1. Trulia - This company is rapidly growing in popularity with home buyers and sellers alike. This site can provide you with wide exposure for your home.

2. Craigslist.com - Craigslist still has a loyal following. Although many homeowners never check craigslist for home listings, many homeowners check the site daily for the latest listings. It can’t hurt to try.

3. Local Newspaper - Many local newspapers have online classifieds that are very cheap to advertise in. This can be an inexpensive way to gain extra exposure for your home.

When you advertise your home, make sure to take good quality pictures of the home and post them online. Staging can be a big help with that. Staging your home can help give your potential buyer a positive impression of your home.

Create a bulleted list of all the amenities or positive features your home has so that your reader can quickly see some of your main selling points.

Advertising your home online can expose you to buyers that might not have found your home otherwise. If your home is a for sale by owner situation, then you would definitely want to try every avenue you can afford to expose your home to more potential buyers. Advertising online is one of the least expensive ways to do that, generally.

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2. Cut back or cut out sugar (fructose, sucrose, glucose, dextrose…all of the “oses”)

3. Cut back on white potatoes - This is a starch that quickly turns to fat if you don’t eat it with something that will slow down the absorption of sugar by your body, like fat or fiber.

4. Do more than 20 minutes a day of cardio - After 20 minutes of cardio, you can get your body into fat burning mode.

5. Eat more vegetables - Not only are vegetables loaded with nutrition, but they can also provide a lot of fiber, which essentially cancels out many of the few calories vegetables already have. They are pretty much a freebie food.

6. Don’t eat late at night - Ok, I don’t know how much truth there is to this one, but whenever I eat late at night I always feel fatter in the morning.

7. Try to think about something besides food - The more you think about restricting your diet, the more you will want to eat. Find another hobby you can obsess about.

8. Try to eat more foods that are lower on the Gylcemic Index - Heres a link to a good resource: http://www.glycemicindex.com/

9. Try to eat food combinations that create a low glycemic load - Heres a link to the resource to figure that out: http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

10. Get a pedometer - Start counting how many steps you take every day and try to increase that over time.

11. Count Calories - Start with eating 2000 calories and day decrease it a little every day until you find a good, healthy weight loss zone.

12. Snack Ofter - Eating more frequently throughout the day can help you manage hunger and keep you from feeling too restricted, which can cause you to eat more than you normally would.

13. Drink More Water - Prevent against eating when you are really thirsty and keep yourself feeling more full.

14. Snack on nuts - Nuts are healthy and don’t create the insulin surge that sugary snacks do. They are filling and satisfying.

15. Change Your Eating Habits With a Friend - Moral support helps. It also makes them less likely to bring sugary snacks around.

16. Eat Breakfast - Skipping breakfast has been shown to make you more hungry at night.

17. Learn New Recipes - Sometimes we get in a rut of eating the same old garbage just because we don’t know what else to make. Buy a new healthy cookbook.

18. Log Your Meals - If you write down what you’re eating everyday, you will feel more accountable for what you’re eating and will be less likely to “mess up”.

19. Eat Slowly - If you eat too fast, you’ll end up eating more than your body needs. Eat slow and give your body time to send the signals to your brain that you’re full.

20. Eat Foods With More Fiber - See: http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_fiber.php

21. Avoid Processed Foods - No secret that processed foods are linked to weight gain.

22. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup - Its in soda and tons of other stuff. It also has been linked to weight gain. It’s a sugar that the body can turn into fat so fast it will make your head spin.

23. Avoid Junk Food

24. Avoid Hydrogenated Oils

25. Use a high quality Stevia - A calorie free, it’s often used as a sugar substitute. Make sure it’s high quality Stevia or it will have a yucky aftertaste. You can get it at your local health food store in the supplements section.

26. Try Erythritol - Another sugar substitute thats healthier than than the other sugar substitutes. It’s calorie free.

27. Weigh Yourself Every Day - Track Your Progress

28. Don’t Give Up if You Cave In To Cravings - That’s life, just keep going the next day.

29. Be Reasonable About Your Expectations - Don’t expect to lose more than is reasonable or healthy. You’ll feel better about your progress if you set reasonable goals.

30. Realize that Weight is Lost Evenly Over the Whole Body - Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t losing weight in the right places. Eventually it will all come off. It’s a myth that you can lose weight on only one part of your body.

31. Try a Diet Calculator For Help

32. When Eating Out - Order a Salad - Most restaurant meals are upwards of 1000-2000 calories or more. Try to bypass that by ordering salad.

33. Switch From Whole Milk to 2% or 1%

34. Cut Back On or Cut Out Juice - It has just the same potential of making you fat as a sugary drink.

35. Use Imagery for Motivation - When you can’t control cravings, imagine yourself at your ideal weight for motivation.

36. Get All Unhealthy Foods Out of Your House - Take the temptation away.

37. Start Reading Nutrition Labels - Know what kinds of nutrients, fiber and sugars you are eating.

38. Start Reading The Ingredients - My basic rule of thumb is when 3 or more of the ingredients sound like something you’ve heard in science lab - STAY AWAY.

39. Avoid Energy Bars - They are usually loaded with sugar.

40. Fill Up on Low Calorie Foods At the Beginning of Meals

41. Use Fruit to Hamper Cravings For Sweets

42. After 4-7 Days of No Sugar, Cravings Will Be Diminished

43. Cutting Too Far Back on Fat Can Lower Your Metabolism - Don’t Do it

44. Use Exercise to Curb Hunger - Exercise temporarily curbs your appetite.

45. Try More Soup - Soup tends to be filling, healthy and lower in calories.

46. Go Organic

47. Use More Olive Oil - Use it instead of corn oil. It’s been linked to weight loss.

48. Try a Cleanser - There are some cleansers that can help with weight loss. Visit your local health food store or day spa and see which one might work for you.

49. Get Plenty of Sleep - A lack of sleep has been correlated with weight gain.

50. Take a Vacation - Stress can cause weight gain.

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1. You are Entitled to a Free Credit Report
Every U.S. consumer is entitled to at least one free credit report every year through www.annualcreditreport.com. In some cases, you may be eligible to receive additional reports free of charge. Since your credit will determine whether or not you get approved for a car loan, it is a good idea to review a copy of your report before applying for a loan.

2. Your Credit History Will Affect Your Loan Rate
Borrowers with a limited credit history or a history of bad debt will always pay a higher loan rate than an applicant with good credit. For this reason, it is a good idea to fix your credit or build it up prior to getting a car loan.

3. Your Credit Report May Have Errors
Credit reports sometimes contain inaccuracies. Consumers find more than 13 million errors in their credit reports every year, according to Consumer Reports. If you find an error on your credit report when you check it, you should dispute it immediately with the appropriate credit bureau. Some errors could leave you paying a higher rate on your car loan.

4. It’s Good to Know Your Credit Score
Thanks to a relatively new law, consumers have access to their credit score. It is a good idea to know how you are scored by each of the three credit bureaus. If a car dealer or a lender tries telling you that your score is below 600 when each bureau has already told you that your score is above 700, you know it’s time to find a new lender.

5. A Low Debt-To-Income Ratio Will Work to Your Advantage
Your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of money you have going out versus the amount of money you have coming in. If your debt-to-income ratio is below 30 percent, you will be more likely to get better terms on your car loan.

6. You Must Be 18
You need to be at least 18 years old to apply for a car loan. Buyers who are under the age of 18 are not considered legally responsible under U.S. law to sign contracts of any kind. This includes car loans or sales agreements.

7. A Co-Signer Can Help
Bad credit or a limited credit history can be problematic when you get a car loan. Some lenders will refuse to approve your application; others will charge you an astronomical interest rate. If you find yourself in this position, you may want to consider asking a trusted friend or relative to co-sign the car loan. A co-signer with good credit will make you seem less risky to the lender.

8. A Co-Signer is Responsible for the Loan’s Repayment
Before co-signing or asking someone to co-sign a car loan for you, you should be aware that co-signers are responsible for the repaying the loan if the borrower defaults. Co-signers are also liable for any late charges, penalties, and legal fees that might be associated with the loan.

9. Some Lenders Only Loan to Prime Borrowers
If your credit is less than perfect, you may not be able to just pick a lender out of a hat. Some lenders only offer car loans to prime (good credit) borrowers. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get a loan; it simply means that you will need to find a lender willing to finance subprime (questionable credit) borrowers. It is important to note that there is no “official” cut-off to differentiate between prime and subprime, but anyone with a credit score below 620 is generally considered subprime.

10. You Will Probably Have to Show Proof of Income
Although some lenders provide “stated income” loans that do not require you to show proof of income, most will ask for some sort of documentation. Things you will be asked to provide include paystubs, banks statements, and federal income tax records.

11. You Will Probably Need a Job
There aren’t very many lenders out there who are willing to give out car loans to borrowers who do not have a job. However, there are exceptions. If you can prove that you have income or some other means of paying off the loan, you might be able to find a lender willing to work with you.

12. The Car Loan Must Be Affordable
Because it can be so easy to get swept up in the excitement when buying a new car, it is essential that you determine how much you can afford on a monthly basis before walking onto the car lot. There are a lot of software products and free calculators online that can help you with this. Be sure to take advantage of them before you take out a loan.

13. You Can Negotiate a Lower Price
If you want to get a good deal on your car loan, you need to start by getting a good deal on the car. To do this, you will need to negotiate with the car dealer. Although this may seem intimidating at first, know that the car dealer expects you to negotiate and that only a fool pays sticker price.

14. It Is a Good Idea to Get Pre-Approved
Getting pre-approved for a car loan can save you time and heartache. There’s nothing worse than picking out a car and then finding out that you can’t get a loan large enough to cover the purchase price. Getting pre-approvals from several different lenders is also a good way to compare rates and terms.

15. Dealer Financing May Not Be the Best Deal
Getting a car loan direct from the dealership can be very convenient, but it may not be the best option. Some car dealers get a kickback from the finance company, which can increase the overall cost of your car loan. There is also a chance that you will be charged higher interest if you have risky credit. On the other hand, you may be able to get competitive interest rate or other perks that lower the cost of your loan if you have good credit. The best thing you can do is shop around and compare offers.

16. Rates Vary from Lender to Lender
There are no shared guidelines among lenders for car loans. Different lenders charge different interest rates. It is not unusual to be quoted a rate of 6.7 percent by one lender and 8.7 percent by another. To make sure you get the best deal, you should get quotes from at least three separate lenders.

17. Your Rate Will Not Change
Some mortgage loans have “adjustable rates”, which means the interest rate can move up and down according to a pre-specified index. Car loans are different. The interest rate on a car loan remains fixed for the entire life of the loan.

18. Not Everyone Qualifies for Zero Percent Financing
Dealers frequently advertise zero percent financing or other incentives that seem too good to pass up. Unfortunately, most buyers do not qualify for zero percent financing. You have to have excellent credit–a score of 700 or more–to be eligible for the best deals.

19. Rebates Can Affect the Rate You Pay
A rebate is a price reduction that is sometimes offered by car dealers. If you are financing through the manufacturer–for example, financing through Toyota to buy a Toyota–you may be asked to choose between a rebate and a low interest rate. The only way around this may be to seek outside financing. If you find your own lender, you might be able to take advantage of the rebate and get a low interest rate.

20. Trade-In Credit Could Lower the Amount You Need to Finance
If you have an old car that you can trade in for credit, you may be able to lower the total amount you need to finance. The amount you can get for your old car will depend on the dealer, the car’s condition, and your negotiating skills. You can make the most of your trade-in by negotiating the purchase price of the new car first and then mentioning that you have a trade-in later.

21. You Can Roll Over Negative Equity
If you owe more on your old car than it is worth, you can still get a new car loan by rolling the old balance over into your new loan. This is a common practice among car buyers. Be careful though. If you do this too often, you could end up with so much negative equity that it is impossible to sell or get a new loan to pay off the balance.

22. The Loan Term Will Impact Your Overall Costs
Most car loan terms last between 36 months and 72 months, but it is possible to get a longer or shorter term. A shorter term will mean higher payments and less interest paid over the life of the loan. A longer term has the opposite effect: smaller payments and more interest. When in doubt, go with the longer term. You can always put extra on the loan to pay it off sooner.

23. Additional Fees Could Increase Your Payments
When you buy a car, you might end up financing more than the cost of the vehicle. Additional fees like delivery, sales tax, and title transfer add up. To avoid paying interest on these items, you will need to pay for them upfront. The cost varies depending on the state you live in, so be sure to ask the dealer for a rough estimate ahead of time.

24. A Larger Down Payment Means a Smaller Loan Payment
Some car dealers and lenders require a down payment; others do not. While it can be difficult to put a significant amount of money down on a car loan, you should make every effort to do so. A down payment can have a huge impact on your loan payments. For example, if you put zero down on a $20,000 car and get an interest rate of seven percent and a term lasting 48 months, your monthly payments will be $507.00. If you put $3,000 down in the same scenario, the monthly payments drop to $436.00.

25. You Should Compare Loan Offers Carefully
When comparing loan offers, you should look beyond the loan payments. Payments on one loan offer might look lower than another because the term is longer, but it doesn’t mean that you will be paying less money over the long run. You should always compare terms, interest rates, and the total amount that will be paid over the life of the loan.

26. You Could End Up Upside Down in Your Loan
Cars are almost always depreciating assets. This means that their value is constantly going down. If you pay too much for the car to begin with or if you have poor loan terms, you could end up owing more for your car than it is worth.

27. You Can Get a Loan and Still Pay Cash
Cash buyers can sometimes get a better deal on the car lot. Fortunately, there is a way to get a loan and still pay cash. All you have to do is find an institution that is willing to give you a credit limit and a check (sometimes called a draft or bank draft) that can be made out to the car dealer you want to buy from. There are many lenders online that do this; most will approve you and send you a check within 48 hours.

28. You Don’t Have to Buy From a Dealer
You don’t have to buy from a car dealer to get a car loan. Most online lenders and a lot of local banks will allow you to buy a used car direct from the buyer. All you need to do is get pre-approved for the amount you want to spend and get the lender to cut you a check.

29. A Car Loan Is Usually Better Than a Lease
There are some circumstances in which leasing is better than buying, but in most cases it makes more financial sense to buy a car than lease a car. When you lease, you essentially rent the car until your lease is up. When you get a loan, you pay “rent” to a lender, but eventually you end up owning the car.

30. Full-Coverage Insurance Is Almost Always Required
Most lenders will make you get full-coverage insurance (a.k.a. comprehensive-collision coverage) on the car you buy. This requirement is usually in effect until the loan balance is paid in full, and is meant to protect both you and the lender in the event the car is wrecked.

31. Disability and Life Insurance Is Not Required
By law, you have to insure your car. However, you do not have to insure you car loan. Your lender will probably ask you if you want disability insurance, life insurance, and other types of insurance on your car loan. These policies may be valuable depending on your personal circumstances, but they are not required by law.

32. Gap Insurance May Be Required
Some lenders will require you to pay for gap insurance if you don’t make a sizeable down payment on the car loan. Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on the car and what it is worth. This type of insurance is generally reserved for new cars, but policies are sometimes available for used cars as well. Gap insurance can be purchased from the dealer or from independent insurance companies and agents.

33. You Can Finance an Extended Warranty
When you buy a car, the dealer will ask you if you want to purchase an extended warranty. This warranty may or may not be necessary depending on your situation. In any regard, the cost can be rolled into your car loan.

34. Prepayment Penalties May Apply
Making extra payments or paying your car off early can help you save a lot of money providing there is not a prepayment penalty attached to your car loan. If you can, try to find a lender that will allow you to pay your car loan off early without a penalty.

35. Some Car Loans Have a Subject to Financing Clause
When you get your car loan from a dealer, your contract may have a “subject to financing” clause. What this means is that the deal isn’t really done. The lender could call you up two weeks later and tell you that the loan he thought you were approved for fell through and that you need to pay a higher interest rate if you want to keep the car. To avoid this, you can either get pre-approved before visiting the dealer or refuse to sign a contract with this type of clause.

36. Get It in Writing
When you trade in a vehicle to buy a new car, the dealer will promise to pay the balance off on the old car within 10 days. Don’t just take them at their word. Get it in writing. You are liable for that loan until it is paid off in full.

37. Make a List of Questions to Ask
There are a few things you will want to be clear on before agreeing to a car loan. Specific details to ask about include the total price of the vehicle, the annual interest rate, the length of the loan, the monthly payments, early payment fees, and the total amount you will pay over the life of the loan.

38. You Have to Read the Contract Before You Sign It
Most car dealers are reputable, but there are a few out there who will try to take advantage of an unsuspecting customer. To avoid getting scammed, you should carefully read the entire loan agreement and any other paperwork you are asked to sign. If there is anything you do not understand, ask questions or get someone to look over the agreement for you.

39. You Might Not Be Able to Change Your Mind
Most car loan agreements have a provision that gives you three days to change your mind about the car loan after signing a contract. However, there are lenders who do not include this provision. There are also lenders who will ask you to sign something that waives this right. Be sure you know the details before you sign.

40. The Lending Institution Holds the Car’s Title
Lending institutions will put a lien on your car’s title while you are making payments. What this means is that the lender owns the car just as much as you do. When you have made all of the payments, the lender will “sign off” on the title and make you the official owner. In some states, the lender actually holds the title until the loan balance is paid off.

41. A Car Loan Is a Good Way to Improve Credit
If your credit score is a little lower than you would like it to be, a car loan may be just what you need to give it a boost. A car loan is one of the easiest types of loans to get. As you make your payments, your credit score will improve–providing you make your payments on time, of course.

42. It Is Easier Than Ever to Make Car Loan Payments
In the old days, there was only one way to make your car loan payments. Today, there are numerous options. You can make your payment online or sign up for automatic monthly payments. Making payments though your financial institution or through financial software are also options worth considering.

43. Paying Extra on the Loan Lowers Your Interest
Applying extra money to the principal that you owe each month will automatically lower the total amount of interest that you pay over the life of the loan. However, you must make sure that the money goes to principal, not interest. When you send in extra money, note that the overpayment is supposed to be applied to the principal.

44. You Are Stuck With the Loan Until It Is Paid Off
When you get a car loan, you are responsible for the payments until it is paid off. You cannot transfer the loan into another person’s name or sell the car if there is a lien on the title. The only way to get rid of the loan is by paying it off or getting someone else to pay it off for you.

45. Your Car Can Be Repossessed
If you do not make your required car loan payments, your lending institution has every right to take the car and sell it at auction. Although the time frame varies depending on the lender, most will threaten to repossess your vehicle when you fall 90 days behind on the payments. If your lender cannot recoup the entire balance owed at auction, you will be liable for the remaining amount. This is just one more reason to make sure the car payment is within your budget before you get the loan.

46. Lenders Will Work With You
Lenders don’t want to see borrowers default on a loan. If you are struggling to make your payments or if you are already in default, the best thing you can do is contact your lender and discuss the options that are available to you. You may be able to change the terms of your car loan or skip a few payments.

47. You Can Refinance Later On
Although most people don’t know it, it is possible to refinance a car loan. If you are unhappy with terms on your current loan or if you recently improved your credit and think you can get a better rate, refinancing can wipe the slate clean and provide you with a loan that is more appropriate for your circumstances. You can refinance a loan with your current lender or with a new lender.

48. Refinancing a Car Loan May Cost You
There are very few costs associated with a car loan refinance, but you might have to pay something. For example, there may be an application fee or a charge for pulling your credit report. If you need to refinance without any out-of-pocket costs, shop around. There are lenders out there who won’t charge you anything to refinance.

49. Car Loan Interest May Be Tax Deductible
If you are an employee, the IRS will not allow you to deduct car loan interest. However, you can deduct the interest if you are self-employed. The catch is that you can only deduct the portion of the expense that represents the business use of the car. For example, if you use your car for business 70 percent of the time, you can only deduct 70 percent of the interest paid. The interest expense associated with your personal use of the car must come out of your pocket. For more information, contact your accountant or visit the IRS website.

50. You Have the Right to Know Why You Were Denied
If you car loan application is denied by a lender, you have a right to know why. In most cases, you will receive a letter in the mail within 30 days explaining why you were not approved. If you do not get this letter, contact the lender and request it.

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3. Most of the time, for cash advance loans, no credit check is needed for approval - Payday loans are approved based on employment verification, a current checking account & a few other factors. So, bad credit is not an issue for payday or cash advance approval.

4. Most of the time, a checking account or checking and savings account is needed to obtain a payday loan
- This is one of the few stipulations usually required, since there is no credit check needed.

5. Most of the time, the borrower needs to be at least 18 years old and a US resident

6. Most of the time, the borrower cannot have any outstanding payday loans when applying for a new payday loan

7. Typically, cash advance companies look for borrowers that have a monthly income of about $1000/mo. or more

8. Payday or cash advance loan regulations and laws vary by state

9. Payday loans that are applied for online are typically deposited on the following business day into the borrowers checking account - However, there are some internet payday loan companies who can approve the loan and get the money deposited into the borrowers bank account on the same day. Cash advance lenders generally strive to be as quick funding the loan as possible. Some payday loan companies claim to be one hour payday loan lenders.

10. Amounts of payday loans vary from $100 - $1500 (and in some cases up to $2500) borrowed at a time - The average amount borrowed is typically $500 at a time, though.

11. Employment verification is required with almost all payday loan companies - Payday loan companies online also usually require some kind of employment verification.

12. When applying for a payday loan online, sometimes documents need to be faxed the lender - If the payday loan company does not require documents to be faxed in, but the information can be verified another way, the lender with usually post “no-fax”, “no-faxing” or “faxless” somewhere on their website to let the potential borrowers know that faxing documents is not needed.

13. Bankruptcy, bounced-checks, charge-offs and other types of credit problems, typically don’t prevent a borrower from being approved for a cash advance loan

14. Repayment options on payday loans vary from lender to lender - Repayment options are usually affected by state law.

15. Typically, if the cash advance borrower is unable to repay the loan in full by the date due, the lender requires the borrower to at least pay the interest accrued - This is also regulated at the state level. Some states do not allow this.

16. The approval process for a payday loan typically takes minutes to a few hours, even when applying for the loan online - Online payday loan companies usually have a quick application process and approval within 1-3 hours. The application process for most payday loan companies is usually very easy.

17. Borrowers should NEVER have to pay an “application fee” to apply for a payday loan - This goes for internet payday loan companies also.

18. Payday or cash advance loans should not be used on a regular, repeated basis to support ongoing financial difficulties - A non-profit consumer credit counseling agency can help with ongoing financial issues.

19. Typically, cash advance companies have a loan limit where the borrower must borrower the money for a minimum of 3-7 days

20. Payday loans typically have a loan limit of up to 2 - 6 weeks, depending on the lender and state regulations - Some companies offer loans for up to 2 weeks and some allow 30 day payday loans or can go even longer before the loan becomes due.

21. In 2006, the federal government passed a law, labeling payday lending as “predatory” and made it against the law to charge a higher interest rate to military personnel than 36% APR

22. An employment check stub is typically used as verification of employment for payday loan approval



23. Borrowers who lack the funds to pay back the cash advance loan on time, risk a bounced check fee from the borrowers bank - If you find yourself in a situation where you might not be able to pay back the emergency loan on time. Contact the payday lender and see what your options are before you tack on a bank fee on top of your interest.

24. Typically, when a the payday loan funds, the borrower writes a post dated check to the lending company for the full amount that will be due (loan amount + fees) - Internet payday loan lenders may have a different method for withdrawing the funds from the borrowers bank account.

25. Some payday loan lenders require borrowers to provide bank statements before loan approval - This is true of both online and offline cash advance lenders.

26. Check with www.us.bbb.org (Better Business Bureau) & search payday lenders online for reviews before borrowing - Online and offline payday loan companies are listed on the Better Business Bureau.

27. Social Security numbers are typically needed in the payday loan approval process - However, this does not necessarily mean that your credit will be pulled. Most payday lenders do no credit check for loan approval.

28. In many states, extending the payday loan is illegal

29. Payday loan lending is legal is 37 states - However, each state has it’s own laws regulating payday lending.

30. In 13 states payday loan lending is either illegal or not feasible with the current state laws

31. Some states have laws that limit how many payday loans a borrower can have outstanding at one time

32. Some states cap the number of payday loans a borrower can have per year

33. Some states have laws in place the help prevent borrowers from getting into a debt cycle that becomes almost impossible to get out of - Some states limit the number of times a payday loan lender can renew a payday loan, without lowering the interest rate and making a way for the borrower to be able to payday down or pay off the loan.

34. Payday lending is banned in Georgia and payday loan lending is considered a felony

35. Critics of payday and cash advance lending say that payday loans exploit borrowers financial hardship for profit

36. Proponents of payday and cash advance lending say that emergency loans with higher interest rates are fair considered the borrower typically would not usually have any other borrowing options because of credit or other factors - They also say that with the borrowers being higher risk, it’s only fair to charge higher interest rates.

37. Proponents of payday loans also argue that bank overdraft fees ($15-$30 per bounced check) are more costly, in many cases, than the fees charged by most payday loan companies

38. Payday loan lenders are limited by law to use legal collection practices and cannot attempt to collect the debt any more aggressively than any other type of debt

39. Proponents of payday loans also state that the processing costs of such short-term, emergency loans, require the loans to cost more with higher fees & interest

40. Here is a link to the FDIC guidelines for payday loans:http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/safety/payday/

41. A few banks are beginning to offer loans similar to payday loans for people who’s checks are deposited into their bank accounts automatically and regularly - The interest rate for these types of loans are typically 10% of the amount borrowed.

42. There are some alternatives to payday loans, but most of them have at least a slightly longer processing time - Other alternatives are personal or consumer (signature) loans from a local bank or credit union, loans from family or friends, cash advances from credit cards, bank overdraft protection, employer cash advances, car title loans & pawn shops.

43. Regular payday loan users run a risk of becoming dependent on cash advances and getting into a debt cycle that is difficult to get out of

44. US law requires that payday lenders must disclose all finance charges and the APR of the loan in writing to the borrower before the loan is funded.



45. If you must use a payday loan for a financial emergency, it’s best only to borrow the very minimum amount of cash you need to get by. - Avoid borrowing more than you need to help yourself avoid getting into a “debt cycle”.

46. To file a complaint about a payday or cash advance company, contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ftc.gov.

47. To avoid needing a payday loan in the future, work on avoiding unnecessary expenses, make a budget and try to save a little here and there for future emergencies

48. Pay day loans go by various names - Pay day loans are often called cash advance loans, check loans, internet cash loans, online payday loans & check advance loans.

49. Consider all other options before deciding to use a cash advance loan - However if you must get a payday loan, search for a reputable, low cost payday loan lender.

50. To avoid unnecessary use of pay day loans, consider talking to creditors to see if you can have more time to pay your needed bill(s) - If you can get your creditor(s) to waive your late fee(s), you might be able to get by without a cash advance loan.

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1. Get to the Bottom of Your Debt Problem
Knowing how your debt became unmanageable is an important part of solving debt problems and avoiding bankruptcy. Perhaps you have problems sticking to a budget; maybe you have a shopping addiction or issues with irresponsible credit card use; the debt may be a result of job loss or another life changing event—whatever the issue is, you need to get to the bottom of it. This will enable you to come up with a solution that will bring more than just temporary relief.

2. Determine How Much You Owe
Before you can begin to manage debt or contemplate bankruptcy, you need to determine how much debt you have. This will involve gathering all of your credit card statements, loan agreements, and other outstanding bills. After adding up the total balances on each, you can begin to set feasible repayment goals and timelines.

3. Prioritize Your Debts
Before you begin paying anything you need to prioritize your debts. Items that will result in jail time or lawsuits should be paid first. Such items include court fines, traffic tickets, and child support. Secured debts should be paid second. These include your mortgage payment, auto installments, and loans that have been secured by one of your assets. Next on the list are the debts that have high interest rates or stiff non-payment penalties. Such debts may include student loans or credit cards.

4. Communicate With Your Creditors
If you are receiving calls or letters from credit card companies, financial institutions, or collection agencies, it is imperative that you respond. Burying your head in the sand will not make your debt problems go away. In fact, ignoring your debt may make a bad situation worse.

5. Request Write-Offs for Old Debts
In certain cases, you may be able to get old debts written off. Before paying anything, you should contact creditors or collection agencies that are listed on your credit report. Ask that they provide written proof that the debt exists. If they cannot provide you with the proof, you have the right to ask that the debt be written off and removed from your credit report.

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6. Settle Debts
If you can somehow manage to come up with a lump sum of money, you may be able to settle your debts for a portion of what you owe. In some cases, you can get creditors to write off as much as 60 percent of your debt if you agree to pay the remaining balance in a lump sum. If you don’t have a lump sum of cash to apply to your debts, you can still try to settle them through a repayment plan, but it may be hard to get creditors to agree to large debt reductions.

7. Get a Cash Advance to Pay Debts
Many credit cards allow cardholders to get a cash advance. If you have a significant amount of debt, you may want to consider getting an advance to pay some of it down. Borrowing more money to pay back the money you owe can be dangerous, but if you handle the situation carefully and responsibly, it will allow you to avoid bankruptcy.

8. Ask Your Creditor to Take Back the Debt
If your debt has been transferred to a collection agency, it may be difficult to negotiate for lower rates, better terms, or reduced balances. This is why it is a good idea to ask your creditor to take back the debt. The actual creditor will have much more leeway in negotiation than any collection agency.

9. Negotiate a Trade
While you will have a difficult time negotiating a trade with banks or credit card companies, you may be able to work something out with other creditors like appliance repair companies, plumbers, and other independent contractors. You can offer assets like used vehicles or you can offer to work off the debt through various services. If you are good at working on cars, if you run a daycare facility, or if you have some other useful service to provide you may be surprised at how willing your creditors are to deal.

10. Give Back the Collateral
If you have a secured debt that you want to get out of, you can offer to give the collateral to a creditor or collection agency. In some cases, your debt will be erased. In others, you may be required to pay the difference between what is owed and the value of the item. If the collateral isn’t that important to you and hasn’t depreciated in value by that much, this is one of the best ways to settle your debts.

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11. Contact a Lawyer
If your debt problems are the result of a bad loan or a credit scam, you may be able to seek out a judgment against the lender or creditor. This will usually involve getting a lawyer to assess the situation. A good lawyer will be able to tell you whether or not the law is on your side and will be able to help you get the retribution you deserve.

12. Oppose Lawsuits
If a creditor takes you to court, you need to oppose the lawsuit. If you fail to do this or fail to show up in court, the court will automatically issue a judgment against you. Once this has happened, your wages will most likely be garnished and it will be very difficult to get the judgment reversed.

13. Control Your Spending
You will never be able to pay down your debts if you do not control your current spending habits. If you are trying to practice good debt management, you need to set a strict budget and stick with it. The budget may be difficult to follow at first, but over time you will see the positive impact it has on your debt load.

14. Look for Ways to Save Money
Curbing your spending is important, but you must also look for ways that you can save money on a daily basis. This may mean clipping coupons, looking for lower insurance rates, or ordering the special instead of something off the menu. With every dime you spend, you need to ask yourself if there is a way to save money.

15. Start Using Debit Cards
If you shop frequently with cash or charge cards, you need to find a better way to track your expenditures. One of the best ways is through the use of a debit card. By using a debit card, you can easily monitor all of your spending activity using your monthly statement. You will also find yourself limiting small purchases and acting more responsible when you have a piece of plastic in your hand.

16. Quit Buying on Credit
If most of your debts consist of credit card debts, you need to quit buying on credit immediately. I will be almost impossible to pay down your credit card balances if you continue to add to them on a monthly basis. If necessary, hide the cards or cut them up so that you can easily resist the urge to buy on credit.

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17. Make More Than the Minimum Payment
Credit card companies structure their payments in a way that benefits them not the consumer. By making only the minimum payment, you fall right into their trap. You pay and pay, but never seem to make much of a dent in