Do you know what to do if your credit cards or ATM cards are stolen? You might be surprised at how many people do not.All consumers should know that the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) offer procedures if your cards are lost or stolen.In general, here is what you should do:You should report the loss or theft of your credit card or ATM card to the card issuers as soon as possible. This is easy to do as...more
Just like a regular savings account, a money market account is a type of savings account that is offered by banks and credit unions. The main difference is that money market accounts will usually pay higher interest, have higher minimum balance requirements, and often they only allow three to six withdrawals from the account per month. With most market money accounts you are also allowed to write checks on the account.If the account is held in a...more
Many consumers have found that putting money into CD's (certificate of deposit) accounts is a good way to earn additional interest over regular savings accounts. Just like the regular savings account that most of us are familiar with, money that you put into a CD will earn interest, and usually it will earn more interest than a simple savings account.One major difference between a regular savings account and a CD is that the money that you put into a CD has to remain in the bank or credit union for a specified amount of time in order to earn the full amount of interest. You can take the money out of a CD but you will have to pay a penalty.The basic rule of thumb for CD's is to not use money that you believe you will need to use before the maturity date. In other words, you should only buy into a CD if you can afford to leave the money alone for the amount of time required.All certificates of deposit will have a maturity date. This is the date when you can withdraw the money without having to pay a penalty. The length of time for CD's varies, so make sure you understand what you are buying. In the event you should need to cash out the CD before it matures, most banks will charge an...more
Most consumers have heard of Chapter 7 bankruptcy but there is another type known as Chapter 13. This article details some of the differences between the two and how they may affect someone who has to file.There are many differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, but the main difference between Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 is Chapter 13 often allows...more
Most consumers realize that there is a relationship between their debt and their credit reports. The truth is there are several relationships between a consumer's debt and his or her credit reports and ultimately the credit score that is calculated using the credit reports. Knowing more about how these issues relate to each other can be an...more
Credit card debt reduction services are becoming more popular as more people find themselves in financial trouble. Consumers who believe that credit card debt reduction services may be an option for them should first do some homework. Two things are important before signing up with any company. The first is to know exactly what it is you need done with your credit so that you can work with the right kind of company. The second thing to do is to make sure that you are going to be working with a reputable and honest company.It may sound like common sense for consumers to know what they need before signing up with a company, but there is often more to it than we think. The first issue that consumers usually have to deal with is the many names that are used by companies offering to help with credit debt. In some cases, the area of expertise is apparent, but in other cases the expertise of the company may not be so easily understood.If taken purely on face value, there are big differences between companies that offer debt consolidation loans and those that offer debt counseling. Then there are those that offer debt repair service. In some cases, there can be a mix in that one company...more
Most people are familiar with the word bankruptcy, but many do not know much about Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This article deals with some of the more common issues associated with this particular form of bankruptcy.First of all, Chapter 7 is the most...more
Debt repair companies can do wonders for some consumers but as with all things associated with money, consumers should be careful before signing up.Consumers should begin by understanding that there are differences between credit counselors and...more
There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about sub-prime mortgages and how they are affecting the housing market as well as some of the other economic sectors. Many consumers may be wondering just what are sub-prime mortgages. It is a fair...more
Internet marketing has come a long way in a short time. With tons of competition just a click away you need to have an Internet marketing strategy that works. Try these 8 tips for successful Internet marketing.1. Get on top of the search heap. ...more
Part of owning a home business is providing customer service to your clients. There is a great deal of information that can be helpful when providing customer service. One issue that should be addressed is managing customer complaints for your home...more
One of the important things you need to consider when you look into network marketing is choosing a good Multi-level marketing company. There are many companies out there but not all of them are legal and above board. Some are run by rank amateurs...more