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October 22, 2020

Tips for Managing Credit Card Debt

money burdenAre you in a credit card debt? Credit card debt is something that most adults out there tend to struggle with. However, for some, it becomes a frightening cycle in which they might get stuck for the rest of their lives. As per a recent study report, it was revealed that around 75 percent of consumers having credit cards tend to carry around $6200 as the average balance.

Lately, in the year 2019, credit cards having higher than average balances had increased by as much as 3 percent. This implies three-quarters of earning adult population is trying to manage credit card debt in some way or the other. This is the reason why learning to manage, and paying down your credit card debt turns out to be more important than ever.

Here is our guide into managing credit card debt like a pro:

#Learning How to Use Credit Cards Responsibly

When you are trying to get out of credit card debt, the first thing that you would like to ensure is to understand the proper use of the credit card. Credit cards serve to be great financial tools for aspects like earning reward points, building the credit card history, and serving as a highly secure way of ensuring payments other than cash.
When you make use of the credit card responsibly, it also implies that you are expected to pay the bills on time for the given due amount. When you do not aim at paying your bills on time, it is going to ultimate harm the overall credit. This is because credit history turns out to be the biggest factor that is regarded when you are analyzing the credit score.

Huge amounts of debts would also reflect poorly on your overall credit score. Therefore, it is recommended that you should not make use of the credit cards out of your financial limits. You should aim at making use of the credit cards for buying what you need within the budget and have the ability to pay back.

#Knowing Your Budget

A budget serves to be a detailed plan about how you will be managing your money. This can be done by tracking your overall dollars that you earn as well as spend. A budget helps in providing you a clear picture of your overall financial life. It also allows you to be aware of the extra money that you are required to spend or the loss of money that you have currently.

When you are aware of the budget, it serves to be a vital part of your debt management strategy. This is because it reveals how much money you will have for paying your bills on time while paying down the debt. Particularly when it comes to paying off the debt, you will be required to know the amount of free cash flow that you should put in additional funds for debt payments.

#Paying More Than the Minimum Payment

With the passage of time, when you pay only the minimum amount, it will end up costing you more money. This is because as you would carry a balance on the respective credit card, balance accrues interest on a daily basis. However, when you are paying the full balance off as per the due date, you will not be getting charged any interest.

#Understanding the Credit Utilization Rate

Do you know what credit utilization rate is? A credit utilization rate is regarded as the ratio between the amount of revolving credit that you have in comparison to how much is available out there. Individual credit utilization rate is a major part of what will be used for determining the credit score.

A lower value of the credit utilization rate implies that your credit cards have not been maxed out. This also implies that you are managing the overall credit properly.

On the other hand, a higher credit utilization rate implies that you are not spending your money wisely while having higher amounts of debt related to credit cards.

As per the ideal credit utilization rate, it is expected to be around 30 percent. If the same goes above 30 percent, then you should aim at lowering the credit utilization ratio in the respective management plan for your credit cards.
Lowering the same will help in decreasing your debt while increasing the credit score.

#Improving the Spending Habits

If you are not adept at your spending habits, you should aim at fixing the same right away. Poor habits including spending more than what you are earning are not right. It is recommended that you should consider changing the spending behavior to be in line with the respective budget.

You can consider implementing techniques for effective money-saving like buying on sale, using coupons or discount codes, ensuring frugal living, and so more. All of these techniques can help in improving your overall spending while allowing you to save more to pay off all your debts.

You should take time at developing good spending habits. This will serve to be a long-term strategy for managing the overall debts & finances. You would not like to have healthy spending to serve as a temporary solution. Rather, you should aim at making the same as your long-term lifestyle habit to achieve your financial goals.

#Reviewing the Credit Report

The credit report that you have is the review of all your past as well as present credit activity. It allows you to know about every creditor to whom you owe money. Most importantly, it allows the lenders to be aware of the history of the respective debt payments. This will help in determining if they would like to loan the money to the borrowers and the interest rate for the same. The credit report is known to affect the overall ability of the borrowers to borrow money. Therefore, you should ensure that it is positive and accurate.

Conclusion

Make use of the right strategies for waiving off debt on your credit card history.

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October 6, 2020

What Services Do Accountants Provide To Small Businesses

financial attemptsIt is a well known and most asked question that what other services do Accountants provide to the business organizations rather than just simple bookkeeping process. The fact is that reputed accounting firms provide a number of other accounting-related services rather than just conventional financial transaction Record-Keeping services. Well known accounting firms provide the services of the financial strategies implementation within a business organization which can generate a huge amount of revenue for a firm or a business organization.

Accounting firms and small business accountants are really beneficial in finding out which strategies to implement in an organization and which ones to avoid in order to optimize the profitability of the business in the long run. As it is the job of the Accountants to manage all the financial transactions and the records of a business organization, that is why they are more valuable near about the revenue charts of a business. This is the reason why Accountants can guide the business management better about the financial strategy implementation within an organization.

In this article, we are going to discuss what services Accountants provide to small businesses.

So, keep on reading to find out more information below about small business Accountants and accounting firms.

1. Taxation:

The small business Accountants provide the services of taxation to the business organizations. The taxation for a business might seem simple at first but it actually is not that simple and straightforward. The reason behind this is that new tax codes come and the rules keep fluctuating. The small business Accountants are aware of the changing tax codes and they know what is next. Accountants know how these tax returns changes are going to affect your business organization.

2. Debt Coping Strategies:

The reduction of death and its optimization is one of the key procedures towards the profitability and revenue generation of a business organization in the long run. It is the job of the small business Accountants to manage the credit card management of a company and assist them in this regard. Accountants have all the valuable knowledge about the market and they can assist you in the implementation of a financial model that is going to be the most profitable for your business.

3. Payroll Management:

Accountants also assist the small businesses in payroll management of their company. Accountants are able to guide the management of the company better whether they can afford new employees at the moment or not depending upon their financial revenue of the company. So the job of an accountant is not just traditional bookkeeping but it is much more than that. Accountants can also determine whether you can provide your employees with certain benefits in a certain situation currently or not.

4. Business Growth:

The most important service that Accountants provide to small businesses is the plan for their business growth in the long run. It is a crucial step towards success because this is how Accountants can add value to a business.

Conclusion:

The job description of Accountants for small business organizations is not just traditional bookkeeping.

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July 21, 2016

Have Payment Protection Insurance? Get the Needed Refund in Time of Need

payment protectionWhen taking out a personal loan, opening up a credit card or even taking up a mortgage, many often sign a PPI. However reality is that many are usually unaware of this fact, until they are unable to make the needed payments as scheduled. But what is a PP1?

What Is PPI?

Short for payment protection insurance, PPI is normally sold by financial institutions to their customers as a means to protect them in the event they are unable to pay their loans. This is whether the reason behind it is sickness or loss of job. The insurance sometimes goes by the name unemployment coverage, sickness coverage or accident coverage but can broadly be referred to as credit protection insurance.

How to Get PPI money back?

In the event you have coverage and intend on getting your money back as the need has arisen, getting your claim submitted is the first step. This way information regarding just how much PPI has been sold to you on your loan and the amount payable will be revealed. In the end after the necessary paperwork has been completed, you will receive your PPI refund money back.

How much can one claim?

The amount of PPI you can claim largely depends on the amount of loan and credit card balance you have. This simply means the larger the loan and credit card balance, the bigger the PPI refund. However to know the exact amount you will need to make and offer and add the interest to know just how much you are entitled to. Take into account where you have gotten your mortgage from, all places you have taken loans from and credit cards that you have signed up for over the years. This way if you have ever signed up for PPI, the retrieval process will begin.

How far back can you claim?

In this case also there is usually no set limit. With some, register claims can be made as far back as 12 years with many having a maximum of 15 years. However you will only know whether you can get your funds back by making a claim as far back as you can. This way ensure you gather all your paperwork on the accounts you bought PPI.

How Soon Can You get your money back?

There is usually no set limit on how long it will take to return the funds to customers. However on average the time usually takes about 8 weeks. This still depends on the bank, its procedures and your history with the bank.

Filing a claim

The process of making a claim to get a PPI refund is no doubt long and tiring. In this case to make the process easy using iSmart is ideal. With the services being particularly free, you will not be charged to check whether you have a PPI on your loans. In addition no charges will be brought to you in case you chose another company to file a claim, even after knowing how much you can get as refund. Still with some lenders taking as many as 2 months to respond whether your claim can be made or not, leaving it to the professionals is better saving you time and money. As if that is not enough with PPI scandals affecting many people in the past decade, ppirefund.co.uk will ensure that even after your complaint has been rejected, you get the needed advice on what to do next.

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February 8, 2015

The Pros and Cons of Filing for Bankruptcy

Filing for BankruptcyFiling for bankruptcy is a drastic step in regaining your financial health, and the impacts are long-lasting. It is not something to be done lightly, or without weighing out all of your available options. If you are drowning in debt, however, bankruptcy can be a valuable first step in rebuilding your financial future.

GetFreeOfBills.com notes that bankruptcy comes in two forms: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. While Chapter 7 allows you to discharge most debts, Chapter 13 requires you to follow a structured plan to repay your debts under more favorable terms. Depending on the amount of disposable income you have, you might be required to file Chapter 13. Regardless of which type you file, however, the pros and cons are generally the same.

Pros

  • Clean slate: A bankruptcy provides a clean slate. It effectively resets your credit to zero, except for the debts that cannot be discharged such as student loans, recent back taxes, and child support. It provides you with the opportunity to stop making costly payments and provides you with more money to live on each month.
  • Opportunity to rebuild: Some people believe that bankruptcy prevents you from ever having credit again, but this is not the case. Many people manage to build new lines of credit shortly after their bankruptcy, and it gets easier as time passes. While it is true that bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years, its effects gradually lessen.
  • Stopping adverse collections actions: If you are being hounded by creditors, facing foreclosure, or afraid that your wages will be garnished, bankruptcy can be a psychological relief. When you file for bankruptcy, you will receive an automatic stay from the court. This forces your creditors to cease all adverse collections activities against you. If you have a bankruptcy attorney, he or she will also act as a shield, handling creditors on your behalf.
  • Exemption laws: Your home and car are generally exempt from bankruptcy, as long as you continue to meet your payment obligations. You are also entitled to a cash value for personal possessions. If you have a significant number of luxury possessions, you might be required to sell some, but the exemptions are generally high enough to let most people keep their personal items.
  • Job protection: Although some employers will not hire applicants with a bankruptcy on their credit report, the job you already have is protected. It is illegal for an employee to be fired for declaring bankruptcy.

Cons

  • Damaged credit: Bankruptcy is a major hit on your credit report. In the immediate aftermath of the bankruptcy, you might be unable to get any new credit at all. Although it usually does not take long to get new offers, you will fall into a high risk category for lenders. Expect to pay interest rates that are significantly higher than the ones you had prior to your bankruptcy. However, if you are in the position of filing for bankruptcy, your credit is probably already damaged. Some people find that the credit hit is much less significant than they anticipated.
  • Filing costs: Filing for bankruptcy typically costs a few hundred dollars, depending on your location. Attorney’s fees are billed on top of that. However, in most cases you can make a payment arrangement if you can prove that paying a lump sum would present a financial hardship.
  • Embarrassment: Although it is surprisingly common, filing for bankruptcy still carries a certain stigma. Some people worry that their loved ones will find out and ultimately think less of them for their decision. However, bankruptcy typically comes at the end of a long journey through mounting debt. Most people understand that sometimes life happens, and do not judge their friends and relatives for making a tough financial decision. Besides, having your home foreclosed or your car repossessed is not exactly a less embarrassing option. When taken seriously and only as a last resort, bankruptcy can actually be the smartest choice for some situations.
  • Exempted debts: Some debts cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy, including recent back taxes, child support, and student loans. In addition, most people choose to keep their mortgage and car loan, if applicable. However, discharging your other debts will create more available money each month, which can then be diverted toward paying your remaining obligations.

Bankruptcy is not for everyone, but it is the best solution for many people. Attorney David M. Often of Get Free of Bills understands the complex decision-making process that is involved in determining whether bankruptcy is the right choice for you. Contact his office today for professional advice on how to proceed along your journey to financial freedom.

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October 19, 2014

Changing Faces of the Credit Card

All about credit cardsThe credit card is completely different to the original concept of the idea of using credit. While the original credit card was paper, this quickly developed to the plastic one that adorns many purses and wallets around the world.

The original idea behind the credit card was to pay the debt in full at the end of each month. You only became eligible for a credit card if you were a special and privileged client. Often the banks lost money on the credit card, with high fees, but this didn’t matter if it meant a customer was happy and loyal. The change in the use of the cards is apparent as customer’s now, often have balances from previous months spending.

However, slowing the evolution of the credit card took place and it was no longer a privileged accessory but one many people demanded as an easy access to some form of credit.

A credit card has become a necessity in the majority of homes; it pays for luxuries but also a way to pay for the essentials. With the companies competing for the larger slice of credit from the consumers, more and more people opted for the credit card as a way to pay for everyday life.

While improvements in the economy is a positive angel, wages have stayed comparatively low. This has led consumers to look for credit in all places and credit card companies have obliged.

What is staggering is the fact that in 2008 credit card transactions over took cash transactions in America. This is a worrying statistic in the current economic climate.

However, life has changed.More and more families are in a lot of debt due to the credit cards and rising housing costs. Consumers are struggling with the debt they are experiencing, the credit card companies are continuing to push the cards and increase the amount of debt.

Credit problems are bad that the amount on bankruptcies are increasing, meaning the credit card companies are potentially losing money through bad debt.

However, whilst this might seem that the evolution of the credit card is bad, the changes haven’t completed and there is still hope for the future.

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