April 12, 2009 / Labels:

Low Cost Finance Made Possible through Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loan

Building-up of debt-mountain has become normal for most of borrowers as consumerism tightens its grip. Top priority of people therefore now is to eliminate debts of higher interest rate through taking fresh loan at lower interest rate. This however turns out to be a difficult proportion if borrowers happen to be tenants or non homeowners who usually do not own property to take loan against. These people now can easily avail unsecured debt consolidation loan hassle free and ever at comparatively lower interest rate.

As the term applies, Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loan is taken for clearing previous debts. This is done through going for a new loan which enables the borrower to either pay all debts by himself or the lender does the job on the borrower?s behalf. Contrary to the secured option, tenants or non-homeowners do not have to place any property as collateral with the lender. So there is no fear of property repossession if loan repayment gets delayed.

The lenders, however, need to secure the loan in this or that way. In case of unsecured debt consolidation loan, the lenders look for credentials, income source and financial position of these borrowers like tenants or non-homeowners. Lenders would like to have a deeper look at the credit history of the borrower which is well represented in his credit score. On FICO credit score scale of 300 to 850, a credit score of 720 and above is considered as good and risk free for offering loan while credit score of 580 and below is labeled as bad credit and loan availing becomes harder for these people. So, before rushing for unsecured debt consolidation loan deal one must check the credit score. If the score is on positive side then loan getting at comparatively lower interest rate is easier. In case credit score is in negative territory then before going to the lender one should better pay off easy debts so that some improvements could be shown in the credit score. This will impress the lenders that you ate serious in clearing debts and they can relax terms and conditions.

Because of the risk involved in the absence of the collateral, unsecured debt consolidation loan is offered at higher interest rate as compared to the secured option. The loan is given for shorter repayment term again due to the risk factor. However, if the borrower shows proof that he earns higher income or possesses sound financial standing then interest rate may be lowered and repayment term may be increased. Generally a smaller loan amount is offered for unsecured debt consolidation loan which pays off smaller debts of people like tenants. But again, if bigger debts are to be cleared then greater loan amount will depend on higher repaying capacity and good credit history of the borrower.

One word of caution, you should take help of an expert in calculating your debts including interest. The expert will advise you on the exact amount you should avail under unsecured debt consolidation loan. This will enable you to escape any debt burden in future.

Finally, to reduce cost of unsecured debt consolidation loan, you should apply online as the lenders charge no fee on application processing. Also, you can pick up suitable loan package out of many offers coming your way. Make sure that you pay monthly installments of the loan in time to avoid another debt accumulation.

comments (1) / Read More

/ Labels:

Set Yourself Free from Financial Stresses: Avail a Debt Consolidation Loan

With a significant increase in urbanization, our social setup is witnessing an inevitable transformation. Our lives are now limited just to our work and a few more essential things that are important for our survival. Because of work constraints very few of us get enough time for our personal lives. We often forget to keep track of our financial condition, our debts and repayments.You may fall in such a condition where you have to pay for a number of debts and you don?t have enough resources for that. Credit card bills, personal loans and other debts have overburdened you. You badly need money for repayments but you have no funds with you. And then you realise that you have actually fallen into a debt trap. At such a depressing stage what will you do? Take it easy. Avail a debt consolidation loan.

A CONSOLIDATION LOAN is that kind of a loan which is used to consolidate all your debts into a single loan. You are free from the hassles of making multiple payments to different creditors every month. You can pay all your credit card bills as well as other debts with a debt consolidation loan.

Moreover, you can save your money on the interest payment, as you have to pay a single interest to your debt consolidation lender instead of paying different interest rates to a number of creditors.

A consolidation loan can be of two kinds. You can either avail a secured debt consolidation loan or an unsecured debt consolidation loan. The basic difference between the two is that a secured loan is charged with low rate of interest while an unsecured loan has a bit high interest. A secured loan is granted against collateral but an unsecured loan is without any collateral. It should also be marked that a secured debt consolidation loan has small monthly installments and longer repayment duration whereas in an unsecured loan the monthly installments are bigger and the repayment duration is shorter.

Nowadays, a number of creditors provide consolidation loans on the Internet. So, if you need a debt consolidation loan just go through some of the websites offering consolidation loans and fill up an online form. You?ll get a cheap debt consolidation loan within a few days.

comments (0) / Read More

April 11, 2009 / Labels:

Debt Consolidation Vs. Debt Negotiation

Debt consolidation versus debt discussion are two options that are procurable to you if you requirement debt assistance. When your monthly bills transform too some for you to manipulate, it makes sensation to use debt combining or debt talks for determination debt and title problems.

Debt Combining
Debt combining services bonk prearranged debt payment plans with most entry scorecard and grouping companies. When you mark up with a debt combining friendship you are offered a lour coverall monthly mercantilism supported on a subaltern interest appraise they love unreal with the creditor.

This commercialism is minify than what the entry salutation companies offering you, saves you money every period and is oftentimes the top way to consolidate debt.

One aid of a debt compounding quittance drawing is it will disrupt you from exploit harried by your creditors as nightlong as you puddle the new, displace monthly payments.

The downside of the debt compounding defrayment idea is that you bed to declare all achievement cards that you permit in the organisation. You are also effervescent your front payment you puddle toward the program and an additional monthly organisation fee. This medication fee ranges from scene fees of $10-$50, while others explosive a $5 fee for apiece creditor. That capital you'll pay nearly $30 a period that doesn't go to salaried off your debts.

The debt combining programme benefits you if you soul place diversion rates or possess higher approval lineup bills than you can succeed. Both group equal to straighten exclusive one commerce to one associate for all of their debts.

Debt Word
Debt word is sometimes referred to as debt ending. This is most oftentimes offered to group who can't touch a debt combining document. If you can't eliminate the peak payments of a debt combining defrayal think or harbor't made payments in the outgoing 3 months, a debt negotiation info is the succeeding tread for finding debt and approval problems.

One aid of a debt negotiation information is you place making payments to your creditors. The debt intervention consort either takes monthly payments from you and keeps it in an chronicle, or lets you living the money in your own invoice.

Spell you are making these monthly payments to the debt word companionship, they negotiate with your creditors for a minify payment of around 40-50% of your count assets of debt. Formerly the negotiated closure is agreed upon with your creditors, the debt intercession reserves makes a one measure defrayment to them.

A downside of the debt discussion performance is it lowers your attainment seduction for as extendible as you are in the papers. Withal, most debt word companies enjoin the creditor form the assets document appear postpaid in brimful so it doesn't direct up as a unfavourable on your interrogatory once your calculate is located.

Few debt talks companies allow a entry mend serving that give remove the antagonistic items caused by the debt word program. You pay for this delivery as start of their information.

Now that you screw an strain what debt compounding versus debt word is select which one instrument occupation superfine for determination debt and credit problems for you.

comments (0) / Read More

/ Labels:

Thursday, April 9, 2009 Home Equity Loan – With a Reverse Mortgage, Your Home Pays You!

The national justness give has turn quite nonclassical in the newest cinque life, and Americans soul broached into the equity of their homes in record lottery. The reasons variegate, though abode betterment and debt compounding are the most demotic reasons for appropriation against a habitation's equity.

In the fashionable fifteen eld or so, a new fold has arrived in the residence justness mart -- the opposition mortgage. Equal a tralatitious internal equity word or contrast of commendation, a setback mortgage allows you to have against the justness in your domestic. Different those opposite options, you don't hit to puddle payments in ordination to pay it backward. The payment takes localise when you die, when you locomote, or when you transact your plate. You moldiness be at littlest 62 years of age to company of advantages of a opposition mortgage over a traditional national equity word:

" Your options of receiving the money from the loan countenance a monthly payout, although you may also elect to greet a amass sum or a commendation connector. A monthly payout would effectively support you with a timed "income" during the difference of your example in your domicile.

" The word isn't due until you locomote, transact the base, or die. There is no defrayal schedule, as with daily programme loans. At the second of your demise or when you delude the concern, the loan staleness be repaid with involvement.

" The assets you love to reply cannot overstep the value of your home. With this dimension, you are stormproof should your residence condition in reckon. The investor cannot perforate you to pay statesman than the regard of the domestic.

Due to the age restrictions on oppositeness mortgages, they are not for everyone. But if you characterize, it could supply an fantabulous possibleness to individual an income during your withdrawal life.

comments (0) / Read More

April 09, 2009 / Labels:

Your 3 Worst Debt Consolidation Moves

The phrase "debt consolidation" has always had a magical ring to me.

As if somehow, someone would have the power to mush my debt into one neat little package, which by some incredible financial alchemy would also then shrink the debt itself -- and I'd only owe a hundred bucks or so.

I know I'm not the only idiot who's had this fantasy, because an entire industry has sprung up to support it: The Debt Consolidation Industry and Covert Sting Operation. Every day, I get at least one piece of regular mail offering me low-interest balance-transfer deals for credit-card debt, or arm-twisting e-mail from unknown credit organizations that scream things like:
  • "DEBT RELIEF IS JUST A CLICK AWAY!"
  • "CUT YOUR MINIMUM MONTHLY PAYMENTS BY 50% OR MORE!"
  • "SLASH YOUR INTEREST RATES DOWN TO ZERO!"
These promises are incredibly alluring to anyone who is caught in the quicksand of having too much consumer debt, and who will believe anything, do anything -- click her ruby slippers (bought on sale for just $400!) three times -- to make it go away. But before you start skipping down some financial yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Debt Consolidation, remember this: Watch out for those flying monkeys.

Three bad debt-consolidation moves:

1) The Hard-Money Loan
"The biggest myth about debt-consolidation loans is that they're easy to get," says Scott Kays, president of Kays Financial Advisory Corp. and author of "Achieving Your Financial Potential." If you really need a loan, it's probably because you've already missed a few payments and your credit history has more dings in it than a '74 Ford Pinto.

And that's the problem. Kays says that if you are a credit risk, the consolidator may entice you with promises of an easy-does-it loan, and end up charging you higher interest rates than you're paying now -- as high as 21% or 22%. "Your monthly payment may be lower" with one of these loans, "but you'll end up paying more," says Kays.

2) Debt Consolidators Who Promise to Take Care of Everything
This is the fairy godmother fantasy. This Nice Big Debt Consolidation company comes along and swears they'll make your life soooo much easier. They'll negotiate lower interest rates, reduce your monthly payments -- and all you have to do is make "one EZ payment."

In reality, many debt consolidators build in a fee as part of the monthly payment you make to them. It's usually about 10% of the payment (i.e. about $40 on a $400 monthly payment). They pass along your payments to the creditor -- some debit directly from your checking account -- and get back a 10% to 15% slice that the relieved creditor is only too happy to rebate to the consolidator.

Is it worth paying someone else to do what you can do on your own, i.e. negotiate lower interest rates and stretch out your repayment schedule and pay off the highest-interest debts first?

To desperate ears, this might sound like an ideal solution, especially when you talk to these people and they scare the bejeezus out of you. I interviewed two, Cambridge Credit and Counseling Services and Integrated Credit Solutions. Each offered similar services, and I don't recommend either of them. The senior credit counselor I spoke to at Integrated told me, in grave tones, that it would take me 379 months -- or 32 years -- to pay off my debt. With their services, however, they would "save me 27 years," and I could pay off my debt in just 53 months, or about 4 1/2 years.

Thats funny, because when I plugged my debt into the MSN Money Debt Consolidator -- a less biased source, since they ain't getting no fee from me -- they said I could pay off my debt in 41 months, providing I make slightly higher minimum payments to each card: a total of just $60 extra per card.

Here's another risk with consolidators you should know about: they have been known, in some cases, to make late payments or even miss payments, thus worsening your plight (and your credit record).

After I got off the phone with Integrated, I had to ask myself: Is it worth paying someone else to do what you can do on your own? That is, negotiate lower interest rates and stretch out your repayment schedule and pay off the highest-interest debts first? I don't think so.

3) The Balance Transfer Trap
Low-interest balance-transfer cards are a dime a dozen these days, but remember that those rates only last a few months -- and then you have to switch cards again. The danger is that at some point all this activity begins to show up on your credit report, and you start to look like a bad risk. Then if you get turned down, "you could be left holding the high-interest card you were hoping to dump," says Kays.

If you think you can swing from the balance-transfer vines for a few months, just make sure you formally close all your accounts yourself, and then notify the credit-card company to mark the account "closed at customer's request." "Otherwise, on your credit report, it will look like the creditor closed your account," says David Mooney, PR director of Equifax, one of the biggest credit reporting agencies. Thus making you look like an even worse risk, even when you're doing your best not to be.

Your best debt-consolidation moves
If you own a home and have some equity in it, you have a couple of options that are relatively low in cost. These are pretty straightforward:

Take out a home equity loan. A home equity loan has the advantage of carrying a fairly low interest rate, currently in the high single digits, and what interest you do pay is tax-deductible, Kays points out. Most fixed-rate loans carry a 15-year term and require that borrowers pay an origination fee of $75 to several hundred dollars, plus the cost of an appraisal and title insurance.

Do a "cash-out" refinancing. Another option for those with home equity is refinancing your property for greater than the amount you owe and using the extra cash to pay off debt. You get very low interest rates this way, but you're stretching payments out over 15 or 30 years. The total interest cost over three decades can wind up being pretty huge, so think of this as a one-time-only (if ever) option.

Refinance your car. "Most people don't think of it, but it is a secured loan and you can borrow against it," Kays says. The danger there is that you may run out of car before you run out of debt. It's tough to buy a new car when you owe more than it's worth.

Get a personal loan. If you have reasonably undamaged credit, you may qualify for an unsecured loan. Credit unions (see link to the left) typically offer lower rates than banks, but even there you can expect a rate of 11% or more. Still, that may be a whole lot less than the 20%-plus you're now paying to the credit-card company.

Negotiate better terms. You can do this for yourself easily. Just call your credit-card company and ask them to do it (many customer service people are authorized to reduce rates right there on the phone).

Another alternative. Or you can get help from an organization like National Foundation for Credit Counseling (see link to left). NFCC has branches throughout the country; they are a non-profit, community organization that provides free and confidential debt management advice to anyone who needs it. You can even consult with them over the phone, like I did (see below).

Like other debt consolidators, NFCC gets paid by creditors, so it's in their best interest to work out a repayment plan rather than advise you to declare bankruptcy. Not that you want to be advised to declare bankruptcy, but in certain cases it may be your best option.

NFCC makes no outlandish promises beyond the prospect of a saner financial life, and the possibility of qualifying for their low-rate mortgage program. They also offer low-cost financial planning -- a resource I'm definitely going to look into for a future column. Once I have some finances again, I will need someone to tell me what to do with them!

So whatever happened to
Since writing about my struggles with debt, Ive become religious about paying as much money as I could every month. (Thing was: I still carried my credit cards in my wallet. So my new get-out-of-debt tip would be: Take the cards out of the wallet. Otherwise, you will use them.)

Then those big payments started to have an impact. But I was on a mission. I wanted my debt gone. I turned to debt calculators, talked with friends, and ultimately came up with a two-pronged plan of merciless debt destruction. Operation Enduring Freedom from Debt. First, I took on some extra freelance work that, eventually, would pay me a little bit more than my debt in four big chunks. While I was waiting and working, I decided to consolidate my debt and turned to NFCC as my resource.

Here's the best part of NFCC:
1) They give you a one-hour consultation, by phone or in person, to help you decide if you need a Debt Management Plan. 2) In order to do the consultation, they make you fill out a form that details all your expenses.

comments (0) / Read More

/ Labels:

Understanding Credit Card Debt

Using Credit Cards and credit card debt… what’s the difference?

Do they want us to have credit card debt? I don’t know about you but it seems that over the course of a week, three to five “Pre-Qualified” Credit card offers arrive in my mailbox. Just the other day two came from the same company. One was for a credit limit of $3,000 and the other for $7,500. I guess they really want me to have a Credit Card and they don’t want anything to hold me back!!!

Having a credit card is really handy. Although I prefer to use cash, using a credit card to purchase some things is just easier… like renting a car or buying a plane ticket and even ordering something online. Notice I said using a credit card not going into credit card debt.

Do You Have Credit Card Debt?

How many times have you heard people say credit cards are bad, you need to get rid of all your credit cards? As with most things in life, it’s not the “object” that is bad, in this case we’re talking about credit cards ... but credit card debt is bad. Using a credit card is simply a trade. The merchant has something you want and you trade “credit” for the product. That’s pretty simple.

How Credit Card Companies Make Money?

The credit card company makes their money in a couple of ways. First the merchant doesn’t receive the full amount of the purchase you made. Usually, the credit card company will keep 2-3 % and the merchant gets the rest. So on a purchase of $100 the store gets about $97 dollars and the credit card company keeps $3 dollars. They store gives up a few dollars to get their money right way. The credit card company on the other hand, hopes to wait, and wait, and wait for their money.

They want to be your best buddy and let you “take your time” paying off the new dress, shirts, shoes, or purse. They don’t want you to pay off that credit card purchase in a month. They want you to have credit card debt. Because when you owe them, they’ll be more than happy to give you more credit to buy more.

Why Do They Want You To Have Credit Card Debt?

Let’s go back to the store for a moment. For starters, the credit card company has already made $3 off your purchase of $100. They’re hoping you only send the “Minimum payment” of $10 dollars at the end of one month. Why you ask? Because now that we’re “friends” and you still, owe $90 they’re going to charge you let’s say 12% per year interest. So for one month that’s $.90 cents.

So let’s not buy anymore stuff on our credit card until we pay our $100 purchase off and see what the Credit card company makes off your credit card debt and how much the "shoes" really cost you. Remember the Credit card company already made $3 dollars to start with on the merchant.

Month Payment Monthly Balance Your Cost Credit Card Company
$3 (starting profit)
Month 1 $10.90 $90 100.90 $.90
Month 2 $10.80 $80 101.70 $.80
Month 3 $10.70 $70 102.40 $.70
Month 4 $10.60 $60 103.00 $.60
Month 5 $10.50 $50 103.50 $.50
Month 6 $10.40 $40 103.90 $.40
Month 7 $10.30 $30 104.20 $.30
Month 8 $10.20 $20 104.40 $.20
Month 9 $10.10 $10 104.50 $.10
Totals $104.50 $7.50


So there you have the reason credit companies love for you to have credit card debt.

Your cost if you paid off your shoes during the first month would have been just what you paid for them $100. By your paying the minimum payment, and keeping credit card debt, the company was able to make an extra $4.50 from you.

Use a credit card for convenience, pay it in full each month, and stay away from credit card debt ... it's your money, use it wisely.

comments (0) / Read More

April 06, 2009 / Labels:

Students Cannot Afford to Lose Sleep over Debts

Studies take a back seat when debts begin to hold a prominent place in students’ finances. Guardians would find this strange, since most guardians feel that they send their wards more than enough money to meet the needs of their wards. The needs have a very narrow definition that includes not more than basic necessities. For all other needs, students have to depend on external sources like friends and moneylenders. The problem arises when debts become unmanageable because of its size. Student loan debt consolidation plays a very important role at this stage.

The features of student loans are included into debt consolidation loans to give them a distinct character, suited to the student debtors. Repayment of the student loan debt consolidation for instance, differs from the regular repayment methods. The repayment will be due only when the student graduates from studies. This means that repayment will begin only when the student begins to work and earn. Parents and guardian will appreciate this feature since this helps them shift a part of their financial burden.

It is incorrect to consider student loan debt consolidation as just another loan. As a debt consolidation loan, the student loan debt consolidation consolidates the entire debts, prepares a list of debts incurred, and then settles them through a single loan.

Do you find the task easy? That it is; as long as there is a debt settlement agency to implement the plan. Students would be advised not to embark on the debt settlement activity since this will unnecessarily take up their valuable time. Besides, there are chances that the student will not be able to settle debts in full. Being inexperienced in debt settlement, there is a probability that the loan amount will not be used optimally.

Debt settlement agencies, on the other hand, are professional in dealing with debts. Each case is studied in detail before suggesting effective debt solutions. The procedure will be helpful in deciding among the several debt management techniques available.

Students qualify for the cheapest interest rates. The interest rates and other terms of the student loan debt consolidation must be given prime importance. These contribute largely to the cost of finance. Also check for prepayment penalties. One must ensure that the option to refinance is not curbed. This is helpful when better finance opportunities come your way.

Students do have to face problems in qualifying for student loan debt consolidations. No credit history is the root cause behind most ineligibilities. For most students the student loan debt consolidation has been the first experience of credit transactions. So, how do loan providers determine credibility of borrowers? In the absence of any satisfactory method, loan providers will prefer not to lend. Some lenders place restrictive conditions on students in order to deter students from using the facility. Age restriction like upping the age of students who can use student loan debt consolidation is one such tactic.

Another point of disqualification is the lack of stable income. Stable income to enable regular payments is a prerequisite for most loans. This can be mended if the student shows that he is involved in some part time jobs. With guardians guaranteeing repayment, in case the student fails to do so, the problem is offset to a large extent.

Websites advertising their financial products have lessened the quandary significantly. The purview of search for student loan debt consolidation has widened. Students find themselves searching for student loan debt consolidation from banks and financial institutions spread far and wide. All this has been facilitated through Internet and web technology. The refusal by loan providers is not a concerted action. There will be certain loan providers who have matching deals for the students. Online search can help find the particular lender who accepts the borrower with his set of circumstances.

Student loan debt consolidation is a testing ground for students. Though it will not be wise to take an active participation in the debt consolidation process, students can supervise the process. Proper advice will be necessary to make the important decisions on student loan debt consolidation.

comments (0) / Read More

/ Labels:

Finding The Right Bankruptcy Attorney To Get Fast Debt Relief

Bankruptcy filing is at an all time high. This has caused a new bankruptcy law to be passed called the “Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act.” Many people are having a tough time with debt and are now facing new rules for filing.

Finding an attorney to help explain the facts for this devastating issue is relatively easy in most cases. Bankruptcy attorneys specialize in bankruptcy law. They can provide legal methods for a person or commercial enterprise to either wipe out the debts by liquidating assets and distributing them among creditors or resolve them by developing a court approved reorganization plan. A good attorney can help with other plans involving the repayment of the creditors over time.

When you first visit an attorney you should bring a list of all the creditors that you owe. This includes all debts that you are not behind on like credit cards, student loans, medical bills, taxes, cars, houses, and personal debts. The better the information that you give to your lawyer, the better their advice will be. A list of your assets and income is also needed.

Be sure to read the full details of the representation agreement, the draft schedules, the court notices and communications from your lawyer about your bankruptcy case. Ask your lawyer questions if you do not understand something. Be sure not to lie about anything regarding debts and assets.

If you retain a bankruptcy attorney be sure to have all the details of the new laws explained to you. An effective bankruptcy attorney should at least take the time to explain all the details before you file and give you an idea of how to manage your debt and how to eliminate your debt burden altogether.

An effective bankruptcy attorney will help you get fast debt relief and give you the resources, services and expert advice to get your financial situation back in order. With the proper information in regards to the new bankruptcy laws you can avoid the hassles many people have to deal with because they did not take the time to do some research. Only you can decide what is best for your debt burden with the current bankruptcy law, but a good attorney makes life much easier.

comments (0) / Read More

March 25, 2009 / Labels:

Can a $1 Trillion Budget Deficit be a Positive Event?

The federal debt has already surpassed $10 trillion, and current estimates indicate that this fiscal year's budget deficit could exceed $1 trillion. Strangely enough, even conservative-minded economists aren't balking at the spending, even though it's likely to lead to more government borrowing.

"Upside down, boy you turn me, inside out and round and round..." The global economic crisis has turned everything on its ear-so much so that economists might find themselves humming a little Diana Ross as they advise the feds to spend their way out of this mess.

President-elect Obama never tried to win a vote by saying he wanted to go on a wild spending spree with government dollars. Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't, either. It's not a strategy that goes over well with taxpayers. FDR actually campaigned on the promise of balancing the federal budget, and then reversed his position to usher in the New Deal.

But, as they say, there's a time and a place for everything. A growing number of economists are chiming in to argue that now may be the time for big government spending.

Deficit of historic proportions

In the fiscal year just ended, the federal deficit came in at about $455 billion. Few would disagree with the conclusion that next year's deficit is likely to be at least double that amount. A deficit of $1 trillion, if covered with government borrowing, would add almost 10 percent to the federal debt, which now stands at about $10.8 trillion.

Lesser of two evils

The usual concerns associated with excessive federal deficits are the same concerns that apply to borrowers who spend more than they make. The spending shortfalls have to be covered somehow, and usually debt is the answer. The federal government borrows money by selling bonds or writing IOUs to other programs, such as Social Security. Generally speaking, that money has to be repaid and, often, with interest. As the interest and principal repayments move ever higher, it squeezes the amount of money available for other programs.

Increasing the federal debt has its drawbacks. But, at this juncture, not increasing the federal debt could have a much scarier set of consequences. If the feds sit back and wait for the weak economy to repair itself, they could be inviting an economic meltdown on par with the Great Depression. And the cost of that scenario, in terms of lost tax revenues and increased demand for government assistance, could far outweigh the money spent now on economic stimulus.

There's another factor that also invites the government to ramp up its borrowing right now: Scared investors are pouring money into Treasury bills, which is driving effective rates down to almost zero. This trend won't last forever, but it does create a short-term opportunity for some very cheap government borrowing.

The economic crisis has turned the definition of fiscal wisdom inside out. But spending is one thing that American lawmakers know how to handle.

comments (0) / Read More

/ Labels:

What to Look for when Choosing a Mortgage Lender

There are many things that you are going to have to look for when you are choosing a mortgage lender. It is going to be very important for you to find the right lender, because the right lender will translate into the right loan for you. For many people it is going to be important for you to make sure that you have the right loan, because it is vital that the loan is going to be something you can count on for the rest of your life. Therefore, you need to be sure to have the right loan, and, along with that, the right lender.

There are also several things that you are going to want to look for in a lender, so be sure that you are focusing on the most important aspects of the lending process. Finding a good lender is never something that you should rush, so you want to be sure that you can do all that you can to take your time. If you are trying to find a lender in a hurry, chances are always good that you might end up messing up and picking the wrong type of lender. This will lead to you having problems with the loan that you end up getting, so take your time, no matter what!

Good History and Reputation

The first thing that you want to look for in a lender is history. It is going to be important for you to choose a lender that has been around a long time, especially with tricky market conditions today. A newer lender might not be able to provide you with what you need, and they might not have the experience that it takes to be sure you get the best loan for you. Therefore, you might be stuck with a bad lender if you choose someone who has been around for only a few years. Try to choose a lender that has a long history, because they'll be better able to get you what you want when it comes to loans.

However, there is something that is equally important as history, and this is important today with all of the crises that affect lenders. Just as important as history is a good reputation. You need to make sure that your lender has a great reputation, meaning that they are good at what they do and they have been good at it for some time. Stay away from lenders who have made poor financial decision in the past, or lenders who look like they might be in a bank situation that is not going to last very long, even if those lenders have been around a long time. Do some checking into the stability of the lender and make sure that you are choosing those that are very stable and that will be there for the long haul.

People Say Good Things

Next, you are going to want to be sure that you are picking a lender about which people are saying good things. Do some listening to your friends and family members who have gone with a certain lender and make sure that you are hearing good things before you go with that particular lender. Stay away from any lender that you hear bad things about, unless you know that the things you are hearing are faulty. It is a trick time to borrow money today, so you want to be sure that your loan is not made any worse by lenders that might have problems.

Friendly and Accommodating

You also want to be sure that the lender you choose is friendly and accommodating to you. This is very important because you might have various situations that you need a lender to focus on, and they should be willing to work with you. Be sure that they are friendly and that they make you feel good when you meet with them. Also, be sure that they are willing to work with you and with any problems that you might have.

Have Lots to Offer

Lastly, find a lender that has lots to offer to you. Focus on the different types of loans that they have available, and on what you might consider getting from that lender. Because you never know how your credit will work out, you want to go with a lender who looks like they will have lots of options, especially for you if you aren't going to be the typical borrower.

comments (0) / Read More