Tidbits® - June 2006
Credit insight from Credit.com
Welcome to the Credit.com newsletter!
Each month, this free email newsletter delivers easy-to-read tidbits
about credit directly from personal finance experts. In this issue
we're focusing on recovering from credit problems. We'd love to
hear from you! Send an email to tidbits@credit.com with your credit
questions or comments anytime!
Quick Tip
In late May, 26.5 million veterans had their personal information
stolen on a Veteran Affairs Department laptop. Veterans impacted
by this crime should immediately place 90-day fraud alerts on their
credit files and check their credit reports for signs of identity
theft.
Read more identity theft prevention tips for veterans -
http://www.credit.com/r/tidbits_idtheft_vets/af=p40523&ag=tip
Summer Savings!
We could all use a little extra cash this summer. The following five
cost-cutting tips can help you save thousands. From reducing your
cable bill to refinancing your car, Credit.com can help you improve
your summer spending.
Call Your Cable Company
One five minute call to the cable company can save you big bucks.
All you need to do is ask about downgraded your television and internet
services. You'll be transferred to a
"retention" expert. If you explain that you feel the services are
too expensive, they'll usually offer you a discount on your monthly bill.
We recently tried this and lowered our bill from $99 to $73 a month for the
next 12 months.
Reduce Your Gas Costs
Gas prices are going to be a major budget buster this summer. Along
with carpooling and using alternate forms of transportation, you
can reduce your fuel costs by changing your driving habits. Edmunds.com
found that the best way to improve your fuel efficiency is to accelerate
and brake slowly. Putting the "pedal to the metal" burns
up a lot of gas. You can also improve your fuel efficiency by following
the speed limit and
using cruise control. Take the sting out of filling up with a gas
rebate credit card -
http://www.credit.com/r/tidbits_gas_cards/af=p40523&ag=article
Consolidate Your Student Loans
Student loan interest rates are expected to rise about 2% on July
1. Current student loan rates range from 4-6%, depending on the type
of loan. If you act now, you can lock in these low rates
and lower your monthly payment by consolidating your student loans.
Pay Off Your Debts
If you carry large amounts of credit card debt, you may as well be
sending checks straight to the presidents of MasterCard and Visa.
For example: if you only pay the minimum amount due on a $5,000 balance
each month, it will take you 26 years and a staggering $7,000 in
interest to pay it off. Take control of your
debts today. Apply for a free debt consultation online - http://www.credit.com/r/dcl/af=p40523&ag=article
Refinance Your Car
If you have an expensive car loan with a high interest rate, you
may be able to save a bundle by refinancing this summer. You can
save the most with an auto refinance if your credit scores and
financial situation have improved since you first bought the car.
Apply for a free auto refinance quote online today - http://www.credit.com/r/auto_refinance/af=p40523&ag=article
Spending less on boring old bills can free up your budget for fun
summer splurges. Use the money you've saved by following these
five tips to finance a vacation or throw a backyard BBQ. Do you
have a great cost-cutting tip to share? Send your ideas to tidbits@credit.com.
We'll share the best tip in next month's
newsletter and send the winner a free copy of the book "Credit
Scores, Credit Cards."
Bonus Tip
If you are traveling internationally this summer, watch out for credit
card "foreign currency conversion fees." Credit
card companies have started charging a 3% fee on each purchase you
make in a foreign country with your card.
Featured Article
Payday loans are as controversial as they are popular. In this article,
our credit experts do the math to see when using an emergency payday
loan makes sense.
Read more about payday loans online here - http://www.credit.com/r/tidbits_paydayLoan_goodop/af=p40523&ag=feature
On the Blog
With gas prices still hovering above $3 a gallon, it may be a smart
time to open a gas rebate card. In this post, our team reviews the
terms and fees of the Citi Driver's Edge Card. This card offers great
rewards... but could there be a hidden catch?
Read our review of the gas rebate card - http://www.creditbloggers.com/2006/05/credit_card_rev_1.html
Quote of the Month
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing,
the birds are singing and the lawn mower is broken.
- James Dent
Tidbits® - June 2006
About this newsletter
This information has been compiled and provided by Credit.com as
a service to the public. While our goal is to provide information
that will help consumers to manage their credit and debt, this information
should not be considered legal advice. Such advice must be specific
to the various circumstances of each person's situation, and the
general information provided on these pages should not be used as
a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel.
Credit.com
201 Mission Street - Suite 1550
San Francisco, CA 94105
© 2006 All rights reserved, Credit.com, Inc.
|