Refinancing Car Loans
April 28, 2008
When the interest rates take a cut, like they have in the past year, everyone jumps up to refinance their home mortgages, and get a better rate. However, not everyone realizes that it is possible to refinance their car loans as well.
Refinancing car loans work in the same way as refinancing your home mortgage. The idea is to find a loan with a lower APR or annual percent rate which is the rate that the borrower will pay on the loan. Other reasons for refinancing can include restructuring the original loan agreement that will either create higher payments each month or reduce the time that it takes to pay off the loan or lower the payment rate which will lengthen the time of the car loan but may ease the financial burden. Read more
Businesses Finding Credit Tougher to Come By
April 24, 2008
Businesses are having a more difficult time obtaining credit, the result of America’s large-scale credit crisis.
The number of loans backed by the Small Business Administration has fallen in the southern Florida district, according to the area’s director, Pancho Marrero. Not only are banks making it more difficult to obtain loans, but small businesses are also hesitant to expand. Read more
College Financial Aid on the Rise
April 23, 2008
A number of leading private colleges have announced plans to boost financial aid to families that would otherwise have a tough time affording college.
For instance, Duke will be spending $13 million more on financial aid packages for families earning less than $60,000 a year. Likewise, Harvard is replacing loans with scholarships to help alleviate the financial burden for students. Read more
Keeping Checking Accounts in Check
April 23, 2008
If you fail to watch your account’s bottom line, you could end up with overdraft fees, which will put a damper on your holiday spending. In order to make sure you’re not overspending, be sure to write down all your checking account transactions - including debit card payments and account withdrawals. Otherwise, you could easily end up spending more than you have. Read more
Student Loans and Congress
April 20, 2008
As the housing market continues its down slide other sectors of the economy are beginning to feel the pinch. Financial Aid for college has been in trouble for quite some time. As tuitions rise and grants and scholarships become scarcer and scarcer more college bound students look towards loans to help pay for college. Read more
Wachovia Informs of Plans to Increase Capital
April 19, 2008
Today the banking giant Wachovia told the public of its plans to increase its base capital and operational capacities. In a press release, Wachovia reported its statistics for the first quarter of 2008, and explained the steps that it would take to adapt to the lean economic situation in the U.S. right now. In this way, the company would be able to better respond to predicted alterations in its patrons’ financial habits for the coming year.
First, Wachovia intends to increase the amount of its capital by publicly selling more shares of its stock, including both convertible preferred stock and common stock . Read more
Financial Experts Urge Caution on Rebates
April 14, 2008
Financial experts this year are urging consumers to exercise caution when it comes to spending their federal rebate checks.
The checks are the payoff from an economic stimulus package recently signed by President George W. Bush. The White House and Congress masterminded the deal in an effort to jump-start the economy.
Public officials are hoping that taxpayers will help the U.S. spend its way out of recession. However, some financial experts say that it may not be in consumers’ best interests to spend their rebate checks. Read more
California auto insurance ZIP code law about to change
April 11, 2008
John Garamendi the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of California amended the rules on auto insurance three years ago. The new rules said that insurance companies could no longer use ZIP codes as the main determining factor for deciding auto insurance rates.
He deduced that the premium paid should reflect the driving abilities and history of the driver, not which ZIP code area they may happen to live in. After nearly three years these new regulations will actually take effect on the 14th of July this year. Read more
How To Find A Decent Auto Insurance Quote Online
April 10, 2008
Why is auto insurance important? The main purpose it serves is protection. Not only is there to protect you but also other motorists in the event of an accident. Auto insurance is mandatory in nearly every stated in the United States. There are serious legal ramifications for not having an active policy. Since it is a necessary element, you need to be able to find the right policy—which means it should be one that fits your needs and financial constraints. Thankfully, there are different types of policies as well as different levels of coverage, all of which are variably priced. Read more
2008 Brings With It New Financial Decisions
April 10, 2008
2008 may be remembered by many consumers as a financial turning point.
Faced with rising housing costs and a soft housing market, a number of homeowners have turned to credit cards to help fill the financial gap. But such a strategy can lead to plenty of financial headaches later on, including out-of-control credit card debt. Read more