Featured Links

Other Topics
Sponsored Links





Quote of the Day

"If the career you have chosen has some unexpected inconvenience, console yourself by reflecting that no career is without them."

Jane Fonda



Recommended Products





 




 
Featured Credit Articles

Bad Credit Car Loan - Even Bankruptcy Cannot Deter You From Getting a Car Loan
Everyone needs a car irrespective of his or her credit score. Having a bad credit score does not take away your right to own a car. A bad credit history may include arrears, default, county court judgements, bankruptcy, etc. Due to some ...

Top Five Credit Card Mistakes.
When you're dealing with credit cards, you're playing with fire. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who don't realise that, and make all sorts of dangerous mistakes with their credit cards every day. Paying Late. If you don't set up any ...

What is Credit Scoring?
Have you ever wondered what is credit scoring? Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether or not to give you credit. How does a creditor decide whether or not to grant you credit? Creditors use credit scoring systems to determine ...




Consolidating Your Credit Card Debt
 
Copyright 2005 MHG Consulting
Credit cards have revolutionized the purchasing experience since Diners Club released the first credit card in the year 1950.
The Dinners Club credit card gave consumers limited credit that, at times, even surpassed the personal savings of some participants. It allowed them to buy items they usually could not afford if they were to make a straight cash purchase. It also provided the convenience and safety of not having to carry large amounts of cash.
On average, American households possess 4 credit cards or a total of 13 payment cards if debit cards and store cards are included. There are, actually, 1.3 billion payment cards of assorted types in circulation in the United States.
But, if you think that credit cards have made the lives of modern American consumers easier, you may be wrong...
Statistics show that the average credit card debt for each household in the U.S. is $4,800 per month. Also, there were 1.3 million credit card holders declaring bankruptcy in the year 2003. This figure is almost guaranteed to decrease since the change in bankruptcy law. A filer is required to pay back a portion of their debt if they are financially able. There are many other changes, mostly for the benefit of the credit card industry and you can find more information at: http://credit.about.com/cs/legal/a/040601.htm
And if you still consider yourself unaffected by credit card debt, then consider this: upon retirement, most Americans can only expect to receive about 37% percent of their annual retirement income because of prior debt payment. This will leave many individuals depending on the government, family and charity for economic survival.
These are some scary facts. So before you find yourself in a position of economic uncertainty, it might be wise to evaluate your spending and current credit card debt.
If your credit card debt exceeds what seems to be a reasonable level, you may want to consider credit card debt consolidation.
So what is credit card debt consolidation?
In a nutshell, credit card debt consolidation is taking all your credit card payments and consolidating them into one monthly payment. This way, you don't have to worry about managing the payments individually. Aside from this advantage, it may also provide you with the following additional benefits:
- Reduce interest payments - Waive late and overtime fees - Reduced monthly payments - Debt relief in a shorter time - Credit improvement - Save more money in the long run
There are actually two major types of credit card debt consolidation...
You may want to consider a Credit Card Counseling firm. They assist consumers by consolidating all their monthly payments into one single payment and then dispersing this to the creditors on behalf of the consumers.
The other type is through a home equity loan or other secured loan. This is done by exchanging an unsecured debt (such as credit card debt) for a secured debt (a debt backed by specific assets such as real estate).
Now, credit card debt consolidation isn't a magic balm that will drive all your credit card debt malaise away. But, it will make paying all your debt easier and might save you money in the long run. Definitely an alternative worth considering...
About the Author
Dan Farrell is the owner of http://www.repair-credit-right.com with information, articles and tips that will guarantee excellent credit.



Credit News


UK: Gov extends credit to cover TV, toons, vidgames: Location: Europe 2012 - UK
Chicago Tribune
The UK's film tax credit, introduced in 2006, has been confirmed until at least the end of 2015. It delivered a record $320 million to producers last year, with the vast majority going to Hollywood movies shot in Blighty. In March, the government ...

and more »

Credit Suisse Says Petersen's YPF Loan Payable Immediately
San Francisco Chronicle
May 18 (Bloomberg) -- Credit Suisse Group AG said the overdue tranche of a $1 billion loan to Argentina's Petersen Group backed by a stake in oil producer YPF SA is "payable immediately" in its second notice in seven days. Credit Suisse sent the ...

and more »

Justice Department Probe of Credit Swaps Said to Widen
Bloomberg
The US Justice Department is expanding its antitrust investigation into data provider Markit Group Ltd. to include other companies in the credit-default swap market, according to three people familiar with the matter. Investigators are asking market ...

and more »

Afterdawn.com

Sprint offers $100 trade-in credit for iPhones from competing carriers
Apple Insider
By AppleInsider Staff In an effort to drum up subscribership and advertise its unlimited data plan for the iPhone 4S, Sprint revealed on Friday that it will begin offering a $100 credit to any customer who trades in an iPhone from another carrier.
Sprint Offers $100 Credit for iPhones From Other CarriersThe Mac Observer
Sprint offers $100 credit to trade in iPhone from other carriersAfterdawn.com
Sprint to offer $100 credit iPhone trade-in promotion?Ubergizmo
The Next Web (blog)
all 18 news articles »

New York Daily News

Job No. 1 after college: Establish credit history
Chicago Tribune
But to do all of that, you need to establish something else first: your credit history. Your credit record reflects how well you've paid bills and whether you'll be financially responsible in the future. Landlords, lenders and utilities all look at ...
Website Ranks the Best Credit Cards for New GraduatesLoanSafe
TransUnion: National Credit Card Delinquency Rate Ticks Down, Reversing Two ...MarketWatch (press release)
Late payment rate on US credit cards dips in 1Q; more new cards issued to ...Washington Post
Sacramento Bee -Albany Times Union
all 303 news articles »