Eliminate Credit Card Debt Fast - Get Rid Of Debt for Good Without Bankruptcy

If you are faced with a financial liability, you might be worried and looking for debt relief to help you out of the problem. To get the best help, you can try browsing over the internet for information which you might need to help you to eliminate credit card debt fast.

The current economic turmoil has even increased the number of people who are facing similar financial problems. There seemed to be no available support extended from the credit companies or from the government and insolvency has been the only solution.

However, people fail to see that there are other better ways of solving their financial liabilities aside from insolvency. Thanks to reputable financial liability companies who guide people in choosing the best solutions and clear off their debt you can get help. They will help you by giving you advice, providing valuable information and options as well as assisting you with your monetary needs.

A debt reduction scheme is a highly recommended option to get you out of debt. It is a legal way of clearing your financial record and to eliminate credit card debt fast. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the debt reduction scheme offered by financial management companies.

First, the liability reduction scheme is advantageous for individuals who are currently looking for a way out of their financial dilemma. If you are currently faced with a mountain-high debt, you need not worry so much about it, hiring a reputable financial assistance firm will guide out of this mess. They work by consolidating all your accrued debt and then negotiate with the creditor over the amount you are willing to pay them without reflecting badly on your credit score.

Unlike insolvency, this strategy will free you off from debt while maintaining a healthy credit history in the long term.

To assist you throughout the process, the company will provide you a financial manager who guides you throughout the process of debt settlement. These experts will explain to you all the available options, their pros and cons, and how they differ to help you to eliminate credit card debt fast. These services are all offered by a financial management company.

Credit Card Debt Relief - Pros And Cons Of Debt Settlement Negotiation Programs

Credit card debt relief is the most demanded type of pill requested by many people who feel the heat of bankruptcy. When they are down with massive debts this situation is fair enough and people tend to take even the most dangerous steps in order to rule out the threats of massive debts. Debt settlement throughout has become the most beneficial and reliable method for many consumers who are down with massive debts in the present.

It has the ability of eliminating more than half of the total debts of consumers which certainly becomes a pro. Among the benefits which consumers receive as a result of settlement this reduction of debts comes in priority. It is actually the sole aim of this fabulous relief strategy. When a consumer seeks the help of a legitimate settlement company he will need to have a total debt which exceeds $10k. Here, through a negotiation done by your relief service provider consumers will be able to forget around 50% of their debts as stated ahead within a short period of one to three years.

Furthermore, they will be eliminating the rest of their debts through installment plans which may be very much beneficial. These stand as pros of a method like debt settlement even though it may have some shortcomings. Mainly, consumers will have to pay for what they get here. When a settlement company intervenes and eliminates debts through a negotiation it will charge a certain fee from consumers which lies within the limits of cons.

The upfront fees which consumers had to pay to settlement companies were also known as cons of debt settlement negotiation programs though they do not exist anymore. With the intervention of the Federal Trade Commission of the United States this situation has left the debt relief arena making way for better deals for a number of people. These are the pros and cons of debt settlement negotiation programs which are seen clearly today.

Debt Relief Solutions - The Fastest Way To Get Out Of Debt ASAP

Are you looking for debt solutions to get rid of your credit card debt once? And for all much more are you sick and tired of creditors calling you at all hours of the day demanding payment, even though you don't have much money left in the bank account?

I'm pretty sure that this point you are very frustrated and tired of dealing with those nasty creditors. They call constantly demanding for money that isn't even available.

And if you are in a relationship there is a pretty good chance that there is some tension going on, especially if you're married. But what can you do about this?

Well for one you can seek and take advantage of the debt relief solutions that is available to you. One common option that some people take when trying to get out of credit card debt is that they try and contact the creditors on their own. They make a phone call pleading and begging in hopes of trying to find a way to reduce their debt or get out of it completely. Unfortunately in the end it never works out as planned.

The creditors simply demand money over and over again in spite of your situation. You see, the reason why this does not work is because creditors only want to one thing from you. And that is your money. Their business is people owing them money and have them pay everything back plus interest rates.

This is why it is very difficult to seek relief from creditors on your own.

If you want to finally get out of debt ASAP then it will be a good idea to make use of experienced debt relief solutions that is available to you.

But now there are debt relief companies have been around for decades and have more enough experience on their side to help you out the situation that you're in. And in most cases you will find that you can actually reduce your debt by more than 50%. And the process is rather easy as well.

I'm sure you can imagine yourself saving thousands of dollars and have extra spending money to support your loved ones, yourself and maybe take that vacation you've always wanted to plan for quite some time now.

Forex Day Trading - The Biggest Mistake Short Term Traders Make Which Causes Losses

Forex day trading and scalping strategies are very popular because they are seen as a way to trade with low risk and the concept is to make a big profit over time by taking small regular profits - so what is the key mistake made by day traders which causes losses? - let's find out.

The problem with Forex day trading is that all volatility in the short term is random and this means you cannot win at it over the long term - don't believe me? Read on and you will see why.

Day traders did make money before the internet when a small select group had the price before everyone else but this advantage was wiped out by the internet - now anyone has the price instantly and there is no longer a small window of time where the select few can make a quick profit.

Of course the idea of making money regularly each day, is attractive and there are a number of gurus' and system sellers, selling scalping systems which appeal to greedy and naïve traders - but try and find a real time track record which is AUDITED which shows real profits and your in for a long search.

If you want to make money in Forex trading, you need to trade the odds and this means using a longer term time frame. A look at any chart will show you there are big trends which last for many weeks and if you trade these trends and hold them, you will make a lot more money with less effort.

All the professional traders focus on the long term trends and you should to because - you have the odds on your side and this means they offer you the oportunity to make big gains.

In Forex trading 95% of traders lose money and in terms of day traders or scalpers, its 100% over the long term - so if you want to make money avoid trading short term and trade the big long term trends - it really is that simple.

Forex Trading From Home - The Easy Way to Make Triple Digit Gains Quickly

There are many people who want to become successful Forex traders from home but very few end up making money and its a fact that 95% of traders lose money. The point to make is - these traders don't lose because they can win, they lose because they get the wrong education so let's look at how to get the right education and win.

You can learn to trade currencies in a few weeks and the reason you can learn so quickly is - the best Forex trading systems are simple! A simple system will have fewer inputs than one which is complex and be less likely to break. Of course, the really good news is anyone can learn a simple system but what sort of system should you use?

Your Forex trading strategy should be focused on following price action on a chart and if you look at charts, you will see long trends which last for many weeks or longer. By simple learning to spot profitable chart formations you can lock into these trends and hold them for big profits.

Don't try and trade short term! Many traders like to do this and trade the daily fluctuations but they simply make a lot of trades, do a lot of work and lose money - trade the long term trends and you will make more profits and do less work.

When using a chart based system you focus on the charts and ignore all the news. News stories are just opinions and you don't need them, your trading the price as it is on a chart.

The above way of trading is simple and works and a simple Forex trading strategy which trades long term trends can make you a lot of money but to make money you need to get the right mindset.

You are going to lose a lot of the time so you need to cut your losses quickly and keep them small. Losing money is not a problem if you keep your losses small because there will always be big trends which you can lock into and follow to cover them and make you a triple digit income longer term.

If you want to be a Forex trader from home, all you need to do is be prepared to study for a few weeks and after this education, you will be on the road to making a triple digit income in an hour or less per day.

Forex Charting Success - Simple Tips on How to Make Huge Gains Using FX Charts

If you want a simple way to make money in Forex then you should learn how to use FX charts. You don't need to have a college education to learn this method of trading or spend a lot of time on your method, all you need is 30 minutes a day and your all set to make huge gains.

If you look at price charts of currencies, you will see the them move in trends up or down which last for weeks or longer and these are the trends you need to focus on and if you do, you can trade a few times a week and make a great second income.

When trading with charts you don't need to study the health of the economy or look at the financial news because this is opinions of where the price may go but you are going to trade the price as it is on the chart. You are not focused on why a currency is going up or down you want to make money when it does.

The above sounds simple and it is and the good news is you can learn a strategy in a few weeks and then, start making big gains in 30 minutes a day or less.

When putting together a strategy, you should focus on keeping it very simple and this means learning high odds formations and using two or three indicators to confirm your trades. Many people make the mistake of thinking complicated strategies make more money but this is a myth - make a strategy to complicated and it will have so many inputs, it will simply break down in real time trading.

You can win with a simple Forex trading strategy but you must make sure you cut losses quickly and run your profits. Most professional traders only win around 50% of the time but because they keep losses small and run their profits, they still end up making huge gains.

Can you learn to spot repetitive high odds chart patterns?

Of course you can and if you trade your strategy with discipline and confidence, you can make huge Forex gains in around 30 minutes a day.

Forex Strategy - The Best Method to Make Triple Digit Gains in 30 Minutes Per Day

Most traders spend their time trying to predict when a trend might occur but prediction is impossible in the Forex market and these traders end up losing. Most novice traders never use the strategy we are going to look at but that's actually good news because as we all know 90% of Forex traders don't make money.

If you look at charts of currencies, you will see how all the biggest and best trends start and continue and that's by breaking resistance and when they have done this the trend accelerates and this pattern repeats again and again - so a great way to make money is to trade these breaks in price and we will look at how to do this in a moment but first, let's look at why the average trader won't trade these moves.

When most traders see a breakout above resistance, they think:

"I have missed the start of the move so better wait till the price pulls back so I can get in at where the trend started"

The problem for this trader though is - the price doesn't pull back it moves forward and this trader never gets in the trend.

To trade breakouts you must have the right psychology and understand, it doesn't matter if you miss a small proportion of the move because, there is still a lot of profit ahead of you. Your aim is to make profits and nothing else matters! Its a fact if you could catch just 50% of every major currency trend you would be very rich.

When trading breakouts, you need to be patient, not every break above resistance is going to follow through - so what are the best breaks to trade?

In terms of this trading strategy, you should focus on levels of resistance which have been tested many times in the past before the break and its the more times the better. Always look for a good number of tests and I would recommend at least six before looking for a breakout.

In the next article, in this series on trading breakouts for profit, we will look at some simple indicators to help you increase the odds even further but for now you have a simple trading methodology which is very simple to understand and makes huge gains in just 30 minutes per day.

Forex Traders - Lessons From a Millionaire Super Trader For Huge FX Profits

In one of the most famous trading experiments of all time legendary trader Richard Dennis took a group of people who had never traded before and trained them in two weeks - The result? These traders made millions in trading profits and if you learn how they did it, you can enjoy long term trading success.

The experiment was conducted to show that anyone could win, if they had the right education but what is staggering is these traders learned to trade quickly and also all achieved success and the following points will show you how you can win too.

1. The Best Trading Strategies are Always Simple

This has always been true and there is a simple reason why - simple strategies have less inputs or parameters and are therefore more robust and more likely to make money and the one taught in the experiment only took two weeks to learn which shows how simple it was.

2. Focus On and Trade Long Term Trends

Most losers focus on trading a lot and putting in a lot of effort but while they work hard they end up losing money. The best Forex traders trade trends which can last for weeks or months and not only do they make bigger profits, they also spend less effort making them.

The system Dennis taught his pupils was a long term trading strategy which focused on trading price action via breakouts which is a method of trading which will always make money.

3. Learn to Lose Correctly if you Want to Make Huge Gains

The system lost over 70% of its trades bit the winners were so big, they covered the losses and made the traders millions. Many traders think the key to winning is getting a high percentage of trades right but its not - its the difference in size between your winners and your losing trades which is the key to success.

4. Your Psychology is the Key to Success

If you trade Forex you are going to encounter losses and when most traders have a loss it hurts their ego and they run it and get wiped out. All the traders who used the method taught by Dennis thought the system was easy to learn but the hard part was following it with discipline.

They did as they were told though and they made a lot of money. If you want to win trade with discipline at all times and follow your plan and keep in mind, if you can't follow a plan with discipline - you don't have a plan at all!

You can Win at Forex Trading

You may not make as money as the traders above but you can see that you can to can enjoy Forex trading success. You only need a simple trading strategy and if you adopt the right mindset you can enjoy a great second income in 30 minutes a day.

10 Tips To Succeed In Commodities Trading System

Commodities trading system is still one of the best methods to make money from the convenience of your home, and this is why commodity option trading system is considered as the best way to learn the basics of trading. Traders usually rely on two types of information to get their data. There are external and internal factors to judge the market. Some people use the external factors such as weather or political events to invest in commodities, while some others follow the up and downs in the trade.

There are 10 important ideas that will help you to succeed as a trader:

1. The More You Learn, The More You Earn: Your investor's business daily should not be your only source of information when it comes to commodities trading but your trading techniques should be crafted based on your own research too.

2. Research Is Not Reading Tips: The biggest problem in following tips for commodity options trading system is that, it'll be too late for you to apply them. Instead of going for someone else's tips, make sure to do your research and find unique information which you can rely upon.

3. Try Something New But With Lesser Capital: When it comes to the success in commodities trading system, the experiments are the key. People who always go on the same route may not lose money but they won't be making too much either. This is why you need to stick to the experimental strategies but never invest too much money in something.

4. Do Not Jump-in To Make Quick Money: Unfortunately, there is nothing called quick money in commodities. If someone is making money relatively easier, they probably have great experience. However, do not invest in anything with borrowed money or money that you kept for something else. In the event of the prices going down, you will face huge losses. Make your decisions wisely to protect your investment.

5. Reinvest: Whenever the stock prices go high, make sure to sell the commodities equal to the value of your investment plus brokerage. This way, the remaining commodities can be considered as pure profit. You need to reinvest this money in something else.

6. Liquidate Occasionally: If some of your contractor is performing really well, make sure to liquidate some money because there is no harm in enjoying your profit.

7. Know Your Competition: Commodities trading system is a very complicated business and you have to face stiff competition there. Without knowing how to deal with the competition, it's quite difficult to maintain your grip in the market.

8. Overcome The Fear Of Loss: Fear of loss can be really depressing because whenever we lose money, it'll affect us adversely. If you can overcome the fear of loss, you will learn to accept losses and learn lessons from it. Every successful trader has his/her own lessons part learnt from losses.

9. Don't Compare: You are making a good percentage of profit each week but suddenly you notice that one of your friends is making even more. Then you decide to compete with him. But this is not a healthy business practice and will make you lose a good deal of money.

10. Mindset: A relaxed mindset is significantly important in getting your job done the right way because a stressed out mindset will never help you to focus on what you're planning to do.

Refinancing Your VA Loan

With such a dramatic drop in mortgage rates in the last several years, many veterans are sitting on VA loans with rates much higher than the current market. And with the media touting "the lowest rates in generations," you can bet a lot of folks are asking about refinancing their homes. Why not, when you can reduce your interest rate and monthly payment using the VA "Streamline" Program with minimal to no out-of-pocket expenses?

What makes this a "streamline" program is that the lender will not always require an appraisal (saving you about $450), a full credit report (only mortgage history and scores), or even ask you for the usual income, asset, or debt information. Many lenders verify your employer, position, and time on the job, but income is not typically taken into consideration. If an appraisal is required, it just has to cover the amount of your new loan. If an appraisal is not required, then the value of your property will not matter, although there are exceptions. This program can even be used for rental properties that are still carrying a VA loan on them.

Depending on the timing of your loan closing, you may be able to "skip" one (or even two) mortgage payments. (The term "skipped" is used loosely here, as those payments are accounted for in your payoff and your new loan balance, but nevertheless, those payments stay in your pocket.) Also, once your current VA loan has been paid in full with your current lender, you will be refunded the entire balance of your escrow account to do with as you wish. The most important benefit is a lower, fixed rate to reduce your monthly housing costs for the life of your VA loan or to cut year's off of your mortgage by refinancing to a 15-year term.

There are basic minimum qualifications to use the VA Streamline Refinance Program. For starters, your current loan must be a VA loan. No past due mortgage balances or late mortgage payments are allowed in the last twelve months with case-by-case exceptions. There are also exceptions for the minimum credit score, but 640 is generally the target on VA. You also cannot get any cash back at closing and the savings on your new VA loan must meet minimum thresholds. As always, other qualifications may apply.

There are real costs involved in refinancing your VA loan of course, but those costs are offset by the amount of money you save every month. The basic formula is to calculate how many months it will take you to recoup the cost of your refinance. Generally, if you plan to own your home at least that long, then refinancing is to your benefit. Be sure to subtract your "skipped" payments and your escrow refund, as those are real dollars you keep in your pocket as a result of refinancing.

Fees Associated With VA Loans

The VA home loan program, like other mortgage programs, has fees associated with it. VA-eligible borrowers should expect to see the following fees in their VA loan closing documents:

• Credit report
• Appraisal
• Compliance inspection
• Lender's origination
• Reasonable discount points (if applicable)
• Pre-paid taxes
• Assessments and insurance
• Hazard insurance
• Flood zone determination
• Land survey
• Title examination and insurance
• Recording/Recording Taxes
• Mailing and/or wire fees
• VA funding fee (VA-approved)

Many of these fees itemized at a VA mortgage closing can be included in the total amount of the loan as long as it does not exceed the conforming loan limit for the county in which the VA mortgage is made. And, a VA buyer can ask the seller to pay closing costs of up to four percent of the total purchase price.

Generally, many of the fees that will be charged on VA loans are also found with other mortgage programs. These include fees for credit report, appraisal, and a compliance inspection.

Also very common charge found in all types of mortgages, including VA loans, is a lender origination fee. The VA allows lenders to charge an origination fee of up to one percent in origination.

In addition to lender origination fee, a VA-approved lender may also charge rate reduction points. This is optional if a borrower wants to lower his or her rate below prime by "paying down" the rate with percentage points. Commonly, one point is worth $1,000. Each state may have established origination and rate-reduction-point fee limits for VA home loans. For most states, the total amount of the origination plus rate reduction fees cannot exceed the state limit when combined. Many VA-approved lenders find themselves providing "free" VA loans when adhering to the state limit. In other words, no origination or point reduction fees are charged because they would exceed the state limit.

It is common to see some of the fees associated with a VA loan lumped into escrow to cover the first year's expenses. Some of the fees that could go into an escrow account include property taxes and insurance. Commonly, these fees are added to the monthly mortgage payment.

Other insurances such as hazard and flood may also appear in the monthly mortgage payment. Hazard insurance is not always required. But, flood insurance is necessary if a property is financed with a VA loan and found to be in a flood zone.

Sometimes, the property lines are not clearly defined in a real estate sale, or there may be a dispute. Another fee that can be charged with a VA-guaranteed loan is for a land survey. If a survey is necessary, the land survey charges will appear in the VA mortgage closing costs.

Just as the lender and insurance companies have their fees, the title company also charges fees. Certain fees associated with the title company include title examination and insurance (different from property insurance), recording charges and mailing/wire fees. When a title company verifies a property deed is free and clear of liens, it takes time and effort; therefore a fee is charged. If the title company should miss something in its research, like a lien on the property, title insurance protects the borrower from any liability for liens found after closing. When the title company provides the new owner's name on the real estate deed with the county recorder, a small fee is associated with this. Finally, when a title company provides the final payout on the loan, a mail or wire fee is often charged.

One fee that is absolutely unique to VA loans is the VA funding fee. VA-approved lenders are required by law to charge a VA funding fee for most VA-guaranteed mortgages. The funding fee can cost anywhere from one-half of a percentage to three and one-third percent subject to the VA-eligible borrower's military circumstances and the type of VA home loan used. Certain disabled veterans and surviving spouses are exempt from paying the VA funding fee.

Considering the fees typically found for conventional and other mortgage programs, fees for VA loans are very similar. For more information about what fees to expect with VA mortgages, contact a VA mortgage professional.

How Can You Know If You Are Eligible For A VA Loan

VA loans can be especially time consuming and many times first-time homebuyers misconstrue how they work. It is imperative to know that the Veterans Administration (VA) guarantees the mortgage loans to veterans who meet exact qualification, however it does not act as the lending agent. Consult a credit counselor and find out what your credit rating is before you apply for any kind of loan. In this way, you can either accept or work on it and thus be prepared before applying for the guaranty.

There is a mandatory VA funding fee for first-time homebuyers. The idea that the veteran is adding to the cost of his own mortgage and not relying on the taxpayer is the reason for the obligatory fee. A fee of two percent is charged for "no down payment" loans to first-time homeowners, but it is three percent for veterans purchasing a second home. The reason for the greater fee for second-time owner is about presumed equity in the property and/or time to save up for the extra cost. Percentage schedules for VA refinance loans do not differ.

For a disabled veteran who suffers from a service-related injury and receives compensation for such, exemption from the funding fee is possible. Spouses of military men who died in the line of service or from injury complications connected to military service are permitted to additional legal exemptions as well. Each case is examined individually and final say on all exceptions is the right of the VA.

VA mortgage loans are amazingly flexible. You can purchase a new home, do home improvements and enhance energy efficiency with the aid of a VA loan. It is always a great idea to ask about the limitations and allowances each VA loan can offer.

One of the most significant factors in determining eligibility for a VA loan is the nature of the discharge. The mortgage loan experience becomes more and more difficult when a discharge is less than "honorable." A local VA office can assist those who might have had other than an "honorable" discharge with filing the proper paperwork, finding out where to send them and knowing how to appeal a decision, if needed.

The proper papers confirming the true conditions of the discharge or its updated standing need to be provided as well as several copies of the DD214 paperwork. A home loan guaranty is not given to any veteran who is unable to maintain monthly house payments.

VA Loans Help Service Members Feel at Home Again

For many young veterans, coming back from service can sometimes be difficult. Feeling at home again is always a big priority. After completing time in the military, many veterans are interested in establishing their roots in a new home. One benefit of military service is the VA loan guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. This federally-guaranteed VA loan helps veterans build their future with the purchase of a new home.

"The main purpose of the VA home loan program is to help veterans finance the purchase of homes with favorable loan terms and at a rate of interest which is usually lower than the rate charged on other types of mortgage loans," reports the Department of Veteran Affairs.

A VA loan is helpful to veterans who wish to purchase a home. The loans are available to most veterans, including those without great credit. Because interest rates are not heavily credit-driven, veterans with less-than-perfect credit can still have access to very low rates. Another benefit of the VA loan is that no down payment is required on a new home purchase! This allows veterans with no money saved to still take advantage of a VA loan.

Who is Eligible?

VA home loan eligibility is based on the length of time served in the military and the conditions under which the veteran was discharged. Most veterans who have served at least 90 days during wartime, or; served at least 181 days during peacetime are eligible. In addition, members of the Reserves or National Guard are eligible for this VA home loan program if they have served at least six years. In order to be eligible for this loan program, veterans must have been discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable.

In some cases, VA loans are available to spouses of veterans. A spouse of a deceased veteran may be eligible if the veteran died from service-related causes. Spouses of a veteran who is Missing in Action or has had Prisoner of War status for at least 90 days, may also be eligible for the program. This federally-guaranteed loan will make sure to protect and help veterans and their families.

What are the Credit and Income Requirements?

The VA does not have a minimum credit score requirement. However, most lenders require credit scores above 620. A qualifying veteran's debt to income ratio, in most cases, should be under 41% and the veteran must have sufficient residual income for monthly expenses. The residual income requirements depend on the location of the veteran, as well as the amount of people in their family.

What Kind of Home Can I Purchase and Where?

All of the following homes are eligible for a VA loan:

-1-4 Unit Properties.
-Approved Condominiums.
-Approved Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
-Approved Manufactured Homes.

The VA guarantees loans for approved homes in the United States, its territories, and possessions.

How Does it Work?

To use a VA loan to purchase a home, a veteran must get pre-approved for the amount needed to finance. Many find it helpful to first obtain pre-approval for their VA loan before looking for a home. This way, the veteran will know how much financial aid they qualify for while shopping for a home.

Service men and women can start their search independently or with the help of a real estate agent. Once a veteran has found the perfect place, the next step is to finalize the purchase agreement and complete the VA loan process. A loan specialist will help guide veterans through the underwriting, loan approval, and closing process. Upon completing these steps, all that is left, is to transfer the title and open the doors to a new home!

How Do I Get Started and Qualify?

To qualify for a VA loan one will need to prove their service, as well as some other details. The following documentation will be needed to help complete the loan process:

-DD-214 or other statement of service.
-Pay stubs to verify one's income.
-W2s for the past two years or tax returns.
-Copy of a veteran's driver's license.
-Bank statements from the last two months or other asset used for down payment (if applicable).
-Home owner's insurance policy, for those that already found a home.
-Copy of social security card.

Top 5 VA Home Loan Features

VA mortgage program is the most appropriate way to finance a house purchase available for the veterans. You cannot save as much money in any other mortgage program as you can save with the VA home loan. It is an extremely beneficial program and even the tremendously popular FHA mortgage program cannot compete with it. There are many advantages associated with getting a VA mortgage out of which following are the five biggest advantages you can access to by applying for a VA home loan:

1. VA HOME LOAN IS A MULTI PURPOSE LOAN:VA home loan is not only applicable to finance a house purchase or condominium but borrowers can use it for other purposes also for example carry out home repair or improvement, reconstructing the home from the beginning or in some cases refinancing an old mortgage. This is what makes it so beneficial and popular.

2. THERE IS NO NEED OF THE DOWN payment: Unlike the other type of loans, VA home loan does not require any large or small down payment and the applicant can gain access to it very easily.

3. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT OF A PERSONAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE: If you do not want to pay a minimum amount of down payment then you have to opt for personal mortgage insurance. Even the FHA mortgage program has a requirement of some down payment. However, with the VA mortgage loan there is no need of mortgage insurance when there is no down payment.

4. NO PENALTY GIVEN BY THE LENDER ON REPAYING EARLIER: Some debtors like to pay off the loan quickly so that they can get out of their debts as soon as possible. This way they are able to save their money in the end. Hence, if you want to make the repayment quickly, you lender will not charge any kind of penalty. As a matter of fact you can save a lot through this as the interest amount drops.

5. CLOSING COSTS ARE LIMITED: A VA home loan can help you save money on closing costs of the home purchase. This is very much true and if for reassurance, you can ask your lender. They will tell you the entire estimation of the VA loan and will show you that its expenses are lower than usual mortgage program.

Oregon Veterans Have New Home Loan Option

The state of Oregon recently expanded its eligibility requirements for the Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program (ORVET). This state loan program is exclusively designed for veterans looking for a home loan in Oregon. It is secured through special federal bonding that is only available to state home loan programs. This allows the state to provide veterans with lower interest rates than typically available.

Extended Eligibility for Oregon Veterans

The eligibility requirements for this type of loan have recently been expanded to make more veterans eligible. Oregon voters in the November 2010 ballot approved Measure 70 that expands veteran eligibility for the ORVET Home Loan as well as eliminates the constitutional 30-year eligibility restriction previously in place. This constitutional amendment took effect on January 2, 2011.

The new amendment includes more veterans to be eligible for this type of loan. A veteran must have served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces, been discharge or released with honorable conditions and meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for this type of loan:

1) Beginning on or before January 31, 1955 served more than 90 days or 178 consecutive days;
2) Served 178 days or less and was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability; or has a disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or
3) Served at least one day in a combat zone.

These are the three most common circumstances but there are also many other situations and special situations that allow one to apply. To further investigate a specific veteran's eligibility it's best to talk to a VA loan expert.

In addition, veterans must also meet one of the two following criteria to complete eligibility requirements:

1) Received a combat, campaign or expeditionary ribbon or medal for service; or
2) Is receiving a non service-connected pension from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Similarities of a VA Loan and ORVET

This product is very similar to a federal VA home loan, both programs offer up to 100% financing and no prepayment penalties. In addition, there are 15 and 30-year terms available, interest rates are generally low and the current maximum for the loan amount is $417,000.

Differences Between a VA Loan and ORVET

Although, an ORVET is similar to a VA loan its eligibility is separate and distinctly different from a federal VA loan. The ORVET program offers conventional loans so there is no funding fee but there may be monthly mortgage insurance instead.

Other ways that it is different from a VA loan is that an ORVET is serviced exclusively in Salem, Oregon and not sold to investors. In addition, there are no pricing adjustments for manufactured homes classified as real property and there is guaranteed acceptance loan cancellation life insurance available.

It is important to understand that an ORVET is not a federally-guaranteed VA loan, but a conventional loan. However, the expanded eligibility of this type of loan makes it advantageous for many veterans living in Oregon. To learn more about the new eligibility requirements, research this program and VA loans.

VA Home Loan - Top Tips and Tricks From a VA Loan

Introduction - VA Home Loans

First let's recognize the fact that many Veterans are unaware of their housing benefit afforded to them from the Veterans Administration (VA). Secondly, there are many Veterans that are aware of their housing benefit but don't utilize it. Perhaps one of the best benefits provided by the VA, every honorable veteran is entitled to is a VA Home Loan.

What is a VA Loan?

A residential mortgage loan in the United States of America and is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The loan is not issued by the VA rather you must obtain one through a mortgage banker/broker.

Why a VA Home Loan?

There are many benefits in comparison to other mortgage finance programs currently offered. The most important detail of a VA Loan to many is 100% financing. Zero down allows you to save thousands of dollars immediately in comparison to a conventional loan that may require 10-20% down payment. The second most common detail that benefits the Veterans is looser qualification guidelines. It's estimated that 80% of Veterans would not qualify for a conventional loan.

VA Home Loan Benefits

There are many benefits to a VA Loan in comparison to other programs. Below you will find a few of the highlights of the VA Loan program. It's strongly recommended that you contact a VA Loan Specialist to learn more about qualification and the benefits you are entitled to:

• 100% Financing | Zero Down Payment

• Easy to Qualify (looser guidelines)

• Lower Interest Rates

• Lower Monthly Payments

• No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

• Loan is assumable

How Do I Get Started Loan?

Easy, simply contact an approved VA Lender and speak with a VA Loan Specialist. Not all lenders are approved to originate a VA Loan and even if they are approved it is wise to work with someone that has expertise and experience specifically with VA Loans.

How Do I Select The Best VA Lender?

While there are many lenders approved, you will definitely want to work with a specialist specific to VA Home Loans. Choosing a lender or mortgage professional that doesn't have the experience will prove to be time consuming and frustrating. Search for an approved VA Lender that has accolades and respect from their borrowers, public & industry. All lenders will have customer testimonials but only a few will be recognized by independent third parties. VA Lenders are not tracked closely like an FHA Lender and you may come across some lenders SELF PROCLAIMING to be the best with funny asterisks next to the claim. May I recommend an industry publication the Scotsman Guide (Google - scotsman guide top originator) and you will find independent industry recognized lenders.

VA Home Financing Summary

If you have served your country then contact a VA Mortgage Professional and get started with your VA Home Loan. If you're eligible you won't find a better financing program available.

Different Countries And Their Credit Card Usage

Credit cards are used differently all over the world, and this is something interesting to look at. Lessons can be learned from other cultures and how their view of plastic money and spending habits may be able to change or vary. Each country and culture has different points, both good and bad, which can be compared. This use can also show the financial and economical health of a society and it's population. In every day life in a place such as America, it is common to see the plastic card used to pay for different and varied items, from small purchases made in the drugstore, to larger, luxury items such as televisions or computers in electronic stores.

In The U.S.
In the U.S, swiping the plastic for purchases is common, and so many different types of people are using cards. College students, the single, families, the retired, they're all using credit accounts. For the most part, if you don't have a card in your wallet, then you are part of the minority. The average American has $4,236 worth of debt on their card in 2010, and this is spread through out 686 million cards across the country. While Americans may not have the highest amount of debt in this area, it certainly has a much higher level of debt than many other comparable nations, such as France, Germany and China. Alarmingly, the rate of savings, which Americans have, is quite small, with only 4.3% of their income earned going into savings accounts. This may show that many in the U.S. aren't saving for an emergency, preferring to rely on credit cards as a just in case measure.

Europeans' Credit Card Habits
In Europe, however, there's a different view and usage on credit accounts. For example, in France, there are 34 million cards in use, with an average of $267 worth of debt on each card. Germany as well is similar; with an average of $158 of debt per person spread over 4 million cards. The amount of saving put aside by these countries is also much higher, with France saving 16.3% of their annual income, and Germans saving 11.3%. This is a big different when compared to the U.S, and shows a very different set of values inherent in each culture. Many Europeans prefer to save than to spend, and use their savings on big-ticket items, and in every day life to pay for their groceries and other small purchases.

Australians And Their Love Of Plastic Money
In the south of the world, all the way down in Australia, is a mindset more closer to the Americans, with a love of credit cards and using the plastic to make purchases. It is often thought that Americans loved to use their credit, and in years gone by this was very much the case. Times have changed though, and Australians now have more debt on their cards than Americans, with the average Aussie having $7,889 with 16 million cards in circulation. Australians use their cards more for paying bills and utilities, as well as higher priced luxury items.

Credit Cards And The Famous Statute Of Limitations

Some of you may have heard that after a certain amount of time, a debt incurred on a credit card can no longer be chased up in a court of law. This information is true, and it is based on the 'Statute of Limitations' (SOL.). However, there are legal loopholes and complications that mean this isn't exactly true, despite being a statute. This may be a little confusing, and you may be thinking 'how can something be both true and not true simultaneously?'

The Time Period Varies
For starters, the time period until the SOL takes affect can vary from five or more years, and changes depending on the type of debt owed. Other factors can cause a variance to this law, such as if you incurred the debt in more than one state or country, if you have previously lived in a different state, and even the discretion of a judge, should the matter be taken to court. This means, that essentially, even with the statute in place, it doesn't exactly mean what most people would logically assume it means. So, thinking that if you incur a large debt you can wait for a certain amount of time and it'll disappear, you may be surprised to find it may not.

Debt Collection Agencies
Also, a credit provider can sell the debt to a debt collection agency, which will hound you until you pay. If your debt goes through to one of agencies, you will receive threatening letters and phone calls until you pay. If you have reached outside of the time frame to pay the debt, then state the SOL to the person you are speaking with, this should legally stop them from harassing you. However, it still allows them to take you to court and attempt to sue you for the money owed. Your defence will most likely be to state the SOL, however it is up to the judge is he decides to rule based on that law.

Again, even if you win the case and are not successfully sued, that debt collector can sell your debt to a different agency, which started the whole process over again. Depending on the size of your debt, if the cycle continues it may not be worth your time and effort ignoring the letters and phone calls. It may be time to just pay the debt back. This situation can keep going on and on, each time with the same outcome.

Is It Really Worthwhile?
If your debt is forgotten about and debt collectors have stopped chasing you, it is still hanging over your head. This comes in the form of a poor credit rating and a negative report for good measure. Your credit rating will show that you failed to pay the debt, and that you were taken to court over the matter. This can drastically hamper your ability to get a credit card again, home and/or car loan, or any other loan for that matter. You may have gotten out of the situation without paying, but you still lost out despite what seems like a 'win.'

Information On HAMP Loan Modification

The US government loan modification program has been quite effective for the homeowners who have not completed their mortgage payments. It is because such homeowners feel insecure in paying the loan mortgage amount as they are in financial scruples. In order to qualify under the HAMP, it is very necessary that the homeowner is staying in his/her primary home. The mortgage payments to be modified should be your primary residence and not secondary condo.

Another significantly important criterion to know here is that the current mortgage re payment of the homeowner should exceed 31% of his/her pretax gross monthly income. The eligibility conditions under the home affordable modification plan also say that the total loan amount of the homeowner should not exceed $729,750. The homeowner should also present before the mortgage lender that he/she is not able to make the current repayments. Those homeowners who become eligible for the modification of loan under the home affordable program will receive the cash incentive of $5000 credit for reducing the principal debt on their first mortgage. This is only possible, if the homeowners can continue to make the payments on time for a period of five successive years.

Property market in the US is undergoing through a bad phase as many of the homeowners have not been able to pay the mortgage loans completely. Still there are many homeowners who have defaulted. Under the US federal government, home affordable program was devised to make the mortgage terms simpler for the homeowners so that they can easily repay the loan smoothly. The repayment terms have been designed for the homeowner, and their monthly repayments are reduced to 31% of the pre tax income. HAMP has brought good news for the struggling homeowners so that they can lead a life free of worries. For the homeowners, it is very important that they have the understanding about the guidelines listed under HAMP program. Do not just follow what your lender says to you. After all, it is your home and you are concerned fro it than your lender.

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or Fannie Mae have clearly mentioned that the mortgage loan servicer's have to participate in the HAMP loan modification if the servicer's have received the funds from the government as the part of special monetary stability plan. Obama administration has already set forth $75 billion in case any loss is suffered by the lender as the part of this loan process. Get ready in 2011 with information on hamp loan modification to avail home affordable modification program.

Choosing Credit Cards Can Be A Daunting Task

Choosing a credit card can be quite a daunting task, as there are a number of options that are available today, each with its own sets of benefits and considerations. Probably the most important criteria is to consider how you would plan to use the card. According to your needs, some cards will be more beneficial than others. For example, if you are very confident you will be paying off your balance every month, things such as APR's and other fees are probably not of vital importance for you. However if you are not, you must certainly take such fees into consideration.

Shopping Around Is Not Straightforward

Shopping around for cards is no longer a very straightforward process. With the wide range of options available today it can be quite a difficult task to choose the right card that suits your needs. Your usage of the card should be the prime consideration when choosing your card. For instance, if you are not likely to pay off your balance every month, then the interest rates should be of prime consideration for you. Hence if you are likely to carry a balance, a low fixed rate card will be one that would best meet your requirements by lowering your cost.

Plan Your Usage

While choosing a card, you surely must consider your primary requirements and plan of usage of the card so that you can make a good decision, and select a good credit card from the whole lot that is available today. You might be looking to transfer balance from another card, hence you will be benefitted by a card that had a low APR or a card that has a lower, locked in interest rate. If the start up rate is low, do check when and to what would your rate rise to once the promotion period comes to an end.

Make The Right Choice

When choosing a good card that meets all your requirements, you might also want to look beyond the APR and the interest rates to gain more benefits from the card. There are a number of cards these days that offer a variety of additional features and benefits such as dining certificates, travel rewards etc. Hence when shopping around for the right card, do look out for such benefits on offer. Also, do not choose a card without checking the card terms, and ensure they are aligned with your requirements.

Check For Additional Fees

It is common for people to look at some basic features such as the APR and the interest rates, when choosing the right credit card that meets their needs. However there are a number of other considerations that should be made, without which you could end up being charged a lot more than you expect. For example, make sure to check the annual fees, if any, that needs to be paid for your card. Also, most cards levy a charge for using the card to withdraw cash. Some companies might also charge you for inactivity. Hence make sure you are aware of such additional fees and charges before you make your choice.

The New Contractor Mortgages Especially For You

Finding a secure standard mortgage these days is almost impossible if you are a contractor. This is because there are many lenders feel that somebody who is "self employed" are in the high risk category when it comes to lending. Many banks require at least three years of solid accounts before they will consider you, and even then you might be faced with higher interest rates than normal.

It is easy to find yourself unfairly thrown in the "reject" pile by the financial institutions and lenders once they discover that your employment is not permanent. This is when you receive the disappointing call or letter stating that your status is not meeting their criteria, therefore your application was rejected. You find that the longer that it takes to secure a mortgage the more you are missing out on great deals and that dream home you had your eye on. Sellers do not tend to sit and wait around for you to secure the mortgage, the next buyer that comes will take it right from under your nose.

However, there is an answer to your troubles, the contractor mortgages that are especially created for contractors and freelancers. Today certain mortgage brokers are able to offer a mortgage that is especially made to service you and other freelancers. There are professionals that specialise in mortgages for contractors and offer high expertise and cooperation for financial institutions allowing for you to not only get an approval on your next application, but also the best deal possible. Mortgages specially made for contractors and freelancers today are at level with standard mortgages, no extra fees and the interest rates are the same as everyone else.

So if you are freelancing and worried that you wont be able to secure a loan in time, or at all, consider a mortgage for contractors. There are plenty of options available out there to ensure that you get the home of your dreams and do not just watch as the SOLD sign comes up on the front lawn as your dream slips away. House prices have been falling recently, so to pick up the bargain dream home you have always wanted, consider the many options of contractor mortgages.

Information On HAMP Loan Modification

The US government loan modification program has been quite effective for the homeowners who have not completed their mortgage payments. It is because such homeowners feel insecure in paying the loan mortgage amount as they are in financial scruples. In order to qualify under the HAMP, it is very necessary that the homeowner is staying in his/her primary home. The mortgage payments to be modified should be your primary residence and not secondary condo.

Another significantly important criterion to know here is that the current mortgage re payment of the homeowner should exceed 31% of his/her pretax gross monthly income. The eligibility conditions under the home affordable modification plan also say that the total loan amount of the homeowner should not exceed $729,750. The homeowner should also present before the mortgage lender that he/she is not able to make the current repayments. Those homeowners who become eligible for the modification of loan under the home affordable program will receive the cash incentive of $5000 credit for reducing the principal debt on their first mortgage. This is only possible, if the homeowners can continue to make the payments on time for a period of five successive years.

Property market in the US is undergoing through a bad phase as many of the homeowners have not been able to pay the mortgage loans completely. Still there are many homeowners who have defaulted. Under the US federal government, home affordable program was devised to make the mortgage terms simpler for the homeowners so that they can easily repay the loan smoothly. The repayment terms have been designed for the homeowner, and their monthly repayments are reduced to 31% of the pre tax income. HAMP has brought good news for the struggling homeowners so that they can lead a life free of worries. For the homeowners, it is very important that they have the understanding about the guidelines listed under HAMP program. Do not just follow what your lender says to you. After all, it is your home and you are concerned fro it than your lender.

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or Fannie Mae have clearly mentioned that the mortgage loan servicer's have to participate in the HAMP loan modification if the servicer's have received the funds from the government as the part of special monetary stability plan. Obama administration has already set forth $75 billion in case any loss is suffered by the lender as the part of this loan process. Get ready in 2011 with information on hamp loan modification to avail home affordable modification program.

Choosing Credit Cards Can Be A Daunting Task

Choosing a credit card can be quite a daunting task, as there are a number of options that are available today, each with its own sets of benefits and considerations. Probably the most important criteria is to consider how you would plan to use the card. According to your needs, some cards will be more beneficial than others. For example, if you are very confident you will be paying off your balance every month, things such as APR's and other fees are probably not of vital importance for you. However if you are not, you must certainly take such fees into consideration.

Shopping Around Is Not Straightforward

Shopping around for cards is no longer a very straightforward process. With the wide range of options available today it can be quite a difficult task to choose the right card that suits your needs. Your usage of the card should be the prime consideration when choosing your card. For instance, if you are not likely to pay off your balance every month, then the interest rates should be of prime consideration for you. Hence if you are likely to carry a balance, a low fixed rate card will be one that would best meet your requirements by lowering your cost.

Plan Your Usage

While choosing a card, you surely must consider your primary requirements and plan of usage of the card so that you can make a good decision, and select a good credit card from the whole lot that is available today. You might be looking to transfer balance from another card, hence you will be benefitted by a card that had a low APR or a card that has a lower, locked in interest rate. If the start up rate is low, do check when and to what would your rate rise to once the promotion period comes to an end.

Make The Right Choice

When choosing a good card that meets all your requirements, you might also want to look beyond the APR and the interest rates to gain more benefits from the card. There are a number of cards these days that offer a variety of additional features and benefits such as dining certificates, travel rewards etc. Hence when shopping around for the right card, do look out for such benefits on offer. Also, do not choose a card without checking the card terms, and ensure they are aligned with your requirements.

Check For Additional Fees

It is common for people to look at some basic features such as the APR and the interest rates, when choosing the right credit card that meets their needs. However there are a number of other considerations that should be made, without which you could end up being charged a lot more than you expect. For example, make sure to check the annual fees, if any, that needs to be paid for your card. Also, most cards levy a charge for using the card to withdraw cash. Some companies might also charge you for inactivity. Hence make sure you are aware of such additional fees and charges before you make your choice.

New Credit Card Debt Settlement Laws

When credit cards are at hand people tend to spend more than they can. At the end they discover that they are sunk in liabilities. Debt negotiation services can be used to clear their debts if chosen wisely.

New laws are introduced by the government to increase the legitimacy of these programs. Therefore it has become a popular method which most of the people have used to get out of debts by paying less than they owe legally.

According to the new laws of the Federal Trade Commission customers do not have to pay an upfront fee to the company. Therefore they have to pay only after the company settles at least a part of the debt. This ensures that the company would keep up to the expectation of the customer.

In addition there is a law which suggests that the customer should be informed by the company not only on advantages but also the disadvantages of accepting their services. Therefore they are legally bound to keep the customer aware of their late fees, interests charged along with all the facilities they offer.

By accepting the service of a relief program the customer is at a chance to reduce their liabilities to the bank. Often these services can reduce debt by a percentage of 50-70. It is very profitable especially in the case of credit cards. The new laws have made the field customer -friendly making it a very attractive option for debtors.

Debt Consolidation Loans - Learn How You Can Easily Repair Your Credit

It is becoming complex and hard to handle fiscal distress at the present time. It will be always advantageous for you, if you know the fundamentals of credit score, parameters on which score is based, calculation, computation and various other issues that affect it. These parameters affect the credit report, directly or indirectly. You can solve the credit related issues, if you are aware of these basics.

You should not disregard the fact that credit score is calculated on the basis of several factors. You should follow the most appropriate strategy to overcome credit related issue. Debt consolidation loans are undeniably one of the superior options. Here are few pros and cons associated with debt consolidation loans.

Debt consolidation loans takes into account other monthly bills in a consolidated manner. The cumulative monthly payment is lesser and hence easier to pay. Credit score is definitely improved if payments are made on time. It is important to have a fair idea about agencies offering these kinds of loans at favorable interest rates. You should be cautious of scammers as well.

The most significant advantage of credit repair debt consolidation loans is the resultant improvement in the credit score. The logic behind this is very simple to understand. If debt consolidation loans help you to pay the credit card balances and other payments in a faster way or without any kind of delay, bad statistics in the credit report are automatically removed. This creates a very fine impression on the creditors, which ultimately helps to gain money and clear the debts.

It is certainly not true that credit repair debt consolidation loans are the best method to improve the score. There are several other fine and good quality options available. You just need to explore the available choices and follow the best idea. You can refer to various websites to get a fair about many new and innovative methods of improving the score. It is always good to evaluate your report on your own, rather than wasting money in paying the service fees to various credit repair agencies.

You also need to pay the credit repair debt consolidation agencies providing debt consolidation loans. The fees and the interest rates differ from company to company. Customer care executives of these companies give the detailed information about the different plans, they offer to their customers. You can also refer to few blogs for detailed information. You should always choose the most appropriate option, according to your needs.

Credit Debt Relief Options

If you are prudent enough to use debt relief options, it is a very easy to legally settle bad credit debt for less. It is one of the affordable options to clear debts. They have been in the business field since nineteen eighties and they have pulled many people out of debts.

More debts mean more paper work. In many cases they would have to be paid for different institutes. If any payment is missed an interest would be added which would complicate the situation. If all payments are neglected the banks would declare the customer as an insolvent.

Bankruptcy should be avoided at any cost if you want to enjoy the facilities provided by the bank. A black listed person would be deprived of all privileges offered from the banks and he would not be granted any loans in the future.

Therefore settlement programs can be used to clear debts. When there are a lot of card debts the company would bind them together and would deal with them together. Then they would apply for a reduction of debts from the bank. Normally they manage to obtain a discount within 50-70 percent. This is a high amount as it is measured out of the total debts.

These methods are in accordance with the laws and they are very popular among the crowd. The new laws have made these programs customer-friendly allowing many people to use them. It is a very affordable way and if used prudently they can clear your debts instantly.

Tips on Credit Card Use

Accumulating debt is only ever a good practice if you are in control and that you know what you are doing. Don't let any well meaning friend or relative tell you it is okay and that being in debt to a credit card company is an accepted part of every day life. Credit is bad, it has always been and always will be. It will keep you poor.

Borrowing money to buy something that depreciates in value like a car or expensive music system is double trouble. Not only do you have to pay interest to the credit company or bank but the item you bought goes down in value as the months or years go by as well. By far the best way to purchase is with cash.

As is often the case, people with a bad credit history are constantly hunted down by credit card companies and the likes such as loan companies. They are only interested in maintaining someone in debt for as long as possible and the longer the better as far as they are concerned.

The best idea regarding the use of a credit card is to make sure you pay the balance at the end of the month. Many families pay for groceries and other weekly living expenses by credit card knowing that the balance will be paid at the end of the month, avoiding credit card interest charges and earning interest while that money is sitting in the bank until used to pay the end of month balance.

Another problem with uncontrolled debt is that many of the big companies that we all rely on week to week such as gas and electricity supply companies and even potential employers look down on people with bad credit scores. This is a big reason why you should take care of your credit score and manage it to a reasonably low and controlled level.

If you ever want to buy real estate, such as a home, high credit card debt and a high limit will make a bank or other lending institution think twice at offering you a mortgage. Borrowing money to buy real estate is usually a good move as it rises in value over time and once the mortgage is paid in full the home owner lives relatively cheaply.

Understandably though, sometimes having a small amount of debt is unavoidable. An urgent medical expense or loss of employment can lead to borrowing money to live on. Borrowing money while not receiving a wage is a big no no. A much better idea would be to live with family or close friends until employment is gained.

An even better idea is to always have an emergency fund to fall back on. This is an absolute must. Placing ten percent of your weekly or monthly income into an emergency fund is an easy way to achieve this. Generally, an amount which would let you live for 6 months is ideal.

Having multiple credit cards and using one or more to pay debt on another card is just plain economical suicide. This type of debt juggling is crazy and more often than not leads to big problems, a bad credit rating and having to pay huge amounts of interest. Concentrate on paying down the biggest debt, cut up the card and move to the next card and repeat the process until you are down to a single card.

Fresh Salads With Feta Cheese

Crumble feta cheese over your favorite salad greens, vegetables, and dressing or whip up a quick appetizer with soft feta cheese, fine bread crumbs, extra virgin olive oil, and black pepper. Form patties and fry each side for a few minutes over medium heat in the olive oil until golden brown.

Penne Pasta and Feta Cheese Spinach Salad Recipe

What You Need

• 6 ounces penne pasta
• 2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup Italian salad dressing
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 3 tablespoons pitted ripe olives, sliced
• 6 cups fresh spinach, torn
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to Make It

Cook the penne pasta according to the directions on the package, drain, and then rinse in cold water and drain again.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the chopped tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, Italian dressing, and the sliced onions and olives. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight for 8 hours.

Arrange the torn spinach leaves on serving plates and distribute the penne pasta and spinach salad evenly on top. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper to taste on the salads and serve.

Recipe of Tuna Fish Lasagna

Canned tuna is cheap and healthy as well, consisting of lot of acids, proteins, minerals and vitamins. You can make easy meal from it, what tastes extra good with fresh salad.

Ingredients You'll Need:

12 sheets of lasagna
1 dl of mozzarella cheese

Tuna fish sauce:
2 onions
4 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of oil
800 g of crushed tomatoes
200 g of canned tuna
2 dl of sliced green olives
1/2 tablespoons of salt
1 tablespoon of oregano
2 teaspoons of thyme

Cheese sauce:
2 dl of ricotta cheese
2 dl of sliced mozzarella cheese
3/4 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoons of black pepper

About 20 minutes for preparation + 30 minutes for cooking.

First preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Chop the onion and cloves of garlics. Cook them with oil until soft. Add tomatoes, tuna, slices of olives and spices. Boil on medium heat for about 10 minutes. First pour tuna sauce to the bottom of the baking dish and then cover with lasagna sheets. Sprinkle with mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Repeat the layers. Cook for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let it rest under folio dor another 10 minutes.

Versatile Celery Casserole

Celery is a delicious, nutritious, and surprisingly versatile vegetable. Its juicy, crunchy texture makes it a popular choice for raw vegetable plates and salads, and its uniquely salty taste adds flavor to many recipes. But celery is more than a crunchy snack or add-in; it stands on its own as the star ingredient in many scrumptious dishes.

Start by purchasing the best celery available. For optimum flavor and texture, look for medium-sized stalks that are firm, crispy, and light green in color. The larger, darker green stalks tend to be tougher and stringier.

Avoid celery bunches that have limp or wilted stalks - a sure sign that the celery is past its peak of freshness - and stay away from bunches that have bruised stalks.

Celery should be promptly refrigerated. It will keep for about a week.

To prepare celery for cooking, rinse well under cold running water to remove any residual sand or dirt that may have been trapped between the stalks. Trim off the tough bottom where the stalk was attached to the bunch, and cut off the leaves but don't throw them away! The leaves are high in both nutrients and flavor and can be added to soups, stews, and casseroles.

When celery is cooked the flesh softens, but the "strings" that are prominent on the outside of the stalk remain intact. If you don't want the strings to be part of your finished dish, simple strip them away from the stalk before cooking.

Celery tends to lose color when cooked. This is the result of a completely natural chemical reaction that occurs when the chlorophyll and acids in the plant interact in the presence of heat and it has no effect on flavor. However if you want keep the color bright and vibrant, cooking celery quickly in plenty of water will help.

Versatile Celery Casserole

- 4 cups (about 10 - 12 large ribs) of celery cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 stick of butter or margarine
- 1 can of water chestnuts or 1/2 cup of slivered blanched almonds
- 1/4 cup diced pimento (optional)
- 3 slices of bread, OR 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Boil the celery in salted water till barely tender (about 5 - 8 minutes). Drain and put in casserole dish. Add half the butter or margarine while the celery is still hot and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally. Add the soup, water chestnuts or almonds, pimentos if desired, and salt and pepper to taste.

In a separate pan, melt the remaining butter and add the crumbled bread or dried breadcrumbs. Saute briefly, tossing to coat completely.

Sprinkle the coated crumbs over the top of the celery mixture in the casserole dish and bake uncovered in a moderate over (350 degrees) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the mixture is hot and bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown.

Celery And Apples: Crispy, Crunchy, and Complimentar

Celery and apples have a lot in common; they're crispy, juicy and delicious sources of dietary fiber and vitamin C. But it's the ways in which they differ that makes them such a unique and complimentary combo.

The crispy sweetness of apples and the crunchy saltiness of celery work together to create a tantalizing texture in salads. Both flavors are strong enough to remain distinct and identifiable in combination's, even with a savory dressing like the one below:

Celery-Apple Matchstick Salad Dijon

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (regular, lite, or fat-free)
- 1 tbsp Dijon-style mustard
- 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sugar or 1/2 packet of artificial sweetener
- 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 - 6 celery ribs cut into 1-1/2" matchsticks
- 1 tart apple (any tart apple will work, including "baking apple" varieties) cut into 1-1/2" matchsticks.
- 1/2 up dried cranberries or currants (optional)

Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar or sweetener, and tarragon together in a medium large bowl and whisk till smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper (NOTE: go light on the salt at first, as the celery will add some saltiness). Add the celery and apples and stir together, making sure all the sticks are well coated. If desired, add dried currants or cranberries and toss lightly. Serve chilled on lettuce leaves.

But the magic of the apple/celery pairing isn't just in their complimentary crispness. Cooked together, each brings out the essence of the other in a remarkable way. The salty savor of cooked celery highlights the tangy sweetness of cooked apples and together they form a remarkable flavor that's an ideal accompaniment to chicken, turkey, or pork.

Apple and Celery Stuffing

- 1/2 stick of butter or margarine
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 1/2 tsp of minced garlic (optional)
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 4 - 6 celery ribs, washed and chopped fine
- 1 sweet apple (any variety) peeled, cored, and chopped fine
- about 8 ounces of dried breadcrumbs or stuffing cubes
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth

Melt the butter in a large frying pan and saute the onion and garlic over low heat until just softened. Add the celery and apples; mix well and continue to saute for several minutes, until all ingredients are coated and are beginning to soften. Add the breadcrumbs or stuffing cubes and toss in the pan to coat, then add the stock and continue to cook for about three minutes, or until the liquid is well absorbed and the crumbs or cubes are all moistened.

This makes an outstanding stuffing for turkey or chicken, but it's equally good simply baked in a casserole dish at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

A Chocolate Cookie Recipe That Others Will Rave About

This chocolate cookie recipe is for the true chocolate lover, combining the rich taste of dark with the sweetness of white chocolate. They are also among the easiest cookies to make as there is no rolling and cutting out shapes. Simply drop the mixture from a spoon onto a baking tray.

Ingredients

115 g / 4 oz unsalted butter
115 g / 4 oz / 2/3 cup light muscovado sugar (if unavailable substitute with dark brown sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
150 g / 6 oz / 1 ¼ cups self raising flour
75 g / 3 oz / ¾ cup porridge oats
115 g / 4 oz dark (semisweet or plain) chocolate, roughly chopped
115 g / 4 oz white chocolate, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 190oC / 375oF. Line two baking sheets with parchment or baking paper. This will prevent the cookies sticking to the baking sheet and is preferable to greasing the trays. It also prevents them spreading too much during baking.

So that the butter is soft enough to beat easily, remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you plan to start. Unsalted butter is the preferred choice, but if you are going to use margarine, choose the firm block type that is suitable for baking.

Using an electric mixer cream the butter with the sugar in a small bowl until the mixture lightens in color. The mixture should be well aerated and have a light and fluffy texture.

Add the egg and vanilla essence and beat until creamy. The eggs should also be at room temperature or they may curdle the creamed mixture.

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and sift the flour over the mixture. Using a metal spoon, gently fold through the mixture. Add the oats and chopped dark and white chocolate. Stir until all the ingredients are well mixed.

Take small tablespoons of the mixture and place on the trays spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.

Bake on the center shelf of the oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until the cookies begin to turn a pale golden color.

Remove from the oven and leave on the trays for about 5 minutes. Then using a wide, slotted spatula transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Your cookies will be soft when you first remove them from the oven, but will become crisper as they cool.

This mixture will make approximately 18 - 20 cookies.

Always buy the best quality chocolate you can afford. This is the one time when cost-cutting does not pay. The results are worth the extra cost. Of course the best way to buy it is by the block. Ideally it should contain 70% cocoa solids to achieve that rich chocolaty taste.

For best results it should be eating quality not compound. Other types contain other oils and ingredients and will give inferior results.

Recipes For A Bread Machine

While browsing the internet I came across a few recipes to make in a bread machine, and they just sounded absolutely wonderful, to good to keep to myself.

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

½ cup margarine, softened
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup mashed bananas ( about 2-3 )
½ cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Spray the bread machine pan with Pam or any vegetable oil spray.
Premix ingredients in the order they are in the ingredient list. Pour mixture in bread machine pan.
Select the Quick Bread or Cake cycle. Press start. Check after about one minute to see if the dough is well blended.
Cook until cake cycle stops. Remove pan, and completely cool before removing bread from the pan.

The recipe makes a 1 pound loaf with 10 servings.

French Bread

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups water (70-80 degrees F)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 ½ cups bread flour
1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon cornmeal
GLAZE
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Directions:

1. In bread machine pan, place the first five ingredients in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
2. When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Roll each portion into a 10-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal.
3. Sprinkle a greased baking sheet with cornmeal; place loaves seam side down on prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes.
4. Whisk egg and water; brush over loaves. With a sharp knife, make four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Cheesy Onion Focaccia

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water (70 to 80 degrees F)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 medium onions, quartered and sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In bread machine pan, place the first six ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
2. When the cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly greased 12-in. pizza pan; pat into a 10-in. circle. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onions and garlic in butter for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in the Italian seasoning; cook 1 minute longer.
3. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make deep indentations 1 in. apart in dough. Top with onion mixture and cheeses. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Pressure-Cooked Italian Artichokes

How To Cook

First here is some cook's tips on how to prepare your artichokes for cooking and what pans not to use:

1. To trim artichokes, cut the pointed tops off, then cut the stem off flush with the bottom. You may want to pull some of the more unsightly outer leaves off too.

2. Never use cast iron or aluminum pans to cook artichokes, as they will cause a metallic taste and discolor the artichokes.

Now let's get down to the cooking part. You can just boil your artichokes in water until tender, but I believe this is the fastest way to get the best results:

4 SERVINGS (PRESSURE COOKED)

- 2 cups water

1. Put the water in a pressure cooker with the rack in the bottom.

- 4 artichokes, washed and trimmed
- Garlic salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Dried parsley to taste
- Extra-virgin olive oil

2. Season the artichokes to taste with the salt, pepper and parsley, then drizzle a little olive oil over the top. (The leaves should be pulled slightly opened to receive the seasoning.)

3. Place the artichokes in the cooker over high heat and bring the cooker to pressure. Turn the heat down and cook under pressure for 15 minutes.

Release the pressure and serve the artichokes plain or with mayonnaise (my favorite).

When eating artichokes, just pull a leaf off and dip the "meaty" end in mayonnaise. Then, while holding the tip of the leaf with your fingers, put the artichoke leaf between your teeth and scrape the soft, delicious "meat" from the leaf.

When you come to the heart (bottom) of the artichoke, spoon or cut the fuzzy part off and you will be left with the heart, which is all "meat" and delicious.

Jagjit Singh - Silslay

Songs List

1. Chithi Na Koi Sandes
2. Dard Apnata Hai
3. Jaate Jaate Wo Mujhe
4. Mein Bhool Jaun
5. Kabhi Yun Bhi Ho
6. Mere Dil Ne Kaha
7. Mujh Ko Yaqeen Hai
8. Sach Sach Hai Bekaar Humein
9. Dard Ke Phool Bhi
10. Tera Chehra Kitna Suhana

Song List

1. Ab Ke Hum Bichhde
2. Baat Karni Mujhe
3. Duniya Kisi Ke Pyar
4. Humein Koi Gham Nahin
5. Rafta Rafta Woh Meri
6. Ranjish Hi Sahi
7. Yun Zindagi Ki Rah Mein
8. Zindagi Mein To Sabhi

Ghulam Ali - Rabba Yaar Milade

Song List

1. Rabba Yaar Milade Mera
2. Kita Pyar Beqadran Naal
3. Tere Pyar Di Soun
4. Ki Poch De O Haal Faqiran Da
5. Mere Shauq Da Nein Aetbaar Tenu
6. Peli War Aj Unaa Akhian Ne Takeya
7. Beh Jaa Mere Kol Tenu Takda
8. Suraj Vi Sharabi Lagda
9. Be Shak Jaana

Ishq Nachaye - Pankaj Udhas

Song List

1. Ishq Nachaye Jisko Yaar
2. Niklo Na Benaqab
3. Kispe Jaan Dijeeyey
4. Sawan ke Suhaane Mausam
5. Chumunga
6. Ye Baarishon Ka
7. Choom Ker Madh Bhari
8. Chandi Jaisa Rang
9. Aankhon Mein
10. Usne Bade Andaaz Se