Debt Consolidation Financing - How To Best Understand Credit Reports

Ian Wilkie offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Debt Consolidation Financing - How To Best Understand Credit Reports
Author: Ian Wilkie
Category: Debt Consolidation, Personal Finance, Loans
Word Count: 467
Keywords: Debt Consolidation Financing, Debt Consolidation Help, Debt Help, Debt Free
Author's Email Address: info@mydebtconsolidationsolution.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Credit reports are often viewed with dread, especially by those who have entered difficult financial waters, however the reality is they are never your devil, even when the information maybe unwelcome. In order to achieve financial health, and clear up any debt issues you may have, it's necessary to have the best information possible about your credit status, that credit data is found, by both you and the lender, but more importantly, by you, in your detailed credit reports.

How and where to locate and obtain your credit reports, in the U.S.A credit reports are maintained, principally by the three major credit reporting agencies;

1. Equifax - PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 or,
2. Experian - PO Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 or,
3. TransUnion - PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022.

Your credit reports contain a multiple year history of your home loans, credit cards and a range of other loans and debts, they also record all late payments that occurred and how late they were, 30 day past due, 60 day past due, 90 day past due etc, the reports will categorize all current and previous address, and most likely your contact numbers and social security number. This facts is readily available to any qualified party for example, a bank, a credit card issuing company, a mortgage lender and certain others during legal proceedings. Nevertheless, though the companies all genuinely try to maintain accurate information, the reports could possibly contain mistakes.

Identifying mistakes in credit reports.

Credit reports could frequently include loans as active when they have been paid off, they could possibly list current credit cards you cancelled long ago and could also fail to include payments made to make up overdue amounts and arrears. Many times, this is not sloppiness on the part of the credit bureaus nevertheless simply an indication of timing and other general} human errors in keeping such information, the world could be computerized, nonetheless those databases still don't always communicate adequately between different companies and organizations using different systems.

The only thing that an individual can do about this, most often out of self-protection, if nothing else, is to acquire copies from all three agencies and review them thoroughly, make a thought of any mistakes, obtain evidence of the mistake and then forward a registered letter with the proof to the agency asking them to correct the data. Thanks to recent government legislation, you can obtain one free copy of your credit report per year, there are plenty ways to do this, online by filling out a form or by calling, another way is to visit - Annual Credit Report online.

Lastly, on a more positive thought, having the information at hand allows you to develop a debt-free plan for your future, understanding your past credit history is the first step in building any debt consolidation solution.

Ian Wilkie is a published author of many debt consolidation financing articles and owner of - http://www.mydebtconsolidationsolution.com your one-stop online resource for Debt Help.
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Factoring Medical Receivables Provides Cash Flow

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Article Title: Factoring Medical Receivables Provides Cash Flow
Author: Kent Harlan
Category: Loans, Loans
Word Count: 680
Keywords: medical receivables factoring,medical invoice factoring,medical working capital,healthcare financing
Author's Email Address: k.harlan@mchsi.com
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Factoring medical receivables has become a popular means of acquiring capital. It wasn't too many years ago when the hot trend in the physician world was the purchase of medical practices by hospitals. The theory was that not only would the hospitals benefit by an influx of referrals, the physicians would not have the headache of managing their practice and therefore earn more and work less.

Unfortunately, this rosy scenario has not always worked out and, as a result, many doctors are terminating their contracts with the hospitals. This has forced the physicians to re-establish their practices. For most doctors, maintaining their customer base isn't a problem, as most patients will follow them back into private practice. The main issue is practice management in general, and financing in particular.

Although the physician may have no trouble getting financing for capital expenditures, a more ongoing problem is how to pay expenses and overhead incurred during the 60 to 90 days it takes to get paid from third party payers. As doctors and other providers are getting financially squeezed because of reduced Medicare reimbursements and higher costs, the need for funding becomes greater. Even the most efficiently run practices need short term working capital as their businesses grow, and as a result of this need, healthcare financing companies have sprung up to provide medical receivables funding.

Even though the largest asset of most providers is their accounts receivable, most banks won't lend money on that asset. Loan officers often lack the specialized knowledge of the healthcare claim billing and collection process. Because there can be a significant difference between the expected amount to be paid versus the face amount of the billings, banks are leery of using it as collateral. In a medical factoring situation, the funding company purchases the outstanding receivables of the practice, thereby assuming an ownership position in the receivables. Because the ownership of the receivable has changed, the practice also passes along the credit risk to the funding source.

ADVANTAGES OF RECEIVABLES FUNDING

* There is no monthly debt service because the funding is not a loan.
* It is an off-balance sheet transaction since the client is selling an asset.
* The client can receive fresh cash weekly, thus providing a manageable flow of funds.
* Because the only asset that is encumbered is the receivables, the healthcare firm can pursue other types of financing concurrent to this program.
* Factor fees tend to be much less than paying a billing company.
* No personal guarantees are required. The factoring company is more interested in the credit of the payor.

THE FUNDING PROCESS

1. The provider completes a client application and submits it to the funding source.
2. The funding source sends out a Letter of Intent, which specifies what can be done for the healthcare provider.
3. After receipt of the signed Letter of Intent, the funding source draws up a Purchase and Sales Contract for the client. This contract specifies the fees to be charged and the advance rate to the provider. The provider must pay a due diligence fee. This fee helps the funding source defray costs of researching and analyzing the practice's billing methods and procedures and to verify that the net collectible billing is accurately reflected on the firm's books.
4. The funding source performs final due diligence, and provides reports to the client's management as to the integrity of the billing and collection system.
5. The factor advances 75%-85% of the net collectible receivables to the client's bank account.
6. When the invoice is paid to the factor, the remaining amount (invoice total less the advance less the factor fee) is wired to the customer's account.

The factoring of medical receivables is a relatively new industry, but is also rapidly growing. It can provide much-needed working capital to providers for meeting expenses, making investments, growing the practice, and taking advantage of early payment discounts.

Kent Harlan has been a CPA since 1984 and is the owner of Ozarks Capital Funding, a Missouri-based company offering financing in the areas of accounts receivable factoring, equipment leasing, asset based lending, and financing for healthcare providers.
http://ocflink.com
kenth@ocflink.com
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Home Loan Uptake 'Rises'

Abbi Rouse offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Home Loan Uptake 'Rises'
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans, Mortgage, Personal Finance
Word Count: 503
Keywords: secured loans,finance,personal finance,loans,borrowing
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
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Approvals for secured loans increased over the course of May.

According to new figures by the Bank of England, some 114,000 mortgage approvals for house purchase were granted last month - a rise from the 109,000 recorded during April. Overall, 17 billion pounds in home loans was approved in May, in comparison to 16.3 billion pounds lent out from the previous month. Meanwhile, the value of secured loans taken out against all property was reported to have risen to 32.9 billion pounds.

The study also indicated that total lending growth to individuals picked up last month as an extra 9.5 billion pounds was issued compared to an increase of 9.2 billion pounds in April. However, in spite of the resurgence, the Bank's May figure was reported to be below the previous six-month average. Consequently, the 12-month growth rate fell to 10.2 per cent - a decrease of 0.2 percentage points.

Meanwhile, a fall in net credit card lending was found to have taken place. May lending said to be down by 0.2 billion pounds, in comparison to a 0.1 billion pounds increase in April. The study also indicated a rising take-up of other loans and advances as growth in this area was reported to be 1.1 billion pounds - a rise from the 0.4 billion pounds previously recorded. Despite this, year-on-year consumer credit uptake decreased to 5.2 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Howard Archer, chief UK and European analyst for Global Insight, said: "Despite the pick up in mortgage activity in May, the overall trend still appears to be weaker in recent months as higher interest rates, elevated house prices and modest real disposable income growth increasingly squeeze new buyers out of the market and make it more difficult for existing house owners to trade up."

Mr Archer claimed that the property market could be set for a further "slowdown in activity" as consumers struggle further to make repayments on secured loans. The economist also suggested that there is a chance that the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) will increase interest rates by 0.25 per cent to 5.75 when it meets next week. He added that there was a "very real possibility" that the MPC is set push up the base rate to the six per cent barrier before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, a "substantial number" of consumers were claimed to be set to see their Secured loan costs increase "markedly" over the remainder of 2007 as they come to the end of their fixed-rate mortgage deals. Despite this predicted increase in mortgage costs, prices are still expected to continue to rise, with borrowers set to take out higher loans in a bid to get on the property ladder.

Mr Archer also pointed out that consumers are still increasingly stretching themselves to buy a home despite the effects of recent base rate rises on their finances. "Clearly, the higher interest rates go, the greater the danger that at a growing number of people will be pushed over the edge in their personal finances," he added.

Abbi Rouse writes for Essentially Home Loans. Our visitors can apply for secured home loans online, for whatever reason with whatever credit history. Visit us today for the best rate loans available. http://www.essentiallyhomeloans.co.uk
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Purchase Order Funding Provides Instant Cash from Invoices and Contracts

Kent Harlan offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Purchase Order Funding Provides Instant Cash from Invoices and Contracts
Author: Kent Harlan
Category: Loans, Loans
Word Count: 573
Keywords: purchase order funding, PO funding,transaction financing,cash flow,factoring,working capital
Author's Email Address: k.harlan@mchsi.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Regardless of business size or stage of development, every commercial enterprise is dependent on sufficient and adequate cash flow in order to grow and prosper and purchase order funding can be a part of the solution. Whether maintaining existing operations or attempting to expand, it can't happen without sufficient cash flow, either internally generated or supplied externally.

Purchase order funding provides a readily available source for internal financing - immediate access to capital from existing invoices or purchase orders. This financing provides your firm with the money in order for you to perform an invoice or contract requirement before it becomes a receivable.

Purchase order financing typically provides 100% funding based on qualified pre-shipment documents, purchase orders, invoices, and contracts. This is true even for international or export/import transactions. The quality of the transaction and its support documentation becomes the determining factor in the deal, not the balance sheet or income statement of your company.

Early stage, mature and start up companies use PO funding. In each case, the company has successfully marketed its goods or services, and has a bona fide sale lined up with the buyer. The only missing link is the financing needed to complete the order.

Commercial banks are not prepared to fund these types of high-risk endeavors. Since there is as yet no receivable, factoring is not a financing alternative. Supplier financing, absent a track record of sales of sufficient magnitude or frequency, will either not be present and inadequate. In fact, the need for immediate financing help often arises because the supplier has reduced or changed the terms of supplier financing. The unfortunate result is that the company has a solid contract or sales opportunity and no way to perform due to lack of financing. In a distribution situation, the lack of financing can kill the business.

With transaction or purchase order financing, the level of funding is primarily geared to the quality of the underlying sale, not the overall financial position of the borrower. The quality of the sale and the creditworthiness of the buyer are the prime factors of risk to be considered in giving the firm 100% financing including related shipment costs. If delivery and acceptance of the goods or products depend on fabrication, assembly, or some other additions by the firm, then the track record of your company in successfully attaining delivery, acceptance, and payment must also be considered.

Typically, transaction financing provides 60-90 days short-term funding (usually at some cap per transaction), often up to 100% payment to the supplier of the products. This in turn allows the company to complete and satisfy the contract with immediate delivery and performance to the client.

Fees or costs to the financing source for this funding may be in the form of an initial charge and/or monthly discount from the proceeds of the sale. The cost rate for that discount may vary by transaction based on how long within the 60-90 day period it takes to get full payment from your client and the perceived risks as to payment for the financing.

From the owner's or CEO's perspective, access to purchase order funding (used either singularly or in conjunction with other sources) can literally be the key to real and sustained business success. It can result in larger sales opportunities, faster growth potential, stable cash flow, and increased profits. Most importantly, it builds a solid track record of sales and profitability - both key ingredients for banking and supplier confidence.

Kent Harlan has been a CPA since 1984 and is the owner of Ozarks Capital Funding, a Missouri-based company offering financing in the areas of accounts receivable factoring, equipment leasing, asset based lending, and financing for healthcare providers.
http://ocflink.com
kenth@ocflink.com
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How To Use Mortgage Refinance To Help With Your Debt Consolidation Solution

Ian Wilkie offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: How To Use Mortgage Refinance To Help With Your Debt Consolidation Solution
Author: Ian Wilkie
Category: Debt Consolidation, Loans, Personal Finance
Word Count: 569
Keywords: Debt Consolidation Solution, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Help, Debt Free
Author's Email Address: info@mydebtconsolidationsolution.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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There are several interlocking reasons to consider when refinancing your mortgage. When rates are low, you can lower your monthly repayment and/or the total amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan, you may also want to take out some equity to finance home improvement projects or pay off other debts, but as a method of adjusting or lowering debt it has some drawbacks that should be considered before making that big step.

The pros and cons of mortgage refinancing as a solution to debt consolidation.

One drawback is what was just alluded to in the opening paragraph, it is a big step, refinancing your current mortgage loan involves most of the steps required to take out the loan in the first place. You will need information such as current income / wages statements, past tax filings and an array of other documentation along with the extra filling out of a lot of paperwork, and sometimes paying additional fees.

All that takes time and can cost you a substantial sum of money before the process is complete, you will want to be sure to run some realistic calculations before making a final decision, there are many online calculators that are readily available to help you perform this assessment.

One reason some consider making the effort, though, is almost always a poor one, to use the drawn down funds to pay off credit card and other high interest debt. There are a number of ways to dispose of that debt without going through the difficulties of refinancing your primary mortgage loan. If you have reasonable credit and some equity, you can get a second mortgage or a homeowner's equity line of credit (HELOC). The interest rates may be slightly higher, but you will find the effort in applying for the loan is considerably less, it will also help protect you in the event of any financial reverses in your circumstances, provided you continue to make the primary payments, if you slide for a while on the secondary you are unlikely to be at risk of losing your home.

Another secondary reason is more fundamental, rather than continuing to seek a way out of debt by borrowing yet more money, you should first make serious efforts to reduce your dependence on borrowing. Whilst some re-adjustment of your current debt may be a good plan, if you can achieve a lower total outstanding debt, or a lower interest rate or negotiate relief from some of the payments, however borrowing more will only add to your long term debt problems, this action should be a last resort, not the first action you think of as a way out of your debt problems.

Debt consolidation solutions often lead to merely reshuffling your debt, sometimes adding more interest and making your situation worse, however if it is coupled with a manageable payment plan that does in fact gradually reduce the burden, while making it possible to meet your obligations, it can be a very good debt consolidation plan.

In the end, the only way for you to know for sure is to objectively examine all your outstanding obligations and research the different plans available maybe some combination of debt forgiveness, lowered monthly payment(s) and reduced interest payments is the ideal debt consolidation solution you should shoot for, do not surrender your home in order to deal with a short term problem that can be fixed by other methods.

Ian Wilkie is a published author of many debt consolidation financing articles and owner of - http://www.mydebtconsolidationsolution.com your one-stop online resource for Debt Help.
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Consumer Credit Is A 'Good Thing'

Abbi Rouse offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Consumer Credit Is A 'Good Thing'
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans
Word Count: 491
Keywords: finance,credit,loans,secured,personal
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Although uptake of consumer credit is falling, an industry expert has asserted that loans and credit cards still be a useful spending tool.

Helen Saxon, spokesperson for the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), claimed that personal borrowing uptake is falling as Britons continue to feel the impact of recent interest rate rises by the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC). Over the last 12 months, the MPC has increased the base rate four times which has increased the cost of secured loan repayments, with a further rise predicted to take place when the committee meets later this week.

She said: "There is less money around because people are putting more towards their mortgage. It's natural to tighten your belt in these cases and spend less on credit cards." Overall, she claimed that consumer credit can be "a good thing as long as it is used sensibly" and that the surge in its availability to borrowers has seen it "pretty much propping up the economy".

The spokesperson added that credit can act as a "leveller" as it gives Britons the opportunity "to buy things that otherwise they couldn't afford or that they would have to save up for a long time for". However, Ms Saxon warned that lenders need to do as much as possible to ensure "safeguards" are in place so that consumers do not develop unmanageable debt problems where they are unable to make repayments on existing loans.

"Responsible lending is a buzzword that has been around for many years - and lenders do try and do that to the best of their ability with the data available," the FLA representative pointed out. She added that consumer credit lenders such as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were reported to have their finance provided from a bank which in turn consults repayment and credit reference agencies to make certain that borrowers can afford to make pay off loans. Ms Saxon also claimed that repayments on borrowing, "especially on the credit card side", have been increasing over the past year which could indicate a greater desire among consumers to manage their debts.

In related news, it has been recently suggested that moves by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to make credit charges more "transparent" would be a "boon" for consumers. Stephen Rose, director of Debt Advice Bureau, claimed: "Anything that makes it clearer and more obvious to borrowers what the cost of the debt will be - what the charges are, what the interest rates are - is obviously good and they will be in a position to make a more informed choice."

He added that although the OFT proposals may not make an impact on credit card uptake, those who opt for the borrowing method "can know more and are better informed". Mr Rose went on to suggest that recent moves within the consumer credit market - which includes personal loans, credit cards and store cards - can only be good news for borrowers.

Abbi Rouse writes for AllAboutLoans.co.uk, an online loans comparison site, visit us today for information on all loan topics including cheap loans applications and loans sourcing from all leading UK providers. Our Site: http://www.allaboutloans.co.uk/
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Brits 'Willing To Carry On Borrowing'

Tom Dawson offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Brits 'Willing To Carry On Borrowing'
Author: Tom Dawson
Category: Loans, Debt Consolidation, Personal Finance
Word Count: 689
Keywords: debt consolidation,home improvements,finances,borrowing,money,credit
Author's Email Address: webmaster@essentiallyhomeloans.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

In research released earlier this week, just under half of consumers who have taken out personal loans were reported to be open to the thought of taking on more debt in the future. According to a study by Motley Fool, three out of seven respondents claim they would borrow again. And although 60 per cent said they are determined to never take out credit in the future, a quarter believed that they could 'never say never'.

Overall, the typical borrower was reported to have obtained a loan of 7,000 pounds payable repayments over a period of about three years. Although a third of those surveyed are said to have already completed their loans, the research also showed some confusion among those with money still left to pay on how long their repayments will last. Debt consolidation borrowers were reported to believe it will take some 41 months, before clearing what they owed, with the firm suggesting that it actually takes three months' less time for this to happen.

The findings also indicated that the majority of respondents (39 per cent) were looking to borrow as a means of debt consolidation on other forms of credit. With the second highest average amount of money taken out (7,628 pounds - only behind those taking out a loan for business purposes), such consumers were reported to take up to 41 months to pay off their borrowing. Yet, with some 44 per cent said to be open to the idea of taking out another loan in the future, these Britons could be set to face even further financial pressures in later life.

Meanwhile, funding the purchase of a car, motorcycle or another vehicle was reported to account for just over a third (35 per cent) of borrowers' spending intentions as they look to take out a typical amount of 6,570 pounds. Research from the financial services firm showed home improvements to be the third most popular reason to take out a loan at an average of 6,894 pounds, making up 12 per cent of all respondents' spending plans. For both these sets of consumers, 39 per cent were reported to be willing to apply for a loan again at some point.

David Kuo, head of personal finance for the Motley Fool, said: "Borrowing money may seem like a convenient way to plug a hole in your spending plans. But a hole in your budget may be a sign of deeper problems that can often be solved, not by increasing net borrowing but by cutting gross spending". He added that consumers should take the time to consider their full financial options before deciding to get a loan.

Following Mr Kuo's comments, the financial services provider recommended those who do opt to take out a loan should borrow only "the absolute minimum you need" as the more money taken consequently drives the amount of interest payable. Meanwhile, consumers were urged to check the total amount repayable rather than the annual percentage rate (APR) when comparing deals as APRs are said to be possible victims of manipulation. The Motley Fool also suggested that borrowers keep the term of their borrowing as short as possible while ensuring that they are always able to afford their monthly repayments.

However, those who finish making their personal loan payments ahead of schedule were warned that they could be charged with the equivalent of two months' extra interest via early payment penalties. Findings from the firm also indicated that people who choose a variable-rate lending product were advised to prepare their finances sufficiently in advance to cope with a rise in monthly repayments should the Bank of England's monetary policy committee choose to increase the base in the coming months.

Earlier this year, Mr Kuo suggested that although a debt consolidation loan "can be a welcome lifeline" for those struggling with their finances, people should use them wisely. His comments come after research by the financial services firm revealed three in five people who borrow money to reduce their debts into one repayment take out another loan in the future. Meanwhile the typical consolidation loan was reported to be 16,500 pounds, taking some eight years to pay off.

Tom Dawson writes for Essentially Home Loans where visitors can apply for secured personal loans online, we also specialise in bad credit secured loans for UK residents. Visit Today: http://news.essentiallyhomeloans.co.uk
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Debt Consolidation Financing - How To Understand Credit Reports

Ian Wilkie offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
-----------
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
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Article Title: Debt Consolidation Financing - How To Understand Credit Reports
Author: Ian Wilkie
Category: Debt Consolidation, Loans, Personal Finance
Word Count: 467
Keywords: Debt Consolidation Financing, Debt Consolidation Help, Debt Help, Debt Free
Author's Email Address: info@mydebtconsolidationsolution.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Credit reports are often viewed with dread, especially by those who have entered difficult financial waters, however the reality is they are never your devil, even when the information maybe unwelcome. In order to achieve financial health, and clear up any debt issues you may have, it's necessary to have the best information possible about your credit status, that credit data is found, by both you and the lender, but more importantly, by you, in your detailed credit reports.

How and where to locate and obtain your credit reports, in the U.S.A credit reports are maintained, principally by the three major credit reporting agencies;

1. Equifax - www.equifax.com PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 or,
2. Experian - www.experian.com PO Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 or,
3. TransUnion - www.transunion.com PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022.

Your credit reports contain a multiple year history of your home loans, credit cards and a range of other loans and debts, they also record all late payments that occurred and how late they were, 30 day past due, 60 day past due, 90 day past due etc, the reports will categorize all current and previous address, and most likely your contact numbers and social security number. This facts is readily available to any qualified party for example, a bank, a credit card issuing company, a mortgage lender and certain others during legal proceedings. Nevertheless, though the companies all genuinely try to maintain accurate information, the reports could possibly contain mistakes.

Identifying mistakes in credit reports.

Credit reports could frequently include loans as active when they have been paid off, they could possibly list current credit cards you cancelled long ago and could also fail to include payments made to make up overdue amounts and arrears. Many times, this is not sloppiness on the part of the credit bureaus nevertheless simply an indication of timing and other general} human errors in keeping such information, the world could be computerized, nonetheless those databases still don't always communicate adequately between different companies and organizations using different systems.

The only thing that an individual can do about this, most often out of self-protection, if nothing else, is to acquire copies from all three agencies and review them thoroughly, make a thought of any mistakes, obtain evidence of the mistake and then forward a registered letter with the proof to the agency asking them to correct the data. Thanks to recent government legislation, you can obtain one free copy of your credit report per year, there are plenty ways to do this, online by filling out a form or by calling, another way is to visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

Lastly, on a more positive thought, having the information at hand allows you to develop a debt-free plan for your future, understanding your past credit history is the first step in building any debt consolidation solution.

Ian Wilkie is a published author of many debt consolidation financing articles and owner of - http://www.mydebtconsolidationsolution.com your one-stop online resource for Debt Help.
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Bank Of England Increase Base Rate

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Article Title: Bank Of England Increase Base Rate
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans, Personal Finance
Word Count: 502
Keywords: interest rates,personal loans,finance,money,base rate,borrowing
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
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------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) has today announced that interest rates are to rise by 0.25 percentage points to 5.75 per cent. According to the committee, credit uptake and spending are growing "rapidly" as global economic expansion continues to increase. With this latest rise the third to have taken place over the course of 2007, borrowers could soon find pressure on their personal finances increasing.

Commenting on the figures, Mike Naylor, uSwitch personal finance expert said: "The impact of three base rate rises this year should not be underestimated - this is going to hurt a lot of households, especially those with variable rate mortgages. Thankfully, consumers can still cover the cost of the mortgage interest rate rises just by being a bit more savvy and switching their current account, credit cards and loans to get a better deal."

As a result of the July increase, consumers are set to find their secured loan costs have risen by 677 pounds since the start of 2007. However, with the financial comparison website reporting that interest rates are expected to rise up to the six per cent barrier by the end of the year homeowners could find their ability to make mortgage repayments squeezed even further. Mr Naylor added that "it is more important than ever" for consumers to start to consider changing personal finance products in order to get the best deal possible.

He suggested that by changing energy suppliers Britons could save up to 325 pounds a year. However, if consumers fail to do so than the uSwitch expert claimed that they could risk paying more money than necessary on their credit cards, overdrafts and mortgages.

Following the fifth MPC rise in under 12 months, managing director of moneysupermarket Stuart Glendinning claimed that the latest hike could be "the straw that breaks the camel's back". He added that the effect of various increases to consumers' monthly outgoings could be "devastating" as their personal finances face further pressure. Figures from the monetary company also revealed that following the 'shock' rise in January just over half of all homeowners claimed to have been adversely affected but, with two increases taking place since then, a "bleak" outlook was predicted for many consumers.

Meanwhile, Mark Blackwell, head of corporate and specialist lending for Cheltenham & Gloucester, suggested that the MPC could have "made the right move" by increasing the cost borrowing. He claimed that despite signs of the economy slowing down, house prices continue to rise as secured loan growth "remains resilient". Mr Blackwell also asserted that despite predictions among the financial market that another base rate increase will happen by the end of 2007, he suggested that such a move may not transpire until next year and could actually be a decrease.

Although Scottish Widows Investment Partnership pointed out that such a rise beyond the 5.75 per cent barrier were likely to be unnecessary, "there is a clear risk that an impatient MPC may push rates up to 6 per cent or beyond over the next few months".

Abbi Rouse writes for Loan-Arrangers .co.uk where visitors can compare loans online. Then apply for the best rate secured loans and bad credit loans available. Visit our site http://www.loan-arrangers.co.uk
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Checking Credit History 'Could Reduce Loan Costs'

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Article Title: Checking Credit History 'Could Reduce Loan Costs'
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans, Personal Finance
Word Count: 501
Keywords: check,credit,history,often,secured,personal,loans
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
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------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Those looking to take out a personal loan should get their credit history checked out more than once, a new report has advised.

According to research by Which?, Britons should check their files with all three of the country's credit reference agencies - Call Credit, Experian and Equifax - at least once every year, or whenever they want to borrow money, as doing so could see them get a more competitive rate of interest on their loan. The firm claimed that as various credit providers use reports from different agencies they do not always hold the same information on consumers when judging their ability to make repayments on borrowing. And with a credit check costing about 2 pounds each, consumers were advised that it could be "money spent well" if it helps to secure a lower rate of interest.

Martyn Hocking, editor for Which? Money, said: "Checking your credit files is quick, simple and cheap. You can check all three files for a total cost of 6 pounds - definitely money well spent when you consider what you could pay in additional interest if there's a mistake on your files. You don't have to pay for expensive options promoted by the agencies though and watch out for unnecessary ID theft insurance - you can protect yourself for far less simply by checking your files and bank statements."

Overall, about one in five Which? members who have had their credit history checked out fully were reported to have unearthed a mistake in their file. Meanwhile, an internet survey by the consumer watchdog revealed that some seven out of ten respondents have never had their files checked by a credit reference agency.

However, those found to generally have a poor financial rating and who are consequently forced to take out a bad credit loan could well access cheaper borrowing in the future. James Cotton from London & Country Mortgages told the Times that if such consumers ensure that they meeting payment demands over the term of their loans, then by the time they have made their final repayments they should be able to have repaired their record enough to take out a more competitively priced product in the future.

His comments follow research carried out by GMAC-RFC which indicated that about three out of four consumers with a sub-prime loan are between the ages of 35 and 54. In addition to facing higher rates of interest, such borrowers were also reported to be "clobbered" with additional higher lending charges. Meanwhile, Savills Private Finance representative Melanie Bien claimed that those who have a "blip" on their credit report as a result of occasionally missing repayments should still be able to take out a competitively-priced loan if they take the time to research the various options available to them.

Earlier this week, Ray Boulger, senior technical manager of John Charcol, claimed that as the number of Britons with a poor credit history rises "there must be the right solutions in place to break what can become a vicious circle of debt".

Abbi Rouse writes for 1 stop finance shop where visitors can apply for UK debt consolidation loans and also focuses on cheap personal loans and bad credit secured loans for UK residents. Visit Today: http://www.1stopfinanceshopuk.biz
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Options Cause Modern-Day Temptations

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Article Title: Options Cause Modern-Day Temptations
Author: Ajeet Khurana
Category: Loans
Word Count: 414
Keywords: payday loans
Author's Email Address: kits_ajeet@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Today's world has given us a whole lot of choices. Sometimes it seems as though we are getting attacked by all sorts of options. We can choose from among different modes of conveyance. We can choose from among different brands of clothes. We are blessed with such a wide range of stores to shop in. And this is just the start.

We can even choose from the many movies in the theatre. We no longer have to come home with sad faces because we got no tickets to the movie playing in the neighborhood theatre. Thanks to the rise of multiplexes we can always try getting tickets for some other movie if the tickets for the one that we originally wanted have been sold out. Even when it comes to eating out, we no longer have just a few restaurants to choose from. There are all sorts of restaurants everywhere, each of them claiming to be better than their nearest rivals.

The fact that we are given so many options intensifies the number of temptations that we have to combat. It is human nature to equate temptation with the immoral aspects of life such as excessive alcohol, unsafe sex, gambling, stealing, and so on. However, wouldn't you agree that the temptation to spend more than you wanted to is far more overpowering than most of these other so-called immoral temptations?

For instance, if you go to a bookstore (assuming that you are a booklover), you would probably have to keep yourself on a tight leash to make sure that you do not buy more books than you can afford. Temptation is far more difficult to resist when it is something like books or movies that you feel would do your good. If something is good for you, would that justify your going over-budget?

It is permissible to overspend some times. But what do you do if you then get stuck with some other urgent expense that you lack the money to pay for? In the old days, you might have been stuck. However, banks have come up with the concept of payday loans to help you cope at such times. Thus, someone who is broke can apply for a payday loan to tide him over till his next paycheck comes in. This is a very convenient loan type. Of course, that is not reason enough to give in to temptation and regularly go overboard with one's expenses. However, at times of emergency, a payday loan is a godsend.

Loans just got simpler. Get them at http://www.rebuild.org/ Find out about fast payday loans at http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/payday_loans.html and I mean the helpful no fax payday loans like the ones at http://www.rebuild.org/payday-loans.html
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Medical Loans: What to do When You Need Money for Medical Treatment

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Article Title: Medical Loans: What to do When You Need Money for Medical Treatment
Author: Amy Nutt
Category: Loans
Word Count: 473
Keywords: dental financing
Author's Email Address: amy@searchenginepeople.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Medical treatment is very expensive, but unlike most pricey items, it's not an optional or luxury purchase for those in need of treatment. Unfortunately, not everyone has health insurance. Even those who do have health insurance may not have sufficient coverage for all of their medical expenses. Many medical facilities have links with financial institutions which offer medical loans. These loans are cash advances made specifically for the purpose of medical intervention only, and are a financing option for people who are not able to pay for medical treatment on their own.

Medical loans are normally unsecured loans that are awarded on the basis of the applicant's credit record and earning capacity. The advantages of obtaining a medical loan are that you can undergo whatever medical procedure you require at the time when you need it without worrying about paying for the entire procedure at once. Medical loans typically have regular interest rates and so are not difficult to repay. Getting a medical loan is definitely much better than charging the medical bill to your credit card which could result in long term, high interest debt.

Medical loans can be used not only for emergency medical interventions, but also for those that are not covered under health care insurance, such as cosmetic surgery, liposuction, dental cosmetic surgery, detoxification and similar other procedures that you feel are important to you but that your insurance company does not deem as medically necessary.

Where Do You Get Medical Loans?
There are many places to find medical loans. Before taking out a medical loan, you might want to run a search on the Internet to find out about the different sources of medical loans. You might also want to contact medical practices in your area to determine which lenders they recommend to their patients and check out their terms. As with any type of loan, it is a good idea to compare terms and conditions before signing a contract.

You could also get this information from your own doctor's office as well as from online and from other medical practices. Just make sure that you know the prevailing interest rates before you make a decision. Also be aware that sometimes the financial institutions offer medical practitioners a percentage for every person referred. Therefore, when you take the advice of your doctor's office without making comparisons, you cannot be sure you are getting the best offer.

Other Loans For Medical Treatment
In case you find that the medical loans are not suitable for you, you could always go for a regular loan. For example, homeowners might find a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage to be better a better option for them. Research carefully before you make your decision, so you can avail of the best possible offer.

Credit Medical offers dental financing for dental cosmetic procedures such as bleaching, bonding, dentures, laminating, veneers.
http://www.creditmedical.com/proc_dent1.asp
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Changing Attitudes Towards I.O.U.s

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Article Title: Changing Attitudes Towards I.O.U.s
Author: Ajeet Khurana
Category: Loans
Word Count: 419
Keywords: personal loans
Author's Email Address: kits_ajeet@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

The times are a-changing, and so are the attitudes. With education and the growth of industry, so much of our previous beliefs have become obsolete. Schooling has become an essential feature in families of all classes today. Educated people are no longer limited to only the privileged upper classes. Governments all around the world have for quite some time become conscious of the need to keep spreading the power of education.

The changing attitudes are seen not only with regard to education. Gender issues have also been impacted by the changing ideas. Women are no longer limited to being at home. They now have the freedom to venture out in the world to find their fortunes. Finding one's fortunes is no more limited to only the male species. Moreover, it has become easier than ever before to actually find one's fortunes.

This is partly due to the immense expansion in the field of personal finance. To what can we attribute this growth in the field of personal finance? One of the reasons will have to be the changing attitudes of the people. There was a time when people were uncomfortable to go and get a loan. Then, they simply waited for conditions to get better till they were persuaded that no betterment would be likely. It was only then that they decided to go out and get some loans to try and eliminate their money problems.

Attitudes have changed a great deal since those days. Today, people are more than willing to go to a bank or some other financial institution to avail of loans. They know that they will not be laughed at or insulted. Banking representatives are taught to treat all visitors with respect. So even while rejecting a client, they use the softest words possible. Gone are the days when people developed goose bumps at the mere thought of having to go to a moneylender. These days it is normal procedure to walk into a bank and browse through one your own loan deals that are available to you.

As a result of the changed attitudes in the world of today, banking institutions have taken it upon themselves to make life easier for all those who are endeavoring to improve their standards of living. As a result, our world is being inundated with loans that pertain to houses, cars, education, home improvement and more. Working up a tab is no longer a bad thing. After all, credit cards have turned into status symbols. Changing attitudes are the ones to blame.

Cheap personal loans can help you in your time of need. Get them at http://www.rebuild.org/loans.html Also remember to choose online loans at http://www.rebuild.org/ and get debt consolidation loans at http://www.rebuild.org/debt-consolidation.html
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Debt Consolidation Financing - Pros & Cons of Secured and Unsecured Loans

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Article Title: Debt Consolidation Financing - Pros & Cons of Secured and Unsecured Loans
Author: Ian Wilkie
Category: Loans, Debt Consolidation, Personal Finance
Word Count: 553
Keywords: Debt Consolidation Financing, Debt Consolidation Help, Debt Help, Debt Free
Author's Email Address: info@mydebtconsolidationsolution.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Both the lender and borrower are faced at the outset with a basic decision, to either obtain or provide a loan that is either secured or unsecured, however what does that mean, and what are the pros and cons for the borrower and lender?

Pros & Cons of Secured and Unsecured Loans.

A secured loan is one in which the money borrowed is guaranteed to be repaid or some asset will be forfeited by the borrower. A common example is a home or property loan, the borrower agrees to repay on the contract terms, and if theory default, the lender can legally claim the home or property as compensation. In theory, this means that if you miss a payment on the home or property loan, the lender has the legal right to foreclose and sell the property or home. In practice, this rarely happens, as among other reasons, lenders know that reclaiming a house or property is a long and unpleasant practice and they would be left with the necessity to sell the home or property to recoup their money.

The majority of lenders are not going to do that for such a small misstep, as missing a single payment, even when the borrower lags by several months and payments, normally at most the lender will typically send a series of firm letters of demand, demanding payment before taking any further action. Even in an active and robust seller's market lenders have many more important actions and projects to do and don not want to undertake the effort of removing a homeowner and selling a house.

However, it is smart to realize that the lender has this legal right, how important or not that right is can be judged by recognizing that even with an unsecured loan, creditors have the legal right to seize assets like salaries, wages, stocks, bonds and other property. This action requires only undertaking a relatively easy and inexpensive legal procedure to declare the borrower in default, but, legal procedures are only relatively simple and inexpensive and lenders will almost always try to negotiate a repayment option before taking that final step.

There are many other differences between secured and unsecured loans that borrowers should be aware of, since the money in an unsecured loan is not, in theory, backed by the right to seize the asset in case of default, the interest rates on unsecured loans are normally much higher as the lender is taking a larger risk, and they are compensated by charging higher interest rates on unsecured loans, which covers their losses from defaults, which are normally higher on unsecured loans and is one way to change borrowers incentives not to default. Most people will try much harder to meet a debt that is tied to their home or other asset than for an unsecured loan.

So, there are many pros and cons for both the borrower and lender when obtaining or providing one type of loan versus the other, as the borrower, you may find it necessary to incur a higher rate of interest if you don't have a home, bonds or other assets to offer as collateral, or you may simply not want to put those assets at risk. Importantly only you can decide in your particular circumstances whether the advantages outweigh the risks and additional costs and interest.

Ian Wilkie is a published author of many debt consolidation financing articles and owner of - http://www.mydebtconsolidationsolution.com your one-stop online resource for Debt Help.
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Using Invoice Factoring to Grow Your Business

Kent Harlan offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Using Invoice Factoring to Grow Your Business
Author: Kent Harlan
Category: Loans, Loans
Word Count: 615
Keywords: invoice factoring,accounts receivable factoring,working capital,cash flow,receivables funding
Author's Email Address: k.harlan@mchsi.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Invoice factoring can be utilized when you've refused a job or an order because your business didn't have enough capital to purchase the supplies or hire the extra staff. You build a good reputation, have good workers and then when you finally get a nice big contract, you have to turn it down because all your money is tied up in accounts receivables. You know the bills will be paid, but they aren't due quite yet so you are the one who suffers because of cash flow problems.

If you have customers who are established, are good credit risks and almost always pay on time, you can sell those invoices to an investor (a factor). Factoring will give you an advance of 70% to 90% when the invoice is issued and will wait for the bill to be paid. Then you will get the rest of the money minus a small fee of 2% to 4% per month. The advance and fee depend on monthly volume, size of invoice, credit, time it takes to be paid and other variables.

Some business people are under the impression that the advance of 70% to 90% is all they get. They are thrilled when they discover they get the rest when the bill is paid except for the small fee. So they actually get 96% to 98% of their invoice.

Factoring isn't a loan, nor is it a credit line. There are no debts to pay back and you don't have to tie up any assets other than the customer's invoices. It only takes a few days to get approved and you keep complete control of your company.

Almost any business can use factoring, as long as they have invoices that are issued to another business. Even a business in Chapter 11 can have their receivables factored. Different factors have different requirements, minimums, maximums, fees, rates and applications to fill out. Some have a small application fee, many do not.

There are factors who work with any industry except construction and medical. There are others who specialize in construction contractors and others in medical receivables. These two have specific rules and regulations and risks and you definitely want a factor who specializes in them.

A good broker will be working with several factors and should be able to find the best factoring company for you. The broker will work for you, will get your questions answered and will be able to go to a second factor if the first one doesn't fit your needs. The broker gets paid directly by the factor and your rates and fees are not affected.

Quite often business people think of using factoring as a last resort when their business is struggling and they are trying to survive. In reality, businesses should consider a factor when they are starting out, so they can keep their business growing. They should definitely use a factor when they are feeling confident about their business and are ready for growth.

Your customers will simply have a different address to send the payment to; they still do the work for you, get the invoice from you and have the same payment terms as they always do.

Just think how your business could grow if you were paid most of each invoice when you issue it: you could get discounts when you buy your supplies if you pay cash, you could do more marketing, hire more staff, buy more equipment, increase your own credit rating. Instead of focusing on collecting the payments you could concentrate on going after more contracts.

The next time a customer calls you with a big contract, you just have to get the papers signed and get on with the work. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Kent Harlan has been a CPA since 1984 and is the owner of Ozarks Capital Funding, a Missouri-based company offering financing in the areas of accounts receivable factoring, equipment leasing, asset based lending, and financing for healthcare providers.
http://ocflink.com
kenth@ocflink.com
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Consumers 'Face Rising Debt Service Costs'

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Article Title: Consumers 'Face Rising Debt Service Costs'
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans, Credit, Personal Finance
Word Count: 500
Keywords: debt,credit,cards,personal,loans,finance
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Britons are paying back a record amount of debt, according to a new study.

Figures released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have indicated that for every pound households earn, some 19 pence is going towards repaying debts accrued on personal loans, credit cards and mortgages. Topping the previous height of 18 pence noted during the third quarter of 1990, the study indicated that a record number of consumers have seen their financial stature squeezed.

John Hawksworth, head of macroeconomics for PwC, said: "Many households have faced a squeeze on their finances due to a combination of modest earnings growth, rising utility bills, higher petrol prices and increased debt repayment costs. As a result, the amount of money left over to spend on other goods and services has grown a lot more slowly than headline indicators like gross domestic product (GDP) might suggest."

The macroeconomics expert also claimed: "The relatively rapid growth of debt service costs throughout the whole period and of utility bills during the past three years are major factors tending to squeeze household discretionary spending power." Mr Hawksworth added: "Looking ahead, we expect rising debt service costs to contribute to slower consumer spending growth over the next two to three years."

Figures from the accountancy firm also indicated that more households have been taking out loans to help reduce the effects of a slowdown in pay rate growth. Since 1995, household spending is reported to have risen by 5.5 per cent year-on-year. However, disposable income had increased by only by 4.9 per cent. The proportion of income left after paying debts and household bills was also reported to have fallen. Between 2004 and 2006 this figure stood at 3.1 per cent, compared to a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent noted from 1997 to 2006.

PwC also claimed that GDP is set to fall to 2.75 per cent over the course of this year before decreasing to 2.5 per cent in the early stages of 2008. Meanwhile, consumer inflation is expected to decrease towards the Bank of England's two per cent target of by next year as the cost of household bills drops. Despite this, the accountancy company claimed that the Bank's monetary policy committee is still to increase the base rate to six per cent before the end of 2007.

However, a recent study conducted by Sainsbury's Bank has indicated that 2.8 million Britons are purposely ignoring their financial situation. With some 11 per cent said to have left a credit card or bank statement unopened, these consumers could be developing further problems in making loan repayments.

According to figures released by Credit Action, Britain's total personal debt stood at 1,325 billion pounds as of the end of April - a rise of some 10.4 per cent over the previous 12-month period. With the country's personal debt said to be increasing by 1 million pounds every four minutes, the financial charity reported that some 330 people every day declare themselves either insolvent or bankrupt as they struggle to make repayments on their loans and credit cards.

Abbi Rouse writes for AllAboutLoans.co.uk, an online loans comparison site, visit us today for information on all loan topics including cheap loans applications and online loans sourcing from all leading UK providers. Our Site: http://www.allaboutloans.co.uk/
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Celebration, Jubilation, and Renovation

Ajeet Khurana offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Celebration, Jubilation, and Renovation
Author: Ajeet Khurana
Category: Loans
Word Count: 426
Keywords: secured loans, home improvement loans
Author's Email Address: kits_ajeet@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Weddings are a time of great celebration for everybody. It is a wonderful sight to see your own son or daughter decide to tie the knot with their partner. Weddings bring out the romantic hidden within every Mr. or Mrs. Scrooge. Weddings are also a time of great expense for the family. No matter how much you try to scrimp, expenditure is going to skyrocket. There is no way of running from the immense expenses that are involved. From buying the wedding rings and the jewelry to the clothes for all those who are involved, to paying the caterers and the people involved in decorating the place, there are several expenses that just cannot be avoided. That is, unless you choose to have a quite court marriage minus all the drama of a regular ceremony.

Now, if at this point of time you also feel the need to do some home improvements so as to give a makeover to your home in time for the wedding, be prepared to get stuck with a pretty huge bill. Of course, the costs involved will vary depending on what your redecoration plans are and what you are hoping to get done in your home.

Let us list out some of the things that you might want done your home. You could consider doing a facelift of your home by eliminating your old electrical fixtures and get new, ultra-modern ones. You might want to get rid of the old oak dining table and bring home a more lightweight, wrought iron one. You might think about a complete revamp of all your furniture by getting home some new pieces. If you are not ready to part with all your furniture, you could give the existing ones a makeover by polishing the woodwork or changing the covers. Changing the upholstery is a great way to change the look of your house. All or any of these things would make a great impact.

If all this seems too simplified for you and you want to go and break some walls and create new windows and change the flooring, prepare yourself for higher costs. If you are going to carry out such heavy-duty home makeovers, it would be a good idea to try getting a secured home improvement loan. These loans are not at all difficult to get and you would save yourself from a lot of nerve-racking moments by getting a bank to take care of it for the present moment. Once the wedding is over, you could always pay it off with a peaceful mind.

Get secured loans UK at http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/secured_loans.html More specifically, secured home improvement loans at http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/home_loans_doc.html and secured homeowner loans at http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/loans/secured-loans.html
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First Time Buyers Spend 'Third Of Income' On Mortgage

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Article Title: First Time Buyers Spend 'Third Of Income' On Mortgage
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Mortgage, Loans, Mortgage
Word Count: 523
Keywords: mortgage,lenders,secured,loans,personal,first,time,buyers
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Consumers are spending an increasing proportion of their salary on mortgage repayments, new figures reveal.

In the Woolwich Mortgage Affordability study conducted by Barclays about a third of first-time buyers'income is now spent making payments on secured loans. Over the course of June, those homeowners in their 20s - reported to make up the majority of first-time buyers - use 32.4 per cent of their annual salaries on their mortgage. However, across borrowers of all groups mortgage payments were reported to account for 20.1 per cent of income, the highest level recorded since 2002.

Andy Gray, head of mortgages for the Woolwich, said: "For those in their 20s not already on the property ladder the outlook for getting on it doesn't look good, especially with interest rates likely to rise further. We fully expect the average age of first-time buyers to go up until people are well into their 30s." Mr Gray suggested that as potential first-time buyers struggle more to meet the rising costs of property deposits and secured loans, the average age of those getting on the first step of the housing ladder is set to rise past the current median of 29.

Figures from the financial services firm also indicated that those in their 20s paid an average of 586 pounds towards their secured loan last month, a 66 per cent rise from the average 233 pounds spent five years ago. Those living in London were reported to have the greatest proportion of their pay taken up by mortgage costs as they shell out an average of 830 pounds, just over 40 per cent of their monthly wage. However in some parts of the capital this figure was found to approach the 50 per cent barrier. Some of the other most expensive areas around the country include Cambridge, Oxford and Brighton.

Meanwhile, the north-east of England was said to be the region with the lowest monthly mortgage costs at 470 pounds - equating to some 28.3 per cent of salaries. A low proportion was also noted in the Staffordshire Moorlands as those living in the West Midlands district are reported to put 18.9 per cent of their income (301 pounds) towards secured loans.

However, Mr Gray added that an increase to the interest rate could lead to further problems for first-time buyers. "The last thing any of them need is a further increase in base rates," he added.

According to statistics published by Moneyfacts, should the Bank of Englands' monetary policy committee decided to increase the base rate by 0.25 per cent, those on a 150,000 pounds repayment mortgage could find their monthly costs jump to 943 pounds 66p - a rise of 22 pounds 53p. However, homeowners on an interest-only mortgage are set to see payments increase by 31 pounds 25p to 718 pounds 75p.

Consequently, managing director of moneysupermarket, Stuart Glendinning advised those concerned about the effect a base rate rise may have to review their "situation rationally as there are several logical steps that can be taken to alleviate financial distress". He suggested that consumers should look to pay off debts on "expensive" unsecured loans and seek professional advice, with remortgaging another possible option.

Abbi Rouse writes for Essentially Home Loans where visitors can apply for a personal loan online, and also focuses on secured loans for UK residents. Visit Today: http://www.essentiallyhomeloans.co.uk
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Surviving Mounting Medical Bills

Ajeet Khurana offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Surviving Mounting Medical Bills
Author: Ajeet Khurana
Category: Loans
Word Count: 426
Keywords: unsecured loans, car loans
Author's Email Address: kits_ajeet@hotmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Healthcare does not come cheap anymore. If you are going out to get your teeth extracted it is going to cost you. If it is a monthly visit to your shrink of eight years, it will still cost you. If you are going to a general physician to have a regular check-up and he says that everything is normal, it will still cost you. You can run, you can hide, but you can't escape the the drain on your income formed by health bills. Hospitals may be a dime a dozen. However, competition seems only to spur them on to increase their prices. Or perhaps it is that more and more people are either falling sick or have become more eager to head to the nearest medical professional for advice and care.

When you have smaller ailments, hospital bills are manageable. You can afford to pay for the bills for the simple things getting some stitches done. You can manage to pay for a routine X-ray. However, when it comes to something major, even the best of us feels the pain of getting the money. That is why it is a good idea to have invested in some medical insurance. More than anything else, at least it buys you a sense of calm during medical emergencies.

But what do you do if you have not made the important move of investing in a medical insurance plan? Life can become more stressful than necessary. However, you can always approach a bank or a financial institution and try applying for an unsecured personal loan. These days, personal loans are available all over. This is very evident in the way in which large numbers of people now flock to car dealers with their newly acquired car loans for support. If buying a car has become such a cakewalk these days, there is no reason why it should be any more difficult to come by a personal loan for other expenses.

There are all kinds of cheap unsecured loans in the market. If you are unsure as to how you should go about your search, just look up a good broker. He or she should be able to give you access to dozens of loans that would suit your budgets. Whether you want a loan with a long tenure or one with a low rate of interest, there will be a loan to suit your needs. Do not feel awkward when it comes to bargaining. After all, you don't want to feel like you have been cheated when you are repaying it all.

Want unsecured personal loans? Visit http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/
compare_personal_loans.html Also get cheap unsecured loans at http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/loans/
personal-loans.html and car loans at http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/car_loans_doc.html
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Fall In Price Growth Noted In Halifax House Study

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Article Title: Fall In Price Growth Noted In Halifax House Study
Author: Abbi Rouse
Category: Loans, Mortgage, Personal Finance
Word Count: 519
Keywords: secured,loans,mortgages,costs,house,prices,home
Author's Email Address: abbi.rouse@inter-financial.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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House prices continued to rise over the course of June, new figures have indicated.

According to research conducted by Halifax, typical property values across Britain increased by 0.4 per cent during the month. With the average home now costing some 197,461 pounds, borrowers may well find their loans secured loans costs increasing. Over the second quarter of 2007 - the three-month period from April to June - house prices were reported to have risen by two per cent, in comparison to the three per cent rise noted in the fist quarter. This rate was also below the 4.2 per cent recorded in the final three months of 2006.

Chief economist Martin Ellis said: "The increases in mortgage rates and the persistence of negative real earnings growth in the early months of 2007 are expected to cause annual house price inflation to slow further over the coming months. Solid economic fundamentals and a shortage of housing supply will, nonetheless, continue to support house prices."

Over the second quarter, properties in Northern Ireland and the Greater London area were reported to have driven growth, up by 8.5 and 4.9 per cent respectively. Halifax also showed that the Irish principality has seen the largest price rises in the country over the last 12 months with a home now costing an average of 228,790 pounds - a rise of 46.7 per cent from last year - homeowners in the area could be set to face increased pressure when making repayments on secured loans. The combined effects of demand from second homebuyers and buy-to-let investors, a "strong local economy" and rising immigration levels was reported to be the force behind the rises.

Meanwhile, homes in the north of England were said to have surpassed the 150,000 pounds barrier for the first time during the last three months. As a result, the Yorkshire and Humber region and Scotland are said to be the only parts of Britain to have an average property price under 150,000 pounds.

Figures from the financial services firm also reported the effects of mortgage rate increases over the past year are set to curb annual property inflation over the coming months. In addition a fall in real income growth could well see borrowers struggle with making secured home loan repayments. Halifax also indicated that disposable income fell by 0.3 per cent over the first quarter of 2007. A successive fall from the previous three months, it is the first consecutive quarter decrease to have taken place since 1999.

Commenting on the figures, Oliver Gilmartin, senior economist for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) claimed that although a rise in housing activity is generally noted over the summer months the most recent Halifax study had indicated moderate price growth. "The softer trend in this months housing data will not prevent the MPC from raising interest rates tomorrow as the economy continues to show solid expansion with price pressures remaining a worry," the Rics analyst added. He pointed out that despite even growth slowing to 0.5 per cent over the last three months "this still equates to around 250 pounds a week with affordability deteriorating by the day".

Abbi Rouse writes for the the Loan Arrangers where you can compare and apply online for the best secured loans. Visit Today: http://www.loan-arrangers.co.uk
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Overcoming the Myths of Receivables Factoring

Kent Harlan offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Overcoming the Myths of Receivables Factoring
Author: Kent Harlan
Category: Loans, Loans
Word Count: 712
Keywords: invoice factoring,accounts receivable factoring,working capital,cash flow,receivables funding
Author's Email Address: k.harlan@mchsi.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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If a company is either in a high-growth mode or is experiencing serious cash flow issues and is not able to establish a working line of credit with a bank, why wouldn't they turn to invoice factoring? There are three main concerns and objections that many decision makers have that can be overcome with educating the customer about the product.

Concern #1: Cost

The reality is that the cost of factoring is expensive compared to other types of financing (typically bank loans or lines of credit). If a company has the credit standing to get a bank line of credit that offers flexible terms, they should do so. If they have overextended their line or don't qualify altogether and need additional capital to expand the business, the CFO should at least crunch the numbers to see if factoring is a viable option.

There are some industries that experience low margins and slow payers. In general, factoring probably isn't a good option for those types of companies. If, however, the margins are higher (over 12%), factoring may be a good way to take advantage of new sales opportunities and increase profits. Factoring fees can range anywhere from 2% to 4% per month depending upon several variables, including average dollar amount per invoice, credit standing of the debtors, and the average time it takes to collect the receivables. If a company enjoys the size of margin that can easily cover the factoring fees, it makes perfect sense to employ this type of financing, rather than forgo incremental profits and lose market share to a competitor.

Concern #2: Customer Perceptions

This is a concern with most prospects that are unfamiliar with factoring . The issue centers around notification, verification, and collection. At the inception of a factoring relationship, each account debtor is notified that a secured party (the factor) has taken title to invoices in which they owe payment. The letter also states that all present and future invoices due must be paid directly to the factoring company until otherwise notified by the factor. This is necessary to do this because if protects the factor's collateral and to be protected by the UCC.

Many business owners worry that they will be perceived in a negative light when the customers get these notices. There is no reason to worry. Factoring is hardly a new form of financing. Many industries (manufacturers, distributors, apparel & textile, trucking, and temporary staffing) rely on the services a factor provides. Factors only interact with customers on a random basis, mainly at the inception of the relationship. Several large companies such as Walmart, Costco, and Target, have internal divisions within their accounts payable department to work with those vendors who factor their receivables. Should a customer who is unfamiliar with factoring question the notice and ask what is going on, the owner or manager only needs to tell them they have chosen to use a company to manage and finance their accounts receivable.

Concern #3: Losing Control over Receivables

Some people feel that allowing a factor to collect their receivables takes control away from them. A prospect should consider that a factor has provided an advance on a piece of paper and until they collect from the customers, they have nothing. However, it would be counterproductive for a factor to be overly aggressive in collecting receivables and risk alienating the customer base.

Factors typically work hand in hand with the client to collect receivables and oftentimes allow the company to make collection calls. When payment is substantially late, the factor's staff will likely make collection calls, but normally in a professional and courteous manner. A good factoring company will provide the client with comprehensive aging and performance reports, as well as credit screening for new customers. In effect, the client will not lose control of their receivables. They will actually be more on top of things because of the enhanced services the factor offers.

If more decision makers were educated about the benefits of receivables factoring, they would likely take a look at how it could help expand their business. Traditional lenders can't always provide the solutions, so it makes sense to keep an open mind to alternative forms of financing. A financial broker experienced in the area of invoice factoring can be invaluable to a company that has this need.

Kent Harlan has been a CPA since 1984 and is the owner of Ozarks Capital Funding, a Missouri-based company offering financing in the areas of accounts receivable factoring, equipment leasing, asset based lending, and financing for healthcare providers.
http://ocflink.com
kenth@ocflink.com
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