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Preparing Financially for Emergency Repairs

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With a new year come new opportunities to get on the right financial track. Unfortunately, the new year also comes with a new list of challenges. In this case, the best offense is good defense  —  and what better defense can you establish than creating an emergency fund to help prepare you financially for all of life’s little surprises, including those surprises that could affect your car and its performance. Setting up an emergency repair fund can help buffer the financial strain that unexpected accidents can put on your bank accounts. It can also seem like an intimidating task. As Markus L. Horner told us, though, the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences. “I’m not quite sure why it works, but it does. It has reduced our daily stress level knowing that regardless of what happens, we will be able to handle it without going deep into debt.” We spoke with some financially savvy folks to see and learn how they did it and made it work for their families. Make it automatic “

What You Need to Know About Personal Credit

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Unless you strictly use a cash-based budgeting system or a debit card to get by in your day-to-day life, you probably utilize some form of credit financing. But did you realize that you have a variety of personal funding options and sources other than a brick-and-mortar bank or credit card? Even if you’re very careful with money, there will still likely be a time when you’re short on cash and in need of financial assistance. While specific laws and regulations determine the products that are offered in your state, it’s helpful to know where you can turn for help . If you’re still not sure what to do or what’s best for your unique needs, read on to find out more about common sources of personal funding and how they work. Traditional Sources Most banks offer credit cards, which are a form of revolving credit. With this type, you’re approved to use up to a certain dollar amount (your credit limit), and as you repay the balance, you free up your available credit for future u

Get the Loan You Want: Optimize Your Credit

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When a lender says no, don’t give up! Instead, build up your credit and try again. Better credit can unlock possibilities: qualifying for the loan or credit card you want, getting a better interest rate or lower car insurance rates, even getting an apartment you want. Let NerdWallet help you get there! Add 100 points to your credit score: Wait, is that even possible? Yes, it is, especially if you’re starting out with plenty of room to grow. It just takes a bit of time and knowledge to choose the right strategies. Know that lenders look at more than your score. Find out what other factors could play into getting the loan or card you want. And check those “adverse action” notices you got — they’ll provide a roadmap to why you were rejected, so you know where to focus your efforts. As you build your credit, check your score frequently to stay on track. NerdWallet offers tips and goal-setting — and you can check your score as often as you like, so you’ll know when you’re ready t

How To Apply Online For Unsecured Personal Loans

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Where do you get a loan for a motorcycle? A wedding? A vacation? A horse? New options in unsecured personal loans offer financing for almost anything, with far better rates than traditional credit cards. Let’s face it: It’s not everyday you can get an online loan to buy a horse. But if you go to the website for LightStream, and scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see it right there: a link for horse loans. It’s right alongside other links for aircraft financing and season

5 Ways Life Gets Harder After You File for Bankruptcy

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Before you rush to declare bankruptcy, think about the consequences. When you're loaded with debt and can't see a light at the end of the tunnel, filing for bankruptcy may seem like a good solution. With a Chapter 7 filing, your assets are liquidated to pay off your creditors and your remaining debts are forgiven (though there are exceptions). With a Chapter 13 filing, your debts are reorganized so they're easier to pay off over time. Many people assume that following a bankruptcy, they'll simply move on with a clean slate or a manageable debt payoff plan and call it a day. But, there are consequences to filing for bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 filing will stay on your credit report for 10 years, while a Chapter 13 filing will hang out there for seven years. Here are some things you might struggle with during that time. 1. Renting a home It's common practice for landlords to run a credit check on tenants before signing a new lease. If you have a bankruptcy on

How to Pay Off Debt in Collections

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Whether it’s because we didn’t have the money or just simply forgot, we’ve all had a bill go unpaid before. Welcome to adulthood. However, the problem is when these bills continue to go unpaid for whatever reasons, resulting in an account going into collections. Having an account in collections can be frustrating. Not only do you have to deal with unwanted calls from debt collectors, but you have to deal with the after-effects. The reduction in your credit score and derogatory marks on your credit report are just two of the things that you’ll need to address. Though it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, there is a path to getting your finances back on track. In this article, I’ll share how to recover from an account in collections. What to do with accounts in collections Once an account goes into collections, it’s important that you make an effort to get it resolved as soon as possible. Legally, debt collectors have the right to sue you for unpaid balances. Ultimately,

Bad Credit Loans with Guaranteed Approval | Ins and Outs

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Whether to cover an unexpected expense or consolidate outstanding debts, you will, from time to time, find yourself in need of extra cash. Unfortunately, getting a loan with a bad credit score can seem impossible because lenders consider lending you riskier. So, do bad credit loans with “guaranteed” approval exist? Short answer - yes. Although it may seem impossible, you can get a loan even if you have bad credit. If you want a personal loan, but your credit score falls below the subprime line, you need to find a bad credit loan. Fortunately, many lenders are willing to assume the risk and extend credit to borrowers with bad credit. Lenders offering bad credit loans with guaranteed approval have flexible credit requirements that almost everyone can obtain. Interestingly, bad credit loans can help you repair your credit score if you make timely monthly payments. In this article, you will find in-depth information about bad credit loans with guaranteed approval. Keep reading

The Truth About Payday Loans | A Balanced View

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Payday loans have a very bad reputation. Even so, they do meet a need. They provide short term finance for people who may be unable to get loans from banks. People with a bad credit rating or a low income can find it difficult to borrow money. Yet, there are times when they need to finance a shortfall. Are payday loans as bad as people say? Or, are these short-term loans a much-needed safety net for the less well-off? Here's the truth about payday loans. What Are Payday Loans? Payday loans are short term loans . They are available from loan stores and online. Payday loans are also sometimes known as cash advances, check loans, or cash advance loans. Payday loans are usually repayable in full the next payday. Hence the name. They often involve giving a post-dated check to the lender to cover the repayment. How Expensive Are Payday Loans? Payday loans can be very expensive. Especially compared to conventional bank loans. Annual percentage interest rates (APR) ca

Must-Read Tips for Getting a New Card with Bad Credit

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Getting a new credit card with a bad credit score is difficult, especially the regular ones that offer bonuses, perks, and a low-interest rate. However, with a set of intelligent decisions and some patience, you can get such a regular credit card. This article will discuss what kind of credit cards you can get with a bad credit report. By using these cards, you can improve your credit report and qualify for a regular credit card. Get a secured credit card You can get a secured credit card even with bad credit because a security deposit from you backs your credit. When you close the credit card account, your deposit will be returned. Until that happens, you should use your secured credit card for your transactions, and you must pay the full amount on or before the due date. A consistent history of timely credit card payments will enhance your credit score. Someday, it will be enough to upgrade your secured card into a regular card. Get a store card Like

10 Ways to Protect Your Finances While Traveling

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Vacation is a time to unplug and relax, but that doesn’t mean it’s an excuse to drop the ball on financial security. From maintaining a tight travel budget to protecting yourself from credit fraud, theft and missed bills, it’s important to head into your next trip with a smart financial protection plan. Here are 10 ways to prepare your finances before, during and after traveling. 1. Set your budget beforehand Before booking plane tickets or a hotel room, it’s vital to map out your overall vacation budget. How much can you afford to spend? Come up with a reasonable number and build in some wiggle room in case anything unpredictable happens along the way. If your budget is tight, get some frugal vacation inspiration from this list of cheap travel ideas. 2. Notify card companies before leaving If you’ll be racking up charges on your debit or credit card over a short period of time, it’s a good idea to notify your bank or credit card company beforehand to avoid any disruptions