The economy is slowly recovering from one of the worst recessions we have seen in decades. As it starts to recover, people will also begin to make more purchases to boost it. This consumer spending puts money back into the economy and creates demand that leads to new jobs. It is a cycle that keeps our country afloat. When we started this horrible recession, the Government decided that banking was somewhat at fault for the problems we were experiencing and decided that credit card spending and bank fees for certain services were out-of-line and needed to be changed. So, starting on July 1st, banks can no longer charge overdraft fees to those who have exceeded their balances. This will severely limit the amount of money a bank can make on its customers. Many people do not realize that a bank makes a great deal of money on overdrafts fees as many people use their debit cards and go over their limits.

Bank of America has decided to implement this change right now rather than wait. Rather than allow their customers to go over limit, Bank of America will now stop purchases if they exceed the balance in their account. Many people do this unknowingly as they are not aware of certain transactions taking place on their account and with current salaries at a low, many are purchasing items dangerously close to the bottom of these accounts. With current trends, the banks stand to lose millions of dollars in revenue from fees as well as purchases.

As of July, banks will have to get the consent of their customers to charge any overdraft fees and Bank of America is well aware that it would be an uphill battle and that their customers will not sign these types of guidelines. Rather than fight it, Bank of America has decided to institute the new laws now to possibly keep customers and show that they are not predatory like the Government seems to portray than as in the media. Many of the larger banks will fall in line with Bank of America as they all scramble to find new and inventive ways to charge fees. It is likely that fees for checking account maintenance will go up as well as yearly fees on credit cards, which is already occurring across the board.

Whether you had hit a rough patch in your life, or you just have a bad habit for going on a spending spree from time to time, odds are the balances that exist on your credit cards have blossomed beyond what you can comfortably afford. While debt consolidation or a pay day loan may seem like the answer to your money woes, these options are only temporary solutions. Getting and staying out of debt can be quite difficult, if not nearly impossible. Between the physical and psychological toll it can take on your body and those around you it’s no wonder why so many people vow to never let themselves go into debt. Regardless of how you got there, here are some cost effective tips that can help you get out of debt and stay out once and for all. (more…)

Ever hear of the old parable of the frog who doesn’t know he’s boiling to death because the water only slowly increases in temperature and he doesn’t have the sense to jump out in time? That same analogy can apply to anyone who has suddenly realized that they may be in debt way over their head and it’s too late to cut back on their standard of living to fight off bankruptcy. In today’s aggressive financial climate, this sort of thing happens more and more. Current salaries are being decreased across the board while fees, interest rates on debt, and day-to-day expenses soar. It doesn’t necessarily take the loss of a job to get to the point where a medical emergency or family disaster pushes one overboard in an instant. That’s why consumers have to be really aware of when they are reaching that point of no return, and quickly reduce expenses before they can no longer recover the situation.

Here are some ways to tell when you might be getting into trouble in the near future: (more…)

Is each slot of your wallet filled with a credit card of some sort? Do you find yourself experiencing a euphoric feeling or “high” when you swipe your credit card at any type of store?  Is this feeling of euphoria followed by a low feeling shortly afterwards?  Do you find yourself making excuses for why you must have an item?  Are you the first one to the mailbox each day in hopes of getting the credit card bill before anyone else does?  If you answered yes to any of these questions or to all of these questions you may have an addiction. (more…)

Whether you have accumulated a large sum of credit card debt due to a job loss or a spending spree that got out of control, it can be quite difficult to break a habit that you have been accustomed to for so long. While most of us are raised to never carry a balance, and that we should pay them off in full every month, the lure of a new high priced electronics device or even the latest fashions have even the most budget savvy users using credit in times when they know that they should not. Just one purchase has a way of multiplying, and before you know it you have racked up so many charges that your monthly salary is not enough to cover them all. Combine this with an average credit card interest rate of 15% or more and even the smallest of balances can take you years to pay off if utilizing the minimum payment. While you may be feeling like you will be stuck in a credit card dungeon for the rest of your life, here are some simple tips that can help you keep your debt in check so you can finally dig yourself out of the hole that you have created. (more…)

In times of economic crisis, we may need to seek help from as many outlets as possible. Loans are available from banks with good credit and collateral to protect the bank from losses. As banks are out to make a profit, they must protect themselves from defaults by securing collateral to use if a borrower cannot pay their loan back. Payday loans are also a good choice as their credit requirements are not stringent like those of banks and these advances are available online for convenience. (more…)

Before you decide to settle your debt for less than it’s worth, realize that there are consequences to this action. It may be tempting to want to get rid of your debt overnight, but doing so can completely ruin your credit for many years. If you have an option to renegotiate the terms of the loan, or consolidating multiple loans, this might eventually be the best solution even if it adds 2 to 5 years of more debt elimination on your plate. If you choose to settle instead, that information is recorded in your credit history and it can affect your chances of getting an apartment, employment, or even financing for a home. (more…)

Nothing is worse when bills start to pile up, the phone is ringing off the hook with “courtesy” or bill collector calls, and you are being fee’d to death by your friendly, neighborhood, bank. Unfortunately, more and more Americans are finding themselves in this position, due to the aggressive tactics that can put anyone on a round of never ending phone calls, even if for years they’ve had a sterling credit rating. With current salaries stagnant, and prices rising, sometimes you are put in the position of paying one bill over another, or delaying payment for a few days. Those few days, though, shouldn’t put you on a permanent list of harassing calls, which are sometimes happens, disguised as “courtesy calls.” There are ways to take control back and start reducing the stress of managing debt, even if you are thousands in debt. (more…)

One of the biggest debt traps out there is revolving debt. Credit cards have managed to indebt millions of individuals in the United States who took on lines of credit when debt was relatively cheap. Some had offers for introductory 0% cards, motivating them to indebt themselves further with the ideal that they would pay it off before the finance charge reset. Unfortunately, with revolving debt, it’s very easy to get in over your head. It’s not like a short-term loan, like pay day loans, that only allow you to borrow a small amount (between $300 and $600) and then requires payment with a short payback cycle, clearing the balance. Instead, revolving credit on credit cards can linger for years and cost many thousands of dollars more than it’s worth. (more…)

When people are in debt they get desperate, but that’s the time to keep a cool head. Debt scams abound for those with financial issues from fake foreclosure help to consumer debt advocacy organizations that take your money and run. Sometimes the scam is an out-and-out fraud. Other times, the level of service is so poor, you would have done better to go elsewhere. Whatever the reason, if you’re trying to resolve a debt issue, it’s important to realize that you might be a prime target for people who don’t have your best wishes in mind. (more…)