May 24th, 2010
If you’re struggling to get coverage that’s right for you, try Cobra Insurance. With instant quotes and a no obligation application, you can be on your way to savings in no time.
During these tough economic times, a number of ordinary citizens are struggling to get the health coverage they need. If you’ve recently been laid off, Cobra is there to help. Health plans don’t have to be as expensive as you think. You can find a number of affordable alternatives. Just answer a few basic questions and open the door of opportunity.
Don’t leave you and your loved ones at risk. Try Cobra Insurance today.
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May 24th, 2010
Are you between jobs? Are you looking for insurance, but afraid you can’t afford it? Now there’s Cobra Insurance to ease your worries. Cobra Insurance is there for those who have recently been laid off, terminated, or have lost their jobs for any in a number of unfortunate circumstances. With instant quotes, you can get back to leading a worry-free life.
Simply fill out an application with a few basic questions and you’ll be offered a number of affordable health insurance options. Questions include basic facts on your health, coverage, and contact information. After filling it out, you will immediately be shown a number of options that fit your situation.
Don’t wait. If you’re in need of coverage, you’re in need of Cobra.
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November 10th, 2009
In 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) gave consumers the right to view their credit reports from credit bureaus for free. Since then, a number of “free credit report” sites have popped up, and though these sites claim to be free, they may not be so free after all.
Many sites, including the popular freecreditreport.com, offer free credit reports, but make consumers enter credit card information and eventually make them subscribe to credit monitoring services that are usually never free. Many sites do indeed offer a free credit report, but only after signing you up for a free trial of a credit monitoring service, which they begin to charge you for once the date of free subscription expires.
Credit reports, which are compilations of your credit history and credit scores, become important factors when applying for loans or buying a home or car. FACTA, which allows you to view this report for free, was created to help prevent the millions of cases of identity theft that occur yearly.
This has created a number of free credit report website scams, however, and it is important for consumers to know the truth about these websites. Annualcreditreport.com is the only place to order your government-granted credit report for free. This website does not ask for any credit card information and does not make you sign up for free trials.
So if you’re looking for your free, yearly credit report, don’t be fooled by the hundreds of scam websites. Use annualcreditreport.com and feel secure about acquiring your credit report.
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November 10th, 2009
Marketing is one of the most important things you need to do when it comes to getting your business off the ground. Though marketing is sometimes straightforward and obvious, it can also be complex, difficult, and a bit frustrating. Marketing usually begins with branding. What is your company’s brand and what does it stand for? Here are a few things to avoid when coming up with your branding strategy.
Don’t brand on price.
If you have low prices, and want to focus your branding strategy on that, don’t. Although it’s a good start, focusing on price alone is a race to the bottom. You want to give your customers a more compelling reason to go with you over your competitors. Build up the intangible parts of your brand, i.e. trust, quality, commitment, experience. These qualities are more memorable than a low price, and keep customers coming back for more.
Don’t change your promise.
Companies often get tired of their marketing campaign before the market does. A company’s brand, logo, or tagline is something that builds a reputation over time. Avoid changing your brand; though your brand promise should be relevant and up-to-date, a total makeover often loses customers.
Don’t copycat.
Marketing is all about being unique. If you try to copy a market leader, customers will just end up returning to that market leader. If your competitor is a big-chain coffeehouse, do something different. Change the décor, encourage customer participation, market through coffee-tasting parties and create your own buzz.
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November 10th, 2009
Visa recently reported that Americans are spending more money on debit cards than on credit cards. In 2008, Visa announced that Visa debit card spending accounted for $206 billion, while Visa credit card spending accounted for a lesser $203 billion.
Consumers are trying to avoid greater credit card debt and the immediacy of debit cards allows them to do that. During this time of economic woe, it makes sense that Americans are making the switch to debit over credit. The similarity of debit and credit also accounts for the higher use of debit cards. Both plastic, you simply hand over the debit card as you would a credit card and you’re done, without having to pay back a balance later or incur interest. Because it’s your own money, you have no extra fees and therefore, no debt.
Credit cards, on the other hand, offer greater fraud protection. If a credit card is stolen, the most you are required to pay for an unauthorized transaction by law is $50. Though this protection is not offered with debit cards, the economic situation most Americans are finding themselves in is enough to overlook this small difference.
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November 10th, 2009
From cash, to debit cards, credit cards, and your driver’s license, your wallet or purse carries the information and money that can cause your financial downturn if found in the wrong hands. So if you lose or misplace your wallet, or are robbed, be quick to take action.
If you’re robbed, call the police. Though you may not recover what’s lost, a police report can be proof that you were quick to protect yourself.
Cancel your credit cards immediately, and call your bank right away about debit or ATM cards. Even though some require a pin number in order to be activated, a smart thief may know these numbers. Other cards, such as credit cards, simply require a signature which is easy to fake.
Notify any of the credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. This prevents any person from opening up accounts in your name.
Before any of this happens, it’s a good idea to make a front and back copy of all the cards you carry. Keep this along with your Social Security number in a safe place where you can access them if necessary.
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November 10th, 2009
Your credit score is a number ranging from 300 to 850 that can make all the difference in your loan eligibility and interest rates. So what can you do to help boost your credit score? Here are a few tips.
Making timely payments accounts for 35 percent of your credit score. Paying your bills on time is the best way to improve your credit score and maintain good credit.
Developing a credit history is crucial in determining your credit score. If you don’t have a credit card, get one. Simply charging $20 a month and paying that off for up to a year can boost up your score substantially.
Slowly closing unused credit card accounts can up your score as well. A card you’ve held for a few years, even if unused, is better for your score than those that you’ve just obtained. Holding them and not using them is far more responsible than using them all at once and not being able to pay them off, and can enable you to slowly close them over time.
Lenders also like to see that you can manage different types of debt. From major credit cards like a Visa or MasterCard, to department store and gas station cards, as well as installment loans and student loans, balancing these different types of debt is important in balancing a good credit score.
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November 10th, 2009
Falling into debt can happen to anyone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of American households are under debt. While escaping that debt can be difficult, it is not impossible. So if your debt gauges are flashing, don’t panic.
First, don’t add onto your debt. Although daily necessities, such as spending on food and gas are nearly impossible to avoid, put away all your credit cards. Keep only one for necessities, and do not spend on things you don’t need.
Find out where you stand. Know which debt has the highest interest rates, and begin paying those off first. If there is a low-balance account, begin with that one, and pay if off in full as soon as possible. This will boost your morale and relieve you of unnecessary stress.
Do not pay the minimum. Even if you have more than one debt on your shoulders, begin with one and pay as much as possible. Paying the minimum on your account will get you nowhere, and if you pay more, your debt will quickly begin to dwindle.
Finally, use the snowball effect. As soon as one debt is erased, use the money you were spending on that debt and move on to your next target. This gives you systematic power to diminish each balance.
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November 10th, 2009
Saving money can be a lot more simple and painless than most people think, and is a must for anyone affected by the tough economy. Following a few simple steps can save you money without making you give up those luxuries you just can’t live without.
If you buy the same magazine every time you find yourself at a newsstand, consider a subscription. Most subscriptions cost no more than fifteen or twenty dollars a year, and can save you some hard earned cash, without having to give up the luxury of your favorite magazine.
Like eating out with friends? Try meeting them for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner, since it’s usually more expensive. Or if dinner is more convenient, split an entrée or take turns cooking for one another at home. It’s cheaper and makes for a better time.
Call your cable or satellite TV provider and tell them you’re shopping around for a new service. If you’re a long time customer, they may make you an offer for a better discounted rate.
Financial advisor Rich Lunsford also suggests making a grocery list. By making a grocery list, you are less tempted to drop impulse items into your cart when shopping. Having a snack beforehand or shopping midday also means you aren’t hungry and are more likely to make less impulse decisions.
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November 10th, 2009
Interest rate cuts have many people rushing to refinance their homes. But is now a good time to refinance? Though refinancing can be a budget booster, you must look beyond these cuts when deciding whether refinancing is right for you.
Refinancing your home means that the new refinanced mortgage pays off your existing loan, replacing it with a new one. Though it can mean monthly savings for you, it is also a costly process to go through, so realizing your break-even point is crucial when deciding to refinance.
You want to break even while you still own the home, but the sooner you break even, the better.
To find this point, divide the total cost of refinancing your home by the monthly savings you’ll receive with the new loan amount. This will give you the number of months it’ll take to break even.
If it’s a larger number, but you plan to live in your home for a longer period of time, then that’s ok. Shopping around for the best deal is also important. Gather a number of “good faith” estimates from your top lenders, and make sure that deals on low interest rates don’t end up costing you more due to fees. The benefits of a little time and effort will make the whole process worth it.
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