A Good Credit Report - The Key To Cheap Finance
A Good Credit Report - The Key To Cheap Finance
Is your credit report important? There are a lot of people who would not consider their credit rating as something too important to them in their life. There are others who, while recognising its importance, would not be overly concerned about the issue or understand the reasons for its importance. Well, to those people, they should at least be aware of some of the uses that are made of credit reports in the world in which we live.
While it may seem obvious to state it, credit reports are predominantly concerned with assessing the risk involved in lending money to you. Lenders are obsessed with one thing, getting repaid, and their entire industry revolves around making this occur. Therefore, they have developed the credit score that will assess your likely hood of repaying them and this is then used to either approve or reject your application for credit. While this is the basic purpose, some more sophisticated lenders desire to get in on an ever larger share of the market and in order to lend to higher risk borrowers, they create different categories of loans which people with lower scores can qualify for. These loans will invariably have higher interest rates and other less favourable conditions and this will be the price you pay for having a lower credit rating.
Since loans are used to finance homes, education, cars, and most other large purchases in life, the inability to get access to credit, or only to be able to get it at less attractive terms and rates, is a substantially reason to care about your credit report and try to keep it in as good a condition as possible.
Credit reports are also used when you apply for renting or leasing accommodation. This is usually because the landlord wants to be fairly certain that you'll be able to pay your rent as it falls due. So keeping your credit score healthy at this stage will pay off if you need to be approved for renting or leasing residential property.
There is also a trend among employer to start using credit ratings when assessing job applicants. The reasons they are making use of credit reports are of course different for every employer but there is a consensus that a healthy credit report and a good past record of meeting financial commitments is a good sign that the job applicant is someone reliable and worth employing. While it does seem slightly perverse that the very people that will need a job the most are precisely the ones that can be denied it but that's the direction things are moving in.
Is your credit report important? There are a lot of people who would not consider their credit rating as something too important to them in their life. There are others who, while recognising its importance, would not be overly concerned about the issue or understand the reasons for its importance. Well, to those people, they should at least be aware of some of the uses that are made of credit reports in the world in which we live.
While it may seem obvious to state it, credit reports are predominantly concerned with assessing the risk involved in lending money to you. Lenders are obsessed with one thing, getting repaid, and their entire industry revolves around making this occur. Therefore, they have developed the credit score that will assess your likely hood of repaying them and this is then used to either approve or reject your application for credit. While this is the basic purpose, some more sophisticated lenders desire to get in on an ever larger share of the market and in order to lend to higher risk borrowers, they create different categories of loans which people with lower scores can qualify for. These loans will invariably have higher interest rates and other less favourable conditions and this will be the price you pay for having a lower credit rating.
Since loans are used to finance homes, education, cars, and most other large purchases in life, the inability to get access to credit, or only to be able to get it at less attractive terms and rates, is a substantially reason to care about your credit report and try to keep it in as good a condition as possible.
Credit reports are also used when you apply for renting or leasing accommodation. This is usually because the landlord wants to be fairly certain that you'll be able to pay your rent as it falls due. So keeping your credit score healthy at this stage will pay off if you need to be approved for renting or leasing residential property.
There is also a trend among employer to start using credit ratings when assessing job applicants. The reasons they are making use of credit reports are of course different for every employer but there is a consensus that a healthy credit report and a good past record of meeting financial commitments is a good sign that the job applicant is someone reliable and worth employing. While it does seem slightly perverse that the very people that will need a job the most are precisely the ones that can be denied it but that's the direction things are moving in.
นิยามของความจน
นิยามของความจน เรื่องนิยามของความจนนั้น เป็นเรื่องที่ยากมาก เมื่อมันนิยามได้ยากเข้า เราจึงปล่อยให้นักเศรษฐศาสตร์เป็นผู้นิยาม นักเศรษฐศาสตร์ก็นิยามเรื่องของความยากจนอย่างหยาบๆ ซึ่งมันหยาบมากเท่าที่จะหยาบได้โดยเอาตัวรายได้มาเป็นตัววัด หรือมิฉะนั้นก็เอาตัวทรัพย์ที่ขายในตลาดได้มาเป็นตัววัด เพราะฉะนั้น โดยวิธีการวัดแบบนักเศรษฐศาสตร์นั้น พระภิกษุที่ดีที่สุดในประเทศไทยคือ"คนที่จนที่สุด" แล้วก็ไม่เคยเดินขบวนไปไหนเลย เพราะว่าความเป็นจริงแล้ว ความจนเป็นเรื่องที่ซับซ้อนเกินกว่าที่นักเศรษฐศาสตร์พยายามนิยาม
ผมอยากจะขอพูดในที่นี้ว่า ผมอยากจะให้นิยาม"ความยากจน"บ้าง แต่ผมคิดว่ามันก็ยังหยาบอยู่ดี ผมคิดว่า"ความจน" อันที่หนึ่งก็คือ"การไม่มีทางเลือก"
ในสมัยหนึ่งคนในประเทศไทยส่วนใหญ่ ถ้าจะถามว่าจนไหม ? ในทัศนะของผมคิดว่า"ไม่จน" เพราะ"มีทางเลือก" แต่ว่าแน่นอน มนุษย์มีทางเลือกในขีดที่จำกัดเสมอ คนอยุธยาไม่สามารถที่จะไปเป็นนักคอมพิวเตอร์ได้ ซึ่งหนีไม่พ้นที่พวกเขาจะต้องเป็นเกษตรกร แต่ผมคิดว่าพวกเขามีช่องทางขยับขยายจากที่หนึ่งไปยังอีกที่หนึ่ง เช่น ที่บางแห่งไม่พอกินก็ย้ายไปอยู่ที่อื่น แน่นอนทางเลือกมีจำกัด มีการกดขี่ มีการจำกัดเสรีภาพในสมัยนั้นมากมายหลายอย่าง แต่ในเรื่องเศรษฐกิจแล้ว ผมคิดว่าเขาพอที่จะมีทางเลือกอยู่พอสมควร ซึ่งอันนี้เป็นเงื่อนไขที่มีความสำคัญมากๆ
ที่นี้คนพอที่จะมีทางเลือกได้ ก็หมายความว่าจะต้องมี"ฐานทรัพยากร" ซึ่งผมขอตีความทั้งในแง่"วัตถุซึ่งจับต้องได้" ไม่ว่าจะเป็น ดิน น้ำ ป่า หรืออะไรก็แล้วแต่ และอีกอย่างหนึ่งก็คือ"ความรู้"ซึ่งเป็น"สิ่งที่จับต้องไม่ได้" รวมไปถึงความเข้าใจในชีวิต เข้าใจในสิ่งต่างๆ เพราะว่ามนุษย์เรานี้ ถ้าเราเอาความโลภมาเป็นตัวนำแล้ว มันก็จนอยู่ตลอดเวลา อย่างที่พูดว่าจนที่ใจ คนที่มีทางเลือกต้องมีทัรพยากรเหล่านี้อยู่พอสมควร
ถ้าดูอย่างนี้แล้วถามว่า คนจนในประเทศไทยมันมาจากไหน ? อยู่ๆวันหนึ่งเราอยู่กันมาในสมัยอยุธยา ก็จนๆกันอยู่ แต่ก็ไม่ได้จนกันอย่างที่เป็นอยู่ในทุกวันนี้ บัดนี้เรามาพบว่าเรามีคนจนอยู่ในประเทศของเรามากมาย ถ้าใช้นิยามของนักเศรษฐศาสตร์ เราจะมีคนจนอยู่ 6-7 ล้านคน คือคนที่อยู่ใต้เส้นความยากจน เส้นนี้ก็ขยับได้ตามความเห็นของคน ถ้าขยับเพียงเล็กน้อยก็กลายเป็น 14 ล้านคน ขยับอีกหน่อยกลายเป็น 28 ล้านคน แล้วแต่ว่าจะขยับไปตรงไหน ไม่ว่าคุณจะขยับไปตรงไหน มีคนเป็นจำนวนล้านๆคนจนในประเทศของเรา จนโดยเห็นพ้องต้องกันทั้งหมดว่า"พวกนี้จน" และตัวเขาเองก็คิดว่าตัวเขาเอง"จน"
ผมอยากจะขอพูดในที่นี้ว่า ผมอยากจะให้นิยาม"ความยากจน"บ้าง แต่ผมคิดว่ามันก็ยังหยาบอยู่ดี ผมคิดว่า"ความจน" อันที่หนึ่งก็คือ"การไม่มีทางเลือก"
ในสมัยหนึ่งคนในประเทศไทยส่วนใหญ่ ถ้าจะถามว่าจนไหม ? ในทัศนะของผมคิดว่า"ไม่จน" เพราะ"มีทางเลือก" แต่ว่าแน่นอน มนุษย์มีทางเลือกในขีดที่จำกัดเสมอ คนอยุธยาไม่สามารถที่จะไปเป็นนักคอมพิวเตอร์ได้ ซึ่งหนีไม่พ้นที่พวกเขาจะต้องเป็นเกษตรกร แต่ผมคิดว่าพวกเขามีช่องทางขยับขยายจากที่หนึ่งไปยังอีกที่หนึ่ง เช่น ที่บางแห่งไม่พอกินก็ย้ายไปอยู่ที่อื่น แน่นอนทางเลือกมีจำกัด มีการกดขี่ มีการจำกัดเสรีภาพในสมัยนั้นมากมายหลายอย่าง แต่ในเรื่องเศรษฐกิจแล้ว ผมคิดว่าเขาพอที่จะมีทางเลือกอยู่พอสมควร ซึ่งอันนี้เป็นเงื่อนไขที่มีความสำคัญมากๆ
ที่นี้คนพอที่จะมีทางเลือกได้ ก็หมายความว่าจะต้องมี"ฐานทรัพยากร" ซึ่งผมขอตีความทั้งในแง่"วัตถุซึ่งจับต้องได้" ไม่ว่าจะเป็น ดิน น้ำ ป่า หรืออะไรก็แล้วแต่ และอีกอย่างหนึ่งก็คือ"ความรู้"ซึ่งเป็น"สิ่งที่จับต้องไม่ได้" รวมไปถึงความเข้าใจในชีวิต เข้าใจในสิ่งต่างๆ เพราะว่ามนุษย์เรานี้ ถ้าเราเอาความโลภมาเป็นตัวนำแล้ว มันก็จนอยู่ตลอดเวลา อย่างที่พูดว่าจนที่ใจ คนที่มีทางเลือกต้องมีทัรพยากรเหล่านี้อยู่พอสมควร
ถ้าดูอย่างนี้แล้วถามว่า คนจนในประเทศไทยมันมาจากไหน ? อยู่ๆวันหนึ่งเราอยู่กันมาในสมัยอยุธยา ก็จนๆกันอยู่ แต่ก็ไม่ได้จนกันอย่างที่เป็นอยู่ในทุกวันนี้ บัดนี้เรามาพบว่าเรามีคนจนอยู่ในประเทศของเรามากมาย ถ้าใช้นิยามของนักเศรษฐศาสตร์ เราจะมีคนจนอยู่ 6-7 ล้านคน คือคนที่อยู่ใต้เส้นความยากจน เส้นนี้ก็ขยับได้ตามความเห็นของคน ถ้าขยับเพียงเล็กน้อยก็กลายเป็น 14 ล้านคน ขยับอีกหน่อยกลายเป็น 28 ล้านคน แล้วแต่ว่าจะขยับไปตรงไหน ไม่ว่าคุณจะขยับไปตรงไหน มีคนเป็นจำนวนล้านๆคนจนในประเทศของเรา จนโดยเห็นพ้องต้องกันทั้งหมดว่า"พวกนี้จน" และตัวเขาเองก็คิดว่าตัวเขาเอง"จน"
The Difference Between A Secured And Bad Credit Card
If you have bad credit or you're simply looking to re-establish your credit, you may want to look into a secured credit card. If you haven't heard of a secured credit card before, I'll explain how it works. A secured credit card is very similar to a bad credit credit card but instead it takes a deposit in order to use it. Some people may find this as a downfall but it's the only way some people can establish credit.
Before you go on your search for a credit card designed for bad credit, you're first going to want to decide if you should head toward a bad credit card or a secured credit card. The difference between the two is that one takes a deposit and the other is simply a credit card with a higher APR rate. Please keep in mind that the chances of you getting approved for a bad credit card are slimmer than a secured credit card.
What credit card should I choose then?
The first thing you're going to want to look at is how bad your credit really is. If you have declared bankruptcy in the past or your credit score is below 500, you're probably going to want to go toward a secured credit card because your chances of being approved are going to be great than a bad credit credit card.
A bad credit credit card is generally designed for people that have mediocre credit, so don't let the word "bad" fool you. Sometimes people look at the word bad and just assume they have bad credit. The thing they don't realize Is that you still can get denied for an application. Most people assume that they will be approved regardless. This is not the case with a bad credit card but with a secured credit card, you chances of being approved are great.
I'm still confused, what's the difference?
I'm going to point out the main points on each card. Let's first talk about a bad credit card. This type of credit card is designed for people with mediocre credit like I mentioned above. If you have declared bankruptcy, I highly recommend you apply for a secured card. A bad card generally has a higher APR compared to most regular credit card. Keep in mind that these cards also don't carry any rewards like most credit cards, so don't rely on this.
A secured card on the other hand is geared toward people with awful credit. Your chances of being approved for this card is very great since you have to send in a deposit for this card. If you don't pay off your bill in time, the bank will simply dip into your deposit. Also watch out for annual fees and minimum deposit requirements.
I'm hoping you have a better understanding of these types of cards. Remember, it's your goal to research each one in more depth and see which one works for your credit building. Once you have your card, remember to pay it off on time and learn from your mistakes in the past. If you learn from your mistakes, your credit will be great in no time.
Before you go on your search for a credit card designed for bad credit, you're first going to want to decide if you should head toward a bad credit card or a secured credit card. The difference between the two is that one takes a deposit and the other is simply a credit card with a higher APR rate. Please keep in mind that the chances of you getting approved for a bad credit card are slimmer than a secured credit card.
What credit card should I choose then?
The first thing you're going to want to look at is how bad your credit really is. If you have declared bankruptcy in the past or your credit score is below 500, you're probably going to want to go toward a secured credit card because your chances of being approved are going to be great than a bad credit credit card.
A bad credit credit card is generally designed for people that have mediocre credit, so don't let the word "bad" fool you. Sometimes people look at the word bad and just assume they have bad credit. The thing they don't realize Is that you still can get denied for an application. Most people assume that they will be approved regardless. This is not the case with a bad credit card but with a secured credit card, you chances of being approved are great.
I'm still confused, what's the difference?
I'm going to point out the main points on each card. Let's first talk about a bad credit card. This type of credit card is designed for people with mediocre credit like I mentioned above. If you have declared bankruptcy, I highly recommend you apply for a secured card. A bad card generally has a higher APR compared to most regular credit card. Keep in mind that these cards also don't carry any rewards like most credit cards, so don't rely on this.
A secured card on the other hand is geared toward people with awful credit. Your chances of being approved for this card is very great since you have to send in a deposit for this card. If you don't pay off your bill in time, the bank will simply dip into your deposit. Also watch out for annual fees and minimum deposit requirements.
I'm hoping you have a better understanding of these types of cards. Remember, it's your goal to research each one in more depth and see which one works for your credit building. Once you have your card, remember to pay it off on time and learn from your mistakes in the past. If you learn from your mistakes, your credit will be great in no time.
Forex Market - An Expression Of Opinion Of Foreign Economies
Trading currency online is happening literally 24 hours a day, with money exchanging hands almost constantly, to the tune of roughly $2 trillion a day. In comparison to the $20 billion average day of the stock market, the Forex market is without question much larger.
The biggest difference is that on the Forex market there isn't any tangible material that is being bought or sold. There are also no certificates being issued to show how much an individual owns of another country's money.
What is Forex Trading
In the Forex market all the trades are performed electronically and the currencies are traded in pairs, such as the US dollar being paired with the UK's Euro. A trade primarily consists of trading a specific amount of USD/EURO for currency pairs from two other countries contained within one transaction.
There are also no brokerage fees involved for buying and selling on the Forex market with broker earning their money on the difference between the bid/sell/buy price (ie - the spread) of the currency at the time the trade is completed.
On the Forex market, a buyer of any particular currency pair is basically indicating their confidence in the economy of that particular country. If the economy improves after a buy is completed, and the value of their currency also improves corresponding to the value of other countries, the investment of the buyer increases in value as well. On the other side of that coin, if that particular economy falls, the value of the currency will also decrease on the open market.
Precise Projections Can Improve Profit Position
One of the primary keys to success in the fourth market is being capable of projecting what the economy in any one particular country is going to do in the short term. The majority of individuals trading on the Forex market are not in it for the long haul like they might be in the stock market. Many people use little indicators that predict the country's economy will get better or get worse and will execute their trades accordingly.
Only until recent times the Forex market was open only to just a select few that very often made trades worth many millions of dollars in multiple currencies. With the advent of the internet and online brokers average people have been given the opportunity with only a few hundred dollars to get in on the same type of action as the big spenders. Nevertheless, prior to anybody simply jumping in online and opening an account, they should be well-versed in the economies of the numerous different countries.
To become familiarized with the Forex market can seem somewhat intimidating at first, but in actuality so can the stock market to a beginner. It takes time and practice with play money and experience prior to a person getting involved in becoming comfortable with getting their own cash on a country's economic future.
The biggest difference is that on the Forex market there isn't any tangible material that is being bought or sold. There are also no certificates being issued to show how much an individual owns of another country's money.
What is Forex Trading
In the Forex market all the trades are performed electronically and the currencies are traded in pairs, such as the US dollar being paired with the UK's Euro. A trade primarily consists of trading a specific amount of USD/EURO for currency pairs from two other countries contained within one transaction.
There are also no brokerage fees involved for buying and selling on the Forex market with broker earning their money on the difference between the bid/sell/buy price (ie - the spread) of the currency at the time the trade is completed.
On the Forex market, a buyer of any particular currency pair is basically indicating their confidence in the economy of that particular country. If the economy improves after a buy is completed, and the value of their currency also improves corresponding to the value of other countries, the investment of the buyer increases in value as well. On the other side of that coin, if that particular economy falls, the value of the currency will also decrease on the open market.
Precise Projections Can Improve Profit Position
One of the primary keys to success in the fourth market is being capable of projecting what the economy in any one particular country is going to do in the short term. The majority of individuals trading on the Forex market are not in it for the long haul like they might be in the stock market. Many people use little indicators that predict the country's economy will get better or get worse and will execute their trades accordingly.
Only until recent times the Forex market was open only to just a select few that very often made trades worth many millions of dollars in multiple currencies. With the advent of the internet and online brokers average people have been given the opportunity with only a few hundred dollars to get in on the same type of action as the big spenders. Nevertheless, prior to anybody simply jumping in online and opening an account, they should be well-versed in the economies of the numerous different countries.
To become familiarized with the Forex market can seem somewhat intimidating at first, but in actuality so can the stock market to a beginner. It takes time and practice with play money and experience prior to a person getting involved in becoming comfortable with getting their own cash on a country's economic future.
10 Easy Ways To Organize Your Business Finances
10 Easy Ways To Organize Your Business Finances
Whether you are a new entrepreneur or a more experienced business owner, taking control of your finances can feel like a part-time job. Some simple tips can help you streamline your time, organize your finances and reduce the stress of business money matters.
1. Keep Your Bills in One Place
When the mail comes, make sure it goes in one place. Misplaced bills can be the cause of unwanted late fees and can damage your credit rating. Whether it's a drawer, a box, or a file, be consistent. Size is also important. If you get a lot of mail, use an area that won't get filled up too quickly.
2. Pay Your Bills on Schedule
Bill paying can be simplified if it's done at scheduled times during the month. Depending on how many bills you receive, you can establish set times each month when none of your bills will be late. If you're paying bills as you receive them, chances are you're spending too much time in front of the checkbook. Although bills may state "Payable Upon Receipt", there's always a grace period. Call the creditor to find out when they need to receive payment before the bill is considered late.
3. Read Your Credit Card Statements
Most people take advantage of low interest credit card offers but never read their statements when paying the bill. Credit cards are notorious for using low interest as bait for new customers then switching to higher rates after a few months. Make a habit of looking at your statement carefully to see what interest rate you are paying each month and if any transaction fees have been applied. If the rate increases or a transaction fee appears on your statement, a simple call to the credit card company can oftentimes be beneficial in resolving the matter. If not, try to switch your money to a more favorable rate.
4. Take Advantage of Automatic Payments
Most banks offer a way to automatically deduct money from your account to pay creditors. In addition, the creditors usually offer a lower interest rate when you sign up for this payment option because they get their money faster and on-time. Consider it as one fewer check to write, envelope to lick and stamp to buy. Just make sure you record the deduction when the automatic payment is scheduled or you run the risk of bouncing other checks.
5. Computerize Your Checkbook
Using a software program is a handy way to organize your finances. Whether it's Quicken(r), Microsoft Money(r) or another package, these easy-to-use programs make bill paying and bank reconciliation a cinch. Computer checks can be ordered almost anywhere and fit right into most printers. Once the checks are printed, all of the information is automatically recorded in your electronic checkbook. Furthermore, many banks have direct downloads into these software packages so when money is deposited or withdrawn, the transaction is entered immediately onto your computer. And, when it comes time to do taxes, it couldn't be easier.
6. Get Overdraft Protection
Most banks have a service where, if you run the risk of bouncing a check, the money will come from another source. For a nominal fee, the bank will link your checking account to either a savings, money market, or credit card so the embarrassment of bouncing a check will be avoided. Call or visit your bank to learn about this convenient feature.
7. Cancel Unused Accounts
Whether it's a credit card or bank account, write a letter requesting that the account is formally closed. Not only will this improve your credit score, it is a useful way to avoid money from being scattered all over the place. Don't let department stores and credit card companies lure you into opening new accounts by offering favorable interest rates and purchase discounts. It's easy for credit to get out of hand by taking advantage of every credit offer that comes your way.
8. Consolidate Your Accounts
If you have several credit card accounts with outstanding balances, try to consolidate them into one. Be careful and check the balance transfer interest rates and one-time fees. Also, make a list of all your open Money Markets, Savings, CDs, IRAs, Mutual Funds, and other accounts to see if any consolidation can be done. Keeping your money in fewer places eliminates all of the guesswork involved and reduces errors.
9. Establish Automatic Savings
Create a link from your checking account into a savings account that will not be touched. This can usually be done through the banks and automatic amounts will be transferred over each month. Most people will not put money into a savings account on a regular basis. They may wait until a large tax refund check arrives or some other event to actually deposit money into savings, retirement or other accounts. If you establish an automatic savings deposit every month, your accounts will begin accumulating money faster than you think.
10. Clean up Your Files
Make sure your paid bills are organized in a filing cabinet. Keep individual files for paid bills. Go through your files at the end of each year and throw out bills and receipts no longer needed for auditing purposes. Contact your local IRS office to see how long records need to be kept for audits. Usually federal tax return audits can be done three years back but cancelled checks may need to be kept for seven. Consult the Internet for auditing and records-keeping procedures for your state or region.
Whether you are a new entrepreneur or a more experienced business owner, taking control of your finances can feel like a part-time job. Some simple tips can help you streamline your time, organize your finances and reduce the stress of business money matters.
1. Keep Your Bills in One Place
When the mail comes, make sure it goes in one place. Misplaced bills can be the cause of unwanted late fees and can damage your credit rating. Whether it's a drawer, a box, or a file, be consistent. Size is also important. If you get a lot of mail, use an area that won't get filled up too quickly.
2. Pay Your Bills on Schedule
Bill paying can be simplified if it's done at scheduled times during the month. Depending on how many bills you receive, you can establish set times each month when none of your bills will be late. If you're paying bills as you receive them, chances are you're spending too much time in front of the checkbook. Although bills may state "Payable Upon Receipt", there's always a grace period. Call the creditor to find out when they need to receive payment before the bill is considered late.
3. Read Your Credit Card Statements
Most people take advantage of low interest credit card offers but never read their statements when paying the bill. Credit cards are notorious for using low interest as bait for new customers then switching to higher rates after a few months. Make a habit of looking at your statement carefully to see what interest rate you are paying each month and if any transaction fees have been applied. If the rate increases or a transaction fee appears on your statement, a simple call to the credit card company can oftentimes be beneficial in resolving the matter. If not, try to switch your money to a more favorable rate.
4. Take Advantage of Automatic Payments
Most banks offer a way to automatically deduct money from your account to pay creditors. In addition, the creditors usually offer a lower interest rate when you sign up for this payment option because they get their money faster and on-time. Consider it as one fewer check to write, envelope to lick and stamp to buy. Just make sure you record the deduction when the automatic payment is scheduled or you run the risk of bouncing other checks.
5. Computerize Your Checkbook
Using a software program is a handy way to organize your finances. Whether it's Quicken(r), Microsoft Money(r) or another package, these easy-to-use programs make bill paying and bank reconciliation a cinch. Computer checks can be ordered almost anywhere and fit right into most printers. Once the checks are printed, all of the information is automatically recorded in your electronic checkbook. Furthermore, many banks have direct downloads into these software packages so when money is deposited or withdrawn, the transaction is entered immediately onto your computer. And, when it comes time to do taxes, it couldn't be easier.
6. Get Overdraft Protection
Most banks have a service where, if you run the risk of bouncing a check, the money will come from another source. For a nominal fee, the bank will link your checking account to either a savings, money market, or credit card so the embarrassment of bouncing a check will be avoided. Call or visit your bank to learn about this convenient feature.
7. Cancel Unused Accounts
Whether it's a credit card or bank account, write a letter requesting that the account is formally closed. Not only will this improve your credit score, it is a useful way to avoid money from being scattered all over the place. Don't let department stores and credit card companies lure you into opening new accounts by offering favorable interest rates and purchase discounts. It's easy for credit to get out of hand by taking advantage of every credit offer that comes your way.
8. Consolidate Your Accounts
If you have several credit card accounts with outstanding balances, try to consolidate them into one. Be careful and check the balance transfer interest rates and one-time fees. Also, make a list of all your open Money Markets, Savings, CDs, IRAs, Mutual Funds, and other accounts to see if any consolidation can be done. Keeping your money in fewer places eliminates all of the guesswork involved and reduces errors.
9. Establish Automatic Savings
Create a link from your checking account into a savings account that will not be touched. This can usually be done through the banks and automatic amounts will be transferred over each month. Most people will not put money into a savings account on a regular basis. They may wait until a large tax refund check arrives or some other event to actually deposit money into savings, retirement or other accounts. If you establish an automatic savings deposit every month, your accounts will begin accumulating money faster than you think.
10. Clean up Your Files
Make sure your paid bills are organized in a filing cabinet. Keep individual files for paid bills. Go through your files at the end of each year and throw out bills and receipts no longer needed for auditing purposes. Contact your local IRS office to see how long records need to be kept for audits. Usually federal tax return audits can be done three years back but cancelled checks may need to be kept for seven. Consult the Internet for auditing and records-keeping procedures for your state or region.