All the points mentioned above are definitely causes of concern for many people. How you deal with them is important as it determines if you can overcome your issues successfully. Some people choose to be frugal and change their way of living at a sudden. Whereas others change their habits gradually and hope for the best outcome by adapting to their new techniques of dealing with a recession.
On what do you base you statement that with universal health care you have to wait 6 months to get an MRI. I had pain in my leg. The hospital made a x-ray. They weren't sure what it was so I had a MRI the same day. I had cancer, got treated (still all for free). I am now cured, when I am afraid the cancer is back I have an other MRI within 3 weeks.
@all readers I am Dutch.
To all readers you don't pay 50% tax in The Netherlands. The Dutch tax system is in 4 brackets. Only all your income above 53.860 euro (now 72.000 dollar) is taxed 53%. Below that you pay an average of 33% tax.
For more info: http://belastingdienst.nl/variabel/buitenland/en/private_taxpayers/priva...
This is a great article with valuable tips! This is exactly the kind of information people need to be aware of and follow at the same time during the economic meltdown we all are in.
No one forces the credit card companies to offer anything to the consumer. Why are you so sympathetic to their "plight"?
Besides, the transaction fees collected by the credit industry are not insubstantial. If memory serves they run 1 to 5 percent of the transaction in most cases - sometimes even more! This is off the top - before any interest is charged to the credit card user. The "deadbeats" are already paying that fee (it's passed on by the seller) just by using the card!
If the credit industry can't make their numbers work with the new rules they need to find a new line of business.
The title of this article "...25 Places to Look for Spare Change" must have been written before the article itself, and then the author could not come up with 25 so she included things like "buried in the back yard" and "in the bed". These are not practical or useful tips.
If you have a TD/Commerce Bank near you, they have a "Penny Arcade" that will count your change for free. It gives you a receipt that you bring to a teller to redeem for cash... No fee at all.
We convert our change into gc at Coinstar. Usually about $100 a trip twice a year. $200 worth of stuff either we want or need without disrupting our budget!
Why not take your change to a bank and never pay a percentage? Even if there isn't a branch of your bank nearby, Credit Unions generally do it for free.
My family found over $70 in spare change in the couch, in the kitchen catch-all drawer, and in the closets (apparently change had fallen out of clothes?) Who knew there was that much money in the house??
I would have never thought of skipping a payment until after these last 8 months trying to get help... I pay my mortgage first and starve/borrow/skimp through the month. I thought that being in good standing would show my commitment to doing the right thing and get me in good with the bank. One bank rep actually laughed at me when I told her that.
After many many calls to the bank I have found out a few key pieces of info:
- At least 5 phone calls are necessary to get 1 person who knows anything.
- I cannot be considered for a modification of any kind without taking my house off the market.
- I'm not eligible for deed in liu of foreclosure if I'm not behind on my payments.
This is Chase bank but I imagine it's the same with most all of them.
I like witch hazel a lot. I've used it as a toner for many years, it's great. I also read the ingredients once on a package of store brand wet toilet wipes and saw that it contained witch hazel.
There's a part of me that LOVES the idea of grad gift registries, mostly because it's so very practical. Most college grads are setting up apartments, so what a great idea to help them. On the other hand, I can find out that information, usually, from the parents, if I'm close enough to send a gift.
We're going to a college grad party Sunday. I have one part of the gift, a great career search book and workbook, "Job Coach for Young Professionals." It looks just fabulous for helping get that job, even in a tight market. Everything that someone looking for a job needs to know is right there. Great stuff. And I'm also going to get a housewares item -- but I don't know what my friend's daughter needs yet. See? A registry would help!
I do not like cash, though. I want to give a real gift.
(As for high school students, for the kids to whom we're really close, I've created what I think is a great gift: a pop-up laundry hamper, filled with useful stuff for college: dry erase board, stapler, scissors -- go for Fiskar! -- post it notes, Fabreze, maybe a roll of quarters for the laundry, thumb tacks, hooks (over the door are best), etc. etc. etc. It is well received and highly useful!)
I turned 21 last October and graduated from college last May. I've been living two states away from my family since the age of 17, and the first month of school (in Sept.) STRUGGLED to pay for anything/take care of bills online/pay school tuition because I couldn't open a bank account without my parents present. And, I moved without knowing anyone in IL, so I doubt I'd find some random person to cosign for me.
My family cosigned my student loans the first year, but would not cosign for any other years, which meant my interest rates were higher (less credit history). HOWEVER, because I built good credit, each year in school I was able to get loans for lower rates.
You're not helping college students by hindering their chances at increasing their credit scores.
I can understand limiting a student to one credit card, and requiring a cosigner for additional cards. Lots of people open up wayyy too many cards at once. I can also see why you would set a low credit limit, but I don't believe there should be a number that regulates it. You get a higher limit when you build better credit; that's how it works.
And if the gov't is concerned about people using cards poorly, make it mandatory in economics classes or something.
If I choose to use a card, and the bank offers to waive any finance charges when I pay my balance in full, they should not call me a deadbeat if I am wise enough to take advantage of their offer. They charge enough to the merchant through transaction fees to cover any costs, and they don't lose money by my paying off my balance each month.
Hey Everyone, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions. And I agree with Brian and Deborah, some helpful suggestions on time management are in order, so please stay tuned. And have a nice day.
I work for a so called family oriented company, whatever that means. We've decided it means that if your whole family works there then you'd see them. I work mandatory overtime every week and really have no choice about it. I understand your point though. The crew I work with is great. We are all friends and when the bigwigs aren't walking through we really joke around a lot and have fun. If it weren't for my "other family" at work, I don't think I would still be working there. Even work time can be fun time.
People with poor credit have no business having credit cards or other loans. Hard to feel sorry for irresponsible folks. Why should the banks subsidize these people? Although the fees and interest rate charges of late are ridiculous and are robbery at best, last I knew, this is USofA and banks and other companies are in the business of making money. They are not in the business of "helping" people who can not afford credit, nor should they. Of course, with the new rules, those of us who have great credit and carry no balances will probaly have annual fees now imposed for the priveledge of carrying a credit card. We are being penalized.
All the points mentioned above are definitely causes of concern for many people. How you deal with them is important as it determines if you can overcome your issues successfully. Some people choose to be frugal and change their way of living at a sudden. Whereas others change their habits gradually and hope for the best outcome by adapting to their new techniques of dealing with a recession.
@Kartina
On what do you base you statement that with universal health care you have to wait 6 months to get an MRI. I had pain in my leg. The hospital made a x-ray. They weren't sure what it was so I had a MRI the same day. I had cancer, got treated (still all for free). I am now cured, when I am afraid the cancer is back I have an other MRI within 3 weeks.
@all readers I am Dutch.
To all readers you don't pay 50% tax in The Netherlands. The Dutch tax system is in 4 brackets. Only all your income above 53.860 euro (now 72.000 dollar) is taxed 53%. Below that you pay an average of 33% tax.
For more info: http://belastingdienst.nl/variabel/buitenland/en/private_taxpayers/priva...
This is a great article with valuable tips! This is exactly the kind of information people need to be aware of and follow at the same time during the economic meltdown we all are in.
This post has to be a joke... this would totally be a waste of time.
@Karen:
No one forces the credit card companies to offer anything to the consumer. Why are you so sympathetic to their "plight"?
Besides, the transaction fees collected by the credit industry are not insubstantial. If memory serves they run 1 to 5 percent of the transaction in most cases - sometimes even more! This is off the top - before any interest is charged to the credit card user. The "deadbeats" are already paying that fee (it's passed on by the seller) just by using the card!
If the credit industry can't make their numbers work with the new rules they need to find a new line of business.
The title of this article "...25 Places to Look for Spare Change" must have been written before the article itself, and then the author could not come up with 25 so she included things like "buried in the back yard" and "in the bed". These are not practical or useful tips.
If you have a TD/Commerce Bank near you, they have a "Penny Arcade" that will count your change for free. It gives you a receipt that you bring to a teller to redeem for cash... No fee at all.
We convert our change into gc at Coinstar. Usually about $100 a trip twice a year. $200 worth of stuff either we want or need without disrupting our budget!
Why not take your change to a bank and never pay a percentage? Even if there isn't a branch of your bank nearby, Credit Unions generally do it for free.
My family found over $70 in spare change in the couch, in the kitchen catch-all drawer, and in the closets (apparently change had fallen out of clothes?) Who knew there was that much money in the house??
Hello Remo;and happy lawn care!!
Happy success!!
Whose going to go dig up their yard to find spare change? LOL Not so much.
I would have never thought of skipping a payment until after these last 8 months trying to get help... I pay my mortgage first and starve/borrow/skimp through the month. I thought that being in good standing would show my commitment to doing the right thing and get me in good with the bank. One bank rep actually laughed at me when I told her that.
After many many calls to the bank I have found out a few key pieces of info:
- At least 5 phone calls are necessary to get 1 person who knows anything.
- I cannot be considered for a modification of any kind without taking my house off the market.
- I'm not eligible for deed in liu of foreclosure if I'm not behind on my payments.
This is Chase bank but I imagine it's the same with most all of them.
Solid advice!
I would add: look for opportunity while others panic . . .
I like witch hazel a lot. I've used it as a toner for many years, it's great. I also read the ingredients once on a package of store brand wet toilet wipes and saw that it contained witch hazel.
cause u are an id10t
Ummm, can I have my stapler back, please?
There's a part of me that LOVES the idea of grad gift registries, mostly because it's so very practical. Most college grads are setting up apartments, so what a great idea to help them. On the other hand, I can find out that information, usually, from the parents, if I'm close enough to send a gift.
We're going to a college grad party Sunday. I have one part of the gift, a great career search book and workbook, "Job Coach for Young Professionals." It looks just fabulous for helping get that job, even in a tight market. Everything that someone looking for a job needs to know is right there. Great stuff. And I'm also going to get a housewares item -- but I don't know what my friend's daughter needs yet. See? A registry would help!
I do not like cash, though. I want to give a real gift.
(As for high school students, for the kids to whom we're really close, I've created what I think is a great gift: a pop-up laundry hamper, filled with useful stuff for college: dry erase board, stapler, scissors -- go for Fiskar! -- post it notes, Fabreze, maybe a roll of quarters for the laundry, thumb tacks, hooks (over the door are best), etc. etc. etc. It is well received and highly useful!)
The under 21 rule is ridiculous.
Here's why:
I turned 21 last October and graduated from college last May. I've been living two states away from my family since the age of 17, and the first month of school (in Sept.) STRUGGLED to pay for anything/take care of bills online/pay school tuition because I couldn't open a bank account without my parents present. And, I moved without knowing anyone in IL, so I doubt I'd find some random person to cosign for me.
My family cosigned my student loans the first year, but would not cosign for any other years, which meant my interest rates were higher (less credit history). HOWEVER, because I built good credit, each year in school I was able to get loans for lower rates.
You're not helping college students by hindering their chances at increasing their credit scores.
I can understand limiting a student to one credit card, and requiring a cosigner for additional cards. Lots of people open up wayyy too many cards at once. I can also see why you would set a low credit limit, but I don't believe there should be a number that regulates it. You get a higher limit when you build better credit; that's how it works.
And if the gov't is concerned about people using cards poorly, make it mandatory in economics classes or something.
If I choose to use a card, and the bank offers to waive any finance charges when I pay my balance in full, they should not call me a deadbeat if I am wise enough to take advantage of their offer. They charge enough to the merchant through transaction fees to cover any costs, and they don't lose money by my paying off my balance each month.
My best tip is to plant Zoysia!!! We live in a pretty "hot summer" area and Zoysia grass is so resistant and takes way less water!!!
Hey Everyone, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions. And I agree with Brian and Deborah, some helpful suggestions on time management are in order, so please stay tuned. And have a nice day.
I work for a so called family oriented company, whatever that means. We've decided it means that if your whole family works there then you'd see them. I work mandatory overtime every week and really have no choice about it. I understand your point though. The crew I work with is great. We are all friends and when the bigwigs aren't walking through we really joke around a lot and have fun. If it weren't for my "other family" at work, I don't think I would still be working there. Even work time can be fun time.
People with poor credit have no business having credit cards or other loans. Hard to feel sorry for irresponsible folks. Why should the banks subsidize these people? Although the fees and interest rate charges of late are ridiculous and are robbery at best, last I knew, this is USofA and banks and other companies are in the business of making money. They are not in the business of "helping" people who can not afford credit, nor should they. Of course, with the new rules, those of us who have great credit and carry no balances will probaly have annual fees now imposed for the priveledge of carrying a credit card. We are being penalized.