Posts Tagged ‘ product review ’

 
Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Turn on the news or read the financial websites and you will notice an alarming trend. There is an epidemic of bank failures that are hitting the world. We have lost confidence in our banks to the point where a can buried in our backyard or a mattress is looking just as attractive as the average bank.

Because of this, many are noticing the prepaid Visa card. No longer is this only for those with damaged or no credit. Those who have lost confidence in their bank have embraced these cards as a safe haven for their money.

Nearly all of the major issuers offer these. Once you are approved, and you will be regardless of your history, you will receive a Visa in the mail. This card looks exactly the same as any other and can be used anywhere you see the logo displayed.

In order to use it, you have to fund it. The best way to do this is by direct deposit. By depositing all or a portion of your paycheck, in most cases, you avoid the maintenance fees that come with other methods of funding. You can make ATM deposits, and even mail a check but that often requires you to pay a fee. Stick with direct deposit and it is most likely going to be free.

You also get some added services. These may include free bill pay, free direct deposit, balance alerts sent to your e-mail box or cell phone, and if you have the misfortune of damaged credit, your positive payment activities will be reported to the credit agencies.

As you go to the web looking for the best on the market make sure to fully investigate. There is no absence of cards without an annual fee so in most cases, push aside those offers that have fees built in to them. If you find one that you like but it has an annual fee, call their customer service department as ask them to waive the fee for the first year. Often they will agree to this.

Are you a parent? It can also be used to teach your teenage child healthy spending habits or keep your college age son or daughter on a budget while away from home. Don’t let your child be the next student who graduates from college with mounting credit card debt.

While your money is 100% safe if held at a bank, many have lost confidence in the banking system and as a result, the prepaid Visa card has become a more attractive option.

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Monday, July 6th, 2009

If you are a frequent Walmart customer, you know that in their large stores, they have just about everything you need for your every day life. Did you know that they also offer a prepaid credit card?

This offers an alternative for those that have made past financial mistakes and can not qualify for a traditional card.

Those with negative entries on their report will be happy to know that there is no credit check and no bank account is required. Instead, you receive a reloadable Visa where putting more money on to it can be done either by direct deposit or by cash or check.

It can be used anywhere that a Visa card is accepted. You can use it to pay all of your utility bills, buy groceries, or anything else. You can follow your balance either online or by receiving alerts on your cell phone.

Here’s how it works. First, you purchase it. There is an $8.94 issuance fee that you must pay. Next, if possible, you will want to set up a direct deposit. This will not cost you anything so this is the best way to load funds.

After that, a $4.64 monthly fee is charged and each time the card is reloaded, it costs $4.94. To avoid the reload fee, have money directly deposited.

You will also not be charged the $4.94 if you cash a paper check. You will, however, have to pay the $3 check cashing fee but this is still cheaper than taking your check to another place.

Also, try to avoid ATMs. If you check your balance at an ATM, it will cost you 75 cents. If you make a withdrawal, you will be charged a $1.95 fee. If you need to withdrawal money, go to your local Walmart where it will cost you nothing.

If you would like a monthly statement, they will charge you $3 per month. As you can see, although this card is convenient, it has a whole host of fees.

What makes it good is that you cannot be overdrawn so those $39 fees that you may have been accessed at your bank won’t happen again.

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Friday, June 26th, 2009

Dont spend more money than you make. Youve probably heard this rule but many of us have a hard time following it. Sometimes its because we just had to have the latest gadget but for others, the rule is broken simply to put food on the table.

Regardless of the reason, many consumers have made mistakes and have a damaged credit score. Not only does bad score cause problems with securing new lines of credit, many employers are checking this too.

The problem is that in order to repair this, you have to demonstrate better financial habits. However it’s hard to do this if you can get any new finances to show this. This is where a secured account can help.

The idea is simple. You must make a deposit with a bank. You will then be extended a card with a limit equal to your deposit.

You are guaranteed approval and it will report to the major bureaus. It is secure through your deposit. This is unlike a traditional account that will allow you to spend before you pay.

This is the perfect way to build positive marks on your report. Here’s a way to do it. Have your paycheck deposited in to this new account and pay all of the essentials with it.

Often you can pay your phone, electric, gas, and cable just to name a few with card. You may want to pay in cash for any of your wants but use your card for the essentials and your report will look better over time.

Of course, there are some negatives. First, there is almost always an annual fee. Next, the interest rate is often high, and last, because these are often catered to those with past mistakes, some banks will try to get customers to buy insurance policies that cover the debt.

Remember that the money that you keep in your account is the insurance policy. Don’t give a second look to an offer with required insurance.

Like anything else, when looking shop around. Make sure to compare different cards and make an informed decision.

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Friday, June 19th, 2009

It is a common misconception that if you have a damaged credit score you are out of luck when it comes to getting a Visa or MasterCard. The thing is you are not alone.

There are millions of people in tough spots with this crumbling economy and recession that just doesn’t seem to want to go away. Luckily, there is a way for you to still be approved and no reason to go without any longer.

You can get a secured account without having to endure the embarrassment of a credit check or lengthy intrusive application process. All you have to have to sign up is an initial deposit which you can have your employer directly deposit.

All you have to provide is your name, address, social security number and your approval is guaranteed. You can use it for any of the things you would use a regular card for. It is accepted online and over the phone.

Unlike with a prepaid you can even borrow money and your payments will be reported to the bureaus. This means you can build positive marks on your report.

The more you use it and pay it off, the better your payment history will become. It allows you to borrow money in case of an emergency or if you just need a few bucks to get by on. It’s a great system and not only helps you out of a bind but also helps you get back on track.

However because this account is secured by your deposit your limit will be equal to that. This way in case you default on your payments the bank will not lose money.

Most cards carry an application fee and reasonable interest rates. This is far better than getting an unsecured account because you will have to pay interest rates of 19% and higher.

And you would have to pay an annual fee of around $150, and a monthly maintenance fee of around $9.95.

Every card has its own sets of fees and interest rates and you should fully educate yourself about before applying.

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Many small business owners must wear many hats and perform various jobs. Their many responsibilities may include obtaining clients, supervising employees, and even making sales. Many people thrive on all the duties at hand and may even thrive off the pressure. But one such responsibility many small business owners may not want to deal with is preparing taxes, as well as keeping track of the financial records. In larger corporations there are accountants available to help a person prepare such documents. But being your own boss you may have to prepare them yourself. The process may seem difficult but Intuit Inc has the answer. Intuit Inc has introduced the worlds best accounting computer program called QuickBooks. QuickBooks makes accounting and keeping financial records very simple and easy to manage.

Intuit Inc was started in the early 80s and has been dedicated to streamlining the accounting progress for small businesses ever since. Intuit Inc makes QuickBooks, Turbo Tax, and Quicken readily available. They are computer programs one can install to assist with managing his or her own financial records. While the previous programs are geared toward small businesses other programs such as ProSeries and LaCerte are perfect for professional accountants. Intuit Inc has introduced many advancements in the accounting field and has made it easier for small businesses to keep financial records.

To begin using QuickBooks you must first install the program on the computer from which you conduct your business from. Unless you want a separate computer for all finance issues this should be your main computer at your office. After installing the program you will be chaperoned by an electronic guide through the programs start up screens. First you will be asked to enter in your business information such as the company name, address, phone number etc. After completing the form continue on and follow the guides instructions.

Now you must enter in your bank information such as your merchant account provider and bank account number. By filling this out you can record all of your companys transactions. Without it your records will be incorrect and you will have trouble when preparing taxes.

Now you can move onto creating client accounts for all your clientele. Creating client accounts for your customers will allow you to easily manage each clients bills and invoices. The most affordable version of QuickBooks only offers room for 20 client accounts. For small businesses this may be more than enough. But if you need more client accounts you can upgrade to QuickBooks Pro which offers more client accounts along with more advanced accounting options.

For anyone who has to be their own accountant QuickBooks is extremely useful. It simplifies the process down to an easy to use computer interface. Once you are on QuickBooks youll be sending out invoices and preparing tax returns in no time.

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Monday, June 15th, 2009

It is a common misconception that if you have a damaged credit score you are out of luck when it comes to getting a Visa or MasterCard. The thing is you are not alone.

There are millions of people in tough spots with this crumbling economy and recession that just doesn’t seem to want to go away. Luckily, there is a way for you to still be approved and no reason to go without any longer.

You can get a secured credit card without having to endure the embarrassment of a credit check or lengthy intrusive application process. All you have to have to sign up is an initial deposit which you can have your employer directly deposit.

And, all you have to provide is your name, address, social security number and your approval is guaranteed. You can use it for any of the things you would use a regular card for. It is accepted online and over the phone.

Unlike with a prepaid you can even borrow money and your payments will be reported to the bureaus. This means you can build positive marks on your report.

The more you use it and pay it off, the better your payment history will become. It allows you to borrow money in case of an emergency or if you just need a few bucks to get by on. It’s a great system and not only helps you out of a bind but also helps you get back on track.

However because this account is secured by your deposit your limit will be equal to that. This way in case you default on your payments the bank will not lose money.

Most cards carry an application fee and reasonable interest rates. This is far better than getting an unsecured account because you will have to pay interest rates of 19% and higher.

And you would have to pay an annual fee of around $150, and a monthly maintenance fee of around $9.95.

Every card has its own sets of fees and interest rates and you should fully educate yourself about before applying.

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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

The New Millennium Secured MasterCard is designed for those people who are looking for a card to help repair their credit score.

Have you used something as collateral?

This means that if you want to purchase something but don?t have the full amount of money, you can set aside an item you own as collateral in the event you default on your payments.

This is the case when you purchase a home. The home is held as collateral against the amount of money you borrowed. If you default on the loan, the bank gets the house.

This card will work the same way. They require collateral against future purchases made on the card.

This is done by opening a savings account which will earn 6% interest for the first three months, then 2% interest thereafter. The savings account is insured by the FDIC up to $100,000.

It works just like an unsecured one does. You can make purchases and get cash advances. Your limit is based on the balance of your new savings account. This will be between $300 and $5,000.

Be advised that this account is secured and is not meant to be used for withdrawal of funds. It is collateral for your card!

New Millennium Bank will report your transaction history to the three bureaus; TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. By paying your statements on time and not going over your limit, you will build positive marks on your report.

Both Visa and MasterCard are issued. You can apply for one or both. You can also obtain a duplicate for your spouse.

There are some fees to be aware of: 19.5% FIXED interest rate for purchases and cash advances, $59 annual membership fee, $69.95 applicant processing fee, $20 late payment fee and $20 over limit fee. Additionally there is no grace period in which to repay either your purchases or your cash advances before a finance charge will be imposed.

This can be a good with which to try to reestablish your score. If you are willing to pay the high interest rate of 19.5% for purchases and cash advances. As time goes by, you can always request credit increases with the requisite deposit.

If you have made mistakes you can still receive approval.There is no credit check and they will only verify your address, social security number and age.

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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

If you are in the market for a convenient way to purchase items in stores or online without the worries of carrying cash or credit cards, a prepaid card may be your answer. They are available from MasterCard, Visa,and American Express.

How They Will Work

Using this card is similar to using a gift card. Before you begin, you make a deposit of cash. You decide how much money to deposit. As you make purchases, ATM withdrawals, or pay bills, the balance declines.

You are able to deposit more money at anytime. And you will not have monthly bills because you pay as you go.

Who can Benefit

These are good for anyone who doesn?t want the responsibility of keeping track of monthly bills. Parents can give their children this instead of cash. Other than being an easy way for children to make purchases on their own, they also help parents educate children about smart money management. They guarantee approval, so consumers with bad credit can use them with no problems. And travelers might want to use them instead of carrying large amounts of cash.

The Advantages

The banks that issue your card will replace it if it is stolen. You are also protected against unauthorized use.

You control how much money is on available. Thus, you will always know if you have enough money to make a purchase.

This is a very effective way to limit spending and develop financial discipline. If you decide you would rather make a cash purchase, you can obtain cash from an ATM.

It can also be used for bill payments at any establishment that accepts online or phone transactions.

Fees

Visa, MasterCard and American Express offer several plans with varying fees. Make sure you read and understand the agreement before you select one.

There is usually a monthly transaction fee, and other fees are charged according to the structure of the plan. A plan may include fees for activation, ATM withdrawals, and individual purchase fees. Each fee is deducted from your card?s current balance.

In sum take the time to educate yourself and read the fine print before applying for any card.

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Friday, April 17th, 2009

The Bancorp Bank issues the Vision Premier Prepaid Visa Card. This is a prepaid card which means that you load money onto it in order to use it.

This can be done by direct deposit and PayPal as well as by other means. You can even transfer funds directly from your checking or savings account to the card.

The amount of money which has been transferred to the card minus purchases, fees and other transactions equals the amount available to be used for transactions.

You card is only good for the amount of money you have loaded onto it. This Visa card has many features.

You will not be faced with opening minimum or application fee or annual fee. There is no loading fee when you use direct deposit, PayPal or PreCash.

Also there is no weekly maintenance fee when you use direct deposit or when you have 15 or more transactions per month. However, there is a $1.95 fee for ATM use as well as a $.95 fee for each ATM balance inquiry (You can sign up for free balance alerts which are delivered to you either via email or your cell phone).

You will have to pay a weekly maintenance fee of $.95 if you do not use direct deposit or if you have fewer than 15 transactions per month. Additionally, there is a one-time activation fee of $9.95; however, with the mail-in rebate this becomes zero.

If you want to use Visions live agent service, be prepared to pay a $1.95 fee.

A few things should be noted:

1) this is a debit card only, not to be confused with an unsecured credit card.

2) no credit check is required to obtain this card, approval is guaranteed

3) there are never any interest or minimum balance fees; and

4) this type of card will not be reported to credit agencies.

Good points regarding this card is the ease of obtaining the card (approval is guaranteed), convenience for making online and phone purchases, it is less expensive to use than check cashing services, you receive the same Visa Zero Liability policy as with a credit card, and, unlike a credit card, interest is not charged.

Be aware that the Visa Zero Liability policy does not cover some transactions. However, there are some bad points as well.

You must have money loaded onto the card to be able to use it and, if you need to use an ATM machine to check your balance, you will be charged a $.95 fee. Therefore, you must always be aware of the balance on the card.

Additionally, this card will not help to improve your credit rating like a traditional or secured credit card. If you plan to use this card to build or repair your credit, you should look at a traditional credit card.

Also, be careful of additional fees which are listed in the Terms and Conditions. And be aware that if you request a retailer to load money onto the card, you may be liable for additional fees which the retailer may charge.

However, if you are looking for a card to use to easily make purchases, a prepaid card is the way to go. Also, if you have a tendency to overspend when you are shopping, a prepaid card will help you by allowing you to spend only what is loaded onto the card. Paying no interest fees is also a nice feature!

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