The Map Magazine

The best way to eliminate credit card debt is to take out a debt consolidation loan with low rates. With reduce interest charges, you can begin to take a bite out of your principal. Without increasing your monthly payments, your debt will be eliminated sooner.

Choosing A Debt Consolidation Loan

You can choose any type of loan to consolidate your credit card debt. But the best rates can be found with a home equity loan. With your home’s value securing the loan, lenders offer you the lowest rates. You can also further reduce rates by choosing an ARM.

For those without a home, personal loans can still significantly reduce monthly interest charges on your credit card debt. Loans can be approved the same day for amounts between $1,000 and $10,000. Larger loans require more time.

Whittling Down Your Principal

Consolidating your debts can help you pay off your principal sooner. One option is to pick a short term loan of less than five years. That way your monthly payment should be the same amount as you are currently paying, but with a larger percent paying off the principal.

The other option to pick a long term loan but make extra payments. This gives you more flexibility with your money. By making principal payments early, you trim off interest charges. But it can be tempting to just stick with the minimum payment.

Picking Lenders

Researching lenders and their financing packages can also save you money on fees and interest rates. Compare the APR between lenders, since this includes both rates and fees.

You can easily find rates online by searching on sites of financing companies or brokers. Generic rates will be posted, but you can also request specific quotes by providing some basic information. Quotes including terms will either be emailed or displayed on the website.

Improving Your Credit Score

Reducing your debt will greatly improve your credit score. So will closing paid off accounts. By eliminating unused credit lines, you will have more available future credit at better rates. It will also keep you from using those accounts and racking up more credit charges.

To view our list of recommended debt consolidation companies, visit this page:
Recommended Debt
Consolidation Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

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Bankruptcy can be the biggest burden to an individual, small business or a multi million dollar corporation. Bankruptcy is a condition where the business cannot meet its debt obligations and petitions as well. In the action, the debtor pays his property to the creditors. This action is maybe voluntary or involuntary, and conducted as prescribed by the National Bankrupt Act. When this happens, there should be no worries because there is a bankruptcy attorney to help you to set your assets in order, and smoothly take care of the files for bankruptcy.

Finding a lawyer for this kind of devastating problem is relatively easy. Bankruptcy attorneys specialize in bankruptcy law and can provide legal methods for an individual or commercial enterprise to either wipe out the debts by liquidating assets and distributing them among creditors or resolve them by developing a court approved reorganization plan, or the plan or other plan involving the repayment of the creditors over time.

Bankruptcy attorneys explain the applications of bankruptcy laws and its applications. Including how they function to relieve individuals and businesses from indebtedness and provide a fresh financial start. Title 11 of the United States Code or the bankruptcy code regulates the bankruptcy proceedings, including what chapter under which a debtor may file, what bills can be eliminated, how long payments may be extended, what possessions can be kept, and all other details regarding the bankruptcy.

If the debtors or their lawyers set off the bankruptcy it is called a voluntary bankruptcy. If the creditors or their attorney initiate the bankruptcy it is called an involuntary bankruptcy.

Of course, no one wants to settle with a bankruptcy attorney that could do nothing. There are 13 tips on how you can choose the best attorney who can handle bankruptcy.

1. Never dawdle. Don’t find a legal helper that lingers on your case. Waiting until the last minute won’t give you the time you need to find a good attorney. And it won’t give a good attorney enough time to adequately prepare for your case.

2. Never just ask any friends of yours for referrals. It should take a friend who has undergone bankruptcy for her or him to lead you to a good and eligible legal helper.

3. Always ask for suggestions from legal professionals. Find a bankruptcy lawyer at the circle of your acquaintances. If you have a personal attorney, start there. Keep in mind, however, that bankruptcy law is a specialty, so if your lawyer offers to handle the case as part of your usual retainer, make sure he knows his way around bankruptcy court.

4. Investigate certifications. Attorneys must be certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute. He should meet the standards in order for him to be certified.

5. Spend a day at a bankruptcy court. Observing the attorneys in action can give you an idea of the lawyer you want representing you. At the court you also can find out which locals specialize in this form of law. And you can get a chance to talk to the debtors and can ask them whether they felt their lawyers did a good job.

6. Check out the law firms. You should know how organized the law court is. This appraisal gives you vital clues as to how a lawyer should handle a case.

7. Find out who sits on local court panels. Be aware of the names and positions of the ones who sit on the panel.

8. Ask questions. You should ask the lawyers these following questions.

• What time frame do you have for this bankruptcy?

• How much access will I have to an attorney during my bankruptcy filing?

• If I’m not working directly with you (the lawyer), who will I be working with?

• How many of those bankruptcies are consumer or personal rather than business filings?

• Can I interview the person with whom I would be working with?

• How many bankruptcies do you handle in a month or in a year?

9. Evaluate the responses. Because bankruptcy law is a volume business, the time you’ll actually be working with a specific attorney may be small. In fact, with most consumer bankruptcies, the client works with a clerk or a paralegal; your actual attorney won’t come into play until your day in court.

10. Understand your role. Be attentive and always bear in mind that you are part of the picture. Be able to identify your roles.

11. Don’t hire the cheapest bankruptcy attorney. You will be putting yourself to an even more cost if you do not have enough budget for an attorney.

12. Get fee specifics. Be able to know the amount of money it is going to cost you. What is included in the lawyer’s fee, and what is not?

13. Stay involved. Don’t be contented with your lawyer alone. Double check your filings.

When you’re hiring a bankruptcy attorney, you should remember that it’s not just who you know, but what you know and what you’re willing to learn.

Dean Shainin offers online Bankruptcy and debt advice. For more information, articles, news, tools and valuable resources on bankruptcy and debt solutions, visit this site: Bankruptcy Attourneys

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Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book The Scarlet Letter states in Chapter 2, “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.” The letter A stood for the word adulterer and represented one of the worst insults in society. One would have thought that today we are a lot more civilized than 200 years ago, but unfortunately it is not true. Society has abolished the letter A alright, but it has latched onto a new one, the letter B, which stands for bankruptcy. People do not see it on their chest and think it does not affect them, but it does. Bankruptcy is as insulting and as damaging to one’s financial, emotional, mental, and even physical well- being as any major failure or stigma.

Although lawyers may tell their clients the stigma lasts 7-10 years, the truth is the stigma lasts forever. Ask those that have been through the process and most will tell you how rough and hard it is to get a good job, buy a new car or a home, get a promotion at work, or even lease an apartment. In certain industries, bankruptcy also means instant termination from work. The pains and agonies of bankruptcy will not just end there. Financially the person is haunted with higher interest rates, higher down payments, and outright rejections for many years to come. Emotionally and mentally the person has to endure constant refusals that affect morale, self-esteem, and self-respect. Eventually, the stress could potentially affect the person’s health. Mental stress incapacitates numerous people each and every year and the numbers are staggering.

How does one avoid questions on applications such as this one: “Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?” Please note, it does not say, “Have you filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years?” The way to avoid such applications is usually by walking away from them. In other words, by allowing doors to be closed in one’s face. The bottom line is, bankruptcy has a very real downside that is likely much worse than any postive short-term results. Many consumers are unaware of these potential pitfalls associated with bankruptcy, as countless attorneys often paint a rosy picture.

My Advice through person experience: Avoid bankruptcy, at all cost, and only as the absolute last possible resort. Weigh your decision carefully. I recognize there are certain circumstances where bankruptcy is truly the best option and there may be times where it’s the only option. One should not use bankruptcy as an option simply because it is “easy” or seems to be a quick solution.

Phil Andrews is currently the VP of Business Development for Precept Financial Solutions, a leading debt settlement firm based in Dallas, Texas. For more information, go to http://www.PreceptFinancial.com or call toll free 800-584-0855 and press option 2.

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The Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law by President Bush last April, promises changes to Federal bankruptcy law that have been long sought by the lending industry. The bill promises sweeping changes to Federal law, and will make it much harder for the average consumer in financial trouble to have their debts wiped out by filing for bankruptcy. Recent trends suggest that those considering a bankruptcy filing should do so now, as the line to do so is already getting rather long.

The bill will make it harder for the average consumer to file under Chapter 7 of the Federal code, which allows the courts to wipe away consumer debt and give the debtor a fresh start. Filings after the October 15 deadline will be subject to a means test and those that pass a rather generous income gauge will have to file under the more strenuous Chapter 13, which requires a repayment plan and the assistance of an attorney. Indications are that with the deadline looming, bankruptcy filings are not only higher than they were last year, but they are also higher than anticipated. Nationwide, filings are 20-25% higher than last year, and some bankruptcy attorneys say that their business has nearly doubled.

Complicating matters is another law, passed in 2003, that requires credit card companies to establish a payment schedule that allows consumers to repay their debts in a “reasonable” amount of time. Since the beginning of this year, the major credit card companies have doubled their minimum payments from 2% of the balance to 4% of the balance. For the average household with $10,000 in credit card debt, this doubles the minimum monthly payment from $200 to $400, an increase that many consumers cannot afford.

The dramatic increase in bankruptcy filings has overwhelmed bankruptcy attorneys, who will face the additional burden of being liable for false information filed by their clients once the new law takes effect. This additional pending liability, combined with the additional workload, has prompted many attorneys to raise their fees by an average of nearly 20% over the same time last year.

What does this mean for those with problem debt? The deadline for filing under existing law remains October 14, 2005. After that, bankruptcy filings will be more complicated and expensive. The courts and law offices are already becoming clogged with bankruptcy cases. Anyone who may be considering filing for bankruptcy to overcome his or her problem debt should do so now. Waiting even another day could be too late.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding home equity lending.

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Playing aggressive poker is a good way to consistently book wins. One of the most basic, widely accepted aggressive moves is the continuation bet. You will find it is a pretty standard play in poker, especially against weak-tight opponents. The basic premise, similarly to many other casino games behind a continuation bet is following up with a strong bet on the flop after opening with a raise pre-flop. A continuation bet continues telling the story that you had a strong hand pre-flop, and that after the flop you still have a strong hand. It also forces your opponent to either have a hand himself, or be willing to go with his read that you don’t have anything, and call you down or raise you with nothing himself. More often than not, this is a confrontation most players won’t bother getting into unless they have a strong hand or a strong read on your play. This is for you to be the judge of once you are called.

If your continuation bet is called, you have a few factors to consider on the turn before making a check or firing another bet out. First, do you have a hand? If you do, what position are you in? If you are first to act, you could do a few things. If you think your opponent believes you are weak, and he is weak, give him an opportunity to bluff at it. Check to him and see if he will make a bet, then reraise him and take down the pot. If you think your opponent is strong, and but your hand is stronger, this play may not work as well, as he may check behind. Most of the time, if you have a hand and you are called on the flop, it is correct to bet out on the turn for two thirds to three fourths of the pot size, depending again on your opponent and your read on him.

Learning the basics of poker and poker online surrounding the continuation bet are your first steps towards moving into intermediate poker play. It gets the player into thinking about hands in ways that go past the basics and into the more advanced theories of poker. Begin thinking about continuation bet situations and evaluating your opponents, and you will take the next step in becoming a stronger player.

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If you are looking for an exclusive place to live amidst the natural beauty of South Carolinas beaches and landscape, look no further than Seabrook Island. This unique, high-class Charleston County residential community is located close to the South Carolina coast. The private, luxury resort island of Seabrook Island is ideal for people who want to live in tune with nature and enjoy a good quality of life.
On Seabrook Island you can experience the old-world atmosphere of South Carolina while also enjoying the luxury of 21st century living. You are always close to the great outdoors and the endless sandy beaches and dunes of the coast too.
You will not be disappointed by the property on offer on Seabrook Island. Just as the islands landscape has been carefully preserved and utilized to make the Seabrook Island experience so exceptional, so its real estate has been designed to live up to the all-round high standards.
Seabrook Island is well known for its wide range of outdoor activities. If you like playing golf you can use the championship course on the island. The equestrian center boasts international-class facilities, and is wonderful for those who love riding as well as watching equestrian events. There are several beach clubs on the shore, and of course unlimited opportunities to enjoy the beaches and the ocean.
All in all, Seabrook Island is a fantastic place to make your home. Make sure you check out all the property options on this very special island.

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During the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season there were many bankruptcies from small businesses and individuals who could not pay their bills. All along the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and many people in Florida had lost everything including their jobs, their homes and had no way to support themselves or pay the bills.

Luckily FEMA was able to come forth with monies, but generally it was not enough for them and the checks came too late. Anyone who is ever done business with the government of the United States of America knows that they never pay their bills on time for services rendered and it should not be surprising that FEMA did not cut checks to the people in their time of need in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

It is essential that individuals and small businesses keep their debt to a minimum if they live in a hostile hurricane territory or regions known for hurricane strikes along the shoreline. Even though the bankruptcy laws have changed in the United States over the last year, a person can still get relief if it is absolutely necessary without destroying too much of their credit.

The small business administration also has loans available to help with debt consolidation and perhaps that is a way to prevent bankruptcy of your small business or loss of your personal assets. All these things you should consider in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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Bankruptcy can be devastating both economically and emotionally. Extensive damage to your credit and long-term economic issues from bankruptcy will cause many problems in the years to come and it is far better to explore other alternatives before making the decision to file for personal bankruptcy.

Some of the alternatives to bankruptcy include: Renegotiate secured loans, Debt consolidation, Debt deferment, Renegotiation of unsecured loans, Interest debt reduction, Professional debt negotiation, and working with Debt Reduction Attorneys.

Renegotiate secured loans

Bankruptcy does not get rid of all your debt. Secured loans are generally for items such as cars and/or your house. These loans are usually the largest debts that people have, yet filing bankruptcy will not reduce those debts. However, if your debt hasn’t ruined your credit already, you may be able to renegotiate the loans or take the loan elsewhere.

For instance, if you have a home loan that is several years old, you may be able to significantly reduce your interest rate. Depending on your principal balance, you may see your payment go down several hundred dollars per month.

If you only have a few years left on a house mortgage, you may also be able to extend that loan over a longer period and reduce your payments even more.

Debt Consolidation

Most people have multiple payments that they must make every month. High interest credit card bills, car loans, house mortgage, and doctor/hospital bills can add up to some very serious payments every month. If you have equity in some real estate, especially your home, you can often get rid of these debts by taking on a first or second mortgage and use that money to pay off your other debts. But be sure to run the numbers first. There isn’t any point in consolidating debts if it isn’t going to make a significant difference in your ability to pay. Consolidating unsecured debt under a home mortgage will make the entire debt secured and bankruptcy wouldn’t do you a bit of good.

Debt deferment

Debt deferment means to make arrangements to pay certain bills at a later time. Rather than lose a good customer and the debt owed, some merchants may be willing to let your debt sit and collect interest while you pay your other bills. Few secured loan holders will go along with this because they generally have nothing to gain. However, other merchants may be willing to do so.

Renegotiation of unsecured loans

Unsecured loans generally are far more at risk, but there may be some wiggle room. Some merchants are willing to reduce or even eliminate any interest or carrying charges in order to let you pay off your entire debt amount.

Interest debt reduction

When people get into a credit mess, it’s often due to extensive interest that has accrued on the original balances. Creditors may not be willing to negotiate the principal balance but are generally more amenable to working with you on the accrued interest because it isn’t reflected in the books the same way.

Professional debt negotiation

Debt negotiation companies can take out the hassle and do much of the work for you by developing and then taking your case to the creditors. Since your negotiation company has no personal involvement, discussions remain purely about resolving the business relationship, leaving both parties more amenable to working out a solution.

Debt Reduction Attorneys

In cases where your debt load or asset level is high , you should probably seek out professional legal help from an attorney that specializes in debt reduction. Debt reduction attorneys have a wide variety of skills and can often do a better job of working with some creditors.

A debt reduction attorney will also take a look at any contracts you may have and become very familiar with the case. This can come in handy if other actions must be taken and therefore reduce some redundancies.

Chris Simons is a freelance writer. You are welcomed to visit http://bankruptcy.cyberinformer.com, for more information on Bankruptcy

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Domain names are the hottest net-real-estate on the internet. It’s no wonder services like: “Domain Name Backordering” is available to the public. Can someone really backorder your domain right from underneath you? Guess again…
So what is Domain Name Backordering?

This is a service that allows anybody on the internet to reserve a domain name if and when it goes up for sale! This doesn’t seem harmful does it? Guess again…

Companies all over the internet are ordering this service for website url’s that seem to be popular! What if by chance you just happen to forget to re-order your domain name? Let’s say that you go on vacation and neglect to check your emails that are now telling you to renew your domain name? In this case, another company on the other side of the planet sees the fact that your domain name is soon up for grabs, so they order a backorder on your domain name and simply wait to see what you do with it.

So here you are coming back from a very long vacation and what is this? Someone else now owns your domain name because you simply neglected your duty to keep your net-real-estate up-to-date!

Unless you own a Canadian domain name protected by the CIRA, or you have a trademark on your domain name or business name, you are “really” out of luck. Once you are at this point, it may take months before you can prove to the courts that you simply forgot to renew your website address.

Should This Service Be Allowed?

That is a very interesting question. Some would say yes simply because there are literraly 1000’s of websites that aren’t going to be renewed next month. On the flip side, some of those websites are simply a mistake. I think the point here is; avoid making that mistake and renew your domain name for atleast 5 years.

Google is apparently looking through the “WHOIS Data Base” to see which websites have the staying power online and are serious by registering their domain name for more than 1 year at a time.

Again, should domain backordering be allowed?

I say no! Just like a patent for an invention, you should have up to 1 year to claim that domain unless you transfer the domain name to another company or individual. This way we would have less domain name theft and less “hick-ups” from companies who simply forget their important responsibility.

Protect Your Net-Real-Estate!

Your website address is the most important commodity you have online. It is as important as your business name itself. It is what ties your company offline to online. People know you through your domain name. Potential clients may end up visiting your website later on, you woudln’t want some other company in your place?

Please be careful when give out the access information for your domain name to anyone that isn’t within your trusted circle.

I hope this article has helped you out!

About The Author:

Martin Lemieux is the president of the Smartads Advertising Network. Smartads helps small to large companies with their offline and online marketing needs.

International: http://www.smartads.info
Web Designers Directory: http://www.3dimentionaldesign.com

Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article only if it remains the same.

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This February is host to a mixed selection of events; the most fashionable of the 2 are at wholly particular ends of the spectrum, London Fashion Week and The Brit Awards 2009 See all the Brit Nominations at t5m.

Both of these events are incredibly celebrated and have turned out to be somewhat of ritual & frequent twelve monthly occurrence.

The Capitals 2009 Fashion Week takes place in NYC, Milan and Paris, the most stylish & appreciated urban capital cities in the world. The first initial Fashion Week was held in New York, in 1943 and was held intended to focus concentrated attention away from France Fashion during World War II when fashion style insiders were allowed to to take a voyage to Paris to look at the French Fashion shows. The long scheduled incredible Fashion Week always takes place in Feb, it is basically an opening for gifted designers both famed names like Giambattista Valli and also up and coming youthful designers to exhibit their brand new collections on the runway. This now gives fashion and store buyers an opportunity to take notes of what’s positively to be in & out this coming new season. Fashion Week starts with NYC, Fashion Week followed by the cities Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week & then at long last Paris Fashion Week.

The British Phonographic Industry also known as The Brits is the once a year latest pop music awards. The awards went on the go in 1977 & took place in the Royal Albert Hall in London The awards ceremony formerly shown on BBC 1 its currently now aired on ITV. The Brits are viewed by hundreds and millions of folk yearly, & are televised live each year. 2009’s Brit Awards are also sworn to be amazing and with wicked acts such as Kings of Leon, Duffy & Girls Aloud performing there your guaranteed to be in for extraordinary evening, and what is great to know is that it wont stop there though. This years 2009 Brit Awards Presenters are the entertaining BBC’s Gavin & Stacey’s, James Corden and Mathew Horne and the attractive Kylie Minogue so you are also going to be in for a laugh too.

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