Zero Balance

Most people agree that curb appeal can make or break a home when trying to make your home stand out from the rest. Especially, when trying to sell your home, curb appeal can enhance the exterior of your home so much that someone who might not have stopped and gone inside will because of how much they like the outside of the home. When adding merely curb appeal to a home brings in a selling profit of 20,000, this is really something to write about. Heres how it happened.

One of the benefits of being an agent or working with a real estate agent is that we as agents can set up an email flash in the MLS to send us listings as soon as they go on the market. Good deals on homes or fixer uppers go quickly these days with all the handymen and do it yourselfers out there. I sell real estate in the Tampa Bay area full time, but as a hobby my wife and I like to buy and sell houses that are in minor need of repair.

This particular home in Pasco County, Florida went on the market at 2:00 pm and by 4:00 pm we had already viewed the property and offered a full price offer for it which was immediately accepted. The reason we offered full price was because we saw the potential in this home for some reasonable profit and didnt want to take a chance at losing it. The home was on the market after just being purchased 8 weeks prior by a contractor who completely gutted the home and remodeled it. He must have spent close to 35,000 on new air conditioning, new roofing, new windows, complete new kitchen, new bathroom, new garage door opener, fresh paint inside and out, new carpeting and new tile. The asking price was fair and I am sure he made a substantial profit too.

So what potential did we see? The exterior was painted all white, including the front door. There were no colorful shutters around the windows. The mail box was leaning over and so was the fence. The grass was full of weeds, the plants and trees overgrown, and there was no sprinkler system. For such a beautiful home inside, the curb appeal was atrocious.

So we dug right in. Most of the work we did ourselves and this is the key to maximizing your profit with any fixer upper. Its not always possible though, we did have to hire someone to remove the big overgrown trees and stumps. We installed shutters and painted them and the front door a high gloss sage green color to accent the home. With the help of the local home improvement store and a lot of trial and error, I installed my first sprinkler system. We fixed the fence and installed a new mailbox. We killed off the old grass and removed all the old landscaping. We then laid new sod and planted new plants and colorful flowers. Since this is a hobby and not a job for us, we took our time with the project and only worked on it in our spare time.

Once the home went on the market, it sold in less than seven days to the first person who looked at it. Our net profit was roughly 20,000.00. When its done right, curb appeal can really pay off.

Fixed APR Balance Transfers: Better Than A 0% APR

0% balance transfers offer great short term savings, free up money to pay down debt quicker, and can ultimately save consumers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in interest over their duration. However, the very best 0% balance transfer offers on the market only last 15 months. For many, this is not enough time to completely eliminate their credit card debt and they are faced with a decision: pay the new regular interest rate or transfer their balance again. For most, a fixed APR balance transfer credit card never enters their mind. However, this balance transfer offer is often the best option for many credit card users.

First, let me explain a 0% balance transfer worst case scenario. An acquaintance of mine thought he could save a few thousand dollars in student loan interest by transferring his balance to a 0% APR credit card. The student loan had a fixed APR of 7.99%. He figured hed save $1600 the first year on his $20,000 loan, then transfer the remaining balance to a new 0% APR credit card the next year.

What he didnt realize was that its not always that easy to get approved for a new 0% APR credit card year after year, especially when you have a high amount of credit card debt. When it came time to transfer the $18000 left on his credit card, he was only able to get a $2000 0% balance transfer. He was stuck with $16000 of credit card debt with a 12% interest rate and the clock was ticking on his other $2000 in debt. Instead of a comfortable fixed APR of 7.99%, my acquaintance got stuck in a credit card nightmare.

Fixed APR balance transfer credit cards provide consumers with a much better way to pay down long term debt such as student loans or car loans at a set interest rate. Currently, some credit card companies are offering fixed APR credit card rates as low as 3.99% for the life of the balance. A rate such as this is lower than many student loan and car loan rates, and can provide consumers savings of 3% or even 10% on long term debt each year.

A fixed APR balance transfer is also a good option for individuals with high credit card debt considering a second mortgage to pay off their high interest credit cards. For example, a 3.99% fixed APR may be lower than a second mortgages interest rate and it wouldnt involve costly refinancing fees. More importantly, however, is the fact that a fixed APR balance transfer doesnt remove equity from your home.

0% balance transfer credit cards offer consumers great short term savings. In the long run, however, a fixed APR credit card provides a viable, interest saving option for those looking to reduce higher interest loans and credit card debt over a period of more than 12 to 15 months. Imagine how much better off my friend would be if he transferred his $20000 balance to a 3.99% fixed APR credit card instead of getting greedy with 0% APR credit cards.

2006 Credit Card Depot Inc.

High school students and college freshman are always receiving all kinds of advertisements in their email boxes, on websites and even on television regarding information on applying for and receiving a college credit card. There are so many that offer great incentives that the student may not be able to say no to the gimmicks provided by the credit card companies such as the popular pre-approved for a college credit card.

Although it is generally a good idea for college students to have a college credit card, parents should take the time to sit and talk with their soon to college student to help them find the best college credit cards to fit their needs without all the bells and whistles. Parents should be sure their college students understand the terminology, interest rates, introductory offer, rewards, etc. of the different credit card companies. Not only should parents explain the ramifications of a credit card but also what it can do to their credit rating if they do not pay on time and how much more they will be spending in interest on any unpaid balances.

A college credit card can be set up with a modest limit for the first year college student to ensure they learn how to budget before they are given full reign with a larger spending limit, especially if the parents will be making the payments. However, if the college student is making his own monthly payments they will need to learn to budget so they will be able to pay their balance each and every month in a timely manner.

Parents should also aid their college students in searching for a college credit card with a low APR or annual percentage rate. If the student chooses a card with a 0% APR, have them read the fine print to learn just how long this APR will last. Most of the time, this is only an introductory special and will rise within 3 to 12 months. Some low APR college credit cards are much better in the long run than ones that only offer 0% in the beginning and then go up considerably after the introductory period.

Have your college student investigate all the cash back and points carefully before they decide on a card that offers this type of incentive. Many college students may not understand that these points may not be worth the cost and can expire if not used within a certain amount of time such as miles points.

One of the best parts about college credit cards is that today students can access their account online and learn if they are close to getting in trouble before it actually happens and they receive the statement in the mail. This can aid them in learning more about budgeting.

Not only will the student be able to access his college credit card account online but also so can his parents. This way if their student is in trouble, they will be able to help before it is too late.

College students should also only apply for a card that has a fraud and theft prevention feature. There are many other students living in dorms at colleges and you will need to protect your card from theft, which can be very hard with a college students busy lifestyle.

Become a Credit Card Distributor

Mastercard International is targeting a 40 per cent growth for the financial year 2004-05. At present, it has 7 million debit cards and 5 million credit cards. …

People will always need credit cards; it seems the average person has about 4 cards in his pocket, a card for gas, a card for a major department store, a card for groceries, a card for jewelry, and a couple of cards as spares just in case cash is needed and in short supply.

Now if you have a website, ANY type of website, you can become an affiliate for one credit card company, or up to 100 credit card companies, for absolutely free!

To give you an example as to what is available:

You can feature more than 100 credit cards with several companies by just placing a simple link on your web page for free.

These companies will also help you set up your website.

Credit Cards offered are Visa. Mastercard and American Express.

Commissions to you when somebody fills out an appication range from 20 to 80 for an approval.

They provide affiliates with all credit card content, such as reviews, ratings, APRs, fees, etc. All information is provided FREE to affiliates to incorporate into their websites.

Some companies will actually supply you with access to a database which consistently updates any information that may change such as interest rates and terms and conditions.

There are at present numerous different types of cards the majority of which fall into 2 classifications:

Credit Cards based on good credit history.
Interest and transaction rates should be relatively low.

Credit Cards based on not so good credit history.
Interest and transaction rates will be relatively high.

It would be perfect as an affiliate to be able to offer both.

In order to convince people to subscribe to a certain credit card you can actually promote on your website various types of rewards offered by the credit card companies.

A prime example of rewards of course are airmiles.

“Get 15,000 miles free when you apply for this particular credit card.”

How about these rewards:

“0% intro APR for 15 months.”

“Instant approval”

“5% cash back”

“Free movie rentals”

“Bad Credit OK”

“Low Interest”
“Purchase and transfers at 0%”

“Free rewards program: Home, electronics, dining, travel and more”
“5 points for every 1 spent at supermarkets, drugstores & gas stations:”
“Earn 1 point for every 1 on all other purchases”
“0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months”
“No annual fee”

“auto rebate cards”

Faster Cards

There are now new cards , where cardmembers simply hold their card near a point-of-sale reader at a checkout, instead of swiping their card or handing it to a store employee. As cardmembers hold their card with this feature near the point-of-sale reader, the reader will quickly emit a tone and light up to signal payment confirmation.

“We believe the innovative cards with this feature provide merchants and cardmembers with the increased speed and convenience they want at the point-of-sale,” said a senior vice president of a companys credit card division.

“With this feature, cardmembers can save time when making their everyday purchases.” So you could use any of the above incentives to promote your affiliate credit card link and earn additional Internet Income.

Debt Consolidation – Get 0% APR On Balance Transfers Today!

Debt Consolidation made easy!

If you have alot of debt, or even a little, and are paying outrageous interest or any interest for that matter, you may want to apply for a new credit card with 0% interest on balance transfers. This is a very simple procedure that many people now use to avoid paying interest on their debt. There are numerous credit cards available that allow to transfer balances and receive an introductory rate of 0%, usually for 12 months, on any balance transfers.

In fact, many people apply for a new card about six to eight weeks before their their current offer ends. They then transfer any remaining balance to the new credit card and again receive 0% interest. This cycle can go on until the debt is paid off without having to pay huge interest rates. This process can save thousands of dollars a year, and help you to pay off your balances are a much faster rate.

If you are interested in applying for a credit card that offers 0% interest on balance transfers, you can do online and be approved instantly. The advantage of applying online is that many sites let you compare different credit cards to find out which one is best for you. Please take your time and compare some of the benefits of each card, some even offer 0% on purchases.

This strategy will help you in your debt consolidation efforts and is the best way I know to cut interest paid out each month. If you are looking to apply online, you may compare cards by visiting my website at http://augyz.ecreditdirectory.com and clicking on the balance transfer cards option.

This site offers over 100 different credit cards with a wide range of interest and rewards options.

All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted as long as all text and links remain intact and unchanged.

Two minus four equals trouble when you are talking your budget. If you spend more money than you make, you will have money problems.

The problem is that you usually don’t realize what you’ve done until it is too late. It’s hard enough to keep track of checking account spending, but add credit cards, and spending can get out of hand. How many times have you used your credit cards to buy clothes, impulse items or even groceries, and said you’ll pay it back? But at the end of the month, you have nothing to pay it back with.

It’s easy to say you will pay it back next month, or when you get that bonus at work, or when you get your tax returns. Before you know it, it’s added up to a mountain of debt.

While credit cards aren’t the only way to spend more than you make, they are a number one enabler. Other ways to spend more than you make is by taking out cash advance loans or having an interest only mortgage. In the long run, they rarely work for your benefit.

It’s not easy to stop spending more than you make. But it is possible. Start by creating a budget. List all of your bills and all of your expenses and see what you have left over. Do this every paycheck. You have to know exactly how much money you have if you want to avoid spending too much. If you need to, sit and look at your bank account register for three minutes every morning. Write down what you’ve spent the day before.

Personally, my husband and I have found that the longer we go between looking at the checking account ledger, the more we spend. When we know every day how much we have left, we are able to spend more frugally. But if we both just assume that we still have x amount left, we get into trouble.

If you are a shopaholic, then there are ways to cut your need to spend. The number one way is to never step foot in the store. If you know that you will buy too much other stuff at Walmart, don’t go there for groceries. If you want to go in Hobby Lobby just to look, but know that every time you look, you spend $200 — don’t go in.

Another way to reduce that need is to go through what you already have. When you see how many things you already have, the need for more is lessened.

You know, everyone has lapses. If you have lived on a $5,000 a month spending habit on a $3,000 income for a while, you may be used to juggling things. And even when it starts falling in, you want to spend that $5,000. You may go out and spend too much every once in a while — you just have to deal with yourself when you do. Then get back on track.

There are people out there that live comfortably on $500 a month. There are others that make $5,000 a month that can’t make ends meet. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, it’s how you use that money. By keeping close daily track of your income and purchases each month, you can make it on almost anything.

Mano y mano, which one is better do you think a credit card with low, ongoing APR or one that offers 0% APR as an intro rate?

There are so many types of credit cards that offer all sorts of promotions and rewards that its definitely hard for a consumer to pinpoint which one would best suit their wants, needs and present financial situation. If, however, youve already managed to reduce your choices to just two and the battles simply between the low ongoing APR credit card and the 0% APR intro rate credit card then here are several tips to help you determine which one is the best credit card for you.

Are You Planning To Buy Anything Expensive Yes, the words zero percent can certainly be dazzling to the eye but is it something you really need? If youre planning to buy something very much expensive and thats beyond your budget then yes, it might be better if you go for a 0% APR intro rate credit card just as long as youre sure youll be able to pay off the full amount before the introductory period is over. Because if you cant and you dont, then whats the use of having 0% APR in the first place?

How Long Does The Introductory Period Last Generally, for credit cards offering 0% APR intro rates, the introductory period usually lasts from ninety days to fifteen months.

If youre going to purchase something expensive but you dont think you can pay it off before the introductory offer expires then its time to bring out your calculator once more. Compute how much your balance would be after the introductory period and see if its still lower than what youll pay with a low ongoing APR.

What Would The APR Be After The Introductory Period Going back to the previous situation, lets just say that you dont think youll be able to pay off the full amount in time. If the new APR is higher than what other low ongoing APR credit cards are offering then maybe, having a 0% APR intro rate credit card isnt the right credit card for your needs.

Are There Any Other Fees To Pay Whether its a 0% APR intro rate credit card or a credit card with a low, ongoing APR, dont forget to ask if there are other fees to pay. Naturally, its better to stick with the credit card with lower fees.

It can be hard to find a credit card to help rebuild your credit when you have had credit problems such as a bankruptcy. Many find it hard to qualify for any type of credit card if their credit is even slightly less then perfect. The following are some great alternative credit card options that can help you get your credit back on track and even put you in the position to eventually obtain a regular credit card if you so choose.

A secured credit card is an excellent choice for someone that might not be able to get a traditional credit card. You simply set up a special savings account and deposit say 300 and presto you now have a 300 line of credit. Should you default on your monthly payments then you do not need to worry because the money in your account will be used to pay the balance.

A store credit card or a gas station credit card are some other options for obtaining credit cards to help and straighten out your current credit problems. If you decide to take this route just make sure that you get a store credit card that reports to a major credit reporting agency. This way the money that you spend on clothes or even gasoline for your car can boost your credit back into good standing.

A prepaid credit card is yet another alternative to traditional credit cards. You pay a small activation fee and make a deposit and you have a line of credit equal to that deposit. The activation fee and the small fee that you are required to pay each time you deposit money onto your card are worth in to many consumers because of the purchasing power that having a credit card gives them.

Once you have gotten yourself a credit card to help rebuild your credit you need to practice responsible spending. Staying within your budget while using your credit cards will go far in returning your credit to where it should be.

Corporations Failing To Claim AMT Exemption Overpay Taxes By 11,000

Does your incorporated business pay alternative minimum tax [AMT]? If so, there is a 93% chance you have been overpaying your taxes by an average of 11,000 a year according to the Treasury Inspector General.

The Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration was created in 1999 to oversee the IRS. One of the duties of the Treasury Inspector General is to study and report the efficiency of the tax payment system, particularly the accuracy of tax collection efforts. Many of the studies conducted by the office reveal starting results, particularly when it comes to businesses overpaying their taxes.

As part of this oversight, the Treasury Inspector General is reporting that many small business corporations are incorrectly paying AMT. The AMT was enacted in the late 1990s, but proved to be a huge burden on small businesses. The tax was confusing and the paperwork was incredibly complex. An amendment was subsequently added to give small business corporations relief from the AMT. Section 55(e) of the Internal Revenue Code now contains language exempting small business corporations from paying the AMT.

Small business corporations can claim an exemption from the AMT if gross revenues average 5 million or less for the initial three years of business. Thereafter, the business can continue to claim the exemption as long as revenues average 7.5 million or less of each subsequent three year period.

According to the Inspector General, companies that fail to claim an exemption to the AMT are overpaying taxes by an average of 11,638 each year. 93% of small business corporations qualify for the exemption. Since the IRS has no duty to notify taxpayers of overpayments, many small business corporations have no idea they are overpaying taxes and are due refunds.

All taxpayers have the right to file amended tax returns for the past three calendar years. Contact us now to find out if you failed to claim the exemption to the AMT and are due a refund for 2001, 2002 and 2003. If you failed to claim the AMT exemption, you may be due a refund totaling over 33,000.

With all the introductory 0 APR credit cards popping up all over the internet in emails, on websites as advertisements and even in the regular mail through flyers, it is very hard to decide which credit card company is really offering the better deal in the long run. The introductory offers all look great but what happens after they expire? Do not take the introductory offer for 0 APR credit cards at face value. Above all, do a bit of research before you make your decision.

There are so many different 0 APR credit cards being offered that you can become overwhelmed. Today, you can find several companies offering 0 APR credit cards and other incentives to get you to apply for their credit cards.

The four most popular offers today include:

Citi Platinum Select Card You must have excellent credit or you will not be approved for this 0 APR credit card. The card offers 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for your first 12 months. There is no annual fee, you can manage your account online, and there is zero liability on unauthorized purchases.

Chase Platinum Credit Card – With the Chase Platinum credit card you can be approved for their 0 APR credit cards but you must have at least good credit. You’ll get 0% interest on all purchases and balance transfers for up to 12 months. However in some cases 3 months is all you get for 0% on balance transfers (your credit history comes into play). Regardless, you won’t have to pay an annual fee and you can also access your account online. Whether you qualify for 3 months or 12 months of 0% interest, you will be paying a competitively low APR after the introductory special.

Discover Platinum Card With this 0 APR credit card you will receive the 0% introductory special for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, with no annual fee and 5% cashback on purchases made at certain stores such as bookstores, gasoline stations, and restaurants. You’ll also get 1% cashback on all other purchases and the cash rewards will never expire as long as you are a cardholder, and in some cases, you can even double your cashback bonuses. Keep in mind, that you will need to have excellent credit to qualify for this offer.

Blue from American Express is one of American Express’ 0 APR credit cards that will give you 0% for up to 15 months, no annual fee, a credit card reward program as well as online account access. Once again, you must have excellent credit to be approved.

This is the information that you will first see when you visit the websites for these card offers while you are searching for the best deal on 0 APR credit cards, however, you should never apply with this information only. Be sure to learn if any of the points or cashback options have expiration dates, and above all, always be sure to thoroughly investigate the card offer’s terms and conditions before applying.