Friday, December 21, 2007

Be a Savvy Student this Holiday!

Christmas preparations (luckily they are over for me) always require credit card expenses and are a headache for many consumers but mostly for students. It's better to have student credit cards with rewards in your purse and get benefits from it especially this holiday. You can accumulate points buying presents to your friends and relatives and redeem them for gift certificates. Or, if you shop online, you may get super discounts on purchases. Cool? Surely. Moreover, spending with the card, any student can build credit history, certainly if manage it wisely. Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Fox is My Character


The holiday party at our office is going to be very funny I believe. It will be a masked ball. I am planning to be a fox because I have a costume. Once I have been a fox at nursery of my child and have to say it was really my character. Now I am thinking and imagining what kind of costume will choose our chief. He likes to joke.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Shopping Alone

Ooh… I have bought all the necessary gifts and spent only the money put by and some from my plastic. I am a well-done but so tired of shopping and crowded places. This year, as well as the last one, I was making purchases without my husband. He hates malls and shops and always whips me on. I become nervous and the only thing I dream at this particular moment to go out of the mall. I believe such moments are good reasons to buy everything pretty in order to finish shopping as soon as possible, and to accumulate debts.
Now I prefer to weigh all pros and cons before buying this or that. Perhaps, that’s the reason why I spent not all of my money on cards as I did two years ago.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Christmas Shopping


Today is the third day of winter and the right time to think about Christmas gifts for your relatives and friends. Christmas is my favorite holiday when all members of our family get together to congratulate each other and share the last news. I always make a wish and have to say for the last 5 years all my wishes have come true. Last month I decided to put by some money on presents in order not to shock my budget at once. I also applied for a new credit card to be confident that my total amount of money will be enough for shopping and I will be able to delight all of my family members. Begin to prepare gifts beforehand in order to avoid rush on the eve.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Wealth or Poor Existence?

Have you ever asked yourself what the words financial success and wealth mean for you? Recently I thought a little that these words have different meanings for everyone. What someone considers being a poor existence, for others it is a wealth. Say, if you can’t afford to buy something at a high price and your neighbor can, you may think that he or she is financially more successful, or think that he likes only this expensive cheese because of allergy. The definition and cases that can show a success differ. For me, this word means to live without debts, have a house and car, be able to pay for the education of your children, go on vacation somewhere to relax and be confident in the future. Ask yourself! And don’t be afraid to think and weigh how financially successful you are.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Illness and Sleep

I have not been ill for many years and last week was not the healthiest one for me and my child. Weather has changed and become colder. My colleagues have all sneezed and had the sniffles before the last week. So, the reasons were evident. Now I am still ill in bed and drink the linctus. Lying on the sofa can be compared with small vacation but unfortunately… The only good thing in being ill is a great opportunity to sleep enough!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Questions Related to Your Credit?

I have found the real service. Its experts have answered my questions related to bad credit. I was really surprised because when I was submitting my question I didn’t suppose to get an appropriate response or get it at all. But still… So pleasant! Here there are some good questions and answers that I was also interested in:
Marriot rewards visa credit card login
Goldmc unsecured gold MasterCard
Credit card applications for no standing credit
Top ten credit cards used to rebuild credit
Major credic cards aplications

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

New Car


My husband decided to change his “not new” Honda for a new modern car. I could not even imagine all the difficulties of making the right choice. There is no a car that combines all the necessary for us features including convenience in one (perhaps, because of the price-the higher it is the more features and convenience a car has). At last we stopped at Honda Civic. It is comfortable enough and beautiful no doubt. That’s my first impression. Now we can exchange our cars with each other. Hurray!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

How Many Wives to Have?


Recently I read article about polygamy (not only in eastern countries) and thought that the cons outweigh pros anywhere. I have one husband and need to take all his love and care, only I and nobody else. The thought of sharing all that I have with somebody else makes me sad. I understand that East has polygamy because of the ancient customs but what about other non-eastern countries? What are the premises? Love and passion or interest? Now I am talking not about men but about women. Mostly they are ready to share care and love and be strong, resigned, and physiologically steady.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

News for Pet Lovers

I was surprised to know that there are special credit card offers for pets nowadays. Perhaps, I haven’t heard about that before because I still don’t have any pets at home. I am not ready to start taking care of any pet. And my child is too small to do it by herself. But this news allured me (I have already shared it with my friend – pet lover). Such cards offer pets to get rewards and their family to save some money. As the owner of a pet and the card you can earn 2 points for every dollar you spend at veterinarian clinics, pet food retailers and feed stores. I believe that is really great opportunity to save at least some money.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Moscow - England - Surprise!

“The artificial pitch in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium had provided plenty of debate before the match, but England settled well and took a deserved lead” – from CNN news. I believe everyone thought that England will be a winner in the football match. Russian football players had been considered to be not good enough because English team had showed the better results before. Most stakes had been made on English players, of course. But as it had turned out – down the drain. I can hardly imagine the joy of Russians. They have waited for a long time.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Shoes and Happiness - Why Is It So?


Why can shoes make a woman happier and can effervesce spirits? It’s quite simple. Shoes are beautiful, convenient and… emphasize the slender crura. I also like men that wear good quality and stylish shoes. But as a negative side of all these mentioned above – price. The better shoes are, the higher price is. Talking about shoes and their price I remember “Sex in the City” and their possibilities to buy or at least to try on. When you wish to buy some pair of shoes that can effervesce your spirit (you think so) and look at the price looking for more money in your wallet, you suddenly realize that your mood is becoming worse and worse and… I don’t like to try on and not to buy. It makes me feel sore in heart.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Aspire to Good Credit - Get Benefits!

Recently I realized how beneficial a credit history can be! Only the good one, of course. When I began to build my credit (it was many years ago), I didn’t fully understand the whole importance of it and was not so conscious at that age. Now looking for a new credit card I don’t have restrictions in choice. And that’s the first benefit. Moreover, if you have good credit score, you will have rather high credit limit, low rates and no annual fees, and may transfer a balance. Alluring? Sure! I have told previously about rewards. They are also a privilege of good credit. You can earn bonus miles, free tickets, hotel stays, cash rebates, etc. All benefits of good credit allow me to save some money (not huge one but still) and make me more confident in my financial future. I can only advise to take care of the credit history and try to pay timely and regularly. That’s the key!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Food...and Only It

We are so dependable on food. All our life and our mood as well depend on it. If we don’t eat, we suffer from hunger and have stomachache, and our head are not able to think. When we eat the food that is not suitable for us (but we like it, what to do), we still have problems with our health and are not able to think about anything else. Also we like to count calories (I do), but when we count them and realize that they are huge, we go to pieces. Food is not only a pleasure. It’s a sad fact! Specialists advise to eat wisely and only the food that is good for our health. They are right, no doubt. But in real life it is almost impossible. We can follow their tips but for a short while. Who doesn’t like to eat almost everything that he or she wishes? Well, that’s the reality!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Classmates - Friends 2

Previously I wrote about the cool idea of class reunions. Back to that topic. I received an e-mail from my old classmate friend Sharon. I saw her 10 years ago and no letters and pictures after that. Nothing! So pleasant to learn that everything is good and more than good. Thanks to graduates’ site, we can find each other at any place.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Start for Credit History

I am so glad to see how many students are ready to start their credit history. You may ask why? Because they take care not only of their present but also of the future. Frankly speaking the only sad fact of students credit cards use that worries me is debts. They are still on the rise. Perhaps, students do not actually understand that credit cards are not a free way to purchase. But still as a good result of credit card use, a student can boost his/her credit score and become, as I hope, more responsible in expenditures.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Autumn...and Nothing Else

I can not express my emotions that relate to this season. Autumn…how I like it! These falling autumn leaves of defferent colors make me thoughtful and dreamy. Autumn is the time to stop after the “hurry” summer. But the only sad thing is that cold is coming. And we should be ready. No doubt I will be missing summer in cold winter days but now…I am so satisfied with my mood that nothing upsets me.

Friday, September 21, 2007

A Dream to Fly

My husband’s new hobby is about airplanes and everything that relates to them. His dream is to buy his own small family airplane and be a pilot (now he is an oilman). I began to understand his love and dream when once looked at some beautiful pictures at acpilot.blogspot.com. It is really impressive and beautiful. Why I am afraid to fly?

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Oh Oh Phobia

Watching any kind of TV programs about people who have different phobias, I thought how difficult their life should be and why there were not good measures to cure phobias. Recently I have discovered that I also have phobia (supposedly claustrophobia). It happened at the cosmetologist’s office when she put a polyethylene film on the cosmetic mask on my face. It was awful and hard to confess. Fortunately, this phobia is not the worst and happends not very often. But still, this fact makes me upsetting and alerted. I have already bought special literature about phobias and only began to read. I hope that it will help me to wrestle with myself and overcome my new problem.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Why Online...

Many questions occur. Why is it more convenient to apply for credit card online? How safe is it? Etc, etc, etc. I believe the reasonable answer is quickness and easiness. Everything that you should do-switch your PC and find the right site with convenient charts for credit card comparison. If you know for sure what your credit score is, it will be not difficult to choose the suitable credit card deals section and card itself. Weigh pros and cons of each offer!
It is really safe because all required personal data you send goes directly to the credit card company you have chosen through safe & secure (SSL) channels. I think it is also a good way to save time.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

How Much is the Fish

My husband and dad are fishermen. And I am very lucky (I had understood it not at once and sometimes was even angry because my husband spent much time on fishing) to eat only fresh fish every week. Once I have bought it at the supermarket. It was my rare time and believe, the last. I will do it again only in whim case if there is no fresh fish at home. Why? Not fresh fish is not a fish for me after the fresh one.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

All my friends know that I am fond of postcards with small babies. I have a lot of them in my postcards box. Oh, oh how cute these babies are! And how talented woman is to have such ideas and implement them. I visit this site annegeddes.com just to look at the babies and admire. I remember my daughter when she was as small as they are. How lovely this age is! If you see them, I suppose, you can understand why I like such postcards.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Go Shopping-Stress Off

I was so stressful last time. Why? I don’t know exactly. Perhaps because of too much work or preparation to our relatives’ arrival who come to us for the first time. They are well to do people and I’d like to make everything perfect for them. So, I am trying. Why am I talking about stress? Because I suppose I have found my own key to how effervesce my spirit-go shopping! Looking for gifts to my relatives I have bought so many gifts for myself at the same time. And understood that it was the right thing to do in order to make me happy and get rid of stress. The only sad thing in this shopping therapy is its cost. My husband supports me: if it really can help-good! So, it is my own way to fight with stress. Do you have yours?

Monday, August 13, 2007

Life after Bankruptcy

How to live and repair finances? Those are the ordinary questions of bankrupts who fear that they will not be able to get a credit or loan any more. But good news is that even if you went through Chapter 7, 11 or 13 of bankruptcy, you may still search for credit cards or a loan.
What do these chapters mean? (Briefly)
Chapter 7 is the basic bankruptcy for the average consumer. Anything he has of value is sold to creditors.
Chapter 11 is for individuals and businesses to alter their finances by paying creditors by means of a reorganization plan.
And chapter 13 is for people who have normal jobs and are able to pay money on their debts. A person can only qualify if he has less than $269,250 in unsecured debt and less than $807,750 in secured debt.
So, even if your credit score was good enough before the bankruptcy, you will be eligible for no more than bad or no credit cards and secured cards. Choose the suitable one!
Note: getting a credit or a loan is not enough. You should respect them and use tactfully in order to prove your credit worthiness. Be patient and diligent! Only then you can rebuild your credit history and juvie.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Long-expected Driving License

At last I have got driving license. My own…With my picture on it.
I thought about getting driving license many times but was afraid a little bit (I am a coward, eh!) to drive myself. I preferred to sit near my husband and didn’t worry about anything. But I was in need of a car to go long distances without any help. So, now I have a new car (very beautiful) and my OWN driven license. I think I have become braver. Now I need the only thing – skill and experience on roads. Wish me good luck!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

I Want a Pet!

My daughter wants a dog and nobody else. Of course I am trying not to yield to no persuasion and remember myself at almost the same age but a little bit older. My parents told me the same as I do to my daughter. But nevertheless, I had a dog at that time. Simply parents are always pliable because of love to their offspring. My husband and I do not want to have any pets at all but I think that some day we will have to give in because what the childhood it is without pets.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Protect from Identity Theft!

Identity theft is on the rise, it’s not a secret. It is a very serious problem nowadays. Anybody can steal your personal data and use it for his purposes. After the fact of theft thieves can use your Social Security Number, debit or credit card and other of your personal data.
You should protect yourself from identity theft doing everything in your power. Here are a few simple rules you can follow. Do not put your Social Security Number on anything if you are not asked for it! For example, if you put SSN on personal check, someone will get your SSN, address and number of your phone as well. Do you need it?
Buy a shredder to get rid of unused personal data!
Credit card companies and banks are warning about the danger of identity theft. So applying to any credit company or bank, ask what they offer to protect your personal information. Follow these guidelines to be secured:
1. Turn to credit bureaus in order to check your credit report and credit score every couple of month. You will be taking a caution against someone stealing your data. Catch identity theft quickly to be a success!
2. Invent stubborn passwords! First or last names as a password are incredibly easy to break for online thieves!
3. Credit card companies have your name on a mailing list and your name will stay on this list until you ask to get it off. Do it!
If you find out that someone has had your identity, report it as soon as possible! The longer you wait the worse the situation will be. Following these simple rules you can be more confident and sleep well because you do everything that is in your power. All the rest is not your concern.

Magic Day

I am a little bit late talk about these magic figures 07.07.2007. But still I will. My brother had married this day. Registry offices had worked until the night. There were so many wishes and applications indicated that registry offices decided to satisfy them. Couples got married this day perhaps hope that it will bring them happiness and wealth. I can not say that I believe in these figures but hope that my brother with his wife and all the couples that had married this great day will make a good match.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Helpful News

It is getting more difficult to select among the great credit card range. New information appears almost every day. Looking through websites in order to find any news about credit card offers I found a new video advertisement concerning credit cards at Credit-Land.com. I believe it has developed as a helper in a wide world of credit cards and will make the search of cards easier. Here it is.













Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Waiting for Vacation

It is more and more difficult to work waiting for the end of July. Why? My vacation time is coming. I haven’t been on real vacation for 3 years. So, this summer I decided to go anywhere. Of course with my family. We have chosen Spain because of excellent service, climate and prices. Almost everything is ready. There is only one thing to remain before leaving-put our clothes into bags, and go. I hope I won’t be disappointed in this country and its people.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Staying at Hotels Using Credit Cards

To be an active traveler is not as expensive as it was many years ago because today you can save your money with credit card deals. Frequent flier credit cards and hotel rewards cards are at your disposal. Hotel program participation is on the rise and it has been going up for the last years.

Hotel rewards credit cards can save you money and time and give reward or priority club rewards. Some of them offer rebates on daily purchases.

Such kind of rewards cards allow to get bonus points that can be redeemed for free hotel meals, stays and other rewards astaying at hotel. The only thing you should do is to choose the hotel reward program you need and enjoy its benefits.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Birthday Celebrations

I am a birthday celebrations fan. It mostly relates to birthday of my daughter (she is 3). I always begin all the preparations before two months. How nice it is to buy different decorations and hang them with your child all around the house before a party! I also like to prepare various dishes for small guests and their parents. It is one of the major parts of birthday parties. And when everything is ready and guests are on the threshold, it is always so pleasant to look around and see how beautiful everything is! Your child will be always happy if you celebrate his/her birthday and make everything like a fairy-tale this day.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Wedding Gift

My husband and I are going to the wedding of my cousin next month. It is going to be a great celebration. I have beaten my head on gift, looked through the Internet and found the amazing site www.my-wedding-tips.info where everything I was in need of is presented.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Bathing in the Sun

I am so tired from daily routine and waiting for my vacation impatiently. I’d like to lie on the beach and get a tan and vitamin D. Unfortunately, sun rays become more and more radioactive. Skin cancer is on the rise. But we are in need of sun to be more beautiful and healthy. Therefore the protection of our skin has to be on the first place. I have already chosen special creams and sprays-protectors to take care of my skin. Drugstores are the best places to do that.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Getting Rewards

There is a great variety of rewards programs. Credit card companies compete with each other because all of them would like to offer the best rewards programs to their clients. Airline credit cards, cash rebate credit cards, gasoline credit cards and hotel rewards cards. Which is the best for you? Define what do you need credit card for and examine how you spend your money.
Before you start, get the basic knowledge of how these programs work, because most people spend their reward bonus points and do not fully understand why they are there.
Credit card companies have cooperated with retailers and financial institutes in order to offer more benefits to clients therefore rewards programs exist. The biggest banks companions are hotels, airlines, gas stations and retailers such as Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Rewards credit cards can offer their card holders cash back rebates and frequent flier miles in addition to other features.
Many credit cards with rewards are quite similar in attributes. For example, the best credit card includes options between earning cash back and cashing in with merchandise rewards.
The difference between the best credit card rebates is that some cards give cash back while others give rewards. Of course, there is a negative side. Rewards cards often come attached with high interest rates. It means that the more you owe, the more you spend in charges.
So, before making your choice, weigh pros and cons of rewards credit cards. And only then make the right choice.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Psychological Well-Being

I began to be interested in psychological well-being. In my opinion yoga is one of the most suitable tool to relax either emotionally or physically. I have bought many books to learn more about yoga benefits and found out that it is also good for immune system. Excellent! Such kind of mix of good health,immunity and body.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Stop the Clock on Muscle Aging

All of you know for sure that any kind of training and exercises can make you stronger and healthier. It relates both to older and younger adults.
As I have read in one CNN news, the strength training seems like stopping a clock on muscle aging, because it affects muscles of older adults on the level of gene expression.
Researchers had made the interesting study involved 25 men and women older than 65, and adults ages 20 to 35. These two groups had similar diet and habits.
Analyzers had tested small samples of muscle tissue of healthy young and old adults and found that they are significantly different in their gene expression. Older muscle tissue had diminished functioning in mitochondria.
The gene expression profile in older adult muscles showed a more youthful appearance after 6 months strength training. It is amazing.
I believe many older people will begin strength training after this research to be stronger and healthier. Facts that were proved can always be more helpful than only thoughts.
Researchers need more studies to see effects of walking, swimming, etc. But I believe the results will be good in any way. Because any activity has positives. And if you are not active yet, summer time is the right time to start. The stimulus- healthy and beautiful body without any expenses. Beach and parks are at your disposal.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Vacation is Pleasure

If I didn’t work and had too much money, I would travel anywhere and everywhere. What about you? Are you fond of traveling? Summer is coming…
I believe, you are. People always like traveling and pursue different aims while they are on vacation: shopping, sightseeing, taking care of health and simply lying on the beach.
I prefer to combine all these pleasures, but unfortunately I am not able to do it every holiday because of vacation limit, hotel offers and country’s estate.
You can choose a country or hotel with the help of travel agency. Apply to the reliable one! Find country-by-country travel advice, health insurance, travelers' checklists and information on travel. If you are going with children, learn about conditions for them beforehand. All your family should feel comfort. Choose the climate in which you are like a duck to water. Temperature of air and water is also of great importance. Coolness, heat or cold?
The most suitable climate and temperature for me are in Europe (21-31 C). I am going to Amsterdam in July for the second time. Service is brilliant there. There are many amazing places to see, good friends to meet and nice stores to attend. I can’t wait to see!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Save your Money with Airlines Credit Cards

Do you travel a lot and use frequent flier credit cards to earn bonus miles? No? They can be really good.
If you do not know what frequent flier credit card program to choose, ask yourself: will you get benefits from the leading airline companies in your region and which one will earn the ticket with the fewest strings tacked on.
You have two variants to select from: bank-sponsored credit cards and airline-sponsored credit cards.
Bank-sponsored credit cards allow you to earn miles on many airlines and get a discounted or free airline ticket. If there is no an outstanding airline in your region, this credit card can be the best for you. Sometimes such credit cards require lower minimum mileage for travel than airline-sponsored cards. Airline-sponsored credit cards allow you to focus only on one airline. If there is a hub of the airline in your city, it may assume the routes to implicit destinations.
If you are a frequent flier and use airlines credit cards, you can earn 2,500 bonus miles for adding an additional card member, get over 15,000 bonus miles with your first purchase or 1 Flight Point for every mile on any airline — or anyone else whose ticket you buy with the card and so on.
For me, it does not matter whether it’s an airline or bank offer when I sort through credit cards that earn air miles. Good credit card deal is good in any way.

P.S. Now it’s the beginning of vacations. Many credit companies offer special summer programs and discounts. I know that British Airways has discounted one-way tickets for those who fly first class. Harry up to save some money!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Marriages among College Students are on the Rise

Statistics shows that family divorce is on the rise. It is sad. The more interesting figures relate to college students: over 14 % of students get married while in college.

”We live in the world where half the marriages end in divorce, people aren’t just marrying for the moment anymore,” said Steve Mintz, co-chair of the Council on Contemporary Families and University of Houston sociology professor. “They’re trying to determine how it will sustain. Whether you’re likely to grow together has grown more important.”

Many years ago studies showed that ambitious adults were less likely to get married at all because of being sidetracked by their aims outside of family life.

Present studies show other results: men and women without college education are marrying at a lower rate than those college-educated women and men.

For the past 20 years this vogue has been achieving momentum and perhaps, can be ascribed to a change in the qualities potential mates. This thing relates mostly to men who did not take care about the education degree of their spouses many years ago.

I believe today, many college-educated marry each other because they have more in common. And this is right. My college time differs from present one. We did not merry so often (there were only few examples). Times have matched on and we met together. Those who were still alone have found their spouses among mates. So nice to see!

But some college students prefer to choose spouses through the help of matchmaking agencies. These students are eager to find partners with high salaries.

Today western lifestyle influences more and more students therefore they want to have wealthy partners in order to enjoy good quality of life. True love is of less importance.

A polling made among students of 12 universities and colleges shows that over 30% of respondents think dating while educating at college may influence their studies, but 53% of them will go dating with an appropriate better half.

How, where and when to choose a spouse is your own choice. Just do it with love! True love is always of great importance.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Use the Opportunity to Get your Credit Report for FREE

It’s really good opportunity!
You can apply for your credit report at each of the three major agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax at the same time or get 3-Bureau Credit Report, that combines all three of your national credit scores into one easy-to-read credit report and includes a free plus credit score.

A free credit report contains a complete data of your credit history up to the present. It holds your credit score which shows what kind of credit risk you are. A good credit score saves you money because you receive lower interest rates and can select among better credit cards. Is it important to check a report? Surely, it is.

When you make an application for a free credit report you will start your free trial membership. It includes daily monitoring of your credit report and email alerts of changes for 7 days to notify you of information that may indicate deceitful activity. After your trial, your full membership will also include unlimited credit reports, giving you the necessary information to understand where your credit stands.

If you are impatient to look at your credit report to find out last recordings made there, your free credit report is all that you need! Apply online! It is very easy, quick and safe. There is one website that has been set up by the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. Visit this site and order your free annual report. When you confirm your identity, you will receive your free report and score in seconds through online channels. Look through it very attentively, check for errors and verify your personal information is correct. Now you have a great opportunity to check it for free annually. Checking a report is also considered a good way to prevent you against identity theft and fraud.

Even if you decide not to get your free credit report and credit score with free trial, it’s still a good idea to order your current credit report to check it and be confident that everything is OK. I do it regularly and advise you the same.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Students - Friends

Class reunions are really excellent tradition. I believe, it is one of the most popular traditions all over the world. We meet each year. So nice to see your students - friends and your favorite teachers! Time matches on. We all have been changing, becoming success, growing up children, enjoy interesting job. We have been simply becoming older since our student days. I have four friends. We are still friends and meet at least once a week. But how could we observe all the changes and news of other classmates' life? Thanks to the tradition! If you do not follow it, only try and be sure, you will enjoy it like me and many other graduates.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Want a Credit With Bad Credit

There is a well-known fact, that credit cards are of great value in our daily life. When you apply for any credit card your only wish is to be approved. Unfortunately, it can be difficult without a positive credit history. If you do not have such one, you need to build good credit!

The type of card to apply for always depends on your situation. If your credit is good or excellent, you may apply for good or excellent credit cards and enjoy their rates and fees. If you have bad or no credit history, you can choose among secured credit cards or unsecured cards for bad or no credit, or use a co-signer. All the ways are good. You can select the suitable one for you.

If you apply for a secured card, it means that you secure the card by depositing cash up front in a savings account. The amount of money on deposit account matches your credit line. You have to make your payment on time. Otherwise, you can lose a lien on the deposit account that is maintained by your card issuer. The negative side of secured card is a higher interest rate.

Or, you can use a co-signer (your relative or friend) with good or excellent credit, who promises and is responsible to pay the full amount of the debt, if you do not pay. If you make purchases with your credit card and pay in full and timely, you will build your credit history and cancel the credit card with the co-signer. Then you will be able to apply for the cards complying with your needs. If the debt is not paid, this fact will stay on the credit history of the co-signer and the card holder as negative. I agree it is the risk. But it is still a good tool to help a friend or relative build their credit history.

There are also unsecured credit cards that are more common than secured cards. If you use any unsecured cards and do not pay your bill, the credit company will not take any assets of yours. You can apply for no credit cards, bad credit cards or fair credit cards corresponding to your credit score. The bank will report about your payments to three major bureaus every month. Only apply for the right card to the right bank and you will be approved.

You should compare all of credit card offers and choose the most suitable card for you relating to your personal situation. If you set the aim to build strong credit history, be sure, you will achieve it.

Friday, May 4, 2007

New Formfactor:Unique Credit Card with Display and Button


A unique credit card with a very small display and button issuing one-time passwords has been developed by two security companies. And today they are trying to sell this idea to credit card issuers. The price per card depends on volume purchased and ranges from $10 to $30, which is higher than usual card.

Retailers are recklessly making efforts to improve POS security; therefore the concept of the card is actual and timely. The firms have invented special authentication code that couldn't be stolen from some database of retailers. It is only in theory, but sounds attractively!

"I think, this formfactor is more convenient and can be used in multiple channels -- point-of-sale, ATM, voice and web. Most of the data stolen from breaches would be rendered useless unless the thief stole the actual card. Work has to be done to upgrade the payment/ATM/VRU and Web systems to accept this form factor and one-time-passwords but those costs are less than the costs of security upgrades today," said Gartner security analyst Avivah Litan.

Verisign and Innovative Card Technologies announced that they are going "to integrate the security of a one-time password token into a card the size of a standard credit card. At the push of a button on the back of the card, an integrated display shows a password that changes with every transaction. During an online transaction, this number is entered into a user interface with other information (PIN and login name) for multifactor authentication". The most alluring part of their statement is formfactor of their credit card, but two firms are also selling their device in other size, principally pocket-sized security devices, which is, perhaps, really convenient.

“Many banks are very cautious when they start changing”, said Verisign VP Fran Rosch. So, whether the credit companies will agree to offer such formfactors or not, nobody knows for sure yet.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Educate kids about money use!

It is no doubt, money plays a great role in our life. We try to use them wisely and teach our children doing the same. Many parents think that their kid will take such lessons at school or college. Partly they are right. There are many educational online games, that are developed specially to teach children about credit card and money use and offered at colleges and schools.
But what about you, parent? You have to play the main role in education about money use. Begin in the earlier childhood! If you notice that your child plays with money, it is the right time to start. They do it unconsciously when they are three years old or even earlier. In this age they are not able to understand all the importance of money, but you should try. Go shopping or cafe together to show and explain, what money is really used for. Not for the play! It is their first lesson.
When they grow up and can count, you may give them some cash to buy candies, milk, bread, etc. It is a good lesson of money spending. Explain them the value of money, how to save it and spend wisely, and keep records of money spent or saved. Then you can compare these figures with your kids. It is very interesting to see results.
You can invent your own method of education or use a well-known one. But be sure, your efforts will be not lost upon your children.

Monday, April 30, 2007

The Role of Credit Cards. Learn more.

I believe almost everyone knows what credit cards are used for and almost everyone carries several credit cards in their wallet. Using a credit card is like having a short-term loan that is flexible. When you make any purchases using your card, you borrow money from the bank or credit company and repay it later.
Credit cards are really convenient and can be financially useful if you handle them wisely. With credit cards you can make purchases everywhere in the world and do it easily: directly at the bank, over the phone, or online. But do not exceed credit limit of your card making purchases! Otherwise, you will pay penalty fees.
Today you can choose a credit card relating to your personal situation. If you are a student, you can apply for student credit cards that allow you starting your credit history. Businessman can apply for business credit cards or cards for small business. Bad credit or no credit at all? No problem. More and more credit companies issue credit cards right for people who want to rebuild or start their credit history. And you will be approved even if you had some problems in the past. Only apply for the right card to the right bank.
Credit cards also help to protect your assets. If you lose your card or it is stolen, you can report it to the credit company and it will deactivate the card and give you a new one. Notice, if you lose cash - it's gone and that's all.
Of course, there is a negative side of credit cards. They can be expensive and hardly controlled for people who do not fully understand the seriousness of making monthly payments. The credit card company adds a late fee and interest charges for those who do not pay on time.
In addition, several tips for you:
1. Use credit if you're sure you will be able to repay the debt.
2. Do not purchase impulsively using your credit card.
3. Save your credit card for a money emergency.
4. Make payments monthly on time to pay minimum fees and interest charges.
Good luck!