Consumers think that because interest rates are so low right now, it might be ok to take on some extra debt to ease existing problems. A common refrain is to consolidate their debt into one nice big package that it’s easier to pay off, less expensive, and there’s only one payment after all.
Be careful of this kind of thinking.

Debt consolidation is a not the cure to eliminating debt - all it does is prolong the inevitable. It’s similar to the old saying of fighting fire with fire, but it can manifest itself in several different ways. There is debt consolidation, home equity loans or lines of credit, and zero interest rate credit cards. Interestingly, 70% of American who take out a loan or line of credit to pay off credit card debts end up with a higher debt load within just two years.

These types of statistics emphasize a major problem with consolidated debt. No matter how you look at it, the problem is that you’re only giving in to the natural leaning you had originally that got you into trouble in the first place. In reality, you are adding yet another creditor to the list and with the majority of consumers - you will end up worse for wear.

Further, if you take on more than you can handle and you need yet more access to additional funds, creditors probably won’t qualify you for the lower interest rates you are counting on. Only people with great credit scores qualify for those types of loans.

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Most of the students will attest to the fact that student life is/was a stint in penury. It is when finances are tight and every penny matters. Credit cards which can cater to the indigence of students are becoming very popular these days. Many credit card companies cater credit cards to students, whose financial needs are unique and specific when compared to the general population.

Though the processes of obtaining a credit card for students are much less complicated, a prudent student should strive to obtain maximum information on these. It is an educational process which prepares a youngster for the workings and responsibility of using and owning a credit card in their adult life. Most credit card companies stress that a student should think of applying for a credit card only when he thinks himself ready for it financially and personally.

There are many articles online and offline available as resources for students to tap into when the need more information about selecting a credit card. It is a time-consuming process, where the student needs to compare multiple credit card offers, companies and their own spending habits, eventually settling on the correct one. Once they decide on a credit card, students should be careful in applying for it as important information is exchanged and it should be done securely.

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Whether you are purchasing large items, like a home, or simply clothing, creditors try to measure your capacity and willingness to repay your commitments. Try to understand these five factors in order to control some of the impact and outcomes your debt and credit profile have.

Payment History: 35% impact on score. The biggest factor is paying accounts on time. Your account is considered on-time for reporting purposes if payment is received within 30 days of the due date. Payments that are 30 days past due are usually reported. The impact of one thirty day late payment can vary. It can depend on how much positive credit you already have on the report. Missing a high payment has a more impact than missing a lower one. A 30 day late is not as significant as a 60 day late. However, a 30 day late last month is more significant than a 60 day late five years ago.

Outstanding Balances Owed: 30% impact on score. This marks the relationship and ratio between the outstanding balance and available credit. This is referred to as credit utilization. The balance you carry, mostly on revolving accounts, such as credit cards has the most impact on your credit scores. Maintain your balances on credit cards less than 30% of the available limit, especially when trying to purchase a home.

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