How to get a Credit Card with a Bad Credit Rating

A credit card can be a really useful thing for us to have. It can be a very convenient way to pay for things adds security and so is particularly useful when using online and can even be used abroad. This means that it is something which many people would like to have, but they are not available for everyone. If you have a poor credit rating then it is likely that you will not be able to have one though and so you may have to try a few techniques to increase your chances of getting one.

Use your partners

Firstly it can be worth seeing if your partner (if you have one) can get one. If they can get one then they could have a secondary card holder and that could be you. Then you will be able to use a card. This will only work though if they trust you with money and they are happy to be responsible for the card repayments. If you have joint accounts then this is unlikely to be a problem though. Do think it through though as you do not want to have arguments about money based on having a card.

Improve credit rating

This may not be possible for everyone though and so you may need to think of other ways that you can get a credit card. It could be worth looking at your credit rating to find out why you are being turned down. There are places where you can access it for free and it will show details of things that are registered in your name including responsibilities for bills or ongoing payments such as direct debits as well as any debt that you have or had in the past. Make sure that all of the information is correct as any mistakes could make your credit report look worse than it should be. You may find that you will be able to find out your likelihood of being able to get a loan and what might be holding you back. It could be that your salary is not high enough, you have too many other debts or whatever. It is worth noting though that different lenders use different criteria for judging you and so something that may seem unattractive to some may actually be seen as a positive to another.

Apply to your current bank

You may find that you will have more luck if you apply to the bank that you normally bank with. They will be able to see what you are normally like and may help you because you are already a customer with them. If you have a branch locally it might be better to go and discuss it with the staff in there, they may be able to tell you whether it is worth applying or not. It might be that you will only be able to have a very small credit limit to start with. However, these tend to be reviewed every year and so if you are careful with the card and pay off the amount owed in full each month, then you are more likely to have your credit limit extended.

Research companies

There may be some credit card companies that are more likely to take on those with less good credit records compared with others. If you do some research online you may be able to find out who these may be and this could enable you to have a better chance of being accepted when you apply.

Apply to one at a time

It can be tempting to just apply to lots of lenders who offer bad credit payday loans at once and see who offers you a card. This certainly seems like a good idea but sadly it reflects badly on you. If you credit report shows that you have been applying for lots, then it will look like you are desperate for money and this will reflect badly on you and make it less likely that you will get accepted. Therefore it is much better to research first and only apply to those that are likely to accept you. If you do get declined then try another one. Do not try lots at once, even though it might seem that you will get a card more quickly. Even if you do get one this way it could result in you being less likely to get credit in the future.

Is it Worth Regularly Changing Current Accounts?

There are some people that swap their current accounts a lot. They choose different banks or building societies and swap over their salary, direct debits and standing orders to the new place. It can be a mystery to some as to why they do it and it can seem like a lot of work to do. However, there are often good reasons why people do this and it could be something which many people could benefit from.

Differences between accounts

Current accounts differ a fair bit between banks and building societies. Some will pay interest on balances, some will give rewards, some charge a fee in exchange for benefits and some have really competitive overdraft fees. It is good to have a think about what you want form a current account and what would benefit you to start with. Consider whether you use your overdraft or not and how much you pay for it. You will be charged interest but you may also be charged a fee. The amount you are charged will depend on whether you are using an authorised or an unauthorised overdraft. You can arrange and overdraft amount with the bank. If you stay within the amount that they agree to you will be charged a certain amount. If you spend beyond that or have no agreed overdraft then you will have to pay a larger amount. It is worth checking how much your bank charges and compare this to others to see if you could save money.

Interest

Although it is rare to get interest on a current account, there are still a few accounts that pay it. Others may give you a higher rate on a savings account of you also hold a current account with them. Check what your bank does and think about whether you would move to one that offered something better than they do with regards to getting a return for your money.

Paid accounts

Some people pay a fee each month for their current account but in return get all sorts of benefits which they feel give them back more than they pay for. This could include interest paid on the account balance, free insurance, vouchers or other benefits. If you think that this might interest you then it is worth taking a closer look at what is offered with these accounts to see whether you might be better off financially to get one of these. Do remember that something that is offered free is only worthwhile for you if you would normally use that thing but pay for it. If it is something you do not normally use then it is not worth getting.

Easy to swap

Swapping accounts is a lot easier than it used to be. Legally the bank of building society has to help you with moving the direct debits and standing orders so that it is easy for you. It makes sense to have the two accounts open together for a short period while you check that everything has swapped over and you have got your debit card, cheque book, paying in book or anything else you need to operate the account as well as finding out how to operate it whether you use a branch, telephone or online service. It can take a bit of time and there will be things for you to change and check. You may feel that it is just not worth the bother to do this. However, some people might think it is worth it.

Calculate your gains

Really it comes down to how much money you will gain from swapping and how much you feel that you time is worth. You might be happy to spend a few hours researching and organising a new account, swapping things and checking if you will make more than £5 a month. Some people may only be prepared to do it if they make £50 a month. We are all different, partly depending on how much money we have and so how much difference it will make but also in how much we value our time and whether we would rather do other things instead. It is worth considering though as some people find that it makes a really big difference and if you are struggling financially, it could make a significant difference to you.

8 Essential Things to Consider When Planning a Road Trip

If you are planning on taking a road trip in the near future, you will need to plan everything out very carefully. Failing to overlook even a seemingly small aspect of your trip can result in disaster. Those who want to ensure that their trip goes as smoothly as possible will need to make a point of doing some research. The following things can have a big impact on your road trip, so you need to take them into consideration.

1. Have a Flexible Plan

It is a good idea to have a plan for your road trip as far as where you are going, how you will get there, and what you are going to do. You don’t want your plan to be too rigid though, as it could actually keep you from having the best possible experience. It’s important that you leave a bit of room for little last minute detours, because spontaneity is part of the fun. If you see something fun along your route, don’t be afraid to take some time to enjoy it.

2. Learn How to Save Money

There are lots of ways to save money on a road trip, such as keeping your car as light as possible. The less luggage and other things you have in your vehicle, the less you will have to spend on gas. You also want to remember to stay within the speed limit to avoid getting any expensive tickets.

3. Create a Checklist

Make sure that you write out a checklist of things that you need to bring with you on your trip. This will help you to avoid leaving anything important behind. Review your checklist before you hit the road so you know that you are good to go. Most people forget at least one or two things when going on a trip, which is why it’s so important to make this list.

4. Get Breakdown Cover

If you don’t already have breakdown cover, you will definitely want to get it. You can choose to purchase it just for you trip or get a full policy to use long term. This sort of cover can help you in many different ways. If your car breaks down while on your trip, you can have a professional come out to fix the problem and get you back on the road. If they cannot fix the problem on the road, you can get your car towed to the nearest garage. If you are planning to travel to a different country, make to get European cover. Sites like Roadside can help you find a great deal for such cover.

5. The Condition of Your Vehicle

Anyone who wants to go on a road trip should first take their car to a garage to get it checked. You need to make certain that your car is in good enough shape to make the trip. This isn’t so much of an issue if your car is newer, but older ones aren’t always up for it. A mechanic will be able to tell you if there is any serious work that needs to be done before you can leave for your trip.

6. Factor in Stops

When you are planning out your road trip and how much time it will take to get wherever you are going, factor in the stops you’ll need to make along the way. You will eventually have to stop to fuel up and get something to eat. You might also want to stop to shop or do other things along the way.

7. Entertainment

If you are going on a long road trip, entertainment is definitely something to consider. Whether you are on the driver or passenger, being on the road for hours on end can get boring if you don’t have some source of entertainment. Make sure that you have some music to listen to, a book to read (if you are a passenger), or something else to occupy your mind. There is nothing wrong with talking to each other for entertainment, but it can get old after a while. If you are travelling along, consider listening to an audio book.

8. Switch Up the Drivers

You should make sure that everyone in the car has a turn as the driver, especially if it is going to be a very long road trip. There is no point in having one person do all the driving when you can take turns at the wheel.

It’s All About the Details

The smallest details are the ones that tend to matter most when planning a road trip, so you don’t want to forget them. Many of the people who end up having a nightmare of a time on the road could have avoided their problems by simply planning ahead. You will be glad you decided to follow these tips.