5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money


 by: Jeanette Joy Fisher

Most of us want a good credit report to obtain automobile financing, credit cards, and to purchase a home. But, beyond these consumer loans, your credit report can cost you in everyday living expenses. What you don't know about your credit could be costing you money.

Having a credit card means that you can order tickets, rent a car, and reserve hotel rooms. Besides these conveniences, your credit report can mean that you must pay higher deposits and fees for everyday services.

Did you know that your credit history can keep you from getting utility connections, good telephone rates, the best auto insurance, home owner's insurance, or even keep you from getting hired?

1. Some utility companies set minimum standards for service connections. If your report shows collection accounts for prior utility bills, you may not be eligible for service at all. And if utility companies do agree to connect your service, you'll need to pay a higher deposit than another customer with good credit who may not need to make any deposit.

2. The same requirements exist for telephone services. People with a good credit history don't need to pay deposits for home telephone or cell phone services. When we first got a cell phone with poor credit scores, we had to pay a $300 deposit, for one cell phone. After fixing our credit, we got eight cell phones for our business, with zero deposits.

3. What many people don't realize is that good credit enables them to get better insurance rates. High-quality, low-cost home owners? insurance, auto, and life insurance companies set minimum credit standards for their policy holders; this means that consumers with poor credit have to pay more for less coverage. Many automobile insurance companies now base your monthly premiums on your credit score; these companies offer a 17% discount if your score is over 625 and a 25% discount if your score is over 725. Why? Because according to their studies, people who are careful with their credit are also careful with their property and careful drivers.

4. Bad credit can cost you a job. More and more employers run an applicant?s credit report and hire the person with better credit, assuming that better credit equals better integrity and character. A friend of mine with a Master's Degree and a 4.0 grade average did not get hired; she was told her credit score didn't meet their minimum standard and that they hired another person with less education.

5. Poor credit scores means you pay more for your home financing. Mortgages cost more in upfront fees and interest rates for those with low credit scores. How much can you save? A mortgage loan of $150,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, interest rate of about 5.72 percent costs around $870 a month; poor credit scores raise the interest rate over 9 percent and the payments over $1,200. As you see from these payment differences, good credit means that you can finance a more expensive house with the same income, or save $330 each month.

Boost your credit score so you can save money on everyday expenses, get high-quality insurance, and the best mortgage financing.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

About The Author

Jeanette Joy Fisher

FREE Credit Help Teleseminar. Get expert advice on building your credit from credit and real estate college instructor Jeanette Fisher (www.jeanettefisher.com). More free credit card debt help and FREE Credit Tips ebook http://worryfreecredit.com.



Options Available for Automotive Financing

Options Available for Automotive Financing


 by: John Mussi

Buying a new car or truck can be a major undertaking? and a major expense. If you're like most people, you won't be able to pay for your new vehicle out-of-pocket; that's where automotive financing loans come into play.

With an auto financing loan you'll be able to borrow the amount that you need to pay for the car or other vehicle of your dreams, and the purchased vehicle will serve as collateral for the loan meaning that you won't need additional collateral to secure it. The loan is still a major commitment, though, and shouldn't be entered into lightly.

Before deciding on the loan, you should take the time to explore the all of the options that are available to you.

Finance Options in Your Area

By taking the time to consider a variety of financing options, you'll likely find that there are a number of different ways that you can finance a new vehicle in your area....

Options Available for Automotive Financing
Financing > Options Available for Automotive Financing

Subprime Mortgages And A Past Bankruptcy

Subprime Mortgages And A Past Bankruptcy


 by: Carrie Reeder

Even with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in your credit report you can still qualify for a sub-prime mortgage. Once approved, you can then use your mortgage to improve your credit history, qualifying you for lower interest rates in the future.

The Effects of a Bankruptcy

A bankruptcy will affect your credit score based on how long ago it was. So a bankruptcy discharged less than a year ago will qualify you for a D loan. These types of loans usually require 30% down and a high interest rate.

By waiting a year after a bankruptcy, you can qualify for a B or C loan with their lower rates and down payment requirements. If you wait two years, you can qualify for a FHA home loan. In four years, you can qualify for a conventional loan.

Besides your bankruptcy record, financing companies will want to see a steady payment history. This includes your credit and rent payments. Cash reserves...

Subprime Mortgages And A Past Bankruptcy
Financing > Subprime Mortgages And A Past Bankruptcy

A Real Estate Formula

A Real Estate Formula


 by: Steve Gillman

It was a simple real estate formula. The ads ran in our small-town newspaper for years before I realized exactly what was going on. They were always the same: A house for sale with 5% down and payments of 1% of the purchase price. Maybe a three bedroom home for $90,000, for example, with $4,500 down and $900 per month payments.

When a friend started doing the same thing he explained the process to me. It was a way to get a great return on capital, and it was the opposite of buying with no money down. There is no down payment at all when you buy, because you buy for cash.

The Simple Real Estate Formula

You probably know that when you buy for cash, you can often get a much better price. With no financing contingencies in the offer, and the promise of a faster closing, sellers are willing to sell for less. You can offer $95,000, for example, on a house that might be worth $108,000. If you can't...

A Real Estate Formula
Financing > A Real Estate Formula

Financing Basics

Financing Basics


 by: Matt Bacak

The term financing is commonly used to explain the acquisition of loans from banks or other financial institutions. Financing is usually provided to business owners, either to be utilized as start-up capital or to support an on-going business. Some businesses may require financing to help them through a rough patch, or simply to provide some liquidity until more current assets are turned into cash. Additionally, financing is also given to companies who are expanding their businesses rapidly and require the money to support their new operations and facilities.

Due the high interests and high risks that come with financing, small business owners are often compelled to evaluate their situation from all angles before making a financing decision. This is because there is a full range of loan types available in the market, each of them for different purposes and with different interest rates, repayment terms and loan...

Financing Basics
Financing > Financing Basics

A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options

A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options


 by: John Mussi

Have you been trying to find out what bad credit finance options were available? Perhaps you're in the market for a new car or truck, but aren't sure if you can find a dealer or lender who'll offer you a bad credit finance?

You shouldn't worry too much about bad credit finance options, because there are several financing options available regardless of your credit history? some of them charge higher interest rates or require some additional security, but in the end may be just what you're looking for.

Vehicle financing

If you're looking for a bad credit finance for a new or used vehicle, your best option is most likely going to be to visit a finance company as opposed to a traditional bank.

Some finance companies are more likely to offer bad credit finance options for vehicles than others, and the financing will usually depend upon the type of vehicle being financed, where...

A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options
Financing > A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options

?Why You, Why Now? - A Critical Component of a Winning Business Plan

?Why You, Why Now? - A Critical Component of a Winning Business Plan

 by: Dave Lavinsky

Business plans continue to be an essential element of the capital-raising process. They must convince investors to take notice - investors that are shrewder today due to the ups-and-downs they have experienced over the past few years.

Adding to the financing challenge is the plethora of high-quality companies, both public and private, in which investors can choose to invest. In this environment, more and more investors are asking companies seeking capital the question "Why You, Why Now"?

The question seems simple at first, but has many complexities. The management team must clearly delineate what it is about the business opportunity that makes it such a good investment now. Should this investment have been made a year ago to cement a market leadership position? Or, is the venture before its time - will slow market adoption cause slow sales over the next...

?Why You, Why Now? - A Critical Component of a Winning Business Plan
Financing > ?Why You, Why Now? - A Critical Component of a Winning Business Plan

Mortgage Brokers ? The Nuts and Bolts

Mortgage Brokers ? The Nuts and Bolts

 by: Dan Lewis

Using a mortgage broker to shop for home loans can make the borrowing process a lot less stressful than doing it yourself. Here are the nuts and bolts on getting a good broker.

Competent Mortgage Brokers

There are a couple of obvious situations where going with a mortgage broker makes perfect sense. If you have less than perfect credit, a mortgage broker is going to be able to open your eyes to numerous loan options a traditional bank would never tell you about. If the idea of handling the mass of paperwork involved in the loan application scares you, a mortgage broker is definitely going to be a savior since they will take on that burden. Still, how do you know if you are talking to a competent broker?

The first issue to address when considering whether to use a mortgage broker is scope.
Scope refers to the number of different lenders the mortgage broker works with in home...

Mortgage Brokers ? The Nuts and Bolts
Financing > Mortgage Brokers ? The Nuts and Bolts

Chairs

Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money potty training Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money potty training

Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!

Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!

 by: Kirsten Hawkins

As any mother with a young child will tell you, babies grow very quickly. So for new mothers, making the most out of baby clothes is of the utmost importance. So what do you do when those onesies just don't quite snap anymore? How do you get an extra month out of those jeans that are a little too short for the winter months?

The great thing about onesies, is that they're a very workable cotton fabric...

Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last! socks Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last! socks
Financing > Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!

Tips for Keeping Your Money Safe While on Vacation

Tips for Keeping Your Money Safe While on Vacation

 by: Peter Shannon

When it comes to spending money on vacation you have three main choices. Credit cards, cash, or traveler's checks.

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for your vacation. If they are stolen you have limited liability and they are easily replaced. The ability to dispute the charges with the credit card company give you protection against poor merchandise or service.

Many transactions...

Financing Financing
Financing > Tips for Keeping Your Money Safe While on Vacation

How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims?

How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims?

 by: Jinky C. Mesias

Social Security is an agency of rules and regulations. These rules and regulations command for strict compliance among its members. During the processing of claims it cannot be helped that some claims are rejected or denied. The rejections of the claims are based on a thorough analysis of all supporting documents and papers submitted to the agency. Nevertheless, it is also natural for members...

Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims? Financing 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims?
Financing > How To Appeal Your Denied Social Security Claims?

Finding Cheap Hotel Rates

Finding Cheap Hotel Rates

 by: Jay Moncliff

The days of showing up at a hotel and paying whatever price is posted are over simply because it is so easy to find cheap and discounted hotel rates online. Some people still call up a hotel to make reservations and pay whatever the rate is, however people are wising up to the many cheap hotel rates to be found online and since saving money is always a motivating factor many people are shopping and booking online and...

Financing Financing
Financing > Finding Cheap Hotel Rates

Living in Synchronicity with the Universe

Living in Synchronicity with the Universe

 by: Amy Biddle

I've always loved the movies where someone says, "Synchronize watches!" A team of heroes would have to split up to do their individual jobs, but to complete their common mission successfully, they had to work in synchronicity. I think I must have enjoyed that so much, because somewhere inside me I knew, even as a kid, that that's how it is for all of us.

First documented in the academic world by the...

Financing Living in Synchronicity with the Universe 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money watches Financing Living in Synchronicity with the Universe 5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money watches
Financing > Living in Synchronicity with the Universe