11/20/2009

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Credit Counseling Agencies No one works for free. These agencies are making money, and you are ultimately the one paying for their services. These agencies are third-party companies that negotiate better interest rates for your current debts and take over your bill-paying process. You send them biweekly or monthly payments, and they distribute these funds to each of your creditors. Again, on the surface this may sound like a smart decision, but their are some important facts you should consider before enlisting the help of this type of company. As soon as you add a third party to any type of negotiations, things are always going to get more complicated, not simplified. These agencies will initially contact your creditors and negotiate a better rate; but after that, you will be forced to mediate any correspondences that need to happen between the agency and your creditors. Any time you enlist the help of a credit counseling agency, your credit report is immediately red-flagged. It's possible that lenders see this act as a confirmation of your ability to responsibly handle your own debts. The credit counseling agency will stay on your permanent credit record for seven years after your final debt is paid in full. This means that you will have to live with this mark on your credit record for..........   Senior Discounts The current economic downturn that we are in is causing most people to look for ways to save money and stretch their hard earned dollars. Many senior citizens have been especially hard hit. Like everyone else, seniors lost money in the stock market crash, the downturn in the housing market, and in their 401(k)s and other investments. Now, it's imperative for them to seek ways to manage their living expenses and to be more prudent with their spending habits. And like everyone else, seniors cannot live healthy lives by sitting at home worrying about their futures. They need to get out and live active lifestyles so they can stay fit and mentally sound. But being active can be expensive and many seniors depend on limited income and other resources to live. This is why senior discounts are so important. Many businesses offer great savings to senior citizens and..........   Think Smart... Money saving tip of the week... Lifestyles... Books make excellent gifts... Travel Photos... Definition of the week...What is an Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?   How Successful People Think Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life John C. Maxwell Gather successful people from all walks of life-what would they have in common? The way they think! Now you can think as they do and revolutionize your work and life! A Wall Street Journal bestseller, HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK is the perfect, compact read for today's fast-paced world. America's leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. You'll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking. You'll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future.