Making store cards work for you

By Samatha Ferguson

If you can comfortably clear the outstanding amount on your store card when the bill arrives and are a regular customer of that particular retailer, it may be worth using a store card, as there could be plenty of benefits in doing so. Not only do you get a discount on your first purchase, there are usually other perks, such as bonus reward schemes, free catalogs or magazines, and special shopping days, where you can avoid the crowds and shop in peace. Jim Black gives customers 1% of what they spend in store back in the form of vouchers, for example, so if you are a regular customer this could be worth having.

Some retailers have launched credit cards alongside their store cards so you get the usual rewards of a store card for spending on the retailer-branded credit card. The danger is that while the APR tends to be lower than on a store card, it isnt as cheap as some of the best credit cards. And as you arent restricted to one store but can use it in whatever outlets you like, you could run up more debt on it than you were able to before. Check the APR before spending " and if it isnt that competitive (and you dont clear your balance every month) dont use it at all.

Set up a direct debit to pay the full amount due on your store card each month. Then, if you forget to pay one month " perhaps because youre on holiday " it will be paid regardless so you wont run up any interest.

As well as persuading you to take out a store card, many retailers will try to force you to buy card protection and, just for good measure, card payment protection as well:

Card protection: Covers you if your card is lost or stolen. A single call from you can cancel all your plastic and usually costs around $7 a month.

Card payment protection covers your store card repayments if you lose your job or become ill and cant work.

You would want to avoid both types of cover, as they are expensive and usually a waste of money. Dont be talked into signing up, no matter how persuasive the salesperson is. If you really want some card or payment protection, shop around for a good deal rather than automatically taking out the policy the store card provider offers: There is no obligation to do so and you will find a better deal elsewhere. Make sure you read the small print before signing anything. - 23309

About the Author:

How to Invest Today is dedicated in teaching everyone how to invest from beginner to advanced.

Investing In Real Estate Is Not Easy

By Ray Walberg

Today's real-estate market is leading many to dream of becoming real-estate tycoons: snapping up properties at low cost and selling them at a profit? Is that a dream you can make reality?

It is possible to make real estate investing a profitable venture, but it will not be easy. If you don't know what you are doing, you could lose your investment - or take years to earn it back.

Before you start checking the real estate listings, think about what you want. Are you planning to invest for the long term or do you want to buy quickly and sell quickly? Do you have the money and time to make necessary repairs and upgrades?

Another important question to consider is how much risk you can handle. Real estate is an especially risky investment because it takes so much time to realize a profit. To reach that profit you have to spend a lot of money: on the property, taxes, repairs, insurance etc. You also have to spend a lot of time: in repairs and in waiting for the market to cycle to a favorable condition for you.

These are not just theoretical questions. Research how much money you have to invest. Write down how much money you want to have in one year, in five years and in 20 years. Determine whether you want to use your primary home as collateral on your investment. (This will increase the size of the loan for which you will be eligible, but it also means you can lose your home if you cannot make your payments.) You may be more comfortable investing money on a smaller "fixer-upper" property.

Many people are tempted by offers to buy a parcel with no money down. These generally involve high interest rates and closing costs. It's a very risky venture because no matter what happens in the market, you will still have to pay the full amount eventually.

Before you take the plunge, learn everything you can about the real estate market. There are many books and periodicals available to teach you the basics. The internet is also a great source of real estate information. You can learn everything you need to know about contracts, mortgages, insurance, legalities etc. The best investment is one that you have spent some time researching.

Be sure you have access to good legal and financial information before you invest. If you don't know your legal rights and responsibilities you could make a serious mistake that could affect your financial health and future.

Real estate investing is not an easy venture, but with careful research and planning, it is possible to get a very healthy return. Because properties are unique, you can have a real adventure in watching changes in your investment. - 23309

About the Author:

Ray Walberg publishes principally for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web page about property prices costa blanca . You can come across his articles on properties in costa blanca over at http://www.alicante-spain.com .