Tag Archives: might
Finding Good 0 APR Credit Card Offers
While most of us wish that we could find credit cards that only had 0% APR, they cant really exist because the credit card companies wouldnt make any money. However, if youre looking to save money with a lower interest rate, there are ways to find great deals on APR percentages.
Balance transfers
The trick with getting a 0% APR is to find a credit card that allows you to transfer other balances under that initial lower APR interest rate. While there is usually a time limit to these kinds of offers, they can help save you a lot of money in the long run. And if you think about it, these offers are much like getting the 0% APR on that other card, its just a matter of where you send the bill to.
Talking with the cards that you have
You might not know this, but if youre a good customer for your current credit card company, you may be able to ask for a limited 0% APR period as well. If youve been paying your bills on time and keeping a fairly low balance, many companies are willing to reduce or negate the interest rate for a while. They want your business, so theyre usually willing to give you a deal to keep you using their card.
Going online
There are many credit card company comparison sites that will allow you to see which card companies are offering 0% APR for the first year of use or for limited time periods. And while this isnt a permanent solution, you can see which cards are willing to take you on as a customer for a lower interest rate.
A word of caution
While its safe to say that youre aware of the fact that 0% APR periods can be short, you need to be certain that you understand what the card company defines as a period. In most cases, the first purchase starts the cycle of interest free credit balances, as opposed to the first billing cycle end.
Look to see what the interest rate will be when the trial period is over. If the interest jumps dramatically, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise if youre still carrying a balance. And the truth is that many of these credit card companies will increase their interest rates from 0% to 15% and even 24%.
Also realize that there might be restrictions in getting the 0% APR. If you make certain purchases or dont make a payment within a certain time, you might revoke your right to that lowered interest rate. Read the fine print.
Economic Payday Loans (Page 1 of 2)
We`ve all found ourselves low on funds at the end of any given month. The money we earn sometimes doesn`t cover all the bills that might come in, especially if there was an unexpected expense such as a car repair or an illness. Even with working hard and being thrifty, sometimes the money just can`t be stretched out any further. A payday loan can be somewhat of a safety valve and an alternative to borrowing money from family and friends.
A payday loan is a short term unsecured consumer loan. You do need to be working full time and have a bank account to apply for one. Usually the amount borrowed is a relatively small amount – between $100 to $500. It`s up to the consumer to shop around and get as much information as they possibly can before applying for this type of loan. There are definitely some pros and cons here, but the more informed your choice is, the better the end result will be.
First it`s absolutely necessary to find out about the lending institution and how long they`ve been in business. It`s wise to begin with the better known lenders. You will need to consider the fees and terms of this loan and just compare the rates among several lenders. The fees charged for these loans is usually a percentage of the amount you borrow, which is why you need to get the best one you can find. This fee has to by law be disclosed to you ahead of time. If a lender isn`t up front about either the fees or the terms, rule them out right away. This applies to whether you are looking online or in person. Before you sign or agree to anything, find out if the interest rate would change should you want to or be able to pay the loan back early. Some firms offer rebates for paying the loan back before the due date.
Another important fact to find out about are any additional fees should you require an extension for the loan. The typical term for payday loans ranges from 5 to 30 days and usually coincides with your next payday. It`s best to borrow the least amount you possibly can to save on fees and to make repayment easier. Shopping and applying for these loans online makes the whole process a bit faster.
As a smart shopper, you should also know that payday loans aren`t the only way to get quick needed cash advances. There are salary advances, credit card advances (though theses tend to have very high fees), and working out some kind of repayment plan for the bills you owe on is also an option. Secured credit cards can be a good way to go. They are tied to your savings account and so they usually have a much lower interest rate than regular credit card cash advances. You might also consider religious institutions or social service agencies. They are there to help and might be a good resource to tap into. It will just take a little research on your part.
Also, most creditors will negotiate partial payments once you establish a repayment plan with them.This will allow you some extra time to pay off your bills without the stress of having to come up with a lump sum. There are also emergency assistance programs and community organizations which are sometimes partnered with social service or state agencies. They have programs set up to help with home heating and cooling costs for households that qualify. Life is expensive and no family should have to be cold in their own home, nor should they suffer during the hottest summer months without any relief.