It's Your Credit - What Is A Good Credit Score?

By Christine A. Mathews

If you're thinking about applying for credit, it's always a good idea to find out what your current credit score is ahead of time. It will be one of the first things your lender looks at when reviewing your application. And it could well be a determining factor in how quickly your loan is approved. Knowing what your credit score is before you apply will help eliminate any surprises along the way.

So what is a credit score -- and why is it important?

A credit score is simply a number calculated by the three major credit bureaus that indicates how well you handle credit. This is done by reviewing your past credit history and looking at how you are doing with any current debts as well.

The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Each one has it's own method of deciding what your credit score is. Then they use a scoring system to show how good you are at handling credit and paying your bills on time. They all use the same scoring system - FICO - which is an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation. That's why many people will use the terms "credit score" and "FICO score" interchangeably.

Lenders don't always check all three credit bureaus to decide whether or not to offer you credit. But since Equifax, Experian and Trans Union all use the same FICO scoring system, a score of 720 from one is considered equal to a score of 720 from the other two. That said, it's always wise for you to check your credit report directly from each credit bureau. Mistakes are possible, and you'll want to correct them as soon as possible.

What Is A "Good" Credit Score?

Your credit score can range from 375 to 900 points. The higher the number, the better you are. Getting credit will be easier, and you'll likely get better loan terms as well.

There is no standard scoring system that lenders must use when approving loans. They each have their own guidelines and cut-offs. But here is a general idea of the different ranges credit scores tend to fall in.

If your credit score is 650 and above, this usually indicates very good credit history. This means you will probably find getting credit approval is quick and easy. Another bonus for having very good credit is that the terms of your loan will likely be very good, too.

If your score is between 620 and 650, you are considered to have generally good credit. That said, your lender may ask for additional documentation or explanations before approving large loans or extending a high credit limit. They are simply doing their due diligence, looking for any possible credit risks before final approval.

Chances are good that you will be able to get credit at a good rate and decent terms. It's just that instead of quick and easy, it can take a little longer to get approval.

Don't panic if your credit falls below 620. It doesn't mean you will never get credit. The right lender may still be willing to give you a loan, but you need to accept that your interest rate will likely by higher and terms won't be as good.

About the Author:

It's easy to see that your credit score plays a big part in the type of credit you are able to get. If you find your credit score isn't as high as you'd hoped, don't despair. There are things you can do to improve your credit rating starting today! For more articles on personal credit and how it works, visit http://CreditHelp.ImprovingYourFinances.com

Dealing With Income or Job Loss

By Doug West

Why Multiple Income Streams Are More Important Than Ever

The latest economy reports show more and more folks ending up on the unemployed rolls. The real statistics are most often worse than what is reported.

The situation might get Much worse before we see any improvement in the job numbers.

I have always been a big fan of multiple income streams (even before that became a catch-phrase), and I think they are more important now than ever.

When I was laid off my nearly 10 year job with AT&T back in 1992, I saw first hand how important multiple income streams were. At the time, I had a part time mail order biz (and had been tinkering with that since I was a kid). I looked at the lay off as a good opportunity to get more serious about my business. I also had been doing some investing (my best-ever stock play helped BIG back in those days), and had a little network marketing income.

Many of my AT&T coworkers had no other source of income, and I clearly remember a few grown men in tears when they walked us all out the door that morning!

I would MUCH rather have five sources of income that pay me $200 a week, than to have a J.O.B. that pays me a grand a week! If you still have a job, you need to take this info seriously - NOW! If you are one of the millions of folks that recently lost a job or your only income stream, you need to take steps NOW to correct that (you still have time - perhaps a severance package and/or unemployment insurance checks to get you by - but please don't wait till they run out to get going).

How do you start to create multiple income streams? Here are a few areas that are available to most people:

* Online Income - Many things fall into this category, affiliate plans, blogging income, Adsense dollars, online jobs, marketing your own products and/or services, eBay and other auctions, & more.

* Investment Income - OK, this one may be tougher than ever, and if you barely have money to live on, how do you start to invest! I am partial to index trading, and that does not require a lot of money to get started, but to be really good at it, you need other income streams too.

* Network Marketing Income - Don't turn up your nose at this one. I have companies sending me checks that I have not worked in years. While it is true that network marketers often talk about the top guy who is making $500,000 a month, but there are a TON of folks who make a few hundred a month. Not life changing in and of itself, but as part of your multiple income stream strategy, not bad either.

* Cash Back Debit & Credit Cards - You won't get rich with this alone either, but the old saying is really true "If you watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves". Pay Pal offers cash back on a debit card (which in my opinion is better than a credit card - you won't have the temptation to carry over a balance, which would cause interest charges and defeat the purpose of cash back)

* Interest Savings on Loans & Credit Cards - OK, this is not technically income, but if you save money off what you are currently spending, it comes out the same in the end - more money in your pocket and budget.

* Food Bill Savings - This is like the Cash Back cards, not really income but can be very important - especially if you just lost your job or sole income (like many folks who used to live on their stock market income). Try clipping coupons or join a coupon club. Eat at home more and quickly find more money left in the budget at the end of the month.

* Turn Hobbies Into Income - Like to go to garage sales? Turn that hobby into eBay income. Like to work on small engines or have some other hobby that can be turned into an income source? Don't sell yourself short here. Maybe you love flea markets? What if you could get an extra $200 or more a week by setting up a booth one day a week? Not enough to live on for most folks, but not bad as part of your multiple income strategy. You might even consider creating a booklet, ebook, book, or other info product on your hobby. If you are good at it, you ARE and Expert (you don't have to be the best to be considered an expert - there are folks out there who will pay you for what you know).

We have had affiliates of our Index Trading course earn up to $100,000 in a year. We've had many more earn from $5,000 to $30,000 in a year. What if you had 5 affiliate plans you liked (loved would be better - you'd be more passionate about them), that averaged about $5,000 each per year. You might be able to live on that. Add some other sources like the ones mentioned above and you might live very well!

You should always be looking for ways to add additional income streams. Remember, the more you have the better! If one dries up, you are not devastated.

The time to set up multiple income streams is before you need them, but no matter what your situation is, there is no time like NOW to get started.

About the Author:

Mini-Dow Index Trading Made Simple. Discover how to build your trading income. Get Doug's Debt-Free Report. Read his blog here.

Need to have Credit card for online transaction

By Mike Taylor

In case you own a website where you provide products and services to your customers, then you need to have online credit card processing authorization. There are many online business owners who do not provide the service of online payments just by looking at the expenditures that they may have to bear.

But unfortunately, they don't seem to realize that they are passing up a lot of money by not offering the service. Approximately 90% of all online purchases are done through credit cards, and the rest 10% of internet buys are carried out through bank account transfer, money orders, or paper checks. Yes, credit card dealings will cost a few cents more than usual dealings, but it is way better and convenient than any other mode of transaction and should be considered as an important business investment. There are many methods of online credit card processing. This article will focus on two particular modes of credit card payments, they are- PayPal and merchant account.

Let's begin with merchant account. This is a kind of account that is offered by a merchant bank that has the authority to carry out payments from credit cards like MasterCard and Visa. To avail a merchant account is quite time consuming, as it requires you to fill up a lengthy application. The bank may also check your credit history before sanctioning a merchant account to you. You are also required to go through and agree to the terms and conditions of the bank. Availing a merchant account doesn't come free; the bank is most likely to charge you a monthly fee and a percentage of every transaction you make. You may also be asked to pay a set up fee depending upon the rules and regulations of the bank. In many cases, the companies discharge the setup fee for their new clients.

PayPal is another great way to process online payments. For those online business owners who are unable to obtain a merchant account for themselves, PayPal can be an excellent option for them. PayPal is pretty much the same concept as Merchant account as it allows them to take credit card payments over the internet. But that only downside of PayPal method of payment is that a customer willing to make an online transaction needs to make his /her payments through their PayPal account. Most people who often shop on the internet do have their own PayPal account, but there are many who don't. This is a reason why many businesses that deal with online transaction have both PayPal and merchant account for the convenience of their customers. PayPal accounts, like merchant accounts charge a percent of your transactions.

The two ways of processing credit card payments that are discussed above are considered to be the most efficient and popular methods of taking payments online. In case you want to opt for the merchant account, beware of scams and it is wise to check the fine print thoroughly before finalizing anything. Although merchant account and PayPal are the best ways of carrying out online payments, it is always advisable that you do your research to find out which method suits you the best.

About the Author:

Get the more details about Online Credit Card Processing, credit card processing online payment methods, No Bank Merchant Account Credit Card Processing Services, Vital Credit Card Processing.

Credit Repair - fast credit repair

By Daniel Fox

So why is it that, though everyone has the right to dispute the negative items in their credit reports, very few people do? It certainly can't be because they don't understand the importance of a high credit score. After all, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the benefits of a good credit score when it can be the difference between paying $2,500/month and $2,000/month for the exact same house.

Most Americans want to believe the credit reporting system works; that people earn their bad credit and there is nothing they can do about it but wait for seven years. But study after study shows the credit reporting system frequently does not work. This is why the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection legislation give you the right to do something about it - the right to make sure your credit score is as good as it can be.

The credit bureaus at the center of the credit reporting system are not official organizations. So now you are asking yourself, how do they ensure this information is correct? If a creditor reports something that is wrong, how do the credit bureaus make sure it doesn't end up on your credit reports? The answer to both of these questions is: they don't. Your creditors report information, the credit bureaus record it, and for most people, the story ends there. Instead, they are massive, for-profit corporations that collect personal information from your creditors and make money by selling this information in the form of your credit reports.

More likely, the reason people do not repair their credit is a mix of apathy and lack of understanding of the credit reporting system. Too many people assume the credit reporting system is some official government bureaucracy with an extensive system of checks and balances designed to ensure the safekeeping of their credit history. This couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, they are massive, for-profit corporations that collect personal information from your creditors and make money by selling this information in the form of your credit reports. The credit bureaus at the center of the credit reporting system are not official organizations.

Making sure your credit score is where it should be is your responsibility and repairing your credit reports is a task you will have to initiate because no one out there will do it for you. It is your right and your responsibility to dispute the questionable negative items in your credit reports and the sooner you start, the better. You can work to repair your credit on your own or you can enlist the help of a credit repair law firm like Lexington Law.

Whether you attempt to repair your credit on your own or with the help of a credit repair expert, by taking an active role in the credit reporting system, you can ensure your credit score is as good as it can be and that you have the advantage over the millions of people out there with bad credit who haven't taken action to do anything about it.

About the Author:

More information on credit repair company Articles ? free credit repair- You can visit: Debt-Consolidation

Affordable Housing found in Non Standard Construction Properties

By Phillip Evans

In these post credit crunch times its becoming increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder or impossible to find an affordable home, non-traditional construction properties could offer a viable alternative

Non standard construction or prefabricated reinforced concrete properties where originally designed as temporary accommodation as a solution to a housing shortage after the Second World War.

These temporary properties where built by Councils as part of their housing stock to be rented out as council houses. When the Conservatives introduced Right To Buy in the 1980's these council houses where sold to the tenants at a discounted price.

Estate Agents or valuers have always struggled to value these properties in contrast to traditionally built properties as most mortgage lenders are unable to lend against this type or property security as they still class prefabricated reinforced concrete houses as temporary despite being habitable in the 21st century.

It's estimated that there were about 1.25 million (one million two hundred and fifty thousand) of these types of properties built after the war. Which I'm sure you will agree offers a great affordable housing stock.

Enable Finance Ltd provide non standard construction mortgages even if these non standard properties do not have a PRC certificate or have not had remedial works carried out. The more popular non traditional housing is Reema Hollow Panel, Woolawy Bungalow, Wimpey No Fines and waites construction and if not always tend to be ex local authority flats or houses.

PRC or non traditionally built properties could answer some very simple affordable housing solutions for the UK home mover or professional buy to let investor. If you are an investor you will no doubt have come up against problems when your rental yields do not stack up as property prices have soared over the past few years, make sure you speak with Enable Finance today.

Home movers looking for affordable housing could be very surprised at how inexpensive these properties are especially as the vast majority of the properties purchase prices will be below the government's current stamp duty threshold of 175,000.

Enable Finance Ltd. provide non traditional mortgages on PRC properties in the UK for a free no obligation quote visit it us on line. There will be a fee for arranging mortgages, normally 1% of the advance, subject to a minimum of 1950 and a maximum of 2450. The fee can usually be added to the mortgage amount. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Ask for a personalised illustration.

About the Author:

Enable Finance are expert providers of mortgages and loans within the UK for a no obligation quote on our best mortgage deals or to find out more information on non standard construction mortgages please peruse our site

Becoming Debt Free And Learning How To Be Money Smart

By Cindy Swartz

You may be like me and are tired of hearing about how bad the economy is in; however the truth is that most people are just learning that it is important to begin becoming debt free and to begin thinking differently about the money you make at your job. We as a society are so prone to spending all our money on material items as long as we can make the payments we do not care how much it costs.

Becoming debt free is going to require you to look differently at the way that you spend your money. If you go to work everyday and when you get paid then everyone gets your money before you even have a chance to enjoy any of it; then it is time to start changing that.

It all begins with the way that you think before you can even consider becoming debt free. You will have to stop spending your money on items that you do not really need. Eventually as you learn how to manage your money; then you can stop worrying about how you are going to make next month's bills.

Investing your time about learning how to become money smart is a huge thing. Anyone who has money understands that they have to know how to spend it and how to save it. If you ever want to create a financial nest for yourself then it is time that you learn more about your money.

Learning how to make your money work for you so that you do not have to continue to work hard your entire life is a huge thing. People who spend all their money right now when they are young are going to realize at a later date that they wish they would have learned how to be smarter. No one is going to take care of you when you get old; so it is up to you to find out how.

You can easily pick up several financial bools that will teach you how to invest your money and begin making it work for you. Another great thing about learning how to spend your money wisely is that you will teach your children the value of money. Remember that if your children watch you spending your money and know that you are drowning in debt; then most likely they are going to follow in your foot steps.

Becoming debt free can become a reality if you are willing to begin thinking differently and do whatever it takes to get on the right track. You do not have to continue working all your life and you can build a nest egg for your financial future. Visit our site below and learn why we have chosen to become debt free and get valuable tips and advice about getting out of debt.

About the Author:

Join Our Debt Free Challenge And Become Debt Free. Stop Worrying About Your Finances And Begin Taking Control Of Your Life!

Slowdown showdown for credit cards?

By Mark Wright

The credit crunch is a little different to previous incarnations of economic slowdowns in that it has hit the consumer much harder and much earlier on in its development. The amount of personal borrowing against credit cards and the lenders' response to this particular crisis may have a great deal to do with that early-doors impact. A survey by the financial information analysts Moneyfacts has found that at least 10% of credit cards have raised their interest rates or fees as a direct result of the economic storm now battering UK PLC.

As a consequence, the average APR on credit cards has risen from 16.8% to 17.2% in just over three months. This upward trend is a direct counter to the Bank of England's 1.5% recent base rate cut, which brought the base rate down to 3% in an attempt to cool the prospect of rising inflation. This particular credit crunch is biting hard across the board. The slush fund banks use to lend to each other is running dry and this time consumers are feeling the squeeze as well. As a result consumer spending has dropped markedly meaning that even less money goes into the economy, perpetuating the situation. In lender's eyes, this lack of available cash means that customers pose a greater risk to the credit card companies due to the increased chance of defaulting on payments. But rather than just shoring up via interest charges, lenders are being much more proactive this time to try to stabilise the market for everyone.

As the financial institutions eyed each other suspiciously they also turned their attention to their customers, their confidence in the public's previous ability to meet repayments and pay back credit card debts evaporating. The lenders need continuous injections of cash into the system to carry on trading. The practice of banks lending to other banks has shuddered to a halt as financial institutions try to consolidate their own positions, and so that extra cash has to come from somewhere. Step forward, the great British public. The interest charges on loans, credit card debts, mortgages and credit agreements are the lifeline lenders need to continue doing business.

Up until 2007 the previous ten years were a boom time for credit card lenders in the UK. It wasn't just the credit crunch that stopped the credit card companies in their tracks. An extremely competitive credit marketplace, coupled with a global economic slowdown, increasing international bad debts and government regulations made the credit card lenders re-evaluate their positions. Some more panic-stricken credit card companies responded by 'dumping' thousands of customers they considered not 'profitable' - namely those who paid off their credit card balance in full every month. Other lenders are reigning in their customer's spending habits by restricting credit limits and access to cash withdrawals.

The credit card industry has been hit twice. The loss of the overall market share several years before resulted in a clamour for customers, with 0% balance transfers acting as financial carrots to customers wanting to reduce their interest payments on outstanding balances. Cards are now shifting towards a policy of charging up to 3% balance transfer fees to try to pull back some of the lost profit that the 0% offers cost them. The second blow was the Office of Fair Trading's decision in 2006 to cap penalty charges to 12. Now cards are lining up for another bureaucratic blow as the Complaint's Commission takes a closer look at the personal protection insurance schemes that often accompany credit card deals.

Unemployment is the next potential credit problem as the economic downturn starts to impact on jobs over the next 12 months. If things do get worse credit card customers can expect interest rates on their cards to go up not down, as lenders try to cushion themselves against the impact bad debt exposure could have on their business. There are still plenty of good credit card deals available. But lenders are a little more careful about whom they lend to, so the best thing to do to ensure that the credit crunch doesn't scupper your chances of getting a good deal is to check your credit rating measures up before you apply.

About the Author:

Mark Wright writes regularly on the topic of the recent financial crisis, and educates readers on what to expect regarding the credit crunch. Read more about credit cards here.