Sep/110
Beware of Low Interest Rate Credit Cards
You know when you get that offer through the post for low interest rate credit cards and you think “That’s too good to be true!” Well it could be that you are right but you might not notice it till it is costing you a lot of money.
Low interest rate credit cards normally only give out a low rate in order to capture your attention and the offer normally only lasts for around six months. After this the low interest rate credit cards become normal rate credit cards.
The secret to the low interest rate credit cards is all in the small print and how organized you are when it comes to your finances. If you are on top of your finances and you know exactly what is happening on whar date then you are more than likely in a very good position to take great advantage of low interest rate credit cards because it is a great way to purchase products and pay next to nothing in interest. BUT….You have to be organized or it can all turn bad!
Should you take advantage of low interest rate credit cards then you must read the small print in order to know when the introductory offer ends and you are back to the higher interest rate. Most last three, six or nine months. There are ways that you can keep your interest rate down and continue to get that low interest rate credit card that dropped into your mail box.
These include calling your credit card company and asking them for the lower rate that you have been offered by the new company you are thinking of transferring to, this normally kicks them into action to give you the lower rate again. You can swap from one to another and swap between two for as long as you get a good rate you can try all of these methods.
Why the beware of low interest rate credit cards? If you miss that date when it kicks into the higher interest rate then you could end up with a great deal of interest as they recoup the money that they didn’t charge you, this is why we say beware of low interest rate credit cards!
Aug/110
Credit Cards with Low Interest Rates
One of the ways that credit cards get consumers interested in their credit card products is by offering them low interest rates or low interest rate introductory offers. While low interest rates are great for consumers, do your homework so that you’re not surprised with high fees or short term low interest rates that jump sky high after the introductory period is over.
It’s hard to turn down a credit card with 0% interest, but as they say, there is no such thing as a free lunch. While credit cards with low fees are great for consumers, banks need to make their money in some way and have a way of finding revenue by adding steep fees and only offering low interest rates for the short term.
For instance, you might sign up for a credit card with 0% interest for 6 months, only to find that at the end of that period, the interest rate jumps to 15%. During the first 6 months, you used that specific card very often thinking you are getting a bargain. Unfortunately, now that your credit card balance is higher than before you will be paying a high interest rate and not getting such a great deal. If you want to avoid high interest rates and high credit card debt, avoid traps such as the one above. Low interest rates are great, but in the long run an introductory offer can hurt more than a stable low interest rate credit card.
Low interest rates that last for more than 6 months or a year are usually given to consumers with the best credit rating. If you have good credit, you can usually count on being offered good credit card rates with low fees, for people with bad or poor credit expect a moderate or high interest rate.
There are instances where consumers can use low or no interest rate introductory offers to their advantage. One is to purchase an item that you have the money for in the bank, you can easily pay it off in six months and don’t have to use your savings as it accrues interest. This might work for a high priced TV or vacation. Another instance, low or zero percent interest rates can work for you is if you have a high credit card balance on another card. You can transfer the card to the new card, no longer paying your high interest rate each month. This alone can save you a few hundred dollars over the course of six months or a year.
Mar/110
Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Balance transfer credit cards
When you have an existing debt on one of your credit cards, or have more than one credit card with a growing balance, you can switch your debts over to balance transfer credit cards and lower your interest payments. Balance transfer cards will give you a low interest rate on the balance which gives you a chance to catch up with the bills. You simply have to transfer over the debt you have on your other cards to the new one to get started.
Interest rate
Some cards will offer interest rates that are as low as 0%. While you are paying off your balance you don’t have to worry about extreme interest rates being added every month. Usually these cards that offer a 0% rate have a promotional time period of six months. If you think that you can pay back your debt within the six-month time frame, then you have absolutely nothing to lose by getting a balance transfer card.
If you don’t think that you can pay off your balance in the six-month period then you should look at other balance transfer credit cards that have a low rate for longer periods of time. You can find cards that give a very low rate, usually about 4% to 5%, for as long as 9 to 12 months. When you compare this interest rate with the one you are currently paying, it is easy to see that you will be much further ahead by getting a new balance transfer card.
There are also balance transfer cards that will give you a low interest rate for as long as the balance remains on the card. This means that you have no time limit to pay off your debt, and the interest rate that will be added to your balance monthly will be very low so you don’t have to worry about your debt growing out of control.
When you get your new card you do need to remember that there are minimum required payments that need to be made every time you get your statement. If you fail to make these payments you can lose the promotional offer and end up paying the standard rate. As long as you make your payments on time and meet the minimum requirement, you will have no problem and will be able to enjoy the low rate for as long as it lasts.
Balance transfer credit cards give debt relief where no other solution is in sight. Making a transfer is very simple, and worth the small amount of time it takes to get it completed.
Oct/100
Your Most Pressing Post-Pregnancy Questions Answered
Will I ever feel like my old self again?
The time following pregnancy and childbirth is a trying one. A lot of mothers can attest to falling into some form of post-partum depression, milder in some, more severe in others. This mostly comes from the feeling that you won’t be able to recover from the whole experience. It is indeed difficult to imagine yourself doing your usual activities when you are sore from the childbirth, you have perineum stitches, you have a fragile little baby who seems to need you every minute, you are sweating all over, your stomach is sagging, your breasts are sore, and your tummy is full of stretch marks. But hang in there. Keep your mind focused on this thought: this stage doesn’t last forever. The answer, therefore, is yes, you will regain your old self. It just takes some time. Don’t be too hard on yourself; give yourself time. Most new mothers take months to regain their momentum.
Will my tummy flatten out again?
The answer is that it depends on what you do about it. Don’t worry; your tummy won’t stay the way it looked when you got out of the hospital. After giving birth, your stomach will look like it used to when you were six months pregnant. During the first couple of weeks, however, your uterus will start going back to its original size so you will see a significant reduction in your waistline measurement. However, it takes the uterus around six weeks to fully reduce in size, so expect more reductions within the first six weeks. Feel free to start exercising to help speed up the process though. After six weeks, if you still have a sagging stomach, the rest is up to you. Doing muscle-toning exercises focused on the abdominal area will do the trick, if you have the discipline and patience to go through with it. One tip, though: exercise and try your best to tone your stomach. It will do wonders for your self-esteem, and when you regain your confidence, it will be easier for you to completely bounce back from the difficult experience you’ve just been through.
Will my stretch marks ever disappear?
Yes, stretch marks fade over time, but there is no general rule as to how long the process takes. For most women, stretch marks fade in just a few months postpartum, while in others, the process could take a year or so. While you wait, just try not to worry about it too much. You can also try using creams or lotions that are said to help remove stretch marks; there are some products that are actually effective in lightening up those pregnancy marks. If they don’t work fast, you’ll still feel better if you know that you’re doing something about the problem than just frowning at the mirror.
Can I regain my pre-pregnancy weight?
Yes, many women have proven that this is possible, although majority of women don’t succeed. The answer, of course, lies in you. Although you will lose a significant amount of pregnancy weight during the first weeks postpartum, you will retain at least a portion of the weight you put on. As your body goes back to its normal state and as you resume your old eating habits, your weight will re-develop a life of its own; that is, separate from your pregnancy. Wait at least one month to let the pregnancy weight shed off on its own. If you still have a lot of unwanted fat to deal with after that, then it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Enrolling in a gym (if you have time) or doing home workouts will help you achieve your postpartum weight goals.
Aug/100
Various Car Insurance Options Available For Young Drivers
Most insurance companies tread carefully when it comes to providing cheap car insurance for young drivers. The rates are usually higher considering the risks associated with a 17 or 18 year old driving for the first time and the safety of many individuals have to be considered. Also it is widely known that young drivers are highly risk prone and susceptible to accidents.
In order to avoid high premiums associated with these policies, be wise and go through a number of quotes before purchasing any insurance. There are options such as flexible coverage which contain provisions for modifications in premium later on. Policy holders can go in for a lower coverage and further build up on it when they can afford more.
The best way to assess your insurance needs is to contact an insurance agent, especially one who deals with young drivers insurance and follow his advice to lessen the premium and overall cost of car insurance.
Fact is that there are some insurance companies out there who are ready to provide cheap car insurance for drivers considering all the risks present. You need to take time and find them.
Two teenage drivers maybe offered different rates by the same insurance company for simple reasons of their cars being different or one of them has a driving experience of less than 3 years.
Drivers can take advantage of discounts in premiums available for short distance commute to school or work, good grades in school etc. Some teenagers may have undergone a safe or defensive driving course which also entitles them to a discount.
Rule out unnecessary ‘collision’ coverage in case your vehicle is an old and battered type. Monthly withdrawal of premium amounts from your account ensures less billing expenses. You could also consider paying premiums in advance like for a year or six months, again to reduce billing fees.
Some teenage drivers get their cars insured along with their parent’s car insurance to take advantage of multi car discounts. But the feasibility of doing so should be checked out with the parent’s agent and a comparison should be made with the option of the young driver going in for a ‘solo’ policy.