January 20th, 2010
Many offers come and go in rewards credit cards but this one really stood out to me when I saw it advertised earlier tonight. Chase bank’s Freedom Card is offering a 3% cash back in four major categories from January to March 2010. These categories include dining, utilities, childcare, and education.
This could not be a better time to offer the 3% back on college tuition and childcare. It is too bad they do not offer this year round but then again if you have a grandfathered-in Freedom card you may be able to get 3% back on any of the top 3 categories you use the most so this really means nothing.
This promotion is great for students, parents who have children in childcare centers, people who eat out frequently, and consumers with high heating bills this Winter. Utilities would be better of course in the Summer when we spend the most on those heat wave electric bills. Gas bills are normally pretty steep too though during the first few months of the year.’
Get this card while you can and start saving on these categories at three percent. You can apply for Chase Credit Cards online or goto yourchasefreedom.com for information on how to sign up with your existing card.
Tags: 3% back, Chase Freedom, childcare, dining out, education, utilities
Posted in Credit Cards | No Comments »
December 29th, 2009
No one can complain when you get credit card offers in the mail during one of the worst markets and housing bubbles of all time. It has truly been awhile that I have gotten any offers from Chase or a few of the other banks that I used to get mailings each week. Back then they would bug me but now I am excited.
Capital One sent me a 0% APR on purchases until 2011, $0 Annual Fee, and an offer for a card that will result in Double Miles for purchases for 12 Months. The bad thing is that earlier this year I was denied twice from the same bank. I was just trying to get a credit card to use for foreign purchases while traveling which is really one of the only reasons to have a Capital One card. Their rewards are good but I am pretty content with my Chase rewards.
The only downside to this offer from Capital One is that when I goto fill out the application it kept giving me errors. I had to try over ten times to get this application to be error free. This thing is picky as to dashes and what phone numbers you have listed. For instance, you cannot have your home phone number and your business phone number the same or it will come back in an error. I filled out the application a few more times trying to see where the other error came from and it said it was from the Business Tax ID where it automatically took out a number when I copied and pasted it with a dash originally. I then had to go back in and fill out the Capital One Business Platinum Credit Card application with the full set of Business tax id numbers and without the dash.
I was then approved. This will be my first Capital One Business card and I am very excited!
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Tags: Business credit, capital one
Posted in Credit Cards | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2009
More and more people need to seek state aid in today’s economy. If you’ve never needed assistance of any sort before, navigating the paperwork and meetings required for food, medical and job education problems can be a challenge and source of considerable stress. While unemployment benefits can typically be applied for and managed on-line, state assistance cannot be.
Start by gathering paperwork. You will need proof of income, including proof of change of income if you have recently lost your job. You should also have social security numbers for each family member, the previous year’s tax forms, and bank statements. You may also need evidence of any assets, depending upon the type of aid. You will find that it is easier and more efficient if you arrive with everything you need in hand. While specific state requirements differ, it is far better to have too much information available. Be sure that you provide an honest accounting of your financial situation.
Allow plenty of time when you visit your local Division of Family Services office. You may find it helpful to call beforehand and see if appointments are available. If not, arrive early in the morning, but be prepared to wait. You can expect to fill out a several page application, and may have a personal interview as well. Copies will be made of all of your supporting information. If your financial situation is especially dire, emergency aid may be available; however, in many cases you will wait 30 days for a decision.
Typically medical coverage for children and pregnant women is available with relatively generous income limits. Child care assistance, food stamps, and cash assistance have somewhat more stringent requirements depending upon the state. Many employed individuals or those on unemployment will still qualify for child care assistance and even food stamps. If you have taken a lower paying job or a pay cut in order to stay employed, these options may help you to stay afloat until your personal situation improves somewhat.
Social workers at the Division of Family Services in your county may also be able to provide you with resources for other aid within your community. Energy assistance and food pantries are available in some communities. Additional job training resources, financial aid programs for further education, and vocational re-education may also be available. Community health care centers may provide sliding scale care to help those struggling financially.
While applying for and accepting aid can be a difficult, demeaning and unpleasant process, it can also provide your children with health care access and ease your financial burdens during rough economic times.
Tags: food stamps, Government Programs, medicaid, state programs
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 21st, 2009
I received a disturbing email today from Jill West today with an address of Alvera@aybyra.com. I first thought it was from Chase because the logo was so similar but then I scrolled down the page and the MSNBC logo was on there to make it look reputable. The email just looks plain legit if you are one to just click on logo’s that look like the real thing. When you examine the email more closely it has some characters at the bottom that do not make sense and then when I mouse over the click-able Chase-like logo ad it sends me to a page that is hosted at vczzmt.com. A site that sounds nothing like true Debt Consolidation. I would not click any link with that type of mouse over.
Chase Bank will most likely be disturbed by this email. This is clearly copyright infringement using Chase’s logo and MSNBC’s logo for inappropriate use. The logo looks so close to Chase to confuse people and is highly misleading. Making this our phishing scam of the week. Comment your phishing scams you have dealt with but NO links please.
Chase has nothing to do wi
Tags: Chase, debt, phishing, Scams
Posted in Scams | No Comments »
November 6th, 2009
You know I dislike debit cards. I have never understood why so many people use debit cards instead of credit cards. With credit cards you get at least a 20-day free loan but you have to have the self governing power to pay the bill off before the end of the month or when it is due just like any other bill. You do not want to pay the high interest rates you get charged by the banks in this day in time.
When searching for the credit card that fits your lifestyle you need to consider rewards versus interest rates. The other factors in finding a credit card is your credit if you have good credit you can normally get better rewards but if your credit stinks then you better just start out with a lesser card such as the Orchard bank or Buy Right.
Most of us have average credit and should apply for that card. A good site to compare the various cards online is here at 123 Easy Card. This is a simple site for those card shopping before the Holiday season race begins.
Here you will find offers such as the Freedom and Sapphire cards from Chase Bank. You may also see Citibank, American Express, Discover Card Platinum, and many others. My favorites are the Discover and Chase cards because I dislike these annual fees that banks such as Bank of America are threatening over our heads. Say no to annual fees and yes to rewards.
Tags: chase credit cards, Credit Card Applications, Discover Platinum, Sapphire
Posted in Credit Cards | No Comments »
November 5th, 2009
If you are a Facebook junkie like myself you might consider sharing your listings on your profile but not in an annoying way. Use the social networking site Facebook to keep up with your friends and family but also show off some of your professional interests at the same time. Just make sure when sharing your professional insights and experiences on social networking sites that you do not drive them to the delete button with all your advertising and marketing activity by not going mad posting real estate listings. For those new to social networking sites, it is easy to take the wrong approach to social networking by blasting your listing information repeatedly to your connections.
The solution is to use a SeeMyListings.com Widget to Place Your Listings on Your Facebook Profile. For Facebook users, there is now a simple solution. Use the listing widget provided by the National Association of Realtors and Realtor.com to place your listings on your Facebook profile. Here are the steps:
Step 1 – Go to SeeMyListings.com.
Step 2 – Click on “Add My Listings.
Step 3 – Log on to your Facebook account.
Step 4 – Enter your MLS provider and user name.
Step 5 – Click on “Add to Profile” or “Update Listings.”
This is a great tool or application to be able to automate the addition of your listings to your Facebook profile. Five easy steps to get your listings on Facebook without annoying your friends, family and even colleagues.
Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »
August 11th, 2009
The Cash for Clunkers program is designed to take gas guzzling vehicles off the road and reward consumers for purchasing new fuel efficient vehicles. Consumers can trade in their older cars and trucks for new ones that meet specific requirements. The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) began in late July and is scheduled to run until November 1st, or when funds are exhausted. Congress recently approved an additional $2 billion to fund the CARS program. It is estimated it will last into September.
There are several requirements to qualify for Cash for Clunkers. The trade in vehicle must be legally registered and insured for the year prior to the trade. It also must be less than 25 years old with a clear title. Vehicles with liens will not qualify and the title must be in the name of the person applying for the rebate. The trade in vehicle has to have a fuel economy of 18 MPG or less and be in drivable condition. A new vehicle priced under $45000 needs to be purchased or leased to receive the rebate. If leased, the contract has to be a minimum of five years. The rebate will not count towards the purchase of a used vehicle even if it has better fuel economy. The rebate voucher goes directly to the dealership if the qualifications are met and is applied to the purchase price of the new vehicle.
The rebate amount varies based on the improvement in fuel economy over the trade in car. If the new car is an improvement of 4 or more MPG, the rebate is worth $3500. It increases to $4500 if the improvement in fuel economy is 10 MPG or more. Truck and SUV rebates are based on category, MPG improvement, and what new vehicle is being purchased. The rebate amount will be either $3500 or $4500. Work trucks can qualify but the rebate is capped at 7.5% of the total funds for the program and special rules may apply.
The car dealerships will not be giving trade in allowances on vehicles; if the trade in is worth more than the rebate voucher, the program will not be of any benefit. Eligible cars will be scrapped and the scrap value will be an additional savings toward the purchase of the new car. If a car dealership or manufacturer has any special offers available they can be used in conjunction with the program. Dealerships cannot charge the consumer a fee for using Cash for Clunkers, though usual taxes and fees will still apply.
I know one guy who traded his truck in for a new Jeep and his truck was just meeting the minimum requirement. That was a good deal for him because he walked away with a 2009 Jeep for only $15,000.
Tags: auto trade-ins, cash for clunkers
Posted in Auto | No Comments »
July 9th, 2009
You’ve been handed your pink slip, encouraged to retire early, or offered a severance package to resign. Either way, you are now out of a job. This is a scary proposition for many people, especially in an economy where finding another job can be quite a challenge. Most terminations at this point are not about employee performance, but simply about money.
Get organized. First, apply for unemployment. This should be your first stop, as it may take several weeks to process your application. In many states, you can apply online at any time around the clock.
Look at any other sources of household income. Make a budget and assess the shortfalls. Make cutbacks now, even if you have substantial savings. This is the time to reduce entertainment expenses, dining out and other costs. If possible, reduce your cell phone bills, cable costs and other bills. Consider whether you may need to put your home on the market and downsize to a small apartment or sell a vehicle. Tighten your belt and cut costs brutally at this stage to make your savings last a bit longer.
While your employer will probably offer COBRA for your health insurance coverage, you may want to opt for a lower cost high deductible plan while you are unemployed. In many states, you may be able to seek state health insurance for your children. Contact your local Department of Family Services for application assistance. You may find that you qualify for child care assistance, food stamps or additional aid.
Brush up your resume. Find out if your former employer will offer a good reference and be sure that you have contact information for previous managers or co-workers. Contact those you know in the field and be sure that they know you are looking and interested should a position open up. Today, social networking online is also a valuable job search tool. Be sure that all of your social networking accounts present you in a favorable and professional light. Put your resume up at online job search sites as well.
Explore the possibilities. Do you have skills you can use in a freelance or contract capacity? Financial aid may allow you to return to school or you may find that there are job re-training options available in your community.
Tags: company firing, job loss, pink slip
Posted in Unemployment | No Comments »
May 16th, 2009
If you ever pay full gate price to get into an Amusement park then you are “goofy” or “dumbo.” Not to call anyone names but come on this is a no-brainer when almost every soda can in the city has amusement park offers labeled on it to save $5 or $10 on general admission or maybe get a child in for free.
This year is no different when it comes to the Coca-Cola cans and Pepsi cans with savings to places like Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. You just have to know which soft drink to buy but that comes obvious when you get to the store.
If you wish to save more on the retail gate prices at the Amusement parks then you should get a AAA membership. AAA is offering a Member Exclusive where the Print-N-Go fee is waived and then they give you 10% savings on in-park merchandise with any purchase of $15 or more at selected Six Flags operated stores. The best part is the 30% off you get which will pay for your $50 or so AAA annual membership. I guarantee that thirty percent is much more than you will get with a Coke can or Pepsi can.
Discover Card allows you to also save money when you buy your Six Flags tickets online. They give you 5% cash back when you make a purchase with the family friendly park. You just have to sign into your Discover card account and use the Shop Discover tab.
One other good reason to check out Six Flags over Texas this year is that they got their liquor license. When you get anxious to ride that roller coaster you can down a beer and ease up a bit. Just do not drink too much since you will be moving around at high speeds.
Tags: 30% off tickets, 5% savings, amusement parks, save money, Six Flags
Posted in Deals | No Comments »
