Credit Cards & Personal Loans: Video Series

Student loans help build credit, and it is important to maintain a positive record for paying off student loans to avoid hurting credit reports. Consider a deferment if financial difficulty keeps you from paying a student loan bill with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on student loans.

A secured credit card helps to build credit by allowing the card holder to provide cash collateral to the bank while making payments on time. After a set period of time, a secured credit card will turn into an unsecured credit card. Find out how credit reporting agencies see secured credit cards as an effort towards building better credit with information from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Because of economic downturn, hiring a financial planner will often help with deciding where to keep retirement savings. Interview several financial planners before making any decisions with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and financial planning.

High-risk personal loans from banks are difficult to find in tough economic times because the borrower cannot be trusted to repay the loans. Learn how high interest rates make risky loans unlikely with information from a financial adviser in this free video on personal loans.

Apply for a first-time credit card by starting with a department store credit card, maintaining a positive payment history and then signing up for a low-limit card. Get a good credit score by showing a regular payment history on credit cards with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Getting an instant approval personal bank loan generally requires a prior relationship with the bank and a significant amount of money invested in the bank. Find instant approval credit cards more easily than personal loans with tips from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and loans.

Personal bank loans for people with poor credit are becoming much less common and will often require physical collateral. Find out about tightening guidelines for unsecured personal bank loans with information from a financial adviser in this free video on personal loans.

There are four major credit card companies, and most of them offer fixed-rate credit cards. Read the fine print on a credit card agreement to understand how a credit card company can change the interest rate on a card with insight from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Interest rates on unsecured personal loans are often higher than on secured loans due to the higher amount of risk associated with the loan. Find out how the interest rates on personal loans are not tax deductible with information from a financial adviser in this free video on personal loans.

Paying off the credit cards of a deceased person is usually only required if someone has acted as a cosigner or co-borrower on the credit card. Consider hiring an attorney if a credit card company pursues a deceased person's estate with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Credit cards can help rebuild a credit score if a secured credit card is used to start building a better credit score. Show credit reporting agencies that you are making an effort to rebuild credit with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Many credit cards state that they do not have a variable APR, or annual percentage rate, but stipulations in the contract may allow the credit card company to change the interest rate to a variable APR. Read the fine print in a credit card contract with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Debit cards can help build credit if responsible use leads to the bank offering a real credit card after a certain period of time. Learn how debit card usage is not reported to credit reporting agencies with information from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and debit cards.

Short-term loans are typically offered through cash advance agencies and pawn shops. They usually carry high interest rates and high costs. Pay off a short-term loan with the next paycheck using advice from a financial adviser in this free video on personal loans.

Using savings to pay off a personal loan is not advisable because savings are intended to use for emergencies and long-term purchases. Keep savings for emergencies only with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and financial planning.

Credit scoring came about in the early 1980s with the formation of three separate credit reporting agencies. Find out how the Fair Issac Model is used to determine a person's credit score with information from a financial adviser in this free video on credit reporting.

Paid and unpaid mechanics liens are not reported to credit bureau agencies, therefore, they cannot decrease a person's credit score. Discover information on how if an unpaid mechanics lien leads to a lawsuit, the lawsuit could affect credit scores, with information from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and financial planning.

Consumer credit counseling agencies are either public or private agencies that work with individuals to work out debt payment solutions. Contact a consumer credit counseling agency to get help consolidating credit card debt or loans with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and financial planning.

Types of savings accounts include conventional savings account that pay a fixed rate of interest and savings accounts that tie up money in CDs for higher interest rates. Prepare to leave money in a CD savings account for a set period of time in order to get the full benefit with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on savings accounts.

Home improvement loan interest is almost always tax deductible if the home is a primary residence. Consult with a tax attorney to work out the details of loan tax deductions with tips from a financial adviser in this free video on home loans.

The difference between credit unions and banks is that credit unions are usually membership approved lending institutions, while banks are federally chartered lending institutions. Get lower interest rates on loans at credit unions with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on banks and credit unions.

Close a credit card account by making a final payoff that includes owed interest and sending a letter requesting that the account be closed. Make sure to get a final statement showing a zero balance when closing a credit card account with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on credit cards.

Federal bank regulations require banks to be insured by the FDIC, to make sure the bank does not make high-risk loans, and to set regulations on bank activities. Find out how banks that do not offer checking, savings and CDs are not under the same restrictions with information from a financial adviser in this free video on banks.

Bounced checks affect a person's credit rating by keeping local banks from lending money to the individual. Bounced checks may also lead to the debt being sent to a collection agency which will negatively affect credit scores. Avoid years of higher interest rates by not bouncing checks with advice from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and credit scores.

The way that a remodeling loan works is that the money is held in escrow while bids are made on the work, an initial advance is made to get work started, and the final portion of the funds is made once an inspector approves the remodel. Get the mechanics lien from a remodeling loan released once all the work is done with insight from a financial adviser in this free video on money management and personal loans.