When negative info in your report is correct, only the passage of time can assure its removal. A client reporting company can report finest negative info for seven years and insolvency information for 10 years. Info about a unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of restrictions runs out, whichever is longer. There is no cutoff point on reporting info about criminal convictions; info reported in response to your claim for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year; and info reported because you have applied for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance. There's a standard method for calculating the seven-year reporting period. Sometimes, the period runs from the date that the event took place.

Your credit record may not reflect all your credit accounts. Most countrywide dept store and all-purpose bank Mastercard accounts are included in your file, although not all. Some travel, entertainment, petrol card corporations, neighbourhood retailers, and credit unions are among those that typically are not included.

If you've been told that you were rejected credit because of an “insufficient credit file” or “no credit file” and you have accounts with creditors that don't appear in your credit file, ask the client reporting firms to add this info to future reports. Though they are not needed to do therefore many consumer reporting companies will add verifiable accounts for a fee. Nonetheless if these creditors don't generally report to the consumer reporting company, the additional items may not be updated in your file.

Having trouble paying your debts? Getting dunning notices from creditors? Are your accounts being turned over to debt collection agents? Are you worrying about losing your house or your auto?

You’re not alone. Many people face fiscal crises at one point in their lives. Whether the crisis is due to personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or straightforward overspending, it can seem insurmountable. But regularly it can be overcome. The truth is that your financial footing doesn’t have to go from bad to much worse.

If you or an individual you know is in money troubles, consider these options: pragmatic budgeting, credit counseling from a credible organisation, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. How do you know which should work the best for you? It is dependent on your debt level, your level of discipline, and your prospects for the future.

The first step towards taking charge of your financial standpoint is to do a pragmatic appraisal of how much money you take in and how much money you spend. Begin by listing your income from all sources. Then, list your “fixed” costs — the ones that are the same every month — like home loan payments or rent, automobile payments, and insurance costs. Next, list the expenses that vary — like entertainment, recreation, and clothing. Writing down all your costs, even the ones that appear irrelevant, is a beneficial way to trace your purchasing patterns, identify obligatory expenses, and prioritize the rest. The target is to ensure you can make ends meet on the basics: housing, food, medicare, insurance, and education.

Your public library and bookstores have info about budgeting and cash management methodologies. In addition, PC software programmes can be useful tools for developing and maintaining a budget, balancing your check book, and making plans to save money and pay down your debt.

Contact your lenders instantly if you're having difficulty making ends meet. Tell them why it’s difficult for you, and try and work out a modified repayment plan that reduces your payments to a more controllable level. Don’t wait till your accounts have been turned over to a debt collector. At that point, your lender have given up on you.

Want to know more about how to fix your credit? Visit our site to learn more.

Whatever lessons you pick up in life as you go, they are always worth the time and trouble. You may want to think the same way about credit card counseling. It gives you lessons that you cannot afford to overlook about managing your credit. Take it and you will be the better for it. Yes, you will need to pay certain amount of money for this counseling but it will be far more worth it for you than you can imagine. And I am talking about long term benefits that you will be surprised about.

It is ok to be skeptical about credit card counseling since you do not know what it is. You wouldn’t be the first or only person who thought that way. However, you may be one of the few who learnt from a tough situation because you ceased the chance to do so. If you can make the time, get the counseling.

Helping you get out of debt and a debt mentality or culture in your life is not going to come out of nothing. It is going to have to come out of your determination to not go through life as a debtor, a determination to get something like credit card counseling to help manage credits in a better way. Many people have gotten lots of help from such counseling and you just might be one of them too, if you get started today.

Regardless of what you might be thinking, with all the credit card debts that many are suffering from, credit card counseling is not as popular in the United States as it should be. There are simply too many people who think that it is a bogus enterprise that cashes in on… nothing. But they couldn’t be more wrong, and it may not take you too long before you realize the same thing yourself. Are you paying attention?

You may have to pay a small fee to get credit card counseling, but it is totally worth it, and you had better believe it. It is all about a couple of sessions with the counselor running you through the characteristics of money like you don’t know the first thing about it. But by the time you are done, you actually will know a lot about how money works. And then you would be able to beat the system at its own game.

Are you interested in attending church? If you are and if you have yet to do so in your adult years, you may be wondering how you should proceed. In all honestly, it is much easier to find a church if you already have a religion in mind. With that in mind, it is more than possible for you to find a new church, as well as whole new religion, if you are interested in doing so.

When it comes to looking for a new church congregation to join, there are a number of important factors that you will want to take into consideration. One of those factors is the location of the church in question. Many church goers enjoy attending church services at a church that is located within a reasonable distance from their home. With that mind, it is not unheard of for others to travel hours just to attend their church services. This is devotion at its best.

In addition to location, the size of the church in question may also be a factor to take into consideration. When examining size, it is important to also examine your comfort level. When joining a new church, many individuals, couples, and families feel more comfortable joining a church that has a large attendance, as they can easily blend in. With that in mind, there are others who are joining a church group to become a part of a community, a community in which they can lean on for support. This can be easier when church groups are smaller in size.

Another one of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration is the sermons. Many individuals mistakenly believe that attending church is solely about attending church sermons on Sundays. While this is a good percentage of what you will be spending your time doing, that is not all that church is about. You may also be involved in community projects, as well as help to organize or host fundraisers, as well as offer emotional support to other church members or even community members. That is why it is advised that you speak with church leaders or members to determine what their weekly activities usually entail.

Speaking of what attending the church of your choice may entail, you may also want to examine what is expected of you. For instance, many churches allow guests to attend their services, even long term. With that in mind, it is important to remember that many church leaders encourage their attendees to become official members of the church. If that is the case, you may want to examine what is required of you. While these requirements vary, depending on the church in question, you may find yourself needing to take weekly or nightly church classes, which are often used to educate you on the history of your religion and church.

It is also advised that you determine, ahead of time, how much money you are urged or required to donate to your church congregation. When doing so, you will find that donations tend to vary, depending on a number of factors. Yes, there are church congregations that request a specific percentage of your yearly earnings, but you will find that many others are also extremely flexible. Your financial status should not have an impact on whether or not you are able to attend church. The good news is that many churches in the United States know and understand this important fact.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, should you decide to attend a new church. What you need to remember when examining potential churches is that you must make sure that you take time to make your decision. As previously stated, church memberships are intended to be lifelong commitments; therefore, you will want to make sure that you are making the right commitment.

Prayer plays an important role in one’s relationship with the Lord. Prayer is our way to communicate with Him. Praying allows us to have a close personal relationship with the Lord. People, especially new believers, often wonder if there is a wrong or right way to pray. While there is no wrong way to pray, the Bible does give us an outline we can follow to help in our prayer time found in Matthew 6:7-13 (King James Version).

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Part of the above passage of scripture is also known as The Lord’s Prayer and most believers are familiar with it. It is the model prayer that the Lord gave and is also found in the book of Luke. The Lord’s Prayer actually starts at verse 9 in the book of Matthew, Chapter 9.

Matthew 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,” instructs us on how we ought to start our prayers. We should start our prayers by addressing God as our Father because He is our spiritual Father. He has given us life. It also gives God the glory and respect He deserves. The word hallowed actually means, “reverenced as holy,” and by addressing God as our Father we are acknowledging His holiness.

Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven,” reminds us that it is His kingdom and His will that is important not our wants or will. We often get sidetracked in our prayer life with asking the Lord for things that we want. The Bible encourages us to ask for everything we might want in James 4:2, “yet ye have not, because ye ask not,” but we have to realize that what we want may not be God’s will. Try praying for God’s will to be done and ask for God to reveal His will to you.

Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread,” instructs us to pray for daily provisions. We should pray for food, water, shelter, clothing, etc. You must remember that God provides everything for us - every little thing! God provides the shoes on our feet and the food we eat. Not only should we pray for our daily provisions but we should also thank Him for providing them to us.

Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” reminds us that not only are we suppose to ask God for forgiveness of our sins, but that we should also offer forgiveness to those who have done us wrong.

Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” We need to ask God to not lead into temptation and also to help us resist and conquer temptation. God promises us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 to never give us a temptation we cannot resist and conquer. Finally we should end our prayers praising God, acknowledging that He alone is the King and holds all power and glory.

It is important to recognize that the Lord’s Prayer is not something we are suppose to repeat verse by verse. Of course, reciting scripture is always a good thing, but the Lord’s Prayer is meant as an outline of how we could construct our prayers. The important thing is to just to talk to God. Remember there is no wrong or right way to pray.

Many people struggle with difficult financial times and choose bankruptcy as a way out of their problem. Bankruptcy can be a way to put an end to financial hardship but in some cases it is not the best option. There are other alternative that can be tried that may help you avoid bankruptcy.

Some people think that once they declare bankruptcy, they will be saved from their debt. But, the truth is that filing for bankruptcy isn’t a good way to pay your creditors, no matter what Chapter you plan on taking. Sometimes, people still have to pay some of their previous debt that they owed even after they file for bankruptcy.

Not only that but a bankruptcy stays on your record for many years and that makes it harder for you to get a mortgage, loans, or a credit card. Bankruptcy should not be taken lightly as it is a serious matter and that is why it is best to avoid it if you can.

First of all, you should truthfully determine why you are facing financial hardship. Sometimes it is due to circumstances beyond your control. Other times it is because of poor financial planning, over spending, or debt problems. If you have these problems, it may be difficult for you to avoid bankruptcy because you may not have the ability to pay down your debt. On the other hand if you have emotional or mental problems that cause you to create debt, then you will quickly be in the same boat when the bankruptcy is over. Therefore, if you have these issues, you should get help for them.

If you catch your problem early enough, you may be able to avoid bankruptcy by going through credit counseling. These professionals can help you organize your expenses and understand your spending habits so you can gain control of your finances.

If you need help deciding if you should work to avoid bankruptcy or if you should file, have your case evaluated. A professional can look your situation over and help you determine if it is even feasible for you to try and avoid bankruptcy. You can have this done by a credit counselor or on a bankruptcy site online.

One place you can start is with your personal bank. Talk with them about your current debt situation and see if they have any solutions for you. They could be able to consolidate your loans or rewrite them. They may just offer advice on the best steps you can take in your current situation. If you have loans with them they will want to help you avoid bankruptcy.

Depending upon the state you live in, you could lose all of your assets when you file for bankruptcy. Therefore, you may be able to avoid bankruptcy by selling your assets since you will lose them anyway. Use the money you get from the sale to pay down your debt. If you can’t sell some of your assets you may be able to give them to a creditor in exchange for canceling your debt depending upon the situation.

When you have found a way to avoid bankruptcy and get out of debt, it is important that you change your ways and stay out of debt because the next time you get into financial problems you may not have any other choice but to file bankruptcy. Make learning how to control your finances and stick to a budget your top priority.

Bankruptcy should be taken seriously because it can have a huge impact on your future. In some cases it is unavoidable through no fault of your own. Other times, you can avoid bankruptcy through careful financial management and professional guidance.

You should never assume your credit is good. Many have made that unfortunate mistake allowing their credit to go unchecked for several years. It only when they are told by a bank that their credit rating is too low to qualify for a loan that they realize something is desperately wrong. You should monitor the information in your credit files at least once a year if not more.

The American lifestyle seems to be influenced by your ability to qualify for the loan of their choice. This can be a much needed loan business, mortgage, or any number of things to include a family vacation. It pays to periodically check your credit reports for errors.

Less than desirable information in your credit report will hold you back from many lending opportunities that would otherwise make a big difference in your life. Even if your credit rating is marginal, it still is not good enough. A marginal rating means you will end up paying higher interest rates. This means you will likely have a higher monthly loan payment.

Higher loan payments mean you will not have as much money left over at the end of the month. This alone may cause you to suffer through financial strain through the life of the loan. It has happened to millions of people.

When an unexpected bill or emergency need arises, you are forced to make a choice and oftentimes it is at the expense of the loan. This is when your start traveling the road leading to greater financial ruin where life is really unpleasant. This is why it is important to keep your credit rating as high as possible.

It is easy to get negative marks on your credit report. It can happen because someone stole your identity and unknowingly racked up collections against you or as a direct result of a simple reporting error. The three main credit agencies maintain tens of millions of files for over 200 million Americans. This alone makes it easy for an error to slip through the cracks.

If you suspect that something is wrong with your credit, take immediate action to find out what it is. Don’t wait until you are denied a loan to discover something is wrong. Get a copy of your credit report now and sift through it line-by-line. If you see suspicious activity or reporting errors, the take the next step to contact the authorities or to repair your credit.

Errors and inaccuracies can be removed from your credit report. The process is not difficult. However, many people are not confident in doing it themselves while others seem to lack the time to initiate the process. In either case you can get the help of a credit expert that can handle it for you for a small fee. This fee is well worth it and may be the only thing standing in your way to fixing your credit and getting the car, home or business loan you deserve.

Many people take good credit for granted. Are you doing the same thing? When is the last time you pulled your credit report? It is advised that you check the accuracy of your credit information at least once a year. This will help you stay on top of errors noted in your files and will also help you spot any identity theft problems you may be unaware of.

Playing the good credit game may not be the game of your preference. In fact, it has almost been forced upon us as a result of the credit industry and the factors that shape our society. Your financial well-being depends on the information contained in your credit report.

Less than desirable information in your credit report will hold you back from many lending opportunities that would otherwise make a big difference in your life. Even if your credit rating is marginal, it still is not good enough. A marginal rating means you will end up paying higher interest rates. This means you will likely have a higher monthly loan payment.

Higher loan payments mean you will not have as much money left over at the end of the month. This alone may cause you to suffer through financial strain through the life of the loan. It has happened to millions of people.

When an unexpected bill or emergency need arises, you are forced to make a choice and oftentimes it is at the expense of the loan. This is when your start traveling the road leading to greater financial ruin where life is really unpleasant. This is why it is important to keep your credit rating as high as possible.

Many people assume they have good credit. Even if you pulled your credit report and found a great score two years ago does not mean it is the same today. The credit bureaus maintains tens of millions of credit files for car loans, mortgages, collections, public records and credit cards for over 200 million people within the United States. This makes it easy to see how errors and inaccurate reporting can slip through.

If you have had credit issues in the past, now is the time to take corrective action. You don’t have to live with a low credit rating for the rest of your life. Start by getting a copy of your credit report and review it. Then take the steps to correct any errors. This is your consumer right and exercising that right will increase the quality of your life.

Errors and inaccuracies can be removed from your credit report. The process is not difficult. However, many people are not confident in doing it themselves while others seem to lack the time to initiate the process. In either case you can get the help of a credit expert that can handle it for you for a small fee. This fee is well worth it and may be the only thing standing in your way to fixing your credit and getting the car, home or business loan you deserve.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has recently reported a sharp decline in divorce filings across the United States. During these tough economic times many families that struggle to make it on dual incomes cannot afford to go it solo. Divorce rates have hit an all time low — it is now cheaper to keep her.

Divorce rates have hit an all time low. It is now cheaper to keep her. During these tough economic times many families that struggle to make it on dual incomes cannot afford to go it solo. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has recently reported a sharp decline in divorce filings across the United States.

Sometimes though, the economic stressors can put a great deal of strain on the best of marriages. Indeed, there are many ways to interpret the effects of a declining economy. People often divorce because of problems with money, sex and communication. If you are just left with sex and communication, make the best of it.

Family law attorneys cite the poor economy as the number one reason that couples are staying together when they would otherwise likely divorce. This makes for a lot of unhappy households but at least a whole lot more children are not caught in the middle of their parents’ divorce proceedings

With family law attorney’s fees hovering around three hundred dollars per hour in many areas there is simply not enough money to sustain protracted litigation. Maybe some of those folks should invest in marriage counseling and work to improve their respective interpersonal communication skills. It is much cheaper and probably money spent more wisely.

Sometimes though, the economic stressors can put a great deal of strain on the best of marriages. Indeed, there are many ways to interpret the effects of a declining economy. People often divorce because of problems with money, sex and communication. If you are just left with sex and communication, make the best of it.

So, while economics may make it cheaper to keep her these days, this economy may help make families stronger in some respects. Couples need to pull together in times of crisis and it appears we are in crisis mode.

The multitude of recent news reports out of Washington results in a lot of questions concerning President Obamas plan to reduce foreclosures. I will attempt to minimize this confusion by briefly explaining the highlights of Obamas plan. The government estimates that this plan will assist up to nine million distressed homeowners. As the Mortgage Bankers Association indicates that there are about 51 million first mortgages in the US, this means about 18 percent may qualify for this program which was launched in March, 2009. This is a summary of a very detailed program which you can learn more about by going to the US Government website at financial stability.gov.

The serious matter of foreclosure has caused enough stress without the annoying number of acronyms being applied to the subject. Even real estate professionals and mortgage specialists are overwhelmed with these government acronyms, including TARP, TALF, H4H, GSE, FNMA, FLHMC, PITI, FHA, VA, USDA, just to name a few! Unfortunately, I must make use of them throughout this article as they are widely used within the industry.

There are essentially 2 parts to the program: The first is a plan to refinance eligible mortgages and it is being referred to as Home Affordable Refinance. The other part deals with loan modifications and is known as…Home Affordable Modification. Its just a matter of time until these are called HAR & HAM I am predicting.

First the HAR (Home Affordable Refinance):

The current mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by either Fannie Mae (FNMA) or Freddie Mac (FLHMC). If you are not sure if your mortgage meets this first requirement, you can call (800) 7FANNIE or (800)7FREDDIE between 8am ” 8pm EST. The property MUST be your primary residence. Second Homes and Investment Properties do not qualify. The borrower(s) have sufficient income to qualify. The mortgage must be up to date with no 30 day delinquencies in the last 12 months. The first mortgage cannot exceed 105% of the current market value. Example: If the property is worth $100,000, the maximum that can be owed is $105,000. If there are additional mortgages (Second Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit, or other liens), the other lien holders must be willing to subordinate their liens in writing to the new first mortgage. Subordinate simply means that the first mortgage will retain its superior lien position. It is OK if the total owed exceeds 105% of current value, as long as the first mortgage refinance does not exceed the 105% rule. The program officially started 3/4/2009.

A Summary of the HAM Program:

To be eligible, the Lender must be willing to participate. Investor/Lender & Servicer participation is voluntary on their part. The intention of the program is to avoid foreclosures whenever possible. Each case is evaluated separately and borrowers must prove that they can afford the modified payment. There must be a steady source of income to be eligible. There must be a documented financial hardship to qualify. The current monthly PITI (Principle, Interest, Taxes, & Insurance Total) must exceed 31% of the borrower(s) gross monthly income. No jokes allowed about the PITI acronym. The borrowers do not need to be current on the monthly payments. Again, each situation is unique and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The goal of the plan is to reduce the total housing PITI payment for all mortgages to no more that 31% of gross income. This includes any second mortgages or HELOCS who must be willing to participate and subordinate their liens to the new modified mortgage. The subject first mortgage must be for the Borrowers primary residence. Second homes and investment properties are not eligible. The subject mortgage must have been made before 1/1/2009 and it cannot exceed $729,750. I am sure there is a reason that they used $729,750 as the maximum, but I cannot find any information about how the government arrived at this amount. The payment reduction will be achieved by reducing the interest rate, extending the term of the loan, or by a principle reduction (last resort). Remember, this is voluntary on the lender/investor and/or servicers part. Modifications are for a 90 day trial period. If the borrower(s) honor all of the terms during the 90 day trial, then the modification will be extended for a term of no less than 5 years. Beginning in year 6, the interest rate can be increased by no more than 1% per year until the note rate reaches the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey Rate on the date that the modification is executed.

This is a brief summary, highlighting the terms and conditions of these new programs. For more information, you can visit the website at financialstabiltiy.gov.

Lets all hope that this new initiative is more successful than the Hope for Homeowners Program (H4H) that started October 1, 2008. The following article was published recently by Time Magazine:

Grade: F The Plan: Enacted on Oct. 1, Hope for Homeowners was to be the main foreclosure rescue plan from Congress, which allocated $300 billion for the effort. Supporters in Congress, like Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank, said the program would allow hundreds of thousands of borrowers, perhaps millions, to refinance into lower-cost loans by cutting the amount they owed, which for many at-risk-of-default homeowners was more than their house was worth.

The Result: So how many people have Hope for Homeowners saved from foreclosure? Zero. There have been 326 applications in the three months since the program started, but none of those people ” let alone the nearly 6 million homeowners who, by some estimates, may face foreclosure in the next few years ” have received a new mortgage or a modification for the one they have. What’s more, none of the major mortgage lenders, such as Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo, has signed on to the loan-principal-reduction program ” which gives Hope for Homeowners little chance of being successful anytime soon. “Foreclosure is the problem we have to spend a lot more effort trying to solve,” says the Economic Policy Institute’s Robert Scott. “We need to put a floor under housing prices, and stopping foreclosures is the way you do that.”

Keep in mind that this article is my understanding of the new programs; all information should be independently verified. This is a government program; therefore, subject to modification. Research and educate yourself

Racking up consumer debt is very easy to do. You may have done so without even noticing. A few charges here and there and bam! You’re hit with high interest rates that make it practically impossible to make a dent in that debt. You may have special circumstances that forced you into debt; illness, divorce, the unexpected death of a loved one, or even unexpected home or vehicle repair expenses. The problem is that while credit card debt is piled up, interest only grows. If you pay only the minimum amount due each month on any given credit card, you are very unlikely to ever pay it off fully. You may even feel so deep in the hole and discouraged about ever paying off your debt that you may consider bankruptcy. Before you give up, you should know that there are ways to work around your debt and get ahead despite those soaring interest rates. In these tough economic times, paying even just the minimum due on each of your credit card accounts can prove to be quite difficult. If you are looking for ways to reduce household costs or increase monthly income, consider how getting rid of your debt will affect your finances.

Debt Consolidation Loans One proven way to improve your debt situation is to consider a debt consolidation loan. The most common form of debt consolidation consists of the following: - The ‘in-too-deep’ debtor applies for a debt consolidation loan. - The lending financial institution issues a new loan for an amount that is sufficient to pay all of the debtor’s outstanding debt. - The debtor uses the newly borrowed funds to make final, lump sum payments on all his outstanding debts.

Does it sound simple? That’s because it is! As long as you’re able to get approved, you should be able to simplify your life and improve your debt scenario. You may be wondering what the improvement is, since you are still in debt for roughly the same amount you owed. The advantage lies in the interest rate. Debt consolidation loans are likely to carry a much lower interest rate than those carried by your various credit cards and other types of debt. In addition to that, you’ll be simplifying your life by having just one substantial monthly payment to make rather than several smaller ones to keep track of.

Debt Consolidation Specialists Another way of consolidating consumer debt is to employ the services of a debt consolidation specialist. The specialist will actually negotiate with the debtors various creditors. Usually these specialists have relationships with creditors and are able to leverage them to get the best possible outcomes for their clients. In addition to that, debt consolidation specialists are experts who know what the creditor will able to concede and will also have a good sense of what the debtor will be able to afford in terms of monthly payments. The debt consolidation specialist will work as an intermediary between the debtor and creditor until a feasible and mutually acceptable plan is outlined. Debt consolidation professionals will not intentionally make arrangements that will put a debtor in a position to fail.

There is Help If you are feeling buried by debt and discouraged about ever finding your way out, remember that there are resources available to you. Canadian debt consolidation can help financial obligations seem more manageable and can also help to improve your credit score. Before signing up for anything, make sure to review all the options. Try to get references or look for customer testimonials about any service you consider using.