Tips for managing your credit cards

Written by Colin McDougall


Continued from page 1

  • Use caution when giving your credit card number out onrepparttar phone or onrepparttar 112564 Internet. Only give out your credit card number on telephone calls you initiate to business or organizations you trust. Never give your number out to callers who call unannounced, no matter how legitimaterepparttar 112565 call sounds.
  • Onrepparttar 112566 Internet, look for an Internet address that begins https:. The “s” indicates that it is a secure connection and a small padlock symbol should appear inrepparttar 112567 bottom right hand corner of your screen, indicating it is safe to transmit your credit card number.
  • Call your credit card company instantly if you suspect trouble. All credit card companies have 24 hour lost and stolen help lines. If you lose your wallet or purse or have it stolen, call without delay! Much fraud happens withinrepparttar 112568 first hour or two, beforerepparttar 112569 victim realizesrepparttar 112570 cards are missing. Your credit card company will block your cards from being used and stop you from being responsible for any charges thieves incur.
  • Take advantage of any security features your card offers. Many newer cards haverepparttar 112571 option of including your photograph onrepparttar 112572 card. This is excellent protection and is highly recommended.
  • Review your credit history regularly

    After you have obtainedrepparttar 112573 best credit card, and are using it wisely, review your credit history on a regular basis. This helps ensure your history is accurate and that any issues have been resolved to your satisfaction.

    North America has three national credit-reporting bureaus. Your credit rating is held at one or more of these bureaus. When checking on your rating, be sure to contact all three, as your rating may be held on file at more than one bureau. The three national credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Checkrepparttar 112574 Yellow Pages, under Credit to findrepparttar 112575 numbers in your area.

    Getrepparttar 112576 right card

    With allrepparttar 112577 choices in cards available, chances are good,very good, you can find a better card for your needs. Today’s cards can save you money, offer better features, and even support a cause you believe in. Here are some tips on findingrepparttar 112578 right card and where to check that you haverepparttar 112579 best card for your needs.

    Tips:

  • 4 Be alert for companies offering a great interest rate for transferring your existing balance to their card. Usually these rates are only in effect for a short time, often six months. Atrepparttar 112580 end of this time,repparttar 112581 rate can revert to a much higher permanent rate. Keep your eye onrepparttar 112582 Annual Percentage Rate (APR); this isrepparttar 112583 figure that counts inrepparttar 112584 long run.
  • Lower is better: readrepparttar 112585 fine print and findrepparttar 112586 Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This isrepparttar 112587 interest raterepparttar 112588 companies charge you if you carry a balance. You wantrepparttar 112589 lowest rate possible; as each percentage point drop will save you money onrepparttar 112590 months you have an outstanding balance.
  • Nothing can be better: Try for a credit card that does not charge an annual fee. Many credit cards charge you a fee each year to use their cards. While this may be offset by other benefitsrepparttar 112591 card may offer, you can find cards that do not charge this annual fee. Why pay forrepparttar 112592 privilege of using a credit card when you don’t have to?
  • Explorerepparttar 112593 options: Today’s cards offer a wide range of excellent features, including frequent flier points, programs that bank points toward a new car, and cards that support charitable organizations. Other options worth having include car rental insurance coverage, trip cancellation coverage, and extended warranty coverage.
  • Colin McDougall isrepparttar 112594 editor of personal finance websites offering credit cards, student credit cardsand other personal & mortgage loans.



    Colin McDougall is the editor of the financial review sites http://www.loans-source.info and http://www.only-the-best-credit-cards-online.com


    Talking About Modular Homes

    Written by Nancy Storrs - Custom Modular Homes, LLC - Wisconsin


    Continued from page 1

    How long does it take to build a Modular Home?

    Modular home construction is much faster than site built homes. The typical rule of thumb forrepparttar building of a site built home is 4-6 months from ground breaking. A modular home can be completed in 1-2 months. There are several reasons for this. All ofrepparttar 112563 trades required to build a site built home are employed atrepparttar 112564 factory so there is a reduced number of tradesman. Secondly many different tasks can be going on simultaneously inrepparttar 112565 factory. Lastly, some ofrepparttar 112566 site work, like excavation andrepparttar 112567 pouring ofrepparttar 112568 foundation are done prior torepparttar 112569 timerepparttar 112570 house is delivered torepparttar 112571 construction site.Compare this torepparttar 112572 site built home where most tasks must be done sequentially. In total a few weeks is all that will be required to completerepparttar 112573 modules that comprise a modular home. Once delivered on siterepparttar 112574 builder may have another few weeks to completerepparttar 112575 finish work. Typically, customers can expect that it will take 4-6 weeks from time of order to time of delivery, and from time of delivery to completion, another 4-6 weeks.

    Are modular homes difficult to finance?

    No. That used to berepparttar 112576 case, butrepparttar 112577 sheer number of modular homes being constructed, as well asrepparttar 112578 lending community’s understanding ofrepparttar 112579 quality of modular homes has all but eliminated any previously existing prejudice.

    Do modular homes offer energy efficiency?

    Modular homes are often able to achieve extremely high energy efficiency ratings, with some manufacturer’s offering extremely high standards in their products. Expect to see R-19 to R-21 or better in walls, R-38 to R50 in roofs, and Low-E windows are almost standard inrepparttar 112580 modular industry. Talk to your builder to find out what features are standard, and which are options.

    Are there differences inrepparttar 112581 permit requirements between site built and modular homes?

    No, there are no differences. A modular home must conform or comply withrepparttar 112582 local building requirements of whererepparttar 112583 home will be placed. Mobile homes, in contrast, do have substantially different permit or code requirements - but these do not pertain to modular homes. Modular homes may cost less for permits because they are pre-inspected atrepparttar 112584 factory before ever arriving onrepparttar 112585 construction site. When you are looking at new homes, talk to a company that specializes in modular homes. They can answer questions as they pertain to your community and local codes.

    Conclusion

    There are many good reasons why you should explorerepparttar 112586 option of a modular home. These reasons include: time savings, design flexibility, quality, cost savings, shorter-term construction loans (less interest paid) and brand name products. Withrepparttar 112587 decreasing pool of skilled laborers, modular homes are appearing in subdivisions nationwide in larger and larger numbers. Seek a builder with expertise in modular homes, and you’ll find quality, beauty and affordability in less time, often with warranties of up to ten years. It’s an option you are seeing more and more.



    Nancy is happily constructing new homes for customers in Wisconsin and guiding them through the mortgage, construction and home equity process. She is a specialist in modular home construction, ADA compliant, and Universal Design for Accessibility


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