Balance Transfer Credit Cards: A Way To Consolidate Debt

Credit card debt is a fact of life for millions of Americans. Once you have credit card debt racked up, it can be difficult to get rid of. Balance transfer credit cards provide a solution to this problem. By understanding how they work, you can use balance transfer credit cards to help you get out of debt.

How Balance Transfer Credit Cards Work

Balance transfer credit cards allow you to transfer the amount due on other credit cards to their card. Many offer a low interest rate or a 0% APR introductory rate on the transferred amount. This way, you can avoid paying hundreds of dollars on interest. By making payments each month, you reduce the balance and save on interest expense.

Understand the Fees

Balance transfer credit cards come in many shapes and sizes. Some charge a fee to transfer balances; others do not. Some offer low interest rates for a certain period of time; others allow a fixed low interest rate on the balance until it is paid off. Certain balance transfer credit cards come with a rewards program or additional perks. While balance transfer credit cards offer a great rate on the initial transfer, some include a high interest rate on new purchases. The payments you make will first be applied toward finance charges, then the transferred amount, and finally the new purchases. Your best bet is to find a balance transfer credit card that offers 0% APR on new purchases for the length of the promotional period. You may be surprised at how may credit card issuers are offering 0% APR on both the balance transfers as well as on new purchases for up to 12 months.

Study your Finances

Before you apply for a balance transfer credit card, be sure that you understand your financial situation. Look through your credit cards and the interest rates on them. If you are carrying balances with high interest rates, you may be spending hundreds of dollars each month on interest. It could take years to pay off the initial amounts placed on the cards. By transferring the balances to a credit card with a low interest rate, you can pay off the amounts faster. Also, balance transfer credit cards allow you to consolidate your debt. Keep in mind that some balance transfer credit cards only offer a low interest rate for a certain period of time. Many cards have a high interest rate or variable interest rate that kicks in after six months or a year. If you haven't paid off the balance by then, the higher interest will continue to increase your debt and work against you. If at all possible, you will want to pay off the credit card debt that you transfer within the grace period.

Transfer Away

After you have done your research and understand your finances, you are ready to apply online for a balance transfer credit card. Pick one that suits your needs. Then set up a system to pay off the balance. Balance transfer credit cards can provide the first step toward getting out of credit card debt. By placing all of your credit card debt in one place, you can make just one easy payment each month. You also will be able to enjoy paying 0% interest for a period of time on your balances. With a little planning, you will soon be on the road to zero credit card debt and good money management

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How To Finance A Car In 5 Easy Steps

If you've ever wondered how to finance car, there are really only a few simple steps you have to follow. Car financing is very common since the average person doesn't have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on buying a car outright. The car buying process is very simple once you know the basic format. When you follow these steps, you'll be able the get the financing you need for the car that you want to buy.

1.Become familiar with your credit score

This is one of the most important steps in how to finance a car. Before you even think about borrowing money you need to know your credit score. Your credit score will let your lenders know your history with borrowing money. Frequently, there are mistakes on a credit report that will negatively influence your ability to get financing. Check your credit score and your credit report and correct any errors before you try to borrow.

2.Save a down payment

Your ability to borrow the money to pay your car is increased greatly if you place a down payment on your car. If you can manage a 20% down payment, your chances of borrowing will be very high. Even a 15% or 10% down payment can help lenders see that you are willing to put forth money to invest in yourself. Pick out your ideal car and start saving for a down payment. You'll be rewarded with a better rate and lower payments on your auto loan.

3.Get pre-approved

Many people try to go to the dealership first and then get financing, but this is doing it all backwards. It's much easier to shop for a car when you know exactly what kind of car you can afford. It's very disappointing to have your heart set on a certain car, only to be told by your bank that you can't afford it. In order to avoid this problem, why not secure the financing first? Most banks and lending institutions will arrange for you to get pre-approved for a certain amount. With this pre-approval, you'll be free to shop for the type of car that you can afford or compare rates from other institutions.

4.Shop around for your car loan

Once you get pre-approved, you can use this rate to accurately evaluate other rates from sources online or other financial services in your area. You can compare rates by using a service like www.bankrate.com or visit other banks in your area. Shopping around can give you a better idea of the best deal for you. You may be able to find a source that has a lower APR or lower monthly payments than you were initially offered.

5.Purchase your car

After all this preparation, you can finally start shopping for your car. When you purchase your car, you'll know that you've done all that you can to find the best rate. The next time you need a car you'll know exactly

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10 Reasons To Study To Work In Finance 2013

Careers take twists and turns along the way, such that there are times when a couple of career shifts are done. According to some career specialists, there are only very few careers which are exactly black and white. As such, grabbing careers which offer a clear direction is one of the most practical things to do.

Finance is a career option which offers a clear direction and a lot of options. Nobody would certainly say no to a clear career direction. Therefore, finance is a good career option to pursue. Here 10 ten reasons to work in finance.

1. Vast job opportunities. A strong employment growth for finance related jobs is predicted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics because of the increase in the need for financial transaction scrutiny, as well as the changing financial legislation.

2. Bright career path. A finance career in one of the most-focused careers which provide a clear career path. With this career, getting into a job right after graduation is not surprising. With the great amount of entry options, it will be no time at all before you start on a job.

3. Great compensation package. Finance jobs are undeniably one of the highest paid white collar jobs. Depending on the type of finance practice, the compensation is way above what most other career options offer.

4. Job comes with prestige. A finance job includes working with a company in raising money for continuous operation. This job description is prestigious in the sense that not everybody is given the chance to do this job.

5. Tasks are challenging. With a finance job, you are definitely challenged everyday with the various responsibilities that are very crucial to the company's welfare.

6. Provides continuous learning. Learning never stops with finance jobs. Every day is a new day to learn new things.

7. Takes you places. If you work for a government branch, or a private company as a finance officer or manager, you will be given the chance to go places for trainings, workshops, or simply for work.

8. Competitive. With the number of finance job vacancies and the amount of finance graduates, there is no room for slack. Since the competition is stiff, you need to be in constant updates of knowledge and skills.

9. Opportunities are long term. Unlike other careers which seem to be in demand for a certain time, finance careers are long term. For as long as companies, industries, business, and the government exist, there would always be job opportunities for finance.

10. Highly demanded. Since finance jobs are important in any company, business, or government; these jobs are deemed indispensable. As such, demands for finance jobs increases over time with industrialization and commercialization.

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