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Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Best Credit Cards to use after Bankruptcy

Posted on March 15, 2013by Admin

Believe it or not, getting a new credit card after filing for bankruptcy is one of the best ways to begin rebuilding your credit score. But how do you know which one is right for you? A secured credit card is a great way to start over. These are one of the few types of credit cards that tend to be easy to get if you’ve been through bankruptcy or other credit problems. In most cases, they are available as soon as your bankruptcy is discharged. You’ll place a security deposit with the issuer and get a major credit card you will use just like any other credit card.

To ensure you get the maximum benefit from your secured card, it is important you do three important things:

1.) Choose a card that reports your payment history each month to all three credit-reporting agencies.

2.) Make your payments on time, all of the time, NO EXCEPTIONS. A single late payment can cause your credit score to drop significantly.

3.) Keep your balance low. Only use 10%-15% of your available credit line.

If you are trying to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, you need to review your credit reports and scores frequently. Get your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com about three months after your case is discharged. Dispute any mistakes you find. Then use Credit.com’s Free Credit Report Card to check your credit score each month. If you have positive credit references reporting to the credit bureaus, you should see steady progress over time. One more tip, do not apply for additional credit until your bankruptcy is discharged. Taking on additional credit while you are still completing a bankruptcy can jeopardize your case.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

6 Great Credit Cards to Rebuild after Bankruptcy

Posted on January 31, 2013by Admin

Many Americans are struggling to redeem their pre-recession credit scores. Whether you have recently filed for bankruptcy, been foreclosed on by your bank or simply struggled to pay your bills, rebuilding your credit score can be a long process. Below are six great credit cards to help you rebuild your credit score:

1. Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards Card: According to credit card expert Beverly Harzog, this is one of the best credit cards for rebuilding a credit score. You must be in the military or related to someone who is in the military to be eligible for this card. This card has no annual fee and the percentage rate is a variable 8.9%. It has a 25 day purchase grace period and it reports to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

2. Citi Secured MasterCard: With this card, you will earn a 1.01% annual yield because Citi invests your money in an 18-month certificate deposit of savings account. The annual fee is $29 per year, which is very low. This card is best for those who do not typically carry a balance because the variable APR is very high.

3. Capital One Secured MasterCard: This card also has a very high variable APR at 22.9%, but a low annual fee. A positive feature of this card is that the bank supplies cardholders with a credit-monitoring tool so that if you are struggling with your score, you can monitor it closely with this card.

4. Wells Fargo Secured Card: This card has a very low annual fee of $25, but it has a high APR of 18.99%. If you use this card responsibly, Wells Fargo will consider you for an unsecured credit card.

5. US Bank Secured Visa Card: Similar to Wells Fargo, this secured card can put you on the track to an unsecured credit card. Responsible card users can qualify for an unsecured card from US Bank in as little as 12 months.

6. Platinum Zero Visa Card from Applied Bank: Cardholders should be aware of the $9.95 monthly maintenance fee on this card. However, if you typically carry a balance on your card, this one is ideal for you. This card charges 0% interest on purchases and there is no credit check required.

To read more on this story visit: http://money.msn.com/credit-cards/6-great-cards-for-rebuilding-credit

Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Mortgage Interest Rates Frozen – Money Tips for 2013

Posted on January 25, 2013by Admin

It’s been reported that the Federal Reserve will likely keep interest rates regulated throughout 2013. In order to spark housing market growth, the Federal Reserve will keep the lending rate between banks in the 0% – 0.25% range until mid-2015.

Below are some savings and credit tips for the 2013 economic climate:

• Freeze your mortgage rate. Mortgage interest rates are at a 40-year low; therefore, you can lock in your mortgage with a fixed-rate. The interest on a 30-year fixed mortgage has been 3.57% throughout January.

• Lower your mortgage term. If you are planning on refinancing your home and might be moving within a few years, you should consider an adjustable-rate mortgage. During January, initial rates on five-year ARMs were 2.68%.

• Open long-term CDs. Place your cash in a long-term CD with low withdrawal penalties. This will give you the opportunity to make thousands of dollars in just a few years time.

• Avoid rising-rate CD lures. If a bank offers you an option for a higher yield on a CD if rates rise, you typically get a low initial rate. It is better to shop around and compare other rates with the fixed equivalent.

• Use local banks. Online banks sometimes have the best rates. However, if you prefer a bank you can physically go to, community banks are a great choice. Most local banks are less affected by the Federal Reserve and offer great rates. Visit www.findbankrates.com for the best rates in your area.

• Transfer a balance. Average interest rates on credit cards are extremely high right now. You can transfer a balance from a card with a higher rate to a card with a lower rate and save money.

• Carry rewards cards. If you are usually able to pay off your credit card balance, you are best suited for a rewards card, rather than an extremely low interest rate card.

To read more on this story visit: http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/01/news/economy/interest-rates.moneymag/index.html

Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Four Common Credit Card Mistakes

Posted on December 31, 2012by Admin

Credit cards are a great way to improve your credit score; however simple missteps in your credit card use can ruin your credit and leave you with unmanageable debt. Many people first encounter credit card trouble when they opt for short-term benefits and ignore the big picture. Cardholders are frequently enticed by flashy marketing campaigns and as a result, ignore the fine print terms of their cards.
Below are four common cardholder mistakes:
1. Credit card companies frequently offer signing bonus points to prospective cardholders. The majority of consumers do not read the fine print stating that a certain amount must be spent in a certain amount of time to receive these benefits. Consumers should be weary of increasing their spending to receive bonus points.
2. Credit card companies that use bonus points most likely have higher annual fees. A commonly used marketing tool is to waive this fee for the first year of card use. Consumers tend to disregard the fee since the first year is free and may not be able to afford it later.
3. If a cardholder is racking up interest on a card and having a hard time paying it off, it is not uncommon for them to transfer the balance to another card. Many consumers do so in order to receive a 0% introductory rate. In some cases, consumers skim the fine print and do not realize the interest on the card will be retroactive. Transferring balances from one card to another can also have a negative impact on consumers’ credit scores.
4. Department stores have been offering up discounts at the register in exchange for signing up for a store card for years. Oftentimes feeling rushed, it is common for consumers to overlook the fine print and sign off on inflated interest rates. Store card interest rates are rarely anything less than double digits; therefore consumers should forgo the discount!
To read more on this story visit: http://money.msn.com/credit-rating/4-costly-credit-card-missteps?page=2
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Reports Show an Increase in Credit Card Debt for Americans in the Month of February

Posted on March 22, 2012by Admin

CreditKarma.com released data from the consumer credit climate report compiled of more than 442,102 consumers in February 2012. The results showed a slight increase in consumer credit spending since January 2012. CreditKarma.com reported that the average American consumer held more than $170,000 in debt, which was attributed to home mortgages and more than $46,000 in home equity loan debt. Another debt that Americans are struggling to reduce is their student loan debt, which averages around $28,000 per person.
Not only has credit card debt increased, consumer credit scores have decreased two points since January 2012. The average American consumer credit score is 659. Credit score averages tend to be higher in states like New Jersey and Massachusetts. Credit scores in states like Mississippi and Louisiana tend to be lower, and are attributed to the lower cost of living.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/credit-card-debt-remains-stable-according-to-creditkarmacom-2012-03-14.
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Reuters Reports a Major Surge in Consumer Credit Spending

Posted on January 23, 2012by Admin

Reports show that U.S. consumer credit spending increased approximately 10 percent towards the end of 2011 in both revolving credit, such as credit card use, and non-revolving credit, such as major loans. This is the highest increase since 2001. During November 2011, outstanding revolving credit increased about $5.6 billion, while non-revolving credit, such as student and auto loans increased by about $14.78 billion. The government lending out student loans has reportedly made the largest increase, raising 31.9 percent. This generated an increase of $6.4 billion from student loans, alone.
There are many speculations as to the reasons behind this surge of consumer credit use. Some economists attribute this surge to consumers being willing to risk spending because they are more comfortable with their financial stance than they have been in the past. It is also said the recent consumer credit surge may be a sign that U.S. consumers are being forced to use their credit cards to fund ‘necessary expenditures.’ In contrast, other economists believe the increase in consumer credit spending is a result of banks instating new fees on debit card use and the attractive ‘cash back’ bonuses offered by credit card companies.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/10/us-usa-economy-consumercredit-idUSTRE80823O20120110
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Five Tips to Help you get out of Debt

Posted on August 22, 2011by Admin

Between the first quarters of 2009 and 2010, consumers made $72 billion more in payments on their credit cards than in purchases. Many individuals are picking up second and third jobs to pay off surmounting debt; others are relying on balance transfers on high interest credit cards, garage sales, and even selling unused household items on Craigslist. Reducing consumer credit-card debt is a surefire way to eventually stimulate the economy.

Here are four tips to help you get out of debt:
1.) Track your income and spending: To find cash to pay down your debt, you must know exactly what’s coming in and what’s going out. Write down everything you spend for 30 to 60 days with a pen and paper, an Excel spreadsheet or online software.
2.) Get the details: Determine the difference that an extra $100 or $200 a month can make in your progress. Then focus on saving small amounts that day, week or month.
3.) Call your lenders: List your cards in order of interest rate, from highest to lowest, along with the amount of the debt and phone number of the lender. Then call and ask if they would be willing to reduce your interest rate by 10 percentage points, indicating that you’ve received more competitive offers in the mail. (Make sure the representative who answers is authorized to reduce the rate. If not, ask speak to someone who is.)
4.) Snowball it down: As soon as the card with the highest-interest rate is paid off, direct that payment to the next card until that one is paid off, and work your way down the line. Although some pundits suggest that paying off the smallest balance first will motivate you to keep paying your cards off, studies have shown that method isn’t as effective as paying in order of interest rate. You’ll get out of debt faster by paying off the highest-interest-rate debts first.
5.) Build a cushion: Once you’ve snowballed your way through the credit card debt, steer that monthly amount into a savings account until you have at least three months’ of cash to cover living expenses. That will prevent emergencies from sending you back into the debt cycle.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in need of a financial fresh start, please contact our experienced team of bankruptcy attorneys at (305) 285-9100. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.