SBA Loans Explained

This short video describes the most popular Small Business Administration loan program, the 7(a) loan.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Grants From The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation provides financial assistance to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Why It Is Important To Repair Your Credit

A bad credit score can have many negative effects on your life, such as not being able to take out a loan, lease a car or get a new credit card. Paying bills late or not at all can lead to poor credit scores. The tips listed here can help raise your less-than-desirable credit score.

Credit Card

When your credit is so bad that you can’t get a ‘regular’ credit card, a secured one will help you to repair your credit. These are extremely easy to qualify for. A secured credit card looks just like a regular card, and works like a regular card, but you have to have the necessary money in an account to guarantee payment. Responsible use of any credit card can help your credit rating. However, never forget that irresponsible use will get you in trouble every time.

The first thing you should do when trying to improve your credit is develop an effective plan and make a commitment to adhere to it. You must be dedicated to making some significant changes in the way you spend your money. If you don’t need something, don’t buy it. Ask yourself if a certain purchase is both necessary and affordable. Buy the item if your answer to this question is “yes”.

You can reduce your interest rate by maintaining a high credit score. Lower interest rates will reduce the amount of your monthly payment, and can also make it easier to repay your debt faster. Getting a good offer and competitive credit rates is the key to credit that can easily be paid off and give you a good credit score.

Credit Score

It is easy to get a mortgage for a house if your credit score is good. You will get a better credit score by paying your mortgage payment on time. Having a major asset like a house also looks good to potential creditors. That way, you will be in a better position to secure loans in the future.

A secured credit card might be a good option for the person with a poor credit score. This card will be more than likely be granted to you, however you must fund the account ahead of your purchases as a sort of “insurance” to the bank that your debts will be paid. A new credit card, used responsibly, will help repair your credit rating.

Excessive interest rates can be contested. However, it is best not to sign contracts containing them in the first place. When a creditor hits you with incredibly high interest rates, you may have a case for negotiating to a lower amount. However, you did sign an agreement to pay the interest. Suing your creditors can be effective in some circumstances in cases where the court considers the interest rates to be excessive.

Do not involve yourself in illegal activities. You should steer clear of internet programs that show you how to clear your credit. It’s illegal to do this and you can get caught easily. Taking these short cuts will end up costing you money and could lead to a stay in jail.

Credit unions are an option for those who have run out of options when trying to find a line of credit to boost their score. You may find that the credit union has more options and better rates to offer you than banks will.

When looking to improve your credit, avoid companies claiming that they can remove negative information if the debt is true. Negative entries that are otherwise accurate will stay on your credit report for a minimum of seven years. You can erase information that is incorrect from your credit record.

Credit scores affect anyone who wants to get a loan or even co-sign for a child’s student loans. Even if you are in debt and have a low credit score, you can rectify your situation by remembering these all of these tips.

Get On The Right Track To Repairing Your Credit With These Helpful Tips

If you had kept a record of who you owed money to then perhaps your debt could have been avoided. But now it is time to work on fixing your score for a solid future. Follow this advice to improve your credit score quickly.

Credit Card Balances

Keep your credit card balances below 50 percent of your credit limit. If your credit card balances exceed 50% of their limits, it will lower your credit score, so spread your debt over multiple cards, or better, pay down the balances.

A secured credit card might be a good option for the person with a poor credit score. This card will be more than likely be granted to you, however you must fund the account ahead of your purchases as a sort of “insurance” to the bank that your debts will be paid. If you use a credit card responsibly, you will go a long way in repairing your credit.

Negative-but-correct information cannot be removed from your credit report, so be wary of promises from unscrupulous companies who promise to remove it from the credit reporting agencies. If the information is correct, it will remain as part of your report, in most cases, for seven years. Be aware, however, that incorrect information can indeed be erased from your record.

Begin paying your bills to repair your credit. You can’t just pay whatever you want whenever you want. You need to pay your entire balance when it’s due. Your FICO score will begin to increase immediately after you pay the bills that are past due.

Good credit isn’t worth much if you are in lockup. There are many different places that claim they can help you get a new credit profile. This tactic is not legal, and you face serious repercussions if you are caught. Penalties can include large fines and possibly even incarceration.

When beginning your credit repair journey, remain wary of companies pledging to get negative credit report entries deleted, especially if those entries are accurate. Unfortunately, this negative information stays on your credit record for at least seven years. However, if there is incorrect information, you can have it cleared up easily by yourself.

Credit Score

Prior to agreeing to a debt settlement agreement, find out how that process is going to impact your credit score. Research all of your options, make an informed decision about the method you chose, and only then should you agree to the settlement. They do not worry about how your credit score looks; they want to get money.

You should examine any negative entries on your credit report thoroughly if you want to fix your credit problems. Even if the negative report is true, if you can locate an error in the report, it may be possible to get it removed.

In order to start repairing your credit, you need to start paying your bills. Even more important than just paying your bills, is to pay off the entire balance, and pay them on time. Your credit rating will quickly rise as you settle up your overdue bills.

If you notice credit reporting errors, always file a dispute. Send a dispute letter along with supporting documents to the credit agency that recorded the errors. Mail your dispute documents to the agency using certified mail and a return receipt so that you can prove the agency received them.

As this article has spelled out, fixing your credit is not rocket science, and it may be easier to do than you think. By following the information here, you will be able to finally get your credit repaired.

Small Business Administration HUBZone Program

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones Empowerment Contracting Program provides federal contracting assistance to eligible small businesses located in underutilized business zones to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area’s economic development.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Personal Finances – Planning For The Future!

It is a well-known fact that ignoring your finances can create an enormous mess. If you feel like this is happening to you, take some time to get informed about your money, so you can gain control. This article will give you hints on how to organize your finances and improve them for the future.

In order to save money when eating in a foreign country, try the local food. The restaurants in your hotel and in the area surrounding it are going to be overpriced, so find out where local people eat. This is a great way to find authentic food at a budget-friendly price.

Taking note of each and every expenditure is a great way to discover where your money tends to go. Make sure, however, that you do not tuck your notebook away and forget about it. Try listing your expenditures on a large whiteboard in your office or bedroom instead. You will pass by it all day so it stays in your mind.

Stay tuned to world news so you are aware of possible global market movements. It is easy to pay little attention to what is happening in the world. This can be detrimental when dealing with economic markets. If you decide to get involved in the stock market, make sure to keep up with world events.

Invest in a small accordion style envelope and always have it on hand. Use it to preserve any receipts or business cards you receive. Keep this information available as a record that you might need at a later date. It is always a wise idea to compare your receipts to the bills that you receive to rule out any errors or overcharges.

The biggest purchase in the budget for your household is the purchase of a home or a new car. Payments on principal and interest for these items are sure to take the biggest chunk out of your monthly income. Paying these expenses quickly can reduce the interest payments that you will incur.

Personal Finances

One simple tip for saving money is to buy discounted items. Forget about your attachment to specific brands and instead buy what you have a coupon for. If your family usually uses Tide, for instance, but you have a good coupon for Gain, choose the less expensive option and pocket the savings.

Don’t let your personal finances get to you, clear your head, and realize it is time for you to tackle the issues. The article has provided you with the information you need to get on the right track, so apply this information to your personal finances and you will make a difference.

Pell Grants – Help Financing Your Education

The Federal Pell Grant Program is overseen by the Department of Education and falls under the Federal Student Aid Information Center. In order to be eligible students must be enrolled in eligible schools that may be public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

From Idea to Business – SCORE Success Story

Learn how with the assistance of a SCORE mentor, this woman turned her wall art idea into a viable business.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

What You Need To Know About Benefits.Gov

The United States Federal Government launched the Benefits.gov Website in 2002 in the hopes of providing every American with easy and convenient online access to government benefits and programs.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

How To Make The Most Out Of Your Credit Cards

When credit cards are good they are very good, but when they are bad they are evil. Like most things, credit cards are difficult to deal with if you don’t have the proper knowledge or advice. Read on for some great tips and advice for anyone who wishes to educate themselves on the ins and outs of credit cards.

Work at improving your credit score if you want a credit card with lower interest rates. Creditors use your credit score to decide what type of card to offer you. Most of the time, cards with the lowest interest rates and bonus features are offered to those with the best credit scores.

Make sure that you do not order any credit cards in the mail if you do not have a lock on your mailbox. Credit card thieves have stated that they steal cards out of unlocked mailboxes.

Many people wonder if it is better to have one credit card or many. For most people, it is best to have two or three credit cards open. This helps build up your credit, particularly if you pay your cards in full monthly. However, if there are more than three cards to your name, a lender may think that’s no good when looking at your personal credit bureau report.

Always make a copy of receipts made from online purchases. Don’t throw away the receipt until after you get your statement. Check the statement against the bill to ensure you weren’t overcharged. If there is an incorrect charge, contact your credit card company immediately. Doing so helps to prevent overcharges on purchases.

Never keep a written record of your pin number or password. Keep it stored in your head so that nobody else can access it. Writing down your PIN, especially if you store it with your card, can put your account in jeopardy if the information falls into the wrong hands.

Don’t give into someone else wanting to borrow your bank cards. It’s a bad idea to lend them out to anyone, even friends in need. There are other ways to help a friend or family member in need other than allowing them to borrow your card.

Any fraudulent charges made using your credit should be reported immediately. This way, they will be more likely to discover the culprit. It will also serve to make sure you are not going to be held accountable for any false charges. Most fraudulent charges can be reported with a quick phone call or email to your credit card company.

If you use your credit card to make online purchases, be sure the seller is a legitimate one. Call the contact numbers on the website to ensure they are working, and avoid venders that do not list a physical address.

It is essential to keep an eye on your credit score. The benchmark score which is considered good by lenders is 700 or above. Put your credit to work to maintain that score or to help you reach it. At a score of 700 or higher, you’ll receive the best credit offers with the lowest rates.

As stated earlier, credit cards can pose a challenge for many people But, proper information can make it more simple to deal with charge cards. Follow this article to have better credit card luck.

If you have financial problems in your life, tell your card company. If you are at risk of being unable to make payments in a timely manner, the credit card issuer will usually try to arrange a payment plan that you can stick to. Doing so means they may not report your late payments.