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A credit card is a form of borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms and conditions affect your overall cost.
So it's wise to compare terms and fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card account. The following are some important terms to consider that generally must be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no application. You also may want to ask about these terms when you're shopping for a card.

If you don't understand the language, credit card offers and statements could lead you to deep debt -- or at least furious frustration. For the big scoop on the fine print, here's what these frequently used credit card terms mean.

1.Average daily balance -- This is the method by which most credit cards calculate your payment due. An average daily balance is determined by adding each day's balance and then dividing that total by the number of days in a billing cycle. The average daily balance is then multiplied by a card's monthly periodic rate, which is calculated by dividing the annual percentage rate by 12. A card with an annual rate of 18 percent would have a monthly periodic rate of 1.5 percent. If that card had a $500 average daily balance it would yield a monthly finance charge of $7.50.

2.APR(Annual percentage rate) -- A yearly rate of interest that includes fees and costs paid to acquire the loan. Lenders are required by law to disclose the APR. The rate is calculated in a standard way, taking the average compound interest rate over the term of the loan, so borrowers can compare loans.

3.Balance transfer -- The process of moving an unpaid credit card debt from one issuer to another. Card issuers sometimes offer teaser rates to encourage balance transfers coming in and balance-transfer fees to discourage them from going out.

4.Cash-advance fee -- A charge by the bank for using credit cards to obtain cash. This fee can be stated in terms of a flat per-transaction fee or a percentage of the amount of the cash advance. For example, the fee may be expressed as follows: '2%/$10'. This means that the cash advance fee will be the greater of 2 percent of the cash advance amount or $10.

The banks may limit the amount that can be charged to a specific dollar amount. Depending on the bank issuing the card, the cash advance fee may be deducted directly from the cash advance at the time the money is received or it may be posted to your bill as of the day you received the advance. The cost of a cash advance is also higher because there generally is no grace period. Interest accrues from the moment the money is withdrawn.

5.Card holder agreement -- The written statement that gives the terms and conditions of a credit card account. The cardholder agreement is required by Federal Reserve regulations. It must include the Annual Percentage Rate, the monthly minimum payment formula, annual fee if applicable, and the cardholder's rights in billing disputes. Changes in the cardholder agreement may be made, with written advance notice, at any time by the issuer. Rules for imposing changes vary from state to state, but the rules that apply are those of the home state of the issuing bank, not the home state of the cardholder.

6.Finance charge -- The charge for using a credit card, comprised of interest costs and other fees.

7.Floor -- The minimum rate possible on a variable-rate loan or line of credit, after any initial introductory rate period. For example, on a credit card with the Prime rate as its index, no matter how low the Prime rate drops, the rate on the line may never decrease below the stated rate floor.

8.Free Period -- Also called a 'grace period,' a free period lets you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date. Knowing whether a card gives you a free period is especially important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a free period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer must mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time to pay.

9.Minimum payment -- The minimum amount a cardholder can pay to keep the account from going into default. Some card issuers will set a high minimum if they are uncertain of the cardholder's ability to pay. Most card issuers require a minimum payment of two percent of the outstanding balance.

10.Over-the-limit fee -- A fee charged for exceeding the credit limit on the card.

11.Periodic rate -- The interest rate described in relation to a specific amount of time. The monthly periodic rate, for example, is the cost of credit per month; the daily periodic rate is the cost of credit per day.

12.Pre-approved -- A credit card offer with 'pre-approved' only means that a potential customer has passed a preliminary credit-information screening. A credit card company can spurn the customers it invited with 'pre-approved' junk mail if it doesn't like the applicant's credit rating.

13.Secured card -- A credit card that a cardholder secures with a savings deposit to ensure payment of the outstanding balance if the cardholder defaults on payments. It is used by people new to credit, or people trying to rebuild their poor credit ratings.

14.Teaser rate -- Often called the introductory rate, it is the below-market interest rate offered to entice customers to switch credit cards or lenders.

15.Variable interest rate -- Percentage that a borrower pays for the use of money, and which moves up or down periodically based on changes in other interest rates.

I hope this terms will help you out a little when choosing your next credit card.



About the author:
-Thomas Lindstr?m-
owner of:
http://www.greatestcreditcardsite.com
http://www.online-realization.com

A Need To Know Basis
Too often investors buy shares in a stock armed with little more than the ticker symbol and a tip from a friend at work. Why not arm yourself with the best possible information, especially when it is all there at your fingertips for free? Here are the bare bones factors that are important to know about the company you are going to invest in, and how they can impact the prices of shares.
Revenues
This is how much money the company is making. Many penny stocks may not have revenues at all if they are in the development stage, or if they are trying to bring a brand new product to market. However, if the company has been around a while they had better have enough revenues to offset some of the costs.
If the company is in its growth stages, there has to be an increasing trend in revenues. If they are trying to gain market share, or break into new markets, their success should be tempered with improving revenues.
Earnings
Of course, revenues are just a precursor to earnings. All companies want to eventually make money, and it is when they start bringing in more revenues than costs that all the magic happens. Positive earnings can have an excellent effect on penny stock companies, because they are suddenly on their way to becoming something more.
If a penny stock is not heavily funded from external sources, or they don't have a significant cash position, they need positive earnings to stay afloat, fund ongoing operations, and take advantage of their intended strategic options.
Debt
Some companies can get saddled by enormous debt, especially in their start-up or early growth phases. This can be detrimental in many ways, as interest payments can cut into earnings, and creditors can pull strings at inopportune times, effectively sweeping the feet out from under a fragile company. There are also issues of control, and dependence.
Until a company's revenues out-pace expenses, debt will continue to grow. Unless, of course, the company raises capital through other means such as dilutive stock offerings, or by giving up significant control to venture capitalists.
Assets
All of the cash, inventories, and property of a company have some value, and can give you a quick glimpse of the health and position of a company. For example, if they have six million in cash, with yearly costs of one million, you could assume that they would be able to meet their operational requirements for a long time.
If they had significant miscellaneous assets, they may be able to sell these off to raise capital if they needed. However, if their assets are well below their liabilities, the company will likely need to find a quick source of financing to meet their obligations.
Liabilities
Here is how much the company owes or needs to pay out. The lower the value the better, especially when compared to assets. There should almost never be higher liabilities than assets. In fact a ratio of 1:2 is standard in some sectors, to give a company some breathing room.
The Bare Bones
Without at least this basic understanding, it is unlikely that you have enough information on the stock you are interested in. Sure, its great to jump on board a stock with a good story, but if you dig a little deeper you may find that the company actually has a great story, or has some underlying problems that the average investor may not know about.


About the author:
Peter Leeds, one of North America's leading Investment Coaches, is a self-made millionaire who has created his fortunes on the stock markets. He has also empowered thousands of individuals to do the same. His personal success and incredible ability to consistently pick money-making stocks has earned him a loyal following of successful investors and has generated significant attention from the financial world. He offers sites like http://www.pennystockinsider.comto help penny stock investors make wise decisions.

It's hard to imagine doing business today without credit cards. If you are 1 of the few who do not own a credit card, you probably have difficulty renting a car or reserving a hotel room. On the other hand, if you have a fistful of maxed out credit cards and want a new one, you have a whole new adventure ahead of you, too.

Let's start with the basics.


What Is A Credit Card?

The dictionary defines a credit card as: 'A card which can be used to obtain cash, goods or services up to a stipulated credit limit. The supplier is later paid by the credit card company, which in due course is reimbursed by the credit card holder, who will be charged interest at the end of the credit period if money is still owing.'

In other words, whatever you charge to your credit card has to be paid back within the credit cycle, or an interest amount will be applied to the remaining balance. Sometimes, lots and lots of interest.


Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

The obvious advantage to using a credit card is that it allows you to purchase goods or services that you might not be able to pay for immediately. The credit cycle of most cards is usually about 30 days, and if the money is paid back in that amount of time, there is no interest owed. This sounds good in theory, just like an interest-free loan. But the bottom line is that most folks don't pay off their balances on a monthly basis. This is where the disadvantages come into play.

Any amount that isn't paid off within the monthly cycle will be subjected to an interest charge. Depending upon your balance and the rate charged by the specific card issuer, that amount of interest could be huge. On top of that, many people will continue to charge things to their card, and the balance and interest keeps growing until they have no hope of ever paying off the card by only make the minimum payment. This is a very common scenario, and most of us know someone who has been in this situation.


The Rewards of Good Credit

Chances are that every few days you get a pre-approved credit card application in the mail. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Well, before you accept this generous offer, read the fine print. You'll see that many of these promotions come with hidden penalties in the guise of high interest rates and annual fees.

If you want to get the best possible interest rate with no additional fees, you’ll need to give the credit companies what they’re looking for in your credit history. They will check to see that you are responsible with your credit and that you have paid your bills in a timely manner. These signs of stability and credit responsibility will encourage the card company to reduce the amount of interest they will charge you. Outstanding loans with late payments and too much available credit will work against you.

Although credit cards can be great for emergencies, they can easily get out of hand. Before you apply for one, decide in advance what you plan to use it for. If used with discretion, credit cards can give you added economic flexibility and buying power.



About the author:
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.new-credit-card-now.comto learn more about this fascinating subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

There are a variety of credit card types, each claiming to offer you the best possible deal. Finding the programs and incentives that works best for you is key to maintaining a good credit card history.

Each type of credit card offer different benefits. Some are geared toward the individual consumer, while others are set up to work for small businesses. To find the type of card that best fits your needs, let's review some of the options.


Business Cards

A business credit card offers the business owner an opportunity to keep business and personal expenses separate. The card may offer special business rewards and saving opportunities that go above and beyond what the individual card owner has. Since money management is essential for running a business successfully, this card may offer an expense management service that helps track outgoing money. You can obtain additional cards for employees who may need them for travel expenses and such. You may also have a higher credit limit than you normally would on an individual card.


Student Cards

Many credit card companies will issue student cards with lower credit limits and fewer incentives, helping new card users to keep their spending in check. However, note that many college students now graduate with credit balances averaging from $3,000 to $7,000. With high interest rates, these debts can be a real problem to pay off.


Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards are 1 type of credit card that has grown significantly in recent years. Although it works like a traditional credit card when making a purchase, that is where the similarity ends. With a prepaid debit card, you actually set the credit limit yourself by depositing money into the debit card’s account. The amount you deposit determines the credit limit on that card. This is a great way to have the convenience of a credit card without the possibility of charging more than you can afford to pay off.


Cards for Bad Credit

Even with bad credit, it is possible to obtain a credit card. These cards come with some restrictions not typically found on other types of cards. Your credit limit will be lower and your interest rate higher. Some may require you to have a secured card, meaning you have to maintain a savings or some other type of account that will cover the expenses on the credit card. Once you have established that you will be responsible in your credit handling, some, if not all, of your restrictions may be lifted.


Cash Back Cards

Many cards will now offer you cash-back incentives for using their cards. Depending on how much your balance is, and how often you use the card, you can earn cash back for your purchases. Some companies offer 1% off your balance while others, like Sears, will offer you cash off purchases made in their store. Either way, if you are planning on using a card, finding one that will offer you a cash incentive is a smart choice.


Low-Interest Cards

One of the more recent additions to the credit card world is the low-interest credit card. These cards offer a significantly lower interest rate than most of the older cards you may already have. As balance-transfer cards, most of them offer you the option of transferring a balance from a higher interest rate card and, for a specified period of time, your transferred balance will be at either 0% interest or something quite low. This can save you a fair amount of money if your plan is to pay it off.


Reward and Incentive Cards

Since credit cards have become such a lucrative business, many corporations have jumped on the bandwagon. Even airlines now offer credit cards that come with a certain amount of frequent flyer miles attached, depending on your balance and purchases. If you do a fair amount of traveling, this can be a real bonus. Along these same lines, reward credit cards are growing in popularity. Competition is stiff, and many card companies are now offering different reward or incentive options for using their cards. Once you accumulate enough points, the rewards pour in. These can be anything from travel insurance to small appliances. If you use a card regularly, finding one with a reward program can really pay off.


Instant Approval Cards

Another form of credit card is the instant approval card. Once you fill out the application, a quick background check will be done and you will have your approval almost immediately. Regular cards can take up to 2 weeks to process. Although you can get instant approval, this does not always mean you can get instant credit. Some companies will supply you with a temporary credit card number and allow you to begin making purchases immediately, while others will not, due to an increase in credit card fraud potential.


Protect Your Credit

Since there are so many options in choosing a credit card, you should do a little research before you apply. Decide what type of card best fits your needs and apply for that one. Don't go overboard, though. Applying for too many cards will negatively affect your credit rating.

And, above all, once you get your new credit card, use it responsibly.



About the author:
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.new-credit-card-now.comto learn more about this fascinating subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

A bad credit auto loan isn't impossible to find-- it just takes a little work! If your credit is a little dented and dinged, it doesn't have to shut you out of an auto loan. There are those companies that will overlook bad credit. Auto loan options for you if you have less than perfect credit include on-lot dealer financing, getting a co-signer, attempting to repair your credit before you look for a bad credit auto loan and accepting less than ideal terms for a bad credit auto loan.

Your best starting point - before you even start looking for a car - is to check your credit report yourself. A new law passed last year entitles you to get one free credit report from each of the major credit reporting agencies every 12 months. The law is being rolled out across the country in stages, but by the end of 2005, whatever state you live in, you'll be entitled to check your own credit history free once a year to find out if you have bad credit. Auto loan and finance companies will use the information in your credit history to determine whether or not to grant you a loan and on what terms, so it makes sense to check first and avoid being surprised.

If you find errors in your credit report, or if a credit reporting agency is mistakenly reporting that you have bad credit, put off applying for an auto loan until you have a chance to clear up the mistake. If, on the other hand, your credit report legitimately lists problems, you can start looking for a bad credit auto loan through one of several different sources.

Because a bad credit auto loan carries more risk for the lender, it's difficult to find one with 'competitive' interest rates. The best way to get a good interest rate - and begin repairing your bad credit is with a cosigned auto loan. By co-signing an auto loan for you, your co-signer takes responsibility for paying back your loan if you fail to make the payments. The interest rate is likely to be much better than you can get with any other bad credit auto loan - very close to the terms your co-signer would be offered. Just be sure to ask the lender to report the payment history in BOTH your name and that of your co-signer so that you can begin repairing or building your credit history.

If a co-signer isn't possible, or you prefer a loan in your own name, try to secure a bad credit auto loan on your own before going to the dealer. Your usual bank is your logical first choice. Make an appointment to speak with a loan officer at the bank where you usually do business, as they have an interest in continuing and extending their relationship with you. One possible option through a credit union, for instance, is to make arrangements for a bad credit auto loan that's tied to one of your other accounts as security.

The car dealer should be your last option for securing a bad credit auto loan. They have a vested interest in getting you into a car - but be aware that you'll pay premium prices for financing a bad credit auto loan through a dealership. If it's your only option, however, you may find that you can convert your high interest auto loan in the future if you're able to repair and improve your credit score.

About the author:
'@Copyrights 2005' - Bill A Smith works as a credit counselor for Ameri credit counseling firm. Bill has 10 years of experience in providing credit repair, credit counseling and credit management services to clients. Visit us at http://www.americreditservices.com/ and http://www.americreditservices.com/0-interest-credit-cards/ for non profit credit management services.




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