What Should You Do if You Get Turned Down for a Credit Card?
Michael Knowles
So you've gone through the long and terrible process of giving your details, only to find that you got turned down. This can feel a little insulting, like a rejection, especially if you feel like you could easily handle the card in question. So what can you do if it happens?
Try, Try Again
Don't get upset if you're turned down at one company – they might have some strange requirement that you happen not to meet. Always try three different places before you start to despair.
Whatever you do, though, don't spend a whole day applying for every credit card you can find, just to see if anyone will take you. Each check is counted, and lots of checks on your record make you look desperate, making it even less likely you'll get a good card – this is known as 'shotgunning' your credit.
Get Your Credit Report
Send off to the credit reference agencies to get copies of your credit reports. You can get your credit report from all 3 credit agencies once a your for free. Just go to:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
You can view the reports online or have them mailed to you. There might be something incorrect on there that's making you look bad, and you need to get it corrected if there is. Make sure you do all this in writing, so there are records of it – don't phone up and let them fob you off.
Phone the Company
It's not a good idea to always deal with credit card companies by post or on the Internet – you should try to phone them and speak to a real person. This way, you can tell them all your circumstances, make sure everything went through correctly, and question them if you get turned down. If you directly ask why you haven't been accepted, then they usually have to tell you. If you're willing to be pushy, you might even get the decision reverse. If the person you got through to won't budge, then always ask for their supervisor before you hang up.
Apply for a Less Prestigious Card
Yes, I know, it sounds bad – but you want a credit card, don't you? Get a high-rate card from the company whose card you want, and then pay it off on time each month. You're building your credit rating. The chances are that you'll be able to persuade the company to replace your card with the lower-rate one after a few months.
If you have a very bad credit rating, you might find that you are only offered secured cards. These cards require you to make a cash deposit before you can start using them. It's worth saving up the deposit and using the card for a while, though, as you'll usually be offered a normal card quite quickly, as long as you don't do anything terrible with the secured one.
If that all sounds like too much trouble, then you might like to try a pre-paid credit card. These cards must be loaded with money in advance, but from then on work like a normal credit card – except you don't pay any interest or fees! Well worth it if you only wanted a card for the convenience anyway.
You can also use a debit card tied directly to your checking account. Just make sure that you post your purchases so you don't bounce a check.
Copyright 2005 Michael Knowles
www.freedomisyoursonline.com
You may use this article on your website if you keep my copyright on it or you may link directly to my free reports page at http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com/freereports.html


All About Car Donations
Copyright 2005 Dave Markel
Car donations have become a great way to help charity. People simply offer their unwanted vehicle to a charity. The charity either has a lot where the car is sold or has an auction company take care of the sale.
In the United States car donations are tax deductible. This has made car donations very popular. The IRS even has a form just for those wishing to get the tax deduction. Also the charity you are going to donate to have to have "non profit" status with the IRS.
In 2000 nearly 3/4 of a million people donated their cars with a tax savings of over $650 million. Generally when the value of the donation is under $4000 the donor determines the value. While donations over this value are sold and the donor gets the to right off the actual value the car sold for.
In the US donations are accepted in all 50 states. Pick up of your vehicle often occurs within 24 - 48 hours after arranging your donation. You can even donate your car if it isn't operating as long as the value is more then the cost to have it towed.
Donations aren't limited to only cars. Trucks, vans, RV's, trailers and boats are also accepted as donations. If you have any questions about if your vehicle will be accepted as a donation it is best to call a registered charity.
Some of the charities that benefit from car donations are:
1. Red Cross
2. Habitate for Humanity
3. Boy Scouts
4. Cancer Research Institute
To name a few.
For a complete list of charities that benefit from car donations can be obtained by doing a search on any major search engine.

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Sam Smith writes for Cars to Charity. Visit her site at http://cars-to-charity.com


Home Loans - Online Services And Resources To Help You
Copyright 2005 Dean Shainin
Interest rates on home loans are at the lowest they've been in many years. Now is a great time to take advantage of home loan financial services and resources available online. With a little education online you can get some of the best loans available on the Internet. It is well worth the time and effort to research loans online to save yourself thousands of dollars.
Online home loan services and resources can help you get linked up to hundreds of home loan lenders. These services and lenders can help find the best home loan for your financial situation. The best home loan can change very quickly, so it is a good idea to find a good licensed home loan broker to help with your needs.
First time home buyers can get help with home loans from FHA in purchasing a new home. You might pay a slightly higher interest rate for the home loan, but you do not have to come up with a large down payment with FHA loans.
Home loan services and resources online can help you decide whether or not to have a long term or short term home loan. You may want a 15 year loan instead of a 30 year loan if you can afford higher loan payments. These services and resources can also provide you with information and ideas on many different options available to you for your financial situation.
Take time to shop online for the best home loan brokers and you can save yourself time and money. They have the skill and experience to get you the best home loan rates available. Home loan brokers have the knowledge required to get you the best rate discounts and incentives for your financial credit rating. With your FICO credit score, they will know which lenders can get you the lowest and best home loan rates in today's home loan market. It is a good idea to know what your credit is like before shopping for a home loan.
Important Home Loan Definitions
Amortization Period - The number of years it will take to pay back a home loan in full.
Conventional Mortgage - A mortgage home loan that does not exceed 75% of the lesser of the appraised value. A mortgage that exceeds this limit must be insured.
Equity - Home equity is the difference between the price for which a property could be sold and the total debts owed on the property.
Mortgagee - The lender.
Mortgagor - The borrower.
Refinance - To arrange a new mortgage for an increased amount. The old mortgage is paid off from the new home loan.
Term - The duration of a mortgage agreement.
Many Internet resources, tools and information can save yourself valuable time and money on finding a home loan. If you're looking to buy a new home and getting a home loan, shopping online may be the best way to go. You will know you have made a wise financial decision by educating yourself on the home loan process and options available to you. With a simple Google search you can have instant access to hundreds of home loan lenders that are competing for your business. In the end, this will help you get the best deal by shopping online for a home loan.

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Dean Shainin is a consultant specializing in home loans, strategies for loan financing, home equity loans, and consolidation loan information. To see a list of recommended loan companies, tools, resources, free quotes and information, visit this site:
http://www.homemortgageloantips.com