and the industry to vote for their choice via our free e-mail newsletter".
Kundalini Lessons - Money
August 31, 2006
I’ve been going through and interesting growth period lately that I thought I’d share, as some of the lessons were pretty profound (at least for me).
I’ve written before about my awakening and the joys and tribulations since, and I’ve also mentioned that it’s an ongoing process which, as far as I can tell, doesn’t really end til you shuffle off this mortal coil. Then you get to come back and start over. 
The last couple of years or so have been a really interesting period, partly through the guidance and help from both Dr. Glenn Morris and Susan Carlson, and it’s interesting how much progress I’ve made and how far I still have to go.
I’ve recently come to an interesting new period in my life, thanks mostly to my other half, Anya. Living with her (and my step-son Jake) has opened up new areas and forced me to deal with things that I was always able to avoid before. When you’re a modern day gypsy and bouncing around in an old RV it’s really easy to have a casual attitude about living in our society, but settling down really brings on the new challenges. Most of what I’m learning now is probably old hat to those of you who’ve led stable, settled down lives, but it’s a hell of an adventure for me, even at my age.
Online Mortgages in 5 Easy Steps!
August 30, 2006
We’re all entitled to the opportunities and benefits of home ownership. But because most of us aren’t loaded with cash, we must find banks and lenders to assist us with finance. No matter what your credit history is, or what your circumstances are, the internet has now made this process a billion times easier. This article will outline a 5 point plan, to assist you in your pursuit of financing online:
Step 1: Don’t be afraid to go shopping.
Discussing personal mistakes in life can paralyze us with fear, namely, getting into the "bad credit" issues.
The good news is that for the most part, getting into this "stuff’ is completely unnecessary in the preliminary phase of shopping for a loan, beyond the basic information provided in an online short-form.
In other words, you don’t really have to talk about the nitty-gritty details, until after a loan offer has been presented to you. We’ll get into that later?
But since we’re on the subject, if you are a consumer with credit history issues, let me briefly take this opportunity to state the obvious:
Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loan
August 30, 2006
Nowadays, many people can get into a bad credit situation if they do not keep track of their income and expenditure. Many young executives suddenly find that they are being offered credit cards by various companies. Those who are sensible will find a credit card that suits their needs, sign up, keep track of their purchases, pay off their credit card bills in full each month, and ignore offers from other companies.
There are others who may be dazzled by all the credit on offer and will end up with credit cards from several companies. They may easily end up making lots of purchases on credit while making the minimum payments on their cards. Then, one day they realize just how much debt they are in when they need a debt consolidation loan to get out of a bad credit situation.
At the Debt Consolidation and Debt Reduction Service, we do not give you debt consolidation loans. We help you reduce your debts by 40 percent to 60 percent and your payments by 40 percent. We see to it that you pay no interest, late fees, or penalties. We get you out of debt, and out of a bad credit situation, within three years. We ensure that you receive no more harassing phone calls from creditors by negotiating with them.
Benefits of a Secured Loan
August 30, 2006
The secured loan is favoured by many UK residents seeking credit for a number of reasons:
- A secured loan is far easier to obtain than unsecured loans. The added security that this type of loan gives the lender means that even those with a less than perfect credit history can get hold of a secured loan with relative ease.
- A secured loan is often offered with more favourable terms than other types of loans. With secured loans it is also far more likely that you will be able to borrow a larger amount of money and pay it back over a longer period of time.
- A secured loan can help you to free up equity that would otherwise remain dormant in your property, letting you make use of capital that would otherwise remain unobtainable.
- The interest rates on secured loans are often considerably lower than those offered on unsecured loans.
- A secured loan will enable you to get your hands on money that would otherwise take a long time to save up, allowing you the freedom to spend it on whatever you want.
Searching For A Low Interest Credit Card?
August 29, 2006
These days, people need to very carefully consider what type of credit card they will carry in their wallets. There are so many options out there, and each individual has different needs. Some of us tend to carry a balance, so we need a low interest credit card. Others pay off their card each month and so don’t pay any interest. They are more concerned with having a credit card that has no annual fee.
These days, with so much competition between credit card companies, you can get so much more. You can get 0% introductory APRs, free balance transfers, and a whole host of exciting credit card rewards: travel, shopping, even points toward college tuition!
You get credit card offers in the mail every day. And you do need to make sure that you are using the credit card that is best for you. Instead of sifting through all those credit card offers in the mail, why not go online and check out the incredible offerings of credit card reward programs? In addition to getting the best credit card for you, as well as any perks that come with the card, you will earn a cash reward, just for signing up for your favorite low interest credit card online!
Top 10 Things to Consider on Home Loans
August 29, 2006
Here are our Top 10 most important things to consider when shopping for a Home Loan, Equity Line of Credit, or Refinance, courtesy of Loans-Directory.Org:
1. Down-Payment - As a general rule of thumb, lenders will be seeking contribution from you of around 3% to 6% of the total loan value. This can be negotiable, and there are many loan packages available.
2. Fixed versus Adjustable ? The two most common loan products available for home mortgages are fixed rate versus adjustable rate.
Fixed rate means that you agree on an APR (annual percentage rate) that does not change through the life of the loan, whereas, an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, better known as an ARM, means that rates and monthly payments can change, often tied to the U.S. Government Treasury Bills or some other form of "index", with the frequency of change dependent upon the terms of the loan.
Assessing the Opportunities Presented by the New Iraqi Currency
August 29, 2006
Could it be possible that you are staring right into the most spectacular financial opportunity of the century? Operation: Iraqi Freedom will undoubtedly be a war marked in history for loss and tragedy, American victory, and the rise of a nation with a new democratic government. But could it also be a war historically remembered for the financial opportunity it created for the sharp investors who keenly recognized an ephemeral chance at the right time?
The War on Iraq ended with a nation placed on the footstool of many new operations. An old dictator was removed; a new government was instilled, and the old currency, each note stamped with the face of the now powerless Saddam Hussein, was suddenly valueless and burned in the streets by American soldiers. In its place entered a new currency, beautifully created with the input of the people and history of Iraq.
The United States funded this new currency, artistically crafted by the De La Rue, the world’s premier currency printers. Unveiled during a press conference in the capitol city of Bagdad, the new Iraqi currency was introduced. A historic university, erected in the thirteenth century, is etched into the one thousand dinar bills. A serene waterfall graces the front of the periwinkle five thousand dinar notes. And a humble, hardworking farmer holds up a sheaf of wheat on the most substantial bill of all: the twenty five thousand dinar note.
Asset Location ? Increase Investing Returns & Reduce Your Taxes
August 28, 2006
Location ? Once the holy grail only for real estate investors is fast becoming the mantra for every stock, bond, and mutual fund investor. Experts and studies now recognize managing asset location is second only to asset allocation in determining the success of your investment returns.
Importance of Asset Location:
Asset location is a cornerstone to success for a simple reason. Taxable accounts differ from tax-deferred accounts {401(k), IRA and similar retirement}. Taxable accounts require you to pay income tax on every dividend and capital gain generated by your investments. This tax substantially reduces the amount of reinvestment and annual investment growth. On the other hand, retirement accounts defer taxes allowing returns to compound without penalty and at a substantially faster rate. Asset location refers to the optimal placement of securities between taxable and tax-deferred accounts. Good choices reward investors with long-term compounding and significantly higher returns. Poor choices, or more commonly, no choice, leads to below average results.
