You have probably seen advertisements for touting very attractive interest rates, and in many cases, these rates may seem just too good to be true. Sadly, most borrowers will not meet the stringent criteria for these mortgages.

However, you should not let this fact discourage you when you are searching for the perfect interest rate on your new property. There are steps that you can take to help you lock in the best possible interest rate on your new mortgage.

You should be open and honest about your credit history, because if problems are discovered later, your loan may not be approved. If you have credit issues, seek credit counseling with one of the many free programs available. Also, a past history of poor credit does not necessarily disqualify you for a mortgage – they are many programs available to help you achieve your dream of home ownership. You will just need to be diligent about cleaning up your credit and managing your finances.

Of course, after insuring that your credit is in the best shape possible, you will need to do your research and shop around for the best mortgage rate based on the type of loan you are trying to secure. For this , you will need several lenders to provide you with a 'good faith estimate'. Using this information, you can compare the costs of each loan.

Another option to consider to help lower the cost of your mortgage is paying points. Points are an upfront fee quoted as a percentage of the total loan amount. By opting to pay points int advance, you can lower your interest rate by several percentage points in many cases. One point is equivalent to 1% of the principal on the mortgage. If you are considering paying points to lower the interest rate on your mortgage, then you should think about how long you plan on owning your home and your immediate financial situation.

When you are considering acquiring a new mortgage, you should keep in mind that rates are constantly changing and rates that are quoted one day may not be available the next day. You can avoid missing out on an attractive interest rate by requesting a rate lock on the rate quoted. Rate locks are normally good for 30 to 60 days. This enables you enough time to shop around and check out other interest rates, and if you decide to go with one of the first lenders you research, the rate you want is still available. You should be aware, though, that some lenders charge for this service.

When you are comparing mortgages with the same terms (i.e. 30 years) but with vastly different interest rates, make sure you understand the reasons why the interest rates are so different. For example, a fixed rate 30 year mortgage will be more expensive than a 30 year mortgage that has a balloon payment due in 7 years.

You will also need to be sure that you fully understand all of the fees associated with your mortgage upfront. Often, there is somewhat of a trade off between the loan fee (points) to acquire the mortgage and the interest rate on the loan. As discussed earlier, the more points you buy initially, the more your interest rate is reduced.

If you remember to keep these things in mind when shopping for your new mortgage, then you will not have a problem finding a mortgage the best interest rate.

A mortgage is a major financial decision, so before signing on the proverbial dotted line, you will need to understand the loan agreement fully. To avoid any nasty surprises after the closing, it is best to be armed with all the necessary information in advance. Therefore, you should be sure to question each prospective mortgage lender thoroughly before deciding which loan offer to accept.

One of the first and most important concerns you will need to address concerning your mortgage is the interest rate. The interest rate is an instrumental part in calculating monthly payments for your mortgage, so of course, you will need to know the interest rate. Also, while you are deciding which offer suits you best, ask your prospective lender if they can lock in the quoted interest rate. Most lenders can do this for for a period of time – usually 30 to 60 days. However, be aware that sometimes there is a fee charged for this service. Be sure to get the quoted offer in writing.

Other interest rate concerns include the annual percentage rate (APR) and whether the loan is a fixed rate loan or adjustable rate mortgage. The APR includes the cost of interest and other miscellaneous fees charged over the period of the loan, so be sure to get an itemized list of what is included in the APR calculation. With a fixed rate mortgage, you keep the same interest over the life of the loan, but with an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate can adjust either up or down annually by a specific margin quoted by the lender. If you do not like surprises (increased payments) when interest rates are on the rise, then an adjustable rate mortgage may not be for you.

Down Payments

Many lenders are now allowing zero down payment as an incentive to help make home ownership more affordable to the masses. However, you should know that opting to include or not include a down payment will affect your mortgage. Choosing a small down payment or no down payment option will boost your monthly payment, because your lender will require that you carry private mortgage insurance (PMI) for a loan for which you pay less than 20 percent of the principal as a down payment. This helps the lender minimize their losses should you default on your mortgage. Ask lenders you are considering how your down payment will affect your mortgage loan.

Documentation

When you are considering a new mortgage, your lender will need lots of documentation to help prove that you are worthy of the risk. Typically, you will need income statements, employment records, your social security number, and information about the home you want to purchase. To be sure that you have everything you need, ask your prospective lender for a list of information you will need to supply. Be sure to have all documentation in order to avoid delays or surprises.

Payment Terms

You will need to ask each lender you are considering about the payment terms of the mortgage. For example, is automatic draft required or can you simply mail in the payment? Other things you may want to inquire about include grace periods and late fees. While considering payment terms, you should also ask lenders about their policy concerning paying off your mortgage early. Make sure that there is no substantial prepayment penalty for doing so.

Points

Points are another concern when you are choosing your mortgage lender. Many lenders will allow you to lower the interest rate on your loan if you pay points in advance. One point is equal to 1 percent of the loan principal. Each point you purchase lowers your interest rate by a certain amount. Be clear about which points you are inquiring about, as some lenders also charge loan origination points.

Closing Costs

There are also closing costs associated with many mortgages. For each lender you are considering, ask about getting an estimate of the closing costs for the loan. They are required by law to provide you with one within three days of your application. Closing costs can include some fees that you are not aware of, so make sure you go over each item thoroughly. If you are participating in a program that pays your closing costs, make certain there are no other hidden costs you are not aware of.

Time to Close Loan

Of course, last, but definitely not least, how long is it going to take to process your mortgage loan? This can be a time consuming process and can be frustrating if you are anxious to get into your new home. Therefore, be sure to ask each lender how long the process will take – they can usually give you a pretty decent estimate. Sometimes, the process is fairly quick taking only two weeks or so, but it can also take up to eight weeks.

If you keep these things in mind when you are searching for just the right lender, you are sure to be satisfied with the overall process.

When you are turned down for a loan, you are given the opportunity to get your credit fixed; being turned down for credit can become a good thing. Whenever you are turned down for credit, you are getting a hint about your current credit status and/or financial state.

Although you can go ahead and request a free copy of your credit report from the notice of denial, the process can be rather lengthy. The best thing to do is go ahead and request one of the three free credit reports that you're allowed to get. In case you don't know, every American is now entitled to three free credit reports per year, one from each of the three credit bureaus. You can get a free copy of your credit report once, every twelve
months through www.AnnualCreditReport.com or you can purchase a copy online in just a few minutes. Which ever you choose, make sure that you also request a copy of your credit score. For a few extra dollars, you can see your actual credit score. This credit score will enable you to see how lenders see you.

Once you receive a copy of your credit report, it is extremely important to peruse it. Examine your credit report for any red flags. Collection accounts, late payments, and bankruptcy fillings can all lower your credit score and make you appear as a risky borrower to lenders. If you do have late payments, collection accounts, or bankruptcy
fillings that are accurate on your credit report, you can expect them to be expunged from your credit report in about seven to ten years. If the red flags aren't accurate, you can fight it off by filing a dispute to have your credit report fixed.

On top of looking for errors, you should also take a close look at your credit score. Your credit score plays a big role in the lender's decision process. Nowadays, your online credit score should come with an analysis that tells you the factors that are impacting your score and credit. Some even come with calculators that show you how your score will be affected in a number of scenarios. For instance, you can see how high your credit
score will increase if you paid off your debt on time for the next year, or how high it will increase if you paid off your entire revolving credit balance.

If you are one of the many victims of identity theft, it is extremely important to respond in a timely manner, and that does not mean whenever you have time. It means now! By reporting identity theft to the credit bureaus and law enforcement quickly, you make it easier to have the negative information removed from your credit report.

Once you receive the denial letter, you can use it to see if its reasons for denial of credit matches with the information on your credit report. If it does match, will have a head start on fixing the issues that are making it hard for you to obtain credit. If the reason and your credit report don't match, there could be other factors that played in lender's decision. The lenders could have rejected your request for credit due to your income, length of time
at your present residence, errors in the application, state restrictions, or homeownership status. The best way to find out the exact reason is to call the lender's customer support for more information.

The denial letter includes instructions on how to obtain a free copy of your credit report from the bureau that was used to make the decision regarding your credit request. You are entitled to receive one copy of your credit report every time you are denied credit. This free credit report that you're entitled to does not affect the three free reports you can get per year; every time you get denied for credit, you are entitled to a free report. Don't let this free credit report go to waste. Go ahead and request the free credit report. Use that free credit report to see if any changes were made to your credit report since the last time you got your copy.

Give yourself, and your credit a few months before applying for credit again. It takes time for credit scores and credit, overall, to improve. Once your credit has improved and you feel confident that you merit that loan or credit card, go ahead and apply again. If you know you're not ready to apply for a loan or credit card due to your credit, by all means, don't. Every time you apply for a loan, your credit is hurt a little bit due to the inquiries. It makes no sense to apply for multiple loans if you know you're not going to get approved. It's only going to end up hurting your credit in the end.

If you're in dire need of money now and you cannot get a personal loan, you can try other ways of getting the money. Credit cards, emergency loans, savings, family, and friends are all viable options for obtaining cash.

In the end, remember that being turned down for credit isn't always a bad thing. It is an eye opener and a chance for you to improve your credit and your finances. It's a wake up call to make better financial choices and to be in charge of your finances.

I really believe that gift cards make great gifts. As a matter of fact, every year, thousands of people go to retailers like Best Buy, Target, Circuit City, Walmart and others to get gift cards. These gift cards make great Christmas presents for many reasons. This year, 75% of shoppers will buy a gift card. Last year, a whopping $18.5 billion was spent on
gift cards alone. While they might seem like the perfect gift for anyone, there could sometimes be hidden issues accompanying them.

Fees:
Many gift cards nowadays come with many different fees. Fees can range from a few cents to a couple of dollars. There are fees for inactivity, fees for checking balances, and fees for certain transactions. Before you purchase the gift card, try to identify the fees. Be especially wary with debit gift cards. They have the highest associated fees out of all gift cards.

Price:
When buying gift cards, try to buy directly from the retailers and not from the credit card issuers. Retailers typically don't charge fees for purchasing their cards. Credit card issuers, on the other hand, do charge fees for purchasing gift cards.

Protection:
Many gift cards do not offer protection if the card is lost or stolen. Before you buy a gift card, find out if there is some sort of protection available. The last thing you want to find out is that little Jimmy lost his card with the $20 you put in there. Also find out the fee for getting a new card.

Also, keep in mind that 5-10% of all gift cards purchased are never put to use. As a matter of fact, my wonderful girlfriend has yet to redeem a $50 gift card for Gap. Although the numbers are slim, there is still a slight possibility that your present won't be used.

There is nothing wrong with giving gift cards as a holiday gift. Just make sure that you're careful when you purchase your card. The last thing you want to do is purchase a card with a high fee, high price and no protection plan.

Merry Christmas.

Tip 1. Review your credit - The worst thing you want to do is buy a car with a bad credit score. Before you decide to buy your car, make sure you get a copy of your credit report. If you have a high enough credit score, you might qualify for special dealer incentives and lower interest rates. If your credit score isn't up to par you should take a few months to improve your credit score. The money you will save by buying with a higher credit score is worth waiting a few months. Someone with excellent credit, a score ranging from 720-850 can get a car loan for as little as 5.1% APR. In contrast, someone with the absolute worst credit score of 500-589 can pay as much as 15.8% in APR.

Tip 4. Get a good loan - The best way to purchase a car is with cash. If you're like the majority of car buyers, you will have to take out a loan. Look around the internet for a good loan. There are thousands of banks, online lenders, and credit unions that are willing and ready to give you the loan you need to purchase your car. Visit sites like Bankrate.com to find lenders and their rates. Once you've found a good deal, always make sure to put down as much money as possible and to choose the shortest loan period. You don't want to pay for a car for the next five years. Once you've been approved, take the paper work to the car dealership. The rates you get from a bank or online lender is almost always lower than that you would've received from the dealer's financing office.

Tip 5. Research! - With the internet on your side, you have no excuse for not negotiating and getting a good deal. Before you step foot inside a dealership, make sure you have done your research. Find out the car's MSRP, Kelly Blue Book price, and its other details. When you go to the dealership, make sure you bring this information along with you. Car salesman will often try to get the most money out of a buyer simply because they go unprepared to bargain.

Remember to use these tips the next time you purchase a car and you will save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your next car.

By filing on time, you will avoid the IRS's 5% monthly "failure-to-file" penalty. For each month that you don't file, you will be charged 5% of your total tax obligation, up to a staggering 25%. After that, you will face a "failure-to-pay" penalty of 0.5% each month for the remainder of your tax balance.

Pay by Credit Card

Believe it or not, you can pay your tax bill with your credit card. The IRS has awarded two companies, Link2Gov Corp. and Official Payments Corp., with contracts to accept credit card payments on their behalf. Thru these two companies, you can pay your tax bill using your Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover credit card. Both companies accept paper and electronic filers via phone or the internet.

Although paying with your credit card might seem ideal, you must be aware. The service does come with a price. Generally, these companies charge 2.49% of your entire tax bill or a minimum of $1, which ever is greater. If your entire tax bill was $3,400, expect to pay an extra $84 in fees.

When paying with your credit card, make sure that you can pay off your credit card bill in a timely matter. The longer you hold on to the balance on your credit card, the more you will end up paying in interest charges.

Start a Payment Plan

If your tax bill is greater than your credit card's available credit, you can make monthly payments to Uncle Sam. The IRS will give you up to three years to pay off your entire tax bill as long as you don't have any previous balances. On top of that, they will even allow you to choose your payment day and the payment amount. To enroll in the installment program, attach form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, to the front of your tax return.

Negotiate a Deal

When all else fails; you can't pay with a credit card, or with a payment plan, it is time to play lets make a deal with Uncle Sam by making an Offer in Compromise or an OIC. An OIC is basically a lump sum payment lower than your original bill. The IRS offers OIC in hopes of getting some type of tax payer money sooner rather than after costly collection attempts.

Remember, negotiating an OIC with the IRS should be your last alternative. If you think that an OIC will simply get your tax bill reduced, think again. Not everyone who applies for an OIC will be approved. To even be considered, you must prove that you have no possible way of paying your entire tax bill. The IRS reviews your financial situation and future potential income to determine whether you have a reasonable payment offer.

If you believe that you may qualify for an OIC, you will need to file two separate forms: Form 433-A, Collection Information Statement and Form 656, Offer in Compromise. Along with these forms, you will also have to submit a $150 application fee along with Form 656-A, Offer in Compromise Application Fee Instruction and Certification.

This fee is waived for people who have little or no income if the claim a poverty exception when filing form 656-A. Make sure that you send in the application fee with your payment, if you don't the IRS has the right to deny your application. If everything is submitted as required, there is still a possibility that you won't get accepted for an OIC. If you aren't accepted, you simply lose your $150 application fee. If you are accepted, the $150 go toward your tax bill.

Owing Uncle Sam a little bit of money once April 17th rolls around isn't terrible. There are many options available to pay your IRS bill if you ever end up owing. The worst thing that you can do to yourself and Uncle Sam is not pay. By not paying, you will only worry yourself and accumulate more debt.

The Default Clause

The default clause allows the credit card companies to raise your interest rate if you ever miss a payment. A lot people simply look at the conspicuous 10% APR lettering on the envelope and simply apply based on that. In order to avoid paying higher interest fees, you must be aware of the defaulting rules. The credit card companies are not lenient when it comes to breaking agreements. They will quickly apply the higher rates as soon as you miss a payment. That is how they make their money. They offer you low rates, in hopes of you making late payments that way your rates increase.

The Universal Default Clause

With the universal default clause, you simply have to be late on any credit card payment and your rate automatically increases. If you’ve been making timely payments with your low APR card and unknowingly forget to make a payment on your sears card, your low APR card’s APR can increase because of the universal default clause.

How does the credit card company know that you’ve missed a payment on another card? They simply look at your credit report. If they see you’ve made any late payments on your credit accounts, they automatically increase your rate.

This means that you must pay all of your credit cards on time in order to avoid higher fees. Missing a payment on any credit card will increase your rates.

Tips and Tricks

1. Apply for a credit card that does not have a universal default clause. If you can’t find a card without a universal default clause, find one that has a lower default clause.

2. Pay your bills on time every month. Having your rates increase simply because your payment arrived late is very foolish. If your bank offers online banking, sign up and take advantage of the speedy service.

3. Don’t exceed your credit limit. Try to maintain low balances on your credit cards. In general, try not to exceed 50% of your available credit. The lower the balance on your credit cards, the easier it will be for you to make monthly payments.

4. Take the time to review your credit report. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com and apply for your free credit report. You are entitled to 3 reports every year. Order one every 4 months and check it for accuracy.

If you read the fine prints on your credit card, you will avoid getting into situations that will make you pay higher interest rates. Make sure you review every credit card offer before you send in the applications.

What should you do since the rates are high for this year? The choice is up to you. You can either go with an independent consolidation company or you can gamble. If you lock in your rates according to this year’s rates, you might miss out if the rates decrease next year.

Requirements for Federal Student Loan Consolidation

The most common mistake made is extending the current loans. A lot of people really believe that by extending their current loans, they will save and receive the same perks as consolidating. An extension will really increase the overall amount of interest pay, while consolidation may reduce that same amount. Besides the lower monthly payments, student loan consolidation offers many more benefits. Discounts are offered to people who have a balance exceeding $10,000, and lenders give a small percentage discount to anyone who makes a certain amount of consecutive payments.

In order to qualify for a student loan consolidation you typically must have $7,500 or more in student loans. If your credit is bad, your chances of being approved for consolidation will decrease. Make sure that you polish up your credit report before applying for a student loan consolidation.

Visit this page to find out which companies offer student loan consolidation.

You can also try searching for your student loan information in the National Student Loan Data System. The National Student Loan Data System contains information on Pell Grants and federal student loans. In order to fully utilize the National Student Loan Data System, you will need to provide it with certain personal information. You will need to provide your social security number, date of birth, and your Federal PIN number. Your federal PIN number is the same number used in FAFSA application.

The last resources for finding information pertaining to your student loan is the National Student Loan Clearinghouse, Elmnet, and credit bureaus. The NSLC provides a free loan locator for Federal Family Education Loan program participants. Elmnet provides information for FFELP participants. Last but not least, you may contact your credit bureaus for a credit report that will give you information on your open student loans.

Credit card insurance is not for every one of us. Some people take the offer and others don't. It all depends on the individual and the type of situation they're in. People who have no problems making their monthly payments usually pass up on the offer while others who struggle quickly sign up.

Before signing up for a credit card insurance plan, there are a few things that you should know. Not all plans are created equal; make sure that you know which plan you are getting and how the policy works.

Credit Life Insurance - This plan will pay your entire credit card balance at the time of your death, assuming that you have an outstanding balance. The credit card company will pay your outstanding balance only if they are named the beneficiaries on the plan.

Credit Disability Insurance - This plan will cover the minimum monthly payment on your credit card for a specified period of time after a medical disability. The plan does not cover purchases that are made after the disability.

Credit Involuntary Unemployment Insurance - This plan will cover the minimum monthly payment on your credit card in case you are ever laid off or downsized for a specific amount of time. The plan does not cover purchases made after becoming unemployed.

Credit Property Insurance - This type of insurance might already come with your credit card. It protects you from damaged, and in some cases, stolen items that were bought with the credit card.

There are pros and cons about credit card insurance. It is obviously a good thing that your payment will be made in case you ever lose your job or get sick. But how long will they make payments for? Do they give a sufficient amount of time for you to heal or find another job? Another unexpected drawback about getting credit card insurance is that you have to purchase a plan for every credit card you own. If you are like most Americans, you own at least 3 credit cards. Purchasing 3 different credit insurance plans can become quite expensive.

If you do choose to purchase a credit card insurance plan, make sure that you get all the information. Don't just purchase the plan without asking the proper questions. Make sure that you know the requirements for each policy. What happens if you miss a payment before you lose your job? Will you still be eligible?

Find out if you can purchase one or two plans instead of all four. Different credit cards have different rules. If you don't ask, chances are you will be spending more money than you need.

You should also know about the rates. How much will it cost to cover you for x amount of months? Can rates change? You should also ask about cancellation policy. Can you simply cancel at anytime? Overall, if you are going to purchase credit card insurance, or any type of insurance, make sure that you know what you are getting into and exactly how much it will cost you over a period of time.

You might decide to get some type of coverage but a lot of people turn this down. For most people credit card insurance is expensive and it rarely ever pays off. For some people, being covered is offers a peace of mind in case of tragedy. The choice is yours.

There is no need to carry around your social security card unless you know that you will need it on a specific day. If you haven't memorized your social security number, take it out now and memorize it. Once thieves have a hold of your social security number, they only need your address to start opening accounts. By carrying your social security card in your purse or wallet, you simply increase your chances of becoming a victim if your wallet is ever lost.

Limit File Sharing Folders
File sharing sounds like a fun and innocent thing to do but it can also be an open invitation to having your identity stolen. A lot of people simply don't specify which folder they would like to share with others, thus leaving sensible information available to anyone at anytime.

If you use some type of file sharing program, make sure that you specify which folder you want to share. Do not store documents that contain your name, address, social security number, banking information, or credit card numbers in your shared folder. You will not believe the number of people accidentally leave their entire hard drives open to millions of people.

Clean Your Computer
Before you get rid of your old computer make sure that you do one simple thing, erase the entire hard drive. A lot of people simply throw away their old computers without destroying sensible information. If an identity thieve gets a hold of your old computer, they can simply search the hard drive for social security numbers, addresses, banking information and more.

The safest thing to do before getting rid of a computer is to format the entire hard drive(s). By formatting the hard drive, you erase every single file that is stored on the disk. Make sure that you format the hard drive once you are sure that you will not need the information anymore, or once backups have been made on the new computers.

Limit Information on Checks
Checks are very convenient; they allow you to move money without actually handling cash. But checks can also be a good way for your information to be stolen. A lot of times, people write their social security numbers on the back of the checks. If have the habit of doing this, please stop now! Writing your social security number on the back of a check increases the chances of your identity being stolen. Remember that you are not the only person who will see or touch that check; many people will see and handle your check before it is deposited into your account.

Watch out for Phishing Emails
Scammers are now using emails to try to get your personal information. Phishing is the act of tricking someone into giving them confidential information or tricking them into doing something that they normally wouldn't do or shouldn't do. I'm pretty sure that you have received a phishing email at one point or another. Once you click on the link in the email, you are taken to a fake website that looks exactly like the authentic. When you fill out the form, your information is sent to the scammer and boom, you become a victim.

People fall victim to this everyday. Scammers continue to send out these emails because they are very effective. Remember that almost no company will send you an email asking you to change your password. If you are in doubt, never click on the link that's in the email. Always visit the site directly from your browser. If the message is true, you will be reminded when you sign on.

Protect Your Pin Number
Don't do what a lot of people do. The worst thing to with a pin number is to write it down. Pin numbers are short for a reason, so that you can easily remember them. Don't carry your pin number in your wallet or anywhere on you, and best of all, don't write it on the back of your card. Yes, many people do that.

If you take these simple precautions, you will greatly decrease your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. Your personal finance and information is vital. Protect it well and you won't have to worry about someone opening credit card accounts in your name.

Know the terms.
Whether you have a credit card or a loan, it is important that you know the terms of the agreement. Find out what the APR is. Are there any fees associated with the loan or credit card? What about if your payment comes in late? Make sure that you know everything associated with your loan or credit card.

Carry only a couple of cards.
Carrying all of your credit cards is a bad idea. If you lose your wallet or purse, you will lose all of your credit cards and increase your risk of being a victim of identity theft. You will also have to call each and every credit card company to cancel your cards, one by one.

Another good reason to carry only one or two cards is that you won't be tempted to buy on impulse. Believe it or not, many people get into credit card debt simply because of buying on impulse. They buy something they think that they want, only to find out that they really don't need it.

Make payments.
Never go a month without paying your credit card bills or loans. B not making at least the minimum payment, you will be slapped with late fees, a higher interest rate, a possibility of the missed payment going on your credit report. Make sure that you pay at least the minimum payment, although not advised, making a minimum payment is 1,000 better than not making a single payment.

A better way to go is to pay a little bit more than the required minimum payment. By paying a little more than the required minimum payment, you will pay your debt off in less time.

The best way to go is to pay the balance in full each month. To do this, make sure that you only charge an amount that you can afford to pay off once the bill arrives. By paying off the amount in full, you will less likely eliminate interest charges and you will not have to worry about accumulating debt.

Pay on time.
A lot of people send in their payments on the due date. That is not the case. You should send in your payments well before the due date. The credit card companies are not responsible for the amount of time it takes for a bill to arrive at their door. Make sure that your payment is in the mail at least 7 days before the due date to assure prompt delivery.

If you have access to a computer, sign up for online payment thru your bank. Many banks now offer online bill payment free of charge. If your bank does not offer this priceless service, or if they charge for the service, it is time to switch banks. Online bill payments usually take no more than 2 business days to get to your creditor.

Keep records of payments
Sometimes your account is not credited when payments are made. You need to keep a record of every payment made incase of a blunder on the creditor's part. Your only defense is the proof that you possess. Make sure you keep records of your payments.

Review your statements.
Every time you receive a statement from your credit card company, sit down and review it. A lot of people simply don't care to review their credit card statements. Make sure that all purchases that appear on the statement were performed or approved by you. If a purchase that you've never made appears on your statement, you should immediately call your credit card company to dispute.

Spend wisely.
Your credit card is not free money. A lot of people think that a credit card is free money but it isn't. As a matter of fact, if not used carefully you end up paying more for the items your purchase by using a credit card than in cash. Don't make frivolous purchases with your credit card. Ask yourself if you really want that new pair of shoes, or if you really need another pair of jeans.

The most important thing to remember is that you have to stay on top of your finances and credit. Don't allow your spending habits to control you.

What will you invest in?
What do you plan on investing in? Do you plan on buying stocks? You also have a choice in purchasing mutual funds, options, bonds or even certificates of deposits (CDs). All online brokers are built differently. They won't all offer all these options. You have to make sure that the broker you choose has what you want to buy. The last thing you would want is to end up with a broker that only offers bonds when you rigorously plan on investing in stocks.

Compare fees and services.
Before you choose a broker, find out what they charge in commissions and fees. Each broker sets their own fees and the difference can be quite substantial. Make sure that you know the commission fees for Market orders and Limit orders. On top of commission fees, also compare the maintenance and transfer fees.

Don't just compare by how much the brokers charge. You should also check out if they have a lot more to offer. Find out if they have phone trades. Does the broker's site have a place where you can do research on your investments? What about local offices? Do they offer the peace and comfort of actually sitting down and talking with a real person?

Choosing a broker does not have to be a cumbersome task. It's really as easy as 1-2-3. Simply know how much you want to invest, know where you will invest, compare fees, and submit the paper work. It's that easy. Now that everything is set up, it's time for you to start investing. Good luck.

Here are five little things that you can do now in order to start becoming rich.

2. Eliminate Fees
In order to save more and become rich, you must get rid of the fees. Start with your bank. If you are paying a monthly fee for your checking account, it is time to switch. There are many nationwide banks who offer free checking. If you have a credit card that charges an annual fee, once again, it is time to switch. You should not be paying the credit card companies annual fess in order to borrow their money. You already do that with the interest they charge you. If you credit card charges you an annual fee, call them and ask them to waive the fee. If that does not work, you should switch to credit card that does not charge an annual fee.

3. Let Your Money Earn Interest
If you currently have money saved up, make sure that it is earning interest. If you are going to save some money for a short term, make sure that your money is in a high yield savings account in CD account. Don't save money in your checking account. Your checking account does not accumulate interest, and if it does, it is only a pittance to what a high yield savings account earns. It only makes sense to have your money make money for you when it's just sitting there.

4. Don't Become Cheap
Yes, money is important. But it should not run your life. Every decision that you make should not be based on money alone. Don't become another Scrooge. Being cheap will only make everything hard because every decision that you make will be based on money. Learn to enjoy your money. Being rich does not mean being stingy or cheap, it simply means that you know how much to spend and when to give.

5. Think First
Before you do something with your money, think first. Find out what is the best move for you. What works for one person might not work the same for you. If you are going to invest in the stock market, don't simply buy a stock because your friend bought it or because some reporter on a financial TV show simply told you to buy. Make sure that you research before you make a long term investment. Be smart when managing your money. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it's probably not.

These are just 5 little things that you can keep in mind on your way to becoming rich. Remember, being rich is not about how much you make, it's about how much you keep. Learn to keep more of your money and before you know it, you'll be rich!

Check out your Credit
First, look at your credit report either by mail or online. There are three different main credit report companies, Equifax, Experian and Transunion. You can even subscribe to watch it every month for a low monthly fee or get it every couple of months. Getting your credit report by mail will cost you a small fee but you can request one for free if you have been denied credit.

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, Texas 75013
(888) 397-3742

TransUnion
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, Pennsylvania 19022
(800) 916-8800
For fraud alerts: (800) 680-7289
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

If you don't think you'll check every month then get the latter of the two. Once you see all the things that are on your credit report start paying them off. The bigger the better, yes you can start small but it'll only improve your credit in small percentages. The longer an account is open and not paid will only increase in late fees.

The following can be found in your credit report:

Personal Profile which includes your name, Alias, Employer. Your name will be your given name and your alias will be the one that everyone knows you by. Not only will the report show your current employer it will also have your previous employers as well as previous addresses.

Creditor Summary will have a brief listing of all current and past accounts, whether they are opened or closed. You may have revolving accounts, real estate accounts, installment accounts, collection accounts and the total of all accounts. Tthe bottom of your credit summary should show how many open and closed accounts you have, how many public records are out there and the number of inquiries.

Make sure that all the accounts on your report are yours. Many people find out they have accounts that they've never even heard of on their credit report. Call the company and dispute it.

Public Records would list any court judgments you've had, late child support, tax liens or even bankruptcy.

Account History shows each account you have in full detail. The name of the account, the account number, type of account, its status, monthly payment plan, terms, balance, limits, past due amount (if any), payment status. Your account history will also include the day that your account was opened. Creditors can also post comments on your account.

Each credit report will have a legend to explain everything. To keep your credit in good standing check it periodically, not just once a year. Knowing what's on your credit can help you. Many people don't look and realize later that they've become victims of identity theft. Don't let this happen to you, stay on top of things and be very careful with your social security number and any credit cards you may have. If they get stolen report it immediately. Don't wait a day or two because you think you've misplaced them, it's easier to get a new card then it is to wipe away a bad credit.