Pierre Money Mart Blog

Everyone needs a car irrespective of his or her credit score. Having a bad credit score does not take away your right to own a car. A bad credit history may include arrears, default, county court judgements, bankruptcy, etc. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, you may miss out at your monthly repayments. This is bad for your credit score. A late payment has an adverse effect on your credit score. Default on the loan repayment is even worse.

Another thing that has a negative effect on the credit score is bankruptcy. If you find it difficult to pay monthly installments because of high rates of interest, you can take out a low rate loan and consolidate your debt into a single, affordable loan. If even this does not help, then you will have to file for bankruptcy. When you are declared bankrupt, you are discharged of all your debt obligations. However, bankruptcy remains on the credit score for a number of years. During all this period, you will find it very difficult to obtain a fresh loan.

Do not get depressed. You can take out a bad credit car loan to buy a car. Bad credit loans are specifically given to those who have a bad credit history. The rates of interest on bad credit loans are higher than the rates on other loans. Before applying for a bad credit auto loan, take a look at your credit score. You might be able to repair your credit score. Talk to your lender and he might help you repay your loan. He might even waive off some part of your unpaid loan balance. Explain your reason for default and the new lender might offer you a loan at a better rate of interest.

Your next step is to find a bad credit car loan. You can apply for a auto loan over the internet. Get a car loan as per your needs and financial position. Once you get a bad credit auto loan, make regular payments as per the loan terms. This will improve your credit score. Once your credit score improves, consider refinancing your car. The second loan will carry a lower rate of interest than your first loan. This will help you save a lot of money.

You have to have a new car. Each time you drive your car, you are thinking of a new one. You notice all of your vehicle’s flaws – the dinged door, the rattle that you can’t find and the lack of a CD player.

You stretch and look each time to go by the car lot. You may even know exactly what you want.

It can be enticing, especially the new car smell.

But buying a new car goes much further than simply picking out all the options. If you want to get the most vehicle for your money, you will do a little homework. There are some essential steps that will help you avoid being fleeced. You know the stereotype of the car salesman. If you are well informed, she or he won’t be any problem.

Think of this as an exploration. You map out a game plan that gives you the upper hand. Knowing what you want gives you a huge advantage in the buying process.

This guide will help you in selecting, financing, purchasing and insuring your new vehicle. It may seem like a little work, but it may be the difference between getting the car you want and settling for a different one. You will find that the process is easy, and in the end it saves you money, time and aggravation.

Bad credit or no credit does not have to keep you from getting an auto loan anymore. Many companies specialize in helping people with bad credit get the car they have their hearts set on. There are still some general guidelines that many lenders follow, but keep in mind that each company is different so look around for the auto loan that will suit your needs best.

Here is some of the basic criterion that you must meet to be granted an auto loan:

Proof of income is required. In most cases the minimum required monthly income is $1,500 per month or $8.66 per hour with full time employment.

Applicants with no bureau score or rating must have been working at least 1 year for their current employer. Auto lenders look more favorably on applicants that have been working for their current employer for 2 years.

If you have a repossessions with a deficiency balance that is less than one year old and not included in bankruptcy, a cash down payment may be required for you to qualify.

Direct lenders that offer car loans have much more stringent underwriting criteria than the indirect car loan lenders available to some licensed auto dealers. If you’ve have bad credit and have been rejected for an auto loan in the past, chances are you were dealing with a direct lender.

Auto loans are just like any other form of credit. It is never free of charge. Remember that how much creditors will charge you for their services differ, so be sure to check out the competition. And always find out their rates before you agree to borrow from them. It is imperative that you review the terms of your auto loan before you enter into an agreement with the lender.

You will also want to take into account the amount of time you will be making payments. For example, you may get lower monthly payment rates over 3 years than over 2. However, the total finance charges over time are higher over a longer term.

There is nothing wrong with using an auto loan to purchase a car, just make sure that you are informed about your choices of lender. The right choice will make all the difference when buying your car or truck.

The Wall Street Journal reports that among the 21 largest banks receiving TARP funds, lending rates for all types of consumer loans fell by slightly more than 2% during February. Although these figures include auto loans, car buyers need not worry. Resources for auto loans include local banks, online banks, credit unions, and auto industry sponsored financing. Tightening credit highlights the importance of shopping for auto loans before looking for a new or used car.

Fast Loan Approval Not the Only Consideration

Consumers have traditionally put the cart before the horse when it comes to buying cars–they find a car they want before getting a for a loan to pay for it. There are disasvantages to this scenario including:

• Limited time for comparing auto loans: Dealerships may pressure you to accept the first loan they can find for you. Their interest is in selling a car, while the customer’s interest is in negotiating the best deal possible on a vehicle and auto loan.
• Auto loan approval provides limits: Customers who have prior loan approval know what they can afford to spend, and can focus on affordable options instead of falling for a vehicle they’ll have trouble financing.
• Negotiating power:Buyers who are pre-approved for auto loan may have more leveragein negotiating; a pre-approved auto loan indicates that the buyer is not “just looking”, but intends to buy. Buyers can also reaffirm their price limits by saying “I have loan approval for $25,000. how can you help me?”
• Pressure to accept first loan offered: Dealerships depend on selling cars, and facilitating sales through streamlined in-house financing increases profits. Getting the best deal on auto loans requires comparison shopping and making  informed decisions.  Shop for auto loans from several sources.
• Missed opportunity: Don’t forget to shop for auto loans online. Online banks have less overhead and may pass savings on to customers.

Shopping for auto loans before shopping for a new ride can help in finding a loan that’s affordable and provides the best financing terms. Getting a great deal on a car is made sweeter by getting the best deal on a car loan.

With ever increasing consumer debt more of us are finding ourselves robbing Peter to pay Paul each month.

We go through our bills and find that the money just won’t stretch far enough to cover all of the bills and expenses. It’s hard to decide who you should pay when you have one bill that is stamped with “Final Notice” and you are behind on several of your other bills.

If you don’t pay the credit cards you know that you are going to start getting those harassing phone calls. If you don’t pay the house payment you are looking at foreclosure. If you don’t pay the utilities they will shut them off. How do you decide?

When you get to this point it’s time to get down to basic survival and work from there.

I have actually talked to people that stated their credit cards were up to date but their mortgage was two months behind. This is one of the biggest mistakes we can make when we don’t have the money to pay everything.

Another mistake I see on a regular basis is that some people pay their bills at the expense of their food budget.

If you have the money to pay some of your bills you have to start with groceries first and necessary health items. You can try to save as much as possible on your food but that money has to be set aside before anything else.

The next bill you must pay is your mortgage or rent. While credit cards companies will drag out their collection process, mortgage companies and landlords will start the process of foreclosure or eviction within just a couple of months.

Your next priority is your utilities. In many cases utility companies will turn off your utilities if the bill isn’t paid within a few days of receiving the bill.

Once you are sure you have enough to eat and a roof over your head you can start thinking about your other bills. The secured loans, like your car payment, should come before your unsecured loans, like your credit cards.

The reason for this is simple. Creditors that have secured property will sue or repossess much quicker than the credit card companies.

If you find yourself in this situation it is a sign that you need to do something drastic and fast. By not paying all of your bills each month they are going to add up quickly and you are going to accumulate a lot of late fees.

The best place to start is to find out exactly where you stand and what is causing the problem. This is as simple as listing your income on one side of a piece of paper and your bills on the other. Total each and subtract your bills from your income.

Whether you use my budget system or another it is very important that you start one as soon as possible. For those of you that believe a budget is to restrictive, just the opposite is true. The only way you can get what you want and know you can afford it is to have a budget in place.

It is important that you pay all of your bills on time each month. When you don’t have the money to pay everything it is vital to your survival that you pay the most important bills first.

If you have ever fallen behind on your debts you already know that dealing with your creditors can be a hassle. Sometimes it can be downright humiliating. It doesn’t have to be that way.

With millions of people experiencing financial problems it is absolutely necessary for everyone to know and understand their rights as a consumer.

Federal law requires that you receive fair and equal treatment from businesses issuing credit. This law applies when they evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, and even leases.

The one area where I receive the most complaints are from individuals that are being harassed by debt collectors. These complaints range from debt collectors contacting their work and family members to being called names. All of these are a direct violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This article spells out exactly what your rights are as a consumer.

I have copied some areas of this article directly from the Federal Trade Commission’s web site to ensure that the information is explained exactly as the law applies. These areas are identified.

The FDCPA lists the following guidelines that must be followed by all debt collectors:

(Copied from the Federal Trade Commission web site)

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~~Debt collectors may contact you only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

~~Debt collectors may not contact you at work if they know your employer disapproves.

~~Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you.

~~Debt collectors may not lie when collecting debts, such as falsely implying that you have committed a crime.

~~Debt collectors must identify themselves to you on the phone.

~~Debt collectors must stop contacting you if you ask them to in writing.

It also prohibits debt collectors from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices while collecting these debts.

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It is very important to keep a record of any contact you make with your creditors especially when there is a dispute or misunderstanding regarding your account. You should list the name and address of the company, date and time of the call, the name of the person you spoke with and the content of the call.

Another important aspect of your consumer rights is Credit Reporting. Derogatory information in your Credit Report can have serious consequences. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that the information in your credit report is accurate and up to date.

There are numerous companies that offer “Free Credit Reports”, however, you are obligated to sign up for their “Debt Monitoring Service” which usually costs about $80. You will receive a free credit report and if you cancel your monitoring service within 30 days it will cost you nothing. Your best bet is to order your credit report directly from a Credit Reporting Agency. It will only cost you about $9. Below is a list of the three main companies:

Equifax

PO Box 740241

Atlanta , GA 03074-0241

(800) 685-1111

Experian

PO Box 2104

Allen , TX 75013-2104

(888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

Trans Union

PO Box 1000

Chester , PA 19022

(800) 916-8800

I would advise you to visit the below link to find out exactly how to obtain your credit report:

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/fair-credit/fair-crd.htm

Having knowledge of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)can save you a lot of time and trouble when you apply for credit. The following explains these rights.

(Copied from the Federal Trade Commission web site)

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Your Credit Report

Your credit payment history is recorded in a file or report. These files or reports are maintained and sold by “consumer reporting agencies” (CRAs). One type of CRA is commonly known as a credit bureau. You have a credit record on file at a credit bureau if you have ever applied for a credit or charge account, a personal loan, insurance, or a job. Your credit record contains information about your income, debts, and credit payment history. It also indicates whether you have been sued, arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to help ensure that CRAs furnish correct and complete information to businesses to use when evaluating your application.

Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act:

~~You have the right to receive a copy of your credit report. The copy of your report must contain all of the information in your file at the time of your request.

~~You have the right to know the name of anyone who received your credit report in the last ~~year for most purposes or in the last two years for employment purposes.

~~Any company that denies your application must supply the name and address of the CRA they contacted, provided the denial was based on information given by the CRA.

~~You have the right to a free copy of your credit report when your application is denied because of information supplied by the CRA. Your request must be made within 60 days of receiving your denial notice.

~~If you contest the completeness or accuracy of information in your report, you should file a dispute with the CRA and with the company that furnished the information to the CRA. Both the CRA and the furnisher of information are legally obligated to reinvestigate your dispute.

~~You have a right to add a summary explanation to your credit report if your dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction.

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If you believe that your rights have been violated under one of these laws you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at:

While these laws won’t eliminate your obligation to pay your just debts they can prevent debt collectors and others from taking advantage of you.