The first step in finding a mortgage loan is to seek out local brokers that will sit down with you to discuss you options and situation. There are many factors that may determine what kind of a loan is best. You may want to think about how long you plan to be in your home, you current income available for mortgage payments and you credit history. These factors can all come into play with your mortgage plan so it's a good idea to ask a broker directly and work out a plan to fit your needs.

Congratulations college freshman! You’re about to embark on one of most exciting times of your life. By now your parents, siblings, and friends have offered you all kinds of advice on how to make your transition to college smoother - how to get along with your roommate, what classes to take and which ones to avoid, where to find best off-campus food, and how to stay safe on campus.

One thing they may have not warned you about is how quickly you’ll be bombarded with credit card offers. You’ll find them in your textbooks, in your mailbox, and on every campus bulletin board. You’ll be offered free DVD’s, t-shirts, music downloads, and more in return for completing an application for credit.

Why all this fuss over you for a stupid piece of plastic? Because they love to recruit new borrowers, especially in your age bracket. They know, from numerous studies, that college students tend to be impulse buyers. And even though your impulse purchases tend to be small - pizza, coffee, beer, CD’s, cigarettes, books, etc. - those small purchases can add up quickly.

Fifty-four percent of freshman students and 92 percent of sophomores have at least one credit card. A recent study shows average college student graduates with between $1,500 - $3,000 in credit card debt.

Here are 7 tips to help you manage your college credit card needs: