The Beginning of Credit Card Era

In 1951, Diners Club issued first credit card to 200 customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New York City. From that modest beginning, credit cards have become an indispensable part of modern life. Consumers rely on credit cards to help them achieve their lifestyle goals by letting them take advantage of special bargains, spread payments out over several months, and provide cash in emergencies. Credit cards have become so widespread that they are often accepted as a piece of primary identification.

Getting most from your credit cards involves four main steps:

Get right card for your needs.

Use your credit cards wisely

Follow these simple tips to get most from your card.

Tips:

Pay your credit card bills on time. This is single most important thing you can do to preserve and enhance your credit rating. Always pay at least your minimum payment and allow time for your payment to reach company if you are using mail.

If you can’t pay off your balance in full, then slow down on your credit card use for next while. Take time to step back and have a careful look at how much you earn and how much you spend each month. A little budgeting can save you big money down road.

Check your statement carefully each month. Review your statement carefully. Do all charges look correct? Have any required credits been applied? Are there any unusual or unexpected charges? Your credit card company will correct legitimate errors, but only if you bring them to their attention in a timely manner before you pay your bill.

Transfer your balance to a card with a lower interest rate. If you have two or more credit cards with outstanding balances, consider moving outstanding balances to card with lowest interest rate. You will save money each month and simplify your record keeping by receiving only one bill.

Negotiate for a lower rate with your credit card company. If you have a good credit history, you are a valuable asset to your credit card company. Call them and seek ways to lower your interest rate. This is often possible, but never advertised. If interest rate you are currently paying is very high, imply you may cancel card and go with a competitor unless they adjust your rate downward. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and you may be surprised at results.

Protect yourself against fraud

While credit card fraud is a problem, here are a few simple steps you can take to greatly reduce risk of becoming a victim.

Tips:

Sign new cards immediately. When you receive your new or replacement card in mail, sign it, in ink, right away. If it is a replacement card, destroy old card by cutting it into many small pieces.

Shred old credit card receipts. You can purchase an inexpensive paper shredder at an office supply store. All old receipts with your credit card number and any unneeded documents with your social insurance number or other sensitive personal information should be shredded before disposal. This prevents common practice of criminals going through trash to find receipts and stealing your identity

Never fax your credit card number. Your credit card number can lie for hours in fax basket at other end. Anyone passing by can record your number and begin to use your card number fraudulently. It is even possible for criminals to intercept your credit card number while fax is in transmission.

Modular homes are any home in which 80 to 95% of it is built in a factory. It is constructed in sections or modules. These modules are transported to a building site, placed on conventional foundations and assembled, where construction is completed. Unlike stick-built or site-built homes, modular building techniques are used, on-site builders involvement is limited to excavation, final grading, construction of a suitable foundation, interior and exterior wall finish, HVAC hookup and connection to utilities.Modular Homes are NOT trailer homes, or mobile homes. Modular Homes are built to local building codes, not to less stringent HUD code used by mobile home companies. There are no axles or telltale signs to indicate that a home is modular.

Can I tell difference between a Modular Home and one constructed onsite?

You can’t unless you see house being constructed. There are no telltale seams, beams or lines, unless builder used antiquated techniques. Modular builders use same materials and used when constructing a site built home. When a home is completed you cannot distinguish between two.Aren’t walls and materials lower quality?Absolutely not. Modular homes are constructed with 2x6 walls, and stronger materials so that home can tolerate rigors of being transported hundreds of miles. Most modular home factories use national brand name products to further enhance quality of finished product.

Can a modular home have a Basement?

Yes, and most of them do – often with 9’ high sidewalls, walk-out basements, and expanded living areas on lower levels – but that is up to you, and your modular home builder.

Are modular homes are of inferior quality when compared to site built homes?

No - and arguably modular homes are of better quality. The two primary reasons for this are supervision and weather. Site built homes are subject to elements. Modular homes are built in controlled environment of factory. This protects building materials from harsh outdoor environment and enables laborers to work in comfortable environs improving quality of their work. The second reason for better quality of modular homes is quality control programs used by modular manufacturers. Few builders who construct site built homes have a quality control manual or program in place. Modular builders do. Furthermore, regular inspections occur during building of a modular home. In theory this is what your builder is supposed to do in oversight of his subcontractors. In practice however these types of inspection are not done frequently or as well as it should be. Modular homes are inspected once on assembly line, once more by a third party independent inspector required by state in which home is to be built, and lastly by local building inspector – for quality, as well as form, fit and accuracy.

Can modular homes be customized?