Be aware of the annual percentage rate (APR). A typical monthly interest rate of 1.5% is reasonable but do not stop yourself from conducting research and comparison among lenders. There may be lenders that offer introductory “teaser” rates but although these rates are initially low compared with others, they are only effective for a limited time and will soon be increased at much higher rates.

When you are shopping for a house, car or even a credit card, always be on the look out for the best APR possible. For credit cards, some other factors come into play, and these are the duration of grace period, late payment charges, other fees and penalties, as well as possible interest rate increases that have little or no warning.

For home loans, it is best if you can get your lender to guarantee you the best possible rate. Rates may rise or dip so avoid being locked into a relatively high rate if you can, especially when rates are going down.

Before buying a home, know how many points are involved in the transaction. One point represents one percent of the loan’s face value.
Always clarify terms with your potential lenders. Again, ask questions. Is the fixed rate effective for the entire length of the loan? Is it actually a fixed rate or just part of the loan period? Is there a relatively low interest rate period followed by a balloon payment?

If you can, study tax laws to know if interest can be deducted. There are loans such as home equity loans that require interest-only payments. Note that these payments do not reduce the principal and they are only advisable when you are trying to ward off foreclosure or bankruptcy.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

All credit cards come with terms and conditions, which more often than not, are neglected by most credit card holders. If you are one of those who typically don’t mind reading your card’s terms and conditions, now is the best time to start scrutinizing these details for the benefit of your own financial health.

Terms and conditions usually vary depending on the credit card issuer, but there are basic terms and conditions that are generally included and these are the following:

Annual percentage rate

The annual percentage rate varies depending on your credit card. Many issuers may offer you introductory offers for as low as 0%, but take note that it’s usually only for a limited time. Moreover, you should be extra careful because the 0% offer may be revoked if your payment is late or your account exceeds your credit limit. Bear in mind that rates that appear too low at first typically expire after just a short period of time and then much higher rates take into effect.

Grace period for purchases
Usually, the grace period given for purchases last around 20 to 25 days, again depending on the card issuer. Finance charges apply upon the expiration of the grace period if the balance is not fully-paid.

Annual fee
Although there are many card issuers that do not charge annual fees, it’s still a good thing to check with the issuer before you accept any credit card offer.

Minimum finance charge
Carrying a balance on your credit card will entail a finance charge. Computation for this will depend on the interest rate and your credit card issuer’s policy. The minimum finance charge is usually somewhere between $0.50 to $1.00. Read your service agreement for details on your card’s minimum finance charge because if you’re not too keen on the details, you may be surprised to realize that finance charges can add up to your monthly balance.

Transaction fee for cash advances
While it may seem tempting to make cash advances on your credit card, you have to control yourself from doing so because additional charges are attached to this type of transaction. Teller fees and transaction fees of up to 3% may be charged to you.

Over limit fee
Exceeding your card’s limit entails an over limit fee. Issuers can charge you up to $29 every time your card is over the limit. Try your best not to spend beyond your credit limit, not only to avoid over limit charges, but also to maintain a positive credit history and a good credit score.

You also can call your credit card issuer if you have any questions about your terms and conditions.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

Credit card issuers charge up to 18% in interest rates. So before swiping that card and making that purchase, do a short self-questioning session first. Ask yourself, is this purchase worth swiping? Or is it better to save up first so I can just purchase this in cash? Are the interest rates worth for this piece of item I’m about to buy? Can it wait? Do I have more urgent things to pay for? Is this the best time to make the purchase?

Consider your capacity to pay the loan. Will you able to pay it off within a few months? Are you disciplined enough to strictly impose upon yourself a budget for paying your card until the balance reaches zero? Don’t let your credit card control your life. Be in control of your credit card and not the other way around.

Limit the number of credit cards you carry in your wallet everyday to avoid going on a tempting shopping spree then falling into huge debts afterwards. Many have been pushed into debt consolidation measures, delinquencies, and worst, bankruptcy.

Furthermore, the less number of cards you use, the easier it becomes for you to keep track of your spending and payments.

Research credit cards that offer the best rates. Yes, there are good deals out there waiting to be discovered. Don’t just accept whatever credit card offer that arrives in your mailbox. Credit card companies will do anything to lure you with their fancy marketing strategies so be smart and pay attention to details.

Remember that you always have a choice. Maximize your options and be a wise consumer.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

The very first thing you need to do is to make the crime known. Inform your creditors and ask them to urgently close any fraudulent or suspicious accounts. Secondly, send the the three national credit reporting agencies a notification of what happened.

They can be reached at the following numbers: Experian® at 1-888-397-3742 (this number has an electronic menu: You cannot talk to anyone at Experian until you have a copy of your credit report, which includes a report number to reach a live representative), Equifax at 1-800-270-3435 and TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289.

Your fraud alert on Experian will stay in their system for ninety (90) days. Expect to receive a complimentary copy of your personal credit report from all three national credit report agencies.

To keep you from experiencing further fraud, make sure you have removed your name from all prescreened offer mailing lists. Tips on how to recover from fraud will also be provided to you by the credit reporting agencies.

You may also request that a fraud alert message be added to your personal credit report for an extended period of time, maximum of seven years. This fraud alert message says, “Fraudulent applications may be submitted in my name using correct personal information. Do not extend credit without first contacting me personally and verifying all applicant information at (your day phone number) or (your evening phone number). Date reported-(mm/yy).” If you choose this message option, all three agencies will provide you with a complimentary credit report each month for three months allowing you to monitor your report for any fraudulent and unusual activity.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

Looking at your credit report for the first time can be intimidating and confusing. However, it is always best to review your credit report, at least once a year, as it contains significant information about your financial actions. As you can see, reviewing your credit report is a good idea. You are are entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. A copy of your report costs $10 plus any taxes, shipping and/or handling charges.

There are different types of information contained in your credit report:

Personal identifying information – This information includes your name, address (current and previous), social security number, telephone number, birth date, your current and previous employers; your spouse’s name may be included as well.

Credit history – This section includes your bill-paying history with banks, retail stores, finance companies, mortgage companies, and others who have given you credit. It includes information about each of your accounts – date it was opened, type of account, amount of the loan, payment schedule, etc. Closed accounts and/or loans that have been paid off are reflected in this section. Missed or late payments appear in your credit history as well.

Public records – Refer to readily available information that might indicate your credit worthiness, such as tax liens, court judgments and bankruptcies.

Report inquiries – This section includes a list of all credit granters who have received a copy of your credit report. It also includes any others who have been given authority to view it. Moreover, lists of companies that have received your name and address in order to give you “pre-approved” credit card offers. These companies do not actually see your report, but they manage to get your name if you meet their criteria for an offer of credit, insurance or other product.

Dispute statements – These are statements you’ve made (if any) disputing information on the report. Most credit bureaus allow both the consumer and the creditor to make statements for each one to report what happened should there be a dispute about something on the report.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

Major national credit reporting agencies such as Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax understand their need to gather, fix and accurately distribute your financial reliability assessments in a timely manner. Thus, the creation of your credit report, which is the tool that makes your eligibility for credit possible. This very efficient credit reporting system gives you more financial freedom and less restrictions when it comes to borrowing money.

There are literally hundreds of affiliate credit bureaus aside from the abovementioned. All these credit bureaus deal with the assembly of credit information in specific locations and are affiliated with one of the major national organizations.

The following are the contact information for all three national credit bureaus in the United States:

Equifax – www.equifax.com

To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285/ TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian – www.experian.com

To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013

To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)/ TDD: 800-972-0322 and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion – www.transunion.com

To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289/ TDD: 877-553-7803 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-6790

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

Borrowing money through cash advances is never a good idea, unless, you badly need it for legitimate emergencies. Legitimate in the sense that the money is meant to be used in life or death situations. If you are thinking of getting a cash advance just to purchase for the purpose of luxury, turn your back on that ATM immediately.

Did you know that unlike regular credit card purchases, cash advances do not usually have grace periods. Furthermore, credit card issuers, more often than not, charge higher interest rates, 2% of total typically, on cash advances.

If you are not comfortable with carrying cash all the time but would like to avoid getting into debt, then a bank debit card is your perfect alternative. Moreover, you may also use your debit card to withdraw from ATMs just like when you opt for a cash advance.

You may also use your debit card to purchase directly from stores minus the fees or interests. There are even some stores that offer cash back on debit card purchases for a small fee.

It pays to be smart financially in these difficult economic times.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

They may all seem tempting to try out especially when your credit situation is reaching its bottom level. If you think the credit repair claims are too good to be true, chances are, they really are not true.

Before giving in to these larger than life promises and wasting your time and your few precious bucks, read on to know more about the fact that there is no such thing as overnight credit repair.

Sad Fact: There are credit repair scammers out there that will only try to take advantage of your already frustrating situation. Not only will you throw away so much time and effort, but what little money you have left will also go to waste. The poor state of your credit will remain the same.

Here are some useful DON’Ts to help you avoid companies that offer nothing but credit repair scams:

1. If a company promises to fix your credit overnight, do not commit. As previously mentioned, there is no such thing. Any legitimate credit repair company will tell you that it will take a considerable amount of time and effort to process the restoration of your credit.
2. If a company asks for payment before they deliver what they have promised, do not give them your money. Federal law requires credit repair firms to present to you a detailed explanation of your legal rights and a clearly written contract.
3. If a company advises you to create a new credit identity, do not follow. This practice is called “file segregation” and it is illegal.
4. If a company overcharges you for credit repair services, do not pursue. Credit repair services involve only a fair amount of money.
5. If a company sends you unsolicited email for credit repair services, do not reply. Many of these unsolicited emails are not to be trusted.

Happy Fact: There are established, legitimate financial firms that offer real credit repair services. They even give credit consultations at no cost. Yes, you got that right. They offer free credit consultations regardless of your credit history and whether or not you will pursue their services. These are the companies that have positive feedback from satisfied clients because they were able to give them the peace of mind and financial freedom they wanted for the longest time.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Building, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.

Graceful Financial Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

An aged tradeline is another term for a seasoned line of credit. A tradeline is considered to be aged or seasoned if it has been opened for at least the last two years, and active since the time of its opening.

Your credit or FICO score is highly dependent on the number, length of history and status of your aged tradelines.

Obtaining a higher credit score gives you a better chance to secure a stable credit position and boost your likelihood of getting the money you need to build a home, start a business, or take care of your family’s health and other personal necessities.

Lenders look closely at these details to determine if you are actually able to maintain a good credit history.

Furthermore, aged tradelines pave the way for the total elimination of inaccuracies and negative items on your credit report, thus, giving you a clean slate to start anew.

A positive credit history is built upon having at least three active aged tradelines. Credit repair restoration solutions combined with the addition of positive tradelines result in successful credit restoration.

To help and guide you in your credit restoration and financial planning efforts, it is advisable to seek the expertise of financial consultants. They will be most willing to relieve you from the stress of having poor or bad credit.

Make them understand your current credit situation. They will help you develop strategies guaranteed to alleviate your credit problems and work your way towards achieving your well-deserved financial freedom.

There is no better time to start working on your credit restoration than now. You are just a click away from getting all the financial advice and help you need from the experts in the field.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS representatives are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Funding, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people reach their financial goals and dreams through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for GCS to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals visit www.GracefulFinancial.com, complete Quick Quote, and an experienced Credit Advisor will contact you during your scheduled consultation to better assist you.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us.

Why do I need to boost my credit score?

There are tons of answers to this question but the following two reasons alone will help you realize that a poor credit score restoration will literally and figuratively lead you to nowhere:

1. With a low credit rating, you will not be able to buy a car, purchase or rent a home, get insurance or take out a loan of any kind because lenders are getting more conservative and more strict with their terms and conditions every day. They only lend to those who hold a concrete proof that they are capable of making payments. The ultimate evidence they consider is your credit score.

2. Employers are also more careful in hiring new workers. They now screen each job applicant’s credit report and may base their decision to employ on this factor at their discretion.

By now, you are certainly convinced that a good credit score is one of the things you should possess in order to see yourself living a brighter future.

I have a poor credit score. Will I be in deep financial trouble for life?

The answer is a big NO. No, you do not have to bear the cross of poor credit for the rest of your life. In fact, there are guaranteed ways to improve and most importantly, boost your credit score.

Experian, Equifax and Trans Union are three major credit bureaus that report your credit information to lenders when necessary. The decision whether to grant you a loan or not largely depends on the credit bureau report.

A credit score ranges anywhere between 300 and 850. A score below 620 is considered poor while a score of 620 to 680 is fair and 680 to 720 is good. An excellent credit score is 720 or greater and this is what you should strive to achieve.

How can I improve and boost my credit score?

A Credit Advisor can guide you every step of the way. Improving and boosting your credit score is highly achievable once you find a reputable and legitimate financial firm.

Graceful Credit Solutions (GCS) is an established and leading financial firm that is located in Michigan. According to Graceful Credit Solutions’ founders, Ryan and Earl Carruthers, your credit score can go from “zero to hero” if you enroll under a tried and tested 90-day credit restoration program.

Yes, you got that right! 90 days is all it takes to restore your credit.

Removing Credit Blemishes

Expert Credit Advisors have the skills and experience to remove inaccurate, incomplete, unverifiable and/or out-of-date items on your credit report. These so-called blemishes, once eliminated, will definitely improve your credit file but this alone may not always boost your credit score.

What is fastest way to boost my credit score?

Aged Credit Lines

Aligning aged credit lines with your credit file is the surefire way to boost your credit score by as much as 80 points for each aged credit line. A Graceful Credit Advisor can help attach up to 20 years of positive payment history within 90 days.

With aged credit lines on your credit report, you will boost your credit score dramatically because they hit on all 5 determinants that dictate the fate of your score that yield guaranteed positive results.

The five determinants that make up 100% of your credit score and how aged credit lines complement each one of them are:

1. Payment History – 35%

Aged credit lines result in a positive payment history.

2. Amount Owe on Credit – 30%

Aged credit lines show a low debt to credit ratio on your credit report.

3. Aged Payment History – 15%

Aged credit lines give you long years of positive payment history.

4. New Credit – 10%

Aged credit lines benefit new credit approvals.

5. Credit Mix – 10%

Aged credit lines show your capability to manage a mix of credit.

What else do I need to know about Aged Credit Lines?

1. Asking your Credit Advisor to attach aged credit lines to your credit file is definitely legal.

2. You don’t have access to your aged credit lines. Their sole purpose is to give you the benefit of a positive payment history.

3. All aged credit lines are are guaranteed to report back positive payment history to the major credit bureaus.

For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.

GCS representatives are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Business Credit Lending, and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people reach their financial goals and dreams through trusted methods that guarantee results.

In order for GCS to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals visit www.GracefulFinancial.com, complete Quick Quote, and an experienced Credit Advisor will contact you during your scheduled consultation to better assist you.

Graceful Credit Solutions, Because He Has Been So Graceful To Us