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		<title>Organize your credit card debts through consolidation</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/organize-your-credit-card-debts-through-consolidation</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/organize-your-credit-card-debts-through-consolidation#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:23:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=131</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The chief relief that a credit consolidation provides is that you don’t have to worry about the multiple payments on your credit card bills any longer. Imagine what a mess you’ll be in, if you incur lots of credit card debts, all from different creditors, at different rates of interest. Now, you’ll be baffled as [...]]]></description>
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	<a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/credit-cards.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-132" title="Organize your credit card debts through consolidation" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/credit-cards.jpg" alt="Organize your credit card debts through consolidation" width="470" height="314" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Organize your credit card debts through consolidation</p>
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<p>The chief relief that a <a href="http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/credit-card.html">credit consolidation</a> provides is that you don’t have to worry about the multiple payments on your credit card bills any longer. Imagine what a mess you’ll be in, if you incur lots of credit card debts, all from different creditors, at different rates of interest. Now, you’ll be baffled as you’ll have to keep track of all the monthly payments, to be paid on different dates of a month. Keeping aside the total amount each month for payments on your credit card debts will stress you out as well.</p>
<p>Again, if you fail to make timely payments or miss out on any amongst them, due to financial inadequacy, or any other reason, you will start having nightmares. Your creditors will start calling you for their dues.</p>
<p>Now, that will be the time you can look up to credit consolidation, as a viable way out of this chaotic situation.</p>
<p><strong>How credit consolidation works</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Credit consolidation simply combines all of your due debts together, and arranges a single monthly payment for you. You won’t need to worry about the multiple payments any longer. It becomes easier for you to make timely payments. Besides when you go for a credit card consolidation, you can opt for a payment amount that you can afford. You stay regular with the payments, and over a considerable time period, all your credit card debts get paid off.</p>
<p>You can consolidate you credit card debts in the following ways:</p>
<p><strong>1. Enrolling into a consolidation program – </strong>A consolidation company offers you debt assistance when you enroll into their program. The company will enlist all the details of your credit card debts, and contact directly with your creditors. They will negotiate to reduce your interest rates, waive off the late fees and penalties on your outstanding debts. A payment plan will be arranged for you, to suit your means. You make the single payment each month, which will then be distributed amongst your creditors.</p>
<p><strong>2. Taking out a consolidation loan –</strong> A consolidation loan is nothing but a huge loan, at low interest rates. You can clear off the earlier credit card debts with the cash obtained. Now, you’ll have to continue with the payments on the new loan. The stress of paying multiple creditors will be eliminated. The low interest rates will make the payments more affordable for you as well.</p>
<p><strong>3. Borrow against home equity or insurance – </strong>This works in a similar way to that of a consolidation loan. However the unsecured credit card debts get transformed into a secured debt, if you take out a home equity loan. This means that your house is placed as collateral, and your creditors might do a foreclosure if you default on the debt payments. The only advantage of this type of loan is that your interest rates reduce and thereby you monthly payments are considerably lower, since the risk for your creditors is less. You can even borrow money to pay off your credit card debts, by keeping your life insurance policy as security.</p>
<p><strong>4. Getting a balance transfer credit card – </strong>You just need to transfer your balances into a new credit card. The high interest debts are thereby consolidated into the new card with a low interest rate.</p>
<p>The whole point of credit consolidation will be lost, if you go on incurring new debts even after consolidating the older ones. It should be kept in mind that a consolidation only rearranges your debts together, and doesn’t eliminate it. So, you’ll need to keep up with the regular payments consistently to remove your credit card debts completely.</p>


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			<a href="mailto:?subject=%22Organize%20your%20credit%20card%20debts%20through%20consolidation%22&amp;body=Link: http://www.partnersbank.net/organize-your-credit-card-debts-through-consolidation (sent via shareaholic)%0D%0A%0D%0A----%0D%0A %0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20chief%20relief%20that%20a%20credit%20consolidation%20provides%20is%20that%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20to%20worry%20about%20the%20multiple%20payments%20on%20your%20credit%20card%20bills%20any%20longer.%20Imagine%20what%20a%20mess%20you%E2%80%99ll%20be%20in%2C%20if%20you%20incur%20lots%20of%20credit%20card%20debts%2C%20all%20from%20different%20creditors%2C%20at%20different%20rates%20of%20interest.%20Now%2C" rel="nofollow" class="external" title="Email this to a friend?">Email this to a friend?</a>
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		<title>Five Questions to Ask Before Getting a New Credit Card</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/five-questions-to-ask-before-getting-a-new-credit-card</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/five-questions-to-ask-before-getting-a-new-credit-card#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:29:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=124</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Facing continued inflation, low wages and job instability, that people are looking for ways to cut credit card debt is no surprise. Unfortunately, too many people consider only initial interest rates or bonus programs when they choose new credit cards. All too often, they find themselves in hot financial water that is just as deep [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><strong></strong><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Credit-Card.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-125 alignleft" title="Credit Card" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Credit-Card.jpg" alt="Credit Card" width="275" height="183" /></a>Facing continued inflation, low wages and job instability, that people are looking for ways to cut credit card debt is no surprise. Unfortunately, too many people consider only initial interest rates or bonus programs when they choose new credit cards. All too often, they find themselves in hot financial water that is just as deep and turbulent as what was drowning them before. Instead of reaching for a lifeline that reveals itself as a flimsy string, take a few extra minutes and double check some facts.</p>
<p>1. Why do you want a new credit card? If you are already “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” paying bills with a credit card that has now reached its limit, getting a new credit card won&#8217;t help your overall situation; odds overwhelmingly lean toward the opposite direction: If you use credit cards to pay living expenses, more credit will dig deeper holes. Instead, find other ways to reduce other bills, which will free funds to pay all your bills with your current income.</p>
<p>2. How will you use the new card? If you are planning to use a new card as an emergency reserve card and have the self-discipline and financial security to use it only for that purpose, have you looked closely at the annual fees you may incur? Are there interest rate hikes that will develop without regular purchases on the new card?</p>
<p>If you will use the card for small, multiple purchases each month and plan on paying the balance in full within each billing cycle, that&#8217;s fine, but ask yourself why you want another credit card for that purpose. Using a bank card, a debit card, ensures a zero forwarding balance, and you avoid the potential of interest accrual.</p>
<p>If you want it to build or rebuild your credit history, take care to avoid the reason you need to establish or re-establish credit: Some credit is good; too much credit just for credit&#8217;s sake is not: It&#8217;s actually a sign that is being interpreted as potential fiscal irresponsibility. Like fertilizer on a lawn, a little bit goes a long way while a lot could cause severe damage.</p>
<p>3. Why are you considering THAT card? Do you truly travel enough during non-peak times to take advantage of frequent flier miles? How many dollars or pounds or euros do you have to spend before that free ticket is allegedly free? Can you get a better “return on investment” seeking discount tickets and hotel bookings?</p>
<p>4. Do you have full control over maximum spending limits and interest rates? Many credit card companies elevate spending limits after a few months of reliable payment history, but that increase also raises interest rates on the additional balance availability. If you catch the escalation, don&#8217;t want it and refuse the interest rate hike, you might convince the issuing organization to lower the ceiling and rates again, but it&#8217;s often not easy. They want you to use it: They earn their money on transaction fees from the merchants, annual fees from the consumer and accrued interest rates. They&#8217;re hoping that if you have more available, you&#8217;ll spend more. That&#8217;s good news for them, but it&#8217;s not always good news for you.</p>
<p>5. Can you truly afford a new credit card? If you can transfer a high-interest balance onto a zero-interest-transfer card and pay the transferred balance off within a short time, the new card might be worthwhile, but if you cannot pay the transferred balance in full, know the extended interest rate. Compare the worse-case scenario with the interest and balance you already carry.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Make the best-informed decision possible.</p>
<p>Post written by Holly Miller, a writer for <a href="http://couponcroc.co.uk/" target="_blank">CouponCroc.co.uk</a>. Shop online and save with promotions and other discounts to cut costs on all of your expenses.</p>


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		<title>Getting a Home Loan after Bankruptcy</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/getting-a-home-loan-after-bankruptcy</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/getting-a-home-loan-after-bankruptcy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:52:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[report]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=110</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There’s no denying that declaring bankruptcy does a doozy on your credit score.  For at least a little while, lenders won’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.  On the other hand, it provides you with a unique opportunity to start over by virtually clearing the slate where your bad credit is concerned.  You might be [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Bankruptcy.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-111" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Bankruptcy-300x251.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="251" /></a>There’s no denying that declaring bankruptcy does a doozy on your credit score.  For at least a little while, lenders won’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.  On the other hand, it provides you with a unique opportunity to start over by virtually clearing the slate where your bad credit is concerned.  You might be apprehensive about the fact that a bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for the next several years (as many as ten, although it will likely be removed after seven), but this doesn’t mean you won’t be eligible for loans for that amount of time.  In fact, you might even find that lenders encourage you to apply for loans after just a couple of years.  Here’s how it works.</p>
<p>In the beginning, you may have to deal with judgments.  Not all creditors are simply going to let you walk away Scott-free.  Since some debts are not covered by bankruptcy proceedings, you’ll probably find that you still owe some money even though you have declared bankruptcy.  In this case, accounts can be cleared and wages garnished until the debt is paid.  Or you can simply try to work out a payment plan with those lenders you still owe money to.  Either way, it is in your best interest to pay these debts as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Once your debts have been expunged (either through the act of filing bankruptcy or by paying off any remaining debts) you can start to rebuild your credit.  You might be surprised to find that successful bankruptcy proceedings will often result in a slew of credit card offers.  Of course, you need to be careful to read the fine print.  These offers will almost certainly come with very strict caveats.  For one thing, your credit limit will be, well, limited, and your interest rates will be higher.  In addition, there may be increased penalties for failure to pay, such as a jump in the interest rate or an immediate cancellation of the card.  You are a high-risk borrower, but that doesn’t mean these creditors don’t want to take advantage of your newly debt-free status to take a chunk of what money you have.</p>
<p>So, you get a credit card (try to limit yourself to one in order to stay out of hot water for a while) and begin to build up your credit again.  Within a year you should begin to see positive results.  But you’re going to have to make bigger purchases and get your score up if you eventually want to secure a home loan.  So if you can afford it, think about taking out a loan for a car.  It doesn’t have to be expensive or new, you just have to qualify for the loan.</p>
<p>Once you have established a pattern of prompt payments on the debt you’ve accrued since filing bankruptcy, hopefully even paying some of it off, you can begin to shop around for a home loan.  Lenders will almost certainly be wary of your bankruptcy, but the longer you manage to pay your debts in a timely manner, the less risky you will appear to lenders.  Of course, you’ll probably still face difficulties like smaller loan approval amounts and higher interest rates, but if you think that you’re ready to purchase a home, it may be worth these hassles to secure a loan before the bankruptcy has been removed from your credit report.</p>
<p>Leon Edwards writes for Justin Doyle Homes, a <a href="http://www.justindoylehomes.com/elite-series">custom home builder in Cincinnati</a> since 1976 offering luxurious homes for every lifestyle.</p>


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		<title>Is Credit Card Insurance Really Worth the Money?</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/is-credit-card-insurance-really-worth-the-money</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jul 2011 05:16:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[You’ve probably been approached by your credit card company about adding their insurance to your policy.  They not only send you information in the mail and call you to solicit; they may offer this insurance through their customer services representatives (when you call to activate your card) as well as through spam and banner ads [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Credit-Card-Insurance.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-108" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Credit-Card-Insurance-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>You’ve probably been approached by your credit card company about adding their insurance to your policy.  They not only send you information in the mail and call you to solicit; they may offer this insurance through their customer services representatives (when you call to activate your card) as well as through spam and banner ads online.  In short, they are really pushing for customers to add this insurance to their accounts.  As pitched, it’s probably a small fee (maybe a couple bucks for every hundred you spend on your card) that is added onto your monthly bill, for which you’ll receive the benefit of having your credit card payments made by the company should you lose your job, become disabled, or even die.  Sounds pretty good, right?  Except that it’s not very good at all.</p>
<p>The first thing you need to know about these offers is that they are unnecessary.  Unlike <a href="http://www.policyexpert.co.uk/home-insurance/">home insurance quotes</a>, for example, which you seek out as a way to protect your assets, credit card insurance is pushed on you by creditors that hold your debt, mainly for the purpose of getting more money out of you (the industry boasts about $2 billion in yearly revenue from this upsell).  Sure, they’ll tell you about the best-case scenarios for coverage, by which your payments will be made for you should you find yourself injured or ill and placed on long term disability, or should you lose your job (because of a layoff – firing doesn’t count).  But they make it so difficult for the average person to collect that in truth, the only way you’ll really benefit fully is if you die (in which case your card will be paid in full, saving your remaining loved ones some expense).</p>
<p>Here’s the problem.  In most cases, your creditor will only pay the minimum monthly payment, but they won’t do it right away.  For starters, you have to prove that you are in a situation by which they are required to pay.  This could mean providing all sorts of paperwork from doctors, employers, and so on.  And even if it is decided that the company will pay out on your policy, it could take them quite a while to do so, resulting in late fees and additional interest accrual, meaning you’re actually taking on more debt.  Further, it won’t cover any charges made after the fact.  And of course, if you hold more than one card you’ll need multiple policies to cover each of them.</p>
<p>Finally, you should keep in mind that other insurance policies, while potentially costing you more, could also pay out quite a bit more (and come from more reliable sources).  And of course, any money that you might be paying for credit card insurance could be put to even better use by funneling it into a savings account.  If you have six months’ worth of salary sitting in the bank for a rainy day you probably won’t need the insurance offered by your creditor.  The only real reason to get this type of insurance is if you’re otherwise uninsurable.  And even then, you might be better off simply building up your savings (and giving up some of your credit cards while you’re at it). If it&#8217;s small business credit that you are concerned with, the DandB.com business directory can meet your company&#8217;s financial needs by tracking credit information on more than 29 million companies.</p>


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		<title>How to Protect Your Bank Accounts from Hackers</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-protect-your-bank-accounts-from-hackers</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-protect-your-bank-accounts-from-hackers#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:15:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[account]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hackers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=103</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You can’t throw a stone in a crowd without hitting someone who has been the victim of identity theft that resulted in having to close accounts and file for fraud to recover funds.  If you’re lucky, these criminals try to make such a large or out-of-character purchase (buying a truck in Japan, for example) that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Hacker.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-104" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Hacker-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236" /></a>You can’t throw a stone in a crowd without hitting someone who has been the victim of identity theft that resulted in having to close accounts and file for fraud to recover funds.  If you’re lucky, these criminals try to make such a large or out-of-character purchase (buying a truck in Japan, for example) that your bank calls to confirm with you.  Then you can cancel the account, move your funds, and start over with little or no harm done.  But most of these money-stealing hackers are smarter than that.  They make several small purchases online for products they can re-sell for cash, have them shipped overnight to an address that is not their own, then grab the package off the porch and disappear, leaving no trace of who they are and a deficit in your bank accounts.  But luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself from prying eyes.  Here are just a few.</p>
<ol>
<li>Shred documents.  Any papers that contain your account information (unused checks or carbon copies, bank statements, receipts, and so on) should be shredded so that a random person sifting through your trash can’t come up with your account number or other pertinent information.  And always look at the receipt you sign in a store.  If it features your full card number, make sure to scribble out all but the last four numbers (for vendor use).</li>
<li>Avoid unsecured sites.  Shopping online is certainly easier than going to the store, but even in this day and age there are online retailers that don’t encrypt your personal information or offer any type of security against hackers.  So if you don’t see the padlock icon somewhere on your browser when you’re about to enter sensitive information, skip the purchase and look for it somewhere else.</li>
<li>Vary passwords.  One extremely common mistake that people make is putting the same user I.D. and password on every one of their online accounts.  If hackers get into even one, they will quickly gain access to all of them.  So make sure that you use a variety of user names and passwords and keep a list hidden somewhere in your home (for your own reference).  And for goodness sake, don’t show it to anyone!  Note: you should also use difficult passwords for bank, credit card, and other sensitive accounts.</li>
<li>Use a dedicated email.  You should have at least two email accounts (if not more).  One should be devoted to business transactions (for which your bank and credit card usage would qualify) while the other is meant to field throw-aways like signing up for online clubs, freebies, forums, and other non-essential services.  Of course, you might want a third account for general communication with friends, family, and colleagues.</li>
<li>Be diligent.  Most of us don’t know something is wrong with an account until we get a bank statement (which some people don’t even glance at) or we go to use a debit card and get denied.  But if you want to put an immediate halt to the damage caused by those who steal your account information, you need to be on top of it.  Make a habit of checking your balance and transactions on a weekly or even daily basis.  Then you’ll know right away if something has gone amiss with your accounts.</li>
</ol>
<p>Leon Davidson writes for <a href="http://www.seareach.plc.uk/asset-tags.htm">Asset Tags for Equipment</a> where you can find custom security labels and stickers.</p>


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		<title>Cut Back on Your Credit Card Bill</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/cut-back-on-your-credit-card-bill</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/cut-back-on-your-credit-card-bill#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2011 21:32:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Credit card debt is nothing so much as the proverbial monkey on your back.  Credit card companies draw you in with low introductory rates and promises of building a fantastic credit score (so you can get yourself even further in debt).  Then, before you know it, you’re carrying a balance of hundreds or thousands of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Credit-Cards.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-101" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Credit-Cards-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Credit card debt is nothing so much as the proverbial monkey on your back.  Credit card companies draw you in with low introductory rates and promises of building a fantastic credit score (so you can get yourself even further in debt).  Then, before you know it, you’re carrying a balance of hundreds or thousands of dollars, your rate has jumped up, and you don’t know how you’re ever going to get it paid off (especially since it seems to be growing exponentially with each passing month).  And of course, you realize at some point that you’re paying a lot more than you originally intended for your purchases, a number that continues to grow the longer you carry the debt.  But what can you do?  You can’t un-spend that money.  Luckily, there are a few ways to lower your bill more quickly and avoid some of the interest you might otherwise have to pay.</p>
<p>For starters, you need to stop spending.  Ideally, you should cut up your card, but you can also opt to hide it in a secure location where it’s hard to get (a safety deposit box, for example).  If you don’t have the card on you, you’ll be less tempted to use it for frivolous purchases.  This will limit you to using only what you have in your bank account (although you might want to keep it intact for emergency purposes).  It sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people never consider that half the reason they can’t pay off their card is because every time they make a payment they immediately spend the surplus.</p>
<p>Next, you should look at ways to lower your interest payments.  You likely have more than one card at your disposal, but they probably don’t have the same interest rate.  You want to get debt off of the card with the higher rate more quickly (since it builds up faster), so as you pay down the card with the lower rate, arrange for a <a href="http://www.creditcardcompare.com.au/balance-transfer-credit-cards.php">credit card balance transfer</a> that will move your debt to that card.  It may require some amount of calculation to pull off, but soon you’ll have all of your debt off the higher-rate card.  Even though you’ll still pay ongoing interest on the card with the lower rate, it will save you a few bucks (or more) in the long run.</p>
<p>You can also make multiple payments throughout the month (like on days when you get your paycheck) as a way to cut back on compound interest that has you paying interest on the interest you’ve already accumulated (it’s a little confusing, but paying more means paying less over time).  And you should always try to send more than the minimum monthly required payment.  Although paying the minimum will reduce your debt over time, you’ll rack up quite a bit more interest this way.</p>
<p>As a last resort, you can always try to negotiate with your creditor to reduce your debt.  If you simply can’t make the payments, but you still want to try to pay them off, they may be willing to reduce your bill by a significant portion in order to recover at least some of what paid out.  This will lower your monthly bill and allow you to make good on your debt (so as to avoid black marks on your credit).  But you’ll never know if you don’t ask.</p>


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		<title>How to Boost Your Credit Score</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-boost-your-credit-score</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-boost-your-credit-score#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:17:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[improve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loan]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=94</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It should come as no surprise that this isn’t exactly the best time to be taking out a loan for a large purchase such as a car, a boat, a home, or a business.  The lasting result of the mortgage lending crisis (besides the trickle-down effect) has been an overall tightening of the proverbial purse [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Improve-Credit-Score.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-95" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Improve-Credit-Score-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>It should come as no surprise that this isn’t exactly the best time to be taking out a loan for a large purchase such as a car, a boat, a home, or a business.  The lasting result of the mortgage lending crisis (besides the trickle-down effect) has been an overall tightening of the proverbial purse strings at banks around the world, leading to fewer loans (and lesser amounts) even for those who appear to be eminently qualified.  On top of that, you may have suffered a setback where your credit rating is concerned if you lost a job, defaulted on a loan, or otherwise fell short on payments due to the poor economy.  And a credit report besmirched with black marks can definitely prove detrimental when you go to get a loan, even if your history is largely unblemished.  So what can you do to boost your credit score in order to get the loan you desire?  Here are just a few ways to buff out the black marks and get your credit back in fighting form.</p>
<p>1.   Get a copy of your credit report.  Until you know what your score is and you ascertain why it is low, you can do nothing to correct the situation.  Go to Annual Credit Report to get a free copy mailed to you or visit <a href="http://www.freescore.com">free score.com</a> to view it for free online.  This report will not only reveal your current credit score; it will also provide valuable information from creditors that can give you clues as to why your score is lower than you’d like (late payments, debt that has gone into collections, and so on).  It may even show that you have been the victim of identity theft or other forms of fraud, which you’ll need to address in order to repair your credit.</p>
<p>2.  Pay off debt.  This is, of course, the best way to improve your credit score.  But most of us can’t reasonably do this very quickly, especially if we’re paying for big-ticket items like a car or a home.  However, you may not be aware that you’ll actually build credit faster by simply paying on time.  Even if you only pay the minimum each month, as long as you pay on time and meet the requirements of your lenders, they will report favorably on your progress, improving your overall rating.</p>
<p>3.  Use online bill pay or set up reminders.  If you can’t seem to remember to pay on time, then you have no one to blame but yourself for a poor credit score.  Accept procrastination as one of your many flaws and take the steps necessary to combat it by arranging for automatic withdrawals from your account.  Or if you don’t want to relinquish control, set up an online reminder through your bank so you get an email when payments are due.</p>
<p>4.  Contact creditors.  The only way to clear up black marks (especially erroneous ones) is to contact creditors to clear up the issue.  Often one phone call is not enough.  You will have to be vigilant about monitoring the situation if you want to get the deed done.  Even if you have paid your debt and expunged the source of a black mark, it may still appear on your credit report; while lenders are all too happy to report bad behavior, they are not so quick to clear the matter up at your behest.  So be proactive and call as many times as you have to in order to clear your credit.</p>
<p>5.  Don’t let it go to collections.  Sometimes there is nothing you can do about your debt.  Job loss, in particular, could mean that a lot of your debts end up in collections.  But if you can find any way to avoid this turn of events, you should, because accounts that have gone into collections will remain on your credit report for seven years, even after you pay them off.</p>
<p>Shirley Simpson writes for <a href="http://www.totallymoney.com/">TotallyMoney</a> where you can find information on financial products and browse through information on <a href="http://www.totallymoney.com/life-insurance/over-60-life-insurance.aspx">over 60&#8242;s life insurance</a> to find the card that meets your needs.</p>


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		<title>Top 5 Mistakes When Getting a Business Loan</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/top-5-mistakes-when-getting-a-business-loan</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/top-5-mistakes-when-getting-a-business-loan#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:47:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=91</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You are no doubt eager to get the funding that will allow you to launch your business or help you take it to the next level.  In order to do this, you may need to secure a business loan.  But you can’t just walk into a bank and waltz back out with thousands of dollars [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Business-Loan.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-92" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Business-Loan-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>You are no doubt eager to get the funding that will allow you to launch your business or help you take it to the next level.  In order to do this, you may need to secure a business loan.  But you can’t just walk into a bank and waltz back out with thousands of dollars in credit.  You will have to go through an application process in order to acquire the financing you need.  And there are all kinds of blunders you are likely to make along the way that could ultimately lead to failure.  So before you enter the bank and risk rejection, you should make an effort to get your affairs in order and plan for potential setbacks.  Here are just a few common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid.</p>
<p>1.  Poor planning.  There is simply no excuse for negligence when it comes to being prepared for your loan application.  You need to take the time to find out what will be required in order for you to get through the loan process, from credit reports to past financials to possible collateral (if such is necessary).  Either call prospective lenders or meet with their agents to ensure that by the time you go in to apply, you have everything in order to make your application process successful. You can also research many investors online, like <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/isaac-dabah-buys-out-23-of-delta-galil-stock-soars-1.167195">Isaac Dabah</a>, as many of them utilize social media networks which you can use to explore their personalities and see what they look for in a business.</p>
<p>2.   Limiting your options.  You may not be aware of all the options that are available to you when it comes to securing funding for your business venture.  For one thing, loans can come from a variety of sources.  Banks are certainly a good place to start, but you should also consider approaching credit unions, family and friends, angel investors, venture capital firms, or even related community organizations.  And keep in mind that there are also many types of loans to look into, which your lender will probably be willing to enumerate for you.</p>
<p>3.  Failure to separate finances.  Many small-business owners make the terrible mistake of failing to separate their personal and professional finances.  But this can hurt you in every area of your life if you don’t correct it.  If you don’t succeed in business, your personal assets could be at risk.  You may even need to have to file for bankruptcy.  If so, you can find information about <a href="http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/state-laws/default.aspx">filing for bankruptcy at totalbankruptcy.com</a>. By the same token, any financial troubles you’re facing personally could affect your ability to get a business loan.  So separate business accounts from personal and avoid comingling your finances.  And think about making your business a separate legal entity in order to protect yourself.</p>
<p>4.  Poor interview.  Contrary to what most people believe, you are not entitled to a loan just because you have a great idea for a business or you’re already making money with one.  You are asking for a favor, so you need to approach the situation accordingly.  Be polite and professional at your interview and come prepared with the information and paperwork required.  Only you will suffer if you flub the interview.</p>
<p>5.  Signing without reading.  This could be an extremely costly mistake.  Once you sign the paperwork, you are bound by the terms of the contract (whether you have read and understood them or not).  If you can’t understand the legal jargon, hire a lawyer to explain it to you.  But don’t complain after the fact if you fail to exercise due diligence.</p>
<p>Jamie Meyers writes for <a href="http://www.onlineloancalculator.org/">Auto Loan Payment Calculator</a> where you can find <a href="http://www.onlineloancalculator.org/buying-a-new-car/">new car buying tips</a> and much more.</p>


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		<title>How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-avoid-credit-card-fraud</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:13:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[avoid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fraud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=87</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These days, just about everyone has horror stories to relate about how their identity has been stolen.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of this era of instant connectivity that our technology has quickly outstripped our ability to control it.  And as always, there are unscrupulous individuals that are willing to take advantage of those who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Credit-Cards.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-88" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Credit-Cards-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>These days, just about everyone has horror stories to relate about how their identity has been stolen.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of this era of instant connectivity that our technology has quickly outstripped our ability to control it.  And as always, there are unscrupulous individuals that are willing to take advantage of those who are ignorant to the potential risks.  So when it comes to your finances, you need to take special care to ensure that your sensitive information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.  Here are a few tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of credit card fraud.</p>
<p>1.  NEVER give out personal information by phone or email.  Just because someone calls you from the institution you hold a card with, it does not mean you should give them whatever they ask for.  Anyone can find enough info to get your phone number, and then call and pretend to be from the bank or credit company.  So if someone calls asking for personal information (such as confirmation of your address, card number, social security number, etc.), hang up and call the number on your card to double check.  Chances are that the company wasn’t trying to contact you in the first place.</p>
<p>2.  Shred statements.  It’s all too easy for someone to open your trash can and have most of the information they need to steal your identity if you simply throw away statements.  So make sure to shred anything that could give away your card number or other sensitive information; include statements, receipts, old cards (cancelled, outdated, etc.) and of course, any checks sent by your creditors and linked to your account.</p>
<p>3.  NEVER loan out your cards.  This may sound pretty self-evident, but you might not think twice before handing your spouse, sibling, or child your personal card (after all, you can trust them, right?).  In truth, no one will protect your personal information and finances like you, so take the extra time to DIY when it comes to credit card use, no matter how much you trust your family or friends.  It’s the only way to ensure that your cards stay in your wallet and out of harm’s way.</p>
<p>4.  Require ID.  A surprising number of businesses do not ask for ID, so rather than signing the back of your card so that anyone who steals it can copy your signature, write “Ask for ID” or “ID Required” on the back strip.  Any clerk who sees it in a store should ask for your identification to obtain proof that the person holding the card is actually you.  Just don’t get huffy when vendors actually follow your directive!</p>
<p>5.   Be careful online.  The wild west of the worldwide web can be a dangerous place to shop, even though it is often quicker and easier to make purchases from the comfort of your own home.  So if you want to enter your credit card information online, first make sure that you have a proper firewall in place to keep out hackers and spyware that can allow access to your personal files or keystrokes.  Then look for the lock icon on a website that lets you know that anything you enter will be encrypted for your protection.</p>
<p>6.   Get a credit report.  Requesting a free report once a year won’t lead to any black marks on your credit and it will let you know if there’s been any fraudulent activity on your accounts.</p>
<p>Lean Gallin writes for Adiamor <a href="http://www.adiamor.com/">Engagement Ring</a>, where you can find loose diamonds, engagement ring settings, and other fine diamond jewelry at affordable prices.</p>


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		<title>How to Get a Home Loan During a Recession</title>
		<link>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-get-a-home-loan-during-a-recession</link>
		<comments>http://www.partnersbank.net/how-to-get-a-home-loan-during-a-recession#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:06:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>guestcontributor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recession]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.partnersbank.net/?p=84</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The real problem with getting a loan these days is not actually the fact that we’re in a recession.  Sure, the lending crisis that preceded the recession has caused lenders to tighten the purse strings.  But there are still loans available for those who meet the proper criteria.  And the problem isn’t even that the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Home-Lending.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-85" src="http://www.partnersbank.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Home-Lending-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>The real problem with getting a loan these days is not actually the fact that we’re in a recession.  Sure, the lending crisis that preceded the recession has caused lenders to tighten the purse strings.  But there are still loans available for those who meet the proper criteria.  And the problem isn’t even that the requirements have become more stringent.  The trouble for most people looking to purchase a home is that job loss, foreclosure, or other related issues have resulted in poor credit, so that banks that would have considered them even a few years ago are now turning them away.  Fortunately, there are still ways to work towards owning a home, despite the fact that the world is mired in an ongoing recession.  By formulating a plan of action and knowing the options available to you, a home can still be within your reach.  Here are a few guidelines to help you along.</p>
<p>1.  Get a free credit report.  Just about any lender is going to require you to have a good credit score before they’ll give you a home loan.  But how do you know what qualifies as a “good” score or whether or not you have one?  A FICO score of 720 or above is considered excellent, while 620+ is pretty good, but these days you’ll have to be on the high end to secure a loan.  As to what your credit score is, you can find out easily by ordering a free credit report.  Simply go to www.annualcreditreport.com to get your report annually at no charge.</p>
<p>2.  Pay off debt and clear up black marks.  You are probably aware of where you owe money, and once you have your credit report in hand, you can start to clear up any problem areas.  Just make sure, as you pay things off, that they are removed from your credit report.  Otherwise all your hard work will have gone to waste.</p>
<p>3.  Save up for the down payment.  One great way to secure a loan, even if your credit rating is not top-tier, is to save up a substantial down payment.  Of course, if you’re carrying a lot of debt, this may not be an option.  But if you are working towards a loan, you can certainly start saving even as you pay off credit cards and other loans (car, student, etc.).  Then, when your credit is in good shape, you’ll have the money for the down payment on hand.</p>
<p>4.  Scrutinize lenders.  When trying to find a loan in this economy, you need to be careful about where you get it.  There are all kinds of unscrupulous characters out there trying to scam people with bad credit by promising outrageous loans.  So if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  Exercise due diligence by checking in with the Better Business Bureau to see what others have said about the lenders you’re considering.</p>
<p>5.   VA Loan.  For those who have served their country through the armed forces, a home loan through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs could be an excellent option.  Eligible veterans may not even be required to provide a down payment.  With troops beginning to pull out of occupied areas, this type of loan increased by 30% last year.  So if you think you might qualify for such a loan (whether you have the funds for a down payment or not), you should look into the VA program as a viable option for financing a home.</p>
<p>Kyle Simpson writes for <a href="http://www.purchaseorderfinancing.com/">PO Factoring</a>. With <a href="http://www.purchaseorderfinancing.com/blog/po_financing/international_purchase_order_financing_-_canada_uk_beyond">PO finance</a> you can grow your business and pave the way for more.</p>


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