Two Simple Ways to Boost Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage

About a month ago, I cautioned readers to avoid swiping the credit card before applying for a mortgage.

In short, the more you charge, the higher your outstanding balances. And the higher your balances, the lower your available credit and credit score will be.

That’s pretty straightforward stuff, but it may not apply to everyone because some folks may want a higher credit score despite making very few credit purchases.

However, there’s yet another way to give your credit scores a boost without simply doing nothing.

Increase Your Credit Limits

I’m talking about increasing credit card limits, something that is very easy (and fast) to accomplish thanks to the many credit card management tools now at our fingertips.

If you visit just about any credit card issuer’s website, you should be able to find an area to increase your credit limit online.

Put simply, you enter the desired amount you’d like (e.g. $10,000 if your current limit is $5,000) or you simply ask for an increase and get what you get and don’t get upset.

When it comes to credit card issuer Discover, you simply enter your gross annual income, employer name, and monthly housing/rent payment. Then they present you with your new credit line. It can take as little as a few seconds to get your new line of credit.

With other issuers, such as American Express, you are asked to enter your desired credit limit and then hope they extend it to you. Apparently you can get 3x your starting limit with little trouble.

So if you started with $5,000, you could get it increased to $15,000 simply by visiting the American Express website and filling out an online form.

The underlying goal of such moves is to lower your credit utilization, which is the percentage of credit you’re actively using at any given time.

A lower utilization, similar to a lower debt-to-income ratio, is viewed favorably.

So imagine you have that American Express credit card with a $5,000 limit.

If you currently have a $2,500 balance, even if it’ll be paid off on time and not revolved, you’re essentially using 50% of your available credit. This isn’t a good thing when it comes to credit.

You may actually want to keep your utilization below 25%, in this case, no more than $1,250, again, even if you pay it off in full by the due date.

But what if you naturally charge a lot on your credit cards each month, despite paying all of them off every month? What can you do to keep utilization low?

Well, if your credit limit happened to be $10,000 instead of $5,000, that $2,500 balance would only represent 25% utilization.

In other words, all you have to do is ask for higher credit limits, instead of spending less. Of course, spending less will sweeten the deal and ideally push your credit score even higher.

Tip: It’s easier to get credit limit increases approved if your balances are low because you’re viewed as a lower risk customer.

Pay Off Your Existing Balances

In conjunction with this tip, you can pay down any balances you may have, assuming you don’t pay your credit cards in full each month.

If implemented together, you can get higher limits and reduce balances, which will be a one-two punch in the credit utilization department.

So using our same example, if the person with the $2,500 balance lets it float from month to month and only has a $5,000 credit limit, imagine if they got a higher limit and started paying it down.

They could push their utilization down from 50% to say 15% if they got the limit increased to $10,000 and paid $1,000 off the balance.

These actions should result in a higher credit score, which generally means a better mortgage rate if you apply for a home loan.

Additionally, smaller credit card balances mean you’ll have more of your income available to use toward a mortgage payment. So you may actually be able to qualify for a larger mortgage and/or buy more house.

The only caveat here is that a credit limit increase request could result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which could ding your credit slightly. It’s temporary, but could offset some of the expected gains of a higher limit.

So either request the higher limits several months in advance of applying for a mortgage, or ask the credit card issuer if it will result in a hard or soft pull before making the request. If it’s the latter, it won’t harm your credit score.

In any case, you’ll want to approach mortgage lenders with the highest credit score possible to ensure you have the best chance of approval and obtain the lowest interest rate.

source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Do Credit Repair Services Actually Work?

If your credit score is suffering, you’ll do practically anything to repair it. However, there are all sorts of scams out there that claim to improve your score. How are you supposed to know the difference? When you come across credit repair services on the internet, it’s not easy to know whether you’re looking at something legitimate.

Of course, credit repair services cost money as well, so you have to question whether they’re even worth it. Is it such a big deal to have a poor credit score? Well, we’re going to break this down for you today, and provide you with the information you need to know about credit repair services.

What Are Credit Repair Services?

A credit repair service is there to try and right the wrongs on your credit report. They’ll analyze your credit score to find out why it’s so low, and then try and improve it. They are experts in their field, so they know all the tricks of the trade and they’ll do their best to turn the problem around. In some cases, it might just be as simple as rectifying wrongs like basic errors in your personal information. Not many of us truly understand how credit works and what goes on the report, so these companies are there to help us out.

Why Do I Need To Repair My Credit, Anyway?

Good question! If you aren’t sure why you need to repair your credit, it’s a sure sign that you shouldn’t be trying to handle this task by yourself. Your credit is one of the most important things you need to get right. In the future, when you’re planning to buy houses or take out big loans, you credit score will come into play. If it isn’t up to scratch, you’ll miss out on many opportunities. But don’t fear! A poor credit score comes about as a result of failing to make payments. If this rarely happens to you, your credit score will probably be quite good! However, if you struggle to pay on time, your credit rating will slowly begin to decline. Eventually, it’ll get out of hand, and it’s a good idea to use a credit repair service before you get to that point.


I’ve Heard About Scams…

It’s true that some companies trading as “credit repair services” are merely a scam to provide false hope. Spotting one of these companies is simple as long as you know what you’re doing. Do you research ahead of time and read reviews about the company you intend to contact. For example, a quick glance of Sky Blue Credit Repair reviews shows plenty of positive feedback. You should never be in a position to get scammed as long as you’re taking the right measures to prepare in advance.


How Can They Help Me?

The most obvious way that a credit repair company can help is to speed up the process of improving your credit score. As previously mentioned, they can spot certain mistakes or errors which they can then challenge with the credit bureaus. You can’t always guarantee a positive result, even when the professionals are involved. Some services offer money back guarantees in case they can’t make any real progress. In a nutshell, these companies are there to do everything they can to clean up your credit score by identifying areas of improvement. They are a quick way of solving the problem, and they’ll be able to give you tips to manage your credit more effectively in the future.


Where Can I Find Them?

You’ll find the majority of credit repair services online. A quick Google search will present a vast number of potential options for you to consider, but remember what we’ve already spoken about. Before you go contacting anyone for assistance, make sure you do your research. What you’ll find in the listings of a search engine is not always reputable. As long as you’ve checked reviews beforehand and ensured it’s the right solution for you, you’ll get value for money.

So, it’s clear that credit repair services do work. The key factor in all of this is making sure you do the right preparation beforehand. You take it seriously with the right amount of care, as a good credit score is such an important thing to have. Even if you don’t intend to use it much right now, it’ll affect your future for things like mortgages and loans. Do what it takes to repair your credit score now, and you won’t ever have to worry about it when the time comes.

source: 20smoney.com

Why do I have a bad credit score and how to improve it?

It isn’t nice being rejected by a lender. You may have set your heart on a holiday or new car, or simply want to roll all of your monthly payments into one, but your plans could be wrecked if you have a bad credit score. When you get that credit rejection, it’s highly likely that there’s something the bank or other lender is seeing on your credit record which is acting as a big red flag. This can seem like the end of the world: a big setback that has wrecked your plans and put you back at square one.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK suffer from poor or bad credit records and many of them have been able to take concrete steps to fix them. And once you have put yourself back on a sound footing with your credit record, it’s just a matter of discipline to ensure that you continue to manage your finances wisely and ultimately get access to more mainstream credit again.

What is a bad credit score?

The three major UK-based credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax and CallCredit – maintain data on every borrower in the country as well as records on utility and insurance accounts as well as mobile phone contracts. The information held on each person includes a list of existing and past addresses, the history of payments on each credit account going back six years and whether those payments have regularly been made on time. If a person has any defaults registered against them, county court judgements (CCJs) or bankruptcies, this information will also be recorded on his or her credit record.

Anybody has the right to see their credit record. An individual can can apply to one or all of the reference agencies for a copy of the record in return for a small fee. Alternatively, all three of the agencies offer online subscription services where you get access to your credit record as it is updated every month. Once you get hold of your report, you should be able to spot exactly where you’re having trouble and what constitutes a bad credit record.

While you will be able to see immediately where your payments have been late or you have defaulted, figuring out how the agencies and lenders use the data can be more difficult. These organisations use a credit score – usually a figure between 300 and 900 although this can vary – which represents the risk that a particular individual might pose to a lender. In short, the lower the score, the higher the risk, while those with the best credit scores will have higher figures registered against them. Furthermore, that degree of risk might be expressed by one or more of the agencies as ‘very poor’, ‘poor’, ‘fair’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. If you have a rating of somewhere between 300 and 400 then this might be classed as ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ while those with scores of between 650 and 900 may be judged to be ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ risks.

If you are in the bottom categories, then you may well find it difficult getting accepted for most mainstream forms of credit. These include loans, bank account overdrafts, mobile phone contracts and credit cards. In some circumstances, utility companies may be reluctant to set up new contracts and offer you pre-paid accounts instead.

There are some lenders who will offer credit to people in these categories but these may come with higher interest charges, lower capital sums and, occasionally, conditions about security or guarantors.

If your score is somewhere north of 400 but below 600, you will probably be classed as a moderate risk by lenders. That means that you will have access to loans and credit cards but you will probably face higher interest rates and lower credit limits than people with good or excellent records.

Those with the best credit records will be accepted for most or all loans that they apply for and will benefit from the lowest interest charges.

How to Improve Things
It is eminently possible to repair a bad credit score given time and good financial management. While there is no magic bullet, the experience of thousands of other people proves that even those with the worst credit records can find themselves back in the ‘excellent’ category within one to two years if they stick to some fairly simple steps:

    1. Always repaying on time, every time

Financial mistakes don’t stay on your record forever. They only last for a maximum of six years and so long as you make your repayments on time from this point on, this will start to outweigh any of the negatives on your record which will gradually get pushed down the list over time.

   2. Close accounts that you don’t use

Paying off loans or credit cards when you can afford to is sound financial management. It’s no good saving money if you have got debts that you can afford to clear. Rather than spending money on something you don’t actually need, look at the cards that you may have reached your credit limit on. If you pay these off or substantially reduce them, this will reduce your debt to income ratio and this is one of the most effective ways of improving your credit score quickly.

   3.  Consider a guarantor loan

While it may not be obvious, a guarantor loan is a great way to rebuild a bad credit record. It works because a borrower uses the good record of somebody else to borrow the money they need – be that person a family member or friend. This guarantor is the security that the loan will be repaid and will be liable to make repayments if the applicant slips up. But the great thing about guarantor loans is that every time the borrower makes a repayment on time, this goes on his or her credit record and will gradually improve even the worst record.

   4. Choose the right credit card

There are plenty of credit cards out there designed specifically for people with poor or bad credit records. These may be advertised as ‘credit builder’ or ‘credit repair’ cards. They are generally offered with higher interest rates and lower credit limits than other, more mainstream cards, but they give people the opportunity to build up a record of financial discipline by making repayments on time.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with technology-led finance broker Solution Loans, who were consulted over the information in this post.

source: 20smoney.com

Will a Change in FICO Make it Easier to Get a Mortgage?

Somehow it doesn’t seem fair that so much can depend on a single number. Your credit score, whether from TransUnion, Experian or Fair Isaacson Corporation (FICO), can make the difference between owning your own home and renting. It can also cost (or save) you tens of thousands of dollars on interest, since lenders set your rate to reflect the quality of your credit score.

When it comes to mortgages, FICO is the score that matters most. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set standards like credit requirements, and since they prefer FICO, lenders comply. It also helps that these two government-chartered companies have programmed credit score requirements into the automated underwriting programs they provide to lenders.

What many borrowers don’t realize, though, is that the algorithms behind their credit scores are not static. They are updated from time to time, and those updates can impact your mortgage.

The Process of Modernizing Credit Reporting

In recent years, as credit reporting companies have improved and updated their models to reflect how consumers use their credit, Fannie and Freddie have been slow to comply, in part because of the difficulty and cost of changing their automated underwriting programs.

Fannie balked at using the newest model, FICO Score 9, which was introduced 2014 and provides fairer treatment for those consumers whose scores have been lowered by medical bill collection accounts in their credit files or who have files with scant information because they make little or no use of the traditional banking system. According to Fair Isaacson, which owns FICO, applicants whose only major negatives are medical collections stand to see their FICO scores improve by a median 25 points.

Pressure is mounting on the two companies to modernize their credit standards, both from Congress and a directive from the federal agency that oversees Fannie and Freddie. Look for these changes in the near future.

How Trended Credit Data Will Save the Day

By mid-year 2016, Fannie Mae will begin incorporating trended credit data into its automated underwriting platform. No longer will lenders be limited to making an approval decision on the basis of a single score.

Trended credit data will enhance the static snapshot of a consumer’s credit balances with 24 months of historical data, such as payment and balance. It will help lenders examine and consider how consumers are managing their credit accounts over time. Today, lenders can see consumers’ existing balances on accounts and whether they have paid their bills on time; however, they cannot tell if consumers are consistently carrying debt loads on revolving accounts such as credit cards, or whether they pay their balances in full every month.

For example, a consumer with a large credit card balance who pays it off in full every month could be a better credit risk than a consumer with a large credit card balance who makes only the minimum payment each month. And for consumers who don’t have a large amount of available credit, but pay their balances every month, trended credit data may help originators determine if they are a good credit risk and better their ability to obtain a mortgage loan.

“For some consumers who don’t have a large amount of available credit, but pay their balances every month, trended data may potentially improve their ability to obtain a mortgage by providing lenders with a more complete picture of their credit behavior over time,” Crabtree said.” said Craig Crabtree, General Manager of Equifax Mortgage Services, which will provide the trended data.[1]

Alternative Credit Scores May Be an Option

Legislation was introduced late last year by two powerful members of the House Banking Committee that would require federal regulators and the GSEs to adopt alternatives to FICO that are more inclusive and updated models that incorporate non-banking forms of credit, such as rent, utilities, and cellphone payments to supplement a standard credit file.

If passed, the legislation would allow lenders to use scores from FICO’s competitor, VantageScore, which claims it can provide scores on as many as 35 million consumers, many of whom didn’t have enough credit history to have a score. Many are young, just starting out in their careers. Disproportionately, they are minorities.

Even if the legislation doesn’t pass, it will put serious pressure on the GSEs to modernize their credit reporting policies in the near future.

source: totalmortgage.com

All You Need to Know About Rapid Rescore

Upon first hearing about Rapid Rescore, you might be quick to lump it with all those other credit fix companies vying for your attention. However, Rapid Rescore is not just another company–it is actually a service provided by mortgage lenders and brokers. It is designed to help you improve your credit score within a very short timeframe so that you can secure a home loan at more favorable rates.

What is Rapid Rescore and how does it work?

When you first apply for a home loan, the bank, financial institution or mortgage broker of your choosing will check your credit. If your credit is excellent, then you normally have nothing to worry about.

But if your credit does not meet a certain minimum requirement, which varies by lender, you may receive a home loan at a higher interest rate, or you may be denied one. Sometimes, even a difference of 20 points can mean the difference between securing a home loan and being denied.

There are many things you can do to improve your credit over time, but credit bureaus often don’t make the appropriate adjustments for several months. Positive changes to your credit score may not be immediately apparent to those checking your credit for the purpose of securing a loan. However, utilizing the Rapid Rescore service may help you get an improved credit score within just a few days time.

When you use Rapid Service, you will receive a list of possible actions you can take to improve your credit score quickly, such as disputing certain items that appear to be incorrect, like a balance that still shows even though it was paid. Paying off balances can also make a big improvement in your score.

Once you have completed some of the actions, the Rapid Rescore service will submit proof to the credit reporting agencies, enabling the score adjustment to be reflected quickly.

Are there fees involved?

Although Rapid Rescore is a service provided by your mortgage broker or lender, there may sometimes be a small fee involved in using the service. However, some lenders may not require you to pay the fee, and even if they do, the service can often save you much more money in the long run.

How is Rapid Rescore different from a credit repair service?

Credit repair services more often than not attempt simply to eliminate damaging criteria from your credit report, regardless of whether the information is accurate. This is often done without your involvement, and typically takes longer than just a few days. Rapid Rescore works with you in a more beneficial manner, helping you to raise your credit score by 20 to 150 points.

The Rapid Rescore service might even help with a bankruptcy note by acquiring favorable notes from creditors, which will help mortgage lenders better make their decision.

When seeking a home loan, remember that only legitimate mortgage lenders and brokers can provide you with the Rapid Rescore service. If you are successful in raising your credit score, you may even be able to afford a higher mortgage.

source: totalmortgage.com

Raise Your Credit Score with These Tips

When it comes to getting a good deal on a mortgage, your credit score may be even more important to you than you realize.

It’s one of the three most important metrics lenders use to decide whether or not to approve your mortgage application; the higher your score, the more confident they are that you will make your monthly payments on time. Most home buyers don’t know how much their credit scores impact the mortgage rates they will pay.

Let’s play with some numbers.* A $250,000, 30-year fixed mortgage will require monthly payment of principal and interest of $1,527, for a borrower with a 620 score. That’s a total of $299,821 of total interest paid over thirty years.

If you have a better credit score of 700, you are considered a less risky borrower. You can expect to pay $1,313 monthly for a total of $222,689. If you have an extremely favorable credit score of 780, you fall into the top-tier range of borrowers, and lenders will likely offer you a lower mortgage rate along with more loan choices. Your monthly payment will be $1,280 for a total of $210,681.

Here are some tips to help you get your credit under control and turn it into an asset if it is a liability today.

Start now. Credit scores don’t change overnight. If you plan to buy a home a year from now, you need to get to work immediately in order to get your credit in shape by the time you apply.

Do a reality check. Order your credit histories from the three primary credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and Transunion. Review them for accuracy. You’ll see immediately how detrimental making a payment that is late by only a few days can be to your credit.

If you see errors that you can document, ask for them to he removed. Take note of any really serious marks against you like foreclosure, bankruptcy, tax liens and collections actions. If you have any of these, they will remain on your record for five to seven years and you will have to work extra hard to improve every other aspect of your credit to qualify. Sign up for a service that will notify you of changes in your credit.

Pay your bills on time. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current. Sign up for a “wallet” program through your bank or online service. Pay your bills through your bank so that there is no delay.

With today’s technology, there is no excuse for ever making a late payment to a regular monthly creditor. The longer you pay your bills on time after being late, the more your FICO Scores should increase. Older credit problems count for less, so poor credit performance won’t haunt you forever. The impact of past credit problems on your FICO Scores fades as time passes and as recent good payment patterns show up on your credit report

Reduce your use of credit. Most people use their credit too much. Create a budget and learn to live on a cash basis. Use your credit cards only for purchases you can pay off quickly or for emergencies. Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit”; high outstanding debt can affect a credit score.

Don’t close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your scores, but don’t open new credit cards just to increase your available credit. Reducing your balances is important, but taking the next step and closing cards won’t really improve your case; lenders like to see that you have credit available. A closed account remains on your credit report.

Especially, do not close your oldest credit card account. A long history of using and making monthly payments will improve your score. However, this is certainly not the time to open new credit cards. New accounts will lower your average account age, which will have a larger effect on your scores if you don’t have a lot of other credit information. Rapid account buildup can look risky if you are a new credit user.

Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit”. This is also not the time to make large purchases. Rather reduce your outstanding debt by increasing your monthly payments. If making minimum payments has been your practice, stop now and pay more.

Have credit cards – but manage them responsibly.
In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and paying timely payments) will rebuild your credit scores. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.

Don’t relax until you have closed on your new home. Mortgage lenders often pull the credit history of a customer the day before they close. If there is a significant change in their FICO or a new purchase that raises their debt, they are within their rights to raise the interest rate or cancel the mortgage altogether. Don’t relax until they hand you the keys to your new house.



*These are for demonstration purposes only. Your numbers may differ.

source: totalmortgage.com

A Few Easy Ways for You to Improve Your Credit Score

Few people truly understand credit scores. This isn’t surprising, since the algorithm used for the calculation of a credit score are so complex that only a computer can perform them. Most people want to figure out how to improve their credit score, and this leads to a number of questions. Those questions (and their answers) are below, as well as five great ways to help you improve your score.

Questions (and Answers) People Have about Improving Their Credit Score

• Should I hire a credit repair company in order to improve my score? No, you can do it yourself and save money.
• Will my score improve if I get married? No, your score is personal.
• Will my score improve if I make regular payments on time? Yes, this is one of the most important ways to increase your score.
•  

Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which you can improve your score.

1. Get Rid of Any Issues

This is a slightly sneaky trick, but if it works, it’s worth it. Ask for a copy of your credit report and officially file a dispute against each of the negative marks on there. Chances are that the credit of at least one of them will not respond, which means the credit bureau will remove it. Of course, do also check whether there are any marks on there that actually need contesting.

2. Ask for an Increased Credit Line

If you have a higher credit line, then your credit utilization ratio will also improve. This is because you will use a smaller percentage of your actual limit. As a result, your credit score will improve. With credit cards, you can usually request an increase without them checking your credit score. It is always worth asking, therefore. However, if they want to do a credit check, cancel your application because that will give you a new negative mark.

3. Pay Your Debt

You have to make sure you have as little debt as possible on your file. The less debt you have, the better your credit utilization ratio. The best way, but not the quickest way, to achieve this is by paying your debt. Always pay the debt with the highest interest rates first, as that will improve your credit utilization ratio the quickest.

4. Use the Credit Card as Little as Possible

You may think that you are doing the right thing by always paying off your credit card, but your score is calculated on your balance once a month. If that happens to be the day before you pay your balance, it will actually look bad on you. Hence, use your credit card as little as possible so that your balance is good.

5. Keep Your Eye on New Tips

There are always new tips out there and you should check them out. Follow things like https://123moneyhelp.com/blog to be kept up to date with these new tips. All in all, this will help you improve your score.

source: marriedwithdebt.com

Eliminate Financial Stress With A Personal Line Of Credit

There are plenty of reasons you might find yourself in some financially dangerous waters. You might have had to run your child to emergency care and are left to deal with the subsequent bill; you could be in between work contracts and come up short for your next utility bill. Whatever the case may be, sometimes you aren’t prepared for what life throws at you – through no fault of your own. But that doesn’t make the reality of being strapped for cash any less harsh. When you find yourself momentarily short on money, do you know where you can turn?

Not everyone is blessed with family or friends who can help you balance the check book when you’re in need of some help. Even if it’s just $300 to smooth out the edges until your next contract starts up again, that can be out of your (and your social circle’s) abilities. Luckily, there’s an organization that you can turn to and no – it’s not the bank. In order to secure a loan with your local financial institution, you have to jump through hoops and hurdles just to speak with a bank representative, after which you’ll have to wait weeks while they review your application and credit score. When you’re bills are due in a few days, you can’t afford to wait and play by the bank’s schedule.

The alternative that you’re looking for is a personal line of credit with an accredited direct online lender. These lenders understand the importance of having cash for when you need it, so they’ve developed a process whereby your application won’t have to go through credit bureaus and other institutions before it’s approved. As opposed to the average traditional lender, they’re the lender that directly approves and facilitates your loan. By cutting down on the middle man, they can give you your loan that much faster.

A direct online lender like MoneyKey can approve your application quickly and deposit your approved limit in just 24 short hours. The limit of a personal line of credit from MoneyKey depends on your state of residence, as they pride themselves in following the rules and regulations provided by the state. That’s because they want to set you up with the appropriate tools for responsible lending habits. By following state sanction laws and providing you with information regarding online lines of credit, they want you to flourish. They don’t want you to take out a line of credit amount higher than you can reasonably pay back any more than you do.

Having a line of credit for whenever you find yourself short on cash (be it when your child is in the hospital or when you’re a couple of weeks away from the start of another contract), can take a stressful situation and make it more manageable. When you finance your credit with a responsible direct online lender, you can trust that you’re covered for when life puts a crick in your budget.

source: christianfinanceblog.com

The Fastest Forms of Loans

Loans aren’t always easy to find. If you need the money quickly, you can’t go to a bank because the application process could take weeks. You can’t go to a building society for the same reason. There are alternatives, though.

Let’s discuss some of the fastest forms of loan.

Payday Loans


Payday loans are always going to be the quickest loans because there are no credit checks involved. All you have to do is tell them how much you need and how long you want to borrow the money for.

The interest rates are high, which is the big downside, but if you need the money within a few hours there’s no faster way to get that money.

There are plenty of payday loans companies around, so do your research and see which one offers you the best deal.

Credit Cards


Credit cards are another easy way to get money fast. If you have a good credit score and own one of the top cards, you can benefit from the ability to borrow a couple thousand dollars with no questions asked. The terms of repayment are generally fairer than payday loans, but your credit score does come into it.

What if you don’t have the score to get one of the better credit cards, though?

There are still options available to you. One option is to take out a credit card for those who have bad credit. You can borrow small amounts of money with no questions asked, which is still a superior option to going to a bank.

Person-to-Person Lending

The final option that would fall under the definition of ‘quick’ is to lend from someone you already know, such as a family member or a friend. The chances are you won’t be able to borrow as much money, and you will have to make a conscious effort to repay on-time, but it’s often the case where you can get money without any interest attached.

Another variation of this is crowdfunding. We wouldn’t recommend this because it does take much longer to get funded, and there are no guarantees you’ll actually get the money, but on the other hand you don’t have to pay the money back.

Conclusion

The best ways to get money fast is to either use your credit card or to take out a loan with a payday loan company. Just make sure you always consider the financial implications of taking out a loan. Ensure you have the means to pay back the money on-time.

source: christianfinanceblog.com

What is an FHA loan?

In 1934, the long road to recovery began for the U.S. economy. For the housing market, this meant the creation of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan.

The loans issued under this program are insured by the federal government, decreasing the risk of loss for lenders. With its less stringent rules, more borrowers were able to qualify, which gave a boost to the housing market.

Much has changed since 1934, but the FHA loan has basically remained the same. Here are eight things to know about this government-backed mortgage.

1. Down payment as low as 3.5%

Unlike most conventional mortgages, which require 5-20% down*, the FHA loan can have a down payment requirement as low as 3.5%. This makes it much easier for lower income borrowers to purchase a home. There are even government-assisted programs available that offer grants for down-payments.

*Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now offer a conventional mortgage program that requires 3% down.

2. Perfect credit isn’t needed

When making any large purchase, your credit score is an important number. When it comes to FHA loans, a credit score of 580 or higher will get you a down payment around 3.5%.

If you have a credit score between 500 and 579, you’ll have to put at least 10% down. For those with credit scores under 500, unless you qualify for “nontraditional credit history or insufficient credit”, you will probably not qualify for an FHA loan.

Also, if you have ever made an appearance on the governments’s Credit Alert Interactive Verification Reporting System (CAIVRS), you will have to clear your name to become eligible for an FHA loan.

3. Financial relief is possible

If the borrower is struggling to make their mortgage payments due to a legitimate financial hardship, the lender can choose to offer a temporary period of forbearance, a loan modification, or a deferral of part of the loan balance.

4. Lender must be FHA-approved

While the FHA does insure the loans, they don’t lend them, so borrowers must find an FHA-approved lender. Just like with conventional loans, lenders will offer different interest rates and fees on identical loan types.

5. Two-part mortgage insurance is required

All FHA loans require two mortgage insurance premiums. There’s an upfront premium, paid once the borrower receives the loan, which is 1.75% of the total loan amount.

Then there is the annual premium, whose title is somewhat deceiving as it’s paid on a monthly basis. The length of the loan, the amount borrowed, and the initial loan-to-value ratio (LTV) all affect how much a borrower will have to pay.

6. Funds for a fixer-upper are available 

The FHA’s 203k loan is geared specifically toward buyers who plan to purchase and renovate their home. Structural alterations, modernization and improvements to the home’s function, a roof replacement, and septic system repair are all eligible projects, along with many others.

7. No closing costs are possible

Closing costs are another upfront fee that can be challenging for some borrowers to pay. Recognizing this fact, the FHA permits sellers/builders/lenders to offer deals around closing costs.

8. Loan could be assumable

FHA loans can be assumable, meaning a buyer will purchase the home and take on the mortgage of the current owner. Everything is the same: the rate, the repayment period, the principal balance.

In the right circumstances, this process can be simpler and less costly than getting a new mortgage. It’s particularly attractive when rates are rising.

If an FHA loan sounds like the option for you, click here and get started today.

source: totalmortgage.com

How a former 'credit card-aholic' got out of debt

MANILA – When a bank offers you a credit card with a P200,000 credit limit, annual fees free for life, and only proof of employment as requirement, will you accept it?

For then-office employee Aldwin Tanjutco, who admitted that his salary wasn’t enough to buy the things he wanted, the decision was easy.

“I felt empowered because I’ll be able to buy already the things that I want to buy even without earning money first. It gave me the illusion of cash, cash that I don’t even have — unlimited cash. With the card, I just spend and spend and spend,” he told ANC’s “On The Money.”

Tanjutco said he had second thoughts on using his credit card for purchasing items, but he gave in to the temptation to spend.

The high credit limit, unfortunately, became a spending target for Tanjutco.

“I thought about it, but the temptation of spending overcame the intention on how I’m going to pay for it,” he said.

In just five months, Tanjutco maxed out his credit card and found himself in huge debt. He also started to incur a large amount of interest because he wasn’t able to pay his monthly dues.

“I am spending more than I’m earning, so I wasn’t able to pay it in full, in fact I was only paying the minimum. Sometimes, even below the minimum. So you can imagine just how much interest they are charging,” he said.

He began paying off a chunk of his debts with mid-year and Christmas bonuses, and when he felt that he could handle his debt, he asked the bank to increase his credit limit.

His credit limit was increased to P230,000, which for Tanjutco, meant he could spend more.

When Tanjutco again found himself struggling to pay off his monthly bill, collecting agents began calling him, which made him realize the serious situation he put himself in.

Tanjutco said he was given a 25 percent discount to make it easier for him to pay off his debt in a 12-month period.

He learned that credit cards can be your friends, if you know how to use your credit wisely.

The next time Tanjutco applied for a credit card, however, he was denied because of his bad credit.

To clear his bad record, he sought the help of the Financial Consumer Affairs Group of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“I felt relieved because finally there was hope that I can clear my bad record in terms of credit score. After a day of two, a BSP director emailed me and forwarded my letter to the concerned bank,” Tanjutco said.

“I realized that I shouldn’t spend what I couldn’t pay for. I should spend below my means. If I have debts, 20 percent of what I earn, I just maintain it at that level so that I can manage it,” he added.

Tanjutco, who is now a business owner, admits that he still has debt, but now he knows how to manage it well.

“I felt empowered. I cannot say that I am 100 percent financially free, but I feel that I am moving towards what my goal is,” he said.

Abraham Co, board member at Credit Information Corp., advised consumers that being aware that there is consequence to how you behave financially, will change behavior.

“If you think that there is no consequence and you can get away with this, then you will continue your bad habits. But if you value your future, and know that there would be consequence, then that will change behavior,” he told "On The Money."

Credit Information Corp. board member Suzanne Felix, meanwhile, said credit card owners should be more responsible in their spending to protect their credit record.

“It’s about time as borrowers that we develop that sense of responsibility. The banks are doing their part, so the borrowers should also be doing their part,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to Improve a Bad Credit Score

There’s a lot of talk, especially with the debt free movements (which are great, btw), about credit scores. Some people will tell you that credit scores are only important if you plan on taking out debt. Other people, like me, know that they are used for so much more.

In fact, beyond getting a good interest rate on a loan your credit score is used in determining your insurance premiums and can be a factor on rental and job applications.

Having a good credit score can save you a TON of money. And luckily, credit scores aren’t permanent. It will take some time to raise a low one, but it can be done.

Here’s how to improve a bad credit score.

First, Know Where You Stand

Let’s treat this like a game. It makes the process more fun. Before you begin to work on improving your credit score let’s see where you stand.

You can get a completely free credit score from Credit Karma here. There are no gimmicks. It’s one hundred percent free. This is a great service you should be taking advantage of so go ahead and do so.

You can use Credit Karma to check your credit score on a monthly basis.

Get a Copy of Your Credit Report

Next you need to request a copy of your credit report. You can get one copy per year from each of the major credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com

Look through your credit report for any discrepancies. If something is inaccurate dispute it with the reporting credit bureau.

If you have collection accounts on your credit report it’s important to note that paying those balances off early will NOT remove them from your credit report. They will stay on your report for seven years.

Lower Your Credit to Debt Ratio

One factor that plays a large part in your credit score is your credit to debt ratio. This is calculated by how much debt you owe compared to how much credit is available to you. The lower the debt to credit ratio, the better.

There are two ways you can lower this:

• Pay down your debt.
• Have your credit limits increased.

If you have a problem with debt and credit card usage then paying down your debt will be a better option than calling your credit card companies to see if you can have your limits increased.

Pay Your Bills on Time

If you’re behind on your bills then you need to work on getting caught up. Paying your bills on time is a huge factor in your credit score. This proves your responsibility.

Make every effort to pay your bills on time each month. Even if this means you can only make minimum payments.

It’ll Take a While

You’re not going to see immediate improvements in your credit score, no matter what you do. However, if you can work on paying down your debt and make your payments on time each and every month then you should see an improvement in six months to a year.

source: everybodylovesyourmoney.com

Credit Card Mistakes That Can Keep You From Getting a Mortgage

If you’ve worked consistently for the past two years, and you’ve been saving your pennies for a downpayment and closing costs, you may feel nothing can stand in your way of qualifying for a mortgage. And in all likelihood, you’re the ideal candidate.

However, what you may not realize is that certain credit card habits can stop a mortgage approval in its tracks. Not to say you can’t get a loan, but a bank may hold off approving your application until you get a handle on your credit cards. Here’s a look at five credit card mistakes that hurt your chances of buying a home.

1. Maxing out your credit cards

Unfortunately, making minimum credit card payments might not be enough to qualify for a mortgage loan. The lender looks at your entire credit history, and if you have maxed out credit cards, this raises your debt-to-income ratio and impacts whether you’re able to qualify for a mortgage, or how much you receive from a bank.

Basically, the bank calculates the percentage of your monthly debt payments and compares this figure with your gross income. If your credit card payments are higher due to maxed out accounts, your debt-to-income ratio may exceed what’s allowed by the lender, and the bank may not approve your application until you’ve paid off some of your accounts.

To avoid this problem, pay off credit cards every month, and make sure your balances do not exceed 30 percent of your credit line.

2. Past due accounts
You credit history might be stellar today, but if any credit card accounts have been 30 days or more late in the past 12 months, a mortgage lender may not approve your application at this time. It only takes one or two recent delinquent accounts to delay a home purchase.

Lenders are cracking down on late payments, and they typically allow no more than one or two 30-day late payments in a 12 to 24-month period (based on the type of mortgage).

3. Closing credit card accounts

If you’re weaning yourself off credit cards, you might close accounts to avoid additional debt. In hindsight, this is a good plan. But unfortunately, closing a credit card account can increase your credit utilization ratio, which can also drive down your credit score.

Credit utilization ratio is your total available credit in relation to your total credit lines. Let’s say you have two credit cards each with a $1,000 credit line (a total credit line of $2,000). One credit card has a $1,000 balance, and the other card has a zero balance. In this case, your credit utilization ratio is 50 percent, since you’re using half your total available credit.

In an effort to control spending, you might decide to close the account with a zero balance. Unfortunately, closing this credit card account increases your credit utilization from 50 percent to 100 percent — in other words, you’re now using 100 percent of your available credit, and your credit score will suffer as a result. The way credit scoring models work, the wider the gap between your balances and available credit, the better. Even if you decide not to use a credit card, it’s often better to keep accounts open.

4. Applying for too many accounts

Applying for too many credit cards doesn’t look good from a lender’s standpoint. When lenders check your credit history, the bank also looks at your number of recent credit inquiries. If you’ve applied for multiple credit cards in the span of just a couple of months, the bank may think you’re experiencing some type of financial hardship and in desperate need of credit.

Plus, each inquiry can reduce your credit score by approximately two to five points and they stay on your credit report for two years.

5. Being an authorized user

As an authorized user, you have permission to use another person’s credit card. The problem is that this credit account also appears on your credit report. Any action by the primary accountholder person—whether good or bad—affects your credit.

So, if the primary account holder pays the statement late or maxes out this credit card, this can hurt your credit score and make it harder to qualify for a mortgage. If you’re thinking about purchasing a house, request to have your name taken off any accounts where you’re an authorized user. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work if you’re a joint owner on the account.

The Bottom Line?

Buying a home is a big step. If you’ve spent years preparing for this move, don’t let bad credit card habits wreck your dream. If you use credit wisely and avoid maxing out your accounts, you’ll have a better chance of qualifying for a mortgage.

source: totalmortgage.com

Building Credit for Dummies

Whether you’re just starting to build credit or you’ve taken a hit or two to your credit score and now you’re trying to build it back up, there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re doing everything you can to better that score. Take a look at a few of the most important things you can be doing to get your credit on the right track.


Avoid late payments at all costs. Late payments are a quick and easy way to send your credit score plummeting. When you pay a bill late, it’s listed on your credit report and simply paying it off won’t stop the damage from being done. If paying bills late is a problem for you because you’re forgetful, set yourself reminders or pencil in your due dates on a calendar to help you remember. Paying bills late because you’ve found yourself fallen on hard times is a little bit trickier. If you’re short on cash, payday loan options are available. Of course I (and any other advisor on personal finance with their head on the right way) would never recommend you take out one of these loans unless you really are out of other options – but if you’re stuck between that rock and hard place I recommend you do yourself a favour and go with one of the really public providers like Wonga. Larger brands like these guys have invested a lot in their customer service and are keen to mitigate the volume of negative PR directed at the Wonga brand – so you can be sure they’ll be giving you a better service than you’re like to get with smaller providers. The point of this of course is to make sure your bills are paid on time so they don’t fool around with your credit score. The loan application is done online and the funds are deposited to your bank account the next business day. That means when a bill sneaks up on you, you can pay it off quickly without the extra charges and collateral damage to your credit score (you will be paying back a sizeable chunk on your payday loan however so take care of that ASAP and don’t let that repayment run over-due either or you’ve accomplished nothing!)


Open a bank account. If you’re searching for easy ways to build and establish credit, a bank account is the first place to start. Simply opening an account won’t help you tremendously, but keeping it open and in good standing can do wonders in the long run. Just be wary about your spending habits when you finally start an account of your own as you can just as easily find your credit score slipping if you frequently overdraw your account or make any number of other common mistakes. The longer you have your account, the better your credit report will look. And be sure to go for quality over quantity because opening multiple accounts and never making use of them can just as easily cause you problems. 



Sign a lease (or get your name on one). If you’ve never signed a lease, it’s time to get started. If you’re renting on your own, you’ll have no choice but to sign a lease (and you’ll probably also have to get someone to cosign for you because of your lack of credit). By paying your rent on a regular basis, on time with no complications, you’ll be establishing a healthy credit history. If you can’t afford a place on your own, look into finding a roommate. But be sure to get all parties’ names on the lease. Not only will it help you all establish credit, it also saves you from being solely responsible for damages or late payments if your roommate doesn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped. Make sure you’ve got yourself covered, legally.



If you’re unsure about where you stand as far as credit goes, do yourself a favor and obtain a credit report with your score. This will let you know where you are and what you can do to get to an even better position.

Pablo is 26 and based out of Barcelona, he’s been blogging for over 6 years in the financial industry, offering advice to people on money management and how to build successful financial portfolios.

source: 20smoney.com

Quick Fixes for People with Bad Credit

Do you have bad credit?  If you do, then you’re not alone.  Indeed, having bad credit is not a good thing and no doubt, you want to get yourself out of it as soon as possible.  The good news is, there are positive steps that you can do to improve your credit. Consider these quick fixes:

Know where you stand.  Have you checked your personal credit report? If you have not yet requested your free credit report for this year, you can go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order.  You can order all your three reports from the three major credit bureaus at once so you can be sure that all versions of your report contain accurate information.

Checking your report will
to achieve a high score.

What’s most important is how you pay off your credit card balance.  It’s best to pay off your full balance each month so you don’t incur interest rate fees.  Use your credit card for a small purchase so that repayment need not be a burden.

Avoid hard inquiries.  If you need to acquire a new credit card or a loan, do not submit multiple applications to different lenders at once.  Doing so will only damage your credit score even more.  What you want to do is spend time comparing your options and once you have the right lender, that’s the time you can submit an application.  Don’t forget to check the lender’s credit requirement to avoid unnecessary rejections as this will also pull down your score.

Keep credit usage minimal.  You want to use your credit regularly but you should keep it as minimal as possible.  In fact, you should not use more than 30% of your available credit if you want to see an improvement in your rating.

Apply for a small loan.  Aside from revolving credit, adding other types of debt to your name is a great way to improve your credit score.  An installment loan whether a personal loan, student loan or a car loan gives you the chance to prove your creditworthiness through timely submission of your monthly payments.

Acquire a small loan with just the right period of repayment.  Choose a lender that offers a reasonable deal.  Furthermore, make sure that the loan provider reports to the three major credit bureaus.  As you submit your monthly loan payments, you will strengthen your credit history and add points to your score.

source: creditcreators.com

How to keep a good credit record

MANILA, Philippines – Having a bad credit record will pose problems when applying for a new loan or a credit card.

Someone with bad credit score is also more susceptible to unscrupulous money lenders.

To maintain a good credit history, Alex Ilagan, the executive director of Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), said it is important to stay gainfully employed.

A steady income stream looks attractive to banks and credit card providers because it means having the ability to pay for goods and services and being a low-risk borrower.

It also helps if you have held a job for a long time.

Building a good credit record also requires being a responsible credit card user.

Ilagan said to improve credit score, bills should be paid in full before the deadline.

Missing a credit payment will negatively affect personal credit records.

Owning a credit card is also useful as several service providers, as well as government institutions such as consulate offices processing visa applications—and even hotels, require individuals to present a valid credit card as proof of their financial capacity.

Opening a checking and a savings account can also help in proving financial stability.

“Managing your financial affairs well, and being prudent will help you improve your credit record, and your ability to achieve you and your family’s future dreams,” Ilagan said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why your Credit Score Matters

A bad credit score can make it hard for you to get approved for a loan, and may even require you to have a co-signer and/or a decent chunk of change to use as a down payment in order to get approved. A bad credit score can put a damper on your career, too – did you know that more and more employers are doing background checks that include a peek at a potential employee’s credit history? And planning for the future — trading in your current vehicle for a new one, buying a house, investing in the stock market — can be a little difficult to do when the current state of your credit makes things uncertain.

The first step to fixing bad credit is to grab the bull by the horns: contact the three credit reporting bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans-Union) and request copies of your credit history. Then find a reputable company or even a bank to purchase your credit score from. With the bad news in hand, you can now go through the reports, line by line, and highlight any discrepancies. For instance, if you know you paid off the $400 balance on your Sears credit card, but it’s showing as being an outstanding balance (unpaid) on your credit report, then that’s something you’ll want to look into right away.

Once you’ve determined just how bad things are, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to fix your credit on your own, or if you’ll hire a third party to do the fixing for you. Credit repair companies, for example lexingtonlawreveiws.com, will take the time to go over your credit report in fine detail, and they’ll do the leg-work required to take care of discrepancies and disputes. Either way, fixing your credit will take time and dedication. If you don’t have the available time and resources to handle the fixing of your credit on your own, then the fees a credit repair firm charge will be well worth it. Plus, they’ll go over your report repeatedly with a fine-tooth comb, and may even be able to handle disputes in a more efficient and resolution-seeking manner than you could.

Keep in mind that repairing your credit and keeping it in good condition takes time and a willingness to change spending habits and improve on money management, but in the end, the pay-off — financial security — is well worth the effort.

source: 20smoney.com

Most Common Credit Myths

Most Common Credit Myths
When you want to have a good credit score a little knowledge can be very powerful. Remember that a good credit score can open doors to many great credit offers. When you apply for a loan for a home or car or even a personal loan banks and other financial institutions use your credit report to determine if you qualify according to their guidelines.

Here are a few of the more common myths about credit:

People who lived in your residence can greatly affect your credit history.

It doesn’t make any difference at all who lived in your residence before you did as long as they did not share your credit history. The main thing any bank or financial institution is interested in is if you are able to repay your loan. They prefer you have a good history of addresses and the longer you live at any one place the better your chances. Lenders don’t like to see potential customers moving from place to place in under a year or so.

Credit agencies are responsible for your credit references.

Credit agencies are not responsible for your credit references. That is the responsibility of banks and financial institutions. They use the information obtained from your credit report to make determinations along with other data to calculate how much you will pay every month.

Previous debts are not considered when applying for a loan.

Yes they do count when applying for a loan as do court judgments for not paying debts and bankruptcies. These items remain on your credit report for at least seven years. Some items will stay on your credit report for longer than that. Even if you miss a payment it stays on your credit report for at least four years. Banks and financial institutions take these into consideration and think you may not repay them or default on payments.

You may be on a credit blacklist.

There is no such thing as a blacklist because of your origin, race, sex or ethnic origin. It is against the law for any lender to consider any of these when applying for a loan. Some of the factors they do consider are how much you currently owe and if you make your payments on time. They want to be absolutely sure you are not overextending yourself by taking on more than you can pay back.

Who you have living in your home such as family or friends can effect your credit rating

It doesn’t matter who is living with you since they do not have anything to do with your credit rating. The only exception is someone that shares a joint account with you say a joint mortgage. If you do have someone living with you that you have a credit connection with lenders will also look at their credit report as well. The reason for this is if they have late payments it could effect you getting approved for a loan.

These are just some of a few myths people believe regarding their credit score. The fact is that in order to dispel these and other misunderstandings one needs to educate themselves on learning how your credit score actually works and all factors that influence it, to what level and what factors do not influence it. Because caring about your credit score can and will make a difference whenever you seek out credit. A better credit score means your creditors will most always provide a better rate of interest when it comes to repaying your loan. This can amount to thousands of dollars with is nothing to overlook.

source: 20smoney.com

How Your Middle Name Could Screw Up Your Credit Score

In the movie "J. Edgar," there is a scene when the main character is denied credit at a men's clothing store because "John Hoover" owes the store money. Dicaprio's character explains that he was named after his father, John, but he also sometimes goes by the name Edgar. When pushed to choose just one name, he signs his name J. Edgar Hoover.

Many of us were born with a standard name sequence: Our first name is the name we go by, then our middle name is rarely used (unless mom is yelling at us!), and then our last name. For example, John Edgar Hoover might typically go by "John." But that's not the case for everyone, as was the case with the founder of the FBI. Someone could be called by their middle name ("Edgar," in our example).

Unfortunately, this has the potential to keep you from having the best credit possible or even to hurt your credit, just as it did for Hoover.

Although credit reporting agencies try to allow for it by reporting a primary name and aliases, it's not a perfect science to collect every variation of a person's name. Here's how it could affect you:

Bad credit from others could be reported as yours. As depicted in the movie, the main character may have had very good credit but his name was saddling him with his father's bad credit.

Big changes could eliminate all credit history. A woman who goes by the name Mary Anne Smith at 123 Main Street may get married and move into a home she co-owns with her husband, and now she's Mary Jones at 456 King Street. Will the credit reporting bureau recognize that both names belong to the same person? You want to make sure your name change is updated with your creditors and always confirm your name is correct on your credit reports.

Name variations might not be reporting to your credit. If Mary Anne Smith also had a credit card that was issued under her middle name ("M. Anne Smith"), then the credit reporting agency might not realize that these are one and the same person.

In all three examples (and numerous others), names can create an additional layer of complexity that might affect your credit.

Yes, credit reporting agencies are becoming increasingly better at matching that information (since they often match multiple pieces of information like name, address, and phone number all at the same time) but even that system is not perfect.

Therefore, if you have any loans or credit cards that are issued with variations of your name, or if you have changed your name or occasionally go by your middle name, then you will want to pull your credit, check all of your existing accounts against those reported on your credit report, and alert the credit reporting agencies to any aliases you might be using.

Don't let J. Edgar Hoover's problem keep you from getting the credit score you deserve.

source: dailyfinance.com

5 Reasons You Should Get Out of Debt

Have you thought about getting out of debt, but find very few reasons to actually do so? After all, getting out of debt would most likely mean selling the majority of your stuff. That doesn’t sound very fun does it? According to my research though, you’ll actually be happier without debt, and just to be thorough, I’ve got five main reasons you should get out of debt.

1) Avoid Those Interest Payments

Let’s use your house as an example. Let’s say you need to take out a $100,000 loan from the bank to make the purchase. If you decide to pay the minimum amount for the full 30 year term, guess how much you would actually pay for that loan? Drumroll……..$240,000!! And that’s with using a fairly low interest rate of 4.6%! What if you could pay that debt down after just a few years rather than 30. You could save yourself over $140,000. That’s a pretty huge savings.

You might not realize it, but this same pheonomenon is happening with your credit cards and car loans as well, but you never think about the long-term impact of these small charges. Let’s assume that you keep a $1,000 balance on your credit card each month. With an average credit interest rate of 15%, your monthly fee on this amount is only $12.50. Seems like peanuts, right? But what if you suddenly couldn’t pay that balance because of a personal emergency? After just six years, that $1,000 will turn into $2,000. Then in another six years it inflates to $4,000. Then $8,000… $16,000… $32,000. See how quickly debt can balloon on you? It’s best to just pay it off and avoid the potential disaster.

2) Increase Your Cash Flow For Investing

There are so many opportunities looming around out there, but many of us never see them because we have absolutely nothing to invest! There might be a real estate deal down the road, a new company that is sure to succeed, or an idea of yours that should be patented and produced, but since you’re in debt, you just continue to go to work and come home each day, barely able to think about anything else because of your lack of money.

Many of us live paycheck to paycheck. If, for whatever reason, one of those paychecks didn’t get deposited into our account, we would be in serious trouble. We wouldn’t be able to make the house payment, the car payment, the student loan payment, or the credit card payment.  What if we didn’t have all of these payments though? Cash would be abundant wouldn’t it? Each month, you would have an excess of about $2,000 to do whatever you pleased. What if you invested it? By investing $2k each month for just three years (and then contributing nothing after that), you would have $3,000,000 in 40 years. Isn’t that amazing! This is why I’m working to get out of debt and start hard-core investing.

3) Improve Your Credit Score

As much as I hate to admit it, our credit scores are important. Not only do you need to have a good score to get a home loan, but this score is also being used to judge your character. Did you know that your credit score might get pulled by your employer before they offer you a job? If they see a low score, they might question your morals or assume that you’re simple irresponsible.

To keep your credit score high, it is best to use your credit sparingly and pay off your balance in full every month. In other words, it’s best to get out of debt and only use credit for everyday purchases.

4) Decrease the Stress In Your Life

Which of these scenarios is more stressful?

    You lose your job, have only $150 in your bank account, and have $150,000 in loans. If you don’t pay, you will then lose your car, your furniture, and house.
    You lose your job, have $15,000 in the bank, and don’t have any debt whatsoever.

I don’t know about you, but I would definitely consider the first option to be the most stressful! The second scenario sounds so stress free that I probably wouldn’t even mind losing my job. I would have plenty of time to find another one, and who knows, maybe it will be an even better job than the one I had before!

5) Buffer Against Disaster

This has been indirectly mentioned in a few of the above reasons, but it is absolutely true isn’t it? If you depend on credit cards and short-term loans for your emergency situations, you are continually in the hole, always trying to dig your way out of disaster. If only the slightest thing goes wrong and you suddenly don’t have another way of borrowing money to cover yourself, you will start to lose some of your possessions. And not only that, but your credit will suffer, which might even inhibit you from renting an apartment. Debt is what makes people homeless. Don’t ever forget that.

source: lifeandmyfinances.com