Archive for the ‘Credit’ category

Help For Deciding What Credit Card To Get

July 9th, 2011

Deciding what credit card to get is a common question among consumers these days. There are so many cards available, it can be hard to know which one is the best for you. Thankfully all you need to do is a little research to find the best card. Here are a few of the best credit cards we have found to give you a head start in your search for the right card: When you think about what credit card to get, the first answer that should come to mind is the Citibank Diamond Preferred Card. The APR on this card will depend on your credit history starting out at 11.99% and going up from there depending on your credit rating. This card has no annual fee and offers a concierge service. It is a MasterCard which is convenient and can be used at just about any location.

American Express offers many different cards but the card that made the list is the Blue Cash Everyday. There is no annual fee with this card, no enrollment fees and no minimum spending amount. You will receive 3% cash back on groceries, 2% cash back on fuel and 1% cash back on any other purchases. Another perk is that you will receive a $25 referral fee for any friend of family member that you refer and is approved for a Blue Cash Everyday card. According to CBS money watch the Chase Freedom Visa with $100 bonus cash back is one of the best credit cards offered by Chase. You have the opportunity to earn $100 bonus cash if within the first three months of having your card you make $500 in purchases. There is no annual fee and the introductory APR is 0% for the first 12 months on balance transfers and 6 months on purchases. » Read more: Help For Deciding What Credit Card To Get

Understanding Negative Credit Report Information

July 9th, 2011

Negative credit information impacts your credit profile for many years to come. Old accounts can be just as damaging to your credit score today as your new accounts. It is important for you to undertake credit repair steps in order to always have a clean credit record and a high credit score. It is the only way to save money on future financing, auto and homeowner’s insurance, and ensure your financial stability. It is also important to understand how negative credit information affects your credit profile. Here is a basic overview of the length of time negatively reported credit items will remain on your credit report and lower your credit score:

General Negative Credit Information

A general rule of thumb for negative credit information is seven years. Negative credit reporting resulting from late or missed payments, loan defaults, or other failures to meet financial and credit obligations will remain on a consumer credit report up to seven years unless there is special circumstances.

There are exceptions to the seven-year rule including:

· Bankruptcy – Information about a bankruptcy will remain on your credit reports for a time period of up to 10 years.

· Judgments – If a creditor pursues a claim or lawsuit against you in court, the information concerning that judgment can be reported for up to a period of seven years, or for the time period until the statute of limitations run out depending on which time period is longer.

· Tax Liens – Information reported to the credit bureaus concerning tax liens can be reported for a period of up to seven years from the time the tax lien amount was paid.

· Defaulting On Government Loans – Information being reported to the credit bureaus concerning the default on a government-backed or insured loan, including student loans, can be reported for seven years after the government guarantor takes certain actions. » Read more: Understanding Negative Credit Report Information