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Do the Research before You Accept a Loan Offer

The smartest way to protect fragile finances is to take some time to really research online loans. At plaingreenloans.com, they clearly explain what kinds of charges come with making a short-term loan. You can see the terms and rules, and you can see how a good payment history with them is rewarded with higher loan amounts in the future.

Even if you don’t use the online loan option today, it’s a good idea to understand how it works and what kinds of expenses will come with it. What you will find is that the loan payments will be easier to make than the penalty fees associated with an overdue bill.

Pay Off Your Debt Quickly

Late fees and long-term debt can throw you into an impossible financial cycle. If you have to get an online loan to keep bills paid on time, pay it off quickly. A good loan company, like plaingreenloans.com, will offer you guidance on being a responsible borrower. In fact, your payment terms will be for a short period so that you don’t pay more than you really have to.

They offer financial tips that will help you overcome debt. The first lesson is to know your financial numbers. You have to take in more money than you spend. If bills are hard to pay, they recommend you look at your spending habits and cut things like eating out. With an online loan, your payments are drafted from your bank account automatically. Since that money must be in your account, you’ll be forced to avoid frivolous spending.

Get Back to Basics

Although you’ll be applying for an online loan because it’s fast and easy to do, make sure that you shop online with caution. Online loans to avoid overdue bill are fast, but you can spend money on clothes, jewelry, music and fun stuff just as fast. If you spend with caution, you’ll be better off.

If you have a job, a bank account in good standing, and are over 18 years old, then online loans are a great safety net when bills are overdue. Spend your money wisely. Take care of the basics. Take out online loans only when you have to, and when you do it, choose a company that really cares about your financial well-being.

Aside from discussing her duties as a yaya, we also tackled her salary issues. She already asked if she can get half of her salary to be left to her kids, I already agreed to that and I just talked to her how we will deduct her transportation fee and salary advances. In the end, she’s thankful that I gave her easy personal loans, I just hope that she’ll pay it back by taking care of Gwen. =)

One thing though is that my SSS ID hasn’t arrived yet, I applied for it the moment I got pregnant because our HR said it’s required. I already gave birth and still no SSS ID. When I called their office for follow-up, the person I talked to the other line said that they’re giving priority to those who needs to avail of social security disability first. Well, I already claimed my SSS Maternity benefit too so that’s the least of my worries.

For more details especially to Odesk providers, visit here.

I tried reading on how to compute finance charges but all the websites only put me in a daze. I guess I’ll just have to wait for the next billing statement huh? I might as well look for other credit cards for bad credit, if there’s such a thing here in the Philippines. For all I know, banks here in the Philippines do a thorough investigation before approving people to have credit cards. In other countries, they really have credit cards for people with bad credit.

Anyway, another thing for me to tackle is ask for the reversal of my annual fee. My Worldperks card’s annual fee has been waived but for the gold card, I have yet to call their customer service. This another reason why I’m happy with BPI, my annual fee is always waived ever since I’m a cardholder. I think it counts that I have an account with their bank. I should call their customer service like right now.

If you want more tips on how to use credit card wisely, read my previous post about how to save money using your credit card.

In some instances that you made some wrong financial decisions and exorbitant spending, it may result to credit card debts. And in some cases, it really spells bad news, since interest rates would pile up month after month until you really can’t afford to pay your debt even for a longer time. But then, there’s a solution, you can make use of a credit card balance transfer wherein you get a new credit card with a lower interest rate and the new card will pay off the debt from your previous credit card. This should allow you to pay off your credit card debt on a much flexible term and for a reasonable amount.

And to help us to be financially savvy, we can all make use of CreditCardFinder.com especially if you’re in Australia to easily compare various credit cards.

Take your pick, a credit card or a debit card? Either way, as long as you’re a responsible spender, you won’t go into trouble with credit card debts or other finances. Times are hard so we should exert a lot of effort using our hard-earned money wisely.

Obviously, I’m using BPI credit card for 5 years now, a loyal and very happy client. And throughout those 5 years, I learned some credit card smarts that I want to share to let you save money by using your credit card:

1. Be aware of the promos of your credit card that gives you freebies upon completing a minimum purchase transaction. At BPI, they have an ongoing promo that entitles you for a free Jollibee food item for everyPhp 1000 spent using your BPI credit card. I always use my card whenever I do the grocery, and after that, I head on to Jollibee to claim my freebie, instant merienda, FREE!

2. Ask your bank if you can waive your annual fee. If you’re on the first year of using your credit card, then it’s free. But on the second year, chances are, you will be charged with an annual fee. Try calling your bank if they can waive your annual fee for the second year. With BPI, I haven’t paid an annual fee for 5 years now, it’s also good to maintain a good credit standing with your bank. Aside from that, they can also consider waiving your annual fee if you have a savings account with the same bank. When all else fails, I’m gonna let you in on my little secret, shhhh. Some bank agents gave me a hard time when I asked for my annual fee reversal so what I told them was to cut my credit card, or I’m no longer interested since another bank is offering me a credit card with no annual fee… The agent would then put you on hold and voila, your annual fee will be waived.

3. Most credit cards offers loyalty points/bonus points whenever you use them. Once you accumulate a significant number of points, you can choose from a variety of gifts like travel benefits, appliances, and gift certificates offered. These are FREE as a reward for being a loyal client with the bank.

4. Do pay your credit card bill before its due. Once it gets past the due date, finance charges apply. Ugh, this is the most dreaded charges for a credit card user but your bank will be jumping with glee. Banks earn through these exorbitant finance charges so always remember your due date. One thing I love with BPI is that they have longer grace period, even if it’s past my due date, I can still pay my bill 3 or 5 days after without the finance charges on my next bill.

I hope these 3 simple tips on saving money through your credit card will be helpful. If you have other tips, feel free to share. Just keep in mind that what you can’t afford to buy in cash, then you can’t afford it at all even using your credit card. Do not be lured by 0% installment plans that you can pay for XX months, spend your money or your plastic money wisely.

While I’m on a money-making mood, I learned about IRA, which means Individual Retirement Account, a type of investment for an employee in preparation for retirement. In the US, people with retirement plans can have IRA gold. Gold has become a recession-proof investment, while the value of the US dollar decreases, the value of gold rises. Investors are adding gold to their assets to diversify and to balance their investments, thus having a 401k gold aside from other paper investments.

The website I’ve found had me convinced that “gold is the ultimate asset”. No inflation, economic crisis, government conditions, oil and gas prices, bank failures, etc. can devalue it, in fact, those negative conditions can make the value of gold rise. The site also assists investors on how to put gold in an IRA and also helps on how to have a gold 401k.

I am married for 1 year and 3 months to be exact. Everything is peachy and no major arguments weren’t solved at the end of the day. The usual give-and-take relationship must always prevail and patience is imperative. Unfortunately, failed marriages are rampant nowadays. Incompatibilities, wrong decisions, falling out of love, third parties and money matters are some of the causes. One useful tip I’ve found “How to avoid money from destroying your marriage” will surely help couples in their relationships. I particularly applaud the author on stressing out the importance of saving for the future. Allotting a percentage of your salaries no matter how small will do wonders in the future, not only for the couple but for their future children as well.