Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Money Transfer : Spreading The Speed Of Convenience

One of those times when you need to bail out your pesky teenager from a scrape while on his adventures on another backpacking trip, Money Transfer is the biggest help you can provide. Worst case scenarios like this aside, international Money Transfer is more than 150 year old financial practice that involves sending money from a country to another via transfer which has more or less has turned electronic these days.

The best part about money transfer is that the recipient gets the money in a matter of minutes, depending upon the remoteness of the destination location. Nowadays, no matter how remote the place where your friends or relatives are stuck, there ought to be a money transfer service operator within 15 km radius!! You need not even have a bank account to transfer or access the money!! Often the service is available throughout the week and at almost all hours.

Besides, money transfer is considered the safest way to transfer money because in case of most operators, the money is constantly tracked via a unique ID. This ensures that not only the money is collected only by the person for whom it is meant, but also its speedy remittance.

Most international money transfer companies have launched their online operations as online money transfer is becoming more and more popular. With the full advent of the age of e-commerce, it was inevitable. Transferring large or small sums of money is a matter of few clicks now, as customers sit in the comfort of their home and do most of their banking online.

No matter which money transfer service you use, they all are extremely professional, super-quick and very easy to operate. If security, speed and convenience is your priority, online money transfer takes the cake any given day. Just sit back, relax and leave all your money transfer worries to these services.

Get more help on money transfer and online shopping.

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Money Is Not Made or Lost, It Is Just Transferred

Money is not made or lost? it is just transferred from one person to another. As hard as you may want to try, you will never be able to make any money. Even if you could, it would be illegal to do so; only the government makes money. The rest of us can just get it and move it around.

The good news is that you can also never lose money. If you do not have it, rest assured that someone else does.

But you can actually get all you want, even more than you want, if you know how to do it. Oprah and Trump know, and they use their knowledge to make themselves billionaires.

Do you know the 7 things that EVERYBODY wants? If you can find a way to give people at least one of these seven things, you can get as much money as you desire:

* more money

* less work

* more fun/sex/adventure

* less weight

* more success

* less stress

* more love

There are people who have all the money they want to spend. If you want to get rich, give people with money something to spend it on. The secret is that they must get MORE than they pay for.

Establish the value of what you have up front. Then offer it to people in a way that gives them more value for their money; more than the dollar amount they actually spend. If this also provides profit for you, what you have is a ?win-win? situation!

Kaleem Abdullah is a writer, network marketer, and radio broadcaster.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

The Wave Of The Future! Electronic Walk-In Bill Payment Services, Internatioanl Money Transfer, Prepaid Debit Cash Loading & Cellular Phone Services

The Wave Of The Future! Electronic Walk-In Bill Payment Services, Internatioanl Money Transfer, Prepaid Debit Cash Loading & Cellular Phone Services For Merchant Retailers.


Here's How Retailers Are TurboCharging Their Businesses For The Road Ahead With Walk-In Bill Payment Services-Prepaid Cellular Phone Services, Plus More!. Your Niche!, By Defining Merchant Retailers Into Need Fillers!.

Wireless Direct Now Offers Electronic Bill Payment Service Money Solutions; Retail Licensing Provider of Bill Payment Service & Cellular Provider Services Technologies.

Shorewood, Wisconsin -- The electronic age has been bridged by a new electronic bill payment service now offered through Wireless Direct, Solutions for Retailers. The service is called Pay All Bills and provides "one-stop" convenience for anyone needing to pay any bill.

The entire process is completely safe, reliable and underwritten by an F.D.I.C. insured bank. Rather than purchasing a money order, finding an envelope, purchasing a stamp, and taking the bill to the post office, a person, by taking that bill or statement to Merchant Retailers, can become an established bill payment customer and pay any bill that is payable to any biller. The entire bill payment process is completed at one convenient location. The Pay All Bills system is a nationwide, Internet based solution allowing Merchant Retailer Customers to make it an easy choice for any person to pay any and all of their bills, month after month. The system utilizes relationships with thousands of commercial billers in various industries that have agreed to accept payments electronically. Additionally, any biller not currently participating in our electronic network will be contacted by the service to discuss details about how their business can become eligible to receive payments electronically, thereby enhancing their customer service.

Time frames for payment settlement vary between billers, most as quickly as two business days, depending on whether the biller can accept electronic remittance. Even if a biller cannot receive an electronic payment, still forwards the funds to the biller.

"This process has been well received by billers and customers alike," said Kirk McLaughlin, CEO, Bank, Ralls, Texas, owner of the bill payment software. "Inexpensive electronic bill payment has been reserved for those with a bank account, until now. We are pleased to offer to individuals that do not have a banking relationship a way to conveniently pay bills, too," added McLaughlin.

More infomation about bill payment services & prepaid wireless cellular providers can be found at: http://www.prepaidwireless.2ya.com


One Stop Shop Money Solutions: http://www.prepaidwireless.walkinmoneysolutions.com


Contact: Prepaid Wireless Direct
Communications Director
Wireless Direct
Box 71101
Shorewood, Wisconsin
1-877) 947-3577
1-877-(WireLSS)

End




Think about it. This is all about how to increase traffic by deploying innovative strategies to make retailers more competitive with greater option innovations in technology, that hold the promise of generating additional capital to allow retailers to compete more effectively and allow merchants to be more effective pursuing the detail of retail. More infomation about bill payment services & prepaid wireless cellular providers can be found at: http://www.prepaidwireless.2ya.com One Stop Shop Money Solutions: http://www.prepaidwireless.walkinmoneysolutions.com

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Friday, May 9, 2008

Paypal Offers New SMS-Based Money Transfer Service

PayPal has just launched a new service called PayPal Mobile. This service allows a PayPal user with an active mobile phone account to send a payment to another PayPal account -- even another mobile user with a PayPal account. Of course the PayPal user at the other end of the transaction could be either an individual or -- more importantly -- a merchant.

This system clears the way for PayPal to enter the potentially massive "micro-payment" market. With PayPal Mobile anyone with a PayPal account could pay electronically for goods purchased from any merchant also having a PayPal account. Of course this capability already exists, but most PayPal users are stuck with making PayPal transactions using their computers.

** SMS-based payment system

PayPal Mobile is mobile phone and SMS-based, which means you use text messaging to send the payment. That completely frees the user from dependence on his or her computer to access his or her PayPal account.

PayPal Mobile payments are sent by sending a text message to 729725 (paypal), and then keying in the amount and destination of the payment. The destination can be another mobile number, a regular land-line number, or the person's email address (the one registered with PayPal).

The new system currently only works with mobile phones in the U.K., U.S., and Canada, but is expected to expand to other countries once the bugs are worked out.

To make use of this system, you need an active PayPal account. Login into your account and go to your Profile. Click on Phone, and then click on the "Activate Payments" link. You will be asked to enter a PIN, and will be phoned at your number to confirm your activation.

Normal land-line numbers can be activated too, but of course, text messaging will not work with these. To send money by voice or keypad using your land-line, you call 1-800-4PAYPAL. Once the payment is sent, the person you are sending the money to will be notified by either an automated phone call, or by email.

** Potentially valuable for offline merchants

The important thing to notice about this is that it lets a merchant associate a normal land-line number with his or her PayPal account. So say you're an antique dealer in Toronto. A customer wants to buy something from you and says "Do you take PayPal?"

"Sure", you say, "Just send the payment to 416-123-1234". While he's standing in front of you your customer uses his cell phone to call PayPal and has the payment sent to your number. A minute later you receive an automated call informing you of the payment. And just to make sure, you check your online account to see if the funds have been transferred.

** PayPal is targeting mobile users

It is fairly obvious who PayPal is targeting with this new text messaging payment service. It is a perfect fit for cell phone users who regularly use text messaging, and who also regularly buy things requiring fast, hassle-free micro payments. Digital music is the most obvious example.

Other micro-payment systems are typically tied in with cell phone companies, payment processing companies that focus on merchant services, or in-house solutions like those provided by iTunes. That's all right if you deal with a limited number of vendors. But for customers who want to use this service for several vendors, they are forced to use a mish mash of payment processors depending on the merchant they are dealing with.

Clearly there is a need for a reliable third party system that stands apart from specific merchants, specific banks, and specific credit card companies. A payment processing service provided by a broadly-used and legitimate money clearing house like PayPal seems like a pretty good idea, and one that has the potential to seriously increase the PayPal user base at the same time.

Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | Reduce mobile phone costs - Free tips and secrets | Free sms service - Send gsm sms to German mobile phone users.

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How To Make Money Using RSS Data Transfer


RSS, (Really Simple Syndication) has become so popular today and is being referred to by internet users as "Pull" Technology rather than "Push" Technology.

It's difficult to imagine that anyone who logs on to the Internet has not heard of "Spam." Most, If not all Internet users are inundated with these advertisements, that we did not ask for or request.

For those of you that may not be familiar with the term, rest assured we're not talking about canned meat here. LOL! Rather, it is unwanted advertising from people that we neither asked for or requested to recieve. Spam is "Push" technology. "Pushed" in your face and inbox, wanted or not.

Many believe this brand of "Push" technology is or will be, the death of email. Yet, as long as there are individuals and companies that continue to use the illegal spam process, email will be around for a long long time. The irony being, companies are raking in millions, selling spam solutions, to people and big corporations, that are Not Working!

RSS, is the Total Opposite of the above "Push" technology. When subscribing to an RSS Feed, subscribers "Pull" information into their RSS Readers and can only be done so if someone voluntarily subscribes to a particular RSS Feed. If they find it's not the information they want, they can simply unsubscribe and never have to recieve another message from the owner of that particular feed. Hence the term "Pull" Technology.

Utilizing RSS "Pull" technology has become a popular source of income for webmasters that use RSS Feeds on their websites. Here's How:

Let's say, you set up a one page mini-site or you could even set up a Blog. A Blog would be a quick and easy alternative.

You can then host ads from either Google Adsense or the New Yahoo look alike Google Ads. When someone visits your page and clicks one of your ads, You Get Paid.

If you've followed along and done the steps above, you've created a good starting place. You're going to need to make sure your pages are optimized properly. This will ensure you get your page ranked high in the search engines. Like any site or page, the more targeted traffic you get, greater are the chances that someone will click your ads. Which increases your Income.

Now, by using the power of RSS you increase your pages earning potential. When you add an RSS Feed to your page, you convert it into an ever changing, dynamic web page. Bringing you an abundance of visitors who, in all probability will return to read it.

Especially if you add 10 or 15 RSS Feeds to your page. You will create a dynamic, ever changing, self updating page. Providing valuable content that readers will want to read, over and over again.

Any web page can be turned into a dynamic web page. Just use the free RSS creator software called "Carp" This is one of the most popular free versions and can be downloaded here: http://www.geckotribe.com/rss/carp/

After you set the program up on your website and added the proper code to your website, then you will need to collect RSS feeds that relate to the topic of your web page.

You've got your web page, It's topic is about writing articles. Go to Google News, Get their RSS Feed Code, Insert it into the designated Carp Coding, then make the necessary changes found below: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=writing+articles&ie=UTF-8&output=rss

Same with Topix.net, adjust the code like this: http://rss.topix.net/search/?q=writing+articles&xml=1

Once you've got your web page uploaded, It will automatically pull in fresh content from Google and Topix about writing articles.

Do these things for any web page and watch your search engine ranking soar and also your Income!

Art Luff is Not a Marketing Genius or Guru. He's Just an Ordinary Guy Trying To Make a Go Of It In this World. Jump on Over to http://best-resale-deal-ever.com/ and Subscribe to his Informative Affilate Marketing Newsletter. His approach to Marketing affiliate programs will awaken your imagination and keep you coming back for more!

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

International Money Transfer

International Money transfer is an essential part of your international move and/or business, which, if handled correctly can boost your bottom line or settling funds dramatically. Anybody looking to move overseas, send money to family or conduct business with an overseas company will need to purchase or transact in the destination currency. In order to complete any property acquisition ahead of your move or just simply transfer your existing assets over to your new country, the method you choose will make a big difference.

In today's volatile currency markets, a small change in the currency rates, coupled with the high commission charged by most banks can make an enormous difference in the net currency amount received when converting your currency, you are placing what is possibly your life savings into someone else?s hands. Depending on the size of transaction, this could make a tangible difference of several thousand dollars; money you may prefer to put towards starting your new life! This can leave you exposed to the market fluctuations and could give you a handsome boost to your funds or put a big hole in your budget.

To start with you have several choices how you move your money:

1. Use your normal Bank and accept the charges and the fact that you may not be talking to an expert when you discuss the transfer.

2. Use a specialist international currency transfer company

3. Use a normal money transfer agent (again accept the charges)

4. Buy a huge amount of traveler?s cheques or take cash (not recommended)!!!

Lets discuss each one with a bit more detail:

Possibly the most important piece of advice I was given when emigrating was that the high street banks were not the best people to entrust with your money transfer overseas. How do you know that the bank teller has any idea what you are talking about (not being belittling but it probably isn?t an everyday service)? They charge commissions, transfer fees and then to cap it all off they give a reduced exchange rate.

Essentially, the high street money transfer agencies are similar to the banks. They may know more about the transactions but will hit you with commissions, charges and not the best rates.

Travellers cheques and cash speak for themselves ? don?t do it! They are easily lost/stolen, some countries only allow a limited amount of cash to be carried into the country and in the case of travelers cheques, you may have to pay to buy them and then to cash them in. Just plain don?t do it!!!!

Last, but not least, it?s the international currency transfer companies. I had no idea that international currency transfer specialists even existed, never mind the exceptional services on offer.

Naturally, securing the very best rate of exchange becomes all important. There are several money transfer companies that offer an alternative to the banks ? in fact ?alternative? is too weak, they outclass the banks by a mile! When we first heard about the services on offer it really did seem to be too good to be true and we were very skeptical. We thoroughly researched the major high street banks in the UK and the rates they were offering (adding the fees and commissions!) and then compared to the service we were offered. Again, there had to be a catch.

The transfer company had no commissions, transfer fees and also gave a rate that was close to 3 cents to the pound better than the banks. All the funds would be transferred electronically to the bank account of our choice normally within 2 working days. We were even offered a choice of payment methods which included direct debits/debit cards/electronic wire transfers and the ability to ?book? a rate in advance for a small deposit and then pay the balance prior to the contracted transfer date.

We had to find out how these people could offer such a service so quite bluntly asked. The answer was very simple. This was a dedicated, specialist company that dealt on the Forex markets in large volumes ? this meant that there would be a low profit margin on each individual deal but the overall volume made it worth while. Because they are a specialist company, they could pass on the savings to their customers and the use of modern, electronic transfers ensured the costs were low with no need to pass them on to us! A true Win-Win situation.

The other added bonus is that these people are dedicated foreign exchange experts who research the markets and accurately forecast the trends and can advise action accordingly. If it makes sense to ?book? a rate for settlement up to 2 years ahead then that will be recommended ? you pay a deposit and commit to the deal and then they buy the currency at the agreed rate of the day. They hold the currency on your behalf and then at the agreed date you pay the balance and the money is transferred. This protects you against fluctuations and allows you to budget accurately.

About The Author

Dave Lympany immigrated to Canada in 2003 and has constructed a free information website http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com about Canadian Immigration and life in Canada based on his family?s experiences.

 

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

How To Make Money Using RSS Data Transfer

RSS, (Really Simple Syndication) has become so popular today and is being referred to by internet users as "Pull" Technology rather than "Push" Technology.

It's difficult to imagine that anyone who logs on to the Internet has not heard of "Spam." Most, If not all Internet users are inundated with these advertisements, that we did not ask for or request.

For those of you that may not be familiar with the term, rest assured we're not talking about canned meat here. LOL! Rather, it is unwanted advertising from people that we neither asked for or requested to recieve. Spam is "Push" technology. "Pushed" in your face and inbox, wanted or not.

Many believe this brand of "Push" technology is or will be, the death of email. Yet, as long as there are individuals and companies that continue to use the illegal spam process, email will be around for a long long time. The irony being, companies are raking in millions, selling spam solutions, to people and big corporations, that are Not Working!

RSS, is the Total Opposite of the above "Push" technology. When subscribing to an RSS Feed, subscribers "Pull" information into their RSS Readers and can only be done so if someone voluntarily subscribes to a particular RSS Feed. If they find it's not the information they want, they can simply unsubscribe and never have to recieve another message from the owner of that particular feed. Hence the term "Pull" Technology.

Utilizing RSS "Pull" technology has become a popular source of income for webmasters that use RSS Feeds on their websites. Here's How:

Let's say, you set up a one page mini-site or you could even set up a Blog. A Blog would be a quick and easy alternative.

You can then host ads from either Google Adsense or the New Yahoo look alike Google Ads. When someone visits your page and clicks one of your ads, You Get Paid.

If you've followed along and done the steps above, you've created a good starting place. You're going to need to make sure your pages are optimized properly. This will ensure you get your page ranked high in the search engines.

Like any site or page, the more targeted traffic you get, greater are the chances that someone will click your ads.

Which increases your Income.

Now, by using the power of RSS you increase your pages earning potential. When you add an RSS Feed to your page, you convert it into an ever changing, dynamic web page. Bringing you an abundance of visitors who, in all probability will return to read it.

Especially if you add 10 or 15 RSS Feeds to your page. You will create a dynamic, ever changing, self updating page. Providing valuable content that readers will want to read, over and over again.

Any web page can be turned into a dynamic web page. Just use the free RSS creator software called "Carp" This is one of the most popular free versions and can be downloaded here:

http://www.geckotribe.com/rss/carp/

After you set the program up on your website and added the proper code to your website, then you will need to collect RSS feeds that relate to the topic of your web page.

You've got your web page, It's topic is about writing articles. Go to Google News, Get their RSS Feed Code, Insert it into the designated Carp Coding, then make the necessary changes found below:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=writing+articles&ie=UTF-8&output=rss

Same with Topix.net, adjust the code like this:

http://rss.topix.net/search/?q=writing+articles&xml=1

Once you've got your web page uploaded, It will automatically pull in fresh content from Google and Topix about writing articles.

Do these things for any web page and watch your search engine ranking soar and also your Income!

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

International Money Transfer

International Money transfer is an essential part of your international move and/or business, which, if handled correctly can boost your bottom line or settling funds dramatically. Anybody looking to move overseas, send money to family or conduct business with an overseas company will need to purchase or transact in the destination currency. In order to complete any property acquisition ahead of your move or just simply transfer your existing assets over to your new country, the method you choose will make a big difference.

In today's volatile currency markets, a small change in the currency rates, coupled with the high commission charged by most banks can make an enormous difference in the net currency amount received when converting your currency, you are placing what is possibly your life savings into someone else?s hands. Depending on the size of transaction, this could make a tangible difference of several thousand dollars; money you may prefer to put towards starting your new life! This can leave you exposed to the market fluctuations and could give you a handsome boost to your funds or put a big hole in your budget.

To start with you have several choices how you move your money:

1. Use your normal Bank and accept the charges and the fact that you may not be talking to an expert when you discuss the transfer.
2. Use a specialist international currency transfer company
3. Use a normal money transfer agent (again accept the charges)
4. Buy a huge amount of traveler?s cheques or take cash (not recommended)!!!

Lets discuss each one with a bit more detail:

Possibly the most important piece of advice I was given when emigrating was that the high street banks were not the best people to entrust with your money transfer overseas. How do you know that the bank teller has any idea what you are talking about (not being belittling but it probably isn?t an everyday service)? They charge commissions, transfer fees and then to cap it all off they give a reduced exchange rate.

Essentially, the high street money transfer agencies are similar to the banks. They may know more about the transactions but will hit you with commissions, charges and not the best rates.

Travellers cheques and cash speak for themselves ? don?t do it! They are easily lost/stolen, some countries only allow a limited amount of cash to be carried into the country and in the case of travelers cheques, you may have to pay to buy them and then to cash them in. Just plain don?t do it!!!!

Last, but not least, it?s the international currency transfer companies. I had no idea that international currency transfer specialists even existed, never mind the exceptional services on offer.

Naturally, securing the very best rate of exchange becomes all important. There are several money transfer companies that offer an alternative to the banks ? in fact ?alternative? is too weak, they outclass the banks by a mile! When we first heard about the services on offer it really did seem to be too good to be true and we were very skeptical. We thoroughly researched the major high street banks in the UK and the rates they were offering (adding the fees and commissions!) and then compared to the service we were offered. Again, there had to be a catch.

The transfer company had no commissions, transfer fees and also gave a rate that was close to 3 cents to the pound better than the banks. All the funds would be transferred electronically to the bank account of our choice normally within 2 working days. We were even offered a choice of payment methods which included direct debits/debit cards/electronic wire transfers and the ability to ?book? a rate in advance for a small deposit and then pay the balance prior to the contracted transfer date.

We had to find out how these people could offer such a service so quite bluntly asked. The answer was very simple. This was a dedicated, specialist company that dealt on the Forex markets in large volumes ? this meant that there would be a low profit margin on each individual deal but the overall volume made it worth while. Because they are a specialist company, they could pass on the savings to their customers and the use of modern, electronic transfers ensured the costs were low with no need to pass them on to us! A true Win-Win situation.

The other added bonus is that these people are dedicated foreign exchange experts who research the markets and accurately forecast the trends and can advise action accordingly. If it makes sense to ?book? a rate for settlement up to 2 years ahead then that will be recommended ? you pay a deposit and commit to the deal and then they buy the currency at the agreed rate of the day. They hold the currency on your behalf and then at the agreed date you pay the balance and the money is transferred. This protects you against fluctuations and allows you to budget accurately.

 The author immigrated to Canada in 2003 and has constructed a free information website http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com about Canadian Immigration and life in Canada based on his family?s experiences.

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Saturday, May 3, 2008

Playing the Balance Transfer Game

Every day when you go to the mailbox there it is: another offer from a credit card company to transfer your high interest account to a lower or 0% rate with a different card. Should you take this offer? Can you lift the nagging burden of monthly fees, compound interest, and a heavy debt load by transferring your balance? The answer is a resounding maybe.

There are pros and cons to playing the balance transfer game. And those who don?t know the rules of the game will lose without even knowing that they are playing. The main reasons to consider transferring your high interest credit card balances are: short-tem relief, emotional relief, and long-term interest savings.

Transferring for Short-Term Benefits

Lower monthly payments: If you currently owe $3,000 on a card with an 18% APR, then it would cost you $275/month to pay off your debt in one year. If you transfer to a card at 0% intro APR, you can pay off the same card with monthly payments of $250 per month. So anyone struggling to meet their monthly bill will gain some immediate relief. So how can this be bad?

As with any short-term fix, you pay on the other side. First of all, beware of any balance transfer fees. Some card issuers charge a service fee when transferring balances over to your new card.

What a Relief: The emotional component of credit card debt is very powerful. For many consumers the idea of finally getting out from under the debt they have been carrying is enough motivation to grab at any attractive offer they see. Unfortunately, most people who latch onto balance transfer offers for this reason find themselves trapped by the same lifestyle choices that allowed them to ring up debt in the first place.

One down side of transferring your balance is that most people feel so much better they are ?freed? up to go out and start spending again. Also, most consumers who transfer balances will only pay the minimum balance, so it takes them more time, and therefore more money, to pay down the balance.

Playing the balance transfer game is a lifelong hobby, as you must constantly look for cards with lower rates, and constantly switch credit card companies, rather than ever paying off the debt.

Long Range Results

Impact on Your Credit Score: Unfortunately, one of the least understood rules of the Balance Transfer Game is the Credit Score Penalty. Every time you apply for a new credit card your FICO score is lowered. This is the score used by credit card companies and mortgage lenders to determine the rates they will offer you. So you may be transferring to a lower APR today, but raising the rates you will be offered tomorrow.

Interest Does Matter: The question that you need to ask is ?How can I ensure I am getting the best possible interest rates today and in the future?? As shown in the example above, your interest rate will have a direct effect on the amount of money you pay out over the years. Just don?t be tricked into thinking that you are locking in a lower rate when you transfer that balance. Balance transfers do not affect future purchases, and they are only effective for a set period of time.

So the way you handle your credit cards today is a better indicator of your long-term payments that the attractive rate dangled in front of you today. By the way, the same credit card company trying to lure you away from the competition today will be checking your credit score in about six months to see if they should raise your interest rate.

Bottom Line on Balance Transfers

Ultimately the bottom line on playing the balance transfer game is buyer beware. It is a game that may offer some short-term relief, but also stiff penalties for the uninformed. The smartest players will make their moves based on information, facts, and a plan for protecting and improving their future credit dealings.

Steven Moy is a contributing editor for various websites related to credit and personal finance. You can see some of his work at http://www.apexcreditcards.com and http://www.creditservicer.com

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

What They Don't Tell You About Cash Advances, Balance Transfers, and Convenience Checks

The smart consumer selects a credit card by matching their lifestyle, spending and payment habits. Other consumers play the cash advances and balance transfer game, expecting short-term relief or hoping to gain a quick profit. After all the hidden fees, accumulated interest , and minimum payments due, the consumer will have to pay a higher percentage of the total borrowed amount back within a short-time period, or risk accumulating charges and increasing the balance tremendously. At this point, there is no reasonable rate of return that can fulfill any expectations.

When the consumer takes a cash advance, they almost never get a ?grace period?, even if the card normally has one; interest is charged as soon as they take the advance. Interest on cash advances are often charged at a higher rate than interest on a purchase. On an average, a cash advance fee is between 1% and 2% of the amount of the advance. Be real careful, many credit card companies have surcharges for cash advances, and or they charge a higher interest rate compared to charges that are made to purchase goods and services directly.

A balance transfer, often viewed as a cash advance by the credit card companies, is also subject to fees and interest as soon as the transfer is made.

For example:

Say you have a $1000 credit limit at 9% interest, and you take a cash advance of $100, and your interest rate on the cash advance is 25%. None of the payments will be applied to the higher interest rate until the complete amount from the regular charges is paid off.

CONVENIENCE CHECKS

Those unexpected checks issued by your bank that show up in the mail box at the right time. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those are not ?FREE?. They are referred to as ?Convenience Checks?. Even the most tempting offer is wrapped with hidden fees and traps that make the risk far greater than the reward.

Unfortunately, the consumer has to deal with the same pitfalls as they do with cash advances and balance transfers. Convenience checks start accruing interest on the balance immediately from the time its redeemed, unlike credit card charges, which are interest free if the consumer pay the charges off before the due date.

Some credit card companies may charge hefty fees just to issue the check, usually around 2 to 5% of the check amount. (Read the check and any the offer letter carefully, in some cases the bank may not list the interest, so it?s best to consult with the bank before accepting the convenience check).

The ?BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE? is if your card has an existing balance, and you make a payment, the payment will be applied to the lower balance first, at the current interest rate, before the payment is applied to the convenience check balance. That means the balance will continue to accrue unpaid interest as long as the consumer uses the card to make purchases. Any sort of late payment or default will usually cancel the 0% promotional rate and will often cause most consumers to be charged back.

?MAKING BETTER DECISIONS WILL ENSURE MORE SOLID RETURN INVESTMENTS?.

Letonio Franklin is a debt negotiation for Franklin Debt Relief. FDR specializes in using credit card negotiation to reduce credit card debt. Visit Franklin Debt Relief for more information about their debt relief help services.

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The Basics of Credit Card Balance Transfers

There simply isn?t one of us out there who enjoys paying the high interest rates on credit card balances, no matter how much money you have in the bank or make at your place of employment. I don?t know about you, but I always promise myself that whatever I charge during a billing cycle, I will pay off when the bill comes due. But when I open up the envelope from my credit card company, I realize that there are many other places my money could be well spent- and that means my balance doesn?t get paid in full, thus resulting in loads of pounds paid in interest. That?s why so many residents of the UK are taking advantage of the financial benefits of transferring their balances on a high rate credit cards to one with significantly lower (or even 0%) interest.

Credit card companies are in a desperate fight for your business, so they offer alluring programs (such as 0% interest on balance transfers for 6 months or so) so that you?ll take your old credit card balance and place it on one of their new cards. This is all done with the hopes that you will use your new credit card instead of your old one- hence the new company generates any interest on new purchases, not to mention the charges on your transferred balance when the special program expires. They want you to give them your business, never look back, and never again transfer your balance to another credit card company. Their begging can work to your advantage as long as you understand the basics.

There are mainly two types of credit card balance transfers, the first of which involves a very low interest rate, usually 0%, for a fixed amount of time, perhaps from 5 to 9 months. At the expiration of this time period, the company?s normal interest rate charges will apply, generally upwards of 15% or more. So be sure to stay on your toes, keep accurate records and switch your balances when the introductory rates expire to get the most out of these enticing rates and programs.

The other type of credit card balance transfers involves a low interest rate, maybe 5% or less, but maintains this same, nominal rate for the entire time required to pay off the transferred balance. Any new purchases will be subject to the card?s regular, significantly higher rate (again, around 15% or so), but if you have the self-discipline to not add any additional charges to this card, it can save the hassle of transferring your balances at every 6-month mark and still save you hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds over the life of your credit card balance.

John Fencik recommends that you visit http://www.creditcardexpert.co.uk/balance-transfers.php for more  information on Balance Transfers.

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