Getting The Lowest Interest Rate For Your Credit Card

15 March 2010

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Everyone needs credit these days and credit cards have become a part and parcel of everyones life. But man has woven a credit card debt trap around itself. To avoid this debt trap low rate credit cards have been introduced. A low rate credit card is usually for those who hold a good credit history and have considerable repayment capacity. For example the student credit card is generally not a low rate credit card. The travel cards issued by some of the reputed merchants like British Airways, NorthWest Airlines etc are cards that attract high interest charges.

If someone carries a large balance on a high interest credit card then transferring the balance to a low rate credit card can save some honest money. Low rate credit card ensures paying off large outstanding on numerous cards at an attractive low interest rates. Some cards offer 0% APR on balance transfer and cash advances from six months to twelve months.

The rates involved in calculating the finance charges are usually the interest rates. Other charges include the late payment fee, over limit fee, rates applicable after the introductory period, etc. For those who carry a large balance on their cards opting for a low rate credit card can save thousands of dollars. A low rate credit card also offers several other benefits like 5% cash back reward on select purchases from outlets like grocery stores, supermarkets or gas stations and 1% cash back reward on purchases from other outlets.

Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card, Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card, Chase Flexible Rewards Platinum Visa Card, Citi Premier Pass Card, Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa, Free Cash Rewards Platinum Visa Card, etc are some of the credit cards that fall in a low rate credit card category.

A low rate credit card does not have any annual fee which is another form of cutting overhead costs on any credit card debt. Many of these cards offer up to 1000 bonus points on first purchase. There after one bonus point is awarded to the card holder for every one dollar spent. Some of these cards also offer checks or gift certificates from participating merchants when specified amount of bonus points are accumulated. For example Free Cash Reward Platinum Visa Card offers a $25 check or an equivalent gift certificate from many leading national merchants after accumulation of 2500 points.

Usually it is wise to pay off a high interest rate card with a low rate credit card. But one should watch out for the traps of high transfer fees and short promotional low-term rates. One should read the fine print. Usually the fine print on any low rate credit card states that if the card holder default the payment or makes any consecutive late payments then the existing interest rates dissolve and the usual high interest rates prevalent in the market are applicable. Finally, the card holder should avoid maxing out a new low rate credit card, as this can cause the card holders credit score to dip.

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Do You Qualify For A Low Interest Rate Credit Card?

01 February 2010

Do You Qualify For A Low Interest Rate Credit Card?

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Your credit rating is taken into consideration in just about any part of your personal life. From buying a house to getting insurance, your credit rating is important. By maintaining good credit, you can save money by getting lower rates on your home loan to a car loan. A good credit rating can even qualify you for a low interest rate credit card.

When you look at new credit card offers today, the majority of them give you a 0% APR introductory period, which is extended from six months up to fifteen months, depending on the financial institution. If you normally carry a balance on your credit card, in the short term this 0% APR can save you money, that’s true. But when the introductory period is over, did you get the lowest interest rate credit card available?

If you’re looking at new credit cards, you need to look past the 0% introductory offer. There is a range of interest rates the issuer considers. If you have good credit and qualify for a low interest credit card, you really can save a lot of additional money over the years.

A low interest rate credit card is advantageous for people who normally carry a balance on their credit card account. With a new credit card that has a 0% APR introductory period, you can transfer the balance from your higher interest rate cards and pay down your debt interest free. Then when the special 0% offer expires, you will still have a low interest rate credit card.

It has probably taken you a few years to accumulate that good credit rating by budgeting and keeping within you financial means. But occasionally life throws us a curve ball and we can fall behind with our bills. If this happens, the financial institution reserves the right to raise that interest rate.

Keep in mind though, that the financial institutions are run by people just like you and me. Once things straighten out and you are again in good standing with the issuer, if you give them a call, they will often times reinstate that lower interest rate. They do value your business.

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Consolidating Debt – How To Get The Lowest Interest Rate

01 January 2010

Consolidating Debt – How To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On A Debt Reduction Or Consolidation Loan

To get the lowest interest rate on a debt consolidation loan, you need to research terms and rates. Lenders realize to remain competitive, they must offer low rates. A difference as little as a quarter percent can save you hundreds a year. The type of loan you choose can also have significant financial repercussions.

Picking Your Debt Consolidation Loan

You have two options for a debt consolidation loan secured or unsecured. Secured loans are backed by property you own, typically your home. You can choose to refinance your mortgage to pull out your equity to pay off your bills. You can also use a home equity line of credit to consolidate your debt. With both types of loans, the interest is tax deductible.

Unsecured loans, such as personal loans, have no collateral, so interest rates are higher. You can expect to pay a couple of percentage points higher than prime, depending on your credit score. You will also need to have a steady source of income.

When you pick the type of debt consolidation loan you want, consider all the financial factors. A secured debt will involve fees. You may also find that interest rates are higher than when you first received your mortgage. However, you need to remember their tax advantage. For large debts, a secure loan usually is the best choice with a longer period to recoup the cost of fees. Unsecured loans are ideal for those who dont have property or have smaller debts.

Finding Lenders

No matter if you are looking for a secured or unsecured loan, the principles for finding a lender are the same. Start by requesting quotes and terms from several lenders. You may be surprised to find a lesser known lender offers far better rates than national financing companies. Also, use the internet to speed the process by requesting information online.

Besides rates, request information on fees both up front and any early payment fees. This information will help you determine the true cost of the loans.

Once you have found a few potential lenders, investigate further for discounts and customer service. You may find a lender who offers discounts for applying online or being a first time borrower with them. If all factors are the same, select the lender that you feel most comfortable with and is easy to contact.

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Bad Credit Loan — How to Get the Best Interest

24 November 2009

Bad Credit Loan — How to Get the Best Interest Rate

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Bad credit loans are in high demand. And if you do any research on bad credit loan, youll find plenty of advice on how to get the lowest interest rate. Youll also find plenty of people willing to give you a bad credit loan, but youd be making a mistake to accept it.

Unfortunately, most of what youll find approaches the problem from the wrong direction. The way to get the VERY best interest rate on a bad credit loan is usually overlooked or concealed altogether.

But before we continue, lets digress briefly and look at how significantly the higher rate for a bad credit loan affects the borrower.

Lets say you want to buy a house, but have bad credit. No matter how diligently you shop for a lender, youre still be charged a higher interest rate for a bad credit loan than if you had good credit.

With good credit, you might get a mortgage loan at 6% interest. But a bad credit loan will cost you closer to 12%. Assuming you get a $100,000 mortgage over 30 years, the difference youd pay in interest amounts to a monstrous $154,461.60 MORE because you have bad credit. Thats over 1 times the loan itself!

Now getting back to our original problem, how can you get a better interest rate for a bad credit loan? The answer is probably not what you were expecting.

The solution is to think outside the box. The way to get a bad credit loan with the best interest rate is to NOT get one! Instead, spend a couple of months fixing your bad credit, and then look for a good credit loan instead.

This answer probably comes as something of a shock to you. More than likely, several objections to this approach will come to mind.

1. I need a loan NOW or Its not worth my while to wait until I repair my credit.

Oh really? Well, is it worth a savings of $150,000 or more? Granted you may not be looking for a $100,000 loan. But even if you want to borrow only $10,000 or so, the better rates youll enjoy with good credit will still save you several thousand dollars.

2. Fixing my credit will take too long, or it just isnt possible.

Its often possible to make very a significant improvement in your credit rating in just a few months, and in some cases as little as 30 days.

3. I dont know how to repair my credit and cant afford to hire a credit repair agency

For a fraction of the cost of a professional agency, you can purchase a good book on credit repair that will walk you through the whole process.

4. Do-it-yourself credit repair is too difficult or I dont think I can repair my own credit

Dont be intimidated by the idea of fixing your own credit. If you can write a few letters, address, stamp, and mail them you can repair your own credit.

Your decision comes down to this; you have two choices.

1. You can spend some time (maybe a LOT of time) shopping for a bad credit loan with the lowest possible rate, and still end up paying thousands (even tens of thousands) more in interest.

2. You can spend some time fixing your credit and spend those thousands on your familys needs, instead of paying them to your lender.

Do you really think your lender needs your hard earned money more than you and your family need it? Anybody can work on fixing their own credit. Thats right, anybody!

Get a good book on credit repair and get started TODAY!

(c) 2005 eBusiness Power

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5 Ways To Get The Lowest Mortgage Interest Rate You

14 November 2009

5 Ways To Get The Lowest Mortgage Interest Rate You Can Online

Everyone loves a bargain and getting a lower mortgage interest rate can save you a substantial amount of money over the life of your loan. There are several ways to go about ensuring that you pay the least amount of interest when you take out a home mortgage.

Be aware of your credit score.

Good credit is the key to not only getting a mortgage, but to getting the best interest rates available. Mortgage lenders like to reward borrowers that pay off their bills in a timely manner. Chances are if you have been faithful with your other payments, you will be faithful to pay them back, so they can afford to take a risk on you and offer a lower interest rate.

Close any existing credit card accounts that you no longer use.

If you have several credit card accounts, they can affect the interest rate on your mortgage, even if they have a zero balance. Lenders see open accounts as potential for debt, which adds a risk of them not getting their money back. To balance this risk, they will often charge you a slightly higher interest rate.

Lock in interest rates before you close.

Once you have agreed on a low interest rate, ask the lender to lock in that rate. Rates can fluctuate drastically in the time it takes for you to get your mortgage and that could mean paying a totally different interest rate than what was originally quoted.

Make the biggest down payment you can afford.

Putting a down payment from your savings on your house, lowers the amount you plan to finance, lowering the interest you will pay over the life of your loan.

Shop Around.

You dont have to work with the first lender that you approach. With the vast amount of online mortgage brokers, it is easy to compare offers and pick the company that offers you the lowest interest rate. Dont be afraid to tell brokers that you are shopping around, or ask them if they can match the interest rates of a competitors quote.

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3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your

10 November 2009

3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Home Refinance Loan

Maybe you need a little extra cash for a home remodel or college tuition, or perhaps you simply want to save some money. Whatever your reason, refinancing your home loan can be a smart move as long as you get a low rate. Here are some simple tips that can ensure you get the lowest rate possible on your Home Refinance Loan:

Clean up your credit

Lenders use your credit score as one tool for determining your interest rate. In general, the better your score, the lower your rate. Before applying to refinance your mortgage, check your credit report and look for any errors. If you find a mistake that’s negatively affecting your score–such as a payment marked as “late” when you sent it on time, or a line of credit that doesn’t belong to you–be sure to correct those errors.

Shop around

You might not necessarily get the best deal from the same finance company that holds your mortgage loan. Make sure you check out offers from other lenders. You can do this by submitting your application to multiple lending companies, or by hiring a mortgage broker that will check out numerous lenders for you. To get the largest variety of offers, try different types of companies, such as banks, credit unions, online mortgage lenders and local mortgage brokers.

Negotiate

Once you’ve received a few offers, take the time to negotiate with lenders. Let them know that you have other options and that you’re looking for a great deal. Mention their competitors so they know you’re serious about your loan, and be prepared to walk away if the loan company won’t give you the best rate. However, once you find a deal you like, ask the lender to “lock it in.” Interest rates change daily, and locking it in guarantees that you still get a low rate even if rates soar the next week.

Remember: the interest rate is only part of the expense of refinancing. In many cases you’ll have to pay fees, points and other extra charges. You can lower the cost of your loan by asking to have these fees waived or lowered.

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3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your

07 November 2009

3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Car Loan

If you’re like the average American, chances are you buy a new car every five years or so. Most people need an auto loan when they buy a new vehicle, whether it’s a car, truck, SUV or van and since the interest on auto loans can add up over time–especially on a five or seven year loan!–it’s important to try and get the lowest rate possible on your car loan. So find a low rate car loan by

Getting your loan before you shop!

If you wait until you get to the car lot to think about financing, the dealer will try and push “dealer financing” on you. That’s because his financing usually comes with extra “padding” to make you pay more–and to boost his bottom line. The interest rate on dealer financing is often 3% higher than financing from a bank, credit union and or online loan company. So get a loan before you shop for a car. Another bonus: you’ll have more negotiating power for the price of the car since the dealer knows you’re a financially stable customer.

Knowing the current rates!

You’ll never know if you’re getting a good deal unless you know the going rates for car loans! Search the web, call around to local banks and ask friends or family what the current interest rates are for car loans. Be sure to compare apples to apples by considering things like loan term, since longer term loans often have lower rates. Your credit history will have an effect on your rate, too.

Comparison shopping!

Get quotes from as many lenders as possible. Check with your current bank, credit unions, online lending services and other loan companies. Get at least 3 or 4 different loan quotes so you can compare rates, terms and fees. Let them know you’re shopping around and that you’ve received better offers. It’s possible they’ll lower your rate or drop your fees to get your business.

You may also want to consider an online lending service that allows you to compare rates between multiple banks and loan companies at one time, since they’re a convenient way to shop around without getting multiple hits on your credit report.

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