Recycle to make money

These days we can all stand to be a little "green" in our daily practices.  From driving hybrids to carrying your own cloth shopping bag to the grocery store, we all need to do our part.  Maybe tree-hugging isn't your thing, but how about if it earns you some money?  We've all heard about recycling cans for money.  Consider some of these ideas from C4U:

• Recycle your old computer parts
• Recycle old electronics
• Sell your old mobile phones
• Recycle old games, movies, and dvds

You can read the entire article here: Tips for recycling to make money

Home Budget Calculator

Bankrate.com has provided a calculator to allow you to figure your monthly budget.

Managing a monthly budget can be difficult and frustrating. One of the most important aspects of controlling the budget is to determine where money is going. This home budget calculator helps you do just that. By entering income and monthly expenditures, view how much money is left to save and how much money is being spent. In addition, click the "view report" button to compare the budget breakdown to our targets, which can help identify areas for improvement.

Make sure that your browser is java-enabled. Follow the link and give it a shot.

Extra Holiday Cash

Your monthly bills don't take a holiday break, but that doesn't mean you have to skimp on the gifts you give. How can you find some extra money for the upcoming holidays? This article suggests 7 ways to make extra holiday cash that range from selling your stuff on eBay to having a garage sale. Another option you may want to explore is applying for a cash advance loan.

You've heard so-called "horror stories" about payday loans, but the facts are pretty straight forward. You apply with an online lender like ThinkCash or Payday One. If you are approved, you can usually borrow up to $1000. The key here is that you have to be sure that you are able to pay this amount back by or around your next paycheck. Obviously there is some flexibility here, but you get the point. These are short-term loans that are in place to give you short-term help. Don't apply for more money than you can afford to repay!

Check our website for information on other credible cash advance lenders.

Black Friday 2010

Thanksgiving is a time for family, relaxation, and amazing food! For many of us, it is also a time to get a major jump start on our holiday shopping. Black Friday, traditionally known as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, begins in less than 2 days. To get you ready for this momentous day, we've compiled this list of helpful websites:


Online Black Friday Sales Timeline: This link from bfads.net features critical Black Friday online sales information for each retailer including sale start times, door-buster availability and free shipping qualifications. This page will be constantly updated this throughout the following couple days to reflect any breaking news.

BlackFriday.info:  According to their website, they are the official site for all of the 2010 Black Friday ads as they are reported to us during this holiday shopping season. As we get closer to Black Friday 2010, we will be posting sale information along with Black Friday ad scans. Interestingly enough, this site also claims to be the official Black Friday destination.

Black Friday Survival Tactics: Erika Morphy of Forbes Blog stresses three essential tactics for surviving Black Friday.


Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal Guide: Brought to you by Deals by Yahoo! Shopping.

Product Search/Shopping: Google Product Search applies Google's search technology to help you find and compare products from online stores across the web and then points you directly to where you can buy them.

If you find yourself strapped for cash this holiday season, visit our website for a list of quality, cash advance lenders.


Happy Thanksgiving from Lending Made Easy!

Stop Smoking and Save Money

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year, and current trends show that tobacco use will cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030. In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for about one in five deaths annually (i.e., about 443,000 deaths per year, and an estimated 49,000 of these tobacco-related deaths are the result of secondhand smoke exposure).

For whatever reason, these and many other health warnings don't seem to deter tobacco use. However, smoking can also have an adverse effect on your wallet. How much could you save if you stopped smoking? Check out this Cigarette Savings Calculator.

When to put that credit card away

15 Times When You Shouldn't Use Your Credit Card via Yahoo! Finance and CreditCards.com

There are plenty of reasons to use a credit card — convenience, accountability and safety among them — but when is it better just to step away from the swiper?

There are many out there who would say that there's never a good time to use a credit card, and that cash, debit or anything else would be a better choice. While forgoing credit for good may or may not be realistic, there are some times when it is best to just leave the card in your wallet or purse. Here are some times when you should never use your card:

How long will it take to recover your savings?

One way or another, we have all watched our savings dwindle over the last couple of years. Kiplinger has created a calculator which can allow you to estimate how long it will take to recoup your lost savings.

If you lost $30,000 of your $100,000 nest egg, but you expect to be able to save $5,000 a year and think you can earn 8% on your investments, our calculator shows it will take three years to get back to where you were in 2007.

Follow this link to read more: http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2009/05/recoup-your-savings.html

Credit Card Rate Report

CreditCards.com: Weekly Credit Card Rate Report via CreditCards.com

The national average interest rate on new credit card offers held steady for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks left their card offers alone.

The average is composed of about 100 of the most popular credit cards in the country, including cards from dozens of leading U.S. issuers and representing every card category listed below. Introductory (teaser) rates are not included in the calculation. The average annual percentage rates (APRs) in the nine card categories were all unchanged.

Rates for card categories tracked by CreditCards.com are listed here.

Understanding Credit Card Rates

Original story - Everything You Need To Know About Credit Card Rates via SFGate
Michele Lerner, provided by Investopedia

Copyright (c) 2010 Investopedia ULC. All rights reserved. Investopedia.com is a Forbes Digital Company.

As of June, 2010, the Federal Reserve estimates that Americans have approximately $827 billion in revolving credit, the majority of which is credit card debt. While that daunting amount of money doesn't reflect the average amount of debt each individual carries, it does stand to reason that the more consumers understand about credit cards, the better off they will be.

Consumers often search for the best credit card rates they can find, but they may not understand why interest rates are set at any particular rate and how much of a difference a lower interest rate can make in their credit card payments.

Interest Rates and APR
The annual percentage rate (APR) is what a financial institution charges each customer on a loan or a credit card balance. Some credit card companies offer a low introductory rate for new customers and on balance transfers for six months or one year and others charge different APRs depending on how the credit card was used. For example, credit card companies usually charge a higher APR on cash advances than on purchases. Your interest rate is set by the credit card company and may be based on your credit score.

Fixed Rates Vs. Variable Rates
Credit cards will have either a variable APR or a fixed APR. If you have a fixed rate credit card, the interest rate might still change if you pay your bill late or not at all, or if the credit card company sends you a written notice of a rate increase. Variable APRs are normally tied to the prime rate, which is the interest rate banks charge to corporations. The prime rate usually adjusts when the Federal Reserve adjusts the Federal Funds Rate. When you read the fine print on your credit card agreement, you will usually see a statement with your rate reading as "Prime rate plus 8%" or something along those lines. (For more, check out Cut Credit Card Bills By Negotiating A Lower APR.)

When Interest Is Charged
Credit card companies begin charging interest after a balance is outstanding for one or more billing cycles. If you want to avoid paying interest, you need to pay your credit card balance in full before the due date each month. One other option is to have a zero interest credit card, but these will usually only offer a promotional zero-interest period, such as six months or one year.

Why Your Interest Rate Changes
Most credit card companies charge one rate for a purchase, another for a balance transfer and another for a cash advance. In addition, you may be charged a default or penalty rate if you are 60 days late paying your existing balance. If you go over your credit limit or are 30 days past due on your bill, the default APR will be charged on future transactions. The other reason your rate could change is that you signed up for the card at a lower introductory interest rate and that introductory period has expired.

Changes to Your Interest Payments
Consumers should be particularly conscious of the interest rate they are being charged by their credit card companies because the rate dramatically impacts the amount of interest you pay each month on your debt. For example, if you have a credit card with a balance of $2,000 at 18% interest and pay $50 per month towards that balance, you will pay $339 in interest alone over a 12 month period. If you can transfer that balance to a credit card with 9% interest, you will pay $162 in interest and save $177 over that 12 month period. The savings in interest could pay for 3.5 months of your monthly payments.

Many consumers opt to transfer balances to a lower interest rate or even a zero-interest rate if they can. But beware, most credit card companies limit these low-interest periods and charge a balance transfer free. Consumers need to make the calculation to determine if the amount they are saving on interest payments will be enough to offset any balance transfer fee. If the goal is to pay off your credit card debt, make sure to calculate how much you need to pay each month to reduce your balance to zero before the introductory rate expires.

Get your free credit report

It is absolutely crucial that you keep a close eye on your personal credit. Failure to do so could have pretty severe consequences. The three credit reporting agencies in the US are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Luckily, you can check all 3 reports for free every 12 months. You can simply go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp to obtain your report.

Consult this link if you have any questions.

Recent Overdraft Notices

Via More Money

Wondering why you've been bombarded with literature urging you to opt in for overdraft protection at your bank?

You may be the subject of a highly focused campaign meant to target consumers most likely to spend in excess of their balance.

Starting August 15, new Federal Reserve rules will require that banks can no longer automatically cover overdrafts and then levy a fee ($27 on average, per Moebs Services Inc.) as they had been; they'll now need to get customers to opt in. Anyone who hasn't said yes yet – and by the way, we don't think you should – is probably getting a fair share of notices by mail. But some people will be hit harder than others. Banks are employing sophisticated market research to help them identify the best prospects and how to reach them. For example, a study by Nebraska-based company Acton Marketing LLC conducted for bank clients, found that the people most likely to overdraw are white women in their late-30s/early-40s who rent homes in the south, and have annual household incomes of nearly $50,000. Acton is also helping banks market specifically to people who have racked up a lot of insufficient fund fees in the past

Things to consider about debt

Top thing to know from Money101 on CNNMoney

* The average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $10,700 in credit-card debt, according to CardWeb.com, and the average interest rate runs in the mid- to high teens at any given time.

* Borrowing for a home or college usually makes good sense. Just make sure you don't borrow more than you can afford to pay back, and shop around for the best rates.

* Don't use a credit card to pay for things you consume quickly, such as meals and vacations, if you can't afford to pay off your monthly bill in full in a month or two. There's no faster way to fall into debt. Instead, put aside some cash each month for these items so you can pay the bill in full. If there's something you really want, but it's expensive, save for it over a period of weeks or months before charging it so that you can pay the balance when it's due and avoid interest charges.

* The key to getting out of debt efficiently is first to pay down the balances of loans or credit cards that charge the most interest while paying at least the minimum due on all your other debt. Once the high-interest debt is paid down, tackle the next highest, and so on.

* If you just pay the minimum due on credit-card bills, you'll barely cover the interest you owe, to say nothing of the principal. It will take you years to pay off your balance, and potentially you'll end up spending thousands of dollars more than the original amount you charged.

* If you have more debt than you can manage, get help before your debt breaks your back. There are reputable debt counseling agencies that may be able to consolidate your debt and assist you in better managing your finances.

New charges for overdrafts

From CNN Money:

Often banks allow you to link a savings account to your checking account so that funds can be pulled from the former if you overdraw the latter. This workaround can help you avoid nonsufficient-funds fees, now averaging $30, according to Bankrate.com. But many banks have found a workaround for your workaround: They'll charge you $10 to $20 every time they transfer your money between the accounts. Meanwhile, it costs the bank next to nothing to move the funds, says Bryan Derman of Glenbrook Partners, a financial services consulting firm. "They're charging you for what's essentially an automatic transfer!" echoes reader Zoe Dowling, whose bank (Wells Fargo) levies the fee.

How to fight back: Sign up on your bank's website or Mint.com for e-mail or text-message alerts that tell you when your checking account balance is below a certain amount. That way, you can make transfers for free yourself before an overdraft is triggered. 

When all else fails...

You hear about someone having one of those days. Have you ever found yourself having one of those months? Only this month also includes a doctor bill, vehicle maintenance need, and some other unexpected cost that puts you in a financial bind. How does that typically play out for you?

You pull from savings, right?
Well, I would if my savings account had something other than a lone "zero" in it.

Maybe you decide to pay a bill or two late in order to cover the unexpected cost.
Sure, but now I've got a couple of $30 late fees to address.

You could always choose to not pay the unexpected bill, hope they forget about your payment, and consider yourself lucky.
Back to reality, please!

Unfortunately, there are times when you might not have too many options. When all else fails, apply for a payday loan. You can borrow up to $1000 within one business day. All you typically need is to have lived at least 18 years, a source of income, and an active bank account. Consider it an alternative to late fees, bad credit scores, and annoying "reminder" phone calls.

Be wise with your tax refund

As of March 2010, the average tax refund has been just over $3000.  While it may be tempting to spend that money the moment it hits your account, we propose a more thrifty approach.

Right off the bat, put a large chunk of your refund into savings.  That may sound a bit like a line from Captain Obvious, but research shows that splitting your money will actually create a more frugal mindset.  The basic premise is that a person is less likely to spend when they are forced to choose from various piles.

It's nice to have money in savings, but what about your personal debt?  The average consumer carries 4 credit cards. Consider these facts:

• 2/3 of Americans own a credit card.
• 46% pay less than the full balance each month.
• 13% carry balances of $10,000 or more
• 11% charge more than they did last year

Why not use some of your refund to pay off a few smaller charge cards?  Doing so can actually save you quite a bit of money in the long run.

You worked hard in 2009.  You deserve whatever refund the IRS gave you.  We're just saying that it might be advantageous to put that money somewhere where you will not spend it.

Stop lending to Uncle Sam!

Why?
Fancy a raise come spring? With the average federal tax refund around $2,700, chances are you've been giving the government an interest-free loan by having too much money pulled out of your paycheck. Turn over a little less each pay period and you'll have an extra $50 a week to tuck into your wallet -- or your bank account.

What to do?

With your most recent pay stubs and tax return handy, go to irs.gov and use the withholding calculator to get specific instructions for filling out new W-4s. Your payroll department will adjust your withholding accordingly

Source: 3 ways to save money this spring by George Mannes

Payday Loans

The majority of Americans struggle with their monthly expenses.  No matter one's income, there always seems to be a need for just a little more.  Even the most diligent budget managers will occasionally find themselves struggling to stay afloat.

We at Lending Made Easy like to offer various methods in managing your expenses.  From cutting back on costs such as dining-out to refinancing your interest rates; you do have options.  One such option is applying for a cash advance or "payday" loan.

Payday loans are short-term loans from a lending agency such as Payday One.  Often times, the customer pays the loan back within 2 weeks of approval.  The idea is to provide you with immediate help when you are short on options.

If you’re running a little behind on your bills, a payday loan may be a better option than paying late fees. Late fees on credit cards and other monthly bills can cost $30 or more. And if your utility or phone service is disconnected, there are more fees to reconnect your service. We recommend that you start by finding out what the late fees are for each of your bills. Then you can compare the cost to determine if a payday loan is a better option.

Credit Card Forbearance

If you are in a financial jam and you need a bit of relief from your credit card obligations:

• Stop using the card and adding to the balance due. You don't want your card issuer to think that you're taking advantage of the situation.
• Call the customer service number listed on the back of your card.
• Explain your situation calmly. If you've had a good payment record in the past, emphasize that to the customer service agent. Ask to be considered for the company's forbearance or relief programs. It's really as simple as that. "If you think you're going to have difficulty staying current with your payments, reach out to your card issuer," said Betty Riess of Bank of America. "If customers believe they're having problems, we want to try to help them."

Forbearance defined


What is forbearance? The most important thing to remember is that it's not forgiveness -- you still must repay your credit card debt. But forbearance programs can offer temporary reprieves from your obligations.

In some cases, you might be able to postpone payments for six months to a year or even longer. Or your minimum payment monthly payment might be lowered. Or your interest rate reduced. Or some fees eliminated.

It depends on your particular situation.

"We understand the many of our customers are struggling to meet their financial obligations and our objective is to help customers who are experiencing financial hardship," said Betty Riess. "If a customer cannot afford to make regular payments or falls behind on an account, our customer assistance department proactively reaches out to them."
 
Information by Martin Merzer of CreditCards.com

Cut your monthly expenses!

There are always ways to lower your monthly expenses.  Sometimes even the small changes can make a big difference.  Here are 15 tips as outlined by AARP Education and Outreach:

1.    Cut out one restaurant meal per week. Consider cooking one extra meal in per week rather than dining out. You could even team up with friends to do a "meal swap." Estimated monthly savings: $40-100.

2.    Make your daily coffee at home.  Specialty coffees can be delicious but pricey, running anywhere around $2-$5 per drink. You can save a bundle by replacing your weekday latte with home-made coffee. Estimated monthly savings:  $20-50
3.    Use coupons at the grocery store.Do you wonder if clipping coupons is worth your time? Coupons can save you up to 10-20 percent off your grocery bill. It's best to only use coupons for items you normally use in order to maximize your savings. Consider signing up for a grocery store club card to save even more. Estimated monthly savings: $20-40.
4.    Consider buying generic drugs. Did you know that generic drugs are sold at some retailers for as little as $4 per prescription? And the FDA requires generic drugs to have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs.  Generic drugs account for about one-half of all prescription drug purchases in the U.S. Estimated monthly savings: $20-40.
5.    Rent movies. Renting DVDs a few times a month can help you save for other monthly expenses, and you have healthy snacks instead of overpriced popcorn. Estimated monthly savings: $10-20.
6.    Downsize from premium to basic cable. Premium cable channels can run over $80 per month.  By scaling back to basic cable, you can still receive many channels, while saving $20 to $40 monthly. Estimated monthly savings: $20-40.
7.    Switch from premium to lower octane gas.  At up to $3 per gallon, gas continues to take a huge bite out of monthly budgets.  Use the lowest grade gas required for your car (check your owner’s manual).  Premium gas can cost 20-50 cents more per gallon than standard, so filling up with a standard grade can save you $5 (on average) per tankful, or $10 if you fill up twice a month.  Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for price comparisons in your area. . Estimated monthly savings: $5-10.
8.    Use public transportation or carpool to save on gas. By relying on public transportation rather than your car or carpooling, you might save a tank of gas per month (approximately $40), and help the environment at the same time! Estimated monthly savings: $40-60.
9.    Keep your tires inflated and your engine tuned. Studies show that simply keeping your tires properly inflated and your engine tuned can save you over $100 per year in fuel. Estimated monthly savings: $5-10.
10.  Use a "basic" cell phone plan with limited minutes. The average cell phone bill is $63 - $77 per month.  Scaling back from a cell phone plan with loads of minutes (and bells and whistles that you don’t find necessary) to a basic plan with limited minutes can still afford you the peace of mind of having your cell phone, especially in case of emergency, but you won’t have to pay for what you’re not using. Estimated monthly savings: $20-30.
11.  Use a cell phone with prepaid minutes. Why pay for hundreds of dollars for cell phone minutes you're not using?  With pre-paid cell phones, you will only pay for the minutes you use. Estimated monthly savings: $20-30.
12.  Drop extra line services from your home phone. Extra services on your home phone, such as call waiting, add up.  Check which services you’re currently signed up for and drop any that you don’t need on a regular basis. Estimated monthly savings: Estimated monthly savings:  $5.-10.
13.  Save big on your home energy costs. There are many ways to lower your home energy costs 10% or more, by turning down your thermostat; using appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines during non-peak hours; unplugging appliances when not in use, using ceiling fans instead of A/C; and much more.  Find additional energy efficiency information at www.energysavers.gov. Estimated monthly savings: $25-100.
14.  Switch to a free-checking account or one without a required minimum balance. Often times we stay with the same bank we used for years, out of convenience or habit.  However, with familiarity can come high monthly service charges.  Many banks offer checking accounts that are free, or ones that don’t have a minimum balance service charge, so consider shopping around.  Visit www.bankrate.com. Estimated monthly savings:  $5-10.
15.  Use only your bank's Automated Teller Machines.  Use only your own bank's network of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and avoid costly fees from other banks, which can run $1.50 - $3 each time you withdraw money. Estimated monthly savings:  $5-10.

Protect your personal information

The internet has created infinite opportunities for learning, communicating, and even making money.  Unfortunately, there are those people in the world who use the internet to prey upon unsuspecting and innocent victims. It is crucial to monitor your personal information on a regular basis. Chances are that you or someone that you care about will experience some form of identity theft. Here are some links to learn more about protecting your personal information and preventing identity theft:

FTC Tips on Information Security
http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity/

FTC Identity Theft Information
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//

Protecting Your Computer
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

Microsoft Security Home Page (for Windows users)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/

Information on Obtaining Free Credit Reports
http://www.annualcreditreport.com/