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Eliminate Your Credit Card Debt Forever-Without Stress

May 14th, 2008

In recent years, the amount of credit card debt being carried by Americans has reached hundreds of billions of dollars, with interest payments each year that would sink the economies of many small nations. But you can eliminate your credit card debt forever, even if everyone around is stuck in an endless cycle of debt slavery. How? Read on, dear internet friend.

STEP 1: CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT.If you have any more than one credit card with a debt due to be repaid, then you’re a candidate for credit card debt consolidation. The ‘minimum monthly’ payment each month includes many variable, including the interest rate, the minimum monthly base (usually around $25 per month of a few percent of the debt, whatever is higher), and any ‘fees’ you’ve been charged through the month for things such as using an ATM, writing a check on your card, or, if you deal with companies like MBNA, breathing. To consolidate that debt, simply go to your bank and ask them about a debt consolidation loan. The interest rate will be far lower than the 9% to 29% that credit card companies can charge, and the repayment schedule will be far clearer of the hidden extras (such as insurance) that credit card sharks will hit you with.

STEP 2: CLEAN UP YOUR CREDIT HISTORY.Some people, many of us in fact, will let the occasional credit card payment slip by late, or even miss it all together, if things are a little tight each month. The problem with that is that it sits on your credit card report for the next seven years whenever you do that. So part of eliminating your credit card debt is to ensure that your credit score is clean and healthy. Some people will borrow a small amount from a bank and set up their account to automatically repay it each month, which will cost you not a lot in interest, but will make your credit report look much better in twelve months time. Others will just get ruthless with their repayments - pay a little bit extra than the minimum, pay it on time every time, and call the credit card company and ask them to REDUCE their spending limit whenever the debt goes down by a thousand dollars. The card companies don’t particularly like doing that, but they will, and it will help you get a better record when you’re not tempted to respend.

STEP 3: IF YOU MUST MISS A PAYMENT - TELL THEM.Contrary to what you might think, missing a payment is not considered nearly as bad by a credit card organization if you just call them and let them know you’re running a bit tight this month. Most companies just want to know you’re not stiffing them, so will gladly waive a late payment fee, or even allow you to schedule part payments, just as long as you’re dealing with them in good faith. And part of eliminating your credit card debt is to deal with these people in the best faith possible.

STEP 4: START USING CASH.It really isn’t that hard to use cash. Sure, you end up carrying money that you probably feel uncomfortable carting around, but is carting around a credit card with a $5,000 limit really that much safer?

STEP 5: REPAY AS YOU SPEND.It’s not something that is advertised by credit card companies, but most of the time you only pay interest on what you owe when the company prints off your monthly statement. That means, if you spent $100 on the 1st of the month and put it on your Visa or Mastercard, and you paid that $100 back with a check to the card company on the 10th, and they send out your statement on the 20th - you have no debt, and thus, no interest. For those wanting to eliminate credit card debt, this is an incredible opportunity to get the convenience of a credit card, without paying any interest AT ALL. In fact, if you’re prompt with your payments, don’t spend on big ticket items that will take months to pay off, and you keep your balance down to next to nothing, you can save literally thousands of dollars every year. Remember - repay before statement day. It’s the best way to eliminate credit card debt before it even happens.

If you are interested in additional debt consolidation articles of mine, please feel free to visit my financing website.

Consumer Credit Counseling - Keep Debt Under Check

May 4th, 2008

Before Jim left for a study-abroad program in Australia last spring, he signed up for another credit card. One more wouldn’t hurt, thought Jim, then a sophomore at Iowa State University. “I didn’t plan on using the card,” says Jim. “But Australia was a blast.” The price tag? Over $10,000.

Luckily for Jim and others in his predicament–the average college student carries $2,400 in credit card debt some schools are providing credit counseling to their students. Montana State University in Bozeman, for example, operates Student Advocates for Financial Education. During a typical session at the busy office, counselors help students map out a budget, track expenditures, and find ways to cut back on expenses. “Tuition has gone up, the cost of living has gone up, and student wages have not kept pace,” says Deborah Haynes, an associate professor at the school who oversees the program.

Payback. Students up to their ears in debt can also turn to nonprofit consumer credit counseling firms. These organizations can work out repayment plans directly with creditors or consolidate bills into one monthly statement, something on-campus centers may not be able to do. But be wary of scams. Credit Counseling should be free or nearly so, and credit card debt management plans shouldn’t cost more than $50 to set up and $35 in monthly charges, says Travis Plunkett, legislative director with the Consumer Federation of America.

Back at Iowa State, Jim struggled to make ends meet, barely affording the monthly minimum charge on four credit cards and a line of credit. He went to the Financial Counseling Clinic at Iowa State, which offers to work with creditors to lower interest rates, but quickly realized he needed a more disciplined approach. He left school to move in with his parents in Minnesota and is now taking classes at a local community college. And he signed up with Lutheran Social Services, a nonprofit group in Duluth, Minn., that offers consumer credit counseling and credit card debt management.

Hill is now on a tight budget. Two thirds of what he earns each month working at a bank goes toward his credit card debt : He pays $65 to Lutheran Social Services each month–the organization keeps $5 and disperses the rest to two credit card companies–and coughs up an additional $420 to pay off his other cards and the line of credit. “It’s a big burden,” he says. “But it’s going to be solved.”

Paras Shah - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Bad Credit Debt Consolidation - Consumer Credit Counseling

The Advantages of Having an Airline Credit Card

May 2nd, 2008

The world was stunned by the discovery of an airline credit card. Nonetheless, it brought forth positive results in terms of convenience of service for the travelers.

Aside from the vast and various services, it offers extended boundaries up to giving cardholders some incentives every transaction being made.

Airline Credit Cards was finally realized by the efforts of the credit companies and different airline companies. It was exclusively made for traveler’s convenience.

The usual credit cards are no different from Airline Credit Cards. The functions and concept are by no means identical. Both of the cards use same system of operation and all fees and other transactions undergo same processes.

The only difference is that these Airline Credit Cards charge slightly higher interest rate, maybe because of its wide range of services. Aside from the capability of Airline Credit Cards to purchase fare ticket.

It can also be used in hotels, carwash, malls, etc. Pointing system as well applies to this credit card. Purchases made by cardholders entitle them to redeem points free miles of travel for their next trip.

Most of the time, for every dollar charged on the card the client earns one “point”. A point is equivalent to a mile of travel. Just be aware of the rewards being given by the airline companies to cardholders.

You may utilize them in time. One good thing about these points is that, it can be converted into cash. There are airline companies that limit the “points” acquisition to 100,000 points and are set to expire 3 years thereafter. The free air travel is determined at a certain level so the client is given the chance to find out how many points to garner.

One of the advantages of having your own Airline Credit Card is that, you are actually acquiring almost all services offered by three usual credit cards all compressed into one. You will only need one airline credit card with wide compatibility functions to expect a greater access.

Unlike any other cards, airline credit cards can be set to limit, in a monthly basis, the expenses of the cardholder. The airline companies set the limit. There are instances that airline companies offer a higher spending limit.

The menu of limits is available so that clients may have ample options to choose from. In some cases, airline companies allow cardholders to extend from the limits set thus charging them for the next month.

Definitely, airline credit cards are economic wise. By dong this, you can save money because of the promos offered by the lenders.

Just like the usual credit cards, you can have an airline credit card through the internet. With that easy access, you can have your dream trip in your hands. Free your self from the hassle of getting your plane ticket at a nearby airport or any outlet, just a click of your mouse and with the help of your airline credit card, a place is never that far from you.

Nowadays, many airline companies indulge to this kind of system. They are extending their arms to reach if not all but at least the majority frequent flyers. The efforts they make are extraordinary one, which gives all travelers these benefits.

No one can ever pay you of the savings that you might save by using Airline Credit Cards. Instead of spending it on a mere airplane ticket you can buy souvenirs maybe or add your savings to your money intended for shopping.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting
Airline Credit Cards